Christmas Catch Up

I'm back from the cold north and am achin' for a girls night! FYI- I no longer have my American cell phone and number, so I am just using Bren's cell while I'm here - the number is 573 356 5254. On Saturday Josh and I are going to Chilicothe but I bet we will be back some time on Monday.
Is Jen in town? I want to see that little baby! Ok, looking forward to seeing all your sweet, child-like faces.
Kari

Bummer...

I am so bummed I just missed you kath.... And you too Karin. I can't wait till one day we have a big ole reunion. Maybe we should just schedule one. We should plan a vaca or reunion in como.

For all those bias I did see this weekend, I enjoyed seeing you. I am not too happy and didn't get to see some of the gentlemen in your lives. Speaking of gentlemen, it was a pleasure meeting little Grayson! What a ham.

I just wanted to say hello to all you girls. I am in full swing at the day spa. Kath or kar, I am doing reception at a day spa. I am really enjoying it. It is slower right now but I will soon become a crazy running around as soon as the holiday weeks arrive.

Still LOVING our Rv!!!! Always nice and toasty when I walk in. I have decorated for christmas, no tree just lights and the other Christmas decor I had. Mer, I have copied you on your candles and their scents. Its amazing having the everygreen/christmas tree smell indoors and look outdoors and see those same scented trees everywhere!

I'm still peeing my pants about suz pushing on the door the wrong way. At least you gave it all you got sue!!

Well toodles for now. Love you all

Ju

Surprise Party - 2 videos Together - SNL

This is hilarious...maybe it's old and I'm just now seein it...but I love it.

-Kath

I'm Coming to CoMo!

I'll be home December 16th! A get together needs to happen. I leave New Years Eve. Can't wait to see you cutie pies!

-Kath

Telephone

By far my favorite EVER!

Mur

My response

Then after he gave me the ring I sang this to him... - suz

See more funny videos and TBT at Todays Big Thing.

The Ring and I

ummm......I'm engaged.

eeeeek!

sorry Kath and Kar, I've crossed over.

S*K*Y*P*E

Finally, I joined Skype.

What is everyone's Skype name? Mine is merideth.carney. My email that I used is meridethcarney@gmail.com

Love you girls & can't wait to see your beautiful mugs on Skype!

Ayla

It's been almost a week since we lost Ayla. I'm still not used to her being gone. I keep thinking she'll come right around the corner, or I keep listening for her sighs or nails clicking on the tile. I never thought I'd miss her this much.

Truthfully, she was always "Steve's dog". He bought her before we started dating, and I liked her, but I have never been a fan of big dogs. She was always in my way and I felt like I was constantly having to step over her because she was laying in the doorway of a room, or just always standing behind me so that when I'd turn around, I'd nearly fall over! This was annoying to say the least. But she just wanted to be around people...as I'm sure you all gathered from the fact that as soon as she saw you, she'd be sniffing you and just generally up in your biz.

So, whenever I thought about the dreaded day that we'd lose either dog, I never really thought it was going to be "that hard" to lose Ayla. I thought, "Oh, I'll be the strong one when Ayla passes. And Steve will be the strong one when Izzy passes." Wow. I was wrong.

Obviously, it was very hard on Steve to lose her. She was his first dog that he'd ever owned by himself. And let's face it, she was a sweetie pie. He loved her so much. When he called me Friday morning & told me, he was choking back tears. And when he got home, I hugged him & he started sobbing. I've never heard him cry like that before. And THAT made me cry. There we were, standing in the kitchen sobbing. That didn't go as I had planned. I planned to be strong and tell him it was okay. EPIC FAIL.

Later that day when we picked her up to take her to Moberly to bury her, he was the strong one. I was not. I saw her as they laid her in the back of our car, and I just started sobbing. I cried half the way to Moberly. I cried so hard I had a headache.

I miss her. More than I ever thought I would. Yesterday we got a sympathy card from the vet w/ a piece of paper that had Ayla's paw print on it. I lost it again. There hasn't been a day that's gone by since she passed that I haven't cried about it. Maybe it's because I just feel bad that she died alone. Or that we weren't able to save her fast enough. Or maybe it's just the fact that deep down, I really was crazy about that silly dog who was always in my way.

Follow Up

I got the job! I am going to be be an assistant on the Global Operations Team for One Hope. I'm not exactly sure of all the details of the job yet. It's sorta hard for me to wrap my head around the whole world. The Global Operations Department works on all the details surrounding printing and shipping all their materials around the world. They were with printers all over the world, so things like earthquakes, floods, mudslides, hurricanes in certain places can affect us. Crazy. But I think it will be cool. It will definitely be different and a challenge. My boss's name is Tom and he said I could potentially have the opportunity to travel once a year if I wanted to see the kids. So that's cool! He also said that I could have the opportunity to move into something else if I realized I would rather do something else within the ministry. Lots of room to grow it sounds like.

I'm glad you made it Jules! So adventurous of you...Can you use your former nursing skills from the career center in a job there? Just a thought....


-Kath

We have made it!!

Kevin and I have arrived in Breckenridge. We are setting up shop now. We were grateful for a smooth ride in, except for that one bump where we went air borne..no joke! Rudy was very kind in pulling fatty Camille up these mountains. He is our hero! We have grounded her for the winter season and look forward to many warm and cozy nights and holidays spent in our Camille.

I absolutely loved spending time with you girls in COMO. I will be in town for Beph's shower and maybe I might see jen and baby G?

Onward with the job hunt! I could use your prayers.

Julianna

p.s. speaking of jobs...kath, whats the status for you in flo-rida?

Smandy Smilosnakis

Anyone remember this one???? Sitting in Kari's basement watching this show for about a summer? or so....haha





-Kath

One of my favie vids

I don't know why, but this just gets me every time.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY GIRLIES!

