How old am I?

Luke: I know why you yell so much.

Me: Because you don't listen?

L: I learned about it at school.

M: What did you learn at school?

L: It was hard times growing up in the Great Depression Era.

If I'm yelling too much...maybe I should get out my cane!

NOTE to self

NOTE TO SELF The next time you pack the kitchen....make sure Leah is asleep!
My little helper has drop on the floor:
* half a box of rice crispies
* an entire box of elbow macaroni
* 1/4 a container of "chocy milk" powder

Our new hot pink dustpan and brush that we bought at IKEA is getting broke in well! It's hot pink.....perfect guarantee that Ed and Luke won't steal it for the garage!

Good byes

When someone is in your life for a REASON. . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON. Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind
but friendship is clairvoyant. ------ author unknown.

Tonight was my last day at work. I knew this day was coming for 3 years. We have actually had a count down to call day and were so excited about returning home. Now we are conflicted. We have all laid down roots here....much deeper than we ever expected. I have been blessed to find a job that was PERFECT for me, PERFECT for my family and worked with some of best nurses and team members around. I will miss everyone..... and I have met and made friends (of each: for a reason, season and lifetime.) Thank you God for such BLESSINGS!

New Nephew

Another big event came in the birth of Ed's Brother's first baby on Tuesday. A boy....here to be known as Baby H. The family had been calling him Baby Yoda, (before he was born); but I have a disability to remember Star Wars trivia, and I just can't remember that name. I won't post his picture.....just know that he is adorable and his parents are thrilled. We are so happy to be moving only 3 hours from our former home!!!

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart....and lean not on your own understanding

VACATION TIME IS OVER!!!!! I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 2 DAYS BACK AT THE INSURANCE QUESTION! YUCK!!!! Our doctors back home are baffled with the online companies....taking the issues to administration as they list doctors on their plan that are no longer in the state going back 10 years!!!! I could hear in their voices......run away FAST from these companies....even though they were too professional to say so. So COBRA here we come. I will be driving 7 hours for hospitalization if it ever comes to that!!! A tad inconvenient..... :-) Actually KLOVE's verse for the day brings this frustration way down! And the cooperation of my current employers! This too will pass. I will gain employment within the next month and back to hospital employer coverage that is SOOOOOOOO simple! Hopefully, I will have more time tomorrow to upload pics of our vacation. But, off to work now to turn in lots of paperwork and work a evening shift caring for people who face their death while focusing on Eternity versus insurance. What a blessing my job is!

Early Birthday

What makes a girl smile like this?





American girl Dolls, with their own stories. It's quite popular.....hundreds of little girls and their Moms and Dads were finding "just the right one" in Chicago. Leah chose a girl that looks just like her with 'Barbie Hair'. And named it Marissa. She begs to get her out of the box to just brush her hair over and over. It's an early birthday present that we bought while visiting Uncle J and Aunt M. She did enjoy picking out her own doll....but what a nightmare the store was!! Uncle J thinks its like a "new cult" store devoted to life like dolls. I'm don't think it's that CRAZY!! But I do remember riding a "Thomas the Tank Engine craze" not that long ago.......... Now that was a real racket!!! Soon Leah and I will learn to sew pretty outfits.....because we are NOT going down that road!

Vacation highlights

Wow -- what a week!

Luke and I had a blast!! Luke loved riding an airplane. We were unable to sit together....but he made new friends....and shot me looks making it quite clear that he didn't need a Mom reassuring him in front of his new 20-something buddies!

We loved reconnecting with Ann and family.....just picking up from our last visit. Luke and Owen have been friends -- as Luke says "since we have been born!" Ann and I met when she was pregnant and we were waiting for Luke. Both boys have been named for Star Wars (even if I didn't realise it at the time!) The light sabers and wii received a lot of attention. Ann lives in a very beautiful state!!!! It was a joy to drive. We checked out a really neat amusement park and all the extra perks it had to offer! The kids loved the park and played non stop.....having to be separated at bedtime if anyone was going to get any sleep. Ann and I found a million things to talk about and I was able to attend a prayer meeting at her new church!

