The FLU!!

I hate the flu! We have had it in our house now for 7 days and I am tired of it. I think that next year we will opt to have the kids get the flu shot too. I got one this year, which is probably why I have been the only one standing at times in our house. Jonathan probably has had it the worst which is not good with midterms coming up in 10 days. Poor guy...he finally gave in and went to urgent care today after 2 weeks of not feeling too hot.

Our first Sleepover

For the first time Jordan had someone spend the night. Yes...3 is a little young for this, but it was our cousin Peyton and she is only in town once maybe twice a year.

The girls wore eachother's pajamas (should have gotten a better picture of that), and they slept in Jordan's queen sized-bed. Peyton is still on central standard time, so around 9 when they went to bed, she was out while Jordan continued to sing to her. Also because of the central standard time, Jordan walked Peyton into our room at 5:55 am because, "Momma, Peyton has to go potty." Oh well! No one woke up through the night.

We went to Bethlehem!

During Jonathan's finals week, Josiah Jordan and I went with our friends Dan and Mindi to a live nativity. I remember doing this when I was young with my mom and dad and it really gives you a better picture of what it was like for Jesus to be born in a stable.
Well, the kids enjoyed seeing the live animals (camels, sheep, etc) and Jordan even tried to feed and pet some of them. A good time was had by all!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....

Can't you hear the song? Since I am having a hard time getting used to the warm weather here in California during the Christmas season, today was the first day that it actually felt like it was December. And no...it was not because it was cold. It was still in the high 70's.

No the reason that it finally felt like it was December and nearly Christmas was because we had our first Christmas program that my kids got to be a part of, and we went and cut down our Christmas tree down and have it up and in the house now. To give you a little background as to why the kids have on beaks and wings, they did Christmas around the world at church today, and the pre-K's sang about a bird from Ireland.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

stress

I am not a very stressed out person but I am feeling rather "stressed" today. Let me list some reasons why I feel stressed:

First, we worked all weekend to tile our bathroom. Now, although we have all the tile laid, and half of the bathroom grouted (enough to get the toilet back in), we can't get the new toilet in. YIKES! When you work so hard on something for SO long you just hope that it will all come together in the end, right?
Second, since late this morning my left ear has felt plugged, and just lately it has started to ring. Not a huge deal except that those of you who know me real well....I don't hear well to begin with, so the ringing thing....it's not a good thing.
Third, I have been off for the last 3 weeks, and I think it is finally hitting me that I have to go back to school next Monday. YIKES again! I feel like I haven't gotten anywhere near the things I had planned to do, I don't want to go back to school and leave my kids home again....which leads me to....
Fourth, my inlaws watch my kids and they have decided to go to Florida next week to see my brother-in-law's soccer game. I am SOOO proud of my brother-in-law for making it this far...it is a hug accomplishment, but it just adds stress in my life to think of childcare issues for next week. YIKES!
So....that is my stress!
Sometimes I think that I need to just vent, sit back, look at it, realize it is not that bad, and thank God for all the blessings I do have in my life. Thank you God! Please help me to not be so caught up in my "stress" to not pay attention to your gentle tugs you are giving me.

I think I saw Goofy...

Jonathan's school was hosting a Thanksgiving feast down in Santa Ana last night, so we all loaded to up to go. A free meal (Marie Callendars), and good company greeted us, and we enjoyed our time together as a family. I think that Jonathan enjoyed showing us off a litte too.
We then drove on down to Downtown Disney. It was only 7:00 pm and the kids were excited to try something new. There is not much to Downtown Disney, (this was the first time for both of us), but nonetheless, the kids enjoyed hearing all the live bands, dancing in the "streets", playing at Legoland, going into Build-a-Bear, and just being together. It was a lot of fun. Next time I think we'll actually spend some money. :)

Hiking

We went for a hike today! Another fun thing to do while I have my month off. Josiah, Jordan and I went with a friend from small group, Carol, and her dog Tatonka (sp?). We had a great time. The kids were real troopers. They went much further than I expected them too. They especially enjoyed the water! Jordan usually freaks out if she gets dirty or wet, but she really didn't complain until we were on our way back. What fun! Next time we'll have to take Dazy!

Sod

so...since we have been to home depot sooooo many times....one of those times was to get sod for our backyard! We spent all of Saturday morning laying sod. Wow, what back breaking labor! But it was worth it!

