Smoky Mountains, Day 4

Today we all slept in... actually Tony found Quinn playing his Game Boy at 6:30 and made him go back to sleep (that morning boy!)... Madison didn't get up until some time after 9. The kids wanted to drive some go-carts... not just be the riders in ones that were too big for them. So, we went to Nascar Speedpark that is less than a mile away from us. The weather was perfect-o, however, the lines were quite long... I finally convinced Tony to let me go stand in another line while they stood in one line and then they could come over and get in line with me. He felt bad about doing that... hey, I'm all about productivity. I stood in line for 1 hour for a race that lasted only 5 minutes. So after about 3 hours and 4 rides, we decided to throw in our towels for awhile. The one good thing was that if you had a child that was too short to drive but tall enough to ride, the parent could drive for free.... bonus for Tony & I. We debated and debated about whether to buy these $30 wrist bands because we knew that Madison could be the driver on quite a few more rides than Quinn. When we finally got up to the cash register to pay the lady kindly told us that tip... so obviously we didn't buy our own bands. From talking to another mom that day... she wasn't given the same tip. She bought a wrist band for $30 and completed her day after driving only 4 races. Pretty expensive races huh? Actually, if you bought just tickets, instead of a wrist band, the number of tickets required per race varied a bit but the ones we were on would have cost $9 per race... ridiculous at close to $3 per ticket.

We came back to the condo and made lunch and relaxed. Tony had to do some computer work for Rollpak (never too far away for work!) so Madison and I taught Quinn how to play Skip-Bo. We had a good time at it... although Madison takes games faaaar to seriously. She's out to win!!... she made the "decree" that no one could help each other starting in the 2nd game etc... poor Quinn, just learning this new game. I privately tried to give him a "handicap" and dealt him only 25 cards instead of 30 but to no avail... I still won! : )

It was such a gorgeous day, in the low 80's, so we decided to drive through some scenic parts of the mountains (I think they all would be considered "scenic"). Madison really wasn't into all of the driving around just to look at stuff (I so remember being like that) but we found this place called Cades Cove which is an 11 mile one-way road that loops into the mountains and back out. When we started into it the cars in front of us were driving really, really slow so we knew this might take awhile. We had the kids pile into the front seats with us so they could see better and Quinn steered us through the Cove... stopping to look at all the nature. It was soooo beautiful!!! We must have seen 100 or so deer, we saw a coyote, old buildings that they had preserved... old churches, one from the early 1800's. Very cool. We got out and hiked a little bit but wanted to see the whole Cove before dark so couldn't go too far. Quinn took video of nearly all 100 of those deer so if anyone wants to watch it, I'm sure he will be happy to point stuff out. He was all over it. We decided that it would be highly possible to spend a whole week just in the mountains themselves. We were right next to North Carolina while driving through that area. On the way back on the twisty, hairpin turns, we had to laugh because we brought about 40 or so filled Easter eggs to hide with Jade this coming weekend and the basket spilled so we had to listen to those eggs rattle all over the place with all of those turns. Ha!

We drove back into town around 9pm and saw that the Nascar place was still open. We really felt like we hadn't gotten our money's worth yet so it was back to the go-carts! The evening weather was beautiful... not even a sweatshirt needed and the place had really, really cleared out. They rode soooo many more rides... basically got off of one race and could get right back on. It closed at 10:30 and they were disappointed to have to leave "so early". We definitely felt like their $30 wrist bands were paid for by then. So, we came back to the condo and ate my crock pot lasagna for supper around 11pm! Thankfully I had stuck it in the refrig prior to our 4pm departure for the mountains. It was a tiring but fun day.

I can't wait to post some pictures with my stories when I get home again.

Hope all is well with "ya all".... love, Leah

Smoky Mountains, Day 3

Today we went to Ober Gatlinburg for the day. We really weren't planning on spending the whole day there but I guess 8 hours is considered a whole day. We took the sky tram which took us from downtown Gatlinburg up the mountain to the "park" of Ober Gatlinburg. Madsion is quite afraid of heights so she faced her fears many times over today. It was a beautiful, amazing view. The day was spent on the go-carts, many trips down part of the mountain on alpine sleds, down water slides in rafts and walking. The alpine sleds were probably the highlight of the park. You ride the sled down in the cement track and then take the ski lift back to the top (thus the reason for Madison facing her fear of heights). By the dozen or so mark she was an old pro at the ski lift. We rode it completely to the top and took the sites and also the peace and quiet. That was really cool. At the end we took the sky tram back down to Gatlinburg with a pretty view of Gatlinburg at night and drove back to Sevierville (about 15 minutes). The drive is quite twisty and I have to say that Gatlinburg has been absolutely packed the last 2 days we've been there... the town that is, the park wasn't bad at all. It was bumper to bumper traffic. Sevierville seems much less congested. A bonus for us I guess.

Double click on this picture... it's hilarious!

For our late supper (9pm) we stopped at the A & W drive-in. They were so excited and curious about what a drive-in restaurant was all about. They were thrilled with the whole concept. Quinn told us he thought we would "drive-in" to the parking lot and then walk inside. They charmed the waiter inside so much that he promised them free icecream cones if we go back tomorrow night. They are begging to go. We'll have to see.

My side did absolutely fine today so I think the clear liquids yesterday worked. With all of the walking and yesterday's diet, this will probably be the first ever vacation to loose weight. Ha!

Well, this pup is tired so I will close for now. Of course we'll finish the 2nd half of the Ohio State game and cross our fingers that they'll pull through.

Love to all, Leah

Smoky Mountains, Day 2

Today we drove to Gatlinburg and went to Ripley's Aquarium. It was really pretty neat. I love seeing all of the variety of fish and am always surprised at God's imagination. Wow! We saw 4-eyed fish, flashlight fish, pot-bellied sea horses, all kinds of tropical fish, sharks and we got to touch sting rays (yuck). We took our lunch and 3 out of the 4 of us ate lunch in the van before we went in. It took about 3 1/2 hours to get through the whole thing. It rained this morning so this was a good indoor activity.

This afternoon we went putt-putt golfing at Hillbilly Putt-Putt. Madison wanted to know if we had to golf like Hillbillies (sp?) in order to play. We rode a tram 300 feet up the side of a mountain and then while playing 18 holes of golf we walked about 1/2 of the way down and took the tram the rest of the way. That was really pretty cool and the rain had stopped, the weather was perfect.

We drove around for awhile, planning our strategies for the next few days. Tony is a true tourist at heart. He wants to cram in as much as physically possible in a day's time while on vacation. The kids and I prefer it to be a little more laid back than that. He was good sport today and didn't drag us around too much. : ) (I can tell he wanted to though!).

We made supper in the condo tonight and now the kids are swimming. Tony and I are their life guards I guess... on dry land. May be swimming will tire these energizer bunnies out.

I made it though the day on coffee (for breakfast), white grape juice, water and diet pepsi. Real nutritious huh? I'm a little light headed tonight but my side feels much better! I can only feel it ache when I bend over (like 18 times at the mini-golf place). It was kind of hard to make a supper meal and not eat 1 speck of it. May be I'll ease back into it tomorrow. On that note, I need to stop thinking about food. I'll let you all go.

Love to all, Leah

Greetings from the Smoky Mountains

Hello from Sevierville, TN!

