And he's off......

Saturday we said good-bye to Isaac.  It was a happy/sad kind of day.  We're very proud of Isaac and happy he has this opportunity.  But it was sad to see him go and know that he won't be knocking on my bedroom door in the evening to talk, won't be at dinner, won't be coming and going.  

My big guys!  

Doug had a hard time watching him leave.  I knew I would, so I didn't watch.  I don't even watch Doug leave for work, and he's home in 5 days.

Several have asked me what is "the 99".  

He is going to do a year long internship with a traveling ministry called "the 99".

This is from their website:

Quote:

THE 99 is a walkthrough theater that graphically reenacts the five leading causes of death in teenagers and young adults. Many of these deaths are influenced by drugs or alcohol and a vast majority of them can be avoided.

THE 99 is a state-of-the-art production designed to portray the very real consequences of poor decisions that claim almost 37,000 young lives every year. The production is not based on fear or scare tactics, but rather is based solely on reality with each room designed from real life situations.

They stay at one location for 6 weeks. They spend 1 1/2 weeks setting up, do the performance for 3 weekends, then 1 1/2 weeks tearing down and loading up before driving onto the next location.

His responsibilities will be to help with the set up/tear down, perform in the drama, go to churches and schools to speak and promote "the 99", help organize and train the 200 volunteers it takes to put this on, and whatever else they tell him to do. It is all voluntary.

He will be staying with host families; a different family every week or so.

During the week the interns are required to take classes from the Bible college affiliated with the church that is "the 99"s home church.

They were in our town last Aug. Our friend is in charge of their sound. My boys have helped Ron with sound at concerts for years and years, and also installing sound in churches. So Isaac and Jordan volunteered to help Ron with all of that. Isaac also performed in the drama every night each weekend. His friend's family hosted people, and he got to know a few of them and talk to them a lot. Isaac fell in love with it and said he wanted to spend a year with them when he graduated (next year). But in March they asked if he could come this year, and so he did.

Right now he is in Indianapolis. After that they'll go to Louisville, KY and then Grand Rapids, MI.

So that's what he's up to.

In other news, Jordan had his cast removed last Monday and returns to work tonight.

Mama's Kitchen

This looks like a fun little meme.  I stole it from my blog friend Sarah.


1. Do you have magnets on your fridge? Yes, on the side of it.  I like the front to be uncluttered.

2. Do you have a calendar in your kitchen, if so, what’s the theme of it? Yes, it's hanging inside the cabinet.  There are gorgeous waterfall pictures on it.

3. What is your favorite kitchen gadget? I love all my Pampered Chef stuff, which is a lot considering I sold it for a few years.  Too many to choose.  I like to cook and bake and love gadgets.

4. Are you lucky enough to have a pantry of some kind? I have a pantry cabinet, does that count?

5.What is your favorite appliance? Toaster oven

6. Do you have an eat in kitchen (table in it)? No

7. Do you have a bread box? No

8. Do you have a picture of your kids on the fridge?Yes, and also pictures of my friends' kids and nieces and nephews.  On the side, under the magnets ;)

9. Do you ever cook breakfast in your PJs? Yes.  Must have coffee and food before I am functional, and then get dressed.

10. Do you have a favorite cookbook that you use? I love cookbooks!  I have a Weight Watchers one that I love.  I also subscribe to Healthy Cooking magazine (by the Taste of Home people) and love that, too.

11. Are you lucky enough to have recipes that were passed down from your mom or grandma? Yes

12. What’s your favorite food? I like all food really.  Lately I've been craving lasagna so I'll pick that as my favorite.

13. What’s your favorite thing to cook? I love to cook and don't have a favorite.

14. Is your coffee pot electric or stove top? Neither. I use a French press with freshly ground beans.  I do have an automatic drip for when we have company.  It lives in the basement otherwise.

15. Do you ever make your own bread? Yes.  Love to make bread and have several favorite recipes.

16. Name one thing that you have hanging on your wall in your kitchen: Nothing.  Not much wall space in my kitchen.

17. Is there a clock in your kitchen? On the stove, on the microwave and on the under counter radio.

18. Do you have a bowl of fruit sitting on your table or counter? Yes, one with bananas and one with avocados.  The rest of the fruit is in the refrigerator (strawberries, pineapple, apples, lemons and lime).

