This is a busy time of year for us....birthdays, holidays....lots of good family times! Matthis is getting so big. He is definitely a boy. He is much different than Merrae. Lately he has been blowing kisses, and when he tries to give other kids hugs, he ends up tackling them. Merrae is still singing and dancing all over the house. We need to post some video of her. She loves to have dance parties. Even Matthis has been getting into it. He just turns around in circles. Both are still the best things in our lives.
We can't wait to get away and relax, and see more family. Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Cambodia: Raid was a success!
The raid went as planned. 13 out of 17 girls were rescued, and 2 out of 3 pimps were arrested. This is such a relief.
Before we left, we stopped by the IJM office to say one last goodbye. The office director told us that the investigators told him that our being apart of the operation helped them close the case quicker. He said it helped their credibility for us to be there because it looked like they were bringing in rich American clients. Enabling them to get to know the Mama-San better.
It is not over though. From here, the girls will be questioned and detained. It it typical for the pimps to tell the girls that when the police raid, they will arrest the girls and punish them, and threatened their families. Basically the pimps scare the girls into not confessing to anything. Also, most of the girls are the primary bread winners for their families, and they feel obligated to "work". Leaving them wanting to go to another brothel to "work". That is why it is so important for IJM to get in there and make the girls feel comfortable and secure. I should know something in the next few days if any of the girls we met were rescued.
Continue to pray for the girls. Pray that they will willingly go into an aftercare program.
Before we left, we stopped by the IJM office to say one last goodbye. The office director told us that the investigators told him that our being apart of the operation helped them close the case quicker. He said it helped their credibility for us to be there because it looked like they were bringing in rich American clients. Enabling them to get to know the Mama-San better.
It is not over though. From here, the girls will be questioned and detained. It it typical for the pimps to tell the girls that when the police raid, they will arrest the girls and punish them, and threatened their families. Basically the pimps scare the girls into not confessing to anything. Also, most of the girls are the primary bread winners for their families, and they feel obligated to "work". Leaving them wanting to go to another brothel to "work". That is why it is so important for IJM to get in there and make the girls feel comfortable and secure. I should know something in the next few days if any of the girls we met were rescued.
Continue to pray for the girls. Pray that they will willingly go into an aftercare program.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Cambodia: Brothel Raid
Good News!!!! A brothel will be raided sometime Sunday night. (Texas time) Please pray that they find Ahn, Special Apple and the other girls and get them to safety. Thanks.
We will be heading out in the morning for a loooonnnnggggg journey back. Can't wait to see wife and kids!
Thanks again!
We will be heading out in the morning for a loooonnnnggggg journey back. Can't wait to see wife and kids!
Thanks again!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Cambodia Trip Day 10
Today was our last day for meetings. We have much research and info to report back home with. A little overwhelming, but I guess it is good that there were 7 of us. Tomorrow we will go to Angkor Wat to see all the temple ruins. Should be fun. Alf is trying to talk me into renting some dirt bikes to ride out there. The last time we thought about doing something crazy was in Phnom Penh....and it was paying $200 to shoot a rocket launcher. Pretty sweet deal! To shoot an AK47 was only $20...should have at least done that one. Oh well. Maybe we can do some jumps from temple to temple. Maybe a superman seat grab over a few monks. We'll see. After the tour of the ruins, we will fly back to Phnom Penh for one last night there. Monday morning we will report back to the IJM office, say our goodbyes, then head back to the states. So, this might be my last blog entry. If so, thanks for reading and checking in. Keep in touch. I shot lots of cool stuff, and look forward to producing some strong videos that bring more awareness to the human trafficking world. Akun! (Thank you)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Cambodia Trip Day 8
Thursday | Ocotober 1
Today we spent the whole day in Svay Pak. Svay Pak is like a suburb of Phnom Penh. As said before, it is known for its prostitution. Things have changed drastically in this suburb. Since IJM raided the area in 2003, the area still has some brothels, and many pimps, but now they are not running the area. They are still dangerous, but the people are not as afraid anymore.
Rahab's House and The Lord's Gym was started by AGAPE Ministries. This ministry went into this area, bought 2 buildings, and are now changing the area, and its people. The Lord's Gym is just that. A place where men can come to lift weights. The goal is to slowly get to know some of the men, and pimps of the area through hanging out in the gym. It is small, and not a whole lot of machines to work on, but then again, this is a small community. While we were there, a few pimps were in there working out. The goal of AGAPE is to not only help the children, but also reach out to the men who are misguided.
Also, while we were there, Rahab's House was in full swing. One hour it was a classroom for about 12 kids, then it transformed into the communities health center. The room was full of sick people. All needing free assistance. Later in the day, it became a kids club. Where the youth ministers taught lessons, and sang songs. It was cool to see the kids' parents watching from the doorway.
In a conversation with the co-founder, she told me that 80% of the 30 kids there had been assaulted. Their ages were from 5 to late teens. She said at times, a mother will come in and take them out during a lesson to go perform a trick or two on a customer. And as she was telling me that, a mom came and did just that. She carried her daughter off. Now I do not know for sure if that was her purpose, but could have been. I pray not though.
During our time there, we went and visited 3 women that have HIV. These women got infected from their husbands. Their husbands got infected from prostitutes. Two of the husbands have died. Many of the prostitutes have died from HIV as well. It was sad to see these women barely getting by, and crying as they asked us to pray for them. Their house was in a small area where all the houses are over water. Their floor was made out of lumber. You could see through the cracks on the floor to the water. I cannot imagine living like they do.
I shot lots of interviews with people, and the Rahab's House founder to help them make some promotional videos.
So after a full day, we jumped on a plane and headed for Siem Reap. A 40 minute flight to another famous city for child trafficking. For the next two days we will meet local officials, and tour areas of the city that need support.
In case I have not been clear...our church is commited to helping an injustice in our world. We have nailed down Cambodia as our target. We know we want to partner with IJM (International Justice Mission). And we also want to find another opportunity to help and/or support.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Cambodia Trip Day 7
What a day! We went to the most famous area for sex trafficking in the world, Svay Pak. Thankfully, the area is on its decline. A few Christian ministries have moved in and are changing the way people do life there. I will post a video on Facebook about it soon. While I was there, I was told to be extremely careful with where I pointed my video camera. Many pimps were there watching us. In 2004, IJM raided the area, and rescued many girls. I met some of them today.
We went to an aftercare facility and had lunch, played games with them. One girl in particular was featured 2 weeks ago on an ABC Nightline episode. I got to eat lunch with her, and play volleyball with her.
It was very overwhelming when we first arrived. I saw many girls around 6 years old...little bitty things. There were a total of 54 girls there, and everyone of them had been sexually assaulted in some way, some of them brutally. We first had lunch, and then we sang songs, then played games. Eventually we had to go. I did not want to leave. It was so much fun. They are just normal girls who have not had a fair childhood, but now they are getting something that much more than they could have imagined. I am excited though, because tomorrow we will get to see some of them again. We are going back to Svay Pak to teach, and help do things out there. I think I will be hanging out with some girls interested in photography. Can't wait.
We went to an aftercare facility and had lunch, played games with them. One girl in particular was featured 2 weeks ago on an ABC Nightline episode. I got to eat lunch with her, and play volleyball with her.
It was very overwhelming when we first arrived. I saw many girls around 6 years old...little bitty things. There were a total of 54 girls there, and everyone of them had been sexually assaulted in some way, some of them brutally. We first had lunch, and then we sang songs, then played games. Eventually we had to go. I did not want to leave. It was so much fun. They are just normal girls who have not had a fair childhood, but now they are getting something that much more than they could have imagined. I am excited though, because tomorrow we will get to see some of them again. We are going back to Svay Pak to teach, and help do things out there. I think I will be hanging out with some girls interested in photography. Can't wait.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Cambodia Trip Day 6
Tuesday | Sept 29th
What a full day of info. We met so many different, important people that are so integral in the rescuing of the victims of sex trafficking. I cannot go into details, but we sat with some very high ranking officials who greeted us like old friends. It is cool to see that God is really connecting the right people, in the right place.
Tonight we are meeting a couple that has an aftercare home for girls. I look forward to meeting them and encouraging them. We have met a few others, and these are extremely special people that have left their lives behind to live here and pour into such horrific situations. What these girls have gone through is the worst thing you can imagine. And for others to start a ministry or program that takes them in, counsels them, educates them, even pays for them to have there babies, etc. is amazing. We heard one story where a girl was rescued, and she was pregnant. The aftercare hosts took her to the hospital to have the baby, and the doctors asked them to do most of the work. Even help give her an IV....incredible! They said at one time the doctor came into the room with the pregnant girl, and said "I cannot promise this baby will live." Can you imagine being a teenager, already been raped many times, now finding yourself in a hospital with strange people saying they want to care for you, and a doctor telling you that! They also told us that some of these girls fear going into the aftercare programs because their pimps told them that they will be beaten, and put in jail. So there takes a lot of trust.
Other than that....last night we got one hour foot massages...for $8 bucks! That was nice. But also, weird. It seemed like it was set up like a brothel type influence. But an IJM staffer told us it was a legit, respectable place. Will we go again tonight....probably!
Please pray for the many girls that will be raped, or sexually abused tonight. The time zone here is exactly 12 hours from the time zone in Texas. So while you are eating lunch everyday at 12pm, here it is 12am, and there are many, many girls being picked up, and driven to a dark, scary place to be assaulted.
