32 Going on 13

32 Things That Make Me Happy

1. Mandatory naps on Sunday afternoons
2. Orbit sweetmint chewing gum
3. LOUD Black Gospel choirs
4. Kirk Franklin videos on The Gospel Channel
5. Getting to know a new friend
6. Laughing with old friends
7. Aaron, Aaron, and more Aaron
8. Hot peanut butter toast with a huge, cold glass of milk for breakfast
9. Watching the lake change throughout the day
10. Jonathan sleeping through the night
11. Jonathan's "ya!"
12. Greg's funny voices
13. Daniel's hand in mine
14. Talking to my Mom on the phone, making her laugh
15. My brother singing silly to me on the phone
16. Taking a great photograph
17. Parking in empty parking lots
18. The new Coke Zero commercials
19. A fully charged cell phone
20. A full tank of gasoline
21. Target popcorn
22. When Aaron hugs me and says, "Let's go to California."
23. When Aaron takes me away for my birthday
24. Freshly vacuumed carpet
25. Fresh bed sheets
26. Watermark
27. New Creative Memories products
28. Peanut Butter M&Ms
29. Finding a GREAT new book
30. Writing a new post on the blog
31. Comments on my blog (wink)
32. Not being 33

Hiding

Have you ever been in a public place, seen someone you know, and ran for cover? Don't deny it; I know you've done it.

I have been thinking about this lately since my friend (who wishes desperately to remain anonymous) told me about her recent trip to a department store.

It was around 9pm, and she was in "down" mode. Mamas, do you hear me? We're talking no make-up, hair hastily up in a clip, glasses on. She's enjoying a quiet moment of meandering around a store when she catches a glimpse of an old flame with his wife. Her exact words were, "I ran like a frightened child!" I'm grinning even now as I picture her ducking between coats and shirts and jean displays, peeking around corners to see if she's safe.

Now, years had gone by since she had dated this guy, and there were no hard feelings, no resentment there -- it probably would've been a nice conversation. But, girls, you know what I'm saying. There's no way she was going to reveal herself in that moment.

Aren't we strange creatures? Let me be the first to admit that I am vain, vain, vain. I'm sure I'm way too concerned about my appearance and probably will be till the day I die. I'll be looking into a compact while lying in my hospital bed when I'm 80+ thinking, should I color/cut/curl/shave off my hair? Actually, maybe I will have lost all my hair by then and it won't even matter...

And vanity has everything to do with pride. We want to look good. We want to appear strong and in control, like we are God's Wonder Woman. It's exhausting, really. But it's good to know in those "down" mode, running-for-the-coat-rack moments that we have an audience of ONE. ONE opinion that matters, ONE God to please.

Ahhh, isn't that refreshing?

And a River Runs Through It...

Over Labor Day weekend, we headed up to northern Wisconsin and had a chance to go canoeing on the Brule River with Chris, Syna, and their kids. It was a beautiful mild day and so peaceful. Like a big breath of fresh air for all of us.

Gregory and Daniel were the perfect age for this trip. They searched the river for fish swimming by and tried to warn us if they saw big rocks ahead.

Chris with Brett and Hannah (above) Aaron with Kaela and Gregory (below)Syna and I took Daniel, who didn't like the rapids at first, but then asked for more "waterfalls!"!Kaela and Aaron explore the river some more. We beached the canoes and had snacks in the middle of the hour and 1/2 trip. We decided we have to try and come back when the leaves are at their peak color!

My Kindergartner

Don't You Agree?

Random thoughts...

I'm really glad I took a typing class in high school. It comes in handy when you want to type a fast post on the old blog.

I miss having main floor laundry. I swear I got more done.

What DO they put in that McDonald's Coca-Cola to make it taste so good? Actually, I have a friend whose husband works for a corn syrup company who claims McDonald's puts in the most corn syrup of any fast food chain. Sweet nectar of the gods...

One of my new favorite things is cuddling with Gregory after he gets home from Kindergarten and smelling "school" in his hair...does this make sense to anyone??

I really like the 30s so far. A very content place to be.

I don't know if I can ever break the habit of cracking my neck.

Amazon.com is so much fun!! (I'm a book fiend...)

My favorite quote right now - The people who are the most irresistible are those who are most themselves. (Elizabeth Berg)

I am soooo ready for fall. The boys handed me leaves yesterday that were the color and texture of fine leather. Some leaves have already fallen, but most are still just barely turning light green/bright yellow. There's nothing like a deep breath of fall air.

The Campaign Trail

Last weekend, we drove a couple hours south of Superior to be in a parade in Jim Falls, Wisconsin for Aaron's brother, Nick, who is in the final stages of his campaign for Congress. He would represent the 7th District, which includes all of northwest Wisconsin. There's Nick in the white shirt, getting ready to go shake a few hands while we prepare his car for the parade. The kids loved giving out candy and stickers to the all the kids. It was a great turnout!

The Milwaukee Sentinal newspaper just endorsed Nick this week to win the primary (next week) and have the best chance of beating Democratic incumbent, David Obey in November. Obey has been at this position longer than Nick has been alive!! Time for a change! You can read the article at the link to Nick's website to your right.


Jonathan chows down on an apple before hitting the parade. Would you like a sticker??

A Post for P-Dawg

Patrick and Ashley. Ashley and Patrick.

This was our Texas fam right here. Ashley and I connected at a woman's bible study at church. (She actually told me she wanted an OLDER woman friend to talk with/learn from...'SCUSE ME?!) Then, we met for lunch after church one day and our husbands realized they were long lost brothers. They were not scared off by our loud and fighting children. Hallelujah, we'd found some friends.
They came to visit us in Minnesota this past August and Patrick (P DAWG!) has been dying to be on my blog ever since. Just kidding, P Diddy. He and Aaron have big dreams of buying a mess of land in Wyoming someday where they can build a ranch, go fishing/hunting whenever they want, and live off the land. Ashley and I are okay with that, as long as they build a spa on the property somewhere....or a mall.

When they came to visit, we went out on the lake one day and they went tubing, even though is was cool and gray outside. The boys were ecstatic about seeing them again, and enjoyed playing swords and superheroes with Patrick. Even though they are soon moving to Pennsylvania, we are committed to staying in touch and seeing each other at least twice a year.
I would like to publicly thank Patrick for mowing our yard in the HEAT of Houston for 9+ months without complaint. Dude, that's friendship.

SOLD!

Praise the Lord!! On Friday, Sept. 1st, after a couple of negotiations with a buyer, our house in Texas is sold!

We thank you, friends and family, for your prayers over these past loooong months. We put the house on the market Dec. of 2005, so this is a major answer to prayer. The buyer has no contingencies and wants to close before the end of the month! Amen and Amen!

Coming next post....pics of Texas friends who came to visit this past August....(the ones who faithfully mowed our Texas yard all this time we were gone -- thank you thank you thank you!)