No Home Depot!

Last weekend, before my sister arrived we had a long list of things we had to do. Of course this list included a long list for Home Depot. Because it was such a long list, we went to Home Depot 3 times over the weekend, and each time was with the kids. (Not very fun to take a 3 and 4 year old into Home Depot). The last time was after church on Sunday. As we drove up, we were still 1/4 a mile away, and Josiah started screaming from the backseat, "No Home Depot!"

I guess we had gone one to many times. :0)

I'm back.....

Well, new friends have encouraged me to get back into the blogging world. So here I am. (Thanks, Mindi :0)
I figured since I have the month of November off I would have more time to blog. So I'll start with today...
I FINALLY cleaned out our closet, Jordan's play room, and our office. We have been in our house for 6 weeks and you would have thought that we just moved in if you walked into our house yesterday. We have made a little progress, but we barely have any time to knock out the big stuff together. Well, this past weekend, after 3 trips to Home Depot, (yes, 3 trips) I think we are finally getting somewhere.
You know you have been to Home Depot too many times when you are still a 1/4 mile away and your children are screaming from the backseat, "NO! NO! Not again!"

wow that was a long time

well, i was gone for a long time, and I don't think that anyone even noticed. which is probably why I haven't written. but things are crazy as usual, and will only get crazier as it gets closer to the end of the school year. Busy-ness right now is attributed to:
1 training for a marathon
2 visiting family or family coming to visit
3 kids birthdays
4 josiah's soccer
5 jonathan's job
6 house for sale
7 uncertainty of our future
wow, that is a lot!Good thing we have God to help us through it all, otherwise I don't know how I would cope!

time to breathe

soccer is finally over and can i just say....wow. this week has been wonderful. is this what is like to have a husband that can come home 5 days a week for dinner? we even went to the gym as a family on monday night, and we get to go away for the weekend for something other than soccer. wow. i'll enjoy it while i can.

What color green are you?

Found this on a fellow blogger's site...thought it was interesting...so here it goes....

***You Are Grass Green***
Down to earth and a bit of a hippie, you are very into nature and the outdoors.You accept the world and people as they are. You don't try to change things.You are also very comfortable with yourself, flaws and all.Optimistic about the future, you feel like life is always getting better.
What Color Green Are You?http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorgreenareyouquiz/ite.

God' incredible seasons

I had a "seasons" talk with my 3 1/2 year old today. It came about because he didn't understand why he could not go swimming in the pool anymore. I explained that the pool was "closed." He said we just needed to "open" it. Therefore, we began to talk about this wonderful thing that God created called, seasons. We talked about fall, and the fact that the leaves turn different colors and "fall" from the trees. And winter, when we occasionally (key word) see snow, and make snowmen, and spring, when the leaves come back on the trees, and of course summer, when we can "open" up the pool again! God is so good to us to give us these wonderful seasons!

mini bikes/mopeds

I am going to get on my soap box just for a moment and complain about mini bikes or mopeds. What in the world is the state of South Carolina thinking to be allowing these things to be on our roads and be legal like a real form of transportation. Last week, in a matter of 24 hours I nearly got in two accidents because of these things! They cannot keep up with the flow of traffic and therefore people nearly hit them when driving on the road. Why are these things even allowed on the road? Maybe they are not, the owners just act as if they are. I don't know...but if I had my choice they would be outlawed!

Mexican skillet

This is an easy recipe that I have been doing a lot of lately. I got the idea from an ole el paso meal I picked up from the frozen food section at the grocery store. I realized that I could easily make it on my own for much cheaper!

1. Brown 2-3 chicken breasts diced up in olive oil, and sprinkle a little taco seasoning on it too give it a little flavor.
2. Add one can of diced tomatoes. (16 oz)
3. Add one can of black beans (rinsed).
4. Add a cup of frozen corn.
5. While I am cooking this I usually make some instant rice, and add it at the end.
6. Mix it all together and serve with tortillas, or crumbled tortilla chips, salsa and sour cream.

I love this recipe because I usually have all the ingredients on hand. Enjoy

speeding up... or slowing down?

