I'm sure you can figure out which is which =)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Today is a special day!
Dear Dana,
You brighten up my life
With many things so fond
And when I reach out to you
You always do respond
You're someone I can count on
When I need a helping hand
You're compassionate and loving
And you always understand
Oh yes you have your
Off days too
However those days
Are but numbered few
I'm so thankful to have
A friend like you
There is not any other
Who could fill your shoes
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Good Afternoon!
(((Oh Dana))) I know how bittersweet it must feel for you to be closing down the businesses, but God has a purpose. You will most certainly be blessed by the additional time you'll have with your children, both physically and mentally. I know how easy it is to 'listen without listening', because you're so busy in your mind with finishing up this order for so and so, and packaging up that one that HAS to make it to the box today, and so on. I also know the frustrations and hurts that go along with the other issues. All too well, I know them. It has been a difficult road, with another flare just recently, but I can finally see the Lord using it to teach me to just 'be still', and to love! It is not my nature to keep my mouth shut when being attacked, to return kindness for evil, or to go the extra mile. But praise the Lord, through him I WILL learn! You know I'm praying for these requests.
I realized that you never told be about your New Years Eve party. You'll have to do that. We ended up with a bust here. When 10:30 rolled around and we already had the tireds and crabbies, we decided to all go to bed! LOL!
How is your mouth and face feeling today? Is the swelling going down?
Your UPS story made me smile. While there are some frustrations about 'small town living', there are most definitely more perks to it =) Did you get around to starting yesterday? I have to admit, I just haven't been able to muster up the motivation to really get myself excited about this. I did do a workout this morning and again, my legs felt wobbly for some time after. Paige just told me that she would really like to start doing it again too, so maybe she'll be the push that I need to keep more consistency with it.
Another thing I'm trying to implement is using ideas from Clean Mama, to help me stay on track with cleaning/organizing/etc. For some reason I've been having a hard time getting it all done. It seems like if we put in a good school day, and just get the basic chores done that there's no free time. If we take that free time and do things such as games, sewing, crafting, books, exercise, etc, the chores aren't getting done. And like I said, those are just the basics.....not allowing for deeper cleaning, organizing, etc. One day a week on the weekend isn't enough time to work on those deeper cleaning areas, organizing, and the hobbies or fun time with the children. I'm trying to find balance in there.
Leia was reading to me this morning during our school time and I realized that when I was telling you about her reading that I said 'trips' was a four letter word. Oh boy. See where my brain is lately? I suppose you figured it out on your own, but I meant to say that her latest book has had some four letter words, and even the FIVE letter word -trips. Bear with me sister.
Work has really slowed down for Duane again. After tomorrow he'll have worked three days in the last two weeks. I try not to worry about it, but at the same time see the bills that are due, the curriculum needs for the children, and just simple day to day needs that we have. Add in the fact that it's also time to start planning for the gardens and spring livestock, and it then makes the even 'bigger' issues (such as our desire for a larger and more reliable vehicle, farm repairs, etc) seem like impossibilities. It's reassuring to know that God promises that ALL things are possible for those of us who love him, and that he will supply our needs! He showed us his hand of provision again yesterday, when we received a call from a man who Duane had spoken to earlier in the summer about a very large job at one of the local hotels. The last we heard it had sounded like he changed his mind about doing the project, but it now sounds like he's moving forward with it after all. That job alone would keep Duane busy for a couple of months at least. We are continuing to pray that he does indeed move forward with the plan....and soon!
Paige made a huge batch of homemade oatmeal bread yesterday. Three of the loaves were a normal size, but somehow the other three became super-sized! One even raised up into the heating element of the oven and started baking around it. I had to yank it out of there and it's now got a nice black line cooked into the top. LOL!
Since I didn't get around to it yesterday, and I've chatted on about everything else today and need to get going, I'll just send you over to my bog to see the cutie squirrel pictures. Or did you cheat and peek already? You have probably seen the picture before anyway...... Oh, and as I'm typing about squirrels, guess who just crawled up to sit in the sunny spot and say hi?!
