Backtrack to WOF

A couple weekends ago, I had the opportunity of a lifetime. Me and 11 friends drove to St. Paul, Minnesota to attend a "Women Of Faith" weekend. On Thursday, Oct. 15th we loaded two suburbans and made the 6 hour drive.
We spent that night a bit like a slumber party. Talking and laughing much later than we should have.
The next morning we headed to day one of our Faith filled weekend. I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing this conference was. Each day Laura asked us what our favorite was, and I just can't decide. Never has there been a group of speakers and musicians that felt like the were speaking right to me, when in reality, there were over 12,000 people at the Xcel Energy Center. I have never laughed so hard nor cried so hard in one weekend...ever. The existence of a loving God has never been so clear to me. It was truly life changing.
All day Friday and Saturday were spent at the conference, but we were able to go out for a few meals in between.

"Picnik Show"

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Anyway, it was an unbelievable weekend. So glad I took time out of packing to experience the glory of God with so many wonderful women! I love you my Fireflies! I'm counting down to next year.

Sad Little Puppy

Poor Rusty. It's possible that this move has been hardest on him. He nearly had a nervous breakdown watching me pack last week. He absolutely freaked out in the car on the way here. He was terrified of his new surroundings. He's had to get comfortable in a new yard with new neighbor dogs to bark at. Wednesday he went to a new groomer. And today, a new vet. It's been a rough week. Pretty sure this face says it all.
After clearing away all the hair on Rusty's butt yesterday, the groomer noticed an Abscessed Anal Gland. It is absolutely as disgusting as it sounds, so I won't go into detail...or try to get a picture! Suffice it to say, he needs to stop licking...hence the cone.
Now he won't walk or move on his own! I have to pick him up to move him from room to room. I think I'll have to take it off to get him to eat or go to the bathroom. Poor thing.
He's still the cutest dog ever. Pretty sure if I ever start packing boxes again, he'll just run away rather than go through all this again!

Happy Birthday

New School's and Birthday Girl

My brave little girl is not so little anymore. Today, she turns 12 and at the same time, begins middle school. What a big day for her, and what a big day for Mom!
The girls were unable to start school at their new schools yesterday because the paperwork from Carrington School had not arrived. So we spent the day riding bike around town, getting library cards, and watching movies. We didn't unpack a single box. Just decided to spend the day messing around before the big day at new schools.
Both girls were very nervous, but especially Brooklyn. In Carrington, 6th grade was still in the Elementary School, but here, it's in the Middle School. That means lockers, and switching classes 8 times! So today, her 12th birthday, she began middle school.
We checked in with the office and got a copy of her schedule, and her locker combo, and headed up the stairs to the Middle School section to find our way around. We got there early so we would have plenty of time to figure it all out. As we were unlocking her locker, a cute little girl (I say little, but at 12, they aren't so little anymore) asks Brooklyn if she is a new student and quickly helps her decorate her locker. Then she studies Brooklyn's schedule to see what classes they will have together. She gathers about 10 other 6th graders and they each figure out what class they have with Brooklyn and make plans to meet her at her locker to show her the way.
What a weight off my chest! I've had these horrible visions from the movie "Mean Girls" of my baby eating lunch alone in the bathroom! But, so far, it seems she has some very friendly classmates, excited to show her around.
Next we headed to the Elementary school to meet Rylee's teacher and get her settled in. We found her desk and her teacher handed her all her new books and then the bell rang, and in came a huge class of kids yelling "Is that Rylee?" Rylee, being who she is, refused to look anyone in the eye and didn't say a word, but I know my child, she just needs a minute to assess the situation and then she'll be ready to jump in.
So that was that. They are at school, and I am home alone in a town I don't know! Weird, but good.
Tonight we plan to have cake and open a couple presents, but the real present from Mom and Dad will be bought in Bismarck in a couple weeks. She wants new Rollerblades, and she wants to pick them out herself. She really is her mothers child!

The girls took this picture of themselves with my phone in the car this morning. I'll share more pictures later!

Going Private

I think it's time. I just can't seem to find a way to spill my guts in the blog without revealing information that I'd rather some stranger browsing the net not have access to. So, if you'd like an invite to continue reading my blog, comment me your e-mail address, or send me an e-mail before November 15th. As of November 15th you will have to enter your e-mail and your e-mail password to access my blog. If at that time you have any problems doing so and you are desperate to read what I have to say, give me a call and we'll figure it out. I know you might go into withdrawals if you can't read my musings and see the pictures that document almost every minute of our lives! :)

This one is for real...

And it better melt before I have to move next week.

Update

This is what I found on my deck one afternoon this week. Ridiculous! I've been patiently waiting for the leaves to reach their peak in fall color so that I could get out there and get some pretty pictures...but alas, with the snow flying all weekend and the wind blowing like crazy, most of the leaves have fallen before they even changed color.
Our big news of late is, of course, the fact that we found a house. So, the rest of the story is that we will be moving on Friday, October 23rd. Our amazing friends, Les and Joyce, Mark and Faye, Anna and Kids, and Carla and Kids are all going to caravan with us for a big moving party! We've reserved a couple rooms in the hotel and are going to have a birthday party for Brooklyn at the pool that weekend while we have a few friends in town.
Without a job the last few weeks, I've been looking for interesting ways to fill my time. In between packing, I've enjoyed doing a little babysitting for two of my favorite boys Kanin and Korbyn.
My strategy with the young ones is
put 'em in a basket and don't worry about it! Not really, but Korbyn did love the basket. Kanin, on the other hand, is ready to wrestle, and Ryan showed up just in time for a little rough housing.
The other think I did on a whim (well, not so much a whim, I have been wanting this for a long time, just never make the time to do it) is:
I was nervous it would hurt, but it wasn't so bad. It's worse now...itchy.
I've been visiting my friend on bed rest. She's pregnant with twins and I've enjoyed taking a few belly pictures.
Otherwise, it's pretty uneventful. The house is looking empty. I've packed up the entire basement and moved everything into the garage. There is nothing on the walls anywhere, and I've even packed most of our clothes. Tomorrow, I'm packing everything in the kitchen except what we absolutely cannot live without. Weird. I'm going to miss this house.
Random thought: Anyone know why the word "weird" doesn't follow the "i before e except after c" rule?

Happy Birthday Carla

Just being friends with you has made me a healthier person. Why you might ask: Well, humor is infectious. The sound of roaring laughter (or bubbling in your case) is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy. In addition to the domino effect of joy and amusement, laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Laughing with others is more powerful than laughing alone
Shared laughter is one of the most effective tools for keeping relationships fresh and exciting. All emotional sharing builds strong and lasting relationship bonds, but sharing laughter and play adds joy, vitality, and resilience. And humor is a powerful and effective way to heal resentments, disagreements, and hurts. Laughter unites people during difficult times.

Anyone can join the laughter movement. All it takes is a willingness to risk some loss of control. The timid may start with a few shy giggles. The courageous may jump in with deep belly laughter. A sense of humor is not required. There’s more than enough stress to go around and absurdity abounds in our daily lives. All we have to do is believe, let go, clap our hands and laughter will live again. So will we. Laughter is feeling deeply which allows us to live fully.
So...Happy 30th Birthday to the funnest person I know!

We have found a house to rent!!!

So...sometime in the near future Ryan and I will be living in the same state! Woot! Woot!!!