We arrived in the Smokies yesterday around 12:30pm. It was a beautiful day in the upper 70's. We checked into our condo which is absolutely beautiful. It is 1500 square feet and Madison thinks she would like to just move in here. The resort itself is much bigger than the WI Dells which is what we previously compared this area to in our minds. We went to Tony's favorite fast food restaurant... Chick Fillet, for lunch which is less than a mile away. Tony took the kids swimming and I went to Super Walmart with our grocery list in hand. Afterwards I met up with them at the pool. They swam for 3 hours and then went rollerblading, scootering and made a trip to the resort's park. Never out of energy of course! We stayed in last night and had pizza and fruit for supper. We watched Ohio State's game... how ironic that OH and FL played each other in football and now in BB too for the championship! We hope they win this time! I rented Eragon at the $1 Red Box at Walmart which is PG but it was so scary for the kids that we had to turn it off. It was pretty scary.... great, just what they needed before bedtime. They did fine though at bedtime.

We've (I've) had a small snag in the midst of our 2 days so far... I'm having some right upper quad pain which I presume to be my gallbladder which is aching!! Can you believe it? I've decided to do what I would recommend to someone else and go on a clear liquid diet. Bummer huh? I have a lot of good meals planned for breakfasts and suppers so I hope this clears up fast!! It's just enough to be annoying. So, if you can say a prayer about this I would appreciate it. I sure don't want to be in a TN ER!!

Today it is raining and supposed to rain most of the day. We sat out on our deck this morning and listened to the peaceful rain hitting the mountain behind us. So relaxing. Strange that there are actually cows in a field behind us. The kids have walked out to a fence in the backyard to visit with them. It makes for a serene picture... especially with the view of the Tanger Outlet in the distance. HA! We are going to go to Ripley's Aquarium today in Gaitlenburg... about 10 miles away. We've packed our lunch (for 3 of us any way) and will soon take off. Quinn has been drooling over a brochure for the TN Airport's Aviation Museum so we might hit that as well. He's pointed at every picture and told me what plane it is and how we just have to go there and see them.

It seems weird that today is Palm Sunday and we aren't in church. We'll have a little lesson on our way in the van for the day. I hope you all are going to have a nice day. My dear husband installed something on his work lap top so I have dial up in our condo now... otherwise they have high speed in the activity center. I'll try and post tonight about the events of the day.

Love to all, Leah

"Give me a title" and spring break plans

Isn't this picture just the CUTEST???
Who has a good title for it?
Are there lyrics to a song that could go along with this?
Does it remind you of a favorite Bible verse?


No, I didn't take it. Found it on one of my fav's... flickr (see Links)... typed in "smile"...the pictures just make me smile looking at all 535,270 them! (Just kidding... there really are that many but is obviously impossible to view them all!).

Need feedback people!

We are leaving for the Smokey Mountains on spring break today after school/work. We'll be gone for a week and this caption task will give you something to think about while we are gone! Actually, Tony is taking his laptop from work so we'll be able to check email and hopefully update my blog daily. My next blog update probably won't come until Saturday night (hopefully!).
Anyway, say a prayer for us for safe travel, good weather, and good health while we are gone. Thanks.

Love to all of you, Leah

Just delightful!

Today during my morning prayer with the kids I prayed that God would some how surprise Madison and Quinn today... some how just delight them in a way that they would know that it was God that was working and watching and showing interest in their day. All day I wondered how/if God would "prove" this and prayed that God would answer this little prayer request. When Quinn came BOUNDING into the house he was soooo excited because they got their report cards today and if you get all A's and B's you get a Taco Bell coupon and he got his but his excitement was spilling over because one of his classmates doesn't like Taco Bell and chose Quinn to give his extra coupon too. Do you think that this was God's way of delighting Quinn today? I think it very well could have been... that's how we interpreted it any way. I reminded him of our prayer and he got a big smile on his face and said "Oh Ya!" Madison was also a bundle of happiness and said that this was "just the best day in the world!" ...Now, I quizzed her practically under an interrogation lamp to try and figure out just WHY this was the best day in the world but she honestly couldn't tell me... it "just was". Music didn't go as planned and she was disappointed that she didn't make a goal but nonetheless she was thrilled with her day. I think God answered this prayer in a very simple way... just by delighting her with JOY... which she doesn't always have after a school day. What a simple prayer and what awesome simple answers. Try it for yourself. Ask God to surprise you some way and delight you with something and make sure to watch for it! After all in Psalms 37 we are told to, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." And since most of you will be reading this on a new day I will say, "Now, go and have a delightful day!"

Love to all, Leah

Babe Ruth

Quinn's Quips...

Driving by the Little League diamonds Madison noticed that there was a game going on. We wondered aloud who might be playing since Concord Little League games haven't started yet. I said, "Well, may be it's Babe Ruth playing" and Quinn said, "Babe Ruth?! How would Babe Ruth be playing? I thought he was dead!" I guess the Babe Ruth baseball league was a new name for him. : )

Tidbits from Tuesday

Wow, we've made it to the middle of the week already. This week has gone much faster than last! Last night the Care Commission at church got together for our last "hooray" by going out for Chinese food at the New York Buffet (dumb name I know). Silverwood has gradually been making a change to a new structure AKA "how we do stuff" and Care is being combined with another commisison. SO, it was a nice evening and every one from Care was there so that was good too. Madison and Quinn spent the evening with Pakka; going to McDonald's and then to Tommy's Kids Castle (a gigantic play area at the local park). I guess Quinn even admitted that they are spoiled a bit by Beppe and Pakka... I think it's more like he has them wrapped around his little finger. They had a lot of fun... the first venture to the park for the season. Beppe was at Bible study in case you were wondering. Tony worked of course and then spent several hours at Victory Construction doing who-knows-what and then stayed up until 1 am working on tax returns at home. Pretty soon I'm going to have to introduce myself and shake his hand.

Tonight we had the Upward Basketball Awards night. I think I mentioned this in Sunday's post. They always look so forward to it. They gave away a few door prizes and "Madison Miller's parents" actually won a fold up chair with the Upward logo on it. That was quite the surprise. We don't need any more outdoor bag chairs but Madison is thrilled with it and of course has claimed it as her own. Tracy K. said she fully expected someone in our family to win something... I don't know what she is talking about. ... ok, ok, ok, Tony did win that $2000 air conditioner one summer from the radio station and Madison won the MP3 player at the fair last year... may be that's what she is referring too. So, it was Madison's name again. May be she and Tony should start playing the lottery or something. The kid's award was a really nice duffel bag that has a special zipped pocket for a basketball and of course it is in the Upward colors with their logo. I really can't say enough GOOD THINGS about this program. It is a nation-wide program and there are several in our area. First Baptist in Elkhart is who runs ours and I think probably 200-300 kids participate. May be more. Anyway it is a great community outreach activity. ...really, can't say enough about it. I should just be their national spokeswoman I guess. : ) Check out my Links section for the address.

That's all of the excitement for these two days. Tomorrow night is our last CFN at church and then I have a board mtg after that so I'm not sure if I'll have time to post or not. What's going on in your lives??? Aren't you bored hearing about mine?

Love to all, Leah

Weekend

Hi, I hope you all had a good weekend. The weather was beautiful today in Indiana... it even was a bit humid which I didn't enjoy but overall it was gorgeous.

The kids had their last basketball games on Saturday. They played at the same exact time so I was walking back and forth between the gyms at the school (Elkhart Christian Academy). Madison had a tough game... she pulled a muscle in her back last weekend and it is still bothering her. She only scored 2 points and only shot like 2-3 times. Her team lost for the 2nd time this season. She felt a little bummed to end her season that way. Quinn had one of his best games ever and scored 10 points. They don't keep score for their games but I'm pretty sure that they won most of them. On Tuesday night they have an Upward Awards night and all of the kids will get to run through a tunnel with smoke coming out of it while they are introduced and then they get an award of some kind. They always look forward to that night, they have a lot of fun.

