Hi, everyone. We are finally back into a routine and having fun this summer. Monday I took Matthew and Lucas to the library to make the bug craft of the week and get some books. We made a butterfly out of a clothespin and coffee filter then picked out books. We also picked up our summer reading packet. Not sure if we are going to get 20 hours of reading by August, but we'll try. That takes a lot of kids picture books to make an hour! Then in the evening they had their Little Champions practice at Sports Ohio...this time they are learning football basics. Tuesday we stayed around home and cleaned and played. They also went to a neighbor's house for a "pool party". Fun stuff when you have about six little kids in a blow up pool! Tuesday night Derrick and I went to the Brazenhead Pub with the Hoffmans. We really enjoy their company, and plan on getting together with them more often.
Wednesday we went to the Columbus Zoo with Mrs. Mathys..aka my friend Emily. She was Matthew and Lucas's preschool teacher last year. She lives a few streets over and stops in periodically. When she stopped in on Tuesday I invited her to the zoo. The highlight of the zoo was the boys feeding the lorikeets. For a dollar, you can get a cup of nectar to feed the lorikeets.
Thursday was our family day together. We went to Dublin to see Wall-E. It was a very cute movie, and the boys were silent for the whole time! They love going to the movie theatre. After that we hit Toys R Us and they each picked out a new Jedi Starfighter to add to their collection. We finished the day off with a trip to Kohl's and to Kristin and Joey's to drop off a gift for their anniversary.
Friday we hung out around home and then my parents came over to walk down and watch fireworks with us. Another family in the same spot had sparklers. Needless to say, the boys were a little skittish about them and wouldn't hold any.
Saturday my mom came to get Matthew and Lucas while Derrick and I headed to the furniture store to pick out end tables, a coffee table, and a sofa table.
Sunday was church and then to Bob Evans for lunch with my family. When we got home, we got out the slip and slide and played around for a while. Have a great week!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Hotter Than.....
Hi, all. So, Derrick and I just got back from Phoenix on Tuesday. Let me tell you...that 84 degrees and actual humidity in the air were welcome! 
We left on Tuesday, the 17th. We had to leave home around 5am. Our flight to Chicago O'Hare was uneventful. However, when we were on the plane in Chicago, they discovered it had a mechanical issue that needed to be fixed. An hour or so later, of sitting on the plane, we were off for Phoenix. When we arrived, we took the shuttle to the hotel and had lunch at the hotel restaurant. I attempted to nap, but I was too tired to sleep. The first night was a buffet dinner at the hotel room. After that, we were bused to Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix. We had an invigorating opening worship service. The best part was the blessing. In a group as couples, we went up to the altar as if we were going to communion and they blessed us and gave the husbands a cross necklace. After the service we had an ice cream social. We were able to meet so many people there.
Wednesday we met our collegial groups and the husbands and wives were split into two different rooms. We talked a lot about our values, who has influenced our ministry choices, etc. For me, it was an eye opening, confidence building experience. After our sessions that day, we went back to the hotel to have dinner with our collegial groups. We each had our own ballroom to eat with our group and our mentors. Our group is so much fun! God was really working with putting our group together.
Thursday was more sessions at the church. Then Thursday we were on our own for dinner. We went with three other couples from our collegial group to a place called Tempe Marketplace. It is an outdoor mall. We ate at the Maria, Maria Cantina. It was a lot of fun getting to know each other and laugh. Friday ended early and we went over to the Scottsdale Mall. We walked around Old Town Scottsdale and had dinner at the Italian Grotto. Such fun places to shop and good food to eat. We had a lot of fun.
Saturday was our last day of sessions. This day we worked on a family plan and a mission and values for our family. The best part of PLI right now is the emphasis on the importance of our marriage and being there for each other...especially me supporting Derrick in his ministry. Saturday night we had a closing banquet. It was very nice. We had wine from a gentleman's private collection, which was fabulous. After this was hospitality hour and then off to bed.