What a full day of info. We met so many different, important people that are so integral in the rescuing of the victims of sex trafficking. I cannot go into details, but we sat with some very high ranking officials who greeted us like old friends. It is cool to see that God is really connecting the right people, in the right place.
Tonight we are meeting a couple that has an aftercare home for girls. I look forward to meeting them and encouraging them. We have met a few others, and these are extremely special people that have left their lives behind to live here and pour into such horrific situations. What these girls have gone through is the worst thing you can imagine. And for others to start a ministry or program that takes them in, counsels them, educates them, even pays for them to have there babies, etc. is amazing. We heard one story where a girl was rescued, and she was pregnant. The aftercare hosts took her to the hospital to have the baby, and the doctors asked them to do most of the work. Even help give her an IV....incredible! They said at one time the doctor came into the room with the pregnant girl, and said "I cannot promise this baby will live." Can you imagine being a teenager, already been raped many times, now finding yourself in a hospital with strange people saying they want to care for you, and a doctor telling you that! They also told us that some of these girls fear going into the aftercare programs because their pimps told them that they will be beaten, and put in jail. So there takes a lot of trust.
Other than that....last night we got one hour foot massages...for $8 bucks! That was nice. But also, weird. It seemed like it was set up like a brothel type influence. But an IJM staffer told us it was a legit, respectable place. Will we go again tonight....probably!
Please pray for the many girls that will be raped, or sexually abused tonight. The time zone here is exactly 12 hours from the time zone in Texas. So while you are eating lunch everyday at 12pm, here it is 12am, and there are many, many girls being picked up, and driven to a dark, scary place to be assaulted.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Cambodia Trip Day 5
Monday | September 28th
Woke up around 4:30am. Off to a great start! Today we spent time with the IJM staff. Most of them where Cambodian, one Aussie, and about five Americans. They debriefed us on their strategies in investigations, trials, aftercare, and training other local police officials in the investigating and capturing.
Around lunch time, we went to a nice little place to relax and get to know each other better. We wrapped around 7pm. Overall, this team really has it together. It is amazing to see their passion and commitment for rescuing their victims. Tomorrow I will be shooting an interview with the lead investigator. I sat with him tonight and talked. He has some amazing stories, and has really lived a "cool" life. I will also drive around town with an an intern named Jeff. I will get more b-roll footage. Mostly of exteriors of brothels, and the hostile areas. More fun!
Woke up around 4:30am. Off to a great start! Today we spent time with the IJM staff. Most of them where Cambodian, one Aussie, and about five Americans. They debriefed us on their strategies in investigations, trials, aftercare, and training other local police officials in the investigating and capturing.
Around lunch time, we went to a nice little place to relax and get to know each other better. We wrapped around 7pm. Overall, this team really has it together. It is amazing to see their passion and commitment for rescuing their victims. Tomorrow I will be shooting an interview with the lead investigator. I sat with him tonight and talked. He has some amazing stories, and has really lived a "cool" life. I will also drive around town with an an intern named Jeff. I will get more b-roll footage. Mostly of exteriors of brothels, and the hostile areas. More fun!
Cambodia Trip Day 4
Sunday Sept 27
Ahhh. Refreshed. No more head or ear problems. Just stuffy nose and jet lag. Today we went to church, it was good until a weird Australian pastor was in town visiting and decided to give us a Joel Osteen hour. I was sitting next to Alf Evans, and he was constantly showing me scripture where this guy was a little off. But, besides him, it was a good experience. It was cool to see such a young crowd there. Even after learning about where this country has come from in the last 30 years. The worship music was just like our contemporary music. They even played Michael Farren's song Let It Rain.
After church we met with 2 ladies from the states that have been living here for 10 years. They started a home for young girls who have been in prostitution, or just in bad situations. We heard some really sad and cool stories.
From there, we went to visit the Tuol Sleng museum. It was a school that was turned into a torture/holding prison/execution facility during the Khamar Rouge. Millions of people were killed. This only happened in the 70's. There was a monk sitting on some of the steps to one of the buildings where people were tortured. I wanted to know his thoughts on the museum, so I sat and talked to him. He said he is disgusted for his country. He was a nice, friendly guy. Very good English. He told me that his grandparents where killed during those years. Even the woman giving us the tour had some family killed during the period....her siblings and parents. She escaped. She has been working there for 10 years. When she started, her job was to scrub the old blood off the floors. She said she cried for a few years when giving the tour. Click HERE to see pics.
After that we went to the Killing Fields. This is where most of the prisoners eventually ended up. Slaughtered and buried. From babies to adults. It was very hard emotionally to walk through the museum because they had hundreds and hundreds of photos of the prisoners that were killed. Click HERE to see pics.
After that we went to meet a woman that works very closely in the city with the children. In talking to her, she gave us details about how some of the girls get into the prostitution world, and what their home lives are like. We met her near the river at a restaurant where most of the prostitution goes on. We sat outside near the busy street, so we constantly saw older white men walking around with younger Cambodian girls. Sometimes literally as she was describing a situation, you could see it unfolded right behind us. At one time she talked about how the children are raised to sell things on the streets, training them for the prostitution world. As she was telling us, a 6 year old came up asking us if we wanted to buy some books. She encouraged us not to buy anything from the children because it only feeds into the problem.
More to come tomorrow.
Ahhh. Refreshed. No more head or ear problems. Just stuffy nose and jet lag. Today we went to church, it was good until a weird Australian pastor was in town visiting and decided to give us a Joel Osteen hour. I was sitting next to Alf Evans, and he was constantly showing me scripture where this guy was a little off. But, besides him, it was a good experience. It was cool to see such a young crowd there. Even after learning about where this country has come from in the last 30 years. The worship music was just like our contemporary music. They even played Michael Farren's song Let It Rain.
After church we met with 2 ladies from the states that have been living here for 10 years. They started a home for young girls who have been in prostitution, or just in bad situations. We heard some really sad and cool stories.
From there, we went to visit the Tuol Sleng museum. It was a school that was turned into a torture/holding prison/execution facility during the Khamar Rouge. Millions of people were killed. This only happened in the 70's. There was a monk sitting on some of the steps to one of the buildings where people were tortured. I wanted to know his thoughts on the museum, so I sat and talked to him. He said he is disgusted for his country. He was a nice, friendly guy. Very good English. He told me that his grandparents where killed during those years. Even the woman giving us the tour had some family killed during the period....her siblings and parents. She escaped. She has been working there for 10 years. When she started, her job was to scrub the old blood off the floors. She said she cried for a few years when giving the tour. Click HERE to see pics.
After that we went to the Killing Fields. This is where most of the prisoners eventually ended up. Slaughtered and buried. From babies to adults. It was very hard emotionally to walk through the museum because they had hundreds and hundreds of photos of the prisoners that were killed. Click HERE to see pics.
After that we went to meet a woman that works very closely in the city with the children. In talking to her, she gave us details about how some of the girls get into the prostitution world, and what their home lives are like. We met her near the river at a restaurant where most of the prostitution goes on. We sat outside near the busy street, so we constantly saw older white men walking around with younger Cambodian girls. Sometimes literally as she was describing a situation, you could see it unfolded right behind us. At one time she talked about how the children are raised to sell things on the streets, training them for the prostitution world. As she was telling us, a 6 year old came up asking us if we wanted to buy some books. She encouraged us not to buy anything from the children because it only feeds into the problem.
More to come tomorrow.
Cambodia Trip Day 3, Continued
So we arrived in Phnom Penh. We went to all the tourist stops. Got a good vibe of the city and it's people. Really nice friendly people. Scouters are everywhere. Like most other countries, there are no "real" traffic laws. You pretty much just go wherever you want, not matter how you get there. I actually saw a family of five on a small scouter. There was a mom and dad, with a teenage child, and two smaller kids. I found myself getting really mad about see a couple of teenage kids cruising around carrying a 2 or 3 years baby. It is ridicules how dangerous it is. They say there are really bad accidents every now and then. None so far.
We had lunch at an American type cafe. Then did some shopping here and there. Most places that we went where Christian owned, and most of the people working in them were younger boys and girls who have been through hard times, or are living in poverty.
Tonight we met with the group that we are partnering with. We went to eat at a local restaurant. Needless to say, I did not eat. I watched as most ate squid, and spiders. Well not just any spiders, Tarantula's!!! No thanks.
About 8:00pm, I was done. I was so tired, I just wanted to go back to the room and crash. So here I am. Finally in bed, 9:00pm.
We had lunch at an American type cafe. Then did some shopping here and there. Most places that we went where Christian owned, and most of the people working in them were younger boys and girls who have been through hard times, or are living in poverty.
Tonight we met with the group that we are partnering with. We went to eat at a local restaurant. Needless to say, I did not eat. I watched as most ate squid, and spiders. Well not just any spiders, Tarantula's!!! No thanks.
About 8:00pm, I was done. I was so tired, I just wanted to go back to the room and crash. So here I am. Finally in bed, 9:00pm.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Cambodia Trip Day 3
Friday...or, eh...Saturday?
Leg Two: Los Angeles to Taipei, Taiwan (12 hours)
Bigger plane.
Whew! 12 hour flight was so-so. It smelt like a locker room. After a while we got used to it. I actually slept about 7 hours. Some of the others didn't get much rest at all. We were all delighted to see that the movie selection was good. A few of us watched Terminator, Wolverine, The Proposal, and some others. Here it is already Saturday. We only stayed in Friday for about 10 hours. We went into the future! Pretty cool, yet I look older. I'll try to send some pics soon. It has been easy traveling with others from the church. We are getting along great.