19. What type of canisters do you have? Rubbermaid.  I keep them in the cabinet.

20. Does your kitchen have a theme? No.

21. What’s for supper tonight? Salmon on the grill, brown rice (pierogies for the boys) and steamed broccoli.

22. Do you have enough cabinet space? Yes.  I have fabulous storage in the built in buffet in the dining room.  Plenty of cabinets in the kitchen, too. What I don't have are enough drawers.

23. Does your family use paper plates? Yes

24. Do you have a good set of china? I have china that my grandma gave me, service for 12 or 16?  My every day dishes are Pampered Chef Simple Additions.  I have enough for 12.

25. Do you wear an apron to work in your kitchen? Yes, I hate getting food on my top.

26. Name one thing, if anything, that you would like to change about your kitchen. My kitchen is very old, has 3 different counter tops and not enough counter space.  I would like new cabinets, add a wall of cabinets to the empty wall (where the microwave stand and pantry cabinet are).  I would like drywall instead of 1" plastic tiles that have been duct taped and painted over numerous times.  I would like under the cabinet lighting and all one counter top.  In my dreams anyway......now it's functional and I'm happy to use it.

Now for the rest of the story.......

So much has been happening here this year!!

Doug's work schedule changed again.  He's not home anymore, but his off days are better than what he had.

Jordan moved into his own apartment and then promptly broke his ankle.  He's been off work since then.  He goes to the doctor on the 26th and hopefully gets the cast off and can return to work.  He is anxious to do that.

Isaac got a 10 point buck during gun season.  A friend of the family does taxidermy and let Isaac help mount the head.  It now proudly hangs in my living room where my wedding picture used to be!

Isaac is going to do a year long internship with The 99.  He leaves May 1st!  I am going to miss that boy!!

Allen got his driver's permit.  No picture of him with the permit, but a recent picture nonetheless :)

I do not do change well at all!  And these are a whole lot of changes at once for me.  So what did I do?  I convinced Doug that we should plan a cruise.  So we will be taking a Caribbean cruise in April of 2011!  I am so excited!

Doug and I have now lost 123 lbs. (at last count) together.
Before ~ June '08

Now ~ April '10

I have about 42 lbs. to go and Doug is 1/3 of the way to his goal!!

And a picture of Doug, Isaac and Allen just because :)

So what's been happening with you??

So much has been happening!!

The BEST news this week is..............

My Mom is CANCER FREE!!!!!!

We are all PTL!!!!!  She has an MRI next week on her brain to see if the cancer metastasized. 

I'll catch ya up on all the other happenings in the next day or so.  VERY MUCH stuff happening here!!

Mexican Lentils ~ Healthy Cooking

I made this today for the first time. It is yum!

1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 c. vegetable broth
1/2 c. dry lentils, rinsed
3 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin (I also used PC SW seasoning)
1 c. frozen corn
1 c. salsa, fat free
1/4 c. tomato paste
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. white vinegar

In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender.

Add the broth, lentils, chili powder and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are almost tender.

Stir in the corn, salsa, tomato paste, oregano and vinegar (I also added salt and pepper). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 min. longer or until lentils are tender.


Serve with brown rice and cheddar cheese.
YIELD: 4 cups lentils
1/2 c. = 1.5 WW points, 3/4 c. - 2.5 WW points; 1 c. = 4 WW points

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

The opportunity to go to the yummy yarn store with my sister, mom and gramma.

That tomorrow is Friday and Doug will be home. It's been a long week.

That school is going smoothly this year.

That it is above freezing, in January!! for several days in a row even!

And the sun is SHINING!!

How about you?  What are you thankful for today?

Happy Birthday Babe!!

Happy Birthday Doug!!

 

New Year's Eve

How do you celebrate New Year's Eve?

We celebrated by going to a fancy schmancy dinner dance with friends.  We've gone to this same event the past several years.  It was fun.  Great food, great friends and great music.

Last year Doug and I committed to getting healthy and losing weight.  Doesn't everybody do that in January?  Well, we actually followed through all year.  Between the two of us we've lost 102 lbs. this year.  We aren't finished yet, either.  We'll keep going.  I'm halfway to goal; Doug is about 1/3 the way there.

Here is photographic proof :)  I was excited to compare our last year's pictures with this years.

NYE '08

NYE '09

NYE '08

NYE '09

Next year I'll be able to post before/during/after pictures!  We both are working hard to reach our goal by the end of the year.

Do you follow through on the goals you set at the beginning of the year?  I don't usually, but this year, I am so glad I did!h

Happy New Year!!