*kiss kiss*

Mur

To My Sistassssss!

Thousands Of Girls Match Description Of Missing Sorority Sister

I still wonder if it could have been me....I mean, was it?

-suz

M-I-Z

oh my gosh.... this football game is a nail biter. Well, that and my overly dramatic mom sitting next to me is making me turn to my nails to relieve the nerves.

Hope you all are enjoying the game too..... Z-O-U

ju

It Is Finished

Today I called my boss and told him that Wednesday would be my last day with the kids. I will move out my stuff Thursday and Friday. I am sad but it is necessary. It seems clear to me that God is calling me to the next thing. I hate that I had to break my word with them, but I knew I could not do it any longer.
-Kath

Week Off

Well friends it's time for an update. I went to the director of HR yesterday and ended up talking with the director/founder of His House. I was telling them that my heart was dry. That it wasn't like me to walk around with bitterness and frustration in my heart. That it was not serving the Lord or the kids. I essentially said that I wasn't sure I could make it to the end of November, I wasn't even sure I could make it another week. My soul is worth more than that. So she told me to pack my stuff and plan to be gone for a week, to pray, and get with people who feed my soul. She wants me to make sure that God is calling me to the next thing.
So what's the firs thing I do??? I get sick. I've basically been laying down all day today. It's kind of miserable...but I guess this is God's way of getting me to rest. I would appreciate your prayers. I have an "interview" Tuesday and am hoping that in that I get some more direction from God.

-Kath

Birthday bash

Mer mentioned having a joint birthday party when Julianna is in town. Jules, remind me when that is. What should we do to celebrate? I kind of think we should freak ourselves out and go visit The Tree.

my fav by far

love, mur

Something New

Liver and Onions. I've unfortunately eaten it twice in the past week. Once, made by my mom, and once made by Matt's grandma when she was down here visiting.

Let me tell you...it's disgusting, but I'm forcing myself to get it down. Currently, I have super low hemoglobin levels. As in, they are in the critical range. My hemoglobin levels are 6. Most people's are at least 15. If they drop below 7, most doctors want to do a transfusion. My doctor wanted to give me a blood transfusion...but I refused. Who wants a stranger's blood surging through your veins? Not me. Not to mention all of the diseases I could get, it just didn't sound like a very fun process. I figured since I was just one point below critical stage, that I could take care of this on my own. So....I am taking prescription iron supplements three times a day, and eating foods high in iron. Oh, and I've cooked a few things in an iron skillet. Apparently cooking in an iron skillet helps some of the iron go into your food? Who knew?? I didn't know until Wheel of Fortune was on in the background 2 days ago and they were talking about it! lol.

This is proving to be difficult! I don't know what is high in iron besides spinach. I've been eating a lot of spinach salads, which are pretty delish. But, what else has high iron? I need some other options here. I know red meats do too...maybe I'll eat a steak tonight. Anybody know what else is high in iron? I need suggestions!! I have 6 weeks to get it out of critical range...so here is to hoping I'm successful!

Jen

What to do...

I need to find a job. I have tried my hand at so many different kinds of jobs, I don't know what I want to pursue here. I could do nannying, office work, serving/host, medical office, retail, and the list goes on. I might settle on starbucks though. Starbucks are everywhere and if i can just get my foot in the door I could transfer with every move we make. What do you think? I want to be around people and in a good enviroment. I love coffee and drink it about once a day. This starbucks location is beautiful and in the heart of downtown breckenridge. I've asked and they will be hiring for winter work. I just want to find something and not have to stress about it.

p.s. I have tried to upload a picture of the view but its not working. Suz, i think you mentioned your video upload wouldn't work either. Do we know how to fix this or whats going on?

Where is Kari?

i cant say for sure...but i'm pretty sure, that everybody in here wants to know how to get in contact with kari!

so...kari-

can you let me (and all of us) know how you're communicating with friends/family?

i would like to skype because judah really does miss you. he talks about you about every other day....literally! i'm not exaggerating. i don't know how to set up a skype date though, i assume i need your username or something.

i called mama brenda (cause i'm weird or something, and kinda paranoid thatkari was dead cause none of us girls had heard from the all new kanadian kari) and she said something about you having limited internet minutes. is this true? if so, can we call you some how? i can get an international calling card or something.

is facebook best? i'm thinking it isn't, because i've written on your wall and sent messages with no response. - which isn't like you!

anyways, this post isn't intended to be a guilt trip. i just want to find out if and how and when we can get better communication. if not, just let me know.

to sum it all up- i cant say for sure...but i'm pretty sure, that everybody in here misses kari!

<3,

Smashly

Happy BIRFDAY

Julio! I wanted to wake you up this morning with the happy birthday song, but alas! I forgot my phone at home. You won't get to hear my song until tonight. So listen to this on repeat until then...

I can't embed this video for some reason, but you should still watch it!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzoA-xFU2j8&feature=fvst

Hey Sexy Babes!

Alright so I'm thinking about starting a little "in home" business. If you don't know already, I REALLY enjoy sewing and making baby items. Slowly but surely I'm getting better the more I do it. I'm still pretty amateur, but i
t's something I really love.

I have been making some things lately. Yesterday, I decided to make a "Taggie Blankie". Elliot REALLY loves chewing on tags from just about anything. I had seen these types of blankets before, but figured I could make one myself. That way I could pick colors and ribbons myself and even put his initial on it.

Since I made that first one, I've made 4 more. One for Grayson, one for Kate Lunn's little girl, Genevieve, and one for a girl my mom works with. (I've put pics of them on Facebook).

I can also make personalized burp cloths, "Alphabet Name Frames", bigger blankets w/o "taggies", and pacifier clips.