When we arrived to the airport, I was feeling good. But now after being here an hour or so, I am feeling weird. I guess it is jet lag.
Everywhere I look, I see parents holding their kids. I miss Merrae and Matthis terribly. Kiss them for me Meredith! Love ya'll.
Leg Two: Los Angeles to Taipei, Taiwan (12 hours)
Bigger plane.
Whew! 12 hour flight was so-so. It smelt like a locker room. After a while we got used to it. I actually slept about 7 hours. Some of the others didn't get much rest at all. We were all delighted to see that the movie selection was good. A few of us watched Terminator, Wolverine, The Proposal, and some others. Here it is already Saturday. We only stayed in Friday for about 10 hours. We went into the future! Pretty cool, yet I look older. I'll try to send some pics soon. It has been easy traveling with others from the church. We are getting along great.
When we arrived to the airport, I was feeling good. But now after being here an hour or so, I am feeling weird. I guess it is jet lag.
Everywhere I look, I see parents holding their kids. I miss Merrae and Matthis terribly. Kiss them for me Meredith! Love ya'll.
Cambodia Trip Day 2
Leg One: Dallas to Los Angeles (2:45 minutes)
That was a somewhat nice flight. Take off was easy on the ear, but landed was a bit painful. May try putting some visine in the ear trick next leg. I watched a movie (State of Play, with Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck). Good flick. Would recommend it. So I started talking to the guy next to me. He asked me what I was going to do in Cambodia....boy was that a conversation killer. He actually looked the other way. Awkward. Eventually he warmed up to me though.
Anyway, it is 11:00pm LA, or 1:00am Texas. We finally got checked in. LAX airport is a mess!
That was a somewhat nice flight. Take off was easy on the ear, but landed was a bit painful. May try putting some visine in the ear trick next leg. I watched a movie (State of Play, with Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck). Good flick. Would recommend it. So I started talking to the guy next to me. He asked me what I was going to do in Cambodia....boy was that a conversation killer. He actually looked the other way. Awkward. Eventually he warmed up to me though.
Anyway, it is 11:00pm LA, or 1:00am Texas. We finally got checked in. LAX airport is a mess!
Cambodia Trip Day 1
Thursday Sept 24th
Cambodia Trip | Day One
(This is Matt's journaling of his 10 day mission trip to Cambodia with some people from our church and the International Justice Mission group).
What a week! Didn't think I was gonna be going on the trip. For the last week I have been wrestling with a bad sinus infection. Doc said right ear is looking ugly, not in the best condition for flying...too much liquid in there. Got a steroid shot, and lots of meds.
This morning we woke up at 6am to Merrae telling us she vomited in her bed, not a second later Meredith dashed for the toilet too. The morning wrapped up with Merrae vomiting 4 times, Meredith a couple plus....and Matthis twice. Me, clear and free, until we took the kids to the doctor, where she told me mine is coming. Thanks for that Doc.
6:30pm- So here I am sitting in the airport. Leg 1 of 3. We fly from Dallas to LAX to Taiwan and finally to Cambodia. Roughly 20 hours in flight. I have lots of reading and watching to do. And if I really want some excitement, I got some Hydrocodone for the lower back pain.
Overall, I am feeling a bit better. I do however feel sorry for whomever sits near me. I have gotten lots of tricks to avoid the painful ear pain. But I feel worse about leaving Mer and the kids in their condition. She told me to go. That was what I was waiting for. She is a trooper, always has been. Especially to be married to me! Love ya, Merry Poopins.
Cambodia Trip | Day One
(This is Matt's journaling of his 10 day mission trip to Cambodia with some people from our church and the International Justice Mission group).
What a week! Didn't think I was gonna be going on the trip. For the last week I have been wrestling with a bad sinus infection. Doc said right ear is looking ugly, not in the best condition for flying...too much liquid in there. Got a steroid shot, and lots of meds.
This morning we woke up at 6am to Merrae telling us she vomited in her bed, not a second later Meredith dashed for the toilet too. The morning wrapped up with Merrae vomiting 4 times, Meredith a couple plus....and Matthis twice. Me, clear and free, until we took the kids to the doctor, where she told me mine is coming. Thanks for that Doc.
6:30pm- So here I am sitting in the airport. Leg 1 of 3. We fly from Dallas to LAX to Taiwan and finally to Cambodia. Roughly 20 hours in flight. I have lots of reading and watching to do. And if I really want some excitement, I got some Hydrocodone for the lower back pain.
Overall, I am feeling a bit better. I do however feel sorry for whomever sits near me. I have gotten lots of tricks to avoid the painful ear pain. But I feel worse about leaving Mer and the kids in their condition. She told me to go. That was what I was waiting for. She is a trooper, always has been. Especially to be married to me! Love ya, Merry Poopins.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Home Again Home Again
Ahhhhhh. Had a great time at mom's while Matt was away at camp but it sure is nice to be home.
Mixed feelings really. I enjoyed seeing family and miss them but we love our area and home.
Got to see both brothers, neice and nephew, sister-in-law Ashley, went to mom's cancer check-up and the doc said she looked great, watched chic flicks with mom like I had hoped to do, enjoyed playing with my babies, babies got sick and were clingy and needy (which was not fun), saw my aunt and cousin, got to go shopping and found a cute dress with birthday money, reconnected with an old friend over the phone, saw Matt's parents and the rest of his family, petted their cute new puppy, enjoyed being in the country at Matt's parents' place, got to bring back 4 little Crate Meyrtle's Matt's dad gave us, ate good BBQ at his dad's b-day celebration, and reunited with my sweet Matthew yesterday when he met us there after his camp and church responsibilities.
Mom's internet was down all week so I've missed out on hearing from you guys. Looking forward to catching up soon.
Mixed feelings really. I enjoyed seeing family and miss them but we love our area and home.
Got to see both brothers, neice and nephew, sister-in-law Ashley, went to mom's cancer check-up and the doc said she looked great, watched chic flicks with mom like I had hoped to do, enjoyed playing with my babies, babies got sick and were clingy and needy (which was not fun), saw my aunt and cousin, got to go shopping and found a cute dress with birthday money, reconnected with an old friend over the phone, saw Matt's parents and the rest of his family, petted their cute new puppy, enjoyed being in the country at Matt's parents' place, got to bring back 4 little Crate Meyrtle's Matt's dad gave us, ate good BBQ at his dad's b-day celebration, and reunited with my sweet Matthew yesterday when he met us there after his camp and church responsibilities.
Mom's internet was down all week so I've missed out on hearing from you guys. Looking forward to catching up soon.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Headed to Mom's
We had a great time in Colorado and returned about a week ago. It was beautiful and a chance to slow down and enjoy each other and life. If you are on Facebook, Matt posted a pic of us there and a couple videos. We are MattMeredith Coleman on there if you look us up. We had to "cabin hop" because when we checked into our original cabin it was terrible. Bugs, dust, all kinds of things a newly crawling baby should not get into, and a nasty floor. By the grace of God we were able to find places to stay but the longest available stay was 2 days at each place we found. It all worked out but that got old. The last place we stayed was a log cabin where you could see the outside from the inside (through the logs). I was not fond of this place needless to say. I worried about bugs as I slept. I am proud to be a city girl the majority of the year. : )
We saw beautiful scenery, went in an old mine, Matt and his parents went 4 wheeling with Merrae and had a picnic up the mountain, we went on a trail to the "American Basin" and had a picnic there, walked along a river and threw rocks, went shopping in a little town, took a dip in some hot springs (stinky....and it just so happened to be HOT that day...ugh), I got a migraine on the 4th...bummer, Matthis ended up with a little altitude sickness, Merrae and Matt went "fishing", Merrae enjoyed digging around the lake with a stick while she sang her heart out...so cute, we ate out a lot, Matt's parents had us out to there motor home out on a camp ground in the middle of the forest in the mountains, and the trip on the airplane there as well as the trip in the motor home on the way back went well for the most part. Matt's jeep had a few issues. On the way there he had to have his tires replaced and on the way home it broke down but was a minor fix. Thankfully, it waited to completely break down until we were in town. We are now having to have the motor replaced. : ( But, atleast it's paid for!
Matt is headed to video a youth camp and me and the kids are headed to mom's for a little help and company. Maybe I'll get to see my brothers too. Dad came in with Sylvia, his new wife and we had a nice time. Mom enjoyed her cruise to Alaska with my Mammaw and has been here for a week. We've gotten some good date nights including a Coldplay concert my brother got us tickets for. So fun. Matt has some clips of that on Facebook too. My sister Rebecca may be coming in town from Seattle in August. A different section of our backyard fence blew down in another storm.
How's that for an update. : ) It'll have to do! We are off to church!
We saw beautiful scenery, went in an old mine, Matt and his parents went 4 wheeling with Merrae and had a picnic up the mountain, we went on a trail to the "American Basin" and had a picnic there, walked along a river and threw rocks, went shopping in a little town, took a dip in some hot springs (stinky....and it just so happened to be HOT that day...ugh), I got a migraine on the 4th...bummer, Matthis ended up with a little altitude sickness, Merrae and Matt went "fishing", Merrae enjoyed digging around the lake with a stick while she sang her heart out...so cute, we ate out a lot, Matt's parents had us out to there motor home out on a camp ground in the middle of the forest in the mountains, and the trip on the airplane there as well as the trip in the motor home on the way back went well for the most part. Matt's jeep had a few issues. On the way there he had to have his tires replaced and on the way home it broke down but was a minor fix. Thankfully, it waited to completely break down until we were in town. We are now having to have the motor replaced. : ( But, atleast it's paid for!
