Blizzard 2011

I guess people had a right to be Running Scared because we were definitely hit with a lot of snow.

 

Yes those are cars under the snow!

Dan woke up early so that he could attempt to make it into work. Yeah right!

By 9:30 this morning he had the driveway and sidewalk completely cleared.

Our neighbor didn’t even attempt to clear the driveway!

I am pretty sure we were the envy of the neighborhood.

About an hour later the snow plow came through and cleared the street … as best as he could.

So we decided to take a walk and check out the rest of the subdivision.

Snow was everywhere but Jacob was convinced this was the best day of his life.

Before we even left the yard he was already climbing in the snow.

He was having a blast until he saw the snow hill in the cul-de-sac.  He just started running. By the time I caught up with him … this is what I saw …

Dan thought it looked like fun so he joined in too!

We continued on our journey around the block. I stayed in the street but Jacob decided to walk the snow instead. But he fell …

He loved every second of it!

Seriously … loved it!!

We almost got back to the house when Jacob realized he could touch the street signs.

And when we got back to the house Jacob decided street sledding was a great idea.

It did look like fun but then he tuckered himself out.

Doesn’t he look so sweet?? Peaceful even. And if you knew Jacob peaceful is not something he does often.

We talked to the neighbors, the snow plow driver, and the back hoe driver.

We kept the fire roaring all day long.

Princess Fiona loves the fireplace and won’t leave while it is going.

We drank mugs and mugs of tea and hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course).

Finally we settled down with our plates of Pepper Steak (YUM! I will have to share the recipe) and watched American Idol.

We are loving this season! Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson are hilarious together.

So that is how we spent the day during the Blizzard of 2011.

School is cancelled for Jacob and I again tomorrow. Poor Dan has to go to work. I think I am going to make English muffin bread and Lemon Chicken Pasta with asparagus.

I also want to create a Valentine’s Day craft with Jacob. Maybe we will hit the craft store tomorrow.

I love snow days!

I cannot believe it is already Sunday night!

Wow! This weekend really flew by with my getting very little accomplished. 

I did spend an amazing Friday night with my college girlfriends. We had a glass of wine (Pinot Grigio – my favorite!), snacked on some yummy treats, gobbled up slices of pizza, and chatted until the wee hours of the morning.

I don’t think I have laughed that hard in so very long! It is so nice to be able to discuss school, professors, pre-clinicals/student teaching, and students with those who truly get it.

On Saturday, I slept in.

Truth be told I like being awake before the boys get up but this didn’t happen on Saturday. So from the second I was awake I was being beckoned to get drinks and breakfast. Two cinnamon rolls and a glass of apple juice later I sat down in front of the TV.

And there I sat all day. I watched movie after movie until I felt I should get up and be some what productive. So I got up and made dinner for my  family.

Dan went out to run some errands. To be honest I think he needed some space from the giggly twins (Jacob and Christian). Those two can be such a handful sometimes.

But when he came back he had a present for me!! I love that man! I honestly couldn’t ask for more in a person.

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Project; Look what you can make with one yard of fabric! By: Rebecca Yaker

I have had my eye on this book for quite some time now – well ever since I got a sewing machine from Freecycle.

This book contains 101 sewing project all using only one yard of fabric. I cannot wait to go to the store and get some fun and colorful fabrics so I can try them out.

I am pretty certain I am going to make a great big bag to hold my school books for my first project.

Today was yet another unproductive day. I woke up late again so the gigglers were already up and at ‘em. They prepared their own breakfast this morning so I settled in with a great big cup of coffee.

I didn’t go to church this morning and I already wish I had. Going to church starts my week off on the right foot and I haven’t been in a few weeks.

I did go to Johnsen & Taylor with my Mom today. I love looking around at all the wonderful Christian books, art, mugs, and trinkets. Although I am not really a trinket person. I saw so many things I would love to read and hang in my home. I did buy one book called The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner.

I cannot wait to begin reading it although with all my classwork I doubt I will be able to complete it any time soon.

While I was gone shopping Dan hung pictures up around the house. When I came home I was so happy to see things hanging from the otherwise bare walls.

As for right now, I am doing laundry and finishing up some school work. Hopefully, I will have time tomorrow afternoon to finish the rest of it.

So that was my super unproductive weekend.

What did you get done (or not) this weekend?

We Are Moving

After months and months of prayers from everyone … we officially have rented a townhome and will be moving THIS Saturday.

I feel extremely grateful to be surrounded by so many people who prayed for us, loved on us, and stuck with us through such a rough and tumble time.

I felt defeated for a long time and never thought that we would find a place to go. I started preparing for the worst and decided to email Jacob’s principal.

I informed him that we tried unsuccessfully to find a house in district for Jacob to start at his school. He told me to keep him informed and that he would work with me to get Jacob enrolled. (This was Monday morning.)

On Monday evening, we were informed that we were approved to rent a townhome in Jacob’s school district.

This was GREAT news and just what we were hoping for.

But … the security deposit was $500 more than we had anticipated.

On Tuesday morning, I went in and met with the homeowner to sign the lease and hand over the security deposit.

Our new landlord is a pastor. He has been the senior pastor of the church in town for 18 years.

Once the lease was signed and his realtor left the room. I told him that we prayed for this house. He smiled.

After the lease was signed we directly went to Jacob’s school and registered him.

On Wednesday morning, I dropped Jacob off for his first day of second grade.

Jacob has the teacher he hoped for and is very excited for school this year. Most of his friends are in his class and he says this is going to be his best year yet.

On Thursday evening, Jacob started soccer practice.

And … Saturday he officially had his first game.

Sunday we finally celebrated my brother's college graduation.

And today … I started back to school. I cannot believe that everything has fallen into place. I had my doubts. I doubted that God would find us a place to live.

I doubted Him.

But God once again showed up and showed Himself to me. He showed me to lean on Him on when everything in this world is on shaky ground. He showed me that He takes care of me and my needs. (Side note: Can anyone tell me the verse in the Bible that talks about how He takes care of the birds and their needs and how we are more important than birds? I do not know where it is and I would like to have it.) He showed me that when all else fails I still have Him and that He loves me.

Why I doubt Him? I may never understand. But God has once again provided. I am in awe of all He does for me.

Thank you so much for praying for us. I am truly grateful.

 

College 101

I have officially registered for classes at Benedictine. I talked to my adviser, Anne, over the phone today and she walked me through the registering for classes process. I am now signed up for ...
*Literature 267 -Studies in Poetry
*Education 215 - Technology for Teachers
*Humanities 250 - The Contemporary World
*Math 112 - Math for Elementary School Teachers
and I am on the wait list for Philosophy 12o - Greek Philosophy.

My schedule is very sporadic and it doesn't seem that I will be able to take Jacob to school or drop him off at school this semester.
I figured I would have a less than desirable schedule since I applied so late but 4 hours between classes is a little disheartening.
My advisor said to see if there are any openings for the Education 215 class at an earlier time. That would help out significantly.

Now that I have my official schedule I need to find a part time job. There are two current opportunities that may work. But I am assuming that waitressing will be the best option.
Like this whole process I am leaving it in God's hands. He knows better than I do anyway.

Is anything new going on in your lives? Please fill me in. I am getting overwhelmed by my own life anyway.