Busy and Wonderful Times!

I love this time of year. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The kids are all stoked for a little break from school. The Bible School students are eager to have a weekend road trip back to their homes. :) Love, love LOVE it!

Things have been pretty good here. I went to Colorado for four days (as mentioned before) and then Josh left for a week to hunt the vast amount of deer who live in the upper peninsula of Michigan. Unfortunately, the deer were all hiding. My dad was very generous to us, and gave us some of his venison, so we still got some meat for our freezer.

These last couple months have been difficult for us financially. Our support has been low, and it is discouraging. We were totally blessed today though, by an anonymous gift of a whole thanksgiving meal purchased for us! What a HUGE blessing that was! Even though we are going to go to my parents for the actual Thanksgiving day, the food from this generous person is feeding us tonight and tomorrow, and for many more meals I'm sure! I do LOVE turkey! :)

I am off to see how I can fit my broccoli cheese soup I just made into a Thanksgiving menu. :)

I leave you with these pictures of our trunk-or-treat time at a church here in the area. Some good fall family fun, with some amazing costumes made by my mom. :)

Addie as Glinda riding a pony. :)

The cowardly lion Josie looking brave on her pony.

The scarecrow Emma sittin pretty. :)

Yes, Josh and I even dressed up! he he

Campus Life Coffee Social

A couple weeks ago, the Campus Life crew here at New Tribes Bible Institute put up a little coffee shop in the dining hall for one evening.

Josh and I have enjoyed working with Campus Life here for over three years now, but this was one of the events I was most impressed with. It wasn't super fancy, or high entertainment that made me love it, but seeing the students really take initiative, and pull this event off! They put a lot of work into the event, and had a lot of fun doing it. Who knows? This may become a regular event. :)

Making some delicious drinks! We had students who were baristas at many different coffee shops making the drinks. They make at least 120 drinks that night!

The menu. It wasn't fancy, but it did the trick. :)

Some students played games, while most just sat around and chatted. I think everyone enjoyed the evening.

Fall in the Park

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while! It looks as though while I was gone, my hubby blogged. I left him with the camera so he could take pictures of his time with the girls. He took pictures of his friend's deer. he he

I got a great chance to go to Colorado to spend some time with my friend Lizzy after her and Michael had their first little baby. It was a lot of fun helping her out and visiting. I will tell you more about it later, when she sends me some pictures. :)

This has been a great fall! Most of the time it has been unseasonably warm, so we have enjoyed a lot of time outside, before Mr. Jack Frost comes to town.

The other day we were just running around in the park across the street, and I thought I'd take my camera along.

I love my family so much! What an amazing gift they are to me!

Josie with her new smile. :)

I loved the silhouette of this picture.

My three sweet girls!

Look at that cute family of mine! :)

While Mommy is away...

I finally got to take some pictures...

A buddy of mine, and a student here at the Bible School got the shot of a lifetime yesterday. Tim saw this guy about 40 yards out and dropped him real clean. I got the privilege of making the photo record this afternoon. We also got to enjoy some fresh venison backstraps at lunch time. Thank you God, for whitetail deer!

An October Saturday

Yesterday was beautiful! It started off chilly. It was the last games of the season for my two soccer players. Let me tell you, the chilly weather and whipping wind made me completely okay with that. :)

As the day progressed, it turned out quite lovely. We had some students over. We got some yard work done. The girls had loads of time to ride their bikes (as one of the last few times I'm sure, with Winter right around the corner).

After dinner, we decided to carve and paint some pumpkins. I love seeing how creative the girls get with their pumpkins.

One of the advantages of living right next to a huge park. You get a pretty view all year round!

Two of our silly jack-o-lanterns. :)

The girls sitting with their masterpieces. Yes, Josie is wearing socks with her flip flops. What can I say? She gets her fashion sense from her dad. :)

Josie's Big News!

Josie wanted to share her big news with you all...

She lost her first tooth last night!

She was very excited when she learned that it didn't really hurt.

Even though she is the first in her class to lose a tooth, it has been a long time coming. She has had that adult tooth back there even before the baby one was loose! I don't know how that big thing is going to fit in the tiny space. We will see. :)

Josie was terrified to loose a tooth. I am so proud of her bravery! Such a cute little smile too!

Soccer Shocker!

What is the shocker you might ask? That I actually have children who know how to play!

I am serious. This is huge. Taking the fact that I can't even chew gum and walk at the same time out of the equation, I am not what you would call an "athletic type". Sure, I ran track in middle school. Not very well mind you. After every race I felt like I was going to puke, and my face remained red for hours. I just don't have the skills/coordination/stamina it takes for something like soccer. I remember one time two years ago when we had a group of students here for student leadership training, and they all wanted to play soccer. They were a person short, and I was begged to come play. It seems I forgot to wear my flip flops, which is my favorite way of getting out of something like soccer, or anything remotely physical (I'm sorry Addie. I can't take you to the bathroom, I have flip flops on, see?). Okay, I'm kidding on that last one...maybe.