Ok, I'm off to get lunch going and then do Brianna's read aloud with her. Then I need to work on our menu plan, and finish cleaning out and organizing our file cabinets. Fun-fun!
Love you-
Cathy
I realized that you never told be about your New Years Eve party. You'll have to do that. We ended up with a bust here. When 10:30 rolled around and we already had the tireds and crabbies, we decided to all go to bed! LOL!
How is your mouth and face feeling today? Is the swelling going down?
Your UPS story made me smile. While there are some frustrations about 'small town living', there are most definitely more perks to it =) Did you get around to starting yesterday? I have to admit, I just haven't been able to muster up the motivation to really get myself excited about this. I did do a workout this morning and again, my legs felt wobbly for some time after. Paige just told me that she would really like to start doing it again too, so maybe she'll be the push that I need to keep more consistency with it.
Another thing I'm trying to implement is using ideas from Clean Mama, to help me stay on track with cleaning/organizing/etc. For some reason I've been having a hard time getting it all done. It seems like if we put in a good school day, and just get the basic chores done that there's no free time. If we take that free time and do things such as games, sewing, crafting, books, exercise, etc, the chores aren't getting done. And like I said, those are just the basics.....not allowing for deeper cleaning, organizing, etc. One day a week on the weekend isn't enough time to work on those deeper cleaning areas, organizing, and the hobbies or fun time with the children. I'm trying to find balance in there.
Leia was reading to me this morning during our school time and I realized that when I was telling you about her reading that I said 'trips' was a four letter word. Oh boy. See where my brain is lately? I suppose you figured it out on your own, but I meant to say that her latest book has had some four letter words, and even the FIVE letter word -trips. Bear with me sister.
Work has really slowed down for Duane again. After tomorrow he'll have worked three days in the last two weeks. I try not to worry about it, but at the same time see the bills that are due, the curriculum needs for the children, and just simple day to day needs that we have. Add in the fact that it's also time to start planning for the gardens and spring livestock, and it then makes the even 'bigger' issues (such as our desire for a larger and more reliable vehicle, farm repairs, etc) seem like impossibilities. It's reassuring to know that God promises that ALL things are possible for those of us who love him, and that he will supply our needs! He showed us his hand of provision again yesterday, when we received a call from a man who Duane had spoken to earlier in the summer about a very large job at one of the local hotels. The last we heard it had sounded like he changed his mind about doing the project, but it now sounds like he's moving forward with it after all. That job alone would keep Duane busy for a couple of months at least. We are continuing to pray that he does indeed move forward with the plan....and soon!
Paige made a huge batch of homemade oatmeal bread yesterday. Three of the loaves were a normal size, but somehow the other three became super-sized! One even raised up into the heating element of the oven and started baking around it. I had to yank it out of there and it's now got a nice black line cooked into the top. LOL!
Since I didn't get around to it yesterday, and I've chatted on about everything else today and need to get going, I'll just send you over to my bog to see the cutie squirrel pictures. Or did you cheat and peek already? You have probably seen the picture before anyway...... Oh, and as I'm typing about squirrels, guess who just crawled up to sit in the sunny spot and say hi?!
Ok, I'm off to get lunch going and then do Brianna's read aloud with her. Then I need to work on our menu plan, and finish cleaning out and organizing our file cabinets. Fun-fun!
Love you-
Cathy
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Oh wow...
It's like coming back home!
What wonderful updates on the children. They are growing up so fast! Not just 'growing up' but maturing into such neat people! :)
I'm so glad for the wonderful update about your daddy. God is so faithful.
Yes, I'm ready to go ahead with Preparing whenever you are. Just let me know.
I've decided to close down WU and LFM. It's been a long struggle but I finally feel like this is the right thing to do. I'm going to 'advertise' today that everything is half off in both stores. Hopefully the Lord will move some of this inventory OUT.
