Wordless Wednesday--Take My Hand

Some Random Images from Memorial Weekend in Kansas

Tonya, Karissa & Kollette

We were able to visit with Tonya, Kollette and new baby Karissa on Sunday. I can't believe how old Kollette and Laurin look.

15 Year Reunion

I should have some more pictures coming later via e-mail if they hold true to their promise to email out the group pictures. Paul didn't come with me, so I couldn't very well take a group picture and be in it at the same time.

Adventures in Potty Training

The other day when Ethan got out of the bathtub he was standing on the toilet before I put his diaper on him. He suddenly said "pee-pee" but it was too late. He showered the floor, but at least I knew he was becoming aware of when he has to go.

So yesterday I sat him on the toilet after he got out of the bath and he had a fun time singing about the potty for about 5 minutes before he went to the bathroom.

I don't know when you should start teaching boys to go standing up, but I think I'll stick with him sitting until I think he can aim. Knowing him it would become a big game and I would be cleaning every surface in the bathroom 5 times a day.

Today's Verse

May your unfailing love be my comfort...

Psalms 119:76

A Day at the Museum

Lost Season Finale

Don't read this Lianne.

I just got done watching the season finale this morning and all I have to say is what the hell? I hope that it is some alternate universe like Shauna has suggested, because I'm not really interested in learning about people's lives off of the island. I want to know more about the island and Jacob and Locke and why people can't have babies there and on and on. I was so afraid that Hurley was going to die that I was yelling at the tv, "No Hurley, No!!!!" when he was driving into the gunfire. I was kind of disappointed that Sawyer shot Tom too. He was growing on me. And whose funeral was it anyway? It looked like a pretty short coffin to me. Perhaps the ending of the show was all a vision from Desmond and he will tell them that they shouldn't really get off the island after all.
I did cry when Charlie died, but I was relieved that they didn't kill anyone else. I figured that Locke would shoot at Jack and Kate would run out in front of him and be shot instead. If the transmission did go through, now it seems the Losties will have yet another "other" enemy trying to kill them all. It's pretty funny to think that they've only been there for 90 days and it has been nonstop action/hostage situations/kidnappings/deaths/torture etc. They surely all have ulcers by now.

Laurin's Field Day

I Love Rock n Roll

Come and Play

Notice the cabinet style t.v.

This is possibly the best garage sale find of all time--at least for a Gen Xer. This set is from 1973. It's missing the Hoopers, Gordon and wife, and some furniture but all in all it's in good shape for being 30+ years old. I remember playing with these exact Oscar the Grouch and Burt and Ernie Fisher Price people. Not a bad purchase for $3.00. Now all I have to do is find the Fisher Price Hospital at a garage sale and my life will be complete, ha ha.

I'd Rather Be Fishing

I haven't been paying much attention to updating my blog the last few days, because they have been filled with family fun. On Friday night we went to a pond off of the city recreation trial and caught about 50 small (and I do mean small) rock bass. Laina was quite the little fisherwoman and excitedly told me that she felt the pole bounce and just started reeling in. Ethan was interested in everything that was going on and kept saying "eeeeeewwwww" whenever he saw a fish or a worm.
Saturday we hit a couple of garage sales before going out on the boat at Lonetree. I reeled in one 20" walleye--the only fish of the day--and we basked in the sun. Apparently I basked a little too much and was struck with some extreme pain (we're talking childbirth type of pain) in my stomach. Thankfully my trusty EMT husband diagnosed me with dehydration and heat exhaustion and treated me by cooling me off and giving me small sips of water. By the time we left for home after what seemed a very long journey back to shore I was soaked in lake water and the pain had subsided. It was a lesson in the importance of staying hydrated and it let me see my hero in action.
Today we attended church and went to Simpson Ponds to fish again. It was pretty disappointing--we didn't even get a nibble. Now we're fixing to eat the fruits of our labor, so I need to go. I'll share pics from our visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with Shauna later.

