I keep trying to look at other blogs but it keeps redirecting me to my editing home page. So I guess that means that I need to write something instead. Well it's New Years Eve and the kids are in bed and I am the only one home. Justin had to work tonight the first time in 7 years. This is also the first New Years I have spent separate from him in 7 years. It feels weird to not be doing anything. I think that this is the first New Years that I have ever spent alone. I guess I should feel lucky about that.

My sister and her family are in town from Florida. I am so happy that she is here. Her son Christopher and my daughter Abbie get along really well. I wish that they lived here. I don't know if her husband will ever move back here.

Happy New Year!!!

Snow in Vegas!!

I was up early this morning with Kaleb, which is some what unusual now, and I was watching the news. No big deal you say, but what I saw seemed very funny. They showed a picture of the Las Vegas Strip with snow falling. In the 3 1/2 years I lived there it never snowed in the Valley or if it did it melted before it hit the ground. What an amazing sight it was and I wish that I could have been there to see it. We are a little cold here today, but we are above normal and will be in the mid 50's the rest of the week. How odd it is to see snow in Vegas. We have seen very little snow here in Cincinnati so far this season. I wish that I could have been there to share what all my friends are so wowed by.

I really need to be getting to bed, but I needed to clear my head before I went. Christmas was good and I can't believe that it's come and gone already. The kids loved it, but got a little overwhelmed. Justin's parents really spoiled the kids this year. They spoiled us too so I shouldn't complain. I think that I may have hurt my mother-in-laws feelings but she had it coming. I was too tired to hold my tongue, but she just had to point out why they didn't want to have to come to our house for Christmas. She was glad that they had Christmas at their house because they didn't have to take everything to our house then. Well I had heard enough. I started talking before I could think about what was coming out of my mouth. I was like, So we had to get our kids up rush them through Christmas at our own house to get here in time for Brunch at 11 and then open presents and then expect the kids to take naps and then go to my parents house later. I felt bad after I said it all, but there was nothing I could do then. I already told my parents and Justin's that next year we are not leaving our house on Christmas day. The gift part of Christmas is for the kids and I want my kids to be able to enjoy it and not get too overwhelmed.

Today is my parents anniversary and I totally forgot to wish them a happy 28th anniversary. I am such a bad daughter. Justin's parents celebrate their 39th anniversary on the New Years Eve. I can't wait for Justin and I to be married for that long.

I had a great time visiting with the Caldwell's a few days ago. It has been nice to be able to keep in touch with them. I love that Abbie and Katie play with each other like they see each other everyday and not just 2 times in the last year. We are really looking into coming to Las Vegas the last week of May into June. I think that we are going to drive and take time to visit places like the Grand Canyon. We lived in Vegas for over 3 years and never went to the grand canyon.

Well my mind has gone all over the place I will leave you now.

old friends

I went to a Christmas party last night with some old friends of mine. It was a reunion of sorts for my old youth group. We all gathered together and shared what has changed in our lives. Some like me have kids some are pregnant and some are getting married. It was nice to spend time with them again like so much of the time we spent hanging out in high school.

Well the snow is slowly melting away. Over all we got 4 inches which was just about perfect. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, but they are saying we could still have a white Christmas. Abbie is really getting excited about Christmas. She is keeping us on track with our Advent Calendar. She is finally getting the potty training figured out. There are still a few things to work on, but it's going well. Kaleb has his first black eye, which was self inflicted. Well that's what my in-laws say anyway. Kaleb dropped his cup on his face while laying down. It just makes him look tougher.

We are looking forward to visiting with the Caldwell's while they are in town. Justin has most of this week off. He is interviewing with a manufacturing company tomorrow night. I'm not really sure why. It's less money and still about 45 minutes away. I pray he finds himself soon. We are in search of a second car. The one we thought we found has way too many miles and we don't know too much about Volkswagens.

Well we've officially been in Cincinnati for 1 year now. It sounds like so much has changed in Vegas. I am so excited to come and visit sometime this coming year.

We miss you all and Merry Christmas!!

It's snowing!!! We have a little over an inch of snow on the ground and it's still snowing. I don't expect much more, but it does look pretty outside.

Well Justin had a job opportunity but it didn't work out. I don't think that he would have liked it any better in the end anyway. I just pray that some day he will find contentment with his life and what he is doing.

