COLOR WONDER!

click the pic to look at it bigger.

Rediscovering the Savior

Image taken from www.ungrind.org

Ungrind published my latest article Rediscovering The Savior today. Check it out here.

joy in the journey.

I received word this morning that Radiant was going to publish an article I had submitted to them a few weeks ago. Check it out here.

I love it!

Rock on!

lovin me a shop vac.

Never have I ever loved an appliance so. My uber mini dust buster(that really didn't work all that great) finally died and I got a mini shop-vac. I love the thing. After I sweep the floors it is so great to get this thing out (with other attachments as well!) for corners, small rugs, and (the ever so dangerous) stairs. One day I'll get the big boy shop vac... I dream big people. I dream big.

oye!

image: http://blog.coolz0r.com/images/stairs1.jpg

So tomorrow marks the one week anniversary of my fall down our stairs. I knew the day would come where I would make that tumble not only because of the construction and steepness of the stairs but the materials used (hardwood).

So here I come bounding on down (and I mean bounding) the stairs because I had finally just finished cleaning the boys closet and was whooping it up for my accomplishment, but nevertheless was being modest as I made my way down.

Poor Evan was in my arms as my feet slipped out from underneath me...five steps from solid flat ground. So close. I feel back and slammed my head, back and right arm (which held my little Ev. but I dare not let him go) and soon was trying not to pass out from the shock of it all. Doesn't it seem when things like that happen to you it goes in slow motion and when you look back on it you think it so could have been so elegant, and you could have prevented the whole awful thing from happening.
Anyway, it hurt.
While my arm is still in tact, it still hurts. I thought I had broke it. I suppose it would not surprise me if it just fell off one of these days. I couldn't even put my hair back. I tried but it didn't quite work out. It looked bad and as someone sarcastically reminded me,
"It is no different than any other day."
Thanks Chad.

I know I need a haircut, it is at that awkward stage where it only looks good (and by good I mean somewhat presentable) when pulled back because it is dire need of some care from a professional. I just can't decide how to cut it and I am too busy(lazy) to make an appointment.
So here we are a week later, my arm may permanently hurt, and I have accepted the fact that I am, in fact, a klutz. Woe is me.

puree away!

Found out about the sneaking the veggies in meals book from Bethany, and got a copy! The short version of the story(you can read the whole story here.) is the book I have is called Deceptively Delicious by Jerry Seinfelds wife Jessica, but the couple is being sued by a woman named Missy Lapine, who is claiming Jessica plagerized all the recipes. Whatever. I just want my kids to eat veggies. They can all sort that out.

Anyway, this afternoon I pureed away while listening to NPR. I have to admit, it was a fabulous afternoon. The boys ran around outside since it has been so warm out, and I watched them outside the kitchen window while pureeing my butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, spinach, and broccoli! Tonight I made mac and cheese (with Cauliflower inside) and my boys ate every last bite. I am excited to try the other recipes in the book! So far it has been a great success!

obsessed with shoes.

If there are available shoes, Evan is wearing them.

only5 months until our annual holiday bliss!

2008.

1. the "beans and rice" diet. Both Just and I want to lose some weight. Justin came up with the whole "beans and rice" theme, so we are sticking with it. Just go with it. We want and need to eat more fruits and veggies and we want to encourage our boys to love them as well. We are eliminating all "goodies" from our home. We get enough "goodies" elsewhere anyway. We hope this goes well and it sticks.

2. the "beans and rice" budget. Simply put by my husband, "short term sacrfice, long term gain." We are going to try and save, save, save this year. This is going to be hard for me, I like to shop, I can often be impulsive, and thus we have like zero dollars saved. I have been extremely irresponsible with our money in the past, I have been selfish and worldy and I want to change that.

3. Listen better. Be a better friend.

4. Try to be more patient with my children.

5. Be more appreciative of my husband and all he does for us.

6. Take more photographs. Take better photographs.

7. Read through the Bible in one year.

8. Memorize 52 bible verses. My father-in-law has a great system he recieved from a friend, and I have decided it is time to branch out from the few verses I remember from childhood.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I have to say I am a bit surprised nobody said anything about my jeans. We were planning on getting the waist up...so much for that plan. Oh well, I loved the picture (esp. of the boys) and so thats what went! For all of you asking about the cards...they are made at Kodak Gallery and are Martha Stewart, she is SO good. I used her design last year too and got such great feedback I decided to do it again.

Until next year, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I may post some while we are home in WI...but just wanted to say so just in case. Make sure to spend some time reflecting on God's goodness and mercy in sending his son! Enjoy your times with family and friends!

Merry Christmas?

The pictures we didn't use...