Matt is headed to video a youth camp and me and the kids are headed to mom's for a little help and company. Maybe I'll get to see my brothers too. Dad came in with Sylvia, his new wife and we had a nice time. Mom enjoyed her cruise to Alaska with my Mammaw and has been here for a week. We've gotten some good date nights including a Coldplay concert my brother got us tickets for. So fun. Matt has some clips of that on Facebook too. My sister Rebecca may be coming in town from Seattle in August. A different section of our backyard fence blew down in another storm.
How's that for an update. : ) It'll have to do! We are off to church!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Adios Amigos
We are headed to Colorado on vacation! Can't believe it. We planned this so last minute and didn't think we'd get a cabin.
We found out Matt's parents were headed there for a week and started checking into things. We found a two bedroom cabin for us and the kids right next to a playground and ice-cream shop in the little town we visit most summers. We haven't been in several years due to pregnancy and little babies so Matt was really craving it. He's gone every summer ever since he was Matthis' age....9 mo.
It's a 15 hour drive so I talked Matt into letting me fly with the kids while he drives to meet us. He'll leave a day ahead of time and meet us. Then, we'll only have a 6 hour drive that we'll split into 2 days. We will spend the 4th in a little town in CO. before arriving.
I feel relaxed already knowing we are going. Matt leaves Friday and we leave Sat. We are so looking forward to the beautiful scenery as we drive through and stay in the mountains. Ahhhhhhhh......
Matt's parents are bringing their motor home and we'll drive home in that with the kids, taking turns driving the jeep. Hopefully it will go ok. It should....
Right now we are trying to get the jeep A/C fixed. We thought it was fixed but it started acting up again! Pray it gets fixed so we don't get caught somewhere with the babies and no A/C!
Wish you all were going with us! That'd be fun! Meet us there if you are last minute spontaneous people like us! : )
We found out Matt's parents were headed there for a week and started checking into things. We found a two bedroom cabin for us and the kids right next to a playground and ice-cream shop in the little town we visit most summers. We haven't been in several years due to pregnancy and little babies so Matt was really craving it. He's gone every summer ever since he was Matthis' age....9 mo.
It's a 15 hour drive so I talked Matt into letting me fly with the kids while he drives to meet us. He'll leave a day ahead of time and meet us. Then, we'll only have a 6 hour drive that we'll split into 2 days. We will spend the 4th in a little town in CO. before arriving.
I feel relaxed already knowing we are going. Matt leaves Friday and we leave Sat. We are so looking forward to the beautiful scenery as we drive through and stay in the mountains. Ahhhhhhhh......
Matt's parents are bringing their motor home and we'll drive home in that with the kids, taking turns driving the jeep. Hopefully it will go ok. It should....
Right now we are trying to get the jeep A/C fixed. We thought it was fixed but it started acting up again! Pray it gets fixed so we don't get caught somewhere with the babies and no A/C!
Wish you all were going with us! That'd be fun! Meet us there if you are last minute spontaneous people like us! : )
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Our Lehya
Our dog Lehya, as you know, is not doing well. She hasn't been for a while now. She's almost 12 years old which is really old for a Great Dane. She can barely walk and falls down when trying to many times. She cannot walk on her right leg for some reason which makes things very difficult. She whimpers from being in pain. She cannot hold her poo and has accidents in our house. Thankfully she can hold her pee otherwise being the size she is, we would have to clean up fluid the size of a pond. She did it once and it happened on the tile. I was so relieved it wasn't on the carpet! She has blood in her urine.
Anyway, we have decided it is best to "put her down" tomorrow morning.
We are so sad. Even as I type this though, she is quietly whimpering.
She has been the best dog for our family. She's so gentle and sweet. Matt got her from his mom shortly after we started "courting"....so she's been my dog all along too in a way.
Never thought I'd ever get attached to a dog in any way. But, I am a little attached.
Boo Hoo
Anyway, we have decided it is best to "put her down" tomorrow morning.
We are so sad. Even as I type this though, she is quietly whimpering.
She has been the best dog for our family. She's so gentle and sweet. Matt got her from his mom shortly after we started "courting"....so she's been my dog all along too in a way.
Never thought I'd ever get attached to a dog in any way. But, I am a little attached.
Boo Hoo
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
My Matthis
My Matthis has Pneumonia. : (
We found out by the grace of God. I was bringing him in for his 9 mo. check-up yesterday and he was perfectly fine. As soon as we got there he vomitted, got pale, and very lethargic. The appt. quickly turned into a "sick" appt., blood was drawn, and his white blood cell count was 21K. They put a catheter in to get some urine, ordered an antibiotic shot, as well as chest and abdomen x-rays. We didn't get home until 10 that night.
We found out later that night that the x-rays showed pneumonia in his lower right lung. They think it is bacterial pneumonia which is easier to get over and he's not contageous.
He's much better today. Blood count down to 12. But he's developed a little cough and has had trouble getting to sleep. He'll be on antibiotics for 10 days followed by another chest x-ray in a month.
Pray for him and us. Thanks.
The good thing is, he's his chipper sweet self.
We found out by the grace of God. I was bringing him in for his 9 mo. check-up yesterday and he was perfectly fine. As soon as we got there he vomitted, got pale, and very lethargic. The appt. quickly turned into a "sick" appt., blood was drawn, and his white blood cell count was 21K. They put a catheter in to get some urine, ordered an antibiotic shot, as well as chest and abdomen x-rays. We didn't get home until 10 that night.
We found out later that night that the x-rays showed pneumonia in his lower right lung. They think it is bacterial pneumonia which is easier to get over and he's not contageous.
He's much better today. Blood count down to 12. But he's developed a little cough and has had trouble getting to sleep. He'll be on antibiotics for 10 days followed by another chest x-ray in a month.
Pray for him and us. Thanks.
The good thing is, he's his chipper sweet self.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's all becoming clear
It's all becoming clear why the previous owners of this house sold it.
We have some neighbors that have a back porch on the same side of the house where all our bedrooms are....Master, Matthis', and Merrae's.
It is 2:45 in the morning and this single mother and her 7 or 8 year old son just went in for the night. They were out swimming. The boy was laughing really loud because his mother was having a hard time controlling him and the dog who was barking.
I guess she must work an odd schedule because their bedroom windows have those panels that block out the sun. I'm thinking they sleep during the day? Not sure.
When I heard them tonight for the second night this week I peeked out the window above our bathtub and knocked over our little metal bathtub bookstand that stretches across the tub. It was sooooo loud and I know they heard it because our houses are so close together. From that point on I could hear the mother shushing her son and pointing towards our house.
I feel bad for her.
I fell bad for us.
I'm calling the previous owner who I've become friends with to get more of the scoop. Or, maybe I'll talk to my other neighbor who told me originally that one of the reasons they moved was because of this particular neighbor.
Between our ailing dog who keeps us up at night here or there, our 9 mo. old son (Friday, can you believe it?) getting up ocassionally, and this neighbor....it's a bit rough on the sleep to say the least. I even tried to get to bed early tonight but her dog kept me up starting at 10.
Say a prayer for this lady....and for us.
We have some neighbors that have a back porch on the same side of the house where all our bedrooms are....Master, Matthis', and Merrae's.
It is 2:45 in the morning and this single mother and her 7 or 8 year old son just went in for the night. They were out swimming. The boy was laughing really loud because his mother was having a hard time controlling him and the dog who was barking.
I guess she must work an odd schedule because their bedroom windows have those panels that block out the sun. I'm thinking they sleep during the day? Not sure.
When I heard them tonight for the second night this week I peeked out the window above our bathtub and knocked over our little metal bathtub bookstand that stretches across the tub. It was sooooo loud and I know they heard it because our houses are so close together. From that point on I could hear the mother shushing her son and pointing towards our house.
I feel bad for her.
I fell bad for us.
I'm calling the previous owner who I've become friends with to get more of the scoop. Or, maybe I'll talk to my other neighbor who told me originally that one of the reasons they moved was because of this particular neighbor.
Between our ailing dog who keeps us up at night here or there, our 9 mo. old son (Friday, can you believe it?) getting up ocassionally, and this neighbor....it's a bit rough on the sleep to say the least. I even tried to get to bed early tonight but her dog kept me up starting at 10.
Say a prayer for this lady....and for us.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Richard Ross
Our pastor is on a sabbatical and we had a great speaker Sunday. I'm not one to send emails or blogs with broadcasts or whatever but this guy had a great impact on me reminding me and teaching me who Jesus is. If you need encouragement or rather....humbleness, "take a listen". : ) You may have to cut and paste because I couldn't get it to work where you could click on it. I'm not computer illiterate but don't want to take the time! : )
www.121cc.com/sermon/what-matters-most-to-god-his-son
www.121cc.com/sermon/what-matters-most-to-god-his-son
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"Super Mom"
Well, the "Super Mom" that I said lives behind us is actually a NANNY. I feel so much better. Ha! I saw her out with the kids looking at the fence that had fallen down and went out there to discuss what needed to be done. She told me she was just the Nanny. I do have to hand it to her though....being a Nanny is sometimes like a babysitter and when I was a babysitter I don't think I had near the amount of energy she does!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Fence Blew Down
Tonight a storm came through our area. Part of our fence blew down in the backyard. Thankfully it wasn't the posts....just the other part (whatever you call it). But, it was weird to come home too. Tomorrow we will get to meet our neighbors behind us. AKA "Super Mom". I call her backyard the Summer Wonderland. She always has her kids out there playing in the water. She can be seen pushing her kids in the swing constantly. They recently got a trampoline and I saw her jumping around with her kids. Makes me feel lazy. : ) But yet she motivates me. Should be interesting tomorrow meeting them and fixing the fence. Too bad they have to look at our yard. It needs to be mowed and needs TLC. Our porch is a mess. But hey, atleast it will make them feel better if they have any mess at all.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Rescued
Today God rescued me. Let me vent to help explain. Might want to get in a comfortable chair for this explanation.