I made banana bread on Saturday afternoon and homemade pizza for supper last night. Today I made monster cookies for "Quinn's Monster Cookies" which is the name of his bakery that he is setting up on Friday at school and will be selling his "goods" to other 2nd graders with their mini-economy money. I just stuck them in the freezer because I knew I wouldn't have time to make them in during the evenings this week... there are plans every single night. He helped me figure out the cost of his product and helped with a little bit of the scooping but overall I was the (un)hired hand. He has to make a sign to advertise yet and he is hoping I can find something he can use for a tablecloth over his desk and even a baker's hat. The tablecloth should be easy but the baker's hat....hmmm.

Madison cleaned out the van and washed it today. She is still trying to earn money for her 4th grade field trip to Indy. The other night she was all in a worry over her money and whether she would have enough etc... oh, such a young age to have financial problems! Ha! Actually, when you only get $3 a week in allowance you do have to get kind of creative when you need over $100. She has been saving the whole school year.

Other than that, Tony and I stayed up too late on Friday and Saturday watching $1 rentals from Martin's. It's been a long time since we've done that. After church we met Beppe & Pakka for lunch at the Olive Garden. Tony worked on taxes this afternoon and we both watched some of the NCAA basketball games over the weekend. Some of them were pretty exciting.

Well, I hope you each have a good week. I'll pass on the challenge from our church service this morning and encourage each of you to watch for the way that God is working in your life. If you don't look for His ways and notice them, you might just miss them. I'm going to be watching in my life and may be I'll just share about them later this week. Stay tuned...

Love to all, Leah

Monster

Quinn's Quips...

Quinn told me last night that he thinks he needs to start "trimming the hair on my (his) legs". I said, nahh.... boys don't shave their legs, just look at Dad's hairy legs. He said, "well, it's just kind of scarey" and when I asked him why, he said, "well, it looks like I might be turning into a monster." He also explained that his hairy legs have like 1 inch long hairs and that Dad has 3 inch long hairs. I suggested letting them use my curling iron to keep all that leg hair in check....

The ultimate traveling cooler, AKA Purse

The ultimate traveling purse!

Some of you know that I've been in search of the ultimate purse to take on trips... one that doesn't have the traditional strap to hang on my poor aching shoulders. After a few hours I can't stand it anymore, my shoulders hurt so bad. I have to be prepared for just about anything, especially when away from home, so something small just doesn't work. Jen and I combed Phoenix and Angie and I combed Tuscan. I found some that I thought might "work" but decided to be patient. They were either too big, too small, too thin of straps, too expensive etc... WELL, today I was at Target and thought I would get creative in my search so I checked out the lunch box aisle and wouldn't you know it, there sat the perfect purse, uuum cooler. You wouldn't know it was a cooler unless you see the insulated lining which I've decided won't be too bad anyway because we usually take a water bottle or two with us while we are out on excursions. I just had to include these pictures so you could see my $9.99 traveling purse! I'm getting ready to try it out in 1 week when we head for the Smokey Mountains on spring break! If you double click on the pictures you might be able to see it better. The strap in the back zips together to form a wide strap or zips a part to make two backpack type of straps. COOL huh?
What kind of a purse/bag do you like to take when you travel?

Love to all, Leah

Cake Decorating

I'm back in "school"... this time it's something super fun, a cake decorating class at Hobby Lobby. I learned a lot about what I've done wrong in the last several years while attempting to decorate birthday cakes. Tonight we learned how to make perfect frosting and how to get it on the cake without all of the crumbs being mixed in. I feel so enlightened... like, why was this all such a big secret?? Madison went to soccer practice tonight but will get in on the practicing and stuff at the next class (there are 4 classes). We are going to have to be practicing at home so some of you local folks just might get some cakes delivered to you. We certainly can't eat all of it!



Tony is going to coach Madison's softball team again, along with Gordon Bontrager and Darren Miller. They had the draft tonight to make up their teams and Madison is quite thrilled to have some of her good friends on her team. Peyton and Holyn are both on it (and of course Erin and Raeann) and she knows almost all of the other girls as well. Opening day will be here before you know it!

Well, that's all for tonight folks.
Love to all, Leah

PS... Joint Commission never did come this week. ...a week of ...w..a..i..t..i..n..g.. for nothing! Yippee! : )

Keepin' my day job

Well, Annie the CPR mannequin liked me so I guess I'm keeping my day job and putting my dreams of being a grocery check-out girl on the back burner. Cheryl and Addi from work were laughing at me because I was worried about passing this! I told them I didn't want to "wiff" on such an "easy" thing... yes, I've gone through much worse testing in my career! Let them laugh...! They aren't the ones taking it! (Hi guys!) I "noticed" every time our door opened today to our department (let me tell you, it's a lot) because I was sure that JCAHO would come visit today... nope. I guess tomorrow morning is their last chance. It's been a long week of waiting for them to come!

Tonight was CFN at church and I was the substitute for Quinn's class. The teacher got sick today and so I was the "desperation" back-up. Those kids have a lot of energy! It was nice out so we went and played a few games outside. A high school student was there for crowd control but she looked a little too nice and sweet for me so Tony came along as the bouncer for awhile. He always spices things up. I was telling the kids a few rules while outside such as if anyone picked up the (very tempting) rocks next to our grassy area and threw them (after I witnessed this, it caused the rule to be made), they would have to sit out but Tony pipes in, "No, that means I get to throw them at you!" Thankfully most of the 12 kids know how to take his jokes by now.

For those of you that know Chad & Kathy Eberly... her mom passed away very early this morning (3am-ish) after a heart attack last night. She's had quite a few health problems over the last years but I'm pretty sure none were heart related. Keep them in your prayers if you would.

Well, that's all for tonight. We finally are on the downhill stretch to the weekend.
Love to all, Leah

Unconscious basketball player

Quinn's Quips...

Last Saturday Quinn had a great play in his basketball game. He stole the ball from another boy who was dribbling in one place forever (looking for someone to pass it to) and dribbled down to his basket and scored. I was complimenting Quinn on this play after the game and his recollection of the play was, "yeah, I just waited until he was unconscious and then stuck my hand in there and stole it." The dribbling did go on for quite a long time... may be he really was unconscious! : )

If anyone would like to see the footage, this proud mom has it on video!

Forgotten password

Hello faithful readers... I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've written on my blog. I actually couldn't even remember my password... seriously (and it's only been 5 days)! I had to have Blogger email it to me! Pathetic! Just think how many passwords and numbers we all have to remember to get along in this world. I thought I would list them here but there are too many for me to think about right now.

It's only Tuesday but it feels later in the week to me...it should be at least Thursday night by now. It's been busy so far. We have Joint Commission at the hospital this week. They are the governing body that gives hospitals their accreditation and is the whole reason that insurances reimburse hospitals for services. Needless to say, their visit is a little on the important side! We used to know when they were coming but now they are 100% unannounced visits. They showed up yesterday morning and will be here through Thursday. I was hoping so badly that they would visit our department today... just to get the interviewing and inspections over with but they didn't come yet! I also gave a presentation to a cancer support group from 4:30-6pm tonight (which is no big deal... just a longer day than usual) and now "look forward to" renewing my CPR license tomorrow. That is not usually a big deal but unfortunately "someone" keeps changing many of the little steps to take and of course you have to get all of the steps right! I tried watching the updated DVD last week at work but kept getting interrupted and the dept. I borrowed it from wouldn't let me take it home. Oh well... I guess if I don't pass they can send me home and then I could avoid the JCAHO inspection... hey, not a bad idea! Just for you medical folks (and those of you who might care)... did you know that the ratios of compressions to breaths is now 30 to 2?? ... better build up those deltoids because if you are doing CPR you are going to need them!