Christmas time is here.

So I tried to get a cute picture of the boys all decked out, but alas...not to happen. This was the best one I captured even though the lighting is not the best.

Christmas Tour of Homes 2007

Welcome!

Merry Christmas!

my career

I am still fairly new to this business, but I currently have two clients in my portfolio. Maxwell Inc. and Evan Enterprises. My partner, also known as my husband Justin and I are considering taking on a third client, but for now are keeping busy with the two we have currently. Justin has another full time position with another company, so I am the primary caretaker of this company.
My partner Justin begins his day around 6:00 am. and is out the door to his other job around 7:00 am.
My mornings usually start off with a scheduled meeting with Evan Enterprises, around 8:00 am. He sometimes shows up early, but I'm always prepared for that.
Around 9 am Mr. Maxwell --of Maxwell Inc -- is in the office ready to begin our day. We usually head down to the kitchen office where I have a variety of breakfast options. Both Mr. Maxwell and Evan have a nice casual breakfast with one another, making business plans while I usually prepare myself some coffee for the work day ahead.
Between the hour of 10 and 11 both Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Evan are usually (but not always) in a meeting with Mr. TV of the Broadcast group. This gives me time to catch up on e-mails,phone calls and random paperwork.
After their morning meeting, the clients and I usually spend some time going over portfolios, drawing up new plans, or just brainstorming.
We break for lunch at about 12:30 pm. Both clients are usually fairly easy to please with the choices I give. Occasionally Mr. Max or Mr. Evan will complain, but I usually can coax them into the deliciousness of the meal provided.
By 1pm Mr. Evan has another meeting at his office at Evan Enterprises in which he is usually gone for an hour or two. He must work very hard, because when he arrives back at our office he is a bit disheveled and his eyes are glassed over.
During the time that Mr. Evan is absent, Mr. Maxwell and I go over his portfolio which is quite colorful and spend time working on blueprints at the train table. Sometimes we take a break with Mr. Play-doh who always gives us a good laugh with his entertaining ways.
Sometimes, between the hours of 2 and 4 pm the Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Evan and I spend time at some of the places we have investments in such as; Kroger, Fresh Market, Whole Foods, and Target. We occasionally visit our smaller investments of; Marshalls, Old Navy, Gap, and T.J. Maxx. We would like to expand our investments in all of the companies but more time and money is required and we are (and should be) quite satisfied with the profits we have received.
If we've spent the afternoon out we usually arrive home where I begin preparing for the nightly meeting of the whole company. Mr. Evan and Mr. Maxwell usually spend time in the drawing room, working at the train table, or perhaps they will have a meeting with Mr. DVD. He is a nice guy who can almost always keep the clients calm and in order.
Around 6 pm my partner arrives to our office where we all sit down for a nice meal together while we discuss our progress for the day and the future of our company. After the meeting, my partner/husband usually spends time the clients while I spend some time organizing and cleaning up the office.
Sure occasionally we have a few nights out, perhaps an out of the office meeting, or other engagements. But the nights we spend in we usually wind down by having a relaxing time filled with an array of activities to keep all partners happy.
By 8 pm Mr. Evan is ready to check out of the office for the day, and by 8 :15 after I read through some final documents with him, he is officially out of the office.
By 9 pm Mr. Maxwell has been gone through some documents of his choosing. He does work late some nights, but he too is usually officially checked out of the office by 10pm.
As for me, my day is not over quite yet. I usually have some odds and ends to tie up, but my partner/husband and I try to spend some quality time together before we too check out for the night. Usually we clock out for the night around eleven or midnight.
Most nights are peaceful and pleasant but occasionally we get the late night calls from Mr. Maxwell or Mr. Evan. They just want to feel secure in their investment in us, and we always reassure them they are in good hands.
The days in my job may be long, tiring, and sometimes can seem so mediocre. I definitely don't do it for the money,but I would never trade this job for any other…because I can almost always count on the job being exciting and it certainly is rewarding even if it may not always feel that way.

a few random things.

Confession: I sometimes wake up my sleeping husband even if I'm wide awake if one of the boys needs us. It is hilarious to watch him stumble out of bed, and if I am lucky he will mumble some utter nonsense. It's great. Besides he never remembers the next day.

Confession: I love the cartoon, Emperor's New School. It is hilarious. Don't love it 'til you try it. I also love the Hannah Montana show...so does my husband. In fact, we were going to get tickets to her concert in a few weeks, but they sold out in like 5 minutes. Yeah, she rocks!

Confession: I don't know how to fold the fitted sheet. I once perfected it,I have no idea how and it was pretty much a miracle that it ever occurred. Now our fitted sheets get rolled into a ball and thrown into the closet.