So, basically, I need your help. I have already had some orders and what I would like to do is package them up real cute like and put a little business card in the package. The "name" of my "business" is going to be called Elliot & Olive. I would like to come up w/ a little "tag line" to go along w/ it. Can you guys think of anything super cute & creative? I'm kind of at a loss. All my creativity is going towards my mad blanket making skillz, yo!

Kar, this is right up your alley!

Also, if you girls need any kind of personal gift for anyone you know who's knocked up, hit me up! I'll cut ya a deal-io. BUT only cause I love you bitches!

Another Good Book

Yesterday was the last day of my "read the Bible in a year" plan. For the first time in my life, I did it. I thoroughly enjoyed it also. We were encouraged to read the word regularly in my small group and starting a plan was suggested. It was perfect for me. I did the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan http://www.navpress.com/uploadedFiles/15074%20BRP.dj.pdf

I like it because it has readings for 25 days out of the month. This way you have 5 days that can either be make up days or just rest days. For me it was usually hard to read on Saturdays and Sundays because I don't get breaks from the kids those days. You read parts from 4 different books, 2 old testament and 2 new testament. I enjoyed seeing the parallels in the old and new testaments. So if your interested, try it.

Also, I recently finished reading Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It's one of those books that has been around for a while, but it is a gem. It is such simple ideas but so important. They talk about why boundaries are important, how you build boundaries, how boundaries work with family, friends, marriage, children, yourself, and with God. I could not have read the book at a more perfect time.

I am giving my boss my letter of resignation today. November 29th will be my last day unless I find a job sooner than that. I spoke to him last Friday. He is sad and said he is willing to work with the situation in order that I might stay, but I know it's time.

-Kath

Mur...

That noise was bound to be a title sometime. I spell it M-U-R... Ash and beph and maybe others spell it M-E-R. Seeing that we have two friends with the nickname Mer, I don't use that spelling.

Okay here are my shoot outs..

Momma Jen---- I can't wait to hear all the details and see pictures of handsome Grayson.

Mer-- can we set up a phone date. What is the best time to call? I want to talk about my visit in late October. I want your help with something.

Sister Wife Kari-- I miss you and did you know there is a new show on TLC called Sister Wives. Its a real "big love" story.

Kath-- hows the hand?

Sister wife Suz-- I think you are awesome!

Ash-- Kevin and I keep on pullin judahs, " I love____! I love____! I love____!"

Beph-- I can't wait till Wednesday so that means you should be itchin' yourself for Wednesday to come.

Jules-- You are going to do a great job packing. Enjoy your last days in CA.

Love you all and yes I wrote to myself.

ju

Speaking of recipes..

So I've actually been cooking quite regularly since I've been here. My roommate is super into cooking with tofu and so I've started making it's tasty, healthfulness, and cheapness a part of my dinners. I made this last night and it was simply delish (how could it not be with fried tofu). I'm already looking forward to eating the leftovers for dinner tonight:
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/Tofu-Peanut-Stir-Fry/Detail.aspx

Also, can we please address that one of our girls had a baby!!!! I was totally unprepared for this news when I saw that on Facebook yesterday. Was the baby early???

Kari

Something Pretty Tasty

I never thought I liked cauliflower...then I tried this:

Cauliflower Pasta
1 Head Cauliflower (chunk and rinse)
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 pod Garlic (about 8 cloves)
1 bunch fresh basil (or flakes if you don't have fresh)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

Put all in pot. Put at medium high and let it boil. Simmer for 45 minutes with the lid propped open. Stir every so often. Use a masher to break up the cauliflower into little pieces.
Prepare 1 lb of pasta.
(I find the sauce will stretch for more than 1 lb of pasta)

This is one of those recipes you can prepare and just let it cook for a while. The longer the better in my opinion. In order to get the kids to eat it without asking me what that "white stuff" in there is, I put the sauce in the blender after it's done and they have no idea they are eating cauliflower. It's awesome. I love this stuff and it's sooooo easy.

-Kath

oh.my.gosh!

this is sooooo funny! i especially love around the minute mark. (made me think of you kath!)

Shine a Light and Shock You

So the title has nothing to do with the post...but I said it the other day and the memories came flooding back. Kari and Suz should remember this especially. Good ole psychology class with Toddy B.

An update on my life....

A LOT has been going on. When it rains it pours. It all started the night Molls and I went to the UM home opener. I paid the lady to park and rolled up my car window in the Diamon Jubilee...and "crack". The motor that rolls the window up and down broke. The last time this happened about 4 years ago it cost me $400. Yikes! I was pissed to say the least. Especiallly since I had spent $400 just a couple weeks before to replace the shocks in the back. (The DJ had an extra special gangsta lean for a while.) So we are at the game, sitting in the student section. I have never experienced this before. I walked away disgusted. These kids were trashed and obnoxious! I don't think the guys we were sitting around even saw one play of the game. One guy even said, "I can't even see the field." This dude sitting right next to Mollie and I kept pulling people in from the aisle. There must have been a whole neighborhood stuffed in our row. Then he starts grinding on this girl basically on top of Mollie. Then he gets in a "fight" with this guy in the aisle. So he is standing directly behind me. Then he has one foot on the step and one on my chair...his butt was in my face if I turned around. He proceeds to drop an ENTIRE beer on top of my purse. He said nothing. I don't even think he realized he did it and I wasn't in the mood to pick a fight with a drunk dude...but boy did I want to punch him in the nuts. So I move my purse to be in front of me instead of under my seat. At half time I open it up to check my phones to make sure everything at the house is goingwell. My work phone will not turn on! Then I was really mad. A broken window and a broken cell phone....great! I make about $1,1000 a month so you can imagine how frustrating it is to have something like this happen. (p.s. I put the phone in rice overnight and it came back from the dead. PTL)

Since May I have been dealing with a rash on my hand. Well it has gotten worse. It was first through workman's comp because I thought it was possibly ringworm and several of my kids had ringworm. One doc said it wasn't, but my hand is still bad. I am currently using a cream and taking an oral medication. I go back on Monday and if it isn't better they are gonna have to do a biopsy. Now I am paying for things which isn't fun either. I do have health insurance, but every time i go to the Derm it's a $50 copay....so knowing that I spent all summer going every 2 weeks is not comforting when I think about having to pay for it now. Ahhhh!