We may be getting a second car finally. A friend of my dad's is looking to sell an old Volkswagen jetta. He is going to bring it by on Saturday so that we can see it. I hope that it all works out. I would love for Justin to get a car so that I can have the mini van for myself and the kids.

Please continue to pray for Justin's brother Jim that he'll find a job. He's been out of work since June and it's getting down to the wire. I know that God will provide for us, but the time may come soon when he won't be able to afford the house payment. I don't know what we would do then.

a childs singing

Today was our church's Christmas cantata (musical). It was good, but I don't think that I really was being able to worship during it till the children got on stage. A girl who is about 9 years old sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" and that was when I felt the movement in my heart. Even now just typing about it brings me to tears. This sweet little girl sang her best and was worshiping herself as she sang to Jesus. It helped to remind me of what this season is all about. I keep telling Abbie about Jesus' birthday, but I don't think that I have stopped to really think about it.

Snow

They keep saying we should get some snow today into tomorrow, but I'll believe it when I see it. I do have to say that it has gotten very cold outside. I wish that we had a fireplace to get cozy in front of. I do hope it snows. I want it to so badly. It just looks so pretty when it snows. I also think that Abbie would enjoy the snow now. She understands what it is now so I think that it would mean more to her. We went and put new tires on the van today so that it would be ready for the snow. We're either going to get none or we'll get more than what they are saying. They keep saying like 1-3 inches. Where we are we could get more like 3-5, but I don't know.

Well I cut all my hair off. My hair is something that I change a lot, but for the last year and a half I have left it long, blonde and curly. Well now it is very short, still blonde and still curly. I really like it. It has been a big change though. It was down to the middle of my back and now it's a little over an inch long. I went for the easy style. Plus Kaleb really likes to pull my hair. Now it's a little harder for him to pull it.

sick

Abbie is running a fever. She very rarely gets sick. That could be the fact that she takes her vitamin and a vitamin C everyday. She's the only child I know that begs to take her vitamins. She's had a fever most of the day. She really hasn't been acting too sick, but she isn't as active as normal. I normally wouldn't be too worried, but with all the kids dying from the flu I can't help but worry. Kaleb was just at the doctor last week for a check up and they didn't give him a flu shot. They said he didn't need one. I don't think that I have ever given either of them one. I just worry about it more especially living where we do.

The weather is getting colder, but still no snow. It's been raining all day today. They keep saying we may get some snow soon, but I have yet to see it.

Well as of this coming Monday I will have lived in Ohio for 1 year. Last year on December 15 my mom, the kids and I flew from Vegas to Cincinnati. I just can't believe that it's been a year. It brings a tear to my eye to know that it's been that long since I've seen most of my friends. Well life goes on and things do change. Things are going well here and we have settled in pretty good.

books

what makes a child think that it's fun to rip pages out of a book? I don't understand the fun in this. What makes it worse is that it's the books they love to read the most that they rip up. Abbie has this problem with ripping her books. Most of them have been her favorite books and she just doesn't understand. I have to be careful not to let her wake up and be in her room for too long on her own or she'll tear up her books. I've started hiding some of them. Ones that i want to save for Kaleb too, I put them away and only get them out to read to Abbie. I hate to take all her books away because she loves to read and look through them on her own.

A friend of Justin's died today. His name was Mark Ely, and he was in his mid 40's. Justin used to play softball with him. Mark was a pastor at a church in the area. Justin's brother Jim was friends with Mark and went to his church. He had cancer. Please pray for his family and the church family.

Life can really feel short sometimes.

girls and boys

The funny thing about my children is that Kaleb is almost as big as his sister. You ask why is that so funny. Abbie is 18 months older than her brother, see my point. Kaleb had is 1 year well check the other day and weighed in at a whopping 30 pounds. Abbie only weighs 34 pounds. The doctor couldn't get over the size of Kaleb's feet. She said that by the way they look he will be a tall boy. Now those of you who know us laugh since Justin and I are short folk. Both of us have very tall genes in our family. In fact I have a 17 year old cousin who is 6' 5" and me only 5'4". Abbie talks about a mile a minute and Kaleb can't get a word in edge wise. It amazes me how much slower boys are at learning things then girls are. Kaleb has been taking his time and he loves to look at everything. Kaleb loves his big sister and follows her everywhere she goes.

