For the past few years we've enjoyed hosting some of our local friends for New Years Eve. We play games, eat great food and talk the night away. This year was no different, except that around 10:30PM there was a loud pop, and the house went DARK!
The wind had been howling terribly for much of the night, so it really wasn't super surprising, until we looked outside and all but 1 other house around us still had power.
Candles were lit immediately, Caden was EXCITED and on top of that part. And Keith got the generator hooked up and plugged in some work lights from the garage to light up the dinning room and turn the TV on for the ball drop.
We all gathered around the TV minutes before the ball drop, and the crowd of kids were on the floor near the power strip and extension cords running power from the generator, when one of the girls fell to the side as the 10 second count down begin and knocked the power out, again!
We laughed and celebrated anyway. And the fun continued until about 2AM.
The girls went to bed hesitantly just after midnight, not loving the dark. Ruth fell asleep in my lap and Elinore slept in our bed.
By morning, both girls were in our bed scared of the dark, and the power didn't return until about 9AM new years day.
Our friends were great and text us that morning with offers of bathrooms and showers and power if needed, but fortunately it was restored for us.
Showing posts with label Keith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keith. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Friends
There was a time in my life when I was in search of friends. I need my people, who supported me, loved me and where close and accessible.
Don't get my wrong I have had friends over the years, but life changes impact friends as do moves, and I had a lot going on, didn't have a lot of time, and needed people.
Every time I met a new gal I'd think, could she me by friend? She seems nice? How can I extend an invitation to start a friendship? And I was always thinking this way, looking for friends, trying to build friendships to carry me and my family on our adventures. I knew I needed people.
I distinctly remember on of the first time I realized I had been somewhat successful at this. My family had been sick; and a 2nd cousin of my and some folks from the church brought my family dinner. It was left from a SOUP meal they had served at the church that night, but they thought of us and brought of a warm home cooked meal. The left that food for us an I remember telling Keith, "we have people!" And I meant so much with that; we had people who loved us, thought of us and cared for us in a way that I'd been looking for in friendships.
That was a starting point for us, and I think we've done a wonderful job of connecting to people and building a community of friends for each of us individually, but as a family too. We have people. They're people from church; they're family, and a few good friends I've known for many years now. I believe God wants us to live in community with people who loves us, and we've built that. Friendships and relationships take time and forgiveness and communication and we've done that. And I couldn't be happier! Thank you Lord for these people!
I've always wanted our home to be a place for people to gather, and I think I tried to push that too hard early on after we've bought our own place, but naturally it has happened over time and we welcome groups of friends, family, friends families, and our kid's friends into the home often. This past summer, our first summer at our new home, was the epitome of that, and I'm not sure we'll have a summer like that again, but we were able to gather people from all our different areas together celebrating and enjoying each other and introducing our people to each other and it was a beautiful thing.
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In the last few months I've had this realization; I still think like I did when I was searching for friends when I meet new people. Maybe I'm misguided, maybe I'm ignorant, but I realized I don't need to do this anymore. It's not that I'm not open to meeting new people and developing relationships, but I don't have to search so hard for more people. Quality of quantity right? I already have my people. Sure that will change with time and life with change, but I will adapt, our family will adapt. If I keep searching for more friends now; I need more time for each of those friendships, and I don't want that to take away from the current friendships! I don't want those to suffer because I feel the need to keep searching for more, more, more.
Don't get my wrong I have had friends over the years, but life changes impact friends as do moves, and I had a lot going on, didn't have a lot of time, and needed people.
Every time I met a new gal I'd think, could she me by friend? She seems nice? How can I extend an invitation to start a friendship? And I was always thinking this way, looking for friends, trying to build friendships to carry me and my family on our adventures. I knew I needed people.
I distinctly remember on of the first time I realized I had been somewhat successful at this. My family had been sick; and a 2nd cousin of my and some folks from the church brought my family dinner. It was left from a SOUP meal they had served at the church that night, but they thought of us and brought of a warm home cooked meal. The left that food for us an I remember telling Keith, "we have people!" And I meant so much with that; we had people who loved us, thought of us and cared for us in a way that I'd been looking for in friendships.