Madison had Flames practice tonight that Pakka took her to. They are outside practices now. Did I write about that last week?... can't remember, anyway... she pulled a muscle in her back over the weekend by jumping on Heather's trampoline and is having trouble running. I hope that shapes up soon. She went to bed with a heating pad tonight. She is quite excited about her first ever BRAND NEW pair of soccer cleats. Can you believe that? I try to be a penny pincher if I can, our bank account agrees with us better that way. She's played soccer every possible season since the age of 4 and I've always gotten her shoes at Play It Again Sports or garage sales or hand-me-downs. So, after she wrestled her way into her shoes on Saturday and about up set the van from the wrestling, it was time for a new pair. Tony took her and bought this COOL pair that has this extra padding in the back and you take it out as your foot grows and it gives you a whole 'nother size... so it's like buying 2 sizes in one shoe. Pretty awesome huh? They are metallic blue and silver and match her Flames shirt. She even wore them home from the store. Ha!

OK, I really must head upstairs to finish folding the mountain of laundry on my bed. I really wish I was home all day to get this house stuff done. I could be such a good housewife. HA! oh well... not in my cards I guess. Actually my dream job is to be a grocery check-out girl and scan groceries all day. May be if I don't pass my little CPR test and demonstration I can just go and pursue that. Did you know that doctors don't have to have CPR certifications and never take CPR classes?.... Comforting to know that your doctor's last CPR class was probably some time back in med school huh? Sorry to be the one to break it to you but I 100% guarantee that things have a-changed since then!

That's all for tonight; I'm starting to whine and annoy myself.

Love to all, Leah

Church, 4H, Cakes

Hello Everyone,
It's been a busy week... yesterday afternoon I had a meeting at church at 4pm so I went straight there after work. The kids got off at Karla's house. She helped them with their homework and everything... and brought them to church for supper and then CFN. So, it was about 8 or so by the time I got home for the first time yesterday. That's Tony's type of schedule... not mine. He did join us for supper at church though... and then went back to work.

Tonight Madison went to her first 4-H Dairy Club meeting. She is going to show a calf, "Maybelle" at the fair. Maybelle hasn't been born yet but she's hoping for a girl. She had a lot to say when she walked in the door, sounded excited but then said, "That was so boring!" and so I said, oh, so you probably don't want to go back? and she said, "Oh, yeah, I really want to go back!" and was quite serious. So, she really did have a good time but I guess she couldn't keep up with the club's presenter. Mind you, this is for 3rd graders through senior high-ers so the embryo transfer stuff just didn't click. Ha! "They were talking about mucous and stuff."... but she was totally lost. : )

I was supposed to go with Madison to my first cake decorating class tonight (minus Madison) but it ended up being cancelled tonight because the Hobby Lobby (Holly Hobby as Bepee says) lady didn't have enough people. A friend from work and our neighborhood is also going (Michelle & Maddie) but they hadn't signed up yet. She called and told them she was coming and that she would pay when she got there but I guess the lady didn't believe her. Michelle and I think she had something else she wanted to do tonight instead. SO, the first class is now next week.

That's all for tonight. Drop me a line and let me know how you are.
Love to all, Leah

PS... Taylor Hicks is coming to the 4H Fair!

Quinn's thoughts on Tigger's lack of motherhood

"I'm so glad that we never made Tigger have babies.... because she might have gotten diabetes...or... she might have even died if one of her kittens was too big for her."

New Role at Church

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days. This crazy daylight savings time is for the birds and now we are all getting up an hour earlier and feeling tired all day because of it. Last night we tried to go to bed early... like 10:30 so we could get up earlier but I just kept laying there thinking, "it's really only 9:30 and I'm not that tired." Oh... the "problems" I have. (insert sigh here)

I have a new role at church now. Tonight was my first meeting as the congregational vice-chair person and 30 seconds after arriving I quickly put 2 and 2 together and realized that the chair wasn't going to be there and I was looked at to chair the meeting! Well now, that was an interesting experience... I hardly knew what I was talking about! We made up an agenda and went from there. Now I need to put whatever-it-was-that-we-talked-about into minutes (until we appoint a real secretary). (Really it wasn't quite as bad as I'm making it sound to be).

I always have many excuses as to why I can't do something, shouldn't be the one to have to do something, am not qualified, am too busy, it's not the right time in my life, we're gone too much on the weekends etc, etc, and etc. When they asked me to take on this new role of course my mind launched into all of the excuses, ready to pull any one of them out of my hat at the precisely needed moment to decline. I heard myself saying that I would consider it, pray about it and get back with them (who said that... was that me?). So, I did just that and guess what... my excuses just didn't fly with God! Can you believe it?!! So, I said yes to God's will and will try to leave all of the thousands of details for Him to figure out. I found this "poem" and was comforted by it. (see below) I certainly won't be a great hero of the Bible but it helps to know that I'm "probably" not the first leader who has felt a little anxious about new responsibilities or didn't feel qualified for the job. Ha.

When God Sends People...They Make Excuses:

Abraham was too old.
Moses stuttered.
Miriam was a gossip.
Jacob was a liar.
Gideon doubted.
Elijah was burned out.
First David's armor didn't fit, then he had an affair, and had someone killed.
Solomon was too rich.
Isaiah had unclean lips.
Jeremiah was too young.
Jonah didn't like the job.
Amos's only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
Naomi was a widow.
Peter was afraid of death.
Thomas was from Missouri (the "show-me" state)
Paul was a murderer.
Mark was rejected by Paul.
Timothy had ulcers.
Lazarus was dead.
Martha was a worry-wart....

or so they claimed, before God's Spirit empowered them to rise to the occasion and become some of the greatest heroes of our faith.

Italian Pasta & Bean Soup

Karla brought over this soup one night and it was delicious! She made it with fresh herbs and I think that makes a big difference. Treat yourself while the weather is still cold and try some!

Italian Pasta and Bean Soup

1 medium onion, cut into 8 pieces
2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 rib celery, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ lb. fresh fennel (½ of a small bulb), tall stalks and leaves discarded and bulb cut into cubes
1 large clove garlic
2 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups canned chopped tomatoes with juice
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup cooked or canned white beans (she used the entire can)
½ cup short tube-shaped pasta (ditalini or tubetti)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons each (or more as needed):
Fresh basil
Fresh parsley
Parmigiano cheese

Combine onion and garlic in a food processor and process until finely chopped (or chop by hand). Heat olive oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add vegetables and cook until they soften (2-3 minutes). Stir in tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20-30 minutes. Add beans and pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is al dente – about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stir in basil and parsley. Garnish servings with cheese.

Buck Teeth

"That boy knocked his head right against my buck teeth and my buck teeth just went down into him."

Where he got the term "buck teeth" I don't know but he definitely doesn't have them and he was very serious while referring to his top front teeth.

Quinn's Quips

The dictionary defines the word "quip" as this...

quip –noun
1. a clever or witty remark or comment.
2.a sharp, sarcastic remark; a cutting jest.
3. a quibble.
4. an odd or fantastic action or thing. –verb, "to utter quips"

Tony is always after me to write some of Quinn's comments down. My response has always been, "but it's constant... I can't walk around with a notebook in my hand." His solution suggestions were to carry a note pad in my purse or start a Word file and record them there. Finally Madison said tonight, "you've got to write that down in your precious moments book" (I have no idea what she is specifically referring to). OK, OK, OK... I'll try. I know most of them probably won't be funny to a reader... because it makes a difference with the intonation in his voice, the setting etc... but I've consented to try. I'll keep a list going for a while and occasionally post them on my blog under the "Quinn Quips" and under "Labels" in the blog column.