Still dealing with the 'issue'... wishing it would just go away. I'm just tired of dealing with it, grieved for all the wasted years (tho praying God would show me how He has and will use those experiences to make me more like Him) and trying to figure out how to handle the latest email. Please keep praying for me. I want to be kind and Christlike in my dealings but I'm weary and I'm ready for it to be over.
Went to the dentist Monday for part 2 of this latest root canal. My face has been so sore. Yesterday it dawned on me that it's not my teeth/jaw that hurt, it's my face where I had the injections. This morning my face feels a tad more swollen than yesterday. I'm hoping that's normal? It's tender to the touch and sensitive when I smile. Just very odd. But he did quite a bit of gouging around doing the injections so I really think I'm just bruised in the tissue there. Hey, would arnica help afer all this time? I wish I had thought of that sooner. You can't see any brusing but I wonder if the tissue inside is bruised?
Got my TTapp order yesterday. Did I tell you? The UPS guy showed up at church just as we were leaving Sewing Circle for home! We live 30 minutes from church and it's in a different county. He recognized the van and so he stopped and gave me my package. I love my UPS guy! lol I watched the seminar (that I didn't realize came with MORE) and did the moves along with the audience. Today I start MORE. I really should do a 14 day bootcamp, I think, if I understood properly. I wonder if I can do that? I know you have to do at least a 4 day bootcamp to start with. I'm so glad I had the seminar one too. Her explanations make so much sense. I feel very peaceful about this and I really think this is what God is going to use to chisel away my chub ;) Today I need to take measurements and the dreaded photos... I know I will regret it later if I don't. I just dread seeing all the fat in person... lol
Breakfast is ready. Guess I should go try to eat something. Talk to you soon!
~Dana
What wonderful updates on the children. They are growing up so fast! Not just 'growing up' but maturing into such neat people! :)
I'm so glad for the wonderful update about your daddy. God is so faithful.
Yes, I'm ready to go ahead with Preparing whenever you are. Just let me know.
I've decided to close down WU and LFM. It's been a long struggle but I finally feel like this is the right thing to do. I'm going to 'advertise' today that everything is half off in both stores. Hopefully the Lord will move some of this inventory OUT.
Still dealing with the 'issue'... wishing it would just go away. I'm just tired of dealing with it, grieved for all the wasted years (tho praying God would show me how He has and will use those experiences to make me more like Him) and trying to figure out how to handle the latest email. Please keep praying for me. I want to be kind and Christlike in my dealings but I'm weary and I'm ready for it to be over.
Went to the dentist Monday for part 2 of this latest root canal. My face has been so sore. Yesterday it dawned on me that it's not my teeth/jaw that hurt, it's my face where I had the injections. This morning my face feels a tad more swollen than yesterday. I'm hoping that's normal? It's tender to the touch and sensitive when I smile. Just very odd. But he did quite a bit of gouging around doing the injections so I really think I'm just bruised in the tissue there. Hey, would arnica help afer all this time? I wish I had thought of that sooner. You can't see any brusing but I wonder if the tissue inside is bruised?
Got my TTapp order yesterday. Did I tell you? The UPS guy showed up at church just as we were leaving Sewing Circle for home! We live 30 minutes from church and it's in a different county. He recognized the van and so he stopped and gave me my package. I love my UPS guy! lol I watched the seminar (that I didn't realize came with MORE) and did the moves along with the audience. Today I start MORE. I really should do a 14 day bootcamp, I think, if I understood properly. I wonder if I can do that? I know you have to do at least a 4 day bootcamp to start with. I'm so glad I had the seminar one too. Her explanations make so much sense. I feel very peaceful about this and I really think this is what God is going to use to chisel away my chub ;) Today I need to take measurements and the dreaded photos... I know I will regret it later if I don't. I just dread seeing all the fat in person... lol
Breakfast is ready. Guess I should go try to eat something. Talk to you soon!
~Dana
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Dear Dana.....