With school starting this week, I don't know if our life will speed up, or slow down. It will be kind of nice to go back to routine again, since the vacation days of summer are over and have been for weeks. With soccer season already underway, and substitute jobs already lined up, I think I am ready to get back to the routine again.
I am DEFINITELY ready for fall weather again. There is nothing like sweatshirts, hot apple cider, jeans and the change of the leaves! I look forward to it every year.
I am really looking forward to my husband's college soccer season this year. Jordan and Josiah are just getting to the age of enjoying their daddy's "soccer boys", as they call them. We follow them EVERYWHERE, and love every minute of it! My kids are such great travelers!
I'm also looking forward to the Wednesday morning Bible study I attend during school. It starts two weeks from this Wednesday and Josiah is already talking about the puppets at the "brown church." (Our church is white). Funny how he associates it, huh?
And of course with soccer season, also comes family. We begin a new season of visits from the family. Starting already this weekend. We can't wait!
I guess life isn't speeding up, or slowing down, it's just changing.

Long time

I am such a slacker for not blogging in such a long time. But of course, as it goes with everyone...we have been very busy.
Things are only going to get busier, since my husband is a college soccer coach and his players already come back next week. So officially, soccer season starts next Sunday, and does not slow down until Thanksgiving. It is crazy, but fun!
The kids love it! I love it! But it is constant go, go, go.
We have our 15 year old nephew staying with us for the next two weeks. He came in from California last Thursday and the kids are having a blast. It is very nice to have him around for a couple extra hands. He is very helpful.
Looking forward to getting back in the blogging thing. You know how it is...once you let something go for a while it is really hard to get back into it. It is much easier to let it go. But I am challenging myself to do at least 3 posts this week. We'll see how it goes!

tagged.....kind of...

Although I was not "officially" tagged to give 8 unknowns about me, I still liked the idea. So I thought I would share:

1. I first visited Disney World when I was 3 1/2 years old. I was deathly afraid of Donald Duck as we had breakfast in the castle. This is relevant because I returned to Disney World for the second time this past weekend. Wow! What an amazing thing for my kids to experience. They were in complete awe. And the best thing...we got in free because of connections my brother had.

2. I have extremely BAD hearing. Horrible! In fact, it has gotten to the point of embarassing and has made me sad, and very frustrated.

3. I first learned to drive a manual instead of an automatic car. For some people (mainly those who have lived on a farm), this is nothing, but I really only learned manual because that was all we had when I turned 16.

4. I was 200 pounds right before I had both of my children. What is amazing, I lost all of that weight. I ran a half marathon last fall and dropped ALL of it.

5. Which brings me to my next one: I love to run, especially outside in an area I have never run before. I love to go on vacation and drive up and see a walking trail that I will be able to explore first chance I have.

6. My husband is not only the love of my life, but he is the closest friend I have EVER had. I know that say that about married people, but...he knows me inside and out, and I know him the same. I cannot imagine a day without him, and if I want to do something fun I can't imagine doing it or sharing it with him. (Thus the reason we ran the half marathon together).

7. I am nearly 100 % Dutch. If you look at me you could probably tell...blond hair, fair skin, blue eyes. My father was born in the Netherlands, and came over on a boat with his family at age 7. My grandparents spoke, and (what I loved most of all) prayed in Dutch.

8. Along the lines of my grandparents...they both had a green thumb when it came to flowers or vegetables. And I believe I got it from them. I LOVE to garden. I love flowers, and we just started our first vegetable garden this year. We already have banana peppers galore. Any recipes, anyone?

Schools out for summer!

YEAH! I am done! No longer will I be going in to substitute teach this school year. I was waiting to receive the phone call summoning me to work today....but I DIDN'T, yeah! It is officially starting to feel like the summer. Jonathan's been out for a couple weeks now, but I worked like a dog for the last 3, so it finally feels like vacation to me. AND... Josiah, my son, is finally potty trained. We still need to wear diapers at night, but I imagine that will be no longer soon too! YEAH! He has totally turned the corner since I was able to be home with him these last 4 days! NOW....vacation, vacation, vacation! Hope to go to Orlando this weekend to see my brother, can't wait! Am going to Ohio to see my sister in 2 weekends, can't wait! And then on to see my parents in Michigan, my brother-in-law and sister IL and new baby in Chicago, and then on to see the ILs in California! What a wonderful vacation!