Wordless Wednesday: Ice Cream and Whipped Topping Anyone?

200th Post (one post late)

I missed my 200th post! On Friday when I posted the giveaway winners, it was actually my 200th post.  I was hoping to do something cute and clever like Denise did for her 100th post. But time (and lack of a great idea) got away from me,  so maybe for my bloggy anniversary or my 300th post.  Instead of something cute and clever, you get something I saw on Sarah's blog a long time ago but hadn't posted my own version.

Accent:  An accent, I don't have an accent. People from Minnesota don't have accents, don't ya know. Ya Ya!

I Don't Drink: Coffee...oh wait I just shared that tidbit on my birthday.  For those coffee lovers, I do enjoy the smell of fresh brewed coffee but the taste - UGH!  Something new...tea. I don't like tea except a chai tea latte.  For something warm I prefer hot chocolate.

Chores I Hate: Are there any chores I really enjoy??  I think it would be washing my kitchen floor.  It seems the minute I clean it, it gets dirty again.  It is just a never ending job.

Pets: Teagen - 8 year old golden retriever - best dog ever!  Chloe - 8 year old cat  Cait - 2 year old yellow lab who tests my patience daily

Essential Electronics: My macbook.  LOVE IT!  I love the convenience of a laptop and I love my iphot0 and imovies features.  So fun!  By far one of my top electronic purchases.  Another top essential is TiVo.  What was life like before TiVo? The ability to tape shows, especially when I wouldn't remember is wonderful and fast forwarding through commercials - aah so nice!

The other electronic item I use daily is my ipod.  I use it when I run and generally have it on most of the day for background noise.  Although it is in need of some new music - any suggestions?

Perfume: I am not much of a perfume kinda girl.  I have a hard time finding something I really like.  I do have a bottle of "Happy" that has lasted me... oh over 3 years.  Usually I just wear body splash (warm vanilla sugar) from Bath and Body Works.

Gold/Silver: It was definitely gold when I was younger but as I have gotten older I have definitely jumped ship to the silver team.

Insomnia:  When I am pregnant I spend many nights awake, reading or watching TV. It actually got progressively worse with each pregnancy.  With Mauryn I was only getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night.  

Job Title: Chauffeur. Chef. Referee. Maid. Errand runner. Activity planner. Schedule keeper.  Disciplinarian. The list keeps going on and on.... 

Most Admired Trait: The ability to be compassionate, caring, and open minded.  To see the good in people before seeing the negative things.  To be able to be honest and deliver honesty with love and kindness.

Kids: Morgan (8 1/2) Landon (4) Mauryn (20 months)

Religion: I am a Christian.  I grew up in the Lutheran church and attended a Lutheran church until almost 3 years ago when we moved to Idaho. We now attend a Nazarene Church.

Siblings:  I have six siblings - four brothers and two sisters.  I am number 5 in line.

Time I Woke Up:  I woke up to my alarm at 5:00 am.

Veggie I Hate:  Mushrooms - they are fungus. Enough said. I am also not a fan of peppers.

Worst Habit:  When I get nervous I tend to ramble and repeat myself.  I also probably spend too much time on the computer now that I have a laptop. Instead of cleaning around the house I will surf the net, blog, or catch up on email.

My Favorite Meal: I don't know that I have a favorite meal. I am pretty indecisive when it comes to favorite things.  The girls I used to teach with would laugh. When we used to go to lunch on workshop days I was predictable in what I would order: club sandwich or french dip. Every. single. time.  Although, I haven't had either in a very long time.  I have favorite foods like popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, apples, strawberries, tacos, pizza - but not a specific meal.

Giveaway Winners

I didn't forget! I used a very technical method for drawing the winners - handwrite names on paper, put them in a container and pick them out.   Here are the winners of my birthday giveaway:

$35 gift card to Barnes and Noble: Joy at Simply Joy(Happy Birthday!) 