Matt is one of the busiest people I know right now. Understandably. He seems to play "catch-up" constantly lately. I guess it all started when we were planning our wedding almost 5 years ago. : ) That will get you behind on other things in life for sure. We even had a "simple" wedding.
God has blessed us by allowing him to be on staff Full time at our church doing video elements. He doesn't do just the simple videoing of the service. He makes short films to go along with the sermons, worship time, and to make announcements to the congregation. Our pastor recently left for a 13 week sabbatical. (He hasn't had one in over 10 years since starting our church). So, Matt is now doing a "sit-com" similar to "The Office" where he is helping the congregation get to know the rest of the staff/ ministers through a comedy. It will be our church's 10 year reunion this fall and he is doing a documentary type thing to help celebrate that. If you've ever scrap booked you can only imagine trying to document 10 years...on video. Whew. Our church is a very artsy church and so Matt gets to do a lot of fun projects that he really enjoys. For example, he got to do a DVD project with our worship band where the band wrote all the songs. He rented tons of new, fancy equipment he had never used before (HD I believe) and led a team of people in shooting and afterwards he edited the deal. He also made a ton of background videos for the stage. It was amazing. On the DVD he had interviews he had shot as well as hidden buttons of he and a friend being dorks. So funny. This all happened to be the week after Matthis was born. We've been running ever since it seems.
I guess a lot of it could also be that he has his own videography business. God has blessed that business (answer to our prayers) and so he stays very busy with that on the side. He's been doing stuff for businesses, ministers, bands, weddings, individuals, etc.
Then there is his film company, "Filmosaic". He meets with them weekly and they have projects going making short films. It's an outlet for his hobby but he hopes to make bigger and bigger films as time goes by. So thankful he has a group of people like that he can collaborate with and do the thing he enjoys.
Throw into the mix having the responsibility of a baby or two.
Shortly after shooting that church DVD project I was telling you about AND Matthis' birth, we started looking for a house because we were bursting at the seams. That is no small task doing that as well as Matt getting work in, meeting deadlines.
Then, we moved and have been unpacking and setting up. All while dealing with a baby and toddler and continuing all Matt has on his plate.
The thing is, with what Matt does, there is no set schedule most of the time. Thankfully, he edits from home, but he also has to shoot the video footage at crazy times.....evenings, weekends. On top of that, he has his Bible study group "LIfegroup" one night a week (which I'm so grateful for) and his "Filmosaic meeting" one night a week. Oh yeah, and he writes films on the side and enters them into various film competitions.
WHEW. See what I mean?
No wonder we are both stressed, tired, and battling anxiety.
That's a lot.
Today was one of those days I just wanted to find a place in a big field where no one was around and scream at the top of my lungs just to have release. Release because I can't seem to get anything done when it's just me and the kids (most days...there are exceptions though), because I need my husband to be able to slow down but he hasn't been able to, because I'm tired of watching the kids by myself, because I want time to myself to do whatever I want, because my house is in shambles from the move and it's overwhelming, because there seems to be a plague of flies outside whenever I step out on the back porch and they try and get in any chance they can (which means I am constantly chasing them around our house to kill them), because we sold our couch we didn't like and can't seem to find the right one to replace it (we are sitting on one chair in the middle of our living room and it's not enough), because our dog Lehya is not doing well and has accidents on the floor and when she is let outside she scratches on our pretty new french door : ( , because Merrae was being a toddler and asking me 50 million questions today, wanting to play with me nonstop, cranky because she never did fall asleep during her nap, and Matthis is going through that age where he has separation anxiety. If I put him down for a second to try and do anything around the house he gets so upset. I can't carry him around because my body is so tired from holding him.
So, before Matt left for a shoot for "Filmosaic" from 3:30-? today (not home yet), I was venting to Matt about it all and asked him to pray for me because I didn't want to be impatient with the kids and miserable the rest of the day. He prayed and....
GOD RESCUED ME.
The kids and I had a very pleasant afternoon/ evening. I think the release came when Merrae started scribbling on her coloring book and she said, "Do you want to scribble mommy?" I said "Yes, I would really like to scribble" and both of us went after it! Ahhhhhhhhhh. It was so nice to scribble. BIG scribbles. FAST scribbles. Lots of colors.....2 crayons at a time kind of scribbles. God helped both the kids and I to be more content and we had a great, easy time.
THANK YOU GOD.
We are working on finding a way to balance out all Matt has going on....and all we have going on as a family. That will help. And, Matt is going to take some time off of "Filmosaic" for a short while. That will help too. To Matt's defense, he helps all the time here or there when he's able in many different ways and I'm thankful for such a hard working man who provides for our family. I started a schedule with the kids and it is going very well. That has helped. It is in the very beginning stages but at least it's a start. Matt is also very good to offer me time away to do what I want to do but I'm not organized enough to even know what I want to do anymore and sometimes it's 8 pm when we slow down enough for me to have that opportunity lately! : )
The time will come when things are figured out more and balanced better. In the meantime, I'm "surviving" as I tell Matt. : ) And....trying to make things better.
I know God will continue to rescue me as I depend on him. I'm so thankful he rescued me today. I know He is always there even when we are having to learn through the tough days, but it's so nice when He knows we need to be carried.
Thanks for "listening" to me vent. (If you are still reading my pity party post) : )
Matt is one of the busiest people I know right now. Understandably. He seems to play "catch-up" constantly lately. I guess it all started when we were planning our wedding almost 5 years ago. : ) That will get you behind on other things in life for sure. We even had a "simple" wedding.
God has blessed us by allowing him to be on staff Full time at our church doing video elements. He doesn't do just the simple videoing of the service. He makes short films to go along with the sermons, worship time, and to make announcements to the congregation. Our pastor recently left for a 13 week sabbatical. (He hasn't had one in over 10 years since starting our church). So, Matt is now doing a "sit-com" similar to "The Office" where he is helping the congregation get to know the rest of the staff/ ministers through a comedy. It will be our church's 10 year reunion this fall and he is doing a documentary type thing to help celebrate that. If you've ever scrap booked you can only imagine trying to document 10 years...on video. Whew. Our church is a very artsy church and so Matt gets to do a lot of fun projects that he really enjoys. For example, he got to do a DVD project with our worship band where the band wrote all the songs. He rented tons of new, fancy equipment he had never used before (HD I believe) and led a team of people in shooting and afterwards he edited the deal. He also made a ton of background videos for the stage. It was amazing. On the DVD he had interviews he had shot as well as hidden buttons of he and a friend being dorks. So funny. This all happened to be the week after Matthis was born. We've been running ever since it seems.
I guess a lot of it could also be that he has his own videography business. God has blessed that business (answer to our prayers) and so he stays very busy with that on the side. He's been doing stuff for businesses, ministers, bands, weddings, individuals, etc.
Then there is his film company, "Filmosaic". He meets with them weekly and they have projects going making short films. It's an outlet for his hobby but he hopes to make bigger and bigger films as time goes by. So thankful he has a group of people like that he can collaborate with and do the thing he enjoys.
Throw into the mix having the responsibility of a baby or two.
Shortly after shooting that church DVD project I was telling you about AND Matthis' birth, we started looking for a house because we were bursting at the seams. That is no small task doing that as well as Matt getting work in, meeting deadlines.
Then, we moved and have been unpacking and setting up. All while dealing with a baby and toddler and continuing all Matt has on his plate.
The thing is, with what Matt does, there is no set schedule most of the time. Thankfully, he edits from home, but he also has to shoot the video footage at crazy times.....evenings, weekends. On top of that, he has his Bible study group "LIfegroup" one night a week (which I'm so grateful for) and his "Filmosaic meeting" one night a week. Oh yeah, and he writes films on the side and enters them into various film competitions.
WHEW. See what I mean?
No wonder we are both stressed, tired, and battling anxiety.
That's a lot.
Today was one of those days I just wanted to find a place in a big field where no one was around and scream at the top of my lungs just to have release. Release because I can't seem to get anything done when it's just me and the kids (most days...there are exceptions though), because I need my husband to be able to slow down but he hasn't been able to, because I'm tired of watching the kids by myself, because I want time to myself to do whatever I want, because my house is in shambles from the move and it's overwhelming, because there seems to be a plague of flies outside whenever I step out on the back porch and they try and get in any chance they can (which means I am constantly chasing them around our house to kill them), because we sold our couch we didn't like and can't seem to find the right one to replace it (we are sitting on one chair in the middle of our living room and it's not enough), because our dog Lehya is not doing well and has accidents on the floor and when she is let outside she scratches on our pretty new french door : ( , because Merrae was being a toddler and asking me 50 million questions today, wanting to play with me nonstop, cranky because she never did fall asleep during her nap, and Matthis is going through that age where he has separation anxiety. If I put him down for a second to try and do anything around the house he gets so upset. I can't carry him around because my body is so tired from holding him.