I just got the call saying my Dad is out of surgery and everything went well. I felt bad for not being there, but I was able to talk with my Mom a few different times through the wait and she sounded really good. The nurse was so sweet, she even went out halfway through the procedure to let my mom know that everything was fine and that the doctor was very pleased with how things were progressing. I really do like that hospital! Anyway, I know that you didn't get this message in time this morning, but that you've been praying with me about this for the last month, and I thank you. I have appreciated it, and I know he would as well =)
I take back what I said about Hannah's cold being better. She slept well last night and her breathing sounded good, but when she just woke up this morning the gurgle was really noticeable again. She was coughing and choking on phlegm. It seems like when she is excited and trying to 'talk' and interact with us that it gets worse. She's napping again now and sounds fine -head scratch-
I was going to tell you about our squirrel friend visiting, but I think I'll wait and do that tomorrow. I don't want to tell you everything in one day you know. Just don't check my blog! LOL! Afterall, I needed *something* to post there too -wink-
I take back what I said about Hannah's cold being better. She slept well last night and her breathing sounded good, but when she just woke up this morning the gurgle was really noticeable again. She was coughing and choking on phlegm. It seems like when she is excited and trying to 'talk' and interact with us that it gets worse. She's napping again now and sounds fine -head scratch-
I was going to tell you about our squirrel friend visiting, but I think I'll wait and do that tomorrow. I don't want to tell you everything in one day you know. Just don't check my blog! LOL! Afterall, I needed *something* to post there too -wink-
Dear Dana....
I'm making an effort to revive this blog. I had forgotten how much I loved to come and see the snowy beach picture, and of course my sunny WI and your snowy FL! LOL! And the colors are all just so beautiful together. You chose the perfect template......I'm going to be SO sad if they ever get rid of it!
Anyway, did I tell you that Leia is reading now? She's been sounding (and spelling and writing) out three letter words for awhile now, but a couple weeks ago she read her first little reader book. It was all three letter words, but it was still a book and she was SO proud of herself. Each week we add in a new book. This weeks book added in the sight word 'the', and a four letter word -trips. She did such a good job! Did I tell you that she also has two loose teeth? Sarah's daughter just lost her first tooth, and she's two years older than Leia. I just figured we had awhile to go before that stage here, so I was really surprised when she came to me telling me that her teeth hurt, and found they were loose! She's already starting to talk funny once in awhile, as she brushes her tongue against them -LOL!
What else? Nathan is doing really well on the potty. He has an occasional accident, and he still wets overnight, but we're on the upswing. He's also forgetting to ask for his 'rewards' most of the time now too =) He loves to sit and listen while we have reading time for school, and I pulled out a preschool workbook for him to color in while I work on worksheets with Leia. He loves that he has his own schoolwork to do, and it keeps him busy so Leia isn't distracted.
Brianna is on her last few weeks of Sonlight's Core 3, and then she'll be starting Core 4. I think I only have a few more books that I have to find before we start. She's excited to start the writing course that Barb is offering on HK, and I found out that there's a youth writing contest offered through a 'local' Writers Guild. Oh and a super school wooohooooo....I ordered Mastering Mathematics yesterday. Thanks for the recommendation. I can't wait to get it and start =)
Hannah's cold seems to be improving, as has her reflux. I'm taking care in not getting too excited, as she's had these ups and downs before, but the last couple days have brought a lot less spitting both during the days, and nights. I know they say that the average age of outgrowing it is 6-9 months. I'm praying she's 'above average', or would I call it below in this case? In any regard.....this break in washing bibs, blankets, burp rags, bedding, and sleepers is a welcome one!
A just overheard funny: Nathan pulled out a flashlight and wanted Leia to help him find a missing slipper. Her response....."No. Our brain is still asleep, because we JUST woke up." LOLOL! It must have made sense to him because he pulled off the one slipper he DID have on and went on to play with the flashlight, while Leia went to let her brain wake up -snort-
My dad's surgery is this morning. With the cold weather, and kids just coming off colds, I won't be going. If you could join me in prayer for the doctor, the procedure, as well as my dad and step-mom, I would appreciate it. I talked to my dad this morning and while he's a tad nervous, he made it SO clear that he knows that everything is in the Lord's hands. He wanted to remind us all that that no matter what happens, he knows it's a part of the Lord's plan, and that he wants everyone to rest in that and not worry, or place blame if something goes wrong. That really eased my heart this morning.
