First Hair Cut

First Hair Cut!

Although a lot of hair wasn't taken off, it was important to take photos.

We were visiting my parents in Florida, and hubby found a great kid themed salon in Fort Myers.

Bananas Salon for Kids

Checking out the toys before the cut.

Photo shot of the salon, they had several cars, a pink jeep and regular hair cutting chairs.

This is Barbara.

She did super, my daughter wouldn't hold still. 

Finally calmed down.

So much to look at!

Serious face.

It's tough to be this cute.

The other little boy got a sucker.

Suckers, the key to happiness.

Getting a little trim.

Back to the toys.

Must be a good sucker!

I asked her to smile. 

They even gave me a certificate and the first clipping of hair that was cut.

Now she's stylin'

Thank you, Barbara! 

Flash time

I got a new digital camera - a Nikon 3200, if you are interested. I saved up money and bought it from a friend of a friend. It came with an external flash. So I just had fun changing the angle of the flash and location of where I was shooting from to get the look I wanted. It's more a flash study.

Flash straight at the subject, a little glare on the photos, not the look I was going for.

Flash was still pointed at the subject.

Here's where I figured out I could point the flash toward the ceiling, without removing it from the camera! Sweet deal! 

Changing my location, but kept the flash pointed to the ceiling.

Changing the angle of the flash. 

Changing the angle of the flash. 

Still not the look I was going for. 

Almost there....

This is the shot. This was the look I wanted, not to much glare, I'm watching my shadows and they are soft, not hard. With a little cropping, this would be a pretty good shot. 

One more flash, bounced off the ceiling - just for fun. 

I took a photography class or two in college, but that's been 10+ years, so this is a good study for me. 

The subject is something I created a while back. 

I took some lids from some boxes I had laying around, some scrapbook paper - two 10x10 sheets for each lid, some ribbon, and cut out my own letters. Piecing it together with some good glue - and being patient while it all dried was the hardest part. Although it looks like I used a lot of ribbon, I actually didn't. The band around each box is just that, a band, and the ribbon that's used to hang each letter is the same way. I think I used up all of this kind of ribbon I had in the house, though. 

I saw this idea on Pinterest a few years ago. This was actually one of the few projects that I've taken off that site and not been total flops. (It happens to everyone.) 

We went to Target and bought a curtain rod- I'm sad about this now, because ours recently closed. I haven't lived in a community without a Target nearby (within 10 min. of my house) since I was in high school! 

 Hubby put the rod where I wanted it and I put the letters through. It came out great! It's something I enjoy looking at along with our family photos below, and it reminds me that I love to be creative! 

Spy Party

When I asked my son what kind of birthday party he wanted, he said 'Spy Party.' Maybe I need to stop asking these loaded questions. But this year, I was up for the challenge - at least for one more year. He might have to forego the 'theme' birthday party next year for a day out with dad - which I'm perfectly okay with. 

I loved making the banner - and using red curling ribbon to go through the banner made it look like a laser beam was going through the banner. Almost. It's a concept. 

Entering the room the kids had to have their identity checked by an app my hubby put on his Android tablet. Fingerprint Lock Scan to see if they were accepted and Criminal Records Check to make sure they weren't already criminals (they all were). But maybe that's what we were looking for. 

They all got badges and had to print their name on them. 

They all started out with their notebooks I made them - just a little bit of paper, colored card stock and staples and they can re-use it once the party is over. 

So the mystery of the spy party was finding the party gift bags. They had to use their decoder to solve the message - this was tricky for some, but some of them figured it out pretty quickly and moved fast. I designed the decoder - if you want to use mine, just ask! 

How did this little boy turn 8 years old already? Wasn't he just 2? *sigh* 

That makes me feel old. 

The balloons were placed strategically around the building as 'bombs' I used both black balloons and gray. Tied together with black or red string make a perfect fuse! 

My bright idea was to have a laser maze the kids had to get through as one of their missions. I gave hubby the red yarn and he went to town turning this average Sunday School classroom into an awesome maze for the kids, complete with a tunnel formed by tables and chairs! 

First glimpse of the laser maze and someone said 'Wow, look at all that yarn!' 