Confession: I drink about a half a pot of coffee a day.

Confession: In High School a friend bought me the movie, Monty Python And The Holy Grail because she thought it was my favorite. I did quote it, but I had never seen it... I still haven't.

Confession: I have never seen the movie, The Princess Bride. I KNOW! But it's true.

Confession: I am not entirely sure about my feelings on the color pink.
Confession: I can tell you the make and model of pretty much any car. A weird talent yes, but again, it's true.

Does this happen at your house? It does at mine!

Advent house.

I got this cute little Martha Stewart advent house that I finished putting together this afternoon. It was fun to fill with candy treats for my little sweets. :)

oh Evan...

Mornings are not good for me. It takes me a couple cups of coffee and some time to fully wake up. This morning as I began preparing breakfast for the boys I had to laugh as I began pouring this....

Who doesn't love Starbucks berry gum and a sharpie for breakfast?

(I know, Iknow blurry picture, but I grabbed my nearby camera and took the picture left handed and laughing so that I might not mess with the pouring action of our yummy breakfast.)

Then this afternoon I come across this....

He had consumed half of a black crayon! Good thing they were non-toxic.
What fun will I have in store for tommorow? You never know with my little Ev.

Some thoughs on Materialism.

They are attacking!! Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Crate and Barrel, CB2, Land of Nod, Blueprint, Pier 1, Restoration Hardware, J. Crew, and countless other magazines are trying to make their way into my home!

I love receiving my Martha Stewart Living, Food, and New Yorker magazines because they were all gift subscriptions and I love to read them. However, all the home decor, clothing, and pretty much any magazine that you can order from into the recycle bin as I enter the house.

This is not a new or profound idea I have had, in fact, I have done it before. While paging through magazines is not wrong in itself for me right now, it has been an area of lusting and wanting the things inside.

Part of it is, I want it all too much. I want nice things. I want a cute house. I want to be fashionable and put together. I want to be a good mother, a creative person, and a godly woman. The problem I see is that I want so much for myself so others will approve of and love me, that I will love me, and I am leaving Christ out of the mix. Loving myself too much and Christ too little.

I started throwing away my magazines when one afternoon I had brought them in, planning to sit down and page through them while my boys played. I thought to myself, I cannot afford to buy anything in these magazines, I don't really need anything in these magazines, and why not play with my boys more today. I threw them out in the garage and my boys and I had an amazing afternoon of silly games and lots of laughs.I am not trying to say you should never want to buy nice things. I mean I do think it is fine to want nice things, and trust me I still have a long way to go before my material wants dissolve. It can become dangerous though. When you get what you want and then you want more and more and more, then it becomes sticky and icky. Your want for nice things has become an obssesion.

I have found this year as we bought our first home I want so much, fully furnished beautiful rooms, when the reality is we cannot afford it. Even if we could it would still be foolish of us to waste all our money on making our house "perfect". I think it is more important to give unto others, and to give to your church and missions. Where the money can be used to further Gods kingdom.

I love the story of the widow's offering in Mark 12 :41-44. It reads;

" And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

This story is very humbling. It makes me realize how selfish I am so often. It really has struck me this year. I want to know Christ more. To love him more. To not care about things so much. I encourage you to read Carolyn Mahaneys' latest post on Girltalk, as she refelcts on materialism a bit too. While I don't always agree with the girltalkers, they do have some great insights, and this post was a goodie.

Things are just things after all. And for now, I know I need to keep on recycling those magazines when they come. While I long to be this way or that way, or have this thing or that thing, I most of all want to keep seeking to be honoring to Christ. To be growing in my love and knowledge of him.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." - Matthew 6:19- 21

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving.

Max with the turkey cookies he helped Grandma Jane and Aunt Jaimee make.

The only picture I took while home this past weekend. Bad, bad me.

Learn and help end world hunger!

This is so great, and fun! Go to http://www.freerice.com/ and they will give you a word pick the one the answer that best defines that word. For each word you get right,they donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations to help end world hunger! I love it!

busy boys.

preparing for Thanksgiving

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

This year as we head home to Wisconsin to be with our families, I am especially thankful for what God has taught me this year. While I know how little I still know about him, I am so thankful for what he has taught me, how much I have grown and what he has revealed about his mysterious self to me.

Trust Christ. There is no greater happiness than in him. You can be thankful for the past, the trials you've endured, all things in your life, and you can, with faith look forward to the future. There is nothing greater, more healing, more lasting than with Christ. Your sins forgiven! Eternity with him! What is greater than those promises?

Thank God for all his promises for us because of Jesus!