My Girls

They're growing up TOO fast...

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Carissa is about to start school!! I can't believe that she is actually 3 1/2 years, potty trained, and ever adding to her vocabulary (more than she probably should be!). She is so excited that she gets to go to school in the same building that Daddy goes to work in everyday. I can already picture them walking across the parking lot (yes we're that close) holding hands as she jumps and talks with excitement about her day...

She is sooo excited about going to school like a "big kid" but it still just shocks me that the time is already here!! I'm excited for her, but still scared that I won't be with her every day...I guess I never thought I would feel so emotional about it, but I do--and more than I ever thought possible. Jocelyn and I will have three mornings a week alone to do our own thing. She talks, explores and entertains, but she'll have to do it "solo" without her partner in crime here to talk her into it!

Life in a small town has changed us already. We have gotten up before 7am to go for a bike ride with the girls (of course, not the last two weeks), we've visiting with church members in their homes and invited them into our home, we've put in our subscription for the local-2day a week newspaper--Joe's already been in it twice. It just seems like a more relaxed lifestyle, no hurry to get anywhere, no loud noises (although the fair is at the back corner of our yard in 3 weeks), everyone waves as they drive through town and we've had more time as a family to spend doing whatever we want--whenever we want. I realize the fall is opening season for the start up of events, but to enjoy a somewhat laid back summer has been great!

I am still working on myself to be more patient, relaxing, and healthier--but overall I feel better. I completed my first semester of year-round schooling with all A's, and it felt great!! It's been a long time since I've felt at ease--not stressed about life. Don't get me wrong, I'm still uptight about things I shouldn't be, but overall everything is starting to fall into place. We've had a lot of change in the past 3-5 years and it finally feels like we're HOME.

Enjoy the time left of the summer--fall is just around the corner.

Summer Days...

Life is always full of changes...

We vacationed last week and the girls got to ride horses for the first time--and they loved it!! Jocely had no fear and watched everything around her as her hungry pony stopped and ate and walked to stop and eat over and over. Carissa had the faster of the two ponies, so we lapped the rest of 'em. I've enjoyed reviewing the pictures. We had a lot of fun!

It was great to spend time doing whatever you wanted to do, whenever you wanted to do it!!

We are now in the midst of transition once again...we're moving...again! Joe has accepted a full-time preaching position at a church a little over an hour from Lincoln. It's exciting and bittersweet--similar to most moves. I have truly enjoyed being back in Lincoln, am excited about finishing my Bachelor's degree, and happy to be closer to family. Fortunately, I will still have 2 out of 3 of those things despite the move. We will still be close (at least its not 10 hours away) and I am going to continue to do my schooling--NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

So, needless to say we are in the packing mode once again. I feel like I could write a book on what not to keep, what to hang on to, what to box up and keep for later, and what is vital once you arrive in a new place. Although, I don't know how successful I am at it all!!!

I SPY...

Carissa loves her "I Spy" book collection. She seems to love them so much that she even tries to read them while she's sleeping.

I'm thinking she still is probably reading more than I do sometimes!!

So...

"I Spy a Beautiful Girl Taking a Nice Afternoon Nap!!"

My Favorite Things About Being A Mom...

My Top 10 List

10. Watching my oldest try to "discipline" my youngest ("Jocelyn Ainsley--you need to sit in the hall for 2 minutes; 2 minutes, 'kay?")

9. Seeing how excited both girls EVERY SINGLE time they see Grandma and Papa--even if its only been a few hours...

8. Seeing one of them do exactly what you do, with almost exactly the same mannerisms!

7. Listening to Carissa tell me the same thing approximately 10 times before I actually realize she is repeating herself...

6. Listening to them sing in the car to any kind of music--even if they don't know the words or if they know every word!

5. Watching them learn to do things on their own. In the last year I've watched Jocelyn learn how to walk, talk and keep up with her sister. And I've watched Carissa as she has become a potty trained "big girl", at a multitude of words to her vocabulary (some she picks up while playing at McDonalds--not so good words), and learn to ride a tricycle and pick out her first "big girl" bike.

4. Prayed with Carissa every night before she goes to sleep--letting me know if I forget anyone.

3. Watching them stand at the patio door and watch for Daddy to come home every evening.

2. Called to hear their voices from school or work and loved to hear them giggling with Daddy.

1. Watching them grow more and more every day...

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY GIRLS

Papers, Taxes and Spring

I always know when it is within a week or so of taxes needing to be filed. Joe hides himself in a room with the tax forms piled up next to him and sits to input all of that "stuff" into the computer program--TURBO TAX. With a name like that, shouldn't it take less than like 5 minutes. Not so my friends...it may take quite a few days to process everything, at least on our end. Sometimes it's great to see the numbers go in and then show us what we "may" get back. Sometimes they are good, sometimes not so good. But everything is done, with a day and a half to spare!

I just finished my final project for my second class for school. It was a Life Plan for myself and it was a little more work than I thought it would be, but I'm glad I am done with it. Now, next week I start a class called Foundations of Bible Study. We'll see if I get any of my Dad's knowledge in this area!!

Spring is here again this week--hopefully to stay. Can't wait to be outside more than the time we've had to spend indoors over the last 10 days or so. The girls have a little cabin fever I think. They are so active and they need to be outside. I NEED TO BE OUTSIDE WITH THEM.

Enjoy the nice day...67 degrees-WOO HOO!!

Some Pictures from the last few weeks

Dancing Princesses

Everyday Life

Life has such a strange way of making you think about so many things throughout a day...

Today, for instance I thought about these things:

1) Today's weather has gone from a little warm and humid~then rainy~then calm~stormy~then rainy again~now just plain windy and cool...the amazing central Illinois weather never ceases to amaze me.

2) I've also tried to think about how Jesus felt this week (or at least sometime close to it) knowing what is fate would be. Was he scared--just a little? Were his disciples wondering what the rest of the week held--more healing, more traveling, or what? Where was his mind while not in prayer with God? Was he just calm or was it kind of like today's weather--all over the place? Sorry, I'm usually not this way, but so many things going through my mind today

3) Life is so unpredictable. I've been following the life of a little girl named Regan. She has been very sick and her parents are trying to love her as much as they possibly can for as long as they possibly can--and she's so young. I pray during the day, I pray during the night when I can't help but think of them. I just pray every time I think of them throughout each day--not knowing how she is doing, but reading their blog and keeping others up to date about each day's events. Their blog is www.routefive.blogspot.com

4) Life in general. It is so full of great events and sad events. I'm not trying to be a downer in today's blog, but life goes by so quickly and sometimes we don't even take the time to enjoy it. I feel like sometimes I'm constantly doing everything to keep a clean house, clean kids and an organized home, that I don't even get to enjoy just "relaxing" time with my family. Why can't life just slow down--or do we have to slow it down?

Well, I'll move on from here...just a few thoughts going through my mind.

Enjoy your Easter and remember what we are observing...

March Madness

In our family we've had more than our share of March coming in like a lion...

Joe left on February 28th for an 11 day trip with the baseball team...

Jocelyn went into the hospital on March 5th...for 3 nights...

Joe calls to let me know that the van's back, right tire came off, yes off, of the van while they were driving 70 mph down the freeway somewhere in the middle of their trip...

Now, Joe is home, Jocelyn has nearly totally recovered, and all is well. How can it be that life can get so crazy, SO QUICKLY?!?! We've settled back into the normal day to day activities and life is great again...

School is going really well--as far as I can tell. I can't believe I will be able to actually finish my degree going one night a week for classes. It's amazing how life works--allowing me to attend a program that works around my lifestyle, not my lifestyle having to adjust around class schedules. I do ALOT of reading (well compared to what I did in college 12 years ago) and many reflection papers each week. Much of the reading has me thinking about how to organize myself enough to keep up with life's daily needs. That topic will probably be on the front burner for many years to come...organization!!