(I took this in the bathroom at Panera...haha...the lighting was better in there)

I promise I am not writing to complain or to ask for pity....but I am letting you know some of the things that have made my life a little more difficult lately.

The past year has been an emotionally draining one. I am now at the point where I think it is time for me to leave my job as a houseparent. Last weekend I actually thought, "what if I just left." It has been rough lately. The kids behaviors have been especially difficult to deal with. I thought school starting would make things easier. I was wrong. It seems like God has slowly been bringing me to this point. I still haven't told my boss. I have to speak with him tomorrow. I think I am going to tell him I will work til either after Thanksgiving or after Christmas. I am emotionally drained. At church Sunday I was sitting in my chair during the break, the meet and greet time. My friend Angie was there. I told her that I felt like I needed to sit and stare at nothing for a loooong time. I had no energy to get up and even say hi to people. That for me was a wake up call. I have loved my job here and I have loved these children. People who do jobs like this have to have thick skin. You can't be an emotional wreck around these kids. But in doing that you don't get the opportunity to grieve what has happened to them nor what is happening in your own life, whatever it may be. It has gotten to be too much for me. Because I live there, I can't ever get away. I am essentially on call 24/7.

Events that have happened in the past year to drain me: Married Co-worker who asked me out and told me he liked me, a particularly personally painful experience with a mentor, Haiti earthquake and kids coming from there, a friend sharing with me her need to hurt herself stemming from severe abuse as an infant and child, the hand rash lasting sooo long, mice in my house and bedroom, and moving to a new house within my job. Mice and a hand rash may sound like petty things, but they have just added to the frustrations. I hear so many tragic stories with my kids and I have never grieved it. Lately I have felt like I need to spend 2 days crying. I don't cry very often, but when I do, I cry hard. I broke down in the doctor's office the other day with the stuff with my hand. Workman's comp was being VERY unhelpful and I was confused and frustrated. I felt like I was 7.

Now I am dealing with what to do next. I have to start looking for jobs and figure out where to live. I also need to buy a new car...the DJ is on her way out. I will do a post on that when she leaves with pictures. There is just so much on my mind of late. Your prayers would be much appreciated.

I am struggling with needing to leave the kids and feeling like I can't. I have made the mistake of thinking that I could save them. God is the one who was with them before I was and He will be with them when I go. It's just really hard to leave and believe that they will be ok. I don't want to hurt them. I don't want them to feel like I have given up on them. I am praying that in the next 2 months the kids I have had since May will move on.

When I first started I thought 2 years and then I would move on. Now that I am here, it's clearly time to go, but it is so hard. It is taking a lot of faith and trust in God. Belief that His plan for these kids' lives is much better than mine.

I was talking to my friend Kahleaf today (he spent some years in foster care). He said that if I am thinking about leaving a lot then I really do need to for the kids' sake. He said they pick up on things and if I am one of the few people they feel happy around then it's not good for them to see me thinking these things. It's easier to think of it like that, but also hard. When I think of leaving, I picture their little faces and I get so so sad.

Just imagine carrying around the weight of the abuse of 8 children. It's intense. I was reading the blue book for my 2 year old on Monday. A blue book contains all the documents since a child has come into care. He and his 4 siblings are with me because the mom's boyfriend was abusing the 2 year old....to the point that he was vomiting due to the trauma. The mom took him to the hospital when he started vomiting. He had bruises on the back of his legs and arms and the mom could not explain any of it. He is 2 years old and one of the cutest 2 year olds I have ever seen. How can you do that to him?????? It's ok to hear stories like this, but when you know the child and you care for them day in and day out.... How can I not cry? But I am so drained I can't....but I know I need to.

I think I have officially earned the title of "longest blog poster" for our little group. Sorry. I need to get these things out. This post feels very "all over the place" but it is therapeutic in a way for me. I'm trying my best to "Let go and let God." It's tough. I know my soul needs to be nourished, but I'm not even sure how to do that at this point. Any ideas?

I love you all and miss you all! I am so thankful for being able to stay connected with you all in this way.

-Kath

Beiber Fever...

Let's talk about how I wish I was 16 so it would be okay for me to have a crush on J-Beibs. I actually really love this song...and the video is pretty cool too...for a 16 year old :) And I really love his hair. I'm hopin' E gets some good hair like that! Also, I just love watching Usher dance.

OKAY AND...I need your opinion ladies. I've been wanting to get a tattoo to kind of symbolize my little family. At first I just wanted to get one for Elliot. I was gonna get his name, but then I thought, well whenever we have another baby, I'll have to get a tattoo for him/her too. So, I was trying to think of something that would look good w/ the tattoo I wanted to get for Elliot. Turns out Elliot REALLY loves the song "Blackbird" by the Beatles. I mean, when he's screaming his head off, I start singing it and he immediately calms down. So, I had the idea to get a small black bird tattoo. So, I googled some ideas and saw this...

So, I'm not going to do it on my shoulder, but I was thinking on the inside of my arm. (The underneath part that never tans) I was going to do 3 birds to represent Steve, me & Elliot. And I can add on w/ however many babies we end up having. I don't want them big at all. Probably about the size they are on the girl in the picture. So, what do you guys think?

My belated post on Karin

Kari, I miss you. I was looking through my pictures of your visit here wishing I could see you again. My visit to Columbia was not the same without you. I though about visit Brenda and Keller but didn't want your parents to think i'm weird. You are not at the house so why the visit. I miss them too.

