dinner

I made dinner tonight.......we had cat shaped biscuts, eggs, bacon, homefries, apples, country gravy, and orange drink.......it was delicious

j

Gram at 6:45 AM

Well here it is another new day! A Thursday 2 more work days to go!! It's also Bible Study night. Pray for me. I go into the den. I have to go because, I have the eats for tonight or I would probably stay home. I came home from work an hour early yesterday cause Montazuma got me...I'm ok now. Hope your day is a good one. Love ya Gram

@#%*%#@!!!!!!!!!!

So, I was feeling pretty crappy last night in case you didn't all realize that from my last entry. I got up this morning determined to have a better day. I went to work-out, came home threw my laundry in the washer and went off to try to accomplish something. First I couldn't find my address book to sent out birthday cards, then I went to the bank to get some money and couldn't remember my password. I went home to find the passwork but no such luck. I called Wes, he gave me the address I needed, and went back to the bank with a check this time. Oh, and I went to lunch with Amy and Amanda. By now I'm feeling better. Amy and I go to the library, pick out a couple of movies, get a few books, and go for coffee. Now I'm feeling a lot better. I'm home, my errands are done, all that's left is to finish my laundry! I go to take the things out of the washer and at the bottom I find my ipod @#%*%#@!!!!!!!!!!!! Tami

Remember Me?

Well this will be quick, I'm up at moms because I was taking the kids to work with me tonight to see all the Halloween decorations and to help me work(I'm a slave driver) an we got up there and the parking lot was still full with employees, so we came up to moms till 8, maybe they ll be gone if not ill have to come back up really late. I hope not because, i went to the post office at 9 am to work this morning then, I had to go work at the day care from 12-4:30, then go home make dinner and take Alyssa and Ian to quizzing at 5, give Wes a ride at 6, stop at the grocery store and get Halloween goodies for the kids to take to school, pick up Alyssa and Ian at 6:30 get gas then go up to work at the ddso building at 7, except the parking lot was full. So to make a long story short Ive been home about 2 hrs total since 9 this morning and i wont be getting home now till 10 or after, well gotta go. love you guys,
Sandi

Oh well!

All day today I've been thinking that it is such a bummer that all 3 things that I am doing away from home happen only every other week, and that all of them happen on the same week. Then I was thinking, oh well, I have a lot to look forward to next week. My two favorite things are my leadership development class which is on Tuesday and my military support group , Hearts for Heros, meets on Thursdays. I found out today that since October has 5 Thursday's Hearts for Hero's isn't meeting. I'm really bummed, but to make things worse, I just read an e-mail from my friend that said she missed me in class today, and the teacher won't be available for the next scheduled class so we won't meet again until Nov. 18th!!!!!!!! Oh well, class was at 9:30 today, and I was sleeping well.
Tami

Just another day at School

So today i was thinking how i like the fact that deadlines are for students not for professors. Like how they take months to get a test or a paper back to you and give lame excuses for that like my favorite was given today by my Romans professor that he had a very important pumpkin carving appointment that he had so he couldn't correct our tests. Well i wish i could use that one I'd much Rather be home carving pumpkins with my family than stuck here writing papers and studying for stupid exams!!! Being a student is such a rip off you don't get to use family fun or friend fun or relaxation as an excuse for not doing work. Also i have an issue with grades which are suppose to measure intelligence or something like that but really they only measure book smarts what if you don't have book smarts? Then i guess you just get the short end of the stick. I was just reading about Intelligence in my PSY. class so what do you guys say is Intelligence? Let me know
Ash

Mom and J must be slacking. I haven't seen any of you in a couple of days. I was also wondering what in the world gram id doing awake at 3:54 am. I have two kids and I was still sleeping. Anyways nothing new here, this is my final week in my college classes so I am doing lots of school work. Little Ruben learned to say train in english so that's all we have been talking about. Gwen is no standing up on her own without grabbing on to soemthing, and I think we are over the baby throw ups. She hasn;t thrown up in three days. The weather is really cold, but mostly because of the wind. I would think with all the wind the leaves would start blowing off the trees but nothing. Well i better get to the schoolwork, both the kids are still sleeping and that is that best time to do schoolwork. Love you all
Brandi

Hi from Gram. I looked out my window this am expecting to see snow and yea!! None. I'm just praising the Lord today. That's because I am ready I bought a new snow brush yesterday and put it in the car. Back to work after 2 days off. Yes still praising!! Made my first apple pie of the season, and apple crisp too. Smells great. Hope you all have a great week. Love ya

