Four 2" PVC couplers - $2
Cost of driving to Hutch - $6
Cost of eating lunch out - $17
Happy Pregnant Wife - Priceless!
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Priceless
This morning Mike realized that he needed four 2" PVC couplers to finish a project in the laundry room. Without them...doing laundry would be virtually impossible (and I had at least 4 more loads to do this weekend). The local hardware store isn't open on Sundays, so after church we had to drive to Hutch (at $2.75/gallon) for a part that cost $0.50! I was really craving BBQ, so we decided we'd stop at Hog-Wild-Pit-BBQ for lunch (costing us another $16.99). While we're eating lunch Mike makes the following statment.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Living in the Past
Yesterday I had a really random thought. Just one word popped into my head. I know for sure that by just saying the word that Dad, Caleb, Tyler, and Mom's mind will be filled with as many images as mine was when the word popped into my head. The word was "Langoliers"! When we were younger Dad was reading Steven King's book, The Langoliers. He found it so imaginative that he would tell us pieces of the story each night before bed (I'm sure he left out any horrifying details that would accompany a Steven King book). We were enthrawled with the story! Some time later the book was made into a TV movie. I have to say that it seemed a little cheesy...I think Dad's imaginative description of the story was better than the movie producer's. For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about...here's a synopsis:
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"The Langoliers" is a spooky yarn about ten people on a plane who awake to find that all of the passengers and crew are missing. One of the ten survivors is a pilot, and he manages to land the plane in Bangor, Maine. Once on the ground, the passengers discover that they are the only people on earth. And things have changed: the food is tasteless, the air has no scent, the beer if flat, and nothing makes a sound...except for the noises of the Langoliers--tearing away at the fiber of time! The Langoliers' job is to erase moments in time that have already passed into history. The survivors still exist because they were asleep when the plane passed through the warp, and they determine that if they can all be asleep once again when the plane returnes, they will survive. However, one passenger must remain awake--and doomed to die--to pilot the plane in its return through the warp...
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Steven King is telling a story that explains why time travel to the past would be impossible. There is a lesson to learn from this story! Don't try to live in the past (if you do...you'll be eaten alive! ;).
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There is someone (who deserves far greater respect than S. King) named Paul who teaches the same lesson. In Philippians 3:13-14 he says, "...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." He did not focus on the wrongs he had committed in the past, but rather what he could do in the present and future to futher the kingdom of God. What will I do today to press on toward the goal...
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
No Speaka Spanish
Today was interesting. I was asked to speak at the local Learning Center about exercise. The catch was that they wanted me to speak to the ESL students! I arrive to find a class of Hispanic women between the ages of 20-40. When I got there they were finishing up their spelling test. They had to spell the words orally to the teacher. She proudly told me that at the end of the semester they will have learned 400 new words and will be at the 4th grade level! I have to admit that these are the kind of immigrants that I like...they are legal and are learning English!
I tell the teacher that I don't know ANY Spanish. She reassured me and then assigned one of the more advanced students to be my interpreter. If you've never given a speech thru an interpreter...it's an interesting experience! I would say a few things and then wait for her to interpret it to the class. A lot of them were catching most of what I was saying in English...but not totally understanding it. What I found the most intriguing was when I would say something and then she would talk FOREVER interpreting the short sentence I just said! They would say something back to her and she'd reply to them...all while I just stood there. I kept thinking, "I wonder what all they're saying! I sure didn't say that much! "
After talking about exercise, I began to show them exercises they could do at home. I had a resistance ball, band, and dumbbells with me. Their eyes got really wide and I heard several remarks as I showed them push-ups. The interpreter told me they said, "We can't do that! How is she doing that pregnant?!?!?" LOL. I showed them many different exercises and kept hearing them gasp when they thought I was doing something that a pg woman shouldn't.
It was a really fun experience. They were much more interactive than any English speaking crowd that I've presented to. They asked lots of questions about exercise and even told their instructor that she should have been recording my presentation so they could listen to it again later. I have to say that after this experience I will be excited to present for them in the future!
I tell the teacher that I don't know ANY Spanish. She reassured me and then assigned one of the more advanced students to be my interpreter. If you've never given a speech thru an interpreter...it's an interesting experience! I would say a few things and then wait for her to interpret it to the class. A lot of them were catching most of what I was saying in English...but not totally understanding it. What I found the most intriguing was when I would say something and then she would talk FOREVER interpreting the short sentence I just said! They would say something back to her and she'd reply to them...all while I just stood there. I kept thinking, "I wonder what all they're saying! I sure didn't say that much! "
After talking about exercise, I began to show them exercises they could do at home. I had a resistance ball, band, and dumbbells with me. Their eyes got really wide and I heard several remarks as I showed them push-ups. The interpreter told me they said, "We can't do that! How is she doing that pregnant?!?!?" LOL. I showed them many different exercises and kept hearing them gasp when they thought I was doing something that a pg woman shouldn't.