On Thursday, Luke and I drove to the Ocean!!!!! His reaction was the same as Leah's pure LOVE!! He said a million times "I'll never forget this". We splashed in the ice cold waves and then walked the boardwalks....and won a Pokemon. In the morning, we found a new beach and played in the sand. All was perfect until the flight home when my ear drum ruptured as the plane doors closed. The stewardesses insisted I not complete the trip home and at our mid stop....I received the same news from my Dr. God again provided this city as home to my brother in law and his lovely wife. We were going to visit them on Sunday anyway....so Ed and Leah drove down today and we will leave a day early. My ear is muffled and crackles....but a cotton ball is all that I need for comfort. I will see my Dr on Monday or Tuesday.....but should recover fine (If I stay out of the air for a while!)

Tomorrow, we will tour this fine city and will have lots more to share I'm sure! I also need to tell you about my experiences with my loaned child "Jill the GPS system" and Ed's visit to our new home and church. But off to bed now to recover from "jet lag" and prepare for more fun!

Leaving on a jet plane!

In just a few hours....Luke and are on our way to Ann ....and Owen (and the rest of the family). I am looking forward to sight seeing and new experiences, but mostly to catching up with good friends. Ann and family are a lot of fun and Ann teaches me so much!! She is so faithful in God's word. I am looking forward to going to her church as well.

The bags are packed....but no camera????? I'm afraid it's still in the van with Ed and Leah, from our trip to see Kate and family (again wishing I could link :-)). I had to unpack my old faithful camera to take on this trip -- because there will be pictures that I need to scrap! Ed attended the ordination of a really good friend, who started this journey with us. He was so excited to share all of the details. It's easy to imagine next year for Ed!!

I am completely in vacation mode!! Not much house packing has been done in the last 2days!!! I had my last scheduled work day on Friday. My amazing co workers gave me a wonderful party.....with meatless Italian food and a "good"-bye exercise similar to an empathy one I gave the team last year. I will be working as a floor nurse for 2 days when I return from vacation....so it really hasn't hit me yet. I did have to say goodbye to my boss, this is all becoming so sad. I hate Goodbyes. I thank God for such an amazing place to work and this made such a difference in our Seminary experience.

One of my best gifts was A DR PEPPER CAKE!!!!! Yes...it does exist and was wonderful, chocolate and moist. Dr Pepper was in the frosting as well! I know you need the recipe......

Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
1 cup butter or margarine (butter is better)
1 cup Dr. Pepper soft drink
2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch salt
4 tablespoons cocoa
2 beaten eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Dr. Pepper Frosting-
1/2 cup Dr. Pepper soda pop
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter. Add the Dr. Pepper soft drink and stir well. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and marshmallows. Pour the Dr. Pepper mixture over the rest of the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix them together well. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a greased 9x12inch pan for 30-35 minutes.

Dr. Pepper Frosting Instructions- Heat Dr. Pepper soda pop, cocoa, and butter or margarine, but don't bring to a hard boil. Stir in rest of ingredients and mix together well. Spread Dr. Pepper frosting on while cake is still hot.

It is delicious....although doesn't taste just like Dr. Pepper...it is unlike anything I have ever had. I WILL be making this. I thought about making one for Ann...but didn't want to carry it on board.....and Ann has already planned our Dr. Pepper!!

Saved by the coupon

I HATE to pay full price. HATE IT with a passion. The local rent a car company here....is the one I know best and wanted to use them on our trip to see Ann next week. But, all of the companies charge more when leaving an airport. Out of principle --- I wanted a coupon....problem is I didn't know where to get one. The yellow pages coupons are just for around this city and the Internet was no help. But --- I just could not pay full price plus!!! I made a commitment to order a car today.... coupon or not. Guess what comes in the mail today......50% off coupon!!!! WHEEE!!!! I get to drive around Ann's state 50% off. This just makes my day! I did not order the GPS option ..... praying this is a good decision, because my co-pilot is only 9 and will be in the back seat!! On second thought...maybe I can spend my savings on the GPS!!!

A great weekend ends!

I had very little computer time this weekend. Friday, we headed towards friends from the seminary. We had a awesome time with Kate and family. They are wonderful friends. Today; we cleaned the garage and fixed up my new scrapbooking table with new paint and hardware. New things learned...