I love that I have a little girl and a little boy. This doesn't mean that I will have no more children. It's just nice to have one of each already. I would love to have another little girl and a little boy. Sometime in the future. Right now I just need to get one totally potty trained and the other one talking more.

Rain

It is so cold and rainy today. Actually the rain has changed to snow flakes. It really is very pretty outside. It's supposed to stop soon, but it is just going to keep getting colder. Thanksgiving was good, but I ate too much. I have a ton of leftovers though. We'll be eating turkey till Christmas.

Well I was one of the millions of people who went out this morning to shop the after Thanksgiving sales. I just couldn't help it. It was one of those times when I actually had the money to spend. I won't feel guilty later for doing it. It was a lot of fun though. I started out the morning a lone and I liked that. Later I joined up with my mom and sister and we had fun too. I am so lucky to have a husband who is willing to stay home with the kids for several hours at a time.

Friends

I feel very sad today. I miss my friends and the thought of sharing Thanksgiving with them. For the last 4 years we spent Thanksgiving with friends that were our family. Thursday we are spending Thanksgiving with our family, but it just isn't the same. Some will be here some won't. I doesn't feel the way Thanksgiving should. I feel like we are getting together because we think we should and not because we want to. It's just not going to be the same. I hope that you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and remember us as you watch Christmas Vacation.

On a much happier note-- Kaleb is walking. It is so fun to watch him, because he is so excited about it. He holds his hands out in front of him and just slowly moves his chubby little legs. It is the cutest thing in the world.

I am sad to hear about things with the Fish House. I always thought that no matter what we would be together. It seems that so many have allowed house church to not be a main priority. Remember we are a family in Christ no matter what. Things may not always be the same, but we need to always put God first. Be thankful today for what you have. Remember how fast it can all go away. Be happy to spend time with the family and friends you have around. I love you all.

Sorry for being preachy:)

Thanksgiving

I just typed this whole thing and then it all messed up. So now it just doesn't feel the same to say what I did say. Justin's family is coming here for Thanksgiving now. His mom decided that she didn't want to host. I don't mind really, but we have to leave in the middle of the day to go to my aunt and uncle's to have dinner with my family. It wouldn't be too bad, but they live an hour from here. Oh, the joys of spending the holidays with 2 families. I guess I shouldn't complain. I do have it better than some. I am very thankful for all my family and friends. I love you all.

Babies! Babies! Babies!

It seems like everywhere I look someone is pregnant. I now know of about 10 people who are going to have a baby between January and June of next year. I am getting ready to go back on the pill. All these people getting pregnant around me makes me want another one, but I think that I have enough to handle with the 2 that I have. We are going to wait till this time next year to try for number 3. Abbie will be 4 and Kaleb would be 2 1/2 by then so that would be helpful. Things are getting easier here. Abbie is almost potty trained and Kaleb is totally off formula and drinking from cups and gave up his pacifier pretty easily. Kaleb has also started sleeping through the night finally. I am so excited for all those who are going to have babies. I love babies so very much. They are such a wonderful blessing from God.

I have this feeling like something is going to happen in our life soon. I feel this peace that I can not describe. Nothing has really change around here. Justin still hates his job and his brother still doesn't have one. I feel like something is going to happen that is going to help us settle and be happy. Maybe it's because I have finally started truly trying my best to rely on God for direction. I have been trying to get Justin to do the same. He tries to do everything on his own. I really don't know what's going on I just have this calm peaceful feeling.

The holiday season is fast approaching. There is a radio station that's based in Lexington, KY that is already playing only Christmas music. We all know that's what Justin has playing in the car all the time. Well I could go on forever, but it's getting late. I think I will go up to bed.

Cold

It's 35 degrees out today. Yesterday was 65, so today is 30 degrees cooler. The wind is blowing here but not as bad as in Vegas. We had a tornado watch for a while yesterday. Our trash blew all over during the night. The skies are clear and blue though.

I am trying to potty train Abbie. She is a very smart little girl and totally understands what to do on the potty, but pretty much just plain refuses to use the potty. I have been trying to be very patient with her. I told her she is not going to wear diapers anymore. She wants to be a big girl but only to a point. I just have to keep after her. She's only gone on the potty once in the last day and a half. I have several pairs of wet panties. I just hope it gets easier.