Time for a little break

So today in my world religons class we were talking about taoism and i thought some of its basic concepts to be very interesting. It talks about being in harmony with nature, and allowing things to be as they are. Taosits belive in supreme relaxation compared to the American way of supreme activity were we are always go go go. This way of life says taoists gives no time to reflect on what you are doing. Life should give time to refelct and relax this to Taoists is how a person can be truly affective in life. Taoists also do not belive in ambition and to many people this sems like a bad thing but as i sat in class i thought about it and really it is not a bad thing at all. It is seen as cutting across the grain of nature to desire great amounts more than what you are given. Also they belive that the human is a small part of the bigger picture of nature. Which i feel is a good thing to realize that in this life you are not the total focus. I just thought these ways seemed more simple than the american people live thier lives. To be consently on the go is not the natural way. though it may bring you great success in the worlds eyes, it is no the way to true happiness. Also i liked some of thier ideas about being content with what you have and taking time to relax and refelct. Just thought i would share that with you all.. beacuse i thought it was intereting.
Ashley

Pretty Tired

After having blood taken out four times and nearly a 16 hour fast I am so exhausted. My kids are full ovf energy and it is frfeezing outside. I finally gave in and turned on the heater. I am trying to get warm and rest up a little so that I can go walk in the park and little later. The good news is it's only my kids and my neice in the house. All of my mother in laws day care kids have went home early. I think I might make a trip to the store to make some soup. Uncle Mike what book are you reading to Daaron and why did you can so much pumpkin? I have wanted to post a picture of Gwen's new teeth, but she does not want her picture taken she wants to be taking the pictures. After battling with her last night for about 20 min over the camera I deciced I would have to try another day. I got a bunch of pictures that look like the one I posted. BB just runs away from the camera now so that's not any fun. Hope everybody has a great week- end. I will be waiting to hear from everybody.

All Right Already

So someones complaining about no one posting so here it is. Real quick and brief....

Debra says "I don't ever want to see pumpkins again! Oh, and we are having lemon merangue pie for Thanksgiving instead of pumpkin." After canning over 100 jars of pumpkin.

Mike says "I'm already so tired I don't know how I'm going to add another 20 hours of internship starting next fall and spring." (Please pray)

And Daaron says nightly "Read the next chapter dad. C'mon!"

There it is.

mailing cookies

I found these tips for mailing cookies while I was looking for an idea for our cookie exchange. It sounds like it might work. I'm not sure about the rest of you but most of the cookies I get in the mail are crumbs. We all put so much work and love into them maybe this will help them to arrive looking just like they do when we put them in the mail. (Does anyone else miss Sandi, and where are Mike, Deb and Daaron?)

Good Things Come in Secure Packages
Once you've baked and cooled your cookies, you're ready for the next step: packing them. There are a few guidelines you should follow when it comes to preparing cookies to be mailed. Follow these and your special packages should arrive e fresh, in one piece, and great-tasting.
Don't pack crisp and soft cookies together--the moisture from the soft cookies will seep into the crisp cookies, making them lose their delightful crunch.
Don't over stuff your container. Your cookies may be damaged. Likewise, don't under-pack your container. The cookies should fit snugly. If you have too much space, crumple up a bit of tissue paper to fill the holes.
Pack cookies in a sturdy tin or airtight container. On the bottom of the container place a piece of bubble wrap, then line the container with parchment paper or cellophane, leaving enough to tuck over the top once the container is fully packed. Place one layer of cookies in the container. Cover with parchment paper. Arrange another layer of cookies, followed with more parchment paper, and continue this layering until the container is full. Tuck the cellophane or parchment paper over the top, then place another piece of bubble wrap on top, and seal your container.

Hello

Hey everyone, I heard from Jon last night and he is really down. Some phone calls and letters from family would really help a lot. Jon let me pray with him while we talked last night, so that's not a bad idea either. Who couldn't use more prayer!
His address is:

PFC Jonathan LeRoy
PO Box 454885
San Diego, CA 92145

Phone number 910-381-3030

Have a great day everyone!
Tami

Some Fun

So after the last riddle i felt like making up a contest so i will be sending each of you a paper of 10 riddles and the first pesron to send it back with all the correct answers will get a prize. I am not sure what that prize will be yet but it'll be something good. So i hope you guys all have fun with this.
Ash

Gwen Update

Gwen is know a whopping 21.8 lbs, and 29 inches long. She is a proud band aide supporter today. She got two shots, and is now a whole nine month old. I dont know why the time did not pass this fast when I was pregnant for her. I am busy getting my scholl work done and trying to get my recipe cards done to send out tomorrow. Ashley is good. I already got her's and can;t wait to try it. I sitll need Uncle Mike's address where have you been??? Have a great Evening everyone.