The reason for Madison's urging tonight was because...Madison, Quinn and I were enjoying our supper at the table which consisted of spaghetti and among other things some corn on the cob. Now mind you... it is March in Indiana and yes, the corn on the cob was frozen and yes, it had been in our freezer for quite some time. First he saw me eating my corn on the cob and suddenly was quite worried that my teeth must be bleeding somewhere... well, I actually have had a toothache lately but no, it was just some of my spaghetti sauce that brushed against my ear of corn. He took a few bites of his corn and then inquisitively asked, "Does this have a paint ball in it?" I said, "What?... what do you mean a 'paint ball'?" Madison started laughing and then interpreted for him... in the movie Dennis the Menace, Dennis accidentally blew a glob of paint onto Mr. Wilson's grilled chicken and the comedy movie showed him trying to chew away at it. Apparently Quinn thought perhaps the same thing happened to his corn on the cob. No, no paint ball... but perhaps some freezer burn. "That's OK Buddy, you don't have to eat it anymore."

Select Comfort Bed

We have a new bed! Saturday was Tony's first day off in 5 weeks and he spent several hours putting our Select Comfort bed together. Just as advertised, it came in 6 different boxes. I bought new bedding...not the Plow and Hearth ones that I was dreaming of a few weeks ago but rather the Target brand of a bed-in-a-bag version. Ha! Actually it matches the carpet perfectly. Hopefully you can make out a little of the design by double clicking on the pictures. So, now we are trying to figure out the answer to the commercial's question of "what's your number?" We've slept on it for 3 nights so far and I'm amazed at how firm I like my side and Tony's side is quite soft. It's the perfect mattress for a couple who can't agree on a regular mattress where you both have to like the same firmness. I'm so excited! We've needed a new bed for a long time. I've promised my bed that I would be back as soon as possible when getting out of it in the morning! ; )

Bluffton Baseball Team

If you haven't heard about the tragedy endured by this baseball team, just turn on CNN or any other news show. Our church, Silverwood, has a lot of ties to Bluffton... actually more than we do with Goshen College and they are only 2 miles away. Our good friend Eliza graduated from Bluffton as did quite a few others from Silverwood. Several of our teens have gone or go there. A tragedy of this type is unimaginable... to try and grasp the pain of these families. This is the type of thing that keeps me awake at night. We will never know on this side of heaven why bad things like this happen... and to such good people. It reminded me right away of Olivet's bad accident and when 3 of my friends were killed... 2 of them close friends, Cindy and Alex. It happened in the Fall after my graduation so we were married and had just moved to Goshen. I remember how difficult the grieving was... to grieve "long-distance" without anyone who knew them. That was tough. I can remember crying and crying in a room with people who weren't feeling any of the things I was feeling. I don't think a Fall has gone by when I haven't thought of that accident and the friends that were "supposed" to be at my stage of life by now. Anyway, this is a round about way of saying that my heart hurts for these families and also for the friends who often are overlooked while going through the grieving process on their own as well. I pray that something good can come out of a tragedy like this.

These verses brought me some comfort tonight. Perhaps you will again be reminded of God's sovereignty as well.

Nehemiah 9:32-33
Now therefore, O our God, the great mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes -- the hardship that has come upon us. ... In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully.

Isaiah 45:11-12. 24
Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands? It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. ...In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.

Praying for a peace that surpasses all understanding,
Leah

Spam Blog?

I'm trying to post on my blog tonight and I'm getting this "Warning" message that my blog has been blocked by "Blogger's spam-prevention robots." WHATEVER! I had to type in a given code but could take 2 business days for them to humanly review it! SORRY! It says I can keep "drafts" of my posts but cannot post them right now. OK, this is inconvenient but there are worse things in life... but I'm locked out of my own blog.

Suet Recipe

Is anyone interested in the suet recipe for birds? Quinn and I made it in Iowa and used Grandma Jo's recipe. I'm told the birds go through it pretty fast and we watched them chow down on it while we were there. It's very easy and Quinn and I loved making it together. Do you have any recipes that are easy for kids (and me too?). Please share by clicking on that little Comment section! ...come on... I know you can do it!

Suet for birds

2 cups Crisco
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 cups quick oats
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup raisins
1 cup wild bird seed

Heat Crisco and peanut butter until melted together. Turn off the heat and add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Form into “cakes” that will fit the suet feeder. Wrap in wax paper and place in the freezer until you are ready to hang it for your birds!

Did I already tell you that I have one of the Peter Pan recall jars?...yep, ate about 1/3 of it already... not anymore though. Thank you Jesus for protecting me from getting salmonella! (The kids only eat the creamy, I go for the chunky).

My Little Girl

Music Video Codes By Music Jesus.com

OK, I'm not usually one for country music (really not) but as I mentioned in last night's post we were getting ready to watch the movie Flicka and I must say that this was an awesome movie!! The scenery and music was just breathtaking! Let's all say together, "we're moving to Wyoming!"... OK, just kidding, we're staying in flat as a pancake Goshen. It wasn't really the acting that was so great (not too bad though) but the story was just a great one for Madison. For those that don't know, it's a story about a girl, Katie, and her daddy (actually played by Tim McGraw). They constantly butt heads and find something to disagree about... this just so happens to occur in our household at times, although I wouldn't use the word "constantly" here. Several times during the movie Madison would say, "I know just how she feels"... after the daughter would yell, "you just don't understand". Like Madison this girl is a horse lover and her horse might have to be put down and Katie said something like, "go ahead and put us both down" (I can't get the exact phrase but you get the drift). The two end of seeing eye to eye and it's just kind of happy-sad. Madison and I had to have a couple of tears over it! Anyway, you all just really must see this movie. It's a buyer for us! Tim McGraw sings this beautiful song at the end that brings me back to the country music topic. At his concerts he dedicates this to his own daughters who are growing up too fast. So, this is for all of you who have daugthers and also agree that your girls are growing up too fast too!
Now that I've said all of that, grab a kleenex and listen to this song again so you get listen to the lyrics without reading my two cents worth at the same time!

Love to all, Leah

Weekend news

Saturday morning the kids both had BB games at 9am. Madison's team won 38-30 and she scored 20 points and played very well. Quinn's team got beat about 38-17 and he had 7 points. I hate it when they play at the same time! Madison had soccer practice from 11:30 to 1pm and after she ate lunch at home she went to Beppe & Pakka's for a couple of hours to work on a quilt that she and Beppe started. Glad she can learn quilting from someone because I certainly can't do it! Quinn and Nate played together for a few hours.

I started sewing some pioneer bonnets for Madison's field trip to the One Room School House. The students have to dress the part... a long skirt, apron, bonnet etc... the long skirt is required! I had to buy the long skirt ($3) and the shirt I found at Stuff in Iowa (used clothing) but I hunted all over for the bonnet and could not find one so finally I bought a pattern and made one. So, now I've just completed the 4th one. I'm on a roll. I figured that most girls won't have one so I'll just donate a few to the 4th grade. The first bonnet took me 2 hours but this last one only took 1 hour... so I've gotten faster over time. They certainly aren't perfect... I bet I haven't sewed anything other than mending in Madison's 10 years of life! Isy got a good laugh at the expense of my sewing machine when I called to ask her a sewing question. I told her my machine is at least 25 years old, probably has never been serviced or oiled and that I had already broke one needle (I'm up to two now... on cotton fabric!). Ha! I'm making due and the fabric is actually miraculously looking like a bonnet when it's been transformed by my machine. Shoot, I'll just give you a picture of Madison wearing the first bonnet.


Last night we had quite a bit of ice... not as much as you got in Iowa but enough to cancel many churches. Well, in 16 years Silverwood has never cancelled a Sunday morning... nevertheless I thought I would check the news this morning just in case... nope, not there as expected. So, we rushed around (like all Sunday mornings) and drove to church early because we were greeters only to find a note on the door that said church as cancelled! Can you believe it? No TV news announcement, nothing on the radio... SO, everyone DROVE to church to find out that church was cancelled... OK, something needs to improve in the communication there. I guess we need a plan in place for the next time. The roads were a little slushy but really not too bad... we've driven to church in much worse weather before. We made the best of it and went to River Oaks Church with Matt & Lisa and met Don & Isy and Chad & Tracy there (they both go there already).