Yikes. 8:30 already! I better run and get breakfast going so we can move into our school day. Talk with you soon.
Love,
Cathy
PS. Paige reminded me about PTBHHM. I'm sorry that I was the slacker there. I'm making it a priority to go through that so the girls can (hopefully) read it. Are you still up for it?
Anyway, did I tell you that Leia is reading now? She's been sounding (and spelling and writing) out three letter words for awhile now, but a couple weeks ago she read her first little reader book. It was all three letter words, but it was still a book and she was SO proud of herself. Each week we add in a new book. This weeks book added in the sight word 'the', and a four letter word -trips. She did such a good job! Did I tell you that she also has two loose teeth? Sarah's daughter just lost her first tooth, and she's two years older than Leia. I just figured we had awhile to go before that stage here, so I was really surprised when she came to me telling me that her teeth hurt, and found they were loose! She's already starting to talk funny once in awhile, as she brushes her tongue against them -LOL!
What else? Nathan is doing really well on the potty. He has an occasional accident, and he still wets overnight, but we're on the upswing. He's also forgetting to ask for his 'rewards' most of the time now too =) He loves to sit and listen while we have reading time for school, and I pulled out a preschool workbook for him to color in while I work on worksheets with Leia. He loves that he has his own schoolwork to do, and it keeps him busy so Leia isn't distracted.
Brianna is on her last few weeks of Sonlight's Core 3, and then she'll be starting Core 4. I think I only have a few more books that I have to find before we start. She's excited to start the writing course that Barb is offering on HK, and I found out that there's a youth writing contest offered through a 'local' Writers Guild. Oh and a super school wooohooooo....I ordered Mastering Mathematics yesterday. Thanks for the recommendation. I can't wait to get it and start =)
Hannah's cold seems to be improving, as has her reflux. I'm taking care in not getting too excited, as she's had these ups and downs before, but the last couple days have brought a lot less spitting both during the days, and nights. I know they say that the average age of outgrowing it is 6-9 months. I'm praying she's 'above average', or would I call it below in this case? In any regard.....this break in washing bibs, blankets, burp rags, bedding, and sleepers is a welcome one!
A just overheard funny: Nathan pulled out a flashlight and wanted Leia to help him find a missing slipper. Her response....."No. Our brain is still asleep, because we JUST woke up." LOLOL! It must have made sense to him because he pulled off the one slipper he DID have on and went on to play with the flashlight, while Leia went to let her brain wake up -snort-
My dad's surgery is this morning. With the cold weather, and kids just coming off colds, I won't be going. If you could join me in prayer for the doctor, the procedure, as well as my dad and step-mom, I would appreciate it. I talked to my dad this morning and while he's a tad nervous, he made it SO clear that he knows that everything is in the Lord's hands. He wanted to remind us all that that no matter what happens, he knows it's a part of the Lord's plan, and that he wants everyone to rest in that and not worry, or place blame if something goes wrong. That really eased my heart this morning.
Yikes. 8:30 already! I better run and get breakfast going so we can move into our school day. Talk with you soon.
Love,
Cathy
PS. Paige reminded me about PTBHHM. I'm sorry that I was the slacker there. I'm making it a priority to go through that so the girls can (hopefully) read it. Are you still up for it?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Dear Dana....
I thought you might all enjoy seeing our new Wisconsin Winter Wonderland.
Last weekend brought 6-8 inches of snow.
The kids had a blast outside. I watched from the window and heated water for cocoa.
Bri, Leia, and Nathan made their first snowman of the season.
Basil watched.
They set off into the woods to find adventures.
And Micky tried to figure out why everything was suddenly white and cold!
If you ever want a taste of the great 'Up North'....
....we would LOVE for you to be here to enjoy it with us!
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