However, I am glad you are in Canada adventuring. Keep up the posts. Never forget that school is cool. I love you Karicle!

Tell Joshy I say hello.

A-hilt

Toms

Okay, so I know Kari has some Toms, and I'm pretty sure Jules does...so tell me ladies, are they really as comfortable as I've heard? And also, do I need to order a smaller size than I normally wear? I was reading on their website that they stretch a bit, so order a size down? Is that true?

Mur

Back by popular demand!

Klearly Kanadian?!

Where you be, Kar? I want some updates on your Kanadian adventures! Can you take a picture of your room mate? I want to see her. Is that weird?

Have you added any furniture to your room yet? How's school going? Do you think you'll like it? Do you think you'll end up staying in Kanada? Do you like it there? What's the weather like? Have you gone out on the town yet? Do people really say eh?

I have so many questions, so you better start talkin'!

Oh, one more....

WERE YOU THERE THE NIGHT OF THE 4TH!?!?!

PS - Elliot says HI AUNTIE KAR KAR!

Baby(With Me)

This one is awesome too! Especially at 2:28 when he starts yawning. hahahahaha
-Kath

\

Brain Steam Surgery

Way to be a bitch Suz...

Love,

Jen and Mer

Teenage Dream

So yes, this song might be one of the biggest lyrical trainwrecks to ever hit the airwaves...but I kinda like it. And I for sure kinda love it when this kid sings it.


You're welcome. - Suzy

To all our bias who weren't here....

bromance

deer in headlights! just for you, kath

best attempt at a serious photo

ummm...ash??

BABY!!!!

We wish you would've been here to join us for Trops!

So much to do about....so much to do!!

Oh Glory Kids... These are the lyrics I am singing to myself as I am getting stressed with so much to do for Colorado. It is T minus 2 weeks till show time and I am so stressed. I knew that once I got back from Missouri, which was a blast, I would have to kick into gear. As I usually don't handle stress very well, I am trying so hard to gain control of my anxiety. Ladies, I wish you guys were here to help me pack. Katie, I remember you helping me pack for college. I could use your hands right now. Just think of me these next couple of weeks and hope they are smooth ones.

Pictures....

Today we got family pictures taken again! The three of us got all dressed up and went downtown to meet w/ the photographer. The weather was great, although I got a little sweaty carrying around a crazy little boy!

Elliot did AWESOME! He is a natural! I think he smiled in most of the pictures. He was in such a good mood (which is pretty typical, as you all know!) So, they should be on line in the next couple weeks and I'll post the link as soon as they are.

Unfortunately, our photographer has decided to just focus on wedding pictures and no longer continue w/ family and child photography. Grrreeeeaaattttt...just when I found someone who was SUPER reasonable and whose style I loved, she quits. : / I wanted her to take more photos at 9 months and for his 1st birthday.

Betsy & I wanted to get some pictures taken of the kids together and give some photos in nice frames to Peggy for her Christmas present. I was PLANNING on using our photographer, but guess that won't be happening anymore.

I think I am going to try to do them myself. YIKES! I don't think I'm THAT HORRIBLE. And I think if I had someone to help me situate the kids & make them smile, we could get some pretty decent shots that I know Peggy would love.

Do you girls have any creative poses, props or anything of that nature as far as pictures for 3 kids goes? Since it's going to be around Christmas when we do this, I was thinking about maybe getting a small (3 foot) Christmas tree (silver or white) maybe and putting that in a few shots. Do you think that's super cheesy?

HELLLOOOO JULIANNA

So I hear you have forgotten your phone in CA....sigh....oh geez...

If you get this in time we should get everyone together for lunch and then Trops tonight. yes?

Mer, you free? I'm going through E withdrawal.

It's official. . .

. . . I am a proud owner of a big ass diesel truck!! Funny thing is for its first three years of its life it resided in Warrensburg, MO. Diesel (name subject to change) and I were meant to be together.

Ju

Today

Today is sssuuuch a beautiful day. I cant wait for Jules to get here to start enjoying this fall-like Missouri weather!! Shalom in the Home

Ash

solemn

10 years ago on this date, my dad died. it seems like only 3 or 4 year ago, he was here with me. up until now, today has been fine. i've tried to see all the positives in what i have been given in the past 10 years despite him being taken away from me. i'm married and happily so, i have a wonderful, beautiful son, my health, my family's health, good friends, a home, a job, but....still no dad....just memories.

The Shafer Adventure

Okay all... I have been meaning to update everyone on our up and coming adventure. The Shafer's will be moving to Colorado in an RV minus merrick. We are planning to make our way to Breckenridge in October. Our RV will not be ready for pick up till mid October in Michigan. On our way back from MI with RV in tow, I might make a pit stop in COMO for somedays while kevin flies back to CA for a photo shoot. Here are somethings that we need to see happen this septemeber...

1. Find Renters. Our house comes furnished or unfurnished.

2. If the renters want it unfurnished, we need to sell our things

3. Sell Kevin's car. We are giving my car to Anj-hole.

4. Figure out where and what I want to do for my birthday. We were thinking of going to the Missouri - Colorado game in Boulder on the 9th of October for a belated present.

5. Find jobs in Breck.

We are being stretched to downsize and simplify our lives. We want to cut our costs down, save money, and travel. We want to adventure before we start a family. There is a lot of change ahead and I'm excited but nervous at the same time. If there is any question feel free to ask. I kinda lost focus in and out of writing this post... getting ready for work... and have lost the motivation to write out the details.