So, before Matt left for a shoot for "Filmosaic" from 3:30-? today (not home yet), I was venting to Matt about it all and asked him to pray for me because I didn't want to be impatient with the kids and miserable the rest of the day. He prayed and....
GOD RESCUED ME.
The kids and I had a very pleasant afternoon/ evening. I think the release came when Merrae started scribbling on her coloring book and she said, "Do you want to scribble mommy?" I said "Yes, I would really like to scribble" and both of us went after it! Ahhhhhhhhhh. It was so nice to scribble. BIG scribbles. FAST scribbles. Lots of colors.....2 crayons at a time kind of scribbles. God helped both the kids and I to be more content and we had a great, easy time.
THANK YOU GOD.
We are working on finding a way to balance out all Matt has going on....and all we have going on as a family. That will help. And, Matt is going to take some time off of "Filmosaic" for a short while. That will help too. To Matt's defense, he helps all the time here or there when he's able in many different ways and I'm thankful for such a hard working man who provides for our family. I started a schedule with the kids and it is going very well. That has helped. It is in the very beginning stages but at least it's a start. Matt is also very good to offer me time away to do what I want to do but I'm not organized enough to even know what I want to do anymore and sometimes it's 8 pm when we slow down enough for me to have that opportunity lately! : )
The time will come when things are figured out more and balanced better. In the meantime, I'm "surviving" as I tell Matt. : ) And....trying to make things better.
I know God will continue to rescue me as I depend on him. I'm so thankful he rescued me today. I know He is always there even when we are having to learn through the tough days, but it's so nice when He knows we need to be carried.
Thanks for "listening" to me vent. (If you are still reading my pity party post) : )
Saturday, May 30, 2009
1st House Guests
We had our first house guests tonight (other than our previous fruit fly intruders). : )
Poor things....Our friends that is.
Our house is still a wreck from moving. But, I purposely invited them over because I figure it would take forever for us to get things in order before ever having anyone over. So I swallowed my pride. Truth be told...they wanted to get together and I figured it'd be nice to not have to go anywhere, even if they saw our mess.
It pushed us to get a few things done. We bought some patio wicker chairs on Craig's List a few weeks ago and this afternoon we recovered the cushions. Looks pretty cute. Sorry....no pics. Surprise Surprise. I am sad I can't post more pics right now but I'll get that all figured out soon enough. : )
We sold our couch and chair about a month ago so it was a little awkward trying to visit. We sold them because they seemed too bulky. We've been shopping around but haven't quite made up our minds.
Dust was everywhere...
Dishes weren't done...
Dog's paw marks were everywhere (along with her stinkage)
Couldn't walk in the play room...or Matthis' room...
Grass wasn't mowed...
Floor wasn't vacuumed...
I guess I'm still getting over all of that. : )
Buttttt.............
We had good hamburgers on the grill.
Fruit and yogurt parfaits.
We cleaned off our kitchen counter. Major accomplishment.
Watched Merrae and Matthis have fun with another little girl and each other.
Hung a new toilet paper dispenser.
Gave our daughter a bath and put clean pajamas on her.
Told her how much we loved her.
Listened to her sing Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children.
Taught her the song about Zacheus.
Matthis got his diapers changed and he was fed.
We listened to him babble for the 3rd day (Ja Ja Ja Ja Ba Ba Da Da Da Mua Mua)
I got a shower.
We recovered those chairs, like I said.
We made our friend's night (in their words).
We sat outside and enjoyed the evening and our new friends.
I was able to help a friend today, Matt and the kids got naps.
You can't win 'em all but we hit a few home runs today. : )
Poor things....Our friends that is.
Our house is still a wreck from moving. But, I purposely invited them over because I figure it would take forever for us to get things in order before ever having anyone over. So I swallowed my pride. Truth be told...they wanted to get together and I figured it'd be nice to not have to go anywhere, even if they saw our mess.
It pushed us to get a few things done. We bought some patio wicker chairs on Craig's List a few weeks ago and this afternoon we recovered the cushions. Looks pretty cute. Sorry....no pics. Surprise Surprise. I am sad I can't post more pics right now but I'll get that all figured out soon enough. : )
We sold our couch and chair about a month ago so it was a little awkward trying to visit. We sold them because they seemed too bulky. We've been shopping around but haven't quite made up our minds.
Dust was everywhere...
Dishes weren't done...
Dog's paw marks were everywhere (along with her stinkage)
Couldn't walk in the play room...or Matthis' room...
Grass wasn't mowed...
Floor wasn't vacuumed...
I guess I'm still getting over all of that. : )
Buttttt.............
We had good hamburgers on the grill.
Fruit and yogurt parfaits.
We cleaned off our kitchen counter. Major accomplishment.
Watched Merrae and Matthis have fun with another little girl and each other.
Hung a new toilet paper dispenser.
Gave our daughter a bath and put clean pajamas on her.
Told her how much we loved her.
Listened to her sing Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children.
Taught her the song about Zacheus.
Matthis got his diapers changed and he was fed.
We listened to him babble for the 3rd day (Ja Ja Ja Ja Ba Ba Da Da Da Mua Mua)
I got a shower.
We recovered those chairs, like I said.
We made our friend's night (in their words).
We sat outside and enjoyed the evening and our new friends.
I was able to help a friend today, Matt and the kids got naps.
You can't win 'em all but we hit a few home runs today. : )
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Schedule Help
Well, I think I am winning the fruit fly war. Hallelujah!
Now on to our next battle....Getting Organized.
I want to come up with a schedule for Merrae (not so much for Matthis) and a schedule for us as a family.
Any ideas that have worked for you for either of those?
I know for Merrae I want to include:
meals
snack times
exercise
playtime
t.v. time
crafts
serving others
helping me
time with me
reading
Does it seem too strict to have a schedule for these things? She's only 2 1/2 but I'm thinking this will give interest to her day (and mine). I'm a spontaneous person but I also like a schedule.
For us as a family...or me during the day/week....I need to include:
Cleaning
exercise
laundry
Grocery shopping
Time with God
Family time
Couples time
House maintenance
Checkbook/Financial planning
Cooking
Repairs to whatever (sewing, gluing, fixing things)
I have an idea of what I may do. Just do a few things each day. But, if you have any ideas that work let me know.
Now on to our next battle....Getting Organized.
I want to come up with a schedule for Merrae (not so much for Matthis) and a schedule for us as a family.
Any ideas that have worked for you for either of those?
I know for Merrae I want to include:
meals
snack times
exercise
playtime
t.v. time
crafts
serving others
helping me
time with me
reading
Does it seem too strict to have a schedule for these things? She's only 2 1/2 but I'm thinking this will give interest to her day (and mine). I'm a spontaneous person but I also like a schedule.
For us as a family...or me during the day/week....I need to include:
Cleaning
exercise
laundry
Grocery shopping
Time with God
Family time
Couples time
House maintenance
Checkbook/Financial planning
Cooking
Repairs to whatever (sewing, gluing, fixing things)
I have an idea of what I may do. Just do a few things each day. But, if you have any ideas that work let me know.
Monday, May 25, 2009
War
You know that Amish Bread/ Friendship Bread dough my new neighbor brought over? Well, it has started a war in our house.
Fruit Flies.
They were attracted to the baggie where I was storing the dough I was letting ferment or whatever you call it. I started storing the baggie in the microwave and that seemed to solve the problem.
But...today we removed the baggie so we could microwave something else and the fruit fries went crazy. I guess the over ripe bananas sitting out didn't help. But they weren't that ripe!
Ugh. Those bugs give me the heebie jeebies.
It was so funny watching Matt try and catch them with our vacume hose. Sooo funny. He would kind of lunge at them.
I think we caught them all. Not very confident about that though.
I googled how to get rid of them and I may never be rid of them because they were basically saying you had to do all your laundry, dishes, clean all surfaces, etc. etc. Is that possible to have all those things clean at the same time when you have two babies?
Yeah, NO!
So, I guess this will be an ongoing war.
So sad.
Maybe I'll win since this has definitely gotten me in gear to even have a desire to clean. That desire doesn't come often during these tiresome toddler/ baby days.
Fruit Flies.
They were attracted to the baggie where I was storing the dough I was letting ferment or whatever you call it. I started storing the baggie in the microwave and that seemed to solve the problem.
But...today we removed the baggie so we could microwave something else and the fruit fries went crazy. I guess the over ripe bananas sitting out didn't help. But they weren't that ripe!
Ugh. Those bugs give me the heebie jeebies.
It was so funny watching Matt try and catch them with our vacume hose. Sooo funny. He would kind of lunge at them.
I think we caught them all. Not very confident about that though.
I googled how to get rid of them and I may never be rid of them because they were basically saying you had to do all your laundry, dishes, clean all surfaces, etc. etc. Is that possible to have all those things clean at the same time when you have two babies?
Yeah, NO!
So, I guess this will be an ongoing war.
So sad.
