Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fireproof Your Marriage: This Friday


This Friday the film “Fireproof” is being shown at Theaters.
It is a film that will surely encourage you and strengthen your marriage. Check out the video below for a sneak peek, you might want to turn my music off to hear the video.




Also here is the home page for the movie:
http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Check out this Website for more info to:
http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/

Friday, September 19, 2008

Summer Vacation Memories ...


Today I thought I could blog a few things from this past summer, like our family trip to Kansas City. We are huge KC fans, and if ever had a reason to move there Jon knows my bags would be packed before he could start the car. Only one other place ranks up there and that would be Elizabethtown, PA ... where our friends Shawn and Susan live. Jon and I got engaged in KC, and our family just enjoyes going their for many reasons ... CHEIFS Football, Good Barbque, Houstons Resturant, KC Zoo, Royals Baseball (so we can see the ORIOLES PLAY), Country Club Plaza ... just so much to do.

So this summer we made it down for a few days in KC. We did the usual places with the kids ... two days at the Zoo this year, as we got a membership so we could take our time and enjoy. I think it was the best thing we did, as we got there after lunch both days and in the afternoon we saw most animals doing things other than just lying around. My favorite site the whole trip was the hippos. How many times do you see a hippo out of the water let alone playing! I wish I had them on video to show you but I do have some photos of them "playing" on this HOT day at the Zoo.


We did two night of barbque, but the first night we were in a hurry and hungry so we did Gates ... and I did not like, and the kids didn't eat well either. The second night we went to another similar place and it was much better, but not as good as Winslows or Houstons! Emily would have rather had her baby back ribs from Chili's, and I think I wish we would have just to see her eat like she does there.

Jon and I both had some good laughs after the kids were in bed. The first night Emily got a bed of her own and Camden and Eva shared ... poor guy he took the brunt of Eva's restless nature. Then the second night Camden got a bed to himself and Emily and Eva shared ... they slept very well together other than Eva not going to sleep right away, and Emily making sure she was not going to get in trouble for Eva keeping her up. Then came the third night, the night Eva had a bed to herself ... she was very excited. Emily and Camden did very well sharing the fold out couch together, without Eva to keep them awake! Looking at these photos you just have to love nature of our kids when they sleep!


We spent a lot of time in the pool at the hotel, but we were amazed by Emily's swimming! This girl can go the length of the pool doing the "crawl" not coming up for air and not winded when she finishes. Can you say we have a little fish on our team? Made Jon and I realize how she could skip Level 1 ARC, without even starting ARC swim lessons. They put her right into Level 2 to start this upcoming year, after doing the pre-school 4-5 yr classes. Which reminds me I need to find out about lessons this Fall/Winter.


We always have a great time in KC, and I am looking forward to going down for the Third Day concert in less than a month. Well I hope you enjoyed these photos of us on vacation in KC. -b

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Eva's Photos

This past spring Eva went to get her "Cutie Contest Pictures" at Stutzman Studio in Washington. Walt (Eva calls him Wally) has been waiting on me to pick the photos up, and I finally got it done today. WOW, what a cutie. Walt is doing these books that you can see in the left part of the photo ... I think there is about 10 photos in there, and this book is just cute as can be. I have had so many giggles over the photos, remembering that day. We got the photos taken the same day Avery passed away, so it is also a very somber reminder of how precious life is to enjoy while my children are here with me.


So more about these photos ... We did this contest with both Camden and Emily. Camden won first place when he was almost two, and Emily got Honorable Mention when she was two. Eva did not get a chance to win, as there were not enough kids to enter. But I have to say Walt sure knows how to capture a photo of this one.

Now I just have to go buy a photo frame that matches the other two, and hang it up! Who wants to go shopping with me? -b

http://www.stutzmanstudio.com/

Friday, September 12, 2008

My Birthday Present


Can you figure out what I got for my birthday?
See if you can do better than me:



My Birthday Presents are Three Clues ...

Date Book with dates circled Jan. 3, Feb. 3 ... Dec 3;

Clay Pot for Plant ...

Skate Board toy.

So are you as clueless as I was?


How about Third Day, Jars of Clay & Switchfoot. I GET TO GO TO THEIR CONCERT AT THE STARLIGHT THEATER IN KC ON OCTOBER 11th, 2008! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! SO EXCITED!

Thank You! For Helping make my birthday so HAPPY! -b

It's My Birthday!

So in just a few short hours I will no longer be in my 20's! I will become part of the 30's crowd! Not sure what that will be like :)

Nothing to exciting has happened yet, I got the usual routine of getting everyone ready and off to school. Drove Dad and Mom to Des Moines since Dad had a INA meeting. Mom and I walked around Jordan Creek a little, and spent NO MONEY! Wow, I think 30 is making me frugal already (LOL)! We had an awesome lunch at PF Chang's, where I think I ate more of Mom's lunch than I did my own. Then headed back to pick Dad up, only to get stuck in bad traffic for about 45 minutes. I found my way through Downtown and back up to 235 to head home. Thank goodness I have all those State Tourney Trips to look back on to find my way around Downtown DM!