Use your imaginations, guys! It's laser beams. Some of them would have been dead, if they had been real laser beams. Good thing it wasn't real. 

Cake made by hubby - I tend to get flustered when I make cakes last minute for something important as birthday parties. We found some strawberry cake mix on clearance at Target (ours was closing) and pink frosting. Yes, that's pink frosting with a whole lot of food coloring to make it look like metal. Hubby showed me the cake and he didn't realize he had a minor misspelt word. But the kids had to figure out what was wrong with the words - other than it was written backwards. 

The kids had 6 missions they had to get through to find all the answers. Some of them were get up and go missions - they had to count all the door knobs in the room, they had to identify close up pictures of spy gear - such as binoculars, cell phone, a flashlight, computer, a badge, and a gun

(I used an air soft gun we had).

Super spy guy making it through the maze. 

The bad guy the kids had to shoot with NERF guns as one of their missions. 

Super Spy guy had a fantastic party! 

NERF guns - we actually had enough for everyone,

thanks to my brother in law,

who didn't need them anymore! 

This young lady was a super spy and even came dressed all in black.

Inside the gift bags were sunglasses, handcuffs, fake mustaches, magnifying glasses. 

They were, of course in brown paper bags - what else to spies use for 'drop offs?' 

I've watched way to many spy shows. 

The biggest NERF gun of them all. 

Group shot - minus one who had to leave early.

I love all their facial expressions in this photo! 

View all the photos here: 

Spy Party 2016

What Ifs?

Sometimes I wonder about living a different life? 

What if I hadn't gotten married?

What if I hadn't had my two kids?
What if my two other babies had survived pregnancy? Well, I'd have 4 kids! I like to say I have two kids on earth and two in heaven.

Would I be able to function?
Manage my finances?

Would I live by myself?
With friends?
With my parents? *Gasp*

Sometimes I don't think I know how to be an 'adult.' I was recently away from the town we live in - at a conference and my husband has so graciously played 'daddy day care' for a day and a half- which is hard enough to do it while at home, but super challenging to do it in a community you are unfamiliar with! While I baulk at changing diapers, making sure the little people drink and eat enough, I missed them so much. 

So much I couldn't breathe. So much- I wanted nothing more than to hold them both in my arms, even though they may not want held when I saw them again.

My big kid.

Motherhood.
It's my job. Yes, I long for that professional career- but a part of me- says - no, I don't- at least not now, while she's little.

My little one.

I love being home with my little girl, seeing her smiles and letting her be goofy. I love her zest for life- her joy of putting her hand in the snow and eating it- even though her hands will freeze and hurt in a few short moments. The next time she does that, she will forget about the pain, because the reward is so great- to feel that cold cold snow on her swelling gums. 

Maybe that's how God sees us- (putting our hand in the snow) - letting us live through the pain, because the reward is pretty great. 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/jhn.14.27.niv

So even though I didn't get back to my family as quickly as I would have liked - I was with them in a short time, and we went out to eat and enjoyed ourselves! 

And maybe, just maybe - I might have income from this conference I was at. It may not be right away, or even his year. While at the conference, I did learn a lot, though. About the conference topic (farming), about my husband (he's completely capable), and about myself (I'm still shy in these settings). 

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Do you ever think about the 'What ifs'?

p.s. Thanks to Autumn Canny of Happy Day Photos for the awesome photos of me and the kids (hubby was working). 

New Car Old Car

So we bought a 'new' to us car. It's a 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon.

It only has 53,xxx miles on it. Not bad for being that old.

Kicking the tires of the 'new' car. 

My Toyota Camry I got in college now has 170,xxx miles on it. It's not that I couldn't drive it until it dies- because I could- it's the fact that I don't want to be stuck somewhere with 2 kids when it does decide to die. The check engine light is on- because it needs a new air filter or something.

How many people my age (mid-thirties) can honestly say they have the same car they had when they were in college? (23) not even my hubby can say that. But I can. I remember where I was when my parents called- it was just before Christmas of 2001(?)- and of course they pulled the commercial on me: honey, we bought you a CD player. Gee, that's great. Did we mention it comes with the car? Oh! Sweet!