We had 4 other couples over for dinner last Friday night. All who know me well will be happy to hear that I didn't run and hide. In fact Justin and I had to do a lot of the talking to get people chatting around. Justin even prayed for dinner. Which may not seem like that big of a deal but it is. He feels more comfortable here where people don't know how he really is. I am really trying to get something started for our age group at our church. There is nothing there right now and they keep losing couples because of it. I see a lot of potential and I hope that God will help me to do the right thing.

I am going to miss everyone at Thanksgiving this year. It's just not going to be the same. Splitting time between families just isn't as much fun.

Well time goes by and things change. :):)

Mongolia

Mongolia-- What do you think of when you hear the word Mongolia? We had a missionary speak at church on Sunday who has been working in Mongolia for the last 4 years. He's in his early 40's and has a wife and 3 (almost 4) kids. He is originally from Kentucky his wife is from Ashland, KY, I can't remember where he was from. The passion that he had for Mongolia was so amazing. He broke down and cried several times just trying to explain how the area was. It's almost become complete desert there. They have extreme temperatures that range from 30 degrees below zero to 100 degrees. It was just so wonderful to listen to someone who had such a heart and a love for the people he was working with. He has started several house churches over there and things are going very well.
It seems so strange because I just never really think of Mongolia. I don't know why I guess it's because you just don't hear a whole lot about them.

The weather here is your typical Ohio weather. It's been in the mid-high 70's for the last week. It reminds me a lot of Vegas. Soon all is going to change and by Friday we will be in the 40's. I guess I should enjoy it while I can. Tomorrow my son turns 1. I can't believe how this year has gone and my little boy is going to be 1. He has no idea that it's his birthday, nor does he care. All he cares about is getting into anything he can reach. He's not walking on his own yet, but soon he will be and then watch out. He is my happy little boy with the best smile in the world. Oh the many things to be thankful for.

warm trend

We are having a warming trend this week. The tempatures are in the mid 70's. It's nice for Halloween it won't be too cold for the Harvest Party at our church. Abbie is going to be Winnie the Pooh and Kaleb is going to be either a bee or a tiger. It depends on which costume fits. Kaleb is going to be 1 in 6 days. I can't believe it's been a year already. Time has gone so fast, but with all the changes in the last year it's no wonder.

house stuff

We have lived in our house here for 6 months. Already they have had to fix the handle on the back door, the front door, the frame of the front door, the carpet seams are showing in a couple of spots, we aren't sure we received the upgraded pad we paid for, 2 cabinet drawers still need replaced and I could go on. There are so many problems with buying a new house. I guess the good thing about it is they fix things for free. There was a house that I really wanted just around the corner. It was 12 years old and needed a few things done to it. They were asking $5,000 more than we bought this house for. It's built by someone different and the set up is all different, but it works well for us. The other one had a much bigger kitchen and we all know how much that means to me. I really just loved the layout, but this one works too. The kitchen is much smaller, but with sharing it with Justin's brother it works out great. The yard is even bigger here, but we have people behind us and in the other house it was wooded behind us. I could probably go on all day about how much I liked the other house better, but in the end this one is much better for us. I am starting to settle in more and beginning to paint and decorate more. God is blessing us here and things are going well.

Time

I miss the time I used to have with my husband. I saw him a lot today but I didn't get to really spend time with him. I miss sitting on the couch at night watching TV with him. I know I should be grateful for the time we do have, but I still miss him. For the better part of our married life Justin and I have not spent more than an 8 hour work day apart from each other. We loved it that way. I find that I miss him if I haven't gotten to sit down with him in over 24 hours. Sometimes with his schedule he may close at night and get up early the next morning to go to work. I know that it seems silly but I miss him. I think that I miss the fact that his days off are not just ours. I have to share him with his family and projects. I think if for the little over 6 years we've been married we would have spent more time apart during the day things would be different. It is just so much that I have had to get used to. I love my husband so very much and I hope that he knows that. Someday and not soon our time will be ours again. But that will be a long time from now.

On to another thing that I hate. Justin's brother still doesn't have a job. I don't hate him, just the no job. There are several things we would like to do around the house, but we are waiting because he can't help pay for things right now. I just wish that he would not be so picky, because he's not someone that everyone is looking for. He's the resume you get and set aside. Oh, I told myself I wouldn't pick on him. Please pray that God will open something up for him.