That was a starting point for us, and I think we've done a wonderful job of connecting to people and building a community of friends for each of us individually, but as a family too. We have people. They're people from church; they're family, and a few good friends I've known for many years now. I believe God wants us to live in community with people who loves us, and we've built that. Friendships and relationships take time and forgiveness and communication and we've done that. And I couldn't be happier! Thank you Lord for these people!
I've always wanted our home to be a place for people to gather, and I think I tried to push that too hard early on after we've bought our own place, but naturally it has happened over time and we welcome groups of friends, family, friends families, and our kid's friends into the home often. This past summer, our first summer at our new home, was the epitome of that, and I'm not sure we'll have a summer like that again, but we were able to gather people from all our different areas together celebrating and enjoying each other and introducing our people to each other and it was a beautiful thing.
----------
In the last few months I've had this realization; I still think like I did when I was searching for friends when I meet new people. Maybe I'm misguided, maybe I'm ignorant, but I realized I don't need to do this anymore. It's not that I'm not open to meeting new people and developing relationships, but I don't have to search so hard for more people. Quality of quantity right? I already have my people. Sure that will change with time and life with change, but I will adapt, our family will adapt. If I keep searching for more friends now; I need more time for each of those friendships, and I don't want that to take away from the current friendships! I don't want those to suffer because I feel the need to keep searching for more, more, more.
Tuesday, January 02, 2018
Friday, December 08, 2017
These are the days of...
These are the days of:
- Pre-teen angst
- Potty training
- Busy work schedules
- Ballet
- Swim lessons
- Cub Scouts
- ROCK Group
- Sunday morning church
- Family time
- Family movies nights
- Family game nights
- Adventures with older kids and toddler with grandma
- Reading books
- Working out
Monday, November 06, 2017
The Heart of Marriage
I finished this book over the weekend.
It was an excellent quick read. I marked several of the essays that were convicting, thought provoking or particularly insightful that I might want to share or refer back to.
I want to be a good wife for my husband. I want to be a better wife than I am now, and I want to be a Godly wife with a sound marriage rooted in faith.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Drawing = Tears
One day last month, Keith text me the following picture. He said he drew a picture of Ellie.
A few moments later, he text me this picture.
She said the drawing was horrible and didn't look like her!
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Big Baby
Elinore has a sassy mouth sometimes, especially at bed time. As she was refusing to listen there were consequences, so she started throwing insults about not playing with us anymore. So Keith, as joke said, your mean comments will make me cry too. She was crying about her consequences too.
So she shouts by at him for his crying comment: "what are you going to be a big baby?"
Clearly only babies cry, and Daddy couldn't be a baby.
Keith and I both managed to contain our laughter until she wasn't in the room anymore, but days later we're still laughing that Elinore called Daddy a big baby!
So she shouts by at him for his crying comment: "what are you going to be a big baby?"
Clearly only babies cry, and Daddy couldn't be a baby.
Keith and I both managed to contain our laughter until she wasn't in the room anymore, but days later we're still laughing that Elinore called Daddy a big baby!
Friday, March 11, 2016
Thursday, March 03, 2016
Keith went in to check on Elinore after bed time last night. Make sure she's still in bed, not waking her sister or anything. He came out and told me that she said "my babies don't go to sleep Daddy, because they aren't real."
Of course Elinore has many babies in her bed, but she's dwindled the collection down a bit lately.
Of course Elinore has many babies in her bed, but she's dwindled the collection down a bit lately.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Vow Renewal
Yesterday, on Valentine's Day, in front of our church on Sunday morning, Keith and I, and a handful of other couples in our church renewed our marriage vows.
Our kiddos were there, well Ruth ended up in the nursery, but even Camerin was able to join us and our mom's with there too. And our church family was there. It meant a lot to me to have our community in the church there for it for all they've meant to me over the last several years since we've joined our church.
I was closer to crying yesterday at this than I was at our wedding. Our love has grown and is so much deeper and we have a greater understanding of what it takes, what it means for us, our family, and we've grown in our faith too in the almost 6.5 years we've been married.