Sunday we had worship and then Derrick and I rented a car and drove out of town. We drove to the mountains and stopped at a trailhead to look around. There were cacti everywhere, and it was VERY hot. We could just feel the heat radiating from the ground. After all, it was 112 degrees! I was afraid to see a rattlesnake, and everything around us was desert quiet. So, while I am concentrating and taking a picture, Derrick makes this slithering snake sound and slides his finger up the back of my leg. I jumped and screamed loud enough to scare away anything that may have been there!
Monday we flew home. Our flight out of Chicago was cancelled, so we had to switch airlines and about six hours later we were on our flight home.
This week the boys have been going to VBS at St. John's, so I am working in my classroom and getting some things finished. While we were in Phoenix, they stayed with Derrick's parents. They had a lot of fun at Chuck E Cheese, Kings Island, and going to the movies.
Have a great week!
Wednesday we met our collegial groups and the husbands and wives were split into two different rooms. We talked a lot about our values, who has influenced our ministry choices, etc. For me, it was an eye opening, confidence building experience. After our sessions that day, we went back to the hotel to have dinner with our collegial groups. We each had our own ballroom to eat with our group and our mentors. Our group is so much fun! God was really working with putting our group together.
Thursday was more sessions at the church. Then Thursday we were on our own for dinner. We went with three other couples from our collegial group to a place called Tempe Marketplace. It is an outdoor mall. We ate at the Maria, Maria Cantina. It was a lot of fun getting to know each other and laugh. Friday ended early and we went over to the Scottsdale Mall. We walked around Old Town Scottsdale and had dinner at the Italian Grotto. Such fun places to shop and good food to eat. We had a lot of fun.
Saturday was our last day of sessions. This day we worked on a family plan and a mission and values for our family. The best part of PLI right now is the emphasis on the importance of our marriage and being there for each other...especially me supporting Derrick in his ministry. Saturday night we had a closing banquet. It was very nice. We had wine from a gentleman's private collection, which was fabulous. After this was hospitality hour and then off to bed.
Sunday we had worship and then Derrick and I rented a car and drove out of town. We drove to the mountains and stopped at a trailhead to look around. There were cacti everywhere, and it was VERY hot. We could just feel the heat radiating from the ground. After all, it was 112 degrees! I was afraid to see a rattlesnake, and everything around us was desert quiet. So, while I am concentrating and taking a picture, Derrick makes this slithering snake sound and slides his finger up the back of my leg. I jumped and screamed loud enough to scare away anything that may have been there!
Monday we flew home. Our flight out of Chicago was cancelled, so we had to switch airlines and about six hours later we were on our flight home.
This week the boys have been going to VBS at St. John's, so I am working in my classroom and getting some things finished. While we were in Phoenix, they stayed with Derrick's parents. They had a lot of fun at Chuck E Cheese, Kings Island, and going to the movies.
Have a great week!
Monday, June 16, 2008
So, we had a great Father's Day weekend. Friday we just stayed around home and played the Wii. I found out we have a junior bowler on our hands..Lucas was throwing strikes and picking up spares left and right. As a result of how impressed we were with Lucas, Matthew went into "I can't do it" and got very frustrated. Matthew definetly needs more encouragement than Lucas.
Saturday we dropped the boys off at Derrick's mom and dad's house at 8:00. Then, it was off to catch a ride with my parents to Wright State University for my youngest sister's graduation. Lindsey was amongst about 1500 students in green caps and gowns. The traffic was amazing, the ceremony was 2 1/2 hours. The honorary doctorate recipient droned on and on, thinking she was very funny. After some hints of applause, she continued talking. Finally, just when we thought she was done, she led to another point which was met with groans from the audience. It was all worth it to hear Lindsey's name announced and watch her walk across the stage to get her diploma. Afterwards, it was to Wendy's for a quick lunch and back to my parents' house for a shrimp boil. We picked up the boys and they played in a giraffe pool my parents had bought. They had a great time. They kept saying, "who wants to kiss the giraffe?" As they put their face up to the giraffe, the one who was next to the spigot turned it up all the way and splashed water full force at the other's face. We had to leave just as dinner was on, as we had to celebrate my father in law's birthday Saturday as well.