DRY HUMOR: You love telling the joke that sneaks up
on you. You probably watched every episode of
Seinfeld, if you didn't you should have. You
like telling a joke that only half of the
people in the room understand. You probably
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people have to stop and check if it is really a
joke or not. Sometimes, you'll weave a long
elaborate lie and present it as truth, just to
see how much you can get away with before
people realize that it's all just a tall tale,
hahahahaha.

SHOW THE WORLD HOW FUNNY YOU ARE. GO TO:
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How funny are you?
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Quiet

It's quiet around here except for the Ohio State Football game on the TV. Abbie is spending the afternoon with Justin's parents and Kaleb is napping. I wouldn't have the game on but Justin is at work so I need to watch the game for him. I feel bad that he doesn't get to sit at home on Saturday and watch his team play football. He really hated having to go to work today especially since they started later so he didn't get to watch any part of it. I told him to just be thankful to be able to watch any game. He didn't have that ability the last couple of years while we were in Vegas. I have a hard time watching the games in the beginning. I prefer to watch the last few minutes, but I will watch the whole thing for the man I love. It is Sweetest Day isn't it.

Today is a good day. The house is clean the weather cool and the sun is shining. It's definitely fall here and I love it.

Sherry I wish I could be there to help you pack. I know how hard it is to get things packed and really not know when or where you will finally settle. I am there in spirit.

12345.....

Abbie counted to 10 today all by herself. We didn't even have to start her off. She just started counting and she made it all the way to 10 without messing up. Now she is coloring in her own special way. She is just humming and talking along as she goes. These are the moments I want to remember for ever. Not the times when she talks back to me like she is 16. When she says "Don't talk me" translation-"Don't tell me what to do". I can't believe it when she says that to me. This is the time I am choosing to remember, her being sweet and loving.

lions and tigers and bears oh my!!

Yesterday we went to the zoo with Justin's parents. Abbie had such a great time. She loved seeing all the animals and just running around. Her favorite thing was the lions. She has a stuffed lion that she takes with her everywhere and she loved being able to see 2 real ones up close. Some of the animals have been taken in already, since it's been getting pretty cool here at night. We did get to see a lot and spent a good 4 hours there. Kaleb seemed to enjoy himself. He basically sat in his stroller the whole time. He's not been feeling too well so he was pretty easy to handle.
My sweet little boy has had a fever on and off and now the fevers gone but he has a rash up his back and on his head. He doesn't seem to mind it too much and he is still laughing and playing. I just pray that he gets better soon. I hate it when one of my children don't feel well. I know how I feel when I am sick so I hate it when they feel that way.

new look

well I thought that I would try a more fall look. I don't know if I like it or not. Maybe I'll change it back later.

Stuff to blog about

I really don't have anything to blog about. I haven't really done much lately. I'm still not sleeping too well so that doesn't help. My mind doesn't want to stop going. When it comes to writing something I can't seem to get my thoughts together. It's nap time here so I am having my down time spending time on the computer. Sure I could be cleaning or something but the house really isn't too bad.
Things are starting to look good for starting a house church. I think that we are going to be able to get Justin's schedule to work out so that Wednesday nights we can do House Church on a regular basis. We will find out soon what others think and then go from there. I am very excited by the thought of it all. I want so much to get more involved in things here. Justin and I are going to be helping to teach the new 2-4yrs. class at church. I hope that it all goes well. Sometime I would just like to go to a church and not know too much about what goes on in the background. I find it harder to deal with things when I see all the gossip and stuff that goes on. I would rather be oblivious sometimes.
We are hoping to go to the zoo tomorrow. The weather has been great this week up in the mid 70's. I had the windows open earlier, but they busted a gas line across the street at the house they are building so I had to close it all up. Hopefully I can open it all up again soon.
Oh, to have the life of a dog. Brutus and Brittany are just lying around on the floor alseep. Sometimes I wish life could be that easy. Then again relying on someone to feed you may get old.
A couple weeks ago I wrote about missing my community and I still do, but I have also realized that what I miss isn't exactly the same. I know that when we are able to come to visit everything will be different. Your lives have gone on just like ours and everyone has made changes. It was just so strange as we were coming home from the grocery store last night and I was looking around me and realized I was home where I should be. It feels right being here and it's part of God's plan. I look back and think what if: what if we had stayed living with the Carder's? Then we would have been flooded and had to clean that up. Sherry and her girls wouldn't be able to live there. It just wouldn't have been right. I wish that we could have moved in with the Carder's a long time ago, but that wasn't right either. It worked out perfectly though when the Stepelton's moved out we were able and need to move in. I guess what I am going on and on about is that God's hand has been in everything we have done. I know we only lived in Vegas for a little more than 3 years, but we did a lot of growing up in that time. We made great friends and learned a lot. I just hope that I can remember this the next time satan tries to get me to over think something and regret doing what God has planned for me.
So I guess I did have a lot to say I just had to work it through the brain for a little bit.
I'm gonna go- I'm watching The Lord of The Rings - The Two Towers and it's at the big fight at the end. :)

