Quote of the week

We made a run to Target to get a couple of things one night. We found ourselves in a checkout line behind a woman who had a boatload of school supplies. She turned to us and said,

"This free education is costing me a fortune!"

Happy Birthday...again?

Last night we had a great time celebrating Grandma Harner's birthday. She was the 11th of 13 children. Can you imagine? Well, the Duggars can, but it'a highly unlikely that they read this blog. Anyway, Grandma was born at home and when she was reminiscing she said that no one really knows what day she was actually born on because the dr. that came to the house to deliver her was drunk and didn't document it! So today could be her real birthday. So, Grandma, take this day and celebrate again! You deserve it!

This can't come soon enough!

Watching a 9 month old is hard work, especially without one of these! Yeah for me, I uploaded my first picture-

Happy Birthday!

On this (very hot) day 95 years ago, my husband's grandmother was born. Viola Harner lived most of her life in Kingman, Ks. She was a hairdresser, owned the local Ward's store with her husband of 60+ years and raised her family. She has 2 grown daughters, 7 (I think) grandkids, and too many great-grandkids to mention. Her soul-mate, Maynard Harner, went to be with Jesus in August of 2003. She has been holding down the family fort ever since. She is an ordinary woman with extraordinary faith. She loves plants, pictures, Werther's candies, and her family. Happy Birthday, Grandma! I'm so blessed to be married to a man who has such a godly heritage.

Viola shares this special day with 3 incredible kids. Rachel, Megan, and Samuel Butts were born (at the same time-almost) 4 years ago today to Susan (and Bryson) Butts. In the midst of planting a church, setting up a private practice, moving, and other challenges of life, these 3 miracles came to the world. They are beautiful examples of how much God loves His children. Happy Birthday to you all!

side note-every night for the last week I've thought I'd get Kevin to help me with pix. But, for some reason, sleep seems like the better option at that time of day. Be patient, they're coming! I tried to stay up and watch Third Day on Leno, but to no avail. Someday, maybe...

Detox

I've experienced it 4 times this summer. The let down that comes when vacation is over. The bad tempers and mood swings when we haven't gotten enough sleep. The constant fighting and bickering over barbies and polly pocket. Today has been the longest day. I can't decide whether to make them rest this afternoon, or put them to bed early tonight... 5:30 won't come soon enough. Kevin may read this and decide he needs to work late tonight just to avoid the fire.

We had a wonderful time in Texas. I promise to post pix of my own, soon. For now, enjoy the ones on Kevin's blog.

Dallas, here we come!

Insert cool picture of Dallas skyline. Someday, I'll figure that out...

We're heading to Dallas after Kevin gets done with work tonight, and we're all so excited! We were supposed to go down and visit Kevin's brother, his wife and 2 girls over Memorial Day weekend, but 3 days before the trip, they called to say they had been exposed to Lice and there was a strong chance that their girls would get it. So, we canceled at the last minute. Avery and McKenna were so dissappointed.

So, we're trying it again this weekend. I'm 30 weeks pregnant now, so, not really looking forward to the long drive and extremely hot weather, but, I'm looking forward to swimming in their pool and being with family for a few days.

The last time Kevin and I were in Dallas, it was 1999. We flew there from Kentucky to surprise Kevin's brother for his b-day. We went to 6 flags, ate at P. F. Changs for the 1st time, and went to South Fork. Just 4 adults, no kids. This time should be a little different, I think, but lots of fun, none the less.

Worry

Last week, someone in our family got some potentially scary health news. When I first heard about it, I started to freak out. Then, I prayed. I asked God to help me to NOT worry and dwell on this situation and all of the possibilities. And, guess what? I haven't been worrying! There were times over the weekend, where I completely forgot about what was going on. This is totally not like me. My motto is, "I think, therefore I worry." Praise the Lord that He is so gracious to give us what we need, when we need it.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27

The silly thing is, when I was at the Y this morning. I found myself worrying that I wasn't worrying enough. I know, I'm definitely a work in progress.

"Is there gonna be a wolf?"

I don't babysit my niece, Reese, on Tuesdays. So today, I wanted to do something special with the girls that I wouldn't get to do if I had all 3 of them. Last Tuesday, we went swimming. Today, we're going to see Kit Kittredge, American Girl movie.