Today's Verse

The Telephant

Laurin's class read a book about mixing together animals and an inanimate object and (http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/HarperChildrens/Kids/BookDetail.aspx?isbn13=9780060543174) had to create one of their own. It's amazing what you can do with a lightbulb, a pop can, some Sculpey clay, a pipe cleaner and some paper.

Today's Verse

In case you can't read it it says

Glory to God in the highest. Luke 2:14

Don't Fence Me In

Forgive the dark footage and me talking to Lianne on the phone, but I had to get a video of Ethan's escape. He used an activity block on my side and one of Laina's high heeled pink dress up shoes to push the electronic button to open the gate.

What Was Your Name Again?

I have been thinking lately about Pastor Tom and the thing that keeps coming to my mind is how he knows my name. As someone who seems to be easily forgotten by people I can't express how much that means to me. To me it is a sign of respect to learn someone's name. If you can't remember my name after I've met you several times, to me it is a sign that I'm not worth the bother.
The Lord reminded me of a verse about Moses in Exodus 33:12-- You said, 'I know you by name.....' The God of the universe knows my name. The maker of heaven and earth knows who I am. The Alpha and the Omega has chosen me to have a relationship with Him. He has redeemed me and called me by my name. I am His. (Isa 43:1) Do I still have worth when no one on earth seems to know I exist? The Lord says YES!

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to tell all the moms out there Happy Mother's Day. We had a fun day today. Laurin stayed at her friend down the street's house but came over at 7:00am to serve me breakfast in bed. Then we all went to church and even got there early enough to sit in the front. We then headed to Tres Margaritas and didn't even have to wait in line to be seated. We all took naps when we got home and I watched Survivor. That's a pretty good day to me. Man I'm a boring person sometimes.

Adios Amigos

Laina, Ethan and I went to Pastor Tom and Susanne's farewell party for the Worship Arts Ministry people last night. We had a good time, shared some tears with everyone, and had some fellowship time. I was holding Ethan in my arms when we went to hug Susanne and PT and he said, "Karin, it's been so nice getting to know you and your family. Keep in touch, we'll be around." Of course, I cried and so did they. No sooner had we walked back to the back of the sanctuary than Ethan spewed like a volcano. One minute he was completely fine and the next he was reenacting the exorcist. Thank God he didn't puke all over Pastor Tom at his party.
We quickly went home and Ethan has been fine ever since. I think that anticipating getting sick is as bad as being sick. I have barely eaten for 2 days thinking that I will eventually throw it all up, but so far so good.

Today's Verse

Believe it or not, this was the best picture I could get today. Carter was not in the mood and Ethan wouldn't sit still. I never saw Laina look so pretty though.

Just Wastin' Time

I have had some fun playing with my blog layout and links today, but I've also wasted a good part of my day figuring it all out. I'm definitely one of those people who just plays around with everything until I figure out what works. Thank goodness I don't have to know HTML.

Last Years PITP

Laurin took some really cute pictures at the Fort Collins Praise in the Park last year. Here's a sampling.

My new design

I am playing around with this new template and haven't quite figured everything out. We'll see if I can get my picture back on there.

Bible Verse

The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness.



It has been a rainy few days around here, and Laina has been throwing up. I'm praying that we all don't get sick as well. Hope that everyone has a great week.

Update from Orthodontist

We took Laurin to the orthodontist yesterday and brought along the panoramic x-ray the dentist took. The orthodontist, Dr. Stowers, recommended that she have 4 baby teeth pulled. The permanent teeth are not coming in right underneath them, so the baby teeth aren't being pushed out. That would explain why she hasn't lost any teeth for a year. Dr. Stowers also said that the permanent teeth are pushing on the roots of her front few teeth and could cause "catastrophic root damage" to the other teeth.

Laurin was all calm about this news, while I was hyperventilating. I am a severe dentaphobe and the idea of having teeth pulled is like having teeth pulled, ha ha.