Tired

I'm so tired. I didn't sleep very well at all last night. Hopefully tonight will be better. Of cource that is also up to Kaleb and if he'll sleep all night. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't. I've got a few things to do before I go to sleep. It's actually warmed up into the 60's and it should be in the 70's later in the week. I'm so glad because I'm not ready for it to get too cold just yet.

Cold!!

It has been so cold here. The highs have only been in the 50's. I can't believe how fast it got cold. I would be happy for high 60's right now. This morning when I got up there was frost on the ground. It is just too early for frost. The house is cold and I can't tell what the temperature is. I think the heat is set at 69 or 70, but I can't tell and it doesn't stay on that long when it comes on.
Well we are having a get together here on November 7 with the group of people our age from our church. We are going to see who is interested in doing a house church or what they would like to do. Those that are interested in doing a house church with us we are going to go from there and start working on getting it all going. I know that I have been complaining a bunch about missing my community and friends, but I also know that this is all a growing experience as has so many other things in my life. God is working on my faith right now. I think He has been feeling a little taken for granted so He is bringing some things to my attention. I also have to practice what I preach. I have been preaching at Justin a lot lately about God taking him out of His comfort zone and him being an example at work. He hates his job so much but I think he really needs to look deeper into it. I keep telling him not to worry so much about the money. So now I need to listen to myself and not worry so much about things.
I have to say that I am thankful to have the friends that I do have here and for those that I keep in contact with. I do enjoy having my mom to hang out with. We really do have a lot of fun together and we've been trying to get together once a week. I need to remember my sister Jessica who's in Florida with no one but her husband and boys. She has just a couple of friends, but she has never been able to find a real community.
My brother-in-law Jim is still jobless, but is starting to look harder for one. Please pray that he'll fine something soon. It would be a great stress relief not only for him, but for me too. :>)

Friends

Today has been nice. My best friend who I grew up with came over today with her 2 girls. It was so great to watch our kids play together. It's great for Abbie since we don't get out that much. She gets more stir crazy than I do. It was just nice for me to have a friend over and have an adult conversation. I wish we could find a cheap car for Justin so that I could have the mini van. Then we could go out with my friend and not just stay in.
The weather is cool here. The temperatures have gone way down lately. Our highs are just in the mid to low 50's. It feels so strange for it to be this cold so soon. We actually have a freeze warning tonight.
We bought Kaleb his first pair of shoes. We haven't put him in shoes yet because I couldn't find any to fit. We finally found a size that fit -- 6 extra wide. Abbie is wearing size 8 and she is a year and a half older. Kaleb is just my big chunk and I love him for it.
My sister lost her job the other day over something stupid. She is totally beating herself up about it and it hurts me to watch her. She was great at her job and that had nothing to do to why she was fired. Some people are just jerks and want to make sure that if they are going down someone is going with them. Please keep her in your prayers. She just needs to remain confident and know she is a great worker and that anyone would be lucky to have her work for them.
I may be going back to work or taking classes or something. I am just waiting for Justin to decide what he wants to do. I told him that I would go back to work full time if he wanted to go back to school and work part time. He just keeps complaining about his job, but doesn't know what to do. I am trying so hard to be supportive and to help him in his decision making.

What ya doin'

Abbie's new favorite question-- What ya doin'?? It takes some other forms like What do you think you are doin'?? I think that it comes from me constantly asking her What she thinks she's doing? Abbie is a very independent little girl who likes took look at everything. Her favorite thing to do is read. She is always looking at books. It's so cute when I go and get her in the morning and she's been awake and she's laying on her stomach reading a book to her baby dolls. She reminds me so much of myself when I was young. She loves to help out, but at the same time she can get in the way. She is so sweet (most of the times). Kids they just melt your heart sometimes.