Hope everyone's as excited about the warmer weather as I am. I was never one for the hot months, but now that I have two small children, it's nice to know I'll be able to get out and play with them outside ALOT this spring and summer. Carissa and Jocelyn have already been out at Grandma and Papa's house to draw with their sidewalk chalk--it was nice enough for them on Sunday to be out with a light jacket to enjoy the day...

Life is great, God is great and that's pretty much all I have to say about that...

It's the end of February?!

I'm hoping to post some this week because we got a new camera and I just can't wait to get some good pics of the girls. We've been trying to spend as much time together before Joe leaves for awhile with the baseball team. He leaves Wednesday and I really don't want to think about how long they'll be gone, but it will be hard to keep up on everything. I've never liked it when he's gone, but I'm going to try to make the best of it by trying to finish up at least the "daytime potty training" with Carissa. She has done SO well and I would consider it completed, except she does wear Pull-ups while she naps sometimes. She's taken a few naps without changing into one and has done fine with it. I'll be happy if I can get her to wear them only at night. She knows she has to go to the potty if she wants to go to pre-school after the summer. She loves to tell everyone what she's done each time, but nothing like what my mom says my little brother used to do. He used to make everyone come in and look at his "work" and would announce it by saying "Ta Da!!" I think maybe he might still do this, but nobody really wants to allow his "Ta Da's" anymore...

Well, gotta try to get the naps started. Enjoy your time looking on through Blogdom.

When you're handed lemons...make ??

It's been awhile since my last post. It's also been a rough week and I've tried not to blog and cause more harm than good.

Well, the girls are great. Carissa is ever increasing her vocabulary (some words are ALWAYS better left unspoken--if you know what I mean) Jocelyn can say "Mama, Dada, Papa, Ama(grandma), Ba (for Bob the Tomato in Veggie Tales) and she says Hi and Bye on the phone and to people most of the time. It's been so cold we try to only go out about 2 days a week to just "get out". Joe started baseball practice so he's busy, busy. I started school on Monday night and will go for the next 2 years and complete my Bachelors Degree in Human Services. I just want to get it done and be done with it--knowing it's taken me more than the alotted 4 years, its now nearly 3 times that length.

We are enjoying being home in Lincoln, but things are kind of up in the air as to what the next step may be. We know that I need to finish school and that is the primary focus! If only I had started a year ago, but I have to know that it was an adjustment into this job and it will continue to be adjustments throughout the next few years with the girls growing up and all that.

I've rambled enough. Hey a friend of mine was in Africa for about three weeks and she has an amazing story and amazing photos.

If you get a chance go to www.nimrodnews.blogspot.com

Can you believe that I own one of these now? I said I never would--but I caved...

Falalalalalala

Carissa keeps singing this part of "Deck The Halls" and she is a kick!! She sits in the back of the car just singing along to all the Christmas music that is playing on the radio. She loves it, but hates it when we sing along.

The girls are great. Jocelyn is saying words, that we understand, and she is definitely developing her own little personality. She is going to be a little trouble maker I think. She likes to egg her sister on, but Carissa is pretty powerful in her retort. They play this "running game" as Carissa calls it where they run back and forth in the living room and try not to bump into each other. It usually ends when one falls over or they bump heads and all is done.

Carissa says she can't wait for Santa to come. Because Santa brings all the presents. She doesn't really understand that her Santa--is Papa. She is doing really well considering Uncle Brian and Aunt Sarah don't come for another week, but she is eagerly awaiting their arrival. She did the same thing for her party, by saying "Uncle Brian is driving from 'Da Cago' to my party!!" Da Cago is, of course, Chicago in Carissa-ese. She just loves to talk about all of her uncles and aunts and cousins when she prays and when we talk about getting together with others.

This is going to be our first Christmas not having to drive 10 hours to get to family. We actually don't have to leave home at all this holiday. We will be celebrating with the Mollet side of the family at the end of Christmas week to have a well-rounded Christmas Celebration. It's nice to be HOME.

Hope everyone has a great holiday. One of my friends is on a Mission Trip to Uganda for the next 3 weeks. Please keep her and her team in your prayers as they will be gone over the holiday, but doing great things of God's Kingdom...

Weddings are a blessing...

Weddings are a great celebration of life, love and happiness. We were blessed to take part in my good friend Rachel's wedding this weekend. The Martens (Rachel and Tim) are great people to spend time with and we had a blast at the wedding. Carissa can really "cut a rug" with just about everyone that would dance with her.

Here are few pics with Rachel Marten, Margie Martin(no relation:), Carissa, Mommy, Jocelyn, and Daddy. There is one of Jocelyn passed out at the reception with Paul A. and Cody looking on--pretty cute as he watches her sleep.

The 1st Daddy and Carissa Date

Carissa and Daddy went on a date to Bloomington today. They enjoyed a place that had many different children's activities and play areas. Here are some photos...

Halloween 2006

Halloween was something else this year. It was about 35 degrees outside and we had two bundled up kids to go out to get some Halloween candy.

Here are some pictures to enjoy. One is of the girls with Lisa, owner of Sorrento's, and the next one is of the girls with my good friend Rachel and her fiancee (soon to be husband as of November 11th).

Happy Fall

Summer Pics...Take 2

Now there are some summer pics

Summer Pics

Some of our summer events including a train trip in Monticello, IL. Who do you think was enjoying the train more--Grandpa or the girls?!?! We also took a few trips over to Clinton to play in the water park at the Kiwani's Park!! They all loved it.

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

We have finally sold our house!!!! I feel like that song that plays when something miraculous happens on TV or something, but we are so excited. We still don't really want to confirm it totally until we hear when the closing is, but it seems pretty definite. So relieved to know that we don't have to worry about a winter's worth of gas bills, mortgage payments and all that could go on with an almost empty house. Needless to say, we are excited to tell everyone, but it still seems strange, every once in awhile, that we don't really live in Pittsburgh anymore. I don't know, maybe I'm just a little sentimental about it still...but I am not sentimental about the money it will be saving us!

On to other things...

Carissa is working on the potty training thing yet again. I know we will have her, or us actually, trained by the time she starts high school, but it is just so hard to discipline myself into being patient enough for it. I'm not a patient person, but I want to be for this...I'll just keep trying--or I mean I'll just let her keep working at it.

Jocelyn is trying to take steps. She is truly amazing...she just wants to keep up with her sister all the time. She pushes her little walker-type toy up and down the hall chasing Carissa. They really try to make each other laugh all the time and its great to watch.

Joe has traveled alot the last 2 months, but will be around more until baseball starts up again...

Well, I'm kind of trying to organize the girls' room, so gotta run...

I'm really pumped about this Bible Study I'm doing. I love coming back and asking my Dad questions or making comments from it and then discovering that he doesn't know all the answers--I knew it!!!!

It was nice this morning to get back into the swing of things again. The weekend we went to Brown County, we got a flat tire leaving Nashville again. If you remember we had a flat this same time last year leaving. This flat left us with purchasing a new tire for the vehicle we only have for a few more months--crazy. The other crazy part about it all was that the guys at the tire store forgot to put the wheel cover, or hubcap, back on and we didn't notice until Covington, IN--about 2 hours from where we got it fixed. So, last Monday I called not once, not twice but three times for someone to try to find it. They said they had found it and would mail it out to me. Today, I open the envelope, which obviously did not have the entire wheel cover in it, and discover the inner circle of SOMEONE ELSE'S hubcap/wheel cover. Wonder if they've realized they are missing this or not? Or did they just find something that said Honda and think this girl won't know the difference--it'll fool her. Well, I'm not the fool this time. Give me a break--I'm not stupid. I sat and giggled for a moment then began my quest yet again to get a hold of the proper Walmart employees/managers to help me out. This time it only took 2 phone calls--on my part. I don't know for sure but maybe they aren't able to dial an outside line at Walmart, but they tend to have a problem returning phone calls. I've read that some want higher pay for their employees, but they would probably need to impress me a little more on the customer service end of things if I had anything to say about it. Anyway, it boils down to the fact that they are going to replace--I hope. We have to turn the vehicle in for it's lease return at the end of March--do you think we'll have a cover by then?!?!?!