When I first started my Camry in the parking lot of the dealership in St. Paul, Minnesota I didn't think it was running- it was so quiet compared to my old-ER one.  The old one was a 1993 Toyota Camry- and the car was loud- the muffler was loud- it was a stick shift. The new car was a 1998 Toyota Camry LE and had a 3 disc CD player in the dash. It only had 60,xxx miles on it. 

It's been a good car over the years. It followed our dating lives, into marriage, took us on our honeymoon (Arkansas), brought home both children from the hospital. It's taken us to Kentucky a few times, once for a mission trip. It's been to Chicago a few times as well- for college- followed Roy's old Ford LTD back to Iowa when we were done with college. It's taken us to Missouri on short trips and all the way past St. Louis. It's been left in St. Louis while we went on our cruise. It's taken Us up to see my brother in Minnesota. It's put up with a dirty little boy leaving stuff in it all the time- and a messy mommy. 

It's carried countless groceries, baby stuff, clothes to goodwill, a few camping trips, trips to the beach, trips to work and back, dropping kids off at daycare providers house, daycare centers, etc. 

It's been hit and banged up a few times - mind you- it doesn't look great, but it still has over 30k miles left in it- or more!   Banged the side of the car on a set of wooden steps up to my apartment. Dented the bumper numerous times. Car accident when I slammed into the side of a truck one day- replaced the front bumper for that one. Don't ask how that happened- it isn't a good memory. 

It's always been a good car, even if I haven't always been good to it. I will miss it.

What it has that the new car doesn't have: 2 power cigarette lighters (for charging phones, etc). 

Cup holders next to the parking brake. 

3 disc CD player- will miss this very much! 

The name: Toyota 

Not having a Toyota in my family will be weird. I've always had a Toyota ever since I was about CJs age (7). My parents bought an old Toyota Tercell when I was little. Then it was a Camry, then two, then my brother had an Avalon, then my mom had a Carolla, then I had this Camry, my dad now has a Toyota Truck, and my mom has a newer Carolla than her first one. Toyota's a good brand. 

My thinking on this Subaru car is that if I need to be uncomfortable for a few years, while I get out of debt- then so be it! Although having a moon roof isn't exactly low on the comfort zone- the seats aren't as comfy, and the controls are a little different. I'm getting used to them, slowly. 

So, my car is for sale. It would make any college or high school student happy. It made me happy when I was in college! 

Here's the stats on it: 1998 Toyota Camry
More Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/jZDFqJD63LyFTdoK9

"You matter to me."

"You matter to me." 

The good news was I was offered an interview. I was excited, I was nervous, and I was not used to crowds in the large city downtown area. I can handle crowds- but I do much better  when hubby is with me to guide me through. (Because he's tall and a good driver). 

I guess I've become- or always have been a girl that's never in the center of things. I grew up in a bedroom community of the Twin Cities. Close enough to enjoy the entertainment and fun, but far enough where I didn't have to deal with people all the time.

The interview went well, I thought. The tour was amazing of this organization and the collaboration that happens there everyday. Every corner I turned I saw rows and rows of Macs- I thought I had died and gone to heaven (sorry all you Mac haters- I learned my design skills on a Mac and since then I've always had one). The  skills test was brain draining. I felt like mush. To top it off on the way up there the 'check engine' light came on in the dashboard of my car. Called hubby. What's that mean? 'Uh, it means 'check the engine'? How's your fluid levels?' 

Okay. I can't check it now, going to my interview. Fast forward to after the interview and skills test-  I got out of downtown and got to a gas station- checked the levels of oil, and other fluids- yes, I know where to look- fluids looked okay- within normal ranges, anyway. 

Called hubby again. 

He said go to an AutoZone. 

Siri - 'Nearest AutoZone' 

Back the other direction. Okay. I can do this. I think I can. I totally felt inept to handle my first 'big girl' job. The job that not only pays you money, but benefits as well. 

AutoZone guy plugged the computer into my car and said its an 'oxygen sensor'. Good to know. My car has one of those? (Two, actually) But, safe to drive back home? Yes. Okay. 

Did I mention the borrowed from the library Harry Potter CD got stuck in my car CD player on the way there as well? (It's still In there. I'm waiting for hubby to have time to get it out.) 

Oh, what a day! 

I was emotionally drained and tired and I needed and wanted to get home to my kids. 