Maybe I'll win since this has definitely gotten me in gear to even have a desire to clean. That desire doesn't come often during these tiresome toddler/ baby days.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Amish Bread a Success.....and I love my porches
Well, the Amish bread I blogged about last time turned out alright. Not as good as my new neighbor's but good enough. Merrae likes it so that's all that matters. : )
On another note....I love our front and back porch. We put up our porch swing on the front and the kids love to swing with us. The back porch is so nice and shady in the late afternoon/ evenings. We've been eating dinner out there and it's very relaxing. Matt's mom left a fold-out picnic table we've been using. Merrae and I planted some flowers in a few small pots out there (pink at her request) : ). I got some black wicker chairs off of Craig's list that are nice and cushy as well. The paint is chipped here and there and I did some touch ups this morning on one and a 1/2 of them! I bought a plastic horse shoe set that we've been playing with and Merrae has been playing with her sidewalk chalk. A few weeks back I snagged a little tykes basketball goal off the curb someone was throwing out. Merrae picked out a pink princess ball to use with it and she loves playing with that too!
Ahhhhh. It's so nice to be in a house! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!
On another note....I love our front and back porch. We put up our porch swing on the front and the kids love to swing with us. The back porch is so nice and shady in the late afternoon/ evenings. We've been eating dinner out there and it's very relaxing. Matt's mom left a fold-out picnic table we've been using. Merrae and I planted some flowers in a few small pots out there (pink at her request) : ). I got some black wicker chairs off of Craig's list that are nice and cushy as well. The paint is chipped here and there and I did some touch ups this morning on one and a 1/2 of them! I bought a plastic horse shoe set that we've been playing with and Merrae has been playing with her sidewalk chalk. A few weeks back I snagged a little tykes basketball goal off the curb someone was throwing out. Merrae picked out a pink princess ball to use with it and she loves playing with that too!
Ahhhhh. It's so nice to be in a house! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friendship Bread - Amish Bread
My new neighbor across the street brought me this bag of Friendship/ Amish Bread dough 10 days ago. I had to mess with it for 10 days. I had to mash it for 4-5 days, then add a few ingredients, mash, and tomorrow I'm going to make it.
I hope I haven't ruined it.
I did remember to mash it everyday but I added the ingredients a few days late. Then, after I added them, I didn't mash the dough as many days as the instructions tell you to.
Do you think I've ruined it? I hate to wait too much longer past the 10 days to bake it.
Guess we'll see tomorrow when I make it. : )
I hope I haven't ruined it.
I did remember to mash it everyday but I added the ingredients a few days late. Then, after I added them, I didn't mash the dough as many days as the instructions tell you to.
Do you think I've ruined it? I hate to wait too much longer past the 10 days to bake it.
Guess we'll see tomorrow when I make it. : )
Sunday, May 17, 2009
On Her Last Leg.....Literally
Man, my titles are getting good. Heee Heee
Unfortunately this is no joking matter really.
Lehya, our beloved Great Dane of almost 12 years, is having a rough time. She is having a hard time walking and our kitchen tile here in our new house doesn't help. You can tell she just dreads trying to walk across it to get out the back door. She limps along and we don't know why. Her muscle tone is gone. She is on pain meds and who knows what other meds just to make her comfortable. Her urine has a tinge of blood in it and stinks to high heaven. She's still eating and trying to play with her stuffed cat (we dislike cats) : ) so we are going to keep her around as long as she is doing those things. We've spent a lot of money on her stomach surgery a while back so we are not going to do anymore x-rays to figure out what's going on.
Poor Lehya. She is such a GREAT dog. We just love her.
Unfortunately this is no joking matter really.
Lehya, our beloved Great Dane of almost 12 years, is having a rough time. She is having a hard time walking and our kitchen tile here in our new house doesn't help. You can tell she just dreads trying to walk across it to get out the back door. She limps along and we don't know why. Her muscle tone is gone. She is on pain meds and who knows what other meds just to make her comfortable. Her urine has a tinge of blood in it and stinks to high heaven. She's still eating and trying to play with her stuffed cat (we dislike cats) : ) so we are going to keep her around as long as she is doing those things. We've spent a lot of money on her stomach surgery a while back so we are not going to do anymore x-rays to figure out what's going on.
Poor Lehya. She is such a GREAT dog. We just love her.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
A Whole New World
I know Craig's List has been around for a while now but for me it is a whole new world! Today we went and picked up some black wicker patio chairs for $10 each. In the stores they are about $80 each. The ones we found have character too....and they are really sturdy. We do need to do some touch ups with the black paint but that's cheap.
Tomorrow we are going to pick up 2 free wooden chairs that we found on there. We also found an Ikea looking chair for free that normally costs $100. It looks brand new and Ikea sells slip covers for it for cheap. Hoping to use that one in the kids' playroom or one of their rooms. Waiting to hear back from them to see if it's still available.
I was bummed when I had my heart set on this wooden kitchen table with wood chairs and a wooden bench for 1/2 the price you'd find it in the stores...or less....and someone else called and put money down right before me! Boo Hoo.
It's rewarding to make the dollar stretch whenever possible. Life is so expensive!
Tomorrow we are going to pick up 2 free wooden chairs that we found on there. We also found an Ikea looking chair for free that normally costs $100. It looks brand new and Ikea sells slip covers for it for cheap. Hoping to use that one in the kids' playroom or one of their rooms. Waiting to hear back from them to see if it's still available.
I was bummed when I had my heart set on this wooden kitchen table with wood chairs and a wooden bench for 1/2 the price you'd find it in the stores...or less....and someone else called and put money down right before me! Boo Hoo.
It's rewarding to make the dollar stretch whenever possible. Life is so expensive!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Cured
I think I'm cured from my cooking woes. Mom, Amanda, and Michawn had compassion and sent some ideas my way. Thank you!
I've got some chicken cooking in the crock pot, green beans and potatoes on the stove. Ingredients on my shopping list for chocolate pie, spinach and sun-dried tomato chicken pasta.
Atleast I'm off to a start. Hopefully I can stay in this groove.
It helps that Merrae and Matthis are both down for a nap at the same time! Ahhhhh....
I've got some chicken cooking in the crock pot, green beans and potatoes on the stove. Ingredients on my shopping list for chocolate pie, spinach and sun-dried tomato chicken pasta.
Atleast I'm off to a start. Hopefully I can stay in this groove.
It helps that Merrae and Matthis are both down for a nap at the same time! Ahhhhh....
Monday, May 11, 2009
In a Cooking Rut
Well, I now have a beautiful kitchen here in my new house......but NO beautiful meals being made. I'm in a cooking rut. One reason is because I have been so overwhelmed with moving and unpacking while dealing with 2 babies and hardly any sleep. Things were a mess around here not only becuase of all the boxes, but we did a ton of painting. I think we painted almost every wall in this house...INCLUDING the ceiling. Ugh! So, our kitchen pantry didn't get unpacked until a couple of days ago. We've been here about a month and a 1/2! I guess I have a few worthy excuses...I went to help mom for a few weeks, then Matthis got really sick and is just now getting over it. I bought a ton of frozen dinners (which I never do) to get us by. Now, I need to start cooking but I have NOOOOO desire. I did force myself to cook pork chops, mashed potatoes, and asparagus a few days ago. FORCED myself. I didn't want everything to go bad and to have wasted money. Sigh. Any help or motivation to get me out of this rut would be appreciated. Even if it's a meal idea.
I had a great Mother's Day. We had Olive Garden....yummy! Merrae and Matt cut me some yellow roses off our new rose bush out front (new to us anyway). They smell so good! I also got a nap, snickers bar, time to shop by myself, hugs and kisses from Merrae, snuggles from Matthis, some new wall hangings from Kirklands, and a massage from my sweet husband. Spoiled. Don't we all LOVE Mother's Day? : )
I had a great Mother's Day. We had Olive Garden....yummy! Merrae and Matt cut me some yellow roses off our new rose bush out front (new to us anyway). They smell so good! I also got a nap, snickers bar, time to shop by myself, hugs and kisses from Merrae, snuggles from Matthis, some new wall hangings from Kirklands, and a massage from my sweet husband. Spoiled. Don't we all LOVE Mother's Day? : )
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Still here
Some of you know, Mom had cancer. We found out before moving into our new house that she would have to have surgery to have a hysterectomy. It all started when she had some bleeding and went in to the doc asap. A polyp was found in her uterus and she had it removed as soon as they were able to. Lab results revealed that she had cancer and was told she would need to have the hysterectomy.
We had hoped to have all the painting and floors done before moving in but we went ahead and moved so that we could go take care of my mom after her surgery. She came up to help us move (watch the kids and keep us motivated. : )). We stayed in the house a few nights and then headed out of town to be there for her surgery.
She was at MD Anderson and God worked it out to where she got one of the best surgeons to work on her. He did a robotic surgery where they made seven incisions to move the tiny robot hands through to do the work. The surgery lasted about 5 hours I believe. The surgery went perfectly, they didn't find anything suspicious at the time and we waited a few weeks to find out how things looked once the lab results got back. When the doc. called he said there was more cancer in her uterus besides the polyp that was removed and so it was a good thing she had the hysterectomy. The good news was that it had not spread through the lymph nodes nor did it spread far in her uterus. He did not feel she would need any radiation at all either! We are so thankful and happy things turned out so well. Thank you Jesus. She is a little sore but getting around really well and is her chipper self.
We had a great time while helping her out after surgery. The kids enjoyed their time with her and I enjoyed all the western love movies we watched on the Hallmark channel. Of course we also had a great time talking. Hopefully I didn't drive her too crazy as I made sure she didn't do too much. We were there almost two weeks. It was actually quite relaxing being there. I wasn't ready to deal with my new house yet. : ) Boxes everywhere!