Then, to top of coming out of the nice weekend we spent in Nashville, both Carissa and Joe were sick on Tuesday into Wednesday and then I caught the shorter version of whatever they had by late, late Saturday night and early Sunday. I hate being sick on the weekend because it makes time just fly by quicker than a normal weekend goes by. Okay, now I'm rambling.....I will try more blogging later this week, maybe some new pics of the girls.

Well, fall has fallen. We've had rain, sun, rain, sun and some more rain today.

We are watching our two girls--GROW, GROW, and GROW...Carissa talks about everything, tells us everything, and thinks she can DO everything. My parents keep commenting on how it's like watching me 28 years ago. I'm guessing they are talking about the independence thing, or the tantrums. I'm going with the independence thing--I think it's just a myth that I threw tantrums!!

Jocelyn is crawling everywhere, and she is trying to walk along the couch and pulls herself up on anything she can reach. She is different than Carissa, in the respect that she really doesn't eat all that much. Carissa was an eater from the beginning. Jocelyn is usually too busy trying to watch whatever Carisssa is doing at any given time. She still lights up when Grandma walks into a room and just screeches at any random thing. They are both loving being near "Gwamma and Papa" and I don't think they'll ever tire of seeing them.

I started a Monday morning Bible Study with my friend Stacey. We drive to Mt. Pulaski on Monday mornings and the kids play downstairs while we have a session of one of Beth Moore's books/video sessions. This week was our first one and I know it will be a challenge, but I think I really need this. I've not done any kind of Bible Study since last fall, so I do need to connect in a way other than church service.

Joe is already practicing for baseball. They started yesterday and will continue working out until the weather gets cold and then they will work on "indoor stuff". He has 20 guys right now, so I hope its a sign of a good season. He started a seminary class and will be doing an intensive week later this fall. He really seems to enjoy it all.

Hope all is well with everyone. Trying to keep up on this blogging stuff along with everything else.

August

I think I've blogged about the frustration of trying to sell our home, but some days I am just going crazy for the stinkin' place to sell. I know the right buyer is out there, but I just wish he/she/they could find it and find it SOON!

I am however looking forward to the fall. We will be able to go to the Lincoln Balloonfest for the first time in nearly 6 years and Carissa will love seeing all of the balloons. We've seen a few practices around town and she just loves watching them. They'll be right across from our place at the Logan County Airport for launching times. We're going to cookout and have as many people by as we can over that weekend. Then in September we'll take our annual trip to Brown County. Fortunately, this year we'll make the trip in 4 hours or less instead of 8 hours or more like the last 4 years:)

We then look forward to my friend Rachel's wedding in November and then we will celebrate Carissa's 3rd birthday and Jocelyn's 1st birthday--also in November. I also turn the Big "3-0" in November, but I'm trying to forget about that!!

Things are great here. Joe is starting the scheduling for his fall trips and he is excited about Seminary classes.

My dad's book came out last week and I'm pretty sure he can write some decent stuff that others will want to read--just kidding. I'm so excited for him. It's called Revelation's Rhapsody and it's available at www.collegepress.com.

Vacation Pictures

July, July, July

I don't ever remember the weather being this HOT, HOT, HOT!!! Hello--105 degree heat index--otherwise known as heat stroke...

Well, don't worry we really haven't stepped outside unless we've had to. I have never more appreciated central a/c than I do right at this moment. We may live in a place 1/2 the size of our last place, but it is about 4 times as cool temperature-wise.

We still haven't sold our house--but I'm praying evermore that someone, somewhere will want it. It's killin' the old pocketbook...

We had an AWESOME vacation. I will try to get some pictures uploaded soon. We were basically about 15 miles outside of Nashville, IN in the middle of nowhere. It was so quite and we had fun doing nothing some days or shopping some days. We cooked out, ate out, pigged out and slept in--could you ask for anything more? Maybe an air conditioned beach, but I don't think they have anything like that right now.

We are now back into a regular routine at home. Joe starts back to 5 day weeks in August and I am still working 1-2 nights a week at Sorrento's. I love my two beautiful little girls and a great husband...LIFE IS GOOD.

Our 2 little Illini Fans in full gear!!! Thanks for the outfits Uncle Tom and Aunt Janet

Keeping up with the Bloggers...

What does that mean? I have a hard time getting my housework done, let alone blogging...

We've spent time recovering from Joe's first season as a college baseball coach; suffered through Jocelyn getting her first two teeth;enjoyed watching Carissa learn more words, songs and pretty much repeat everything we say; and adjust to living in Lincoln again. So, pretty much staying at a steady pace right now.

We visited my brother and sister-in-law in Chicago for Easter, spent Memorial Day with Joe's family and my parents, took a trip out to Pittsburgh to work on our yet-to-be-sold house, and we are preparing for our first family vacation since we were part of our "original" families--that seems odd to say, but you know what I mean. We are going to spend a week in the Brown County area doing anything we want or nothing at all:) I can't wait...

Not too much going on elsewhere in our lives, so I will make this short and sweet. I promise to get some vacation photos up as soon as possible when we return.

God Bless and Happy 4th of July...

April Showers and maybe some May flowers

Wow!! This month has been filled with so many things.

We've gotten to spend some ridicously warm days outside playing at the playground that is just a short walk away. Carissa is a lover of the swing, of the slide and of the bouncey bridge that she loves to run back and forth on--daily. She has friends that she looks for every time we walk over. Her favorite friend to look for is Abe. Abe is a little older than her, but they go together like "peas and carrots" to quote a silly line from a movie. They can play together but also go their separate ways...and return to playing with one another.

Jocelyn is sitting up somewhat by herself. She is mimicking sounds and constantly watches Carissa--I think she's wondering when she'll be able to do all of the fun stuff. Right now she is just content to sit on anyone's lap and just laugh and look.

We were able to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Chicago for Easter. We spent time visiting, eating and just enjoying each other's company. Easter dresses are thankfully only for Easter, because I'm pretty sure if I kept putting Jocelyn in hers she would probably have it half eaten by now!! They were great and I love the time we get to spend with everyone.

Joe's baseball season is winding down. School is coming to a close and summer is upon us. Reminds me of how busy our summers have been since getting married. We did a lot of traveling and I miss the thought of it, but still enjoy the thought of having the summer to do--well summer things...What does one do in the summer? I think flower planting is high on our list for the beginning of May, but Carissa will appreciate it so much more and really have fun doing the watering and such.

We get to witness the baptism of Ruthann this Friday...what a wonderful thing to round out your week. I'm so proud of her. She's loving life, school, friends, family and everything in between. We hardly hear from her, so I know she's staying busy...

Well, gotta go for now. Hope everyone is enjoying there lives and living them to the way were intended to.

March Madness

WOW!!! This last 30-45 days has just flown by...

We have settled into the apartment and learning to adapt to a smaller place. I think it is very wise to "clean house" about every 2 years or so. We, unfortunately, just kept moving the same junk and have finally purged enough to fit into this new place. It feels good to have given some things away and just get rid of some stuff.

Anyway, on to new and exciting things...

Jocelyn is growing like a weed(SEE ABOVE BEAUTIFUL PICTURE). She sits and watches her sister do just about anything, she turns and looks when she recognizes a voice and is so interactive with faces and sounds. She tries to make noise when anyone else is--which makes for a loud household at times. But I am loving every minute--okay, maybe a few crazy moments for dear mom.

Carissa is talking in complete sentences and can pretty much let us know what she wants, when she wants it and when she doesn't get it. She is working her way to potty training--all of us I think. She announces when you head to the bathroom that, "Daddy's going potty or Mommy's going potty" It's funny, but can be embarassing in a restaurant. She is very independent and can play by herself or with others. She loves that we live less than 200 feet from a great playground area and there are about 4-5 kids her age--all boys right now.

I've met a few of the moms out here and gotten to spend some time with them. It's also been really nice to see the girls spend time with their grandparents. I think it's a toss up most times on who is having the most fun--the girls or the grandparents. I also took a job working 1-2 nights a week at my favorite pizza place--Sorrento's. I work with some students from the college and seminary and it seems nice to be out for a little while during the week. I work this Friday for training and that is one of their busiest nights, so we'll see how I do...