Anyhow, so I foolishly had my sneakers on, and was asked to play. After I told them how I had never played, how I don't know how to play, how I can't even walk and chew GUM at the same time (everyone always thinks that's a joke) I gave in. I got out on the field, and stood there. I was told to block someone, but I really am just too slow and clueless. After about two minutes someone said, "Man, you really ARE as bad as you said!" and at that moment, some wonderful person swept in and saved me from the rest of my humiliation.

Now, I'm not completely un-functioning in the world of sports. I played on a co-ed volleyball intramural team in Bible college. I even managed to hit the ball over the net a few times. Growing up I played a mean four-square game, and I remember a time in high school gym class where my twin sister and I dominated the badminton competition. There were no awards. No announcements. No parade. I felt very excited that we were, in fact, the champions my friend. [ insert Freddie Mercury's voice here]

All of this sports history of my life lead me to believe that any offspring I had would suffer from the same dysfunction gene as me. I did, however, marry a wonderful man who could easily be described as athletic. He played football, and soccer, and ran track all in high school. He played soccer in college, and in Bible school. He also kicks butt in sand volleyball. Much to my utter joy and amazement, his athletic gene was passed down to our daughters. Sure, some have it more than others, but all of them could wipe the floor with me at any given moment in soccer.

Badminton anyone?

Goalie is a perfect position for Emma and her type-A, "by the book" personality. She didn't let anyone score the whole time!

Josie just running along. This may not be her game, but she sure is having fun, which is more that I could say if I were out there.

Daddy warming up Josie, and comforting her after a big fall. Josh is such a great encouragement to the girls!

She Likes To Move It, Move It!

Our little Adelaide is now a ballerina!

Following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Addie has joined her first ballet class. She is so cute with her little tutu and her belly popping out in her leotard.

Her first class was a hit for her. She didn't want to leave!

Making sure Josie's hand-me-downs fit.

Addie meeting her teacher, and learning first position.

Learning to balance.

Thursday Thoughts

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose" ~ Robert Byrne

I read this quote today and it made me think. Am I living a life of purpose?

How about you? Are you living a life of purpose?

Hail To The Victors Valiant!

Two weekends ago I had the amazing opportunity to see the University of Michigan Wolverines play in the newly renovated Big House!

My friend Karen and her husband were going to the game, and then he had to make an out of town trip, so they gave me the ticket! I was so excited that I was actually going to see Michigan play after 30 years of watching them on TV!

The experience of being in a place like that, with all the energy and excitement is so thrilling! We had some great seats too! The weather was perfect and the sun was to our backs. We had a blast watching the Wolverines play a victorious game (30 to 10) against the University of Connecticut.

I am so very thankful for the opportunity to have gone, now I wish that Josh will get to experience this...with me of course. :)

Karen and I enjoying the day!

A little pre-game music.

Check out our seats! Go Blue!

The Difference Two Years Make

The first day of school this week made me think of the first day of school two years ago. I was new to the whole "kid in school" parenting thing. To be honest, I was petrified. I really did not want to send Emma away. I was afraid what I would miss out on in her life. I was afraid she would have horrible influences in her life that would change my little girl forever.

Fast forward two years. My Jo Jo is starting kindergarten. She goes to all day when Emma only went half days (which they no longer offer). I was comfortable dropping Josie off, because I know her teacher. She was Emma's teacher, and the best teacher I could have ever dreamed of for my kids. I am not as scared about the changes in Josie's life, because Emma showed me in many ways I was wrong. Emma was able to make good choices about friends, and how she spent her time without me hovering and picking for her, and you know what? Even when Emma didn't, that was okay too. They are going to fail sometimes. She is (they are all)growing up. I can't keep them from that. They are making mistakes, and learning from them. I am here to be excited that they got a "good job" sticker on their paper, be the comforter when they struggle with new math problems, help them make the right choices when they are asked to sit next to a mean kid.

Maybe this journey is in more ways going to grow me than them.

Emma's first day of kindergarten. 2008

Josie's first day of kindergarten. 2010

Sending Emma off to school. 2008

Sending Josie and Emma off to school. 2010

I can't believe how much they have grown in two years!

TWO Cool for School!

Josh and I now have TWO daughters in school! That's right. Josie is an official kindergarten baby.

Yesterday was the first day. Josie seemed really excited to join the ranks of the formally educated, while Emma wished for another week or two of summer. Addie was sad that she didn't get to put a uniform on, and that she has two wait to years for her turn to go to school.

It will come faster than you think, Addie. Trust me on this one.