It was a really fun experience. They were much more interactive than any English speaking crowd that I've presented to. They asked lots of questions about exercise and even told their instructor that she should have been recording my presentation so they could listen to it again later. I have to say that after this experience I will be excited to present for them in the future!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
New Life
Yesterday Mike and I went to Lowes to get some supplies for the house and bought our first "big" tree! This is a red maple and is probably already 12 feet tall! The tag labels it a shade tree. We're still waiting for the shade ;) 
Friday, April 21, 2006
Country Sky
The other night Mike and I were sitting on the couch watching TV and talking. Suddenly something caught my eye out the window. At first I thought it was the headlights of some car coming down the dirt road. Then I realized it wasn't on the dirt road...it was up in the sky. Mike followed my gaze out the window and we both saw a HUGE ball of light! It was a meteor. We watched it as it slammed into the earth's atmosphere and disintegrated. It was one of the biggest meteors I've ever seen! What's so cool is that we noticed it thru the window with all the house lights on! Then I realize that the stars are so bright in the country that I can see them without turning off our lights.
Every morning as I leave for work I look up to the heavens and admire the beautiful stars (remember I'm leaving around 4:30 am so it's still VERY dark). Growing up Dad taught us to be fascinated with God's creation. He especially enjoys the heavens (stars, sunsets, sunrises, clouds, etc). This is one of the reasons that I love living in the country. There are not any city lights that saturate the night sky. Instead, I can look up and see the trillions and trillions of stars in the sky. Every morning the stars remind me of our Creator. I stand in awe of the fact that he knows every one of those stars by name and has placed them in the sky in their designated places! It reminds me again and again of the awesome power of our Lord and Savior!
Every morning as I leave for work I look up to the heavens and admire the beautiful stars (remember I'm leaving around 4:30 am so it's still VERY dark). Growing up Dad taught us to be fascinated with God's creation. He especially enjoys the heavens (stars, sunsets, sunrises, clouds, etc). This is one of the reasons that I love living in the country. There are not any city lights that saturate the night sky. Instead, I can look up and see the trillions and trillions of stars in the sky. Every morning the stars remind me of our Creator. I stand in awe of the fact that he knows every one of those stars by name and has placed them in the sky in their designated places! It reminds me again and again of the awesome power of our Lord and Savior!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Easter Weekend
I had a weekend full of travel. Friday, Nancy (Mike's mom) came over to our house and stayed the night. Then Saturday morning the two of us headed out towards Plains, KS to visit her family. (Mike stayed behind to work on the house and fulfill some obligations at church.)
The wind was gusting 40-60 mph out of the west (the direction we were driving)! I know this affected the gas mileage tremendously! It was so windy we could hardly open the car doors to get out of the car!
Grandpa & Grandma Brown didn't know that we were coming...so Grandma Brown was surprised when we drove up their drive. She said, "You never know what the wind will blow in!" We spent Saturday talking with G & G Brown, going to the grocery store, helping G-ma Brown decide what to wear Easter Sunday, and (of course) G-pa Brown and I took a couple of naps in the living room ;) I showed G-ma Brown a bunch of pictures on our computer and she was even able to feel the baby moving!
Sunday we went to church (my tummy was jumpin' all during church with the baby's movement. I think he was enjoying the worship!) and then to LH & Thais's house for lunch (LH is Nancy's brother). It was delicious! We had fun seeing the progress on their home improvement projects and just spending a relaxing afternoon visiting.
We left Plains around 3 pm and arrived back in Sterling around 6 pm. I immediately got started on my Economics online test and homework assignment that were due by 11:55 pm Sunday. By the time I'd finished them, it was time for bed.
The wind was gusting 40-60 mph out of the west (the direction we were driving)! I know this affected the gas mileage tremendously! It was so windy we could hardly open the car doors to get out of the car!
Grandpa & Grandma Brown didn't know that we were coming...so Grandma Brown was surprised when we drove up their drive. She said, "You never know what the wind will blow in!" We spent Saturday talking with G & G Brown, going to the grocery store, helping G-ma Brown decide what to wear Easter Sunday, and (of course) G-pa Brown and I took a couple of naps in the living room ;) I showed G-ma Brown a bunch of pictures on our computer and she was even able to feel the baby moving!
Sunday we went to church (my tummy was jumpin' all during church with the baby's movement. I think he was enjoying the worship!) and then to LH & Thais's house for lunch (LH is Nancy's brother). It was delicious! We had fun seeing the progress on their home improvement projects and just spending a relaxing afternoon visiting.