Joe is doing great in his job. I goes in early some days but also has most evenings free. The season starts this Saturday and next weekend is the first set of home games. He's traveled a little bit so far, but he'll mainly be free during the summer for us to take little weekend trips with him having Fridays off. It's strange to think about having summers free--not that we weren't having fun on trips with youth, but it just seems so strange.

Overall, life is great. It will be even better once we sell the house in Pittsburgh. Hopefully once the weather warms up, it will move. Please pray for good news on that homefront.

We'll keep you updated. I need to get a picture of these girls up. I will do that soon.

1000 square feet or less...

Well, the move was made one week ago. The putting away and organizing still continues...

To move from a 2000 sq.ft. house to a 1000 sq.ft. apartment was harder than I thought. We gave up some stuff and still may have to. It's tough to say, but I think we have too much of some stuff and really could use the "give up" phrase to further our settlement into the new home. Carissa is still confused, since we stay at Grandma and Grandpa's right now, but we work in the "new house" during the day. The poor girl just doesn't know what to think! She'll get there though.

Life is crazy. Life is fun. Life is a lot of work right now. I'll write more when I can...if I don't go crazy soon!

10 Days in January

Out of the last 10 days of this new year, we have either packed or unpacked on EVERY single one of them. We got back from Illinois on January 2nd and have been working furiously on the house. We have packed boxes and stacked them in our 3rd bedroom and continue to work away. I feel like I'm ahead of the game on laundry, only to find that I have to pack or put it all away after I'm done each time. I know once we're there I'll be happy, but I sure HATE packing. We have purged after our 5 years of binging!!! I think I've watched too much "Clean Sweep" on TLC to keep packing. I keep going with the "if you didn't use it within the last year, then get rid of it" but Joe doesn't always like this theory. I will admit it is hard to part with many of these "unused" items, but we've got to be strong...

On another note, Carissa has taken one of the storage boxes and is putting her toys from the living room in it and then she pushes it around--something I do so I don't have to lift it to move it!! She really has no idea what we're doing, but she loves to play with everything while we're doing it! Jocelyn just cries when she wants to be held for awhile or is hungry.

In preparing for this move, I began to wonder when my first memory was...because I wonder if Carissa will remember ANYTHING about this home. This is her first home, and I don't know that she'll remember any of it. I know she'll remember some of the people from here, but that's about it, don't you think? She thinks wherever she sleeps is home, so I don't think it will even phase her that we're not here in Pittsburgh, as long as her toys and bed show up somewhere for her to sleep!

Speaking of laundry, Carissa is doing some decorating with ours, so I gotta go for now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY 2006 TO EVERYONE!!

I'll Be Home For Christmas...

Well...kind of. We are still going to be in Pittsburgh on Christmas morning. This is thee FIRST Christmas I will not be waking up at my parents house. Is that strange or am I the only one that is nearly 30 years old and always been there at the parents' house?! It seems strange to not be there, but soon we'll be able to do it every year..well not exactly staying at their house--but pretty close.

We have been sorting, cleaning, pitching, donating, and packing off and on for about 2 weeks. If you don't already know, we are moving back to Lincoln. It was tough to make the decision to leave, but we feel it is where we are to be right now. Joe is going to be the new Baseball coach at LCC and work in the Laughlin Center(athletic building). We are moving the last week in January and just typing that time makes me cringe!!!!! I hate packing but in all fairness I hate unpacking as well. We have tried to discipline ourselves as we go through boxes, dressers, and closets trying to get rid of as much as we can so we don't have to move it. We have been clearing out the attic and next is boxing everything up. Do you know how much stuff you can accumulate in nearly 5 years of marriage in addition to the combined ages of 66 years of life?!?! TOO MUCH!!!! I don't know if I ever want to own a house again because if you have the room you just keep everything--and we don't need everything. As we've cleared things out, we've thought about the memories that are attached to some of the "STUFF". Some good, so you want to keep it, and some bad so you want to get rid of it...

This got me thinking today about our New Year's Resolution System(sounds technical--but it's not). I think sometimes we should do this kind of cleaning to our homes every year, but "Why?" you ask? If we did this we would be clearing the way to starting the new year with a clean slate--or at lest a clean house. And doesn't a clean house feel great? Fulfilling? And just plain CLEAN? I then started to think how we tend to do this in our lives around the end of a year or beginning of the next. We want to start with a clean slate and renewed, don't we? For the first time in a quite a while Joe and I will be doing that. We are starting our next adventure at, or at least close to, the beginning of a NEW YEAR. We may succeed or fail at things, but it's where God has lead us and that makes it new and exciting.

After reading my brother's blog about the bests and worsts of the year I feel like doing some of the same...but of course not just like his, because I'm the older one and I will try to do it better!!!!

My TOP 6 Exciting Things of 2005

6. Getting nice, new carpet in our 100+ year old house--much warmer in the cold weather.

5. Getting a new computer and later high speed internet cable to get things done faster--because I don't like to spend an eternity just checking email!!

4. Our trip to CIY this summer was pretty great--we take a small group and it really lets us get to know each other more every year...

3. Having kids from our church here in Pittsburgh actually want to attend a Bible college and actually picking LCC!!

2. Being able to see my little brother meet, get engaged to, and marry the love that he has been looking for for some time now--and I finally have a sister in the family--welcome Sarah.

1. Watching my family grow. We had a great time as a family of three and now with four it is even better. Carissa has grown up so much and now I see even more how much as I look at a 1 month old again. Jocelyn has been a great blessing to us and made us an even bigger, better family. Joe has been a blessing to as, pretty much the most hands on Dad I've ever seen. I don't give him enough credit, but he's great and I love him more today than I did the day I married him...


Top 3 Biggest Changes

3. This was my first full year of being a stay at home Mom. I'm still waiting for my official paycheck, but it's been great to see the dividends in the form of smiles, hugs, kisses, trips to the zoo, trips to the park and story time at the library with Carissa. My days can be very long, but in the end I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be here for my children.

2. A decision to move on from Pittsburgh. I don't want to call it moving away, because we have promised to be back. How can we not come back? We have so many friends here and we don't want to lose touch...

1. Becoming a Mom to 2. This change pretty much was non-stop in my mind from about May-November. It's great to find out your pregnant, but to actually sit and think about the future can be scary. But as soon as I saw Jocelyn for the first time, I knew it was going to be awesome. Now, don't get me wrong...after my parents left and Joe went back to work after I had only been home for 3 1/2 days, I freaked out quite a few times. I think I'm getting a slow handle on it, but I know it will be different every single day!!

My weaknesses...

Watching shows like the O.C. and Reunion. O.C. will continue, but I can't stop watching Reunion even though Joe read that they are canceling it before they let the audience know who killed on the night of their high school Reunion!!!!!!! I'll never know, but I just can't stop watching.

Watching too much NickJr. during the day. I've limited the time Carissa watches, but there just aren't enough new episodes of Dora and Diego to go around.

My favorite hour long shows
The O.C.
Reunion
Lost
NCIS
Close to Home

My favorite 1/2 hour long shows
Two and Half Men
How I Met Your Mother
According to Jim (usually on repeats)
Yes, Dear (mostly the 11:30 syndication episodes)

So, there you have it--a year in review. I don't listen to enough music to care about buying many CD's but the occasional soundtrack. I don't get to go to movies, so the last movie I saw in a theater was HITCH--hilarous. We own it now and I laugh hysterically every time I see it!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...

Sundays?!

