Hello!!! And thanks for coming back! It has been way toooooo long since I have updated my blog. So long, in fact, that there is apparently a "New Blogger" program and I already am confused! Sure wish there were another way to blog that was simple.
We moved from our home in January of 2007. Three days later, my stepdad, Wayne, died. It was sad, but beautiful. He has been restoring an old tractor that he wanted to ride in the summer, and had just completed it that night. He called my mom to let her hear the "purring" of the engine and said that he'd just driven it down the road and back. He was so pleased! I imagine, it was then that God said, "you think that's great, Wayne, just wait until you see what I have waiting for you!" Mom said goodbye and I love you, at which time Wayne laid down to sleep and awoke with his heavenly Father whom he'd spent years learning about and loving. Now Wayne gets to have breakfast with Jesus every morning!
We miss him, but smile knowing he is where we want to be!
Our new home is in Elk River. We have decided to become "Home Managers". This is a new (not so new) idea for us, in that we "rent" a home that is on the market to sell. During that time, we are "staging" the home with our furniture and decor items so that it has an appeal and draw to buyers who might not otherwise be able to "imagine" what it would look like with their things here. Suffice to say, we are LOVING our new home. Many of you know it is a very expensive home that will likely be on the market for awhile. This price ranged homes take upwards of a year and a half to sell. The kids each have their own rooms (and bathrooms) and we have a wonderful view from the window of our living room...got a picture of a Snowy Barred Owl sitting in the tree, maybe you saw it!
The neigbors are wonderful and are showing us how to stay YOUNG! Ted and I who are normally in bed by 8:30 or 9 are now spending our freetime camping in the backyard, bonfires every week as well as jet skiing and 4 wheeling (on ATV's) on the weekends. They have become fast friends and even family in the short time that we have known them. They're even talking now about skydiving! YIKES! Think I might hold back for that one! SOMEONE has to stay on the ground and take pictures, right???
Ted is faithfully prodding along at his commercial pipe insulation, although gas prices are gouging us more and more making it tough to make that commute every day! Can anyone else relate?
Joe has been accepted to UW Stout thanks to the prayers and letters of recommendation from all of you! We will be going to the first orientation in the middle of June. He is so excited he can hardly stay focused on working to raise the money to pay for school! He just wants to be THERE!!! We are excied and very proud of his persistence in this opportunity. He could have given up and not even tried to go to college (oh NO!! Not a pizza delivery boy!!) but he pressed on and now he is headed for the prize of his DREAM! He starts September 2007.
Josiah is about to receive his High School Diploma...only a couple of weeks to go! He is so excited. He will take the test to get his driver's license on May 30. Uh oh, another teenage driver...don't know how long I can keep up with the emotions that go along with that one! He started working at Taco John's last week and is still seeking a lifeguard position where he can make more money (it's all about money when you're a teen!) and use the credentials he completed in March for Water Safety Instruction, CPR and the likes. Doesn't he just LOOK the part of a lifeguard?!
Julian, too, is moving along rather quickly in his High School education. In the time that his classmates who began 9th grade this year, he has completed TWO grades and is beginning 11th grade as you read this entry. He is very excited to be running to the goal of getting his diploma in 2008-two years before his classmates! He's continuing to improve (as all of the boys are) in his love for skateboarding, and hopes to one day be "sponsored" - mom would LOVE this, so that we could save on the expense of the SHOES he goes through every two months!!
Joshua will graduate from 5th grade and will be entering Middle School in the fall. I can't believe it...it just seems too soon. Can he possibly be ready for Jr. High? I am beginning to see the positive signs that I remember with Joe...what a joy to see your SON take an interest in things like showers and deodorant!!! (could it be "girls"?). He likes to skateboard and has taken a real interest in the approval and acceptance that he has experienced with the new neighbors - did I mention that one of them has FIVE GIRLS!!!? He's becoming the little "mentor" for the boys down the street - pray he keeps a right attitude and is a GOOD influence!
James is his sweet, kind, and gentle self although growing out of the "little boy" stage. I am really going to miss that. He was a surprise for sure when we had him but the blessing of knowing how wonderful children can be. He loves Jesus and has such a servant's heart. You know...I don't even have to explain it here! He will be in 5th grade next year. He greatly misses his old school and all his friends from Monticello, but is making new friends. He will be starting the "PreTeen Youth Group" at our church on June 3. He is SO excited to finally be considered "Youth"!
I continue to meet the demands of day-to day life as a mom, wife, friend and now home manager. Keeping this 6000 square foot house clean and "Realtor Ready" is a full time job! There are often days that I turn around and look and wonder, "what did I do today?" or "Where did my day go?" but I am enjoying the journey until the next adventure in our lives! Happy Summer!!!!