Tonight is our family movie night so I think we're going to watch Flicka... thanks to the Slabach family rental that we are benefiting from. I hope everyone has a good week.

Love to all, Leah
PS... Madison just broke needle #3... practing on a piece of 100% cotton fabric. I think my dinosaur of a machine might be the reason... hmmmm...

FBCU dinner

Last night Tony and I went to the Farm Bureau Credit Union kick-off dinner of their 75th anniversary. He was invited because of being on their Supervisory Board. It wasn't in my top 10 things I wanted to do last night but it turned out to be a very enjoyable evening... rich with history and so that was neat. Apparently the FBCU was started by 13 individuals who were gathered together around a pot belly stove 1932. Seven of those folks agreed to pay the $5 membership fee. Three of them could pay right away, the others made payments. Anyway, the story goes on with the ending being what FBCU is today. To commemorate the 75th the volunteer board members are all receiving a chiminea (a new word for me). That was really nice wasn't it?



Today I went grocery shopping and spent over $100 on groceries! I haven't gone to the store in about 2 weeks and we were out of white milk for a week now. Quinn was complaining because our "refrigerator is bare!" Not any more.

I also went and helped in Madison's class and spent all my time photocopying. It is a time consuming process. I wonder what photocopying will be like in 20 years? Surely faster than it is now.

So anyway, I just thought I would catch you up on our lives. We don't have big plans for the weekend. Tony worked 19 hours last weekend (Sat & Sun) so I'm hoping he won't have to work that much this weekend.

Love to all, Leah

President's Day Weekend Highlights

A winter friend perches close by the bird feeders during some snow flurries at my parent's house in Iowa.
The kids and I sure enjoyed a long weekend in Iowa. Sorry I didn't update my blog over the weekend. Here are the "Top Ten" things of note from the weekend.

1. My health-conscious Rachel Ray meal of mashed cauliflower served over whole wheat noodles was received with a "that was great!" comment from Madison... the other 9 of us thought it was "it's OK... if that's the only thing you have to eat" (a quote from my Dad!). PS... None of the kids knew the sauce had cauliflower in it and we aren't telling!

2. Beating everyone in Call Your Partner- Rook. I seldom win at card games that require concentration.

3. Uncle Jeff took all the kids for 4-wheeler rides in the snow. So fun!

4. Dad's ewes had a set of twins while we were there, putting the proud shepherd up to 7 living lambs so far this month.

5. Quinn and I made homemade suet for the bird feeders. He took literally over 50 pictures of all of the birds in the backyard. "May be I'll grow up to be a person who takes pictures of birds." He loved them.

6. Quinn taking the camera along on the way to the Amish country store to take a picture of "nature... and the mountain ranges and stuff."

7. Spotting a Barred Owl in the backyard and actually getting a fairly good picture of it. (See below).

8. Shopping with Mom and Amy and finding a pair of $80 shoes on sale for $15 ... in the color and style I was hoping for! I also found a Coach purse for $35!!! BARGAIN!

9. Madison went to school with Jenna for most of the day on Friday and was also a pupil for Aunt Amy for the day. We didn't see much of Madison and Jenna for the weekend. They "take-off" and show up for meals only.

10. Quinn and I visited my 93 year old grandma and actually had a nice conversation without 4 other kids and 5 other adults there to compete with. When we left Quinn told me what a nice visit that was and how fast the time went. I hope he'll remember it forever. He actually sat on a chair and visited with us too!

The Barred Owl Quinn spotted in the tree.



Jenna and Madison attempt to smile for the camera on a snowy-sunny day!


4-wheel'in with Uncle Jeff!

Quinn hanging up the homemade suet in Grandma and Grandpa's back yard.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

This picture was taken in our yard. Madison discovered a bunch of icicles this late afternoon with water dripping from them. It was beautiful! This was the kids' 4th snow day today. I stayed home with them and it was actually a beautiful cold crisp sunny winter day. The snow was so pretty. Karla and I took our kids plus Nate sledding at Beppe & Pakka's house for close to 2 hours. They had fun. Poor Beppe has a horrible cold so we felt bad for her!

As far as valentine's day... it didn't really seem too different from any other day I guess. The kids' party at school will be tomorrow I guess... at least I'm sending in everything planning for it to be tomorrow. Tony didn't get home until 8:30 so I told him he owes me a romantic evening out some time! He got me 2 CD's and a nice card so that was nice of him.

Well, that's all for now. I'll add some sledding pictures for you to enjoy. The kids and I are going to Iowa tomorrow after work/school until Monday. As far as I know the weather is supposed to hold out.

And in the Valentine's spirit... a special "I love you" to each one of you. I'm blessed to call you family and friends!

Love, Leah



Our view from the windows!



Nate & Quinn threaten me with snow balls.


Katie and Nathan pause for a split second.



Madison heads for the top of the hill again.

"Treacherous"

"Treacherous" is the word Quinn used to describe our roads and our weather today. Eight inches and still snowing! We were wondering how much snow we had so far tonight, so around 7:30 Madison volunteered to run out and measure it. This was near our front door so it had been blowing some but she measured 8 inches there. Our street is close to being blown closed. I can't imagine that they will have school tomorrow. It was canceled today, our 3rd snow day in the last 2 weeks. Thankfully Karla was planning on watching M & Q if they had a delay and by the time I dropped them off for the 2 hour delay she had just heard that school was canceled. She watched them for the day and of course the kids had a good time, playing in the snow and squirting the snow with colored water etc... She is always so creative. So far tomorrow there is a 2 hour delay. The kids and I are planning on going to Iowa for their long weekend (Fri-Mon), like they need any more time off. I hope the weather doesn't put a halt on our plans!

All of my patients canceled today except for one! Tomorrow everyone has already canceled except for one mid-afternoon one. They are just considering closing the office and having us all take a PTO day. It doesn't really pay to have the office open without making any money. I already told them that if school is cancelled that I'll stay home for sure. So, I'm hoping it is I guess... I know it won't be fun to send them to school in June now but I like the instant gratification... plus it's Valentine's Day!

Tony got home around 8:30 tonight and borrowed a snow blower and he is now taking it back... but I just looked outside and it's already starting to blow back over the edges. Oh well, at least we aren't upstate New York!

Well, that's all for tonight... nothing too "newsy" I guess.
Love to all, Leah

Valentine Cookies

Tonight I finished up the valentine cookies for Quinn's valentine party at school on Wednesday. I was assigned 2 dozen sugar cookies. It's been a 2 step process... I made the dough on Saturday and thought I would bake them yesterday afternoon but that didn't work out so I finished them tonight. I have to be honest and say this is not my picture of my cookies but I found this picture at www.flickr.com and this person used the same exact sprinkles that I did. I just didn't put quite as much on! The kids like to decorate them like this though. I like to taste the cookie in there some where. Anyway, I was amazed at how close they looked to mine. I'm looking for the perfect sugar cookie recipe. I've used a couple of different ones but it seems like they crack and break or they stick to the pan. Do you have the perfect recipe? I need it!! I enjoy eating these cookies that's for sure! ; ) And it was all worth it after Quinn finished his cookie up and said, "Thanks Mom, for everything you did for me today... like, you had my snow pants and hat in my backpack this morning and my boots all ready to go". I just love having a # 1 fan. Everyone needs one. He even put a note on my pillow tonight telling me he loved me and he put some XX's and OO's on it. Tony got a note too. Some day he is going to be quite the charmer with the ladies...in about 30 years right? Oh~ what did I need to send in for Madison's party you ask?... a box of Cheez-It crackers! Ha! Was that ever easy!