We left Plains around 3 pm and arrived back in Sterling around 6 pm. I immediately got started on my Economics online test and homework assignment that were due by 11:55 pm Sunday. By the time I'd finished them, it was time for bed.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Stayin' Alive
We made it! No more accidents yesterday...yay!!!
Yesterday afternoon I taught a swim lesson at the SC indoor pool. I just had 2 little boys. Dwayne & Rene's boy, Tyus, and another little boy from our Bible study on Sunday night's, Wyatt. It was a much more productive lesson than last week's. Last week I spent half the time chasing the boys trying to get them in the pool. This week they were jumping off the side to me and didn't even startle when I let go of them a few feet before the side of the pool and made them swim by themselves!
I really enjoy teaching the swim lessons and wish that I had the facilities to do private lessons on a regular basis. Someday I'll convince Mike that we need to put in a pool at our house. Then during the cold months we'll buy one of those big bubbles and have a heated pool! You don't think that it'd blow away in the 30-50 mph Kansas wind gusts do ya?
Yesterday afternoon I taught a swim lesson at the SC indoor pool. I just had 2 little boys. Dwayne & Rene's boy, Tyus, and another little boy from our Bible study on Sunday night's, Wyatt. It was a much more productive lesson than last week's. Last week I spent half the time chasing the boys trying to get them in the pool. This week they were jumping off the side to me and didn't even startle when I let go of them a few feet before the side of the pool and made them swim by themselves!
I really enjoy teaching the swim lessons and wish that I had the facilities to do private lessons on a regular basis. Someday I'll convince Mike that we need to put in a pool at our house. Then during the cold months we'll buy one of those big bubbles and have a heated pool! You don't think that it'd blow away in the 30-50 mph Kansas wind gusts do ya?
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Deer in the Headlights
I'm thinking Mike and I should just stay at home for a few days! Here's why...
He's in charge of Men's League at the Sterling Country Club and they had their opening night last night. He called not soon after I got home from church to tell me that he was leaving the golf course. He said he was really late leaving because his truck tire was totally flat and he had to jack it up and change the tire. It took him a little longer than normal to get home. When he got home I found out why. He comes in and tells me he hit a deer on his way home! When he had that accident in the snow this winter he had to take off his grill guard so that he can open his hood...so there was nothing to protect the truck! At least it's still driveable. (That's more than I can say for the deer.)
It doesn't end there. This morning I get in my car to leave to find the key already turned in the ignition and my battery is dead (yes...we live in an area of the country where people still leave their doors unlocked and keys in their cars). So at 4:30 am I go inside to wake up Mike and ask him to jump the car. I was apologizing for having to wake him up and he said not to worry. He said he'd turned on my lights last night to check out the damage to the truck and forgot to turn the key back off. We finally got it started and I head off to work (I'm sure Mike headed back to bed).
So I'm driving to work singing along to the radio when all of the sudden I have to slam on the breaks to keep from hitting a big doe standing in the middle of the highway! She just stood there staring at me. When I finally came to a stop...she ran off the highway.
I'd like to ask everyone to pray for our protection today!
He's in charge of Men's League at the Sterling Country Club and they had their opening night last night. He called not soon after I got home from church to tell me that he was leaving the golf course. He said he was really late leaving because his truck tire was totally flat and he had to jack it up and change the tire. It took him a little longer than normal to get home. When he got home I found out why. He comes in and tells me he hit a deer on his way home! When he had that accident in the snow this winter he had to take off his grill guard so that he can open his hood...so there was nothing to protect the truck! At least it's still driveable. (That's more than I can say for the deer.)
It doesn't end there. This morning I get in my car to leave to find the key already turned in the ignition and my battery is dead (yes...we live in an area of the country where people still leave their doors unlocked and keys in their cars). So at 4:30 am I go inside to wake up Mike and ask him to jump the car. I was apologizing for having to wake him up and he said not to worry. He said he'd turned on my lights last night to check out the damage to the truck and forgot to turn the key back off. We finally got it started and I head off to work (I'm sure Mike headed back to bed).
So I'm driving to work singing along to the radio when all of the sudden I have to slam on the breaks to keep from hitting a big doe standing in the middle of the highway! She just stood there staring at me. When I finally came to a stop...she ran off the highway.
I'd like to ask everyone to pray for our protection today!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Answers
So both people who guessed (Shauna & Caleb) were right. Well kinda. Caleb ...Trevor didn't explode! He just got a much needed hair cut! Since Shauna was DYING to find out the answer, I posted from work and this is the only picture of Trevor on my work computer. This is pretty much what he looks like right now. Much better than the furry mess! I'm sure he feels a couple of pounds lighter too!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
What Died?