Saturday we dropped the boys off at Derrick's mom and dad's house at 8:00. Then, it was off to catch a ride with my parents to Wright State University for my youngest sister's graduation. Lindsey was amongst about 1500 students in green caps and gowns. The traffic was amazing, the ceremony was 2 1/2 hours. The honorary doctorate recipient droned on and on, thinking she was very funny. After some hints of applause, she continued talking. Finally, just when we thought she was done, she led to another point which was met with groans from the audience. It was all worth it to hear Lindsey's name announced and watch her walk across the stage to get her diploma. Afterwards, it was to Wendy's for a quick lunch and back to my parents' house for a shrimp boil. We picked up the boys and they played in a giraffe pool my parents had bought. They had a great time. They kept saying, "who wants to kiss the giraffe?" As they put their face up to the giraffe, the one who was next to the spigot turned it up all the way and splashed water full force at the other's face. We had to leave just as dinner was on, as we had to celebrate my father in law's birthday Saturday as well.
Sunday was church, and our first congregational meeting. We are researching other lease space in town as we are growing and need a bigger area. Afterwards, it was home for lunch and then off to Kohl's to pick up a few things. When we returned home, we took our bike trainers out for a ride. They boys love riding on those. We rode the perimeter of the whole subdivision, about a 35 minute ride. Long enough when you are pulling about 43 pounds behind you. Sunday night my parents came over for dinner and so Derrick could cut my dad's hair. We talked them into playing the Wii, and they really liked the bowling game, too.
Today was much laundry and cleaning since we are leaving for PLI in Phoenix tomorrow. We have to leave the house at 5:30 am to get to the airport on time. I worked at school a bit, and then took the boys to their sports program at Sports Ohio. They learned dribbling and kicking of the soccer ball tonight. However, the highlight of the time was when the kids got to play on the air bouncy equipment at the back of the gym. Of course, the free concession cup of juice they got at the end was a hit, too. They did very well following directions and catching on.
Well, I am off to bed. I need to be up and at 'em tomorrow at 4:30.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Summer is off to a Start!
I am finally done with school! The last few days were uneventful days full of filling time and keeping my kids happy. They were a great class this year. This week I am at school for inservice meetings. We also started our VBS this week. We had to call it early last night because we had some very bad lightning and a thunderstorm rolling in. The boys have been getting up early with me and getting out to Grandma Patty's while I go to school.
Derrick has been working very hard on VBS and getting ready for our first official "congregational open forum". It is on Sunday, and we are discussing a larger meeting space. We had a police officer come and talk at VBS tonight, and of course Derrick took the opportunity to invite him to church. That's my evangelizing husband! This past weekend one of our parishoners hosted an all church cookout to celebrate our three confirmands. After some good eating, the kids got out the water guns and the hoses. After they were happy spraying each other, Derrick and some of the other dads sent them after the moms under the tent.
Today at grandma's the boys went to the pond at a neighbor's house. They had a great time picking up tadpoles and throwing mud globs at each other. Of course when I come to get them they are changing into new clothes. However, they didn't have any clean shirts at grandma's, so they left her house with red shorts and Spiderman pajama shirts. Oh well, this is of course on the night when I have to spot at Subway and pick up sandwiches for the VBS leaders. So it goes. VBS is over on Thursday. Tomorrow we have the fire department coming to visit.
Next week Derrick and I are heading to Phoenix for PLI. It will be nice to get away. The boys are starting the Little Champions program at Sports Ohio on Monday. They learn the basics of hitting, throwing, running, catching. They also learn T-ball, kickball, and soccer. I think it will be great for them.
Enjoy your week!
Derrick has been working very hard on VBS and getting ready for our first official "congregational open forum". It is on Sunday, and we are discussing a larger meeting space. We had a police officer come and talk at VBS tonight, and of course Derrick took the opportunity to invite him to church. That's my evangelizing husband! This past weekend one of our parishoners hosted an all church cookout to celebrate our three confirmands. After some good eating, the kids got out the water guns and the hoses. After they were happy spraying each other, Derrick and some of the other dads sent them after the moms under the tent.