2009 is almost over, can you believe it??  Not only the year, but an entire decade in the new century!

Remember 10 years ago when everybody was worried about Y2K?  It feels so long ago, doesn't it?

Ten years ago my boys were 5, 7 and 9.  They still wanted to hang out with me and thought I was da bomb!  I can't believe they are now 15, 17 and 19.  Two of them are driving and the 3rd is able to get his permit (as soon as I take him for the test), one of them have graduated and has a full time job. 

Ten years ago we were in our 3rd year of hs'ing.  We spent our days going on nature walks, doing game school, cuddling and reading aloud, teaching handwriting and reading.  Now our days are spent with geometry, biology, government.  Gone are the days of snuggles and short school days.  We're in our 13th year!  WOW!  In 2 1/2 short years, everybody will be graduated.  You know that time will fly before you know it.

Ten years ago I turned 30.  I thought I was so old.  Our marriage was in the toilet.  This year I turned 40.  I no longer think I'm old :-P.  Our marriage has done a 180.  God has really done in a miracle in our lives.  I am so thankful and blessed.

We've had so many changes in the past 10 years.  Doug lost a local driving job of 12 years and has been over the road for 3 1/2 years now.  It's stinky, but we are so thankful for a job.  I've had to learn to live with chronic health difficulties.  Another stinky thing.  I don't like limitations, but I've learned to live with them.  I've also learned a lot through them; such as I don't have to say yes to every single thing asked of me, it's OK to ask for help, if it doesn't all get done it really is OK.  I've had to learn to simplify, relax my house keeping standards, slow down, nap, cut my schedule way back, and life still goes in LOL!  I miss the days of napping because I wanted to and not because I had to.  I really miss the days of no pain.  On bad days I have to think about what clothes will hurt the least and not wear jewelry because it is too heavy!  But you know, God is still good.  He still loves me.  And I'm not a horrible Christian because my body has not been healed.  I've walked through big spiritual struggles while coming to terms with my health.

I am looking forward to the next decade.  At the end of it I will be 50!  My kids will be 25, 27 and 29.  I may have grandchildren :)  I pray my husband comes home at night.  And through it all God will be faithful.

Happy New Year!!!

Thankful Thursday

I love Thankful Thursday!!  Today I am thankful:

That Christmas is in 2 weeks and I get to go Christmas shopping on Sunday :)
My power didn't go out lat night (or today) during these strange high winds.
My outside ornaments didn't blow away in those same winds.
A great weekend with friends last weekend. 
My husband
My kids
My family
Starbucks

How about you?

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I have so much to be thankful for.  I'll just list a few of them.

• My sweet husband
• The fact he made it home at 8:30 this morning and will be at Thanksgiving dinner :)
• My boys
• Doug and Jordan both have good jobs
• My mom's tumor is shrinking
• Family
• Friends
• Jesus
• So very much more that I can't even list it all

I hope everybody has a fabulous Thanksgiving Day!!

Thankful Thursday

A week until Thanksgiving! Unbelieveable!! 

Right now I am so incredibly thankful for a good report my mom received.  She had a scan done this past Monday.  And after her 1st round of chemo, her tumor is shrinking!!  PTL!

She's now completed round 2 of chemo and is going for 2x a day radiation treatments for the next 3 weeks.  I'm looking forward to even more good reports :)

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my mom and gramma.  We went to our favorite yarn store, Knitting on the Square.  We sit, knit, talk, eat, talk, shop.  It is a fabulous day! 

Here we are several weeks ago.  Mom, me and my gramma.  Three generations of knitters. 

Speaking of my mom, here's an update on her. She completed her first round of chemo and has now lost her hair.  She looked absolutely adorable today in her pink hat that one of the gals from knitting made for her.

Monday she starts her 2nd round of chemo.  She will have chemo for 3 days in a row again.  She also starts radiation on Monday.  She will go 2x a day for 3 1/2 weeks along with chemo.  I am so glad they are aggressively treating this cancer, but feel so badly that Mom is going to feel yuck.  She's tired and in much pain right now. She said she now knows how I feel.  I'm glad she won't always have to feel like this.

So I am incredibly thankful for the afternoon with Mom.  How about you?  What are you thankful for today?

Three Weeks until Thanksgiving!!!

Can you believe it?  I absolutely have no clue where this year went to.  My oldest is going to be 19 this month! Where did those years go?

How do you celebrate Thanksgiving? 