Brandi

Celebrating!

Shannon accepted Christ last night! She called and is so excited! I'm going with her Sunday while she is baptized. She says she finally feels like she belongs to something.
Tami

A riddle

So we did this riddle sheet today in my psy. class and i thought it was fun so maybe you guys would too!


Can you translate the following?
YYURYYUBICURYY4ME

well, sadly aunt sandy isn't posting


and no one else is either!!!

what's the deal, just cause we lose one person it's no excuse for the whole thing to fall apart so get on it!



oh and what's everyone's favorite number?

mine is 5

j

Wonderful Weekend.

We had a great weekend. The weather finally feels like Fall! On Saturday we drove up to Blue Lick State Park. It was a really pretty drive, we went through Paris KY, which is where the really big horse farms are. The property and barns are beautiful! I've only driven through there a couple of times, but I love it! Makes me dream big dreams. Any way, the reason we went to Blue Lick was to picnic with Aunt Betty, Uncle Jerry, Pete and his family, and Shannon and Gary. We had lots of fun, ate lots of food. It's always a good time, it's a bummer it only happens once a year! That was Saturday. Sunday was military appreciation day at Keeneland. We got in free, had free breakfast and free lunch, sat in reserved seats for the races, it was fun! Some of the families got to have a teleconference with their family members who are deployed. I should have bet on #3, he was my choice to win and he did! I don't know why the pictures do what they do, but I don't know how to fix it either. Does anyone know how?

bills 5-1
sabres 4-0-1

not a bad year so far to be a fan of buffalo, but there is a lot of season left

besides sports i'm good. if you can order some stuff off amazon, lately there has not been a lot of work and they have been sending people home, which is kind of good...unless you work to make money...yep


ummm.......
i had a funny story this morning but i forgot it

j

A saaaad story!

Well... this is the story, get your tissues out. My computer is very very sick, and unfortunately she does not have insurance and cant afford to go to the doctors. So she will have to rest indefinitely, which means her friend Internet wont be able to come and play. That is a good thing though, because that Internet, she is a high maintenance chick. This all come at a very good time, because my doctor, Dr. Time, says that I'm addicted to this blog called "Rogers Family Fun", and he suggests that I go cold turkey for a while. So, to make a sad story short, Ill be off line for a while. Hopefully I can peek in once in a while when we stop at the library. Love you guys.
Sandi

Trying to be creative.

I've already been to three stores looking for postcards of KS, well I guess that means KS doesn't have any. I am trying to be creative with my recipe cards, and I wanted to take some fall pictures here, but it;s ugly here sad to say. We have had frost already but the leaves have not turned or started falling yet so I guess we'll see what you all get. I still need Uncle Mike's address. I think my mom must have fell off the earth. I have been calling her for days and her phone is just going to voicemail. My phonebook on my phone got erased so I can't find my dad's number to make sure that they are still alive. So if anyone here from them let me know. The kids are doind well. Gwen has her nine month check up this week and shots. Ruben just had his two year check up on friday and he is really tall, really skinny, and very bright according to our doctor, the sad thing is I think when I wake him up from his nap we are going to Urgetn care because he has a high fever and was tugging at his ears all morning. Being a mom is not always fun. I always feel so bad for them when they are sick. Hope everyone is having a great week-end. I just sent out Pictures to Gram Rogers and my mom and dad so I hope you all get to see them this week

Pray

Hey everyone, I want to ask you all to be praying for Shannon. She is so close to making a commitment to Christ. It's so exciting to watch her. She eats up any new information she gets and I've never known anyone who knows so little and is so excited about the bible and the new things she is learning. Shannon has been hopping from church to church for years. Somehow she knows what she needs is there, but hasn't found it yet. She has a co-worker who has begun witnessing to her, and has invited her to church. It is a Assembly of God church plant and they have been wonderful. The church is very small and Shannon loves feeling part of something new. She comes to me with a lot of questions. She believes Jesus is the son of God, and she believes she is a sinner, but she can't get over believeing that she has to make up for her past before she comes to God. She also has a x mother in law that preached to her all the time but never showed her Christ. Phil and J and I are going to see her today, and she is having dinner with her pastor and his wife on Monday. J wanted her to come over last night so he could "push her over the edge". So please pray. This could be her first Christmas!