Fast forward a week. I get a phone call from the company I interviewed at. They wanted to offer me the job. Oh- did I say I found out it was a night shift position in the interview? My jaw was on the floor. They start all their employees out like that. 

If they had just found me 10 years ago. I would have done it. 

Someone asked me what was the pay they were offering you? I said I didn't ask. I didn't want to live with the guilt of not having that extra income. Being debt free in a few years wouldn't be worth it if my daughter didn't know who I am when I walk in the door late at night. I did that before when my son was about the same age. 

As I was telling someone this story, my son (age 7) was listening and said: "Mom, you matter to me."

I feel like I'm always yelling at him or 'bossing' him around as he puts it. Just trying to be your parent, kid, trying to teach you responsibility. At least a little bit. Trying to teach you to listen to your mother, and a little respect along the way. 

I matter to him. I'm the one responsible for dropping him off at school and picking him up each day. I'm the one who gets him signed up for activities like: 4-H Clover Kids and our local children's theater program. 

I'm the one who tells him to stop picking on his sister, to leave her alone, put her down, stop bugging her! 1,000 times a day. 

I matter to him. 

If I wasn't there to do those things, Who would? Is that fair to that person, who might be busy with their own job and their own life? 

What would happen to my little girl if I had to sleep all day so I could work at night? Daycare. She would only see me a few hours a day. Is that fair to her? Is that fair to my mother's heart?

Have I made the right choice? Yes, I believe I have. Family over career. I've done this many times. 

But what's important in life? Fame? recognition? Money? Being financial stable? 

Or family? Friends? A community that knows who you are? Showing God love to others. Being in the place God put you, for such a time as this. 

“And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4:14b‬ ‭AMP‬‬

http://bible.com/8/est.4.14.amp

Redeemed

Back Story: 
I was internally bleeding. 

What was I supposed to do? Not go to the ER? So my kids wouldn't have a mom to take care of them?

I thought I was covered. Two missed payments stops your insurance. There were 3, due to timing of other bills we had obligations to as well. 

Nobody in the Health Care Industry gets it. 

My husband is working 50-80 hours a week and I'm on unemployment and we are still eligible for public assistance! My kids have health care through the state. Crazy that we don't make enough to be on our own two feet. 

I have a $6k hospital bill I can't pay. At least the hospital is willing to work with us, and we are applying for payment plan options. 

Jesus can come anytime now, and wipe away all my debt. That would be amazing. 

I need peace about this. That this bill will - eventually - get paid. 

Redeemed. 

There was a small window. Found by a customer service agent named Joy. 

I didn't think it could be done. 

Insurance is a frustrating and tricky thing. Big businesses are not always ready to look out for the little guy. 

We were staring at a $6,000 hospital bill. There seemed to be no way out. 

The phone call came from Joy one morning. She left a voicemail- saying that she thinks she can get our insurance re-instated. I called her back after my daughter and I had finished breakfast. Not believing the truth. She simply told me was all we had to do was pay the premium for July and we would be reinstated. 

Understand up until this point that my husband had called the insurance company, I had our insurance agent (from whom we bought the policy from) call the company as well and he called me back with bad news. I was thinking we were going to have to self-insure the rest of the year. We couldn't re-enroll until January. He said there wasn't a gray area- or they couldn't find one. 

I even called Title 19 and asked if my procedure would be covered (since it is a form of birth control). Called the hospital and tried to have them run it through. No luck. It was worth a try, anyway. 

Obviously we can't miss another payment (which we won't) or we really won't have insurance for the rest of the calendar year. 

But, thanks to Joy. Hubby made the payment online tonight - and my surgery that I had in May is now covered. She truly delivered a miracle to us. 

I never expected it to happen, sometimes big businesses can act like small businesses and care about the little people- especially when they have great people working for them! 

$6,000 

Not sure what my hospital bill will be now, but it'll be much more manageable. 

I called and asked hubby if he wanted to pay $500 (rounded amount we pay each month for the 2 of us) or $6,000. He said - uh- yeah $500. We can do that!

Exhale. 

I have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb.

 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/1pe.1.18-19.niv

The slate has been wiped clean. 

Almost $6,000 clean.