Missing Community

Today I find myself missing my community, my family away from home, my friends. I miss The Fish House, Apex and Canyon Ridge. I've been questioning a lot lately if we should have moved back at all. Abbie loves being around her grandma and grandpa Clark and her mama rose and papa gary. I am so happy that she is around her grandparents, but what about me. Where's my support and community? We want to start a house church but Justin's job isn't the greatest with giving us the time to do so. That's a whole other thing. At church this morning the pastor was asking what was our Faith billboard. What shows us that God is there with us faithfully watching us. I can't really say what mine is. I feel trapped where we are and so does Justin. I have always had a strong faith that no matter what God was there directing us and guiding us. Was I wrong about moving here, was he trying to tell us not too or is there something here we are supposed to be doing that we're not.
The church we are going to is the one I grew up in. I love Dave our Pastor he does a great job and he's just in his late 30's. Most of the church is 50's or older and things are still a little behind times. They try to do more upbeat music but it's just not the same with a piano and organ. My mom called me after the evening service tonight to tell me there were drums set up. This week is the Christian and Missonary Alliance Prayer Conference and it's at our church. There will actually be a full band doing worship during the week. It's so funny that she thought to call me. My mom knows that Justin isn't happy with the worship and she wants him to come and see that it could be better. Justin's biggest problem is that he doesn't get home till 2:00am on Sunday and then gets up at 8:00 to go to church. Oh I could probably go on and on about being sad and lonely and that may be my problem. I need to look at the brighter side of things.
We are going to have a dinner at our house in a month to see who maybe interested in a house church. A good friend of mine here is helping me out. I have missed having people in my home. I felt a part of something then. I miss eating with friends on Sunday night after Apex. That was my second house church. You all were my family away from my family. I know that I never got too close with too many people but I loved each one of you. It's funny that it's been 10 months now and I still have a void that I need to fill.

Onto something a little happier. It's fall here now. The weather is getting much cooler all of the sudden. We had a big rainstorm the other night. The wind brought the Kings Island sign down. Those of you from here know what that big sign that has been in front of Kings Islands looks like. They keep saying it wasn't a tornado. It was only 59 degrees today. After reading Cheryl's blog it made me laugh how she wants cooler weather. I kind of miss the warmer weather but it's nice to have fall. Justin is loving it, but just because it makes him think of Christmas.

My life is rated R.
What is your life rated?

Happy Day!!

Today was such a great day. I finally got my Ohio drivers license. I had been putting it off because I had to take the written test again. I'm now an official Ohio resident again. At least it didn't take me as long as it did to get my Nevada license. I lived in Las Vegas for a year and a half before I got my license.

My sister is in town from Florida and she watched my kids for me today. I watched her two boys one day last week so she watched Abbie and Kaleb today. It was so nice to get to go out on my own with no kids. I wish it could happen more often. I probably spent more money than I should but I had fun.

Justin is really wanting a new job. He's just not sure what. He is thinking about getting back into Chick-fil-A. There are a couple opportunities here but he still just doesn't know. I don't know what to do for him anymore. He just doesn't know what to do. Then there's his brother Jim who still doesn't have a job. Of course you need to look for one to get one. I see Justin looking for a job more often than Jim.

Well on with other thought, Kaleb is getting into everything. He's not standing by himself yet, but he is holding onto things and walking around them. He's just so fun to watch. Abbie insists on taking care of him and helping him. She is so much like me it's scary.

Please pray that my husband can find a job and we'll finally be able to start our house church. We are struggling and I feel that Satan is really trying to keep us from doing what we came back here to do.

Death & Life

Death---I don't really understand how I should feel when someone dies. I know that I am sad for them and their family. At the same time when someone has struggled with an illness for a long time it's almost good when they die. They are done feeling pain and wondering when they will go. They are in a much better place. I think at times I am more sad for the family that has been left behind. The pain of the loss for them and dealing with it is so hard to comprehend.

Debbie I am so sorry to hear about Angie. I had only gotten to meet her once, but through the stories you shared of her I felt I knew her much more. You and your family are in my prayers tonight. Abbie prayed for you all too.