6. oh something else I need to do is meet my new friend Olivia Jules. Yes, I inspired her parents in naming her. I think of pitts and payne with this picture.

being a stay at home mom....

i'll be honest. i don't really like being a stay at home mom as much as i thought i would. maybe i'll enjoy it once E is a little older and we can go places & enjoy doing things together but right now, it's not all i thought it'd be.

i am so grateful that i do get to stay home and watch him grow up, and see all his "firsts" because believe me, thinking of someone else seeing those makes me sick to my stomach. but it's not all fun & games. it's poopy diapers, fighting nap time, getting puked on, having hair ripped out of your head, a sometimes messy house that of course, drives me insane, and crying for no reason.

even though it's all those really bad not so fun things, it's also really rewarding. those smiles i get first thing in the morning melt my heart, seeing him light up when i walk into a room is the best. and of course, the kisses....the big sloppy wet kisses.

as much as i don't really want him to grow up, i'm looking forward to next summer. he'll be a year old and so i think we'll be able to go out and have a lot more fun together. i'm looking forward to the pool, the library, the park.

we went to the park yesterday since it was pretty nice out. he had so much fun. i put him in a swing & he was just giggling and laughing the whole time. he LOVED it. those are the things that make being a stay at home mom worth it. those times remind me why i wanted to do this in the first place. some days when he's super cranky, i think to myself...oh i could go back to work...that would be great! but i'd hate missing all the cute little faces, sounds he makes, and watching him learn something new every day.

so sometimes, as much as he drives me batty some days, i wouldn't trade my job for the world.

Saturday Nights.

My Saturday night was fun filled with my hubby, pj's, popcorn, fire, and Dexter. I was in love!

What did you guys do this weekend?

Mer, I didn't realize season 3 had 3 disc so we wont start season 4 till Wednesday or so. I'm excited to chat with you though when I get the 2nd disc!

Have a great Monday and I will see you all soon.

Ju

p.s. I am just now noticing that Merrick was SNEAKING into the POPCORN! What the?!

Canadian House Arrest

I miss my Philo guy! My messy room, Canadian peanut butter (everything here is Kraft),

My basement apartment- note the shovel, guess it gets used quite a bit

So I'm not really on house arrest, it just feels that way. I arrived in Toronto on Tuesday and since I flew, I shipped a few boxes of my stuff up. According to FedEx tracking they were supposed to arrive Wednesday, so I stayed in the apartment all day waiting and they did not come. (if you are not at home to receive packages here, they will not drop them off) So I waited on Thursday and 3 of the 4 arrived in the afternoon and currently it is 1 PM on Friday and I am waiting for the final one which is scheduled to be dropped off today. This has sort of sucked because I am an eager beaver to go 'splorin in my new hood.
That said, I have had my evenings to go out and get stuff. Another sucky thing is that I do not have a car and have been making my treks to neighboring stores by foot, filling up my backpack and reusable bags, and lugging it all home. Those adventures and my crappy mattress have caused for an achy, breaky back. It is also annoying because there are some big things I need to purchase and I guess I will just need to hire delivery. As you can see from the pics of my bedroom I am in need of a dresser and a desk. I have seen a lot of great listings on Craigslist but no delivery.
Canada is just weird. I didn't expect so many different things because Toronto is just so close to the US. Going grocery shopping takes me forever because the brands are so different, yet the same, and dairy and meat is much more expensive.
Toronto is really progressive. Under our kitchen sink we have a trash can for garbage, a box for recyclables, and an organic waste which is a bin for all food particles (kind of like compost but takes much more than just raw stuff). Also, at all stores you are charged a nickle per plastic bag if you didn't bring your own.
I am also needing to set up my Canadian bank account which I am not looking forward to. My roommate explained to me how different Canadian banking is from the US. For instance, EVERY time you use your own bank's ATM you are charged $1.50. EVERY time you use your debit/credit card you are charged $.65. Talk about pricey.
So other than being limited on leaving my apartment during the day, I am doing OK in this pricey/weird place. I am really, really missing my Josh and we have been video Skyping at least twice a day. He sent me up with one of his undershirts that he wore the night before I left and it is all the more difficult when I am going through my clothing and get a whiff of his cologne/deodorant.
On the praise report side: Whit is flying in today! He will only be here through Sunday night, but boy oh boy am I happy to see my old flaming sidekick!
So if you remember, keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Adjusting is difficult.
Love my girls
Kari

On My Mind

If any of you don't know what I do....I am basically a mom by profession to (currently) 9 children (ages 2 to 9). I have a blog lifeasaprofessionalmom.blogspot.com if any of you are interested in reading I will need your email to add you to the list of readers. You have to sign in every time due to the privacy of the children. Anyway, back to the job...it is very stressful. But I love it. I love not sitting behind a desk bored as heck. I love not staring at a computer screen all day. I think I may have what was formerly Shawna's dream job. I wake kids up in the morning for school. I get them dressed, make them breakfast, and take them to school. I then have until 3pm to myself (sort of). From 3pm to bedtime I am helping the kids do homework, I am cooking dinner, I am playing outside with them, I am bathing them, I am cleaning up the house. Because we are a licensed facility we have a lot of cleanliness standards we have to keep up with. The bathrooms are cleaning twice a day, the floor is mopped twice a day. It's kind of ridiculous. We have to disinfect everything. The job also entails quite a bit of paperwork. Every time a kid gets a scratch, scrape, bump we have to write an incident report. Every time a kid decides to lose it and tell you you are a f***in (i hate that word) bitch who should get the hell outta here, you have to write an incident report. Basically all injuries and extreme behaviors are documented. This helps the courts decide the best place for the child.

Do some of you find it hard to keep track of everything going on in your life? Well try multiplying that by 9 children who have therapy twice a week, visits with parents, and doctor's appointments. I'm not sure how I do it. Thank God for calendars and for grace.

Can you imagine that I am enjoying it?

It is very time consuming. I get Tuesdays and Thursdays off (meaning 9 to 11pm). If I'm not back by 11 I turn into a pumpkin and the dream ends. I sleep every night here and wake up every morning here...except for 4 weekends a year when I am off Friday through Monday at 1pm. I love those weekends and usually I get the hell outta here! Haha!