That's all of the "heart"-warming stories tonight.

Love to all, Leah

Sleep Number Bed

I’m so excited because we are actually getting a new bed!!!!! Our bed is terribly uncomfortable. It’s a waterbed and the frame was made by Don Jr. in shop class at IMS in about 1984 or earlier. The mattress was a hand-me-down from Don & Isy because it was worn out for their tastes. It has LONG since lost the baffles so it is a free flowing bed and every time one of us turns over the other usually wakes up! After months of research and shopping and actually testing (sleeping on Amy & Jeff’s bed) we’ve decided that the Sleep Number Bed is for us! They even tipped us off to the factory outlet so we are getting it for 50% of the mall-selling stores. I’m practically counting down the days until it arrives in the MAIL… (interesting huh?). Now I must have some new sheets and then I’ll need a new quilt to match, (this picture is one I have my eye on...) then we might as well clean the carpet while there is no bed in there and then we might as well take down the wallpaper border because it won’t match the quilt anymore and if the border is down, we might as well paint. This will lead us to need new curtains and a window seat cushion too. We’ll need a headboard and we might as well get a dresser to replace our Sauder version… hmmmm, I think I could write a book, “If you give Leah a new mattress”.

Science Fair and Basketball

Today was the Science Fair for the Concord schools. Kids displayed their science projects that they have worked on and had them judged by "scientists".

If you double click on these pictures they should get bigger for you.


Madison's project was "Which ear plug works the best?" She tested different brand name ear plugs to see which one blocked the most sound from room noise, a mixer and a cell phone ring. Surprisingly a marshmallow worked the best to block the noise of a cell phone ring. She used a decibel meter to determine how loud the sounds were.


Quinn's project was called "Just Cool It!" and he performed different tests to find the fastest way to cool down a can of pop. He found that water, ice and salt cooled a can of room temperature pop to a chilly 37 degrees in only 8 1/2 minutes. Pretty fast huh? We all had fun with the projects and learned about the scientific steps of research.

The kids also each had basketball games today as well. Madison's Upward team lost 18-30. She scored 10 points and played well. Quinn's team won (I can't remember the score) and he had about 8 points and at least 10 steals. He was Mr. Scrappy out there today!

Tony worked all afternoon. Well, that's all the highlights from today. Take care!
Love to all, Leah

Update on Madison's wrist

Madison had her ortho apnt today to check on her left wrist. He said that he thinks she might have a ganglion cyst. It is MUCH smaller than this picture shows! It may or may not be related to the sprain she had previously. She could have possibly had some tendon damage at that time which created some chronic inflammation which led to the cyst. The treatment for now is watch and wait. If it gets larger he may try to drain it. Usually they take care of themselves. We have to do the physical therapy to strengthen her wrist and he laughed quite freely about the 3# weight I started her out with. He recommended a 6 oz start because it is so much weaker than the right!! I just thought since her right hand could easily do the 3# weight that her left hand should too! The only restriction is no push-ups in PE because that movement causes her quite a bit of pain. So, I'm thankful that a fracture wasn't missed on her 1st x-ray and that this should resolve in time.

Thanks for your concern.

Love to all, Leah

Anybody want some cat treats?

I bet no one has as picky of a cat was we have! Tigger has been driving us crazy lately with her incessant meowing! It is all because she loves to go outside at night time and prowl around and then she always comes back in in the morning and sleeps her day away. Well, it's been so cold for nearly a month that she can't go out. I've opened the door for her several times and she gets all "blinky"... she blinks really fast, her fur gets blown back out of her face and her body language reads "nope, not yet!". Tony said she went out for him and she walked 10 steps away and then turned around and sprinted back inside. The poor thing.. Poor us! So, I've been feeling sorry for her and I bought her some cat treats. May be once a year we get her some so they really are "treats". Well, she turned her nose up and walked away! We've tried several times and she just won't eat them... they're tuna fish... something every cat should eat. She's so finicky. So, I've tried babying her a little and giving her milk on a plate. The plate has to be clean (not one we just used).. the milk has to be fresh (not from the open cup that sat in the refrigerator overnight). So, you can see I'm really trying to please her, and get the meowing to stop! Today I bought her 2 kinds of treats. The first one she gave me the "are you kidding?" look. The 2nd one, a chicken one, she finally ate. Whew! OK, at least she was quiet while she was eating it. Anyway, just thought there might be a cat owner reading who understands the effect of cabin fever on cats and have sympathy on us. I've made her take time-outs in the garage but the kids think I'm mean. I just want the meowing to stop....

Routine Day

Today was warmer than yesterday and it's been decided to have school tomorrow... after a 2 hour late start. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I have 3 committments outside of my work day... starting with the dentist at 8:10, an appointment after work and ending with a 7pm VBS meeting at church. I'm sure the day will go fast. Dr. P. is gone this week and the RN is on vacation and so I'm left with all of the care myself with no other clinical person to help me and it was quite overwelming today. I don't know why they think I'm a wonder woman but tomorrow at 11:00 I'm waving the white flag with my director!

Tonight was a night to get started on the week's laundry. Quinn was double checking me tonight, to make sure I've started it. I guess he likes clean clothes too.

Sorry, it was a boring day today.
Love to all, Leah

"Get this taken care of before softball season!"

Hello to all of you co-frozen people (except for Doug & Jen in Arizona),

It was minus 8 this morning and no I didn't take this picture but it represents a Midwestern day today.

Here are the highlights from today:

1. We've enjoyed the Super Bowl talks today surrounding the Colts win! yeah!
2. School was cancelled today. Madison spent the night at B & P's. Pakka picked Quinn up this morning.
3. The kids and Beppe & Pakka came and had lunch with me at the hospital. That was fun. I think it's been about a year since I've actually sat in the hospital cafeteria. What a nice break for me.
4. Madison had her left wrist x-rayed again... check-up on Friday.
5. School is cancelled for tomorrow too (Midwestern wimps!).
6. Madison is spending another night at B & P's. Do we need to pay some rent?
7. Quinn is a homebody so he's cozy in his own bed tonight. He's going to play with Nate tomorrow and give B & P a break (my choice, not theirs).
8. Tonight I worked with my neighbor, Darlene, on planning the food for the parent-teacher conference meal next week. A little tricky since neither of us are going to be there but so many parents are willing to help... it's been easy to get another 20 people involved. We are good delegators! : )
9. Madison managed to slip "Dog Obedience Class" in to her busy evening with Karla and Katie. She went along for the sheer joy of it. : ) (with their dog)

I'm a little concerned about Madison's wrist. For your refresher... a year and a half ago (yes!) she fell off her scooter and sprained her left wrist. We had it x-rayed and she was in a splint for a few weeks and that was pretty much the end of the story. Well, very occasionally, or may be I should say, "rarely" she would comment about how it would still bother her sometimes. She was usually trying to do something like a hand-stand or something else kind of rough so I just dismissed it. As of lately, she's made more comments about it hurting in situations that shouldn't cause pain, like pushing up and out of bed with her left wrist on the bed to push. I thought we need to at least get it checked again (hypochondriac mother?). I took her to Dr. Wagner, an orthopod in Goshen who has a special pediatric interest. He found her left wrist to be weaker than the right, gave her PT exercises to do and ordered another x-ray with the hint of possibly an MRI. Well, she can't even do the exercises because they hurt too much. It's simple stuff like squeezing a ball... I had her try it tonight and she quit because it hurt too much. I gave her a 3# weight for her just to use with range of motion exercising of her wrist. I seriously thought she would laugh at these exercises but she actually quit and said she couldn't do them! OK, now I'm really the hypochondriac mother. She goes back on Friday. We'll see what he says. I'm praying that this is nothing but tendonitis or something simple. Here is Tony's concern after I told him about the latest attempt at wrist exercises..."Well, we have to get this taken care of before softball season!" Ha! Leave it to the dad/coach to worry about her catching hand! Anyway, sorry, that was kind of long.