Today at grandma's the boys went to the pond at a neighbor's house. They had a great time picking up tadpoles and throwing mud globs at each other. Of course when I come to get them they are changing into new clothes. However, they didn't have any clean shirts at grandma's, so they left her house with red shorts and Spiderman pajama shirts. Oh well, this is of course on the night when I have to spot at Subway and pick up sandwiches for the VBS leaders. So it goes. VBS is over on Thursday. Tomorrow we have the fire department coming to visit.
Next week Derrick and I are heading to Phoenix for PLI. It will be nice to get away. The boys are starting the Little Champions program at Sports Ohio on Monday. They learn the basics of hitting, throwing, running, catching. They also learn T-ball, kickball, and soccer. I think it will be great for them.
Enjoy your week!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Well, things have been going very well around here. We are all FINALLY getting back to feeling normal. We had a great Mother's Day weekend. On Saturday, I went to my mom's for our monthly ladies tea. Every month, my mom, grandma, aunts, sisters, and cousins get together and have tea on a Saturday morning. We talked a lot about my Grandma's 80th birthday party we had hosted for her the weekend before. My grandma is one of the most giving, humble people I know. She loved having a party, though, because it got our whole family together, as well as a lot of people she hadn't seen in years. We went to my sister's after dinner on Saturday night for cake and to watch a video my mom and aunts had worked on of people talking to my grandma about what they love about her. Sunday after church was the open house. So, after the tea, my mom and sisters and I went to Doc Henderson's for lunch. Doc Henderson's is a local restaurant. It is in a huge historical house in Marysville. It has been a bed and breakfast in the past, and many years ago it was a brothel. Now it is an upscale restaurant. Sunday we had Derrick's family over for lunch. The boys had made our mom's a picture frame that had a nice, wide mat, on which they wrote their names and I stamped "We Love Grandma". Of course, the grandma's loved it.
This weekend was also great. We took the boys to see Go! Diego Go! live at the Palace Theatre in Columbus. We were a bit nervous, as our experience with dark rooms, closed doors, and stage shows at Disney World was not a great memory. However, they did great! They sat so nicely and watched the show. They even participated. We stopped at Wendy's for lunch on the way home, and then we relaxed and watched a Star Wars movie in the afternoon. Around late afternoon, Derrick sent me to the greenhouse to get our flowers to plant for the summer. Five flats (32 plants/flat) and six perennials later, we were done planting. Our beds look so nice! Today after church, my grandma treated the boys and I and my parents to Bob Evans. Derrick was in Columbus at Atonement Lutheran for their confirmation. I think he is relieved. Last weekend was our Living Truth confirmation...a very exciting event for our little church. Now, he's done for awhile, and we have VBS to look forward to. This week will be eventful. The last day of school for the boys is Wednesday, and Thursday is their Preschool graduation! Then, they will officially be Kindergartners! I can't believe it! That is all from here. Only 15 1/2 days of school left for me...yeah!!!!!
This weekend was also great. We took the boys to see Go! Diego Go! live at the Palace Theatre in Columbus. We were a bit nervous, as our experience with dark rooms, closed doors, and stage shows at Disney World was not a great memory. However, they did great! They sat so nicely and watched the show. They even participated. We stopped at Wendy's for lunch on the way home, and then we relaxed and watched a Star Wars movie in the afternoon. Around late afternoon, Derrick sent me to the greenhouse to get our flowers to plant for the summer. Five flats (32 plants/flat) and six perennials later, we were done planting. Our beds look so nice! Today after church, my grandma treated the boys and I and my parents to Bob Evans. Derrick was in Columbus at Atonement Lutheran for their confirmation. I think he is relieved. Last weekend was our Living Truth confirmation...a very exciting event for our little church. Now, he's done for awhile, and we have VBS to look forward to. This week will be eventful. The last day of school for the boys is Wednesday, and Thursday is their Preschool graduation! Then, they will officially be Kindergartners! I can't believe it! That is all from here. Only 15 1/2 days of school left for me...yeah!!!!!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Messes
Well, where do I start. Let's start with how beautiful the weather has been, yet my boys still want to stay inside and play Star Wars. We have reserved that activity for rainy days only. So after being told NO (again) that he couldn't play Star Wars on PS2, Lucas says, "If there is a wishing star out tonight, I am going to wish for rain so we can play PS2." O.k. whatever it takes is what I think.