But truly I enjoy being the consistency and structure in these kids' very chaotic lives. Many have been physically abused and many have been sexually abused. Some have been abandoned or neglected. They have never lived a "normal" life (whatever that is).

So I say all this because a couple weeks ago at home group we were encouraging each other. One of the girls there had started dating a guy that goes to church with us and had left the church she had grown up in to go to church with him. Everyone was complimenting her on how well she had made the transition, that no one viewed her as John's girlfriend, but as Marie. She is so sweet. The other girls talked about how easy it was to hang out with her and they started mentioning all these memories with her. I got really sad. With 2 nights off a week it is so hard to be able to hang out with people...especially these two days being Tuesdays and Thursdays...days normal people work. It was the first time I seriously contemplated leaving my job. I miss being able to hang out any night of the week. I felt like I was missing out on community. There is so much I would like to do, but I am so limited in my time.

Then yesterday at the weekly houseparent meeting, Siggi started speaking. She has been a houseparent for 11 years and is leaving to move to Hawaii (not too shabby!). She will be working with the illustration school that YWAM has there. She shared with us that over the 11 years people would mention to her how great it was that she was giving up her life to work with the kids. But then she said something that really struck me. She said, "It was never my life to begin with." What life have I given up? This is the life that God has for me at this time. I am experiencing life. When I thought about this I felt selfish for being sad at home group. I felt selfish for wanting more free time.

Now I am struggling with what is right. I am considering going to grad school. But then the questions. Which one? Do I work and go to school? Do I just take out loans and go to school full time? So many decisions. I suppose I just have to wait until the Lord shows me the next step. One door will close and another will open. Mollie is now in Miami going to school. I would love to be able to live with her and go to school. So maybe that could happen.

So what is life?

-Kath

DMV's sucks!

The CA dmv and other departments are a nightmare. Its always understaffed and the line is out the building. You usually spend on average 3 hours there only to find a rude, non-friendly staff member. You can talk to one person then you get slapped with fines later cause what they told you was not true, or if you talk to another person they will tell you something different. I have never experienced anything like the CA government and the people who work for them. I don't remember Missouri being this bad. Have you guys had horrible experiences in MO?

I truly can't wait to become a non-resident of CA again.

JU

p.s. I would love to hear from ash, beph, or jen!!

Bromance!

My husband definitely has one with our friend Matt Fillingame and I think its so cute! Kevin has been doing work with Matt. They surf together. We have lifegroup together. They are equally advuterious and daring together. They giggle together. They have beers together. Their relationship is such a bromance and I love it. Laurie, matt's wife, and I just think our husbands together are the cutest thing. Teehee. Just wanted to share.

Ju

Let's talk about books, baby!

Yo yo yiggity yo!

Since I'm home a lot and have a good amount of time on my hands, I've decided to take up reading again. I REALLY love to read, and it's one of those things that when I'm in the mood, I motor through like 5 books in a short amount of time and then don't read again for like 6 months.

BUT, I've decided, since I'm home w/ an infant all day long, I should try to read at least a book a month to keep my brain sharp.

I just finished "The Book Theif" by Markus Zusak. Great book! I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend! My imagination went wild with this book. I don't think I've ever been able to see characters or places soo vividly in my mind's eye w/ a book before. (Aside from books I've read that've turned into movies, like Twilight or the HP's) But, I would lay awake in bed at night thinking of Leisel (main character) and Rudy (her best friend) playing on Himmel Street. I give it two thumbs up!

Currently, I'm reading a book called "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card. It's kind of a children's sci fi, but pretty entertaining. I'm not finished w/ it yet, but the premise is kind of cool. The "best of the best" kids are taken away from their families to go to "space camp" to train to beat "buggers" who are the humans enemies. Ender, the main character is only 6 when he's taken away to camp. He excels at all of the "space training games" despite being so young....and so far, that's pretty much all I know about it :) I'll let you know what I rate it once I'm done. But, so far, it's entertaining.

I'm also reading a lot of Dr. Seuss lately. "The Cat in the Hat" & "Oh, the Places You Will Go" happen to be my favies so far. :)

I have a whole list of books I'd love to read. I'm interested in this series called "The Hunger Games", LOOK IT UP! They sound really weird/cool. I'd like to read "The Girl w/ the Dragon Tattoo" series, "I Am Messenger" which is another book by Markus Zusak, and a few others.

So ladies...tell me, what are you reading or what do you plan to read?

-Mur

When two become one.

Kari brought this up already, but I really need some answers now!

What is going on with this "I need your addresses for our wedding invitations" message from TP? Does he really want my address??? really??

Let's be serious here. Are you guys going to this wedding? And do you really believe that a facebook invite is their way of going green? bahahaha.

Ok, now seriously though....I'll Go. If you guys go.

...I kinda want to go.....

The Ants Go Marching On...

Ants, Ants, ANTS!!!

We can't seem to get rid of them. I have used several ant killers and nothing is stopping these guys for the summer. They are going to come and invade whether I like it or not. When I walk Merrick in our complex, I see their lil trails EVERYWHERE! It's official, I hate the little guys.

Did you guys know that I got an ant in my ear once. I wake up one morning needing to run out the door real fast. I am kinda groggy and just waking up when I reach for my zip-up hoodie on the floor, that not to my knowing had ants on it. I put it on and quickly did I feel a tickle on/in my ear like somethings crawling on me. I tried to scratch it out but it was too late. An ant went marching in my ear. Next thing I know the little squirt was walking off and on my eardrum making a ridiculously loud and noisy sound in my ear. I started to panick! I didn't know what to do. I was afraid he would get in my brain, do who knows what, die in my head, and I would end up with an infection.