We moved from our home in January of 2007. Three days later, my stepdad, Wayne, died. It was sad, but beautiful. He has been restoring an old tractor that he wanted to ride in the summer, and had just completed it that night. He called my mom to let her hear the "purring" of the engine and said that he'd just driven it down the road and back. He was so pleased! I imagine, it was then that God said, "you think that's great, Wayne, just wait until you see what I have waiting for you!" Mom said goodbye and I love you, at which time Wayne laid down to sleep and awoke with his heavenly Father whom he'd spent years learning about and loving. Now Wayne gets to have breakfast with Jesus every morning!
We miss him, but smile knowing he is where we want to be!Our new home is in Elk River. We have decided to become "Home Managers". This is a new (not so new) idea for us, in that we "rent" a home that is on the market to sell. During that time, we are "staging" the home with our furniture and decor items so that it has an appeal and draw to buyers who might not otherwise be able to "imagine" what it would look like with their things here. Suffice to say, we are LOVING our new home. Many of you know it is a very expensive home that will likely be on the market for awhile. This price ranged homes take upwards of a year and a half to sell. The kids each have their own rooms (and bathrooms) and we have a wonderful view from the window of our living room...got a picture of a Snowy Barred Owl sitting in the tree, maybe you saw it!
The neigbors are wonderful and are showing us how to stay YOUNG! Ted and I who are normally in bed by 8:30 or 9 are now spending our freetime camping in the backyard, bonfires every week as well as jet skiing and 4 wheeling (on ATV's) on the weekends. They have become fast friends and even family in the short time that we have known them. They're even talking now about skydiving! YIKES! Think I might hold back for that one! SOMEONE has to stay on the ground and take pictures, right???
Ted is faithfully prodding along at his commercial pipe insulation, although gas prices are gouging us more and more making it tough to make that commute every day! Can anyone else relate?
Joe has been accepted to UW Stout thanks to the prayers and letters of recommendation from all of you! We will be going to the first orientation in the middle of June. He is so excited he can hardly stay focused on working to raise the money to pay for school! He just wants to be THERE!!! We are excied and very proud of his persistence in this opportunity. He could have given up and not even tried to go to college (oh NO!! Not a pizza delivery boy!!) but he pressed on and now he is headed for the prize of his DREAM! He starts September 2007.
Josiah is about to receive his High School Diploma...only a couple of weeks to go! He is so excited. He will take the test to get his driver's license on May 30. Uh oh, another teenage driver...don't know how long I can keep up with the emotions that go along with that one! He started working at Taco John's last week and is still seeking a lifeguard position where he can make more money (it's all about money when you're a teen!) and use the credentials he completed in March for Water Safety Instruction, CPR and the likes. Doesn't he just LOOK the part of a lifeguard?!
Julian, too, is moving along rather quickly in his High School education. In the time that his classmates who began 9th grade this year, he has completed TWO grades and is beginning 11th grade as you read this entry. He is very excited to be running to the goal of getting his diploma in 2008-two years before his classmates! He's continuing to improve (as all of the boys are) in his love for skateboarding, and hopes to one day be "sponsored" - mom would LOVE this, so that we could save on the expense of the SHOES he goes through every two months!!
Joshua will graduate from 5th grade and will be entering Middle School in the fall. I can't believe it...it just seems too soon. Can he possibly be ready for Jr. High? I am beginning to see the positive signs that I remember with Joe...what a joy to see your SON take an interest in things like showers and deodorant!!! (could it be "girls"?). He likes to skateboard and has taken a real interest in the approval and acceptance that he has experienced with the new neighbors - did I mention that one of them has FIVE GIRLS!!!? He's becoming the little "mentor" for the boys down the street - pray he keeps a right attitude and is a GOOD influence!
James is his sweet, kind, and gentle self although growing out of the "little boy" stage. I am really going to miss that. He was a surprise for sure when we had him but the blessing of knowing how wonderful children can be. He loves Jesus and has such a servant's heart. You know...I don't even have to explain it here! He will be in 5th grade next year. He greatly misses his old school and all his friends from Monticello, but is making new friends. He will be starting the "PreTeen Youth Group" at our church on June 3. He is SO excited to finally be considered "Youth"!
I continue to meet the demands of day-to day life as a mom, wife, friend and now home manager. Keeping this 6000 square foot house clean and "Realtor Ready" is a full time job! There are often days that I turn around and look and wonder, "what did I do today?" or "Where did my day go?" but I am enjoying the journey until the next adventure in our lives! Happy Summer!!!!
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