Are you all ready cute little kindergarten girl?

Such a serious second grader. :)

Look at how BIG their back packs are!

Daddy can make anything exciting!

Josie's a Whole Hand Old!

Josie turned 5 on August 24th! FIVE! Can you believe it?

Her birthday just so happened to land on "freshman orientation" day here at New Tribes Bible institute. On registration and orientation, we don't really get to see Josh, because he doesn't get home until after bed. I took some cupcakes to the dining hall so he could be part of the celebration.

The Saturday after her birthday, we took Josie to Portage Lake for some swimming and grilling, like any summer birthday should have! We had a great time with family. Josie was especially excited that she got "two cakes" this year. :)

The whole dining hall sang happy birthday to our Josie girl!

After swimming we came home for a doll birthday cake!

Oh, and of course, we can't forget the presents! :)

My Favorite Mac and Cheese Recipe

Macaroni and cheese is the perfect comfort food! So warm and gooey, salty with a little bite. This is my favorite and my family's favorite mac and cheese recipe. It is THE BEST! I guess you could say that makes this the perfect perfect comfort food!

I got a couple of recipes for this yummy goodness, and added a little of my own, so I guess you could say this is my recipe. At least that's what my Momma would say!

Tamara's Mac and Cheese

16 oz. elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

1/2 t. salt

1/4 c. butter (the real stuff!)

1/4 c. flour

2 c. milk (2% or whole is best)

8 oz. brick of extra sharp cheddar cheese, cubed

Melt butter with salt on medium heat. Add flour and stir until smooth. (be careful not to burn the butter). Turn to low heat and add milk. Stir constantly until boiling. After it starts to boil, stir for about one more minute, so it coats the spoon when you lift it out. Remove from heat, and add cubes of cheese. Stir until melted.

Stir macaroni noodles with the your cheese sauce and place in a 1.5 or 2 qt baking dish. Bake in 375 F for 30-35 minutes, and your done!

I like to serve this with warm yeast rolls and green beans, or a salad. Let me know if you like it!

Galveston!!!

Josh and I had the GREAT privilege to go visit Ben and Emily in Texas a few weeks ago. The aunties in Indiana graciously looked after our three kiddos as we went for a great time of relaxing. We got to see the hospital where Emily works, and help set up Ben's new classroom for the year. They took us out for some wonderful Mexican food and more, and we vegged out watching episode after episode of The Office. Josh and Ben got some time in at the range while Emily pampered me with a mani/pedi. It was a very fun time.

One morning we took a trip to Galveston. This is a beautiful place! It was so very hot (really? August in Texas? Um, YEAH.) so we only stayed for the morning. We walked around, ate at the best restaurant I have ever been to, and drove around looking at these castle size houses. It was especially neat to see how this town has rebuilt since Hurricane Ike which destroyed so much down there.

This was a great visit, but what made it the best was Ben and Emily. They were so much fun to be with, and so completely hospitable and just super easy going. SUCH a fun time! I also never realized how much Josh and Ben are alike. I know they are brothers, so there is a little to be expected, but it was just cracking me up to see how very similar they are, even with little things. :)

Taking a walk in Galveston. It was too hot to hold hands. You could only hold pinkies. :)

All of the buildings down there have these rich details. It was really beautiful.

Emily driving us around.

These mark the waterlines of different hurricanes they have had in Galveston. The one at the top that Josh is pointing at was Hurricane Ike!

Don't we look so warm? It was more humid than I can describe.

This is the Mosquito Cafe. Best place ever. Eat there if you are ever in Galveston. Trust me!

One of the many cool castle/mansion places down there.

Happy Campers

I took another unexpected blogging break! Josh and I did some traveling(which I will share about soon), and then my back had the audacity to go out on me again. It didn't even ask! Can you believe that? After a week of lying around, daily chiropractor appointments, and wonderful pain meds, I am happy to say I am on the mend. I wish I could say I was completely better, but that will have to wait for another time. I do want to share more of our summer with you though!

Last month we decided to take the family camping at Warren Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan. What a wonderful time it was! We couldn't have asked for better beach weather. Lake Michigan was 75 degrees! We basically spent all day, every day at the beach, which is just how we like it. :)

We were able to borrow our friend's camper which was so nice. Josh reserved a spot online, so we were not sure what it would look like. It turned out to be a very big spot. We drove around and scoped out some of the better spots for next year if we decide to go there again.

It was so fun to be at a place where the girls were all old enough to really enjoy camping. Emma was a huge helper! She always wanted to be doing something. Josie and Addie were VERY dirty, but who cares! That's part of camping, right?

One of the sand dunes, with the moon showing itself.

This was our campsite. It was HUGE!

Josie all smiles at the beach.

Emma working on a mote for their castle.