Does anyone have an idea what kind of animal this fur could have come from?
I'll give the answer in my next blog ;)
Things have been incredibly busy here. Since RaeAnn had her baby we've had part-time staff helping us out at work. It's just not the same as having her here. It takes a lot more work on my part! Only 4.5 more weeks (I know she's not wishing it to go by as fast as I am!)
3 weeks from this Thursday night we'll be heading down to TX! I can't wait to get to see everyone again! This time ya'll will be able to feel the baby moving :)
I'll give the answer in my next blog ;)
Things have been incredibly busy here. Since RaeAnn had her baby we've had part-time staff helping us out at work. It's just not the same as having her here. It takes a lot more work on my part! Only 4.5 more weeks (I know she's not wishing it to go by as fast as I am!)
3 weeks from this Thursday night we'll be heading down to TX! I can't wait to get to see everyone again! This time ya'll will be able to feel the baby moving :)
Thursday, April 06, 2006
21 weeks...19 to go
It's getting closer (by one week)! I can tell the baby's growing because his kicks are getting much stronger.
Only 4 more weeks and we'll be heading back down to TX for the baby shower :) Mike and I are going to Target tomorrow to register (we registered at Babies-R-Us when we were in TX in March). I don't know what Mike's more excited about...picking out the baby things for the registry or getting to use the scanner! lol
I just really can't think of much to blog about today, so I'll leave you with a random picture...
This is what our (obviously unfinished) front porch looks like right now. Mike cut down some cedar trees in a nearby shelter belt to use for columns. I think they fit PERFECT with the style of the house!
Only 4 more weeks and we'll be heading back down to TX for the baby shower :) Mike and I are going to Target tomorrow to register (we registered at Babies-R-Us when we were in TX in March). I don't know what Mike's more excited about...picking out the baby things for the registry or getting to use the scanner! lol
I just really can't think of much to blog about today, so I'll leave you with a random picture...
This is what our (obviously unfinished) front porch looks like right now. Mike cut down some cedar trees in a nearby shelter belt to use for columns. I think they fit PERFECT with the style of the house!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Welcome to the World!
My co-worker at the recreation commission, RaeAnn, had her baby yesterday! They didn't find out the sex before the baby was born and we were surprised to find out that she had a little girl!
Cheyenne Raymarie was born on April 2nd at 7:28 pm. She was 7 lbs 11 oz and was 20.5" long.
Today I went to the hospital in Lyons (where we'll have our little one in August) to see Scott and RaeAnn and baby Cheyenne. Cheyenne was sleeping when I got to the hospital. She is so precious! She had a full head of hair and really long fingers! I got to hold her while I talked with RaeAnn, Scott, and RaeAnn's mom.
Holding Cheyenne made me really excited for the day that I'll get to hold our little one!
Cheyenne Raymarie was born on April 2nd at 7:28 pm. She was 7 lbs 11 oz and was 20.5" long.
Today I went to the hospital in Lyons (where we'll have our little one in August) to see Scott and RaeAnn and baby Cheyenne. Cheyenne was sleeping when I got to the hospital. She is so precious! She had a full head of hair and really long fingers! I got to hold her while I talked with RaeAnn, Scott, and RaeAnn's mom.
Holding Cheyenne made me really excited for the day that I'll get to hold our little one!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Movement
Last night Mike felt the baby move for the first time! It was so cool! I had just laid down on the couch and knew the baby was gonna be active. Mike put his hand on my tummy and before long felt a good kick. Before we got out of bed this morning I could feel the baby moving around and Mike felt him kick a few more times. It's really fun for Mike to be able to feel the baby moving around. He said, "It's so weird to think that there's a human inside you right now!" lol
This morning we were short 2 refs at the soccer fields meaning....I got to ref. It was fun to be out there, but I'm paying for it now. My feet and back are pretty sore along with me being pooped! It wore me out! I need to clean house, do laundry, and work on homework...but I may just sit here and rest for a little while first.
While I was at the soccer fields, Mike spent the morning working outside. He seeded the front yard (just a little smaller than a football field) and began mowing down all the weeds and wild grass. It looks great!
This morning we were short 2 refs at the soccer fields meaning....I got to ref. It was fun to be out there, but I'm paying for it now. My feet and back are pretty sore along with me being pooped! It wore me out! I need to clean house, do laundry, and work on homework...but I may just sit here and rest for a little while first.
While I was at the soccer fields, Mike spent the morning working outside. He seeded the front yard (just a little smaller than a football field) and began mowing down all the weeds and wild grass. It looks great!
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