Since Carissa was born I've probably missed 3-4 Sundays when she has been sick. That's pretty good considering she is now 2 years old. Today, we got up, started to get everyone ready and we knew the inevitable was going to happen. Carissa gets a cough and gets worn down with it. She was totally dressed and then started to cough and eventually just melted into a pile on the bed--crying. She wants so badly to go to church any time she can. Joe and I both, in our own times, decided it was best to have her stay home. I know this is best now because she is laying down on her Dora couch, barely moving(could be Tylenol-induced). She wanted so badly to go to church she was willing to get up and get dressed and then she must have run out of energy!! Why aren't we like this more as adults--wanting that badly to be at OUR FATHER'S HOUSE every single week? I'm just as guilty as the next person, and I realize the reasons Carissa wants to be there are different than ours, but she starts naming all of the people she's going to see when we say we're going to church. Also, as soon as we pull into the back parking lot, she starts pointing and saying, "Daddy's house! Daddy's house!!" Joe always stresses that it really is her "Daddy's House" but she really doesn't know the truly innocent statement she is making each time she says that.

Do we as Christians cheer with excitement, "Daddy's House! Daddy's House!!" every time we go to church, or do we make it some kind of mundane schedule interruption that we feel we "have to do" every week?

It gives you something to chew on and me too, since I am at home with the girls today. I need to think about what it means to be at church the rest of the times and really be aware of what I need to be for God, not myself...

5 1/2 inches of Snow Fun

Carissa and Daddy really enjoyed our first BIG snow...

Pure Joy

IF this is not a picture of pure joy I don't know what is...

Carissa is one GREAT big sister to HER baby Jocelyn. Life is so wonderful.

Carissa celebrates Birthday No. 2

Carissa is officially 2 years old today...so in honor of her recent birthday weekend, we will post at least one good picture of her exciting celebration...

She is so great and there is never a dull moment with her around...I can only imagine the things she will teach her little sister.

Our Newest Addition

Introducing......


Jocelyn Ainsley Mollet was born on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:52 a.m. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz. and 21 3/4 inches long. She is beautiful, but we may be a little prejudiced...

FALL+THANKSGIVING+WINTER+CHRISTMAS

It's Friday and I just realized that within the next 4 days, we will be a family of four...it still seems so strange to think about it let alone write about it.

I haven't slept much this week and it's probably my last week to get good solid sleep for the next year of my life!!! Why does that happen...when you need something the most, it just doesn't happen! Don't get me wrong, I'm totally thrilled at the fact that we are having another little girl and it's going to be great, but I'm sure I have the same fears that most women have when they get ready for their 2nd, 3rd and so on...I fear that I won't be able to "do it all" and I have to become comfortable with that idea. I'm not going to have a clean house, like I did before kids, right?! And I'm not going to look my best for the best part of most weeks, but I'm still going to be the best I can be, and I'm going to succeed and fail from time to time. I often think that we put too much pressure on ourselves to be perfect and we're not!! I know YOU ALL KNEW THAT, right? Oh, well...

On to more important things...I've started the Christmas/Winter decorating so it looks like it is half Fall/Thanksgiving and half Christmas/Winter in our house. I don't know that I'm totally into it this year, but I love seeing snowmen decorations until about March...I also have already written my Christmas letter, lost it due to a computer problem and am in the process of re-writing it. I guess I wasn't supposed to get that far ahead of the game...It just seemed like the best idea 2 weeks ago!!

Well, this will probably be it for writing blogs for a little while, but we will definitely post pics of the family...SOON!!!!!

Change is in the Air...

Well, I have to admit that yesterday I spent part of the evening watching some good/some bad TV. Whenever Joe isn't around I tend to try to watch SUPERNANNY!!! I know, I know--why, right? I think it may be that I actually feel as though I may be doing SOMETHING right with my own child by watching the destructive behavior of others' children. Last night was especially annoying. The mom kept trying to dress 3 of her four daughters the same EVERYDAY. She wanted them to "look" perfect. Sometimes, personally, I'm happy when I can get Carissa to even sit still long enough to get a brush through her hair. Other days she doesn't even know I'm doing her hair. The deal is, most of the time, at the age of 4, you're staying at home with them, aren't you?! Anyhow, the dad was a paramedic/firefighter, so he worked 2-24 hour shifts and then would be home. Now, the other key to the mom was that she was an obsessive/compulsive cleaner. Her husband said he could care less about the spotless house if he could have more time to spend with his wife. HELLO!!!!! Wake up and smell the coffee, mom? You've got to get it together...I don't think I will ever understand this show completely, but I guess all can be fixed for a family every Friday night, in about an hour...IT'S AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, on with real life...Carissa got her two year pics done this week. She totally posed for most of them. I think Grandpa (AKA PaPa) has taken too many pictures and she now knows what to do when she sees a camera! She did great and her reward was playing in the play area at the mall--she loves that germ-infested area and sometimes it breaks my heart :) I've really tried to restrain myself with the whole germ thing since she basically eats anything off the table, chair that she sits in, or even the floor!! Carissa also finally said, "Grandma" last night. The funny part is, is that she got her Noah's Ark, Moses wife, and started to play with it in her Weebles bus. She was sliding the "Grandma" figure down the slide saying, "Grandma slide! Grandma slide!" So, of course we called Grandma, formally known as "Nana" and let her hear it on the answering machine. Needless to say, she was very excited, and we aim to please here at the Mollet household.

Now, on to the rest of the month...I don't think I could think this baby to be born any quicker than I am right now. I've never been so ready to have any kind of medical procedure, but it has been alot more for me than last time. Maybe because I'm constantly chasing after a toddler around and doing everything else around the house. Carissa can say "Jocelyn" and she has a doll that she sits with sometimes. Unfortunately she also feeds her everything that she is eating or playin with--including Play-Doh!! This is her new fav. She could sit and play with Play-Doh for an hour or more. She just rolls it out and uses these cutters and other tools to make different piles of somethings!! It's funny because it's still fun at our age to play with it with her...What a cool invention-Play-Doh.

We are anticipating a pretty busy rest of November. Between youth stuff, other church stuff and a new baby as well as celebrating Carissa's 2nd birthday we'll be on our toes!!! Grandma and Papa are coming out for Thanksgiving, so everyone's excited about that trip. We also get to see Ruthann, one of the kids who is at LCC, for Thanksgiving. Rob, the guy that went, is going to TN to visit family, so we'll see him at Christmas...ALL in good time.

Well, off to do some weekend cleaning, eating, and napping...

November

November is one of my favorite months...

...Most importantly, the weather is usually finally settling into somewhat of a routine...50s and maybe even dip down into the 30s. Joe hates this weather because I still insist on keeping the heat turned down to 60-64 degrees. I grew up in a house that was usually pretty cool in temperature, so I guess that carries over to your own house when your a grown up. THANKS FOR HELPING US SAVE ON OUR GAS BILL DAD!!!!

...I know I keep talking about my family(it is MY blog), but another exciting part of November is that Carissa's birthday is on the 29th. She was our little Thanksgiving surprise almost 2 years ago!! It is so strange to think of her turning 2, but some days I can truly tell that she is a toddler. She must get all of her, "I can do it myself" stuff from Joe, because I know I've always listened carefully to instruction and advice :) She loved trick or treating this year. She would just stare into her treat pail with pure delight that people were giving HER candy and all she had to say was, "TREAT?" and then a quick HAPPY HAWOOWEEN and FANK YOU!! (How she says the words). After we finished up at one the ministers' houses from church, she crashed before the Steelers game even started at 9 p.m. She loved visiting everyone we saw last night, but slept until 8:00 this morning trying to recover from all the fun...

...Another reason I always like November is that it is the month that has Joe's favorite holiday in it. Joe has always loved Thanksgiving. I've limited my anxiousness to decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving is even over, during our marriage. I still have the fall tablecloth out and the fall-y kind of decorations up, but it's killing me to not start on Christmas in the next week or two, since I don't know how much energy I'll have later...

...This also brings us to the time of our next little bundle of joy coming into our family. We've tried to prepare for the arrival, but when I made my last 2 appointments with my doctor yesterday, it really hit me!!! I'm going to be a mother to 2 little girls, more importantly, I'm going to have to try to raise them to be GOOD GIRLS and that is the bigger fear. I don't know if Joe is really as scared as I am, but I know how I was growing up and I can only PRAY that God will help me be a good mom, because it is as scary as anything else in my mind right now...