Dear Keith,
I love you more now than the day we wed; and I expect to love you more in another 6.5 years. Thank you for all that you are to me, our family, and our community. You are awesome.
With love,
Beth
Our kiddos were there, well Ruth ended up in the nursery, but even Camerin was able to join us and our mom's with there too. And our church family was there. It meant a lot to me to have our community in the church there for it for all they've meant to me over the last several years since we've joined our church.
I was closer to crying yesterday at this than I was at our wedding. Our love has grown and is so much deeper and we have a greater understanding of what it takes, what it means for us, our family, and we've grown in our faith too in the almost 6.5 years we've been married.
Dear Keith,
I love you more now than the day we wed; and I expect to love you more in another 6.5 years. Thank you for all that you are to me, our family, and our community. You are awesome.
With love,
Beth
Wednesday, February 03, 2016
Shoe Rack
We currently have a shoe rack inside our front door to keep the shoes on. It's cheap and not well made. It commonly falls apart and sits in shambles because I get frustrated putting it back together all the time. I'd held off on buying one hinting heaving that I'd like a new one for Christmas last December. Christmas came, and Keith had one under the tree for me! However, it broke during assembly. Apparently a well made shoe rack is hard to find.
So Keith decided he was going to build me a shoe rack out of pallets.
He got a couple pallets from my parents and a week or so ago spent some time cutting it apart into boards. Yesterday, with the help of Caden and Caleb, they built me a shoe rack! Caden and Caleb did a lot of the sanding on it.
Last night it was all assembled and ready to be seen in the basement. He wants to stain it yet before use, so it isn't 100% done, but it looks like a shoe rack! He took the girls and I down to see it, and Elinore was SO EXCITED. She spent a little big of time down there with Keith during construction and while Keith and I were down there talking and cleaning up a bit, she ran up and down the stairs bringing all her and her sisters shoes downstairs and putting them on the shoe rack. She told us all about it too and how the shoes would fill the shelf and where she could put her book on it and everything. I did make her bring her and Ruth's shoes for Monday upstairs with us and she wasn't so happy about that. Who wants to run downstairs to find shoes on a Monday morning though?
When we got up stairs and were talking about it still we found out she thought it was going to be her rack in her bedroom. She wasn't so happy when she found out it was going in the living room!
Monday, November 09, 2015
Christmas
Christmas mania has hit our household like mad!
I've been an early Christmas shopper for years now. I prefer to be done before Thanksgiving, and this year is no exception, we're well on our way to being done with Christmas shopping!
However, with last year being the exception, I don't decorate before Thanksgiving for Christmas. (Last year we did because the baby was due the day after Thanksgiving. I knew if we didn't do it early it might not happen. Then she made us wait another week anyway!) This year the pressure is on though. Caden is our decorator and Christmas fanatic. He's had his small Christmas tree up almost all year! And he's been asking and asking when we're going to start decorating. They're getting more involved in the shopping a little and Caden and Caleb have done a lot of their shopping already too.
With the radio starting Christmas music early last week, we've been listening to Christmas music non-stop too since then!
I've still resisted the decorating. I like my turkeys, I didn't want to hide them away, but their infectious excitement has me being okay with Jesus's birthday celebration lasting longer too. We'll see how much longer I last holding out on the decorations. We're busy for the next week or so, so I can last that long at least! They really want Keith to get the lights on the house! (They're getting smart with their negotiations too. But Dad, it'll get cold soon to get outside and do it!)
I have wrapped some presents already too! Everything I could wrap, is wrapped already.
I've been an early Christmas shopper for years now. I prefer to be done before Thanksgiving, and this year is no exception, we're well on our way to being done with Christmas shopping!
However, with last year being the exception, I don't decorate before Thanksgiving for Christmas. (Last year we did because the baby was due the day after Thanksgiving. I knew if we didn't do it early it might not happen. Then she made us wait another week anyway!) This year the pressure is on though. Caden is our decorator and Christmas fanatic. He's had his small Christmas tree up almost all year! And he's been asking and asking when we're going to start decorating. They're getting more involved in the shopping a little and Caden and Caleb have done a lot of their shopping already too.