So 5 minutes later, after Mr. Ant came walking in to my life.. I mean head... I'm in my car at a stop light and I feel a tickle on my ear again. I looked in the mirror to see a black speck. I picked it off my ear to find Mr. Ant slow moving with crinkled antennas. I kinda felt bad.

A-hilt

Mizzou Nerd

Yep that's me. So....the Mizzou Nerd that I am. I was browsing espn.com the other day and decided and I would check out Mizzou football and basketball alums and see what they are up to...if they were successful at taking it to the next level. I looked at Linas Kleiza (not so much), Keyon Dooling (average), Justin Smith (sort of), Justin Gage (not too shabby), Brad Smith (average), Sean Weatherspoon (impressing people), Ziggy Hood (really impressing coaches in the preseason), Chase Coffman (nothing impressive yet), Jeremy Maclin (superstar!), Demarre Carolle (getting there). Anyone remember Kareem Rush? He was the cute player that the Columbia Tribune liked to call the "Kareem of the Crop". He was a fundamental part of the 2001-2002 team that made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tourney. Well he has spent 7 seasons in the NBA since then and is currently nursing a knee injury. What does he do in his spare time????? He sings R&B. I found this quite entertaining. His new single is called "Hold You Down". He calls it old-school classic R&B. If you care there's an article here: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=5180779

And if you want to hear the song it's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piq-z0_YjCc

Enjoy! Aren't you glad to know what our little Mizzouians are doing with their lives?!
Call me a Geek it's ok. I love Mizzou sports and always will. Gotta Represent!

Can we talk about this???

for those lucky enough to attend our get together tonight at asholee's these are the topics I'd like to discuss:
1. what you all will do for fun once i'm gone
2. when will you all leave you babies and husbands at home to visit me up north
3. and most importantly, our dear TP is getting married and we are all invited via facebook

A Memory

So, I just signed into this blog for the first time today! Who knew there were already 20 posts on here. I need to start checking this thing daily. I have been missing out. Since I don't have time to go back and comment on every single post, I thought I would just jump in on the last post and leave a memory of Kar.

shorthose on the farm

Kar, don't stay in Canada forever, ok?

- Jen

karen.louisa.winkelmeyer

since our dear karen louisa will be moving all too soon, i thought we should do a tribute blog to her.

create a new post & include your favorite picture{s} of you and kari and one {or more} reasons why you love our little karicle.

i love kari for a few reasons:

1. i love that she was a home wrecker. while i was dating gabe weaver, she seduced him w/ her sensual stares and her glistening braces. i'm pretty sure hanson was playing in the background during their tonsil hockey session. {on the same note, i love that they got in trouble for holding hands in 7th grade while we were watching a muppet christmas carol}

2. she always makes me laugh.

3. i think she's super gorge!

4. she supports my honey buzzers addiction.

5. she's my lesbian lover

6. and...last but not least, she passed out into tim's arms on senior trip. that might've been one of the funniest/weirdest things i've witnessed in my life. and i have kari to thank for that.

I MISS YOU ALREADY, KAR!!!!!

Love you!

Mer

D.E.X.T.E.R

Anybody watch Dexter? I love it. You might remember Kevin and I talk about it last holiday. We sat for hours at the Rothwell House and watched season 1 and 2. More than half a year later, we just received season 3 in the mail last Friday...Thank you netflix! It is now Monday morning and we already need the next disk with the next 4 or 5 episodes. The Shafer's are obsessed.

What is your show of choice?

Jules

LET'S POSE

Since we've lucked out by having a pro photographer marry into our family, I think we should utilize him as much as possible. I have taken the liberty of finding some very specific poses I would like us to do.
1. The walk our bikes while smiling at each other pose.
2. The put a couch in a field and look cool pose.

3. The wear really hot cocktail dresses and throw tons of confetti in the air pose.

4. The create a ridiculous scene and then pretend to be in a Wes Anderson film by looking stoic and vintage pose. (I would like to keep this one as close to the blow-up pool scene as possible)


5. The melancholic stare out the window while wearing a half-hearted super hero costume pose.

So? What do ya say? Let's DO IT. I promise to print out all of these photos for everyone involved. Just as long as WE DO IT. do it.


and do it.

~suz.

TROPS!!!!

K-T's in town peeps and we're gett'n sum. TROPSSS that eees. All ya'll who wants to get ther drank on better show up at THE DOWNTOWN @ 8:30.

here's the menu

Brain Freeze

tequila, puerto rican rum, gin, blue curacao, & lemonade

Cherry Bomb

vodka, cherry, & lemon sour

Cherro-Lime

puerto rican rum, cherry, lime juice, & sprite

‘57 Chevy

puerto rican rum, gin, vodka, sloe gin, & mai tai blend

Island punch

vodka, triple sec, Hawaiian punch, orange juice, & lemonade

Jungle Juice

180 Proof Grain Alcohol, Mango Schnapps, Papaya Schnapps, Pineapple Coconut Schnapps, Mango Puree, Pineapple Juice, & Lemonade

Long Island Tea

puerto rican rum, gin, vodka, triple sec, & pepsi

Nannerberry

puerto rican rum, triple esc, strawberry puree, & bananna puree

Pina Colada

puerto Rican rum, pineapple juice, & coconut

Raspberry Lemonade

raspberry liquor, vodka, raspberry puree, lemonade, & grenadine

Rum Runner

gold rum, silver rum, & our special rum runner blend

Sex on the Beach

peach schnapps, vodka, pineapple juice, & coconut

Silver Bullet

190 proof “everclear”, lemonade, & sprite

Sweet Tart

vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, & lemon

Tiger Paw

peach schnapps, bacardi 151 rum, pineapple juice, & orange juice

Toasted Almond

coffee liqueur & amaretto blended with vanilla ice cream

Non-Alcoholic

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