...With all of this in the month of November, I still look forward to Christmas. We celebrate such a blessed event and enjoy our family's company and have fun reminiscing about the past year. Our families and extended families have so much to celebrate on both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year--it couldn't be more exciting for all of us to look forward to...

End of October and that Extra Hour--YEAH!!!

AHHHHHHH......

Changing time...we had our cooler weather now we get the best part of the end of October: THAT EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP TONIGHT. For some reason it seems so great to just know that you have the extra time, even if you choose not to use it.

I love fall. I like the cooler weather, the changing colors, and the anticipation of Thanksgiving and especially Christmas. Thanksgiving is Joe's favorite holiday but mine on the other hand is Christmas. I could start decorating for Christmas in October, but this year I've tried to make a purposeful effort to decorate for fall and Thanksgiving. It just doesn't seem as pretty as Christmas, but I'll do anything to keep the Thanksgiving spirit alive for my hubby. This weekend is a little more exciting because we will take Carissa trick or treating 2 times, maybe. She is going to be a princess, courtesy of a cute flower girl dress from her Uncle's wedding. We are going to the new mall about 30 minutes from here tomorrow night for indoor trick or treating and then going to a few houses on Monday night. It is of course a Steeler's football night, but we being from Illinois originally, are not breaking any kind of secret club outing rule by trick or treating on such a "holy" evening.

We went to the park today...and the first thing Carissa wanted to do was of course, THE BIG SLIDE!! She has no fear. We didn't ease into the park on the swings, or the merry go round, but instead the huge slide. She feels confident enough if Daddy follows her up but she slid faster than she had before...but she came down smiling and giggling. She and Daddy also rode the merry go round and she was brave enough to try to move around as it was spinning--braver than me!! (and Daddy I think:) She then went for the smaller slides and eventually the swings before heading home for some warm veggie stew for dinner. She really didn't like the stew, but I can at least pretend like she was warmed up by the idea of eating it...again another reason we love Fall--soup and chili weather.

Well, enough rambling...I wish to use that extra hour this evening to do some much needed cleaning--yeah right!! I'm not doing any if I can get away with it!!!!

Enjoy your hour

Just a small shot of how much fun Carissa had at her Uncle Brian's Wedding.

Random Friday Thoughts

Most everyone probably watches Letterman now, but I still watch Leno when I can stay awake that late. I know that most of the people on TV are more liberal, democratic than I am, but it is really driving me crazy anymore...

...like why is it pretty much ONLY President Bush's fault that the Katrina area didn't get evacuated in time? What part of M-A-N-D-A-T-O-R-Y E-V-A-C-U-A-T-I-O-N was so hard for people to understand?!?! I'm sick of hearing about everyone criticizing everything and everyone...can't we all just work together to fix things that go wrong instead of placing blame on everyone else...

...or why do we keep criticizing the overweight people of our world when shows are not passing up the opportunity to promote the foods and drinks that cause the problem. We can't totally blame the advertisements because we all tend to pass on saying "when" to stop eating what isn't good for us, but come on, give us a break on advertising. I watch the short amount of TV with Carissa a day that we allow, and I am amazed by the McDonald's commercials that don't advertise any food, yet when we drive by a set of golden arches she yells "FRIES, FRIES!!" There's something there, I just can't figure it out...

...Joe made a good point the other day when we were in the car...what are people thinking when they put political bumper stickers on their cars and then they're there for good--what if you had the losing party on your car...I keep thinking of that every time I see a Kerry 2004 sticker in this area...

...Also, he noted that with the President's worst approval rating overall, Kerry still lost to him a year ago next month...ummmmmm?!?!

...Why is that when you sit down to try to get real work done, all you can do is stare at the screen trying to remember what was so important...Sometimes I just want to build blocks and have a simple day like Carissa does...

...My final thought for today is simple...I stink at the whole Pigskin Pick Em and it's driving me crazy to see Joe, Nathan, Fara, Taylor, and basically everyone stay ahead of me through the beginning of the season...I will have revenge and triumph(probably not, but it's worth the thought). I'm pretty sure Carissa would be beating right now if she had made up her own entry...

Pumpkin Picking for The First Time...

Celebration...

Well, I am refraining from titling this blog until I complete it's words...

I've read my brother's blog and discovered that including him, there are many people that cannot put into words the great fun of this past weekend. I repeatedly told Joe on the way to Indiana that I couldn't believe that my brother was getting married. Not that I didn't think that someone could love him, it's just strange to think about. Then Joe, in his infinited wisdom said, "Don't you think he felt the same way almost 5 years ago?" Yes I suppose he did, but come on I'm the big sister it's right for me to get married...I know Double Standard...

We traveled for a day and spent 2 1/2 days preparing for Friday and then I realized how excited he was to be marrying his true love...It was a great time and I know that from what people said and showed towards Brian and Sarah as well as to each other. I know for some of the people there it was like a college reunion of sorts, but for me it was seeing all of my brother's friends sharing in a blessing they had been praying for for him for quite some time. We all were praying for the right person to come along, weren't we?! The idea behind the toast at the reception was for the guys to all share there thoughts on what a community was to them(excuse the paraphrasing-I'm not the minister in our family), and each one shared a thought about Brian and how he had made a difference in their life. That says alot, doesn't it? When You can get enough guys up there willing to say their thoughts about someone they've known less than all of their lives, but who means so much...

We are tremendously excited about having Sarah join our family. I hope we are able to get to know her better and better for the rest of our lives. Thank you God for letting us share in this joyous time...

October Thoughts

This October brings time to clean and reorganize before the next baby arrives in November. I started to prepare a few months ago, but I am trying to get a little bit done every week so I'm not overwhelmed as much as with the first baby coming home. I'm thinking more about what will she get into like Carissa did or what will Carissa show her how to do...The surprises of parenthood.

We've also been trying to get Carissa ready to be a big sister. She can say her sister's new name, but not too loud so maybe it's just a person she thinks is coming to visit for awhile. I think she's going to make a great big sister, but it's kind of scary to think about how chaotic everything will be. I know I can do it because other families have more than one kid, so we'll be fine...

Carissa has tried on her flowergirl dress at least 5 times and each time she stays upset longer when she has to change out of it. I just hope she'll like wearing it for the wedding next week. I still can't believe my brother is getting married. He just seems different now that he's growing up before our very eyes...

Mainly my concentration has been on trying to spend as much time with Carissa as I can before her sister comes along. It's so hard to think about having another little one to love this much. She continues to change every day. Today she enjoyed riding up and down the escalator at the mall with her Daddy. She just yells "Mommy, mommy" as soon as she gets me in her sight. I was at a ladies breakfast this morning and when I got home she came running across the living room to see me saying "MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY" the whole time. It's great to have someone be that excited to see you when you walk in the door of your home...

Monday Morning Quarterback

I have to admit in writing that I probably didn't even know things like ESPN, Fantasy Football, or anything like that existed before I met Joe. I knew there were sports teams out there, but I didn't realize that there were channels devoted to them and entire Saturdays, Sundays and often Mondays used to broadcast their games, matches, rounds, or whatever...So needless to say before we moved here, I never knew there was a "game" called Pigskin Pick 'em were you try to guess who will win the games played each weekend and then you are ranked on your team. I want to thank Joe and Nathan for getting me into this--well, not really. I can have an awesome week, like last week and then totally, I MEAN TOTALLY, bomb the next. As Joe sat to look at the results this morning saying, "YOU ONLY GOT 3 GAMES, RACHEL?!?!" Thank you dear. I feel even more excited to know about sports on a day like today. I think sometimes it's like your in a parralel world that knows what to do right with this game, but I try to hold true to the teams I know. I always pick Joe's Bears and our Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, isn't that devotion to teams?!?!

Oh, well...I woke up this morning knowing that it was going to be raining, but it's really a dreary day...Again, I've blogged about this before and it usually happens on Mondays--Joe's day off. WE are going to work around the house today. Maybe I can talk him into getting a few things done that I wouldn't mind having done. Well, I can hope...I mean it is his day off.