I'll let'cha go. Good-night and stay warm.
Love to all, Leah

"Souper" Bowl and Soup

Hello from 1 degree Goshen! We think it's pretty darn wimpy but they've cancelled school tomorrow because of the cold. Goshen and Elkhart cancelled first which means Concord follows because of peer pressure. Tony and I think it is ridiculous and the real reason is because of some wanting to stay up late for the super bowl tonight. Who knows, may be we'll get the call that says it's too cold for Rollpak to function tomorrow, and may be it's too cold for the hospital too. Anyway....wonder what they are going to do for the rest of the week which is supposed to be just as cold.

Today after church we went to Beppe & Pakka's house for lunch. Terry, Karla, Nathan & Katie joined us along with Darren M. and Rae Ann. The kids and the dads went sledding for 2 hours in the backyard in the afternoon. I think the temp was around 5. (Kids can go sledding for 2 hours but it's too cold for school tomorrow?...sorry). Anyway, it was a fun afternoon and was a great meal. The sledding ended with Rae Ann and Tony sledding into the river. That was quite icy and ended the sledding right away. Nothing that some hot cocoa and smores didn't fix.

So, tonight is the big super bowl. There hasn't been something this exciting around here in a long time. There are MANY fans for the Bears and the Colts in Indiana so the rivalry is intense. It's half-time and for all of the turn-overs the Colts have managed to be ahead at the half. Hopefully they hold on.

So, the potato soup "problem" from Friday night (read back if you are clueless) has generated quite the conversation with my blog readers so I thought I would just give you the recipe and let you decide if Quinn was right to say that "even when I look at it it makes my stomach hurt". Make it yourself and give me some feedback. The other 3 of us thought it was delicious! I've changed it just slightly from the original but I'm still giving Karla all the credit for it (even though she doesn't remember the last time she made it!).

Potato Soup

8 slices bacon, crumbled
1 cup chopped onion
1-2 T butter
2-3 cups cubed potatoes
2 cups water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 3/4 cup milk (more for thinner soup, less for thicker)
1/2 tsp salt
Dash of pepper
2 cups of cheese (like Colby-jack)

Microwave the bacon until crisp. Drain the fat and crumble bacon and set to the side. Saute onion in water and a little butter until soft.
Add potatoes and water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until potatoes are soft (about 15 minutes or to your liking). Stir in soup and sour cream; gradually add milk. Add salt, pepper, bacon and cheese. Heat to a comfortable serving temperature. Do not boil.
Yield: About 7 cups

The Colts are back on. See ya!
Love to all, Leah

A busy Saturday

This morning was spent at Upward Basketball games including team picture day. We were there by 8:20 this a.m. and the day was a good one! Madison's team, the Lady Tigers, played the Lady Hoosiers and won 24-22. Madison scored 12 points including the winning basket. This picture of her was taken right at the beginning of the game... she was shhhhh'ing Tony so that he wouldn't coach her from the fan section. : ) If you dbl click on the picture it will enlarge but it's also pretty grainy because of the lighting in the gym. Quinn's team, the Sharks, played the Cobras and also won 30-16. Quinn had 6 points and played well defensively. It's amazing how much they improve from year to year.

Madison had Flames soccer practice from 12-1:30. It's now on Saturdays and off of Thursdays. There will be some Saturdays when basketball will conflict but I think it should be OK most of the time. She and Peyton actually weren't looking forward to going today. They were worried about all the running and sprinting they've been doing lately at practice. Ha!

Quinn had a bowling birthday party from 3:45-6pm tonight for Nicholas and Alex Reverman. They turned 8 and he's been buddies with them since pre-school and their mom took Quinn to preschool. He had a good time and said the boys were happy with their skateboards.

Madison and I worked on her Science Fair project this afternoon. Both of the kids are now done... but we have to get them on their display boards yet. She tested several different types of ear plugs to see which ones blocked the sound the best. She also decided to test a cotton ball and a little marshmallow too. We used a sound meter and guess what she found out?? The marshmallow actually lowered the sound level by the most decibles out of all of the ones tested. Soooo, save your money on ear plugs and just go for the marshmallows! That was a fun and very unexpected outcome.

It is still FREEZING and BITTERLY cold! They were calling for more snow but I honestly think it's too cold to snow. Right now it's 2 degrees outside and they say the windchill is around -30. Tony took the recyclables in today and thought he got frostbite on his ears (I guess he forgot his hat?). It's a good evening to stay in and sit by the fire. I made a chocolate cake for lunch/dessert at Beppe and Pakka's tomorrow. The Slabach's are coming for lunch and also Darren Miller and Raeann. The kids are hoping to go sledding in the back yard but I don't know how long they'll be able to stay outside. We'll see...

Well, that's all for tonight. The day went fast and we kept quite busy as usual.

Love to all, Leah

Brrrrrrrrrr!!!!

It is so co-co-co-co-COLD! (That was supposed to sound like my teeth chattering). Wow!... with the wind chill it is well below zero. The high tomorrow is supposed to be 10 but the wind will make it seem like -30 I guess. Didn't stop Madison from playing outside after school though!

Today was my day off from work. It was a busy day. I took the kids to school this morning because I delivered Beppe's party potatoes to Quinn's classroom. They just finished reading "Stone Fox" and part of the setting involves a potato farm. If you don't know the story it really has quite a sad ending and I had to hold back the tears just listening to the re-telling of it at supper last night!! The students had to write down their favorite potato recipe and if they brought a sample in they got $25 extra in mini-economy money (pretend money). So, Quinn quickly called Beppe up to ask her to whip him up a batch for 22 students to sample. (Notice that he didn't even contemplate asking me to make them). I guess they had 10 potato dishes and Quinn had 5-6 "sample" helpings of his own potatoes. He was quite happy with the whole thing.

After that I went to Panera Bread for coffee with Lisa, Eliza, Karla and Angie. It's always good to catch up to them. Then I went back to the school for 3 hours to volunteer in Madison's classroom. I graded their math and spelling papers and took time out for lunch with Madison today. I told her teacher I would come for about 2 hours on Fridays. I'll have to take turns with who I have lunch with. Madison had to buy my lunch today... I had NO money, except for some coins! Luckily she scratched some up in her back pack. Ha! She found that to be quite amusing. It was Colts/Bears Spirit Day today. The kids were to wear their favorite team colors. Wow... there was electricity buzzing today. I think the teachers had to be more disappointed than the students when it was too cold to go out for recess today and all that energy had to stay inside!

Tonight I made Karla's recipe for potato soup. Tony, Madison and I thought it was really good. Quinn on the other hand threw a big fit and "just looking at it made my stomach hurt."... that lead to one irrational statement after another and pretty soon he was saying that, "I should just go live in the homeless center" and that his "heart was broken," "no one loves me" etc... Madison found this conversation quite amusing from her bedroom but we were quick to remind her that she used to throw the same kind of fits in 2nd grade too!! Then, we did some quiet giggling with her. Poor Quinn. He was so tired ("I am not!") and after 1 little pathetic taste he got his precious quesdilla instead and went to bed! Whew!

The kids have basketball and pictures in the morning. We need to leave around 8am so it will feel like a week day. I better go tell Madison to close her book for tonight. Have a good weekend!

Love to all, Leah