Last week Shannon went and bought a bible, she was so excited to tell her co-worker, Vicki, so Vicki asked her what kind of Bible she got, Shannon wispered " the holy one, is there another kind?" Seriously, EVERYTHING is new to her. Have a great weekend everyone!

REVISION

Sorry guys, we have an addition to our mailing list

J and Amy are in too !!!

thanks (ps. Ashley got the jump on everyone, she already sent her soup recipes out)
SLR

Ok this is it

Okay we can start our planning for our soup recipies, cookies and ornaments:
were all in:
Grandma Rogers
Brandi
Tami
Ashley
Deb
Sandi

deadlines for mailing:
soup recipes-10/24
dozen cookies-11/20
ornament-12/15

: have fun and I'll be looking forward to see all the exciting things everyone comes up with.
SLR

Fall in Kentucky

Yesterday was October 15, in KS they had to scrape frost off the windows when they went to work. I'm not sure what it was like in NY, but this is what it was like in Wilmore KY. See the pretty basket of flowers hanging from the pool, they have been there since spring and look just as good now as they did then, however, now there are also trees changing color and leaves falling all around.

Uncle Phil's Recyc Contribution

As we have been reminded:
(Don't forget reduce, reuse, re gift, and recycle!)

So this is :
How to Knit a Bag from Plastic Bags


A half-knitted plastic bag.

Plastic bags are starting to be recognised as a major waste of plastic - you get one free with every purchase whether you ask for one or not, and you often see them floating down the street or filling up the cupboard under the sink. Although there are many ways of reusing them, as the link above can show you, this one is a creative way of using lots of bags with a fun and long-lasting result.

Steps

1. Take around 80 plastic bags that are clean and 'not' made of degradable plastic. Degradable bags are often marked proudly as such of, and will disintegrate after a few months. Cut the seam off the bottom of a bag and remove the handles. Flatten out your bag and cut it in a long spiral from top to bottom, into one long strip 3cm (1in) wide. See this article for more information on preparing the bag prior to knitting.

2. Cast on as many stitches as you want with needles around size 3-4mm, until your work is as wide as you want your bag to be. Knit until your work is twice as long as you want your bag to be.

3. Cast off and fold your work in half. Sew up the sides of your bag with more strips of plastic - use a crochet hook, as it won't make as many holes in the existing strips as a yarn needle will.

4. Cast on again, creating enough stitches to knit a narrow strap for your bag. Knit until the strap is long enough to be attached to the bag at both ends with about 8cm of overlap. Bear in mind that your straps will stretch a little when you have heavier things in the bag.

5.

More challenging handles!!.

Make two of these straps, and sew one to each side of the top inside of your bag with about 8cm of overlap at each end. Alternatively, there are patterns online for making a bag with fancier handles that are more challenging to knit.

More Animals w/Uncle Mike

I'm not quite sure what's going on, but animals seem to be attracted to me lately. Some I don't mind, others (splat!!) I do mind. This one, well, I'm not quite sure what to think. Friday I was walking to work at around 6:45 am. It was still dark so I was talking on my cell phone with my friend James. Anyway, I get about half-way to work and I hear this little shuffling of feet and a little bit of a rattle. It startled me, but as I looked down I saw a little tiger cat kitten. No big deal, its cute, its meowing, etc. I keep walking, thinking because it has a collar it must be owned by someone. I didn't expect what happened next. It followed me a half mile, down a busy street with no side walk. It kept wrapping itself around my legs, jumping up on my legs until I had to quite talking to James to make sure I didn't step on it or trip over it. I'd finally decided I'd take it to work, give it some food, and try to figure out whose it was when it just took off. It didn't take off until I was within sight of work. Hmmmm........ Someone watching out for me? Reminds me of Shasta in the Horse and His Boy where Shasta is waiting for his friends and has to spend the night in the sight of the tombs. A cat lays down next to him and comforts him during the night. Later on he found out it was Aslan. Considering the conversation I'd had at school the day before on some of our girls getting involved in cutting and witchcraft and the fact that I'd been on the phone calling people to pray for them the evening before, it makes me wonder.