So last week I am leaving to go exercise, and Derrick asks me to take his car and drive it through the car wash at the Honda dealership when I am finished. Sure, no problem. So, I go and excercise and then head to the car wash. I pull up to the garage door of the car wash, and slide our carwashing card and select my wash. The door opens and I pull in. Well, inside the car wash is a stop light that is green until you go over this little sensor and it turns red-this signals you are in the right place for the car wash to begin. As I pull in, the light is green, and as I go over the little hump that is the sensor, the green turns off but the red doesn't turn on. At this point, the door behind me has closed, and the one at the exit is still open. I proceed to back up and pull forward little by little, hoping to catch the sensor. It doesn't happen. Next, the sign saying, "Please exit slowly" as well as the huge vacuum dryers turn on. Mind you, I haven't even had my car washed yet, and it is telling me to exit. Thinking I was at the end of the person's cycle before me, I wait for a few seconds and let the dryers turn off. They turned off, and the front door closes, and I am STUCK in the car wash! Of course, I sit for a few more minutes, thinking it will turn on. After that, and before I start hyperventilating because I think I am going to be stuck in there for a while, I call Derrick and he gives me the number for Honda. From my cell phone in their car wash, I call the dealership and say,
"Hi. I'm stuck in your carwash."
"O.k. I will send someone out soon."
Minutes later, this large man from the service center comes out and asks me if I want him to let me out. ABSOLUTELY! Then, he offers to let me try it again. Of course, being the good wife I am, I do. It works, I make it safely home.
This week, my mess was pies in the face. Yes, that's right. We had a walk a thon to raise money for our athletic program. The students who raised 100 dollars were allowed to choose a teacher to pie in the face. I had volunteered for this adventure, thinking I wouldn't have many pies. Once it reached the turns for the upper graders, I got about eight. I was a sticky, sour milk smelling, whip cream mess. It was fun, and the kids loved it.
So, those are messes I've been in this week. Have a good week!
So last week I am leaving to go exercise, and Derrick asks me to take his car and drive it through the car wash at the Honda dealership when I am finished. Sure, no problem. So, I go and excercise and then head to the car wash. I pull up to the garage door of the car wash, and slide our carwashing card and select my wash. The door opens and I pull in. Well, inside the car wash is a stop light that is green until you go over this little sensor and it turns red-this signals you are in the right place for the car wash to begin. As I pull in, the light is green, and as I go over the little hump that is the sensor, the green turns off but the red doesn't turn on. At this point, the door behind me has closed, and the one at the exit is still open. I proceed to back up and pull forward little by little, hoping to catch the sensor. It doesn't happen. Next, the sign saying, "Please exit slowly" as well as the huge vacuum dryers turn on. Mind you, I haven't even had my car washed yet, and it is telling me to exit. Thinking I was at the end of the person's cycle before me, I wait for a few seconds and let the dryers turn off. They turned off, and the front door closes, and I am STUCK in the car wash! Of course, I sit for a few more minutes, thinking it will turn on. After that, and before I start hyperventilating because I think I am going to be stuck in there for a while, I call Derrick and he gives me the number for Honda. From my cell phone in their car wash, I call the dealership and say,
"Hi. I'm stuck in your carwash."
"O.k. I will send someone out soon."
Minutes later, this large man from the service center comes out and asks me if I want him to let me out. ABSOLUTELY! Then, he offers to let me try it again. Of course, being the good wife I am, I do. It works, I make it safely home.
This week, my mess was pies in the face. Yes, that's right. We had a walk a thon to raise money for our athletic program. The students who raised 100 dollars were allowed to choose a teacher to pie in the face. I had volunteered for this adventure, thinking I wouldn't have many pies. Once it reached the turns for the upper graders, I got about eight. I was a sticky, sour milk smelling, whip cream mess. It was fun, and the kids loved it.