Well, we are home for a whole week this week. We don't have anything planned until Oct. 7 and then it's crazy for about a week--until my brother's wedding. Brian, ONLY 20 DAYS LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Random Thoughts

It's been a whirlwind month...We start so slowly trying to ease back into the swing of things with school starting. Then all of a sudden there are football games, track meets, and all the other things that come with the beginning of the school year. I sometimes miss the chaos of work, but then I think to myself, how could I do it all?!?! I'm so happy that some people can, but man I'd be beat...

We returned from our annual Brown County trip a day late and a dollar short--well not really thanks to my Dad and his talking about the "warranty" on our new tires...We were leaving Nashville, Indiana on Sunday afternoon and I noticed this loud tire noise. About that time a huge camper went sailing by so I assumed that it was coming from that. Then I noticed that my side of the car was shaking a little bit more than it really should be. Sure enough, upon pulling over to examine the problem, we discovered a flat, VERY flat, tire. We called AAA, because we pay for and we should try to stay in contact with them when we can, and they said it would be a guaranteed time of 2 HOURS!!! So, Joe thought if he could get the spare on in less time than that, he could call and cancel the request. After unloading a fully packed trunk, we had to try to figure out how to remove the jack that was practically bolted to the inside of the car. Are these so valuable that they need that much of a security feature as to not be able to remove them unless you are a body builder? So, needless to say my strong man did remove it and started to get the tire changed. About the time he was 3/4 of the way done, a van pulled up behind us. The guy stated "I'm from AAA and they sent a notice that you had a flat tire." I told him that they had told us 2 hours and he just laughed (definitely not that humorous to Joe). He offered to finish and was done in about 5 minutes. He told us to drive into Walmart in Columbus, IN and see if they could fix the tire and we could be on our way. So, we headed into Columbus and got to Walmart. My Dad, in his infinite wisdom proceeded to tell the guy in the tire department what happened and the guy asks if they are under warranty. "Sure they are," says my Christian Seminary professor father!! He had no clue one way or the other. So, the car was fixed in about a half hour and we were on our way--to sitting traffic on I-65 North. Road construction is a lovely thing, eh? We finally got to the south side of Indy and stopped to eat dinner--or supper for those of you in Illinois. By this point we were all pretty exhausted and we had to decide if we wanted to start our 6+ hour trip back to Pittsburgh or not. We opted not to and stayed at a hotel in Indy. Thankfully we had a great day traveling on Monday and got back home around 4:30. We stopped for dinner then, because unfortunately, I had to do the second gestational diabetes test on Tuesday morning at 7 A.M. So, I couldn't eat anything after 7 P.M. on Monday night. So, to make a short story long, we had a great weekend and then some delays but made it home safely...

We went to my regular doctor's appointment yesterday and everything is fine with the test. We scheduled the C-section for November 22nd--1 day after my birthday, 2 days before Thanksgiving, and 7 days before Carissa's birthday. Hopefully it will be a little earlier than that--it would stink to be in the hospital for Thanksgiving. But on the other hand I'm not a big turkey person, so they could just bring me food later in the day or something...we'll see.

Anyway that was our weekend and trip back. Carissa enjoyed playing with some new friends over the weekend--Micah(4), Rachel(2 weeks older than Carissa) and Benjamin(7). She pretty much followed or played with Micah most of the time. He kept saying her name and vice versa. It was pretty cute!!

Our next mission: October 7th--Fall Campus Challenge in Lincoln and then from there my little brother's wedding on October 14th. I still can't believe how fast the time has gone...

For now I think I'll try to enjoy some laundry washing and folding. As well as some quality time with Carissa...

Life In Steeler Country

This reaches everyone who reads this from a place most of you don't refer to Pittsburgh as, BUT if you live here you know that this is STEELER COUNTRY

Today, Sunday, is a holy day. This afternoon, is a holy afternoon. The Steelers played and fortunately--THEY WON...This is always important because it sets the mood for most workplaces, schools, and other areas in Pittsburgh. We have learned as transplants to this area that A)if the Steelers lose--it'll be a bad week or B)if the Steelers win it will be a good week. It can kind of be compared to if we A)attend church it will be a good week or B)it will be a bad week if we didn't attend. What if that was all it took for us to have good weeks or bad weeks? But we do sometimes base it on things such as when OUR team wins or loses...

Well, that's my sports analogy for the week...on to more important or random thoughts...

Carissa is a great joy. Sometimes we have our weak times and she had a few this week. She was having a playdate with a little boy from church and decided to BITE HIM...I never thought I would have a biting kid!! Okay some of you may have just been waiting for it to happen, but I do have to say it was a little sad for me. I felt like I had actually been biting her to teach her to do it--BUT TRUST ME I WOULDN'T WANT TO TEACH THIS LESSON...When I picked her up I told her to apologize and in her little voice she says, "SOWWY" probably not even knowing what she had said or why she said it, but hoping it was on her mind as to why she was saying it...

She has now also realized that when we ask her to do something she says, "NO" and then looks at us when we ask a second time and then she eventually does the task and moves on to her own next project...

Life is great. This week we will be preparing to travel to Brown County in Nashville, IN on Thursday. You really never think about planning out the week of trip but I have...I LOOK SO FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND ALL YEAR!!!!! Monday will be laundry day, Tuesday will be car day--oil change, tires and other assorted jobs, and Wednesday will be baking day--Oatmeal Cookies and Sugar Cookies for traveling and visiting this next weekend. I will enjoy most moments of preparing for the trip--minus Monday and Tuesday's activities, but I know the weekend will fly right by like it always does. Why is that? The most fun you have always goes right by--without even knowing where the time really went.

Well, not much more to say--or that I even said much...

Enjoy your week--you know we will here in STEELER COUNTRY

Parks and Great Weather

We have so much fun with our daughter...

...Saturday in Pittsburgh was absolutely beautiful. We spent a nice day at home and in the evening walked up to our local park. Carissa surprised us both by walking directly up to the biggest slide in the park. Joe faithfully followed her up the steps and she was smiling the whole way up. She started to slide down...let me fill you in that Carissa might actually be the world's slowest "slider." So, usually on her little slide at home, she slowly says, "WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" for something that should only really take a "WEEE" to show her excitement in the sliding activity. So needless to say she does enjoy it tremendously, but sometimes for little too long!!

...Joe loves to play all of the little games at the park--riding on the merry-go-round, spinning the little toys, pretending she can hang and travel across the monkey bars(unfortunately she got her coordination from me--I could never get all the way across). She loves every minute of her time playing. But then she also enjoys all the things she sees as we walk back home. She points out the trees, the birds, the bunny running in a yard, and especially the planes, or as she calls them "PANE, PANE!!!" ecstatically every time she hears or sees one.

...Life is great. Enjoying the cooler weather, anticipating new discoveries with Carissa, and learning everything she has to teach us as well...

The Fall Season

After reading everyone's ode to fall blogs I feel compelled to write what I think about fall...

Fall always brings the thoughts change. Growing up you think about the leaves changing and raking them into a huge pile to play in and eventually bagging up to set out for the trash truck. It reminds us of heading back to school--this feeling lasts longer for some of us than others...well into the college years.

When you are older you start to think about how the upcoming winter will be...for us the last two years and this one we are anticipating great changes in our home. In 2003 we welcomed Carissa at Thanksgiving time and then celebrated her first birthday the following year with huge milestones to follow...This year, again, we will welcome a new little girl into our lives. I don't think Carissa quite knows what it all means but she does try to say her new little sister's name and she says, "LUV BOO" to her when she hears her Daddy say it. Carissa is growing up so fast and fall will always remind me of the changes she has made in the last year.

We also always look forward to our annual trip to Brown County/Nashville, Indiana every year. There will be at least 18 people there this year. It really feels like a family reunion when we get there and the time always flies right by and it's over before we know it. We get to just relax, shop, eat and most of all spend time with one another. Our family never really had family reunions, but this is my version of one--just with family we're not even related to. It's crazy to say this, but I think we've been doing this for like 15 years--once the parents let us in on the treat of going...