God is good.... and mysterious.... and He's not a tame lion, you know.
Mike

Prayers for Patience

Most of you know that I am a very patient person and I always have been. I love children and my job, but these last few days have given me more stress than all my years working at little Hearts Preschool. My kids behavior has been so out of control it has put me in a bad mood and I have had alot of heart burn. I am not sure if that's my bodies reaction to stress or because I ate a salad three days ago (lettuce makes me sick)I have one more day left this week and parent teacher conferences tomorrow so I am praying that I will not let these past few days influence the session of the conference with my parents. I want to talk to them about how well the kids are doing and what they as parents can work on at home to get them ready for kidnergarten. Being four is hard work. The reason I am praying for patience today is because yesterday. I got kicked in the leg by an angry student and then hit in the face with a soccer ball. That was an accident, but it did not make my afternoon any more fun. Also I have been awake since four and not been able to go back to sleep, and I have to work all day.
Besides the stress of work, I only have two weeks left in my third set of classes in my college courses. I am anxious to see my final grade and start my next classes. My kids are both doind well. Gwen took two steps yesterday I know it;s only two but its a start, it's kida of sad she's growing up so sad, and Ruben newest phrase is "Hey Babe" Love you all Hope you have a great Wednesday!!!

Fall "rain"?

The wind was blowing in such a way today that it was like it was raining leaves. The kids were having so much fun in it that I thought you all might enjoy seeing them.

Something to be proud of !

I'm not quite sure whats going on, but I've talked to a few of you on the phone and in person and with what Ive been reading on this blog and feeling myself,it seems like there is alot of second guessing,and doubting going on. So where ever you are in life...in the wise words of Montgomery Gentry....

Let me tell you right now
That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million
Just be thankful to be working
If your doing what your able
putting food there on the table
and providing for the family that you love
That's something to be proud of
And if all you ever really do is the best you can...
...WELL YOU DID IT MAN!!!!
SLR

How God Works

So I told you all that we would have to see how God was going to work out me getting my meds. Saturday I decided to leave my Dr. a message asking if he would perscribe me 30- 200mg pills that I could cut in half instead of 60- 100mg pills, today he called and said he would. The 100mg pills would cost me $300. Today I went to the pharmacy and was told the new perscription would cost $125, and I have a $25 dollar coupon! So they are only going to cost me $100!!!!! Then I told the pharmacist I only wanted half of the 2nd perscription which was supposed to cost me $179. He told me that 1/2 would be $32.50, I was very surprised and asked him if he was sure. He checked again and said yes the full perscription would be $65! I was able to pay for the full amount for less then I thought 1/2 of it was going to cost. If that is all to hard to follow, the botton line is I paid only $165 for both perscriptions which originally were going to cost me nearly $500! I don't know how God worked it all out, but I know that he did !
Tami

J

Enough!

We've been having way to many tear jerkers around here. NOW we need some
funny stuff to cheer us up!

Laugh Number Ten; How do you find a cheetah at night?
Use a spot-light.

Laugh Number Nine; Why don't pine trees knit very well?
They're always dropping their needles.

Laugh Number Eight; What do you call a dog that studies the bones it digs up?
A barky-ologist.

Laugh Number Seven; What do you call a messy baby kangaroo?
A sloppy joey.

Laugh Number Six; What did the great white shark say when it met a seal?
"Please to EAT you."

Laugh Number Five; Why do deer use coupons?
They like to save big bucks.

Laugh Number Four; Why did the dog need a bath after it swallowed a clock?
It was full of ticks.

Laugh Number Three; What is a toad's favorite movie?
Star Warts.

Laugh Number Two; Which animal stays dry when it rains?
An umbrelephant.

And Daaron's Number One Laugh is
What did the flower say to the Rogers Family?
Good-bye Bud!


Hope this make's you laugh!!!
Love,
daARon

IN need of Some Guidance

So i have been doing a lot of thinking this weekend, and also a lot of talking things over with My mom and a few other people... and i am just not sure how i feel about finishing college. Maybe its not for me i don't know if i want to be a teacher anymore, what i do know is i really enjoy kids and finding fun and cool things for them to do, like cool coloring books and books and toys.. like this weekend when i was out at walmart i found some Halloween books so i just had to buy one as well as a coloring book.. some may say it is kinda weird for a 19 year old to be coloring in coloring books but i love them! So i am not sure what kind of job this would bring. I also don't like all the money i will be spending on college somehow it just doesn't seem worth it in a way... for a while i felt like i needed to be going to college to make people proud and not to disappoint them and especially my mom, i felt i was the reason she could never go to school and become someone great like i knew she could have been without kids so soon in her life, and i felt like i owed it to her to complete college and had a degree in something, but this weekend i discovered i look up to her for all that she has done in her life with all the kids she has and that she is the example of what i really want to be. I want to be like my mom and have her job. I just want to be able to play with kids and not necessarily have to teach them stricked lessons like a teacher, i want to teach them to use their creative skills and to use their imaginations and to just have fun. So i guess in reality i just want to be a babysitter or something of the sort, but I'm not sure how to do that. I guess i just am not really sure what to do, or what God wants me to do so if any of you have any suggestions or any advice, and just keep me in your prayers please! An idea my mom came up with is to start a themed party business which sounds like a lot of fun, but i am not sure how that will end up.
Ash

Its about that time again!