Soon I will go pick the girls up from Aunt Cheryl's and I believe we have a baby sitter coming to watch the kiddo's for a Date night. I get two nights of Dinner out, as Mom and Dad are treating us to dinner at TUSCAN MOON! (you have to go there if you have not been, AWESOME FOOD!) I have had several emails of HAPPY Birthday ... a text message, and a phone call! So that has been fun to receive them all Happily!

Since I am usually behind the camera here is a cute photo from my MOPS table group on Tuesday, I must say not bad of me. Love ya! -b

Thursday, September 11, 2008

How life feels & I SPY (Couch Version)


So after a busy but great week, my Van choose to display how we both felt. Every now and then it does this ... I am not actually driving that fast and taking a photo. Really, I have had a great week leading up to my birthday tomorrow. I got to go golfing on Tuesday which was so much fun even though I didn't have much game. It was great to just be out with the ladies. And last night was good to have Family Night at church, which leads me to my next story ...



After the kids were all tucked away in bed, Jon had notions of watching TV. Though there was no TV Remote to be found ... so he picked up the blankets, and still no TV remote. So where do we look next, how about pulling out the couch cusions. Yes, there it was ... but so was a lot of other stuff. After Jon pulled everything out of the cracks of the couch we sent for the kids to come down stairs and check out this mess on the couch. Here are a few of the photos, I couldn't help myself thinking it reminded me of I SPY!





Remembered

Did you get this email? I did, and I just cry like a baby as I remembered that day so well. I heard them read this on 101.9 this morning to, and just had to ad it to my post for you too to read if you have not already. -beryl

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan ...
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you. But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

Monday, September 8, 2008

Dentist & Dance

This morning started off early with a trip to the Dentist. The kids had their regular check up, and were all looking forward to seeing Doctor Polly, as she is so great with the kids. Emily and Camden are such big kids for her and set so well in the chair. Eva on the other hand, is a handful. We have not quite mastered the art of being a big girl at the dentist yet. Soon hopefully as it is an emotional strain on Mom.

Everyone checked out okay, no cavities ... though Emily has a few spots that they are watching. The good news on that is they took the X-Ray's and compared them to the last visit 6 months ago, and no change! YEAH. But Doctor Polly recommended using a fluoride rinse when she gets home from school, and then brushes morning and night with a fluoride toothpaste and FLOSS! Which that is my fault, I am not good at making that routine for the kids.

Camden, got two more molars sealed as our insurance covers 80% of the cost. Last time he had the lower molars sealed, this time we did the upper ones, and that was not so much fun. But he did well and got it all done. He has four loose teeth ... and he thinks they are all going to come out the same day! We will keep you posted on that, as it takes a long time for him to pull them out. On another note, Doctor Polly has noted he will need an orthodontist as he has some space issues. But she says they will continue to watch, so at least we do not have to deal with that yet.

I was able to get a picture of Emily at the dentist ... don't you love the great shades they put on the kids. Almost makes you want some when you go to the dentist. I was going to take a photo of Camden, but it just didn't feel right with him not being to comfortable ... and I was to busy holding Eva. You can see Emily wearing her shirt she made at G&G Marner's this weekend. Camden, Emily, Bailee and Paige were all going to wear them to school today. We put Eva in hers despite her not wanting to. She took it off as soon as we got to Cheryl's as Libby was still wearing her PJ's.

On to brighter moments ... Emily has been waiting all summer for this to start again. Dance! and she loves to dance ... it is just a part of her. Between her and Eva one of them is always doing there little thing. Both of them have this natural groove about them. As usual thought the date comes sooner than I am usually ready for. But I found myself on Friday night realizing she cannot fit her feet into her 10.5 tap shoes anymore. Unfortunately she will have to squeeze her feet one last time into them as all I could buy her were size 12 ballet shoes. I could have picked up 11.5 tap shoes at the same time, but the gal really encouraged me to bring her in to try them on as they can run small. So in order to not have to make a bad purchase, I listened and did so. Hopefully I will be able to take her up sometime this week and purchase new ones.

Eva is quite sad that she is still not old enough to start dance. One of Eva's daycare friends gets to start dance this year. Next year though should be fun if Eva still enjoys dance as much as she does now. In case you have never seen her dance before ... here is a fun one to watch.