1- At least one mouse was found in our tent.....I wanted no part of this discovery (one is all they mentioned; Luke told Ed not to tell me even about the first!).....it gives me the creeps to even think about it. The tent is ruined.....like I'd ever set foot in it again anyway. YUCK!!! All of our belongings in the garage were carefully removed from boxes and placed in new boxes....so no spiders or dreaded M will be transported to our new home. Our new garage is attached to our new home......so I will be able to park in there.....M free!!!

2- Miss Kate is the best Mommy according to Leah! I have heard this several times today.....because she lets a girl get a dog!

Now I have a massive headache....but SHHHHH, don't tell

OH MY!!!!

My goal today was to complete the hunt for short term insurance for our family as my insurance ceases on my last day of work. YUCK!!! We were approved some weeks ago for an online insurance company, that desperately wanted me to sign ---But, as an admission nurse.....I know all to well what a poor insurance plan gets you...not too far.

So, I start with some tried and true Iowa plans. After a couple of phone calls to Ed and a big leap of faith.....a 15 minute application....turns into over an hour!! I hate lying, so always try to always be forthcoming. But even as a nurse....is constipation a bowel disorder? Not in my book....as ALL of my patients suffer from this (and a child or 2 of mine). But, I figure whatever I have ever read on the doctors billing form.....every insurance company knows about it anyway. So my application has "mild" this and "mild" that all over it. I know people who would say I was crazy (maybe I am). But I guess I'd rather by denied and go with a e insurance plan then leave something out and be "caught" in an omission. I even put down my doctor's recommendation to "move away from this city by the big river" ASAP and my asthma and allergies should go away. LOL! Now I see what the average "John Doe" does to get insurance (if the hospital they work for doesn't make getting insurance so easy.) Now is the waiting game, but the homework part is hopefully over. WHEW!!!

GREAT NEWS

MOre good news!! It's official to the world now and you can hear it yourself! Check out Ms. Piggy's blog. And scrolling down to the former post. Aren't they just the cutest pregnant mommies? And they are the mommies of our next nephew and niece/or nephew. God is good! We are hoping to meet our newest nephew when we are back home for the Fourth of July. We are visiting Ms. Piggy and J at the end of the month and get to see everthing they have done to their beautiful home! Ms. Piggy is so talented with paint and stamping and decorating!

Updates

Quick updates
*House is quite a bit packed.....I hesitate to do too much more....The children still need some resemblance of a home. I still need to sort through the garage. I'm thinking my hints to Ed need to become even more direct. I just know there are awful critters in this detached garage. I can't even post the "M" word. There really isn't much to sort there either....I hope.

*Preparing to see Kate and family this weekend. YEAH! (I'd link to her blog...but she doesn't have one....YET!)

* Next week will be my last full week of work. My replacement is doing a great job...in fact they cancelled me today as the hospice house was full, and she could work with the other admission nurses in the main hospital. Don't feel too sorry for me! I had a great day....shopping for couch covers, getting my hair cut and even ate Mexican! Then I cleaned house and packed without little helpers!!

*I float around the job web sites....looking for a huge sign on bonus that only will require a year's commitment. Still looking!!!!!! HA HA! I called a member of our new congregation in hospice. She thought they could work around my allergy to cigarettes....but only hired full time hospice nurses.....that means 50 hours plus!! And per Diem nurses without benefits. It appears I will be getting a sabbatical from hospice!

*Tonight I had a good conversation with a friend in California.....while Leah "braided" my hair. I love having my hair played with, until I realized she cut a 2 inch lock of hair off. And I just had the beautician cut 2 inches off. I'm hoping it doesn't show to much after a shampoo and hair dry. Thank you God, for wavy hair.

*Lastly, I am just on a countdown.....13 days to see Ann and family!!!! I can't wait!!!!

Then when we return home.....a quick trip to see Ms Piggy and J and all of the changes they have. All of these wonderful trips to see friends and family will bring us so much happiness!!!

This month will just fly by...then 6 days back home with grandma and more family for the 4th of July and on to our new home and church. For now, I will be counting down the days limiting Wii use in the house! It's a lot of fun!!!