So, those are messes I've been in this week. Have a good week!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Happy Spring
These last two weeks have been pretty good, weather wise. Last week, we were outside a lot. The boys are doing very well with riding their scooters, and Matthew has figured out how to get up enough speed so he glides for a small bit with both feet on it. They have been playing outside with their neighborhood "girl" friends. Halle and Maddie are out a lot, so the boys always want to play with them when they see them. They are quite the little social butterflies. Last weekend, my sisters, my mom, and I went to the Carrie Underwood concert. Since I love American Idol, I was very excited to see her in concert. It was a great show..speaking of shows, we bought tickets last night to take the boys to see "Go, Diego Go!" live on stage. I hope it will be great. It is coming to the Palace Theatre in Columbus. We have been going down to the "pond" a lot to see if there are any ducks.
School has been rather routine. Nothing too exciting there. The boys continue to learn about picking and choosing friends. A conversation I had with Lucas about going back to school after spring break went something like this:
Me: "Lucas, your friends are going to be so excited to see you after being on break. Are you excited to see them?"
Lucas: "Well, mommy, we only have two friends...Shawn and Paul."
Me: "What about Jacob? Isn't he your friend?"
Lucas: "No, he's mean to me. Like when I was napkin helper, I was passing out the napkin and he just yanked it out of my hand. So when he was napking helper, I yanked it out of his hand."
Me: "Well, you should be nice to everyone."
Lucas: "When he makes me mad, I call him 'Jakey'.
Me: "Why do you call him 'Jakey'?
Lucas: "Because it makes him mad."
Pretty much the end of that conversation! I was of course laughing inside because Lucas has figured out what makes this kid upset, and therefore is creating preschool drama.
This last weekend we accomplished a feat I had been wanting for awhile. Since we have moved back to Marysville, we haven't been able to use the beautiful, wooden dining room set my parents gave us for our wedding. It has been in the basement, and then in the spare bedroom. It's main purpose has been to wrap presents on or collect junk. At any rate, I talked Derrick into humoring me and trying to put it in the kitchen, as I was upset that he was going to take it and store it in the basement until we have a bigger house. Well, it worked and I am very excited! We also took the boys to Toys R Us on Saturday to spend some birthday money. They thought that was very cool....we never take them to the toy store and let them pick just about anything they want. They each decided on a Star Wars Jedi fighter ship thing. No batteries, no pieces to lose...we were happy! Friday night we went to the Bickel's for a bonfire and to hang out, and Sunday was church.
This week the boys have Donuts with Dad on Wednesday night. They sing a song, have donuts, and then come home. Should be fun!
School has been rather routine. Nothing too exciting there. The boys continue to learn about picking and choosing friends. A conversation I had with Lucas about going back to school after spring break went something like this:
Me: "Lucas, your friends are going to be so excited to see you after being on break. Are you excited to see them?"
Lucas: "Well, mommy, we only have two friends...Shawn and Paul."
Me: "What about Jacob? Isn't he your friend?"
Lucas: "No, he's mean to me. Like when I was napkin helper, I was passing out the napkin and he just yanked it out of my hand. So when he was napking helper, I yanked it out of his hand."
Me: "Well, you should be nice to everyone."
Lucas: "When he makes me mad, I call him 'Jakey'.
Me: "Why do you call him 'Jakey'?
Lucas: "Because it makes him mad."
Pretty much the end of that conversation! I was of course laughing inside because Lucas has figured out what makes this kid upset, and therefore is creating preschool drama.
This last weekend we accomplished a feat I had been wanting for awhile. Since we have moved back to Marysville, we haven't been able to use the beautiful, wooden dining room set my parents gave us for our wedding. It has been in the basement, and then in the spare bedroom. It's main purpose has been to wrap presents on or collect junk. At any rate, I talked Derrick into humoring me and trying to put it in the kitchen, as I was upset that he was going to take it and store it in the basement until we have a bigger house. Well, it worked and I am very excited! We also took the boys to Toys R Us on Saturday to spend some birthday money. They thought that was very cool....we never take them to the toy store and let them pick just about anything they want. They each decided on a Star Wars Jedi fighter ship thing. No batteries, no pieces to lose...we were happy! Friday night we went to the Bickel's for a bonfire and to hang out, and Sunday was church.
This week the boys have Donuts with Dad on Wednesday night. They sing a song, have donuts, and then come home. Should be fun!
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