McKenna, age 3, just came to me and said, "Mom? Is there gonna be a wolf?"
"A wolf? What are you talking about?" I replied.
"You know, a wolf, in the movie?"

We saw Wichita children's Theatre production "the boy who cried wolf" a couple of weeks ago. That's the only thing I can think of that would make her ask that question.

"No, sweetheart, there isn't going to be a wolf." I hope not anyway...

This may be a problem

2 blogs in one family.

The last night of Ashram, the kids all got up in front of the adults and sang a few songs about what they learned during the camp. Avery didn't want to go up in front of everyone. McKenna really wanted to, but wouldn't go up without Avery. So they didn't get to "perform." Since then, however, they've been singing the song they learned about God's top 10. Last night they sang it in front of the camera. And since Kevin is the tech guru, he put it on his blog first. Enjoy the Human Bent!

My 1st Vent!

Well, not exactly, if you count my first post. Right now I desperately need to be working on developing/creating a syllabus for a class I'm teaching at Friends this fall. The house is quiet. All 3 girls are sleeping. I REALLY want to join them! I've already finished writing the syllabuses (hey, I ran this through spell check and it said this was ok) for the other 2 classes I'm teaching, but I can't get motivated to do this one. I have nothing to go by for this class, no old syllabus, no expert advice from someone who's taught the class before, nothing, nada (yeah, spell check didn't like that one, but didn't give me a better option). While I'm really excited to be teaching this particular class, the timing of it couldn't be worse. It's only offered every other semester, and I happen to be 9m. pregnant the semester it's offered. Oh well. I'll grin and bear it like usual. Then complain to husband throughout the semester, until he (in love, of course) reminds me that it was my choice to do this. Ugh!

TGIF!

The girls have been gone for a few days at Ashram (church) camp w/ their grandparents, so Kevin and I have been enjoying

• having the house to ourselves
• NOT watching Curious George or Clifford in the mornings
• getting to eat junk food without sharing (except w/ each other)
• cleaning the house without it getting messy right afterwards
• having the computers to ourselves, not going to coloring.com or webkinz.com
  

We spent some time painting the nursery on Wednesday night, followed by a late dinner at Bella Luna, yummmmm. This is our 3rd child, 3rd girl, 3rd nursery, and 3rd shade of yellow we've painted in the last 5 years. I kept telling myself if it was a boy, we'd buy different bedding and go w/ a different theme, but God knows we're trying to save money, so He provided a way for us to do that by giving us another girl. Yea, God! Our old crib was recalled, so we're waiting on that process to finish so we can purchase a new crib. I'll post pix as soon as it's finished-and as soon as Kevin shows me how to post pix :)

Last night, Kevin mowed, I fixed his favorite dinner and we watched Batman Begins. After 2 days without them, this house is way too quiet. I'm ready for them to be home. This afternoon, we'll make the trip to Sterling college to pick up the girls, catch up with old friends, and participate in the camp's last worship service.

I'm looking forward to the weekend with not much planned, except being together as a family! For this blog, I'd like to be creative and organized enough to post different things on different days. So, be patient, check often, and comment nicely.

My husband's favorite

When I was growing up, my mom used to make sweet and sour meatballs for dinner occasionally. Shortly after Kevin and I married, as I was getting acquainted with my domestic side, I tried her recipe. Kevin LOVED it, and, after 11+ years, it is still one of his favorites. I usually serve this with white rice and corn. Enjoy!

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2/3 c. cracker crumbs
1/2 c. minced onion
1 egg
1 1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. ginger
1/4 c. milk
1 T. shortening
2 T. cornstarch
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained (reserve syrup)
1/3 c. vinegar (I use apple cider)
1 T. soy sauce
1/3 c. chopped green pepper

Mix thoroughly beef, crumbs, onion, egg, salt, ginger, and milk. Shape mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls into balls. Melt shortening in large skillet; brown and cook meatballs. Remove from heat, keep warm. Pour fat from skillet.

Mix cornstarch ad sugar. Stir in reserved pineapple syrup, vinegar, and soy sauce until smooth. Pour into skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens ad boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Add meatballs, pineapple, and green pepper. Heat through. Makes 6 servings.

Graphic Designer needed!

ok-so this is my first post. The thing I'm most concerned about right now is making this blog look good, which it doesn't. Come back in a few days and check it out!

Nevermind-Thanks to Sally's blog, I now have one of the cutest blogs on the block!