Life---I took Kaleb to the doctors the other day for his 9 month well check. He is the biggest solid chunck in the world. He weighed 27pounds and 11 1/2 ozs. He's has a huge head too, it's almost 18 inches around. He's my sweet little cuddle bug though. Who loves to explore and laugh at his sister. Abbie loves Kaleb, but sometimes too much. She wants to hug him, but she ends up hurting him. It's so funny to watch how she is with him and to know she is only 18 months older than him(and only weighs 4 pounds more too)but how much she tries to take care of him. Abbie has a sweet mothering heart. I love my children so very much. They bring so much to my life. I know that I may complain about them sometimes, but they are everything to me. My kids can always bring me up when I am down. It can just be the smile on Kaleb's face when I look at him or the huge hug Abbie gives me for no reason. They have so much life in them. I want to be just like them.

I've tried to blog a couple of times recently but I keep getting interupted. I really don't know who I am writing to and why I feel that I need to do this. It just takes up some time. Today is a rainy day in Cincinnati. We woke up to thunder storms and have the chance of more storms throughout the day. So it is a dark and gloomy day here and I am trying not to be dark and gloomy.

I hope all is well for my friends out in Vegas. I saw some of the flood pictures. You are all in my prayers. It seems like every time I sit down to blog I can't think of anything to say. I think of stuff all the time to write when I am not at the computer. Well maybe I will try to write again later.

My husband and I finally had a night out last night. It was great just to be able to get out with out our children. Don't get me wrong, I love my children to death, but sometimes I just need to get away. I am home with my children everyday and we only have one car. So I am home most everyday with our 2 kids and no where to go. It was great though to be able to spend time with my husband. We went out for dinner and then to a movie. It was so great.

My son is crawling now. Kaleb is 9 months old and weighs like 24 pounds. He is a big boy but he loves to cuddle. You know how it is when you have your first child and you just can't wait for them to do that new thing. Well with Kaleb I just didn't want him to crawl yet. I mean I did but I didn't. It was nice that I could put him on the floor and he would just sit and play. Now I have to child proof everything and block him away from everything. It is so cute to watch him crawl around and explore. He follows his siter around just trying to see what she is doing. She's not too happy that he is moving around because she has to keep a lot of her toys out of his reach now. Abbie is 2 1/2 and she loves her brother so very much at times almost too much. She hates it when he tries to take her book and a toy, but I hate to tell her he's going to be bigger than her someday. It was the best thing today to watch them as we were pushing them in the cart at the grocery store. The cart is a race car and they were sitting next to each other. Kaleb put his arms around his sister and gave her a big hug and just cuddled up next to her. She then turned and cuddle up to him and gave him a big kiss. It was just so sweet to see them.

Well I have to cut this short. Abbie (who was supposed to be asleep) has just come down the stairs. I must go for now.

Today is my husband Justin and mine 6th anniversary. How are we getting to celebrate, well we went to his families house for breakfast this morning and now he's at work. So how do I feel about this. I am really not sure. I'm sad because we really haven't seen much of each other lately. It doesn't bother me because we are going to spend Monday together. I'm anger because his lazy brother, who doesn't have a job, is just laying around on the couch while my husband works 50+ hours a week so that we can survive. Not that that really has anything to do with our anniversary and us not getting to celebrate but it makes me angry.

We bought our house with Justin's brother Jim. We weren't going to be able to get a loan on our own and he need someone to live with also. Jim had a job when we moved in together. Little did I know that he's stuck in the dark ages when it comes to helping around the house. I had to ask this 34 year old man, who's not married or dating, to put his own dishes in the dishwasher. I've had to tell him several times that I am not his slave. I will make dinner because if I want to eat I have to, but don't expect me to take care of you. Two months ago he lost his job and really hasn't done much about it. He hasn't yet gotten his unemployment, which isn't going to be much, and complains about the amount of paperwork he has to fill out to get it in the first place. It drives me crazy to see this guy lay around and do nothing while my husband works all the time and still manages to get work done around the house. Jim doesn't do anything unless you ask him to. We have to ask him to take the trash out, or water the yard (we're trying to grow grass). Jim is Justin's older brother but you would think that Justin was older just because he takes on all the responsiblities. I was really hoping that things weren't going to be like this when we moved in together. I thought that Jim was going to be a good housemate. Boy was I ever wrong.
Well enough about that. I just needed to get that off my chest. That's all for now!!

Ok so this is all new to me. I just realized how many people were doing this and thought that it was a great idea. I will have to write something later as I am needed now by my kids. Hopefully soon I will have more to say.
That's all for now!!

this is just a test