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...