$35 gift card to Target: Alana at A Kiss, A Hug, and A Squeeze

$35 gift card to Starbucks: Sarah at Short Stop - this made me laugh since I know how you can't stand starbucks. maybe you can find something you enjoy there :o) 

Congratulations Ladies!  Email me your addresses so I can send you your prizes :o)

Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes and I loved reading all your favorite birthday memories.

Photo Shoot

I have wanted to do an outdoor photo shoot with my kids for a long time.  I even purchased the perfect frame.  Five years ago.  The frame sat empty in my house in MN, made the move to ID, and continues to sit empty in my house. Behind our main level armoire.

On Wednesday, the kids and I met up with my friend Brenda on the greenbelt that runs close to our house.  There were beautiful open grassy areas, a dock down by the water, a wonderful climbing tree, ducks to feed, goats to pet, and flowers to smell.  We spent about two hours walking and exploring the greenbelt while Brenda took pictures of the kids. Some posed, some just as they walked and played.  In the end, she took almost 400 pictures.  Here is a preview of some of the pictures. I am so anxious to see the rest of them.  

I am finally going to be able to fill my frame. That is if I can pick which pictures to put in it. 

Thanks Brenda!  We had a great time!

I will be drawing for my giveaway today. Results of the random drawing will be posted after 6 pm MT.

Missing Home

I am missing home.  

I am missing my family whom I haven't seen in a year (except for my brother and his boys who came out in March for spring break - that was a treat). 

My nephew will have his first birthday in a month. I haven't held him since the day he was born. I haven't been able to watch his personality grow and develop.   When we meet in Montana next month, he won't even know me.

My oldest niece had her first prom this spring. I didn't get to see her dress or watch her get ready or take pictures.  

I am missing out on my nieces and nephews participating in choir and band concerts, track meets, football, volleyball, basketball, and softball games.

Over the past year my dad has had some health issues.  I am 1500 miles away and not able to do anything but pray and make phone calls. I can't be there to sit in the hospital or be with my mom.  

My older kids will remember their aunts, uncles, and cousins when they see them next month but my baby won't know them.  By the time she is comfortable and putting names with faces it will be time to say good bye again.

My heart is aching for home.  This is the first time since we moved, almost three years ago, where I truly feel home sick. In these moments of homesickness, I start to question our decision to move away.  Even though it was and continues to be the best decision for Lance's job (and we do like it here), it is hard to be away.  

This past weekend, most of my siblings were together for the 4th of July weekend. They went to our hometown parade and picnic in the park, watched fireworks, and the cousins played.  The hardest times to be away from home are not Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. I can prep myself for those events but its the little times when they get together that make me long for home the most.

In August, my sisters and their families and one of my brothers will travel from the Midwest to Montana to meet us for a week of vacation.  I can hardly wait!  Our kids will spend the week playing in the creek, exploring the ranch, visiting Yellowstone National Park, and making memories that will last them a lifetime. I can't wait to see them all running, playing, and laughing together.   It will do my heart good to be with my family.    

Even though I will get to see some of my family soon, I know my heart will still long for home.  I won't be seeing my parents. I won't be sleeping in my old bedroom or seeing my kids playing with my old toys. I won't be watching my mom make home made cinnamon rolls with my daughter.  I won't be taking little strolls around my parents five acres of farm.  

Every time I return home, I fall more in love with the place I grew up.  I know I didn't appreciate it during the time I lived there but the older I get and the longer I am away from home I find that is a place I can go to for renewal and relaxation. Something that does wonders for my soul.  

For today, I am missing home. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully the longing for home won't be so strong.

Wordless Wednesday: First Taste of Corn on the Cob

What is it

with little boys, water, hoses or fountains, and a certain part of their body?

The boy: Hey mommy, it looks like I am p*****! (laughing as he is telling me in a LOUD voice for everyone at the park to hear)

Me: I guess it does son.  (oh brother!)

anyone else with boys have these moments??