This week brings the start of quite a few things other than just dance. Tuesday brings the start of MOPS, and my first year not on Steering Team. It has been a tough adjustment, but I think a good one. I get to take on different responsibilities with Camden's second grade class as a Homeroom Mom. Plus I was never really able to fully enjoy MOPS as I always felt like I had to be doing something or was doing something. I will let you know how well it goes. Then Wednesday will start of our Family Night's at Church. Instead of AWANAS this year we have refocused to a more Family Activities and Teaching with Worship. Thursday should be quiet, and then my big day on Friday comes. YEAH!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Beautiful Days & Weekend Events


What a beautiful day to be blessed with. I cannot get over this perfect weather, we opened the windows and this breeze blowing through the house is to good to be true.

So I have yet to tell you about what the kids got to do this weekend. After school on Friday Camden and Emily got to go to G&G Marner's house, and Aunt Cindy picked Eva up after work, for a special stay over night at their place. Also joining were the great-grand kids, Bobbie's girls. I don't actually have any photos of the events that took place but they made some shirts, and here they are wearing them. All the kids are going to wear them tomorrow for school, and Libby and Eva will were them to Cheryl's house.

Thank you G&G and Cindy, since Jon and I got to go out and enjoy an evening out with some friend of ours. We went to the Brown Bottle downtown Iowa City ... and almost closed the place down we were so busy in conversation! Even after driving back to their car at the mall where we meet, we continued to talk. It has been a long time since we have had a chance to do that. Plus it was nice to sleep in with no responsibilities in the morning! Thanks again!







This evening G&G Slechta stopped over to squeeze the kids. Grandma Helen took a try at the stairs to see the kids rooms as about a month ago we rearranged the rooms on a whim, which was after her hip surgery. (If any of you know me well enough, I always seem to out of now where move things around). So she has been wanting to see this new layout. So here is a photo of each of the kids in their rooms with G&G.





Then we went downstairs to show off how good Camden and Emily are at Daddy's Wii. Camden floored us all with his great skills at Bowling! WOW, he is really good.

So, I usually let my birthday's go by with not much notice ... but this one is my 30th on Friday and I have deiced to enjoy this one and be thankful for every blessing this year that our good Lord has given to me ... so here is a small preview from my youngest! Good-night. -beryl


Friday, September 5, 2008

Wii, Our Family!

And so it begins ... we have entered the world of gaming, and we are loving it. We really have spent a lot of time together as a family playing against each other. So how did this happen? It has been a really good lesson for our kids to save their money up in stead of spending it on candy or the dollar isle toys!

Jon for two years has been saving his Best Buy gift cards from Christmas and Birthdays, and whatever extra gift money he has been given. Now that he had enough he wanted to buy a Wii instead of an iPod, and some other things ... which he could have broken down and bought a lot sooner, but saved up. So how do you come to buy a Wii these days you ask? So did we. They are always sold out at Best Buy and online, but with out going into a long story, we were able to get one! Camden was so excited, he has been wanting an XBOX ever since visiting Uncle Scott in GA.


So I have to say I am very impressed with how much work you body can go through playing one of these. And I am not much of a computer game person, I would rather be doing something else. Though I am finding my self enjoying the sport very much. I can golf, play tennis, and even go bowling with my kids! Camden and Jon play boxing together. In fact as I am typing Jon is down stairs trying to achieve PRO level on tennis.

So here are a few photos of the family on one of our game nights down stairs. The girls play together alot while Mom, Dad and Camden have some Wii time! Eva has not been given a good chance yet, but Emily does like playing too. The kids are all working hard to earn time to play the Wii. Check back, I have more to tell you about the kids fun night at Aunt Cindy and G&G Marner's House. -beryl

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

One tired Kiddo!

This was the best site to see, and brought me a good laugh on a very sad day!

Camden came down the steps upon hearing me in the laundry room making just enough noice to inspect what was going on. After a short talk I sent the tired boy back up the steps, and went back to my work as I also wanted to head up to bed soon. Jon gave up on waiting for me and choose to head up stairs, and when he came back around the corner he said, "you have to see this". I was thinking of everything buy what I was about to. There Camden was lying on the steps fast asleep. So, I got my camera out and took a few shots just to keep this good giggle a photo away! Just goes to show you how comfortable a step can be when you can fit on one! Hope you can enjoy this laugh as much as we have.

As for our very sad day, I just want to honor my Dad's Mom, Mabel. She passed away, and I know she is in a much better place. She truely loved God, and walked in his path to heaven. My Step Aunt Anne was saying that a few days before passing Mabel spoke about a dream she was having of Jesus coming to take a walk with her but she was not ready to go her feet were to tired. Uncle Darrell also spoke that as she took her last breath she pointed to heaven as if she was taking someones hand. I could only wish my children new her better, but in the passing years it was hard for her to remember things and who we were, which was never easy. So, Good-bye Grandma, we will see you someday.