This fall also brings great excitement to our family because we will also be getting a new family member in October. As crazy as it feels to say and hear my little brother is GETTING MARRIED!! Sarah, his fiancee, is a great person and they make each other laugh and I see such happiness in his face and hear it in his voice. I know their excitement and they are in for the rollercoaster of their lives with the fun that marriage has to offer and the learning experiences we have during the first few years...I'm so happy for Brian.

Well, those are my feelings about Fall--the most comfortable season I can think of. I love to be outside without a jacket but have one just in case it rains or gets chilly. But I always enjoy the first snowfall too...more to come on that in the colder months.

Rainy Days

Don't rainy days just stink? Especially when I know Joe has a day off, it stinks...We try to make outdoor plans and then have to change them when it decides to rain...But I am thankful it's only rain.

Rainy days make me think of many things...

...Don't you ever think about dancing in the rain--I know I sound cheesy, but it really is fun. Carissa has let me learn to like the rain again. She loves to look up and just open her mouth to feel the rain falling into it!! Kids are amazing that way.

...It makes me appreciate the fact that we get enough rain/precip to keep us alive by allowing enough food to grow and feed us.

...I also try to think of all the things we could do inside instead of being on the outside. I've sorted pictures before, I've watched movies before, I've cleaned more before, but most importantly I've NAPPED MORE!!!

...I always sit at the door and sing the rain songs to Carissa too!!

"It's raining, its pouring the old man is snoring...He went to bed, bumped his head and couldn't get up in the morning!!"

"Rain, rain go away...Come again another day!!"

She usuallly laughs because I fill in "old man" with Daddy or Papa(Grandpa). She knows who the real the snorers are in this family.

Life just gets better and better with my family. Carissa is saying and doing so much more each day. She's growing like I can't believe. We are constantly amazed at her advancements. She is just an awesome blessing to us. We have tried to teach her how to say her soon to be little sister's name--so go ahead and give it a try to get it out of her! She talks to the baby and says "Love boo" for love you.

She is a dancing machine!! If she hears music she's movin' She sure doesn't have my rhythm, but she has fun. She and Daddy dance around pretty much every night. She'll be a hit at Uncle Brian's wedding in October. I know I'm going on and on, but who wouldn't?!?!

We are so in love with our life...God has given us so much and we are so thankful for it all. I need to remind myself to say that to Him more often...Do you?

AHHH....Another Summer comes to an end.....

Wow!!! Once May and June hit it seems so difficult to find time to even think let alone update the blog.

We graduated 4 seniors this year...Gabrielle Blazier, Jen Hain, Ruthann Malsch, and Jon Russell. This is the first group of kids that Joe has had from the time they were in Jr. High through their graduation. It's amazing how the time flew but probably dragged by for them. We are happy to say that 3 of our kids are going to attend a Christian college this fall!! Jen, Ruthann, and Robby Bane are going to LCC in about a week. It's amazing how God works in people to let them see an opportunity like LCC and take advantage of it. We're sooooo excited for them. Deep down I will miss them all--their funny stories, their talks about anything, the trips we've taken with them. But I'm glad this is one trip they are taking on their own. They are going to love it all. I want them to soak all of college life in...

We have taken two trips to Milligan College this summer. We took 4 kids plus the 3 of us to CIY Summer Conference in June. We then turned around and took Robby and Jen to Lincoln to visit the school 3 days after returning from CIY (LOTS OF DRIVING). We then had a visit from Carissa's grandparents for the week of July 4th and then followed that up with the Jr. High Mission trip through CIY. We took 6 kids plus 5 adult sponsors. It was something new for most of the adults as well as the kids. Good work, good fun, good to get home. On July 29th, I headed to Illinois for a visit and Joe, along with 15 others, headed to Mexico for the High School Mission trip. They worked with a family to build them a house. It's amazing what these kids and adults can do in a week of work and dedication.

Along with busy trips with kids we have been preparing ourselves and Carissa for her new sibling arriving in November. We've had 2 ultrasounds and the technician told us that we are expecting another little girl...Joe's so great with Carissa and I know he'll be just as great with this little blessing. So, for now Carissa loves seeing babies, but I don't know how she'll be with one staying in our house.

We now see the summer coming to a close with VBS this week and a few more youth events. We look forward to a fall filled with exciting events: Youth Group Kick-off, Our annual Brown County trip and then our final long distance trip to my little brother's wedding in October. We are so happy to be traveling for this great day. He's marrying a great girl and we're getting another family member that will fit right in--but I don't know if that's good for Sarah or not....

Well, I need to get going. Carissa is not happy about a tree being cut down outside. I guess I'll have to sit and comfort her for awhile--ahh the torture of relaxation for a moment!!

Scent or Sound

It is said that scent has the strongest memories related to it. However, I would like to counter that with a word from the Sound department. I am sitting here listening to whatever is playing on the radio. I have heard Men at Work--Be Good Johnny, Rick Springfield--Jessie's Girl, and now the Walk this Way by RUN DMC & Aerosmith. These songs return me to a time and a place that belongs in yesterday. I can still remember my first Record--> Cheap Trick. I won it in a music contest at my school. I remember the Men at Work cassette and finally seeing a video with Steven Tyler in it. These all bring a flood of memories back. I cannot tell you how awesome it is.
Sure their are some scents I will never forget. Grandma's laundry scent--each time you would pick up a towel and smell that scent. Maybe it is smell of your mom's purfume, or even worse your dad's cologne. Man dad had some real Old Spice moments. I remember them all. Yet the music seems to connect with me even more. I can remember those one hit wonders that screached out some awesome power ballads. I remember how I associated emotions with those songs. I also remember associating relationships with certain songs. I cannot listen to "We Built This City" without remembering Debbie. She loved to play that song over and over again. My mother always listened to Charlie Pride, My dad listened to Roy Clark Live, My sister wore out her Stairway to Heaven album. My Brother Tom listened to the Cars and Billy Joel.
Their tastes have changed over the years. At least my families has, I hope Debbie's has also. Still, I remember them everytime I hear a certain song. Right now the song "Tricky" is playing. My brother Tim thought this rocked for such a long time. Tim has moved through many different sounds. Still, we can put together songs, people and emotions. Sure scent can do that, but I have more memories with music than I do with scent.
Sounds--family, friends, and more all come rolled up with that song on the radio.
In Christ,
Joe

Life moves so fast

It is May already. Things have really been busy. The schedule for May does not seem to slow down much. The exciting thing is our daughter is so much fun. She definitely is headed into the terrible two's. Meaning she is searching out her boundaries. She still does not say many words so we are left to guessing what exactly she is grunting or crying for. However, I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to see her moving on to the next part of her life. God is amazing. The child He has entrusted to us is so cute. I know I am a proud father, but she just makes so many people smile. Her laugh, her joy, her overwhelming love for others is incredible.
I wish I could take credit for it, but that would be a lie. I know that Rachel and I do our best, but she goes way beyond us. We are not that awesome. Well, Rachel is. She truly overwhelms us with her personality. It amazes me how such a little one can make so many people smile.
Well, back to my original thought. Life moves fast. She used to be so stationary. You could guarantee where she would be if you left the room. Now, you have to put a boundary around her every where you go. She will move through any crack or crevice that is left for her to squeeze through. My personal favorite is when she starts through an area like a chair and the wall, and then gets stuck. She will wine until we move the chair so she can get by. No turning back. Always moving forward is her motto.
I look forward to tomorrow. I look forward to seeing how she will be different. Life moves so fast.

Random thoughts for today.
--I am amazed at how Carissa knows how to pick up the blanket when she is ready for a nap.
--Adult nap time should be a part of everyone's day.
--The words "High fructose corn syrup" just plain sounds good.
--You can always tell if something is bad for your body, if you stop eating or drinking it, does your body go through withdrawal. Then it is bad. Caffiene--bad, too much sugar--bad, candy--bad, Nyquil--bad, healthy food--no withdrawal symptoms, hmm. Further investigation is necessary.
--Why can't school be longer in the winter, shorter in the spring, and never during the summer.