With the radio starting Christmas music early last week, we've been listening to Christmas music non-stop too since then!
I've still resisted the decorating. I like my turkeys, I didn't want to hide them away, but their infectious excitement has me being okay with Jesus's birthday celebration lasting longer too. We'll see how much longer I last holding out on the decorations. We're busy for the next week or so, so I can last that long at least! They really want Keith to get the lights on the house! (They're getting smart with their negotiations too. But Dad, it'll get cold soon to get outside and do it!)
I have wrapped some presents already too! Everything I could wrap, is wrapped already.
Friday, October 16, 2015
Kisses
I saw Ruth give a kiss to Keith last night for the first time. She's learning!
Then, even more awesome than that; at bedtime, Ruth always comes in to tell Elinore good night. Then Ruth and I leave the room together and we've been waving lately to tell her goodnight, one more time. But last night, she blew kisses! It was so adorable. These two girls get frustrated with each other, but they sure do love each other too.
Then, even more awesome than that; at bedtime, Ruth always comes in to tell Elinore good night. Then Ruth and I leave the room together and we've been waving lately to tell her goodnight, one more time. But last night, she blew kisses! It was so adorable. These two girls get frustrated with each other, but they sure do love each other too.
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
Mansfield Carousel Park
The day before school started we made a stop on the way home from a weekend in Columbus for some fun! Fun carousel, unique animals and a great break!
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Canal Boat Ride
We spent it Father's Day in Coshocton this year. We rode the canal and walked Roscoe Village.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Mother's Day 2015
This past weekend was Mother's Day. We were fortuante that Grandma Barb came into town Friday afternoon and stayed the weekend with us. She watched the kids for Keith and I to go out Friday night to the Reverse Raffle. It was the first time we'd been out together without some of the kids since Ruth was born.
Saturday we all went to Caden's soccer game, then we took both Grandma's out to lunch at Longhorn following the game. The meal was good, but Elinore was having a rough day. She'd been sick the week before, and Grandma kept her up late the night before. The soccer game was during her nap time, it was hot and she was crabby!
After lunch my mom heading out, and the rest of us went to the local outlet mall to do some shopping. Grandma Barb needed some new tennis shoes, so we bought her a couple new pair of shoes for Mother's Day. I had my mom sent flowers that morning at work.
We were at the mall for quite some time doing some shopping. The boys got to use some gift cards they had gotten for their birthday the week before. They were thrilled and we now have a Repeat Pete talking parrot and some new Wii Star Wars video games in the house. Elinore got some new shoes, and I a new blazer and pants! Caden got new tennis shoes too.
On the way home we grabbed some DQ treats for supper and headed home to relax and get ready for bed.
Sunday Grandma Barb headed home and we went to church as a family. Before church, Keith gave me a new charm for my Pandora bracelet for Mother's Day and Caden gave me a nicely decorated picture frame he made a 4H for me. Once, Elinore saw that she ran to her room and got a picture frame off her shelf with a photo of her and I in it. She brought it to me and said here, I made this for you at school! It was seriously super sweet, even though she didn't make it or go to school, she wanted something special like her brother had for mom!
After church we relaxed and ate for awhile before heading to my parents house to celebrate mother's day with pizza and my dad and brother. We finished evening with Guerne ice cream, delicious!
A couple days later, Caden told me to look on top of the fridge for another picture frame Caleb made. I told him Caleb could do with it what he wanted since it was still his. Then Caleb grabbed it and tossed it to me as an after thought. He also made me a picture frame at 4H. Now I want them to take pictures with me to put in the frames!
Saturday we all went to Caden's soccer game, then we took both Grandma's out to lunch at Longhorn following the game. The meal was good, but Elinore was having a rough day. She'd been sick the week before, and Grandma kept her up late the night before. The soccer game was during her nap time, it was hot and she was crabby!
After lunch my mom heading out, and the rest of us went to the local outlet mall to do some shopping. Grandma Barb needed some new tennis shoes, so we bought her a couple new pair of shoes for Mother's Day. I had my mom sent flowers that morning at work.