We've not yet decided what we are going to do.  Cook and invite people?  Stay home alone?  Go to my dad's house?  We better decide quickly, eh?

In honor of the Thanksgiving turkey prep, here's one of my favorite turkey commercials :)  Well darn, I can't figure out how to embed the video in the blog post.  Didn't there used to be an icon for that?

Anywhere, HERE it is (link to youtube).

Blog Giveaway!

My friend, Robin, is celebrating her 100th blog post with a give away.

Robin is a talented seamstress and makes the most gorgeous aprons! She will be giving away a 1/2 apron.

So hop on over and leave her a comment.  She's picking the winner on Sunday!

Happy 20th Anniversary To Us!!

Wow!  Doug and I have been married for 20 years.  It just doesn't seem possible!  It has been a crazy ride, and I'm so glad to have gone through it with my best friend.  I look forward to many, many, many more anniversaries.

And some pictures.

Our engagement picture

I'd LOVE to have that skin and hair again. 40 year old skin just doesn't look like 20 year old skin.  And I think I've lost 1/2 my hair in the past 20 years.  Doug, however, looks even better now!

Look at those huge puffy sleeves!  I don't think you can buy those any more :)

We didn't know how to dance yet,

but we faked it real well!

My very favorite wedding picture.

And here we are now!  We are more in love today than the day we got married. 

We've been through so much.  Our marriage truly is a miracle.

Babe, I love you more than anything!

Happy Anniversary!!!

Woo Hoo Isaac!!!!

Isaac is an avid deer hunter. He's been hunting for 3 years and has yet to bag a deer, that is until today!!

He was up and out the door at 5ish this morning. By 8:15 am he had a deer. A 7 point buck no less, weighing in at 125 lbs. field dressed! One arrow and he dropped it!

He has never field dressed a deer. He's never witnessed anybody else field dress a deer. He has watched YouTube field dressing videos. He went a little overboard on the field dressing, but he cleaned it totally out! So that is fair warning that you will see split open deer in this picture.

WAY TO GO ISAAC!!!!!

Life is busy!

Wow are things busy here!

We're settling into our 13th year of hs'ing.  It is so different to be schooling 2 instead of 3.  Nice I must admit :)

Jordan is working hard at his job.  He works the midnight shift at a plastic factory.  He bought a new to him car; '04 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Convertible.  It's a sharp car!

Jordan bowled his first ever 300 Game! a few weeks ago!  Way to go Jordan!! He and Isaac had both come close (288 and 290) and we were wondering who would hit 300 first.  It was Jordan!

Isaac has been heading into the woods as often as possible, hoping to bag a deer.  We're all rooting for him!

Isaac and Allen have been busy working their dock business.  Jordan is too busy with work and has moved on and Allen moved up.

Allen is counting down the weeks (I think there are 5 now) until he can get his driver's permit.  Oh my gosh!  Where did the years go?

Doug and I went away for our anniversary last weekend.  We had a nice, although rushed, time.  We'll be married 20 years next week. 

I'm hoping to get away to visit a girlfriend in PA for a few days sometime this month.  I'm also hoping to take the boys to the lake next week for one last overnight, weather permitting.  Today it is a high of 43, tomorrow 38, and SNOW!  I'm SO not ready!  But it's supposed to be sunny and 50 the beginning of the week.  So we'll see.

So how are things going for you?

Some updates on my mom

I went to the oncologist with my mom this past Monday.  I really liked him, and so did she.

She met with a surgeon on Tuesday about having a port put in.  They will do that on the 21st.

Today she has a PET Scan.

She starts chemo on the 26th and will also get the results of her PET Scan at that time.  She may or may have radiation, depending on the scan results.

I appreciate your continued prayers for my mom and our whole family.

Our family sure needs your prayers!

I copied this from my mom's blog.

I have been really ill--diagnosed with SIADH--which I do not really understand it--it has to do with ineffective anti diuretic hormone and my sodium dropped very very low and I was unable to function for 7 days.. I then spent 7 more days in the critical care unit to treat and find they cause.. And the cause was found. They found a lesion on my lower right lung--which is what they feel triggered the SIADH. It was biopsied and it is a small cell cancer. for now that is all we know. I will see an oncologist on Oct 12--have more testing to determine stage etc and then they will decide on treatment. I do know it is not operable.

I spent yesterday Googling.  Googling isn't so fun sometimes.  My mom, all of us, would appreciate your prayers.