We've almost finished the painting in our house and are having a guy come out tomorrow to measure for flooring. We feel like we can finally breath with more space and love having a garage. Merrae loves her playroom and bedroom. Matthis loves his room too. He's sleeping better and so are we! Merrae is now 2 1/2 and Matthis is 7 months! Time flies. We are still adjusting to having 2 kids! Yikes!
Matt had some people come out and help build an office out of the formal living room and it turned out really nice. We found a desk on Craigs list to go in there and he's still getting all his equipment settled.
Lehya is hurting. It's hard for her to walk. She is on lots of pain medication. Poor thing. She is such a great dog. We love her.
We were happy to find out we got the $8,000 tax credit for being first time home buyers! We took care of some new house expenses and savings and also splurged and got a flat screen TV! Wooo Hooo! We felt a little silly doing that but it is our only entertainment for the most part since we can't do too much with two little ones right now.
A big hail storm came through while we were out of town and we had to get a new roof. So did everyone else in our neighborhood for the most part. Not a very nice house warming gift. : ) But, the good news is, the roofing company is going to pay our deductible. We are also getting new paint for our house out of the deal which we wanted to do anyways. Not to mention we are getting a better roof with more ventilation for the attic. We are thankful to not have any broken windows or fences down like some people had.
One of these days I'll post some pics.
We had hoped to have all the painting and floors done before moving in but we went ahead and moved so that we could go take care of my mom after her surgery. She came up to help us move (watch the kids and keep us motivated. : )). We stayed in the house a few nights and then headed out of town to be there for her surgery.
She was at MD Anderson and God worked it out to where she got one of the best surgeons to work on her. He did a robotic surgery where they made seven incisions to move the tiny robot hands through to do the work. The surgery lasted about 5 hours I believe. The surgery went perfectly, they didn't find anything suspicious at the time and we waited a few weeks to find out how things looked once the lab results got back. When the doc. called he said there was more cancer in her uterus besides the polyp that was removed and so it was a good thing she had the hysterectomy. The good news was that it had not spread through the lymph nodes nor did it spread far in her uterus. He did not feel she would need any radiation at all either! We are so thankful and happy things turned out so well. Thank you Jesus. She is a little sore but getting around really well and is her chipper self.
We had a great time while helping her out after surgery. The kids enjoyed their time with her and I enjoyed all the western love movies we watched on the Hallmark channel. Of course we also had a great time talking. Hopefully I didn't drive her too crazy as I made sure she didn't do too much. We were there almost two weeks. It was actually quite relaxing being there. I wasn't ready to deal with my new house yet. : ) Boxes everywhere!
We've almost finished the painting in our house and are having a guy come out tomorrow to measure for flooring. We feel like we can finally breath with more space and love having a garage. Merrae loves her playroom and bedroom. Matthis loves his room too. He's sleeping better and so are we! Merrae is now 2 1/2 and Matthis is 7 months! Time flies. We are still adjusting to having 2 kids! Yikes!
Matt had some people come out and help build an office out of the formal living room and it turned out really nice. We found a desk on Craigs list to go in there and he's still getting all his equipment settled.
Lehya is hurting. It's hard for her to walk. She is on lots of pain medication. Poor thing. She is such a great dog. We love her.
We were happy to find out we got the $8,000 tax credit for being first time home buyers! We took care of some new house expenses and savings and also splurged and got a flat screen TV! Wooo Hooo! We felt a little silly doing that but it is our only entertainment for the most part since we can't do too much with two little ones right now.
A big hail storm came through while we were out of town and we had to get a new roof. So did everyone else in our neighborhood for the most part. Not a very nice house warming gift. : ) But, the good news is, the roofing company is going to pay our deductible. We are also getting new paint for our house out of the deal which we wanted to do anyways. Not to mention we are getting a better roof with more ventilation for the attic. We are thankful to not have any broken windows or fences down like some people had.
One of these days I'll post some pics.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Closing Time
We close tomorrow, Wednesday, at 2:30! Woo Hoo!!!!! We are soooo ready. Things are really crowded here in the apartment. Especially now with stuff for Matthis to play in and sit in everywhere. We've packed about 1/2 the place and we have 2 more weeks to finish up. The sellers are leasing the house back from us for the next two weeks until their house is ready. Below are some pics that my mom took when she came to see it for the first time. They downloaded in the reverse order that I wanted to post them but oh well. Atleast you'll have fun looking at them.
Here's the back porch. Doesn't it look relaxing?
Merrae loved this playground....we are going to have to get her something similar so she will like the house as much. I've tried to prepare her that the little boy's playground and toys will be going to a different house and our stuff will be moving in. : )
From the kitchen looking into the play room. The play room is between the kids bedrooms. Pretty neat.
This is the view from the back door looking into the kitchen and family room.
Another view from the back door/window.
And another view from the back.
This is where Matthis' room will be.
Merrae's future room.
.Guest bathroom/ kids bathroom.
Play room.
Another view of the family room/ kitchen.
Master bedroom.
Master bath.
Master bath.
Looking at backyard. (obviously) : )
View from kitchen looking at back of house.
Same.
Looking into kitchen from entry hall.
Entry hall.
Formal living and dining where we will be building a wall so that Matt has an office.
Formal living and dining. The pool table area is where Matt's office will be.
Good bye money! Hello Space! : ) Just kidding...sorta. : ) We got a lot of house for our money, in our budget....but it's still more than we are paying living in an apartment and it's at the high end of the range we were wanting to spend. But, it's a newer house that we can move into and not spend a bunch of money to get settled. We don't HAVE to do anything to it. But, we will paint and of course build a wall and door for Matt's office. Can't wait to make it our own!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Found Our House
Well, that house I told you about in the last post didn't work out. It had major foundation issues. We found a different house a couple days later. The foundation is great and it is move-in ready. The previous owners built the house in 2003 and have taken excellent care of it.
We close on March 2 unless they need more time to close on their new house. That's only 3 weeks away! I've been a crazy packing lady....there's my word again....crazy. : )
We had to move a little further out than we had hoped. In the DFW area you can get more for your money that way. We prayed about it and know God has plans for us there. We are thankful for the house He has led us to and excited about moving near tons of friends/family from church. The house is right on the edge of Keller and Fort Worth and is close to the highway. That is a must living in a big city I have found. : )
I'll post pictures when I have access to Matt's computer where we dump all our digital pics.
House hunting/ closing stuff has taken most of our "free" time, yeah, right, "free" tme. We don't have much of that these days with a 4 month old! : ) We are starting to see the light at the end of the newborn baby tunnel, getting more rest...and getting more of a hang on things. Our bodies are tired from holding one or the other kid and lifting Merrae on and off the potty 50 million times a day to potty train! Miss blogging more with you guys. Don't know how long it's been since I read your blogs! I've just been trying to survive lately. Speaking of, better go get in bed before Matthis wakes up hungry!
We close on March 2 unless they need more time to close on their new house. That's only 3 weeks away! I've been a crazy packing lady....there's my word again....crazy. : )
We had to move a little further out than we had hoped. In the DFW area you can get more for your money that way. We prayed about it and know God has plans for us there. We are thankful for the house He has led us to and excited about moving near tons of friends/family from church. The house is right on the edge of Keller and Fort Worth and is close to the highway. That is a must living in a big city I have found. : )
I'll post pictures when I have access to Matt's computer where we dump all our digital pics.
House hunting/ closing stuff has taken most of our "free" time, yeah, right, "free" tme. We don't have much of that these days with a 4 month old! : ) We are starting to see the light at the end of the newborn baby tunnel, getting more rest...and getting more of a hang on things. Our bodies are tired from holding one or the other kid and lifting Merrae on and off the potty 50 million times a day to potty train! Miss blogging more with you guys. Don't know how long it's been since I read your blogs! I've just been trying to survive lately. Speaking of, better go get in bed before Matthis wakes up hungry!
Friday, January 23, 2009
House Hunting
We've been house hunting! We found this house last night after looking at 40 houses in the past week, looked at it today, put an offer on it this afternoon, they counter offered this evening and we may counter offer again later tonight. If we get it we will close at the end of February! Very exciting! Here is a link to the house. The pics don't do it justice. It's a great floorplan.
Don't want to take the time to figure out how to add this link. Sorry, you'll have to cut and paste to view it!
www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/13252-Harvest-Ridge-Road_Fort-Worth_TX_76248_1103641775
Don't want to take the time to figure out how to add this link. Sorry, you'll have to cut and paste to view it!
www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/13252-Harvest-Ridge-Road_Fort-Worth_TX_76248_1103641775
Monday, January 5, 2009
We're Back
We're back! We went to the Houston area for Christmas and were gone for 2 weeks. We went to my mom's for several days and had Christmas Eve with my family. Then Christmas morning we headed to Matt's parent's place for another Christmas dinner and stayed through New Years Eve. We spent New Years Eve at Matt's sister's then headed over to see his grandfather on New Years Day.
I've spent the last 2 days trying to get settled back in. Matthis has been needing to be held a lot lately so it has taken longer to get unpacked, get our Christmas decorations taken down, and take care of other things.
Matt has been trying to meet some work deadlines morning til night. Actually, even through the night. Glad he works from home or we'd never see him these days. I'm so thankful. It's a busy time.
I've spent the last 2 days trying to get settled back in. Matthis has been needing to be held a lot lately so it has taken longer to get unpacked, get our Christmas decorations taken down, and take care of other things.
Matt has been trying to meet some work deadlines morning til night. Actually, even through the night. Glad he works from home or we'd never see him these days. I'm so thankful. It's a busy time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)