We were at the mall for quite some time doing some shopping. The boys got to use some gift cards they had gotten for their birthday the week before. They were thrilled and we now have a Repeat Pete talking parrot and some new Wii Star Wars video games in the house. Elinore got some new shoes, and I a new blazer and pants! Caden got new tennis shoes too.
On the way home we grabbed some DQ treats for supper and headed home to relax and get ready for bed.
Sunday Grandma Barb headed home and we went to church as a family. Before church, Keith gave me a new charm for my Pandora bracelet for Mother's Day and Caden gave me a nicely decorated picture frame he made a 4H for me. Once, Elinore saw that she ran to her room and got a picture frame off her shelf with a photo of her and I in it. She brought it to me and said here, I made this for you at school! It was seriously super sweet, even though she didn't make it or go to school, she wanted something special like her brother had for mom!
After church we relaxed and ate for awhile before heading to my parents house to celebrate mother's day with pizza and my dad and brother. We finished evening with Guerne ice cream, delicious!
A couple days later, Caden told me to look on top of the fridge for another picture frame Caleb made. I told him Caleb could do with it what he wanted since it was still his. Then Caleb grabbed it and tossed it to me as an after thought. He also made me a picture frame at 4H. Now I want them to take pictures with me to put in the frames!
Updates
- Ruth is growing like crazy! She's about out of her 3 month size clothes already.
- Elinore is growing wearing mostly 3T clothes now and she's certainly grown in height lately.
- Her attitude has grown more though; she's reaching those 3s. I remember three being worse than the terrible 2s with Caden and Caleb.
- Elinore still is a charmer though, she may be stubborn, but when she randomly tell you she loves you, or says sorry, and you know it's sincere, she'll melt you!
- Caden is loving soccer season this year, and doing it on his own! I've seen him improve so much this season and enjoy watching him play.
- Caleb is really into legos and video games right now. Those are his two favorite things to do.
- The boys are starting to count down to summer. I'm ready for the homework to be over too!
- Yet, I need to find a way to keep them motivated and reading this summer. I need a system in place for that soon!
- Elinore talks about school and what she doesn't at school, which is hilarious since she doesn't go to school yet.
- Ruth is getting very good at rolling around!
- Keith has worked really hard on the bathroom remodel and he's almost done with it! A few finishing touches and we'll be there. With some help from Barb heming the showing curtain for us.
- Keith is getting into working on the garden now. Elinore likes to join him to help water it too!
- I've been trying to stay on top of the house work (see previous writing) and raise the kids and grow my faith.
- I've been trying to open my home more and do a better job at interacting with people and being a good friend. I'm starting to slip a bit in that as it's getting so busy with soccer, scouts and 4H. I'm hoping that will calm down in the next month with school letting out for summer and scouts ending for summer too.
- My Aunt from Wyoming is coming in this summer, so I'm excited to spend some time with her!
- We are officially taking a family vacation later this summer too; so excited about that. All of us are, even Elinore!
Monday, May 11, 2015
Baptism
Sunday, May 3, Ruth was baptized in our church. It was a choice Keith and I made with ease; we knew we wanted to raise our newest girl in the church as we are the older kids.
It took us awhile to get organized and a date that worked for the family. We were waiting for the weather to turn too, we didn't want to have his family traveling so far in our snowy winter this year. This date enabled us to celebrate her baptism and Caden and Caleb's birthday with one luncheon after church.
The service itself also coincided with communion Sunday, which is always something moving for me.
Our family stood in the front of the church with us during the baptism and tears welled in my eyes as she was blessed. Keith said the same thing that night as we talked about it later.
Ruth, you are loved by your family and your church family. We strive to raise you to know Christ and live like him.
It took us awhile to get organized and a date that worked for the family. We were waiting for the weather to turn too, we didn't want to have his family traveling so far in our snowy winter this year. This date enabled us to celebrate her baptism and Caden and Caleb's birthday with one luncheon after church.
The service itself also coincided with communion Sunday, which is always something moving for me.
Our family stood in the front of the church with us during the baptism and tears welled in my eyes as she was blessed. Keith said the same thing that night as we talked about it later.
Ruth, you are loved by your family and your church family. We strive to raise you to know Christ and live like him.
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