Anyone interested in doing the cookie, ornament exchange this year, put your name and address on the comment section of this blog so that we can get a mailing list together by the end of this week. I was thinking about adding a new one for October which is kind of pushing it (I know) , but its easy:

Deadlines for mailing:
October: 10/24 (a fall soup recipe- may be written on a post card(one from your state would be nice , but not necessary)
November:11/20 (a dozen cookies and the recipe)
December:12/15 (a homemade Christmas decoration and instructions)

:for those of you who don't remember how this works or weren't involved last year, this is how it works. for each mailing date you send every person on the mailing list the described item or items , then in return you'll receive a package from each of the other members on the mailing list.

It was so much fun checking the mail everyday last November and December to see if we had any packages.
DONT FORGET- SIGN UP BY PUTTING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF THIS BLOG!!

A poem

So considering my last post, it would be a bad time for me to leave you with one of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always get forwarded to you over email that sound good, but never actually come close to reality.

So here is a series of promises that I think actually speak about us and our family.

And...... I'm not going to put those cutesy little smiley faces on this either. Just the stone cold truth
about what we got. OK?

1. When you are sad,
I will jump on the person
who made you sad
like a spider monkey
jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!

2. When you are blue,
I will try to dislodge
whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile,
I will know you are up to something
that I must be in on.

4. When you're scared,
we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried,
I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you
quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused,
I will use little words.

7. When you are sick,
Stay away from me
until you are well again.
I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall,
I'll pick you up
and dust you off--
(After I laugh my butt off!!)

9. This is my oath...
I pledge it to the end.
'Why?' you may ask;
because you are more then my friend,
-- you're family!

Uncle Phil

Not to beat it to death but...

Fall in New York!

We rode through Amish country this afternoon and ended up on the Quaker side of Alleghany State Park. We had a little picnic right in this spot. Then we went and got Pumpkins and ice cream. We ended up with a little hike down in Zoar. What a beautiful fall day.

SLR

What a Saturday!!

We have not done anything. I keep checking the blog to see if anyone has posted, but everybody must be busy. Ruben is actually home today so we have just been relaxing and trying to get a little organized we cleaned the truck and Gwen's part of the room. We are trying to decide where we are going to put another baby, and talking about the what seems forever old question, "What are we going to name her?" Ruben and Gwen just came to us and we agreed instantly, but the third one is hard I keep thinking it will just come to me and it hasn't yet. It's been really nice though we are the only one's home today which is strange because normally there are eight of use here and to just have my family here is more realxing. I am hoping tonite to maybe do some scrapbooking. I have not done any since Ruben's first birthday. Long time too much procrastination. Ruben went to the Home Depot with his dad, and Big Ruben was like how do you do it he is so crazy in the store its like overload. I guess that's what makes me a Mom I can be brave and take him to the store. Well I guess if I am going to get any scrapbooking I better get to it. Have a great Saturday.

I just pit a picture in the profile because it was blank if you guys have any with more of the family in it you should change it.

i thought maybe this may cheer some of you up
maybe it won't



but the good news is that the bills will not lose this week


(it's the bye week)



eh......

i love you all, and miss you all

me and amy kind of have a date in mind

nov. 7 09

The Aftermath

Did you ever wonder what to do with all the leftover "stuff" from a party?(food,balloons,tablecloths...) Well as you all know, were quite creative around here, so here is what happened to the leftover "stuff" from our party last weekend. The grapes were made into grape juice, the plums were made into plum cake(yummy), the heart balloons were made into parachutes/hot air balloon thingys? for little green army guys, and the white balloons and table clothes were made into ghosts for our Halloween decorations. (Don't forget reduce, reuse, re gift, and recycle!)
SLR

So many tears!

So many tear jerkers lately! Well today is my day to cry. Phil recieved another unofficial deployment date today. The unit that called is in Mississippi, and they are leaving in May. I know it's a long way off and a lot could change between now and then, but somehow this one feels real. Maybe because right after he got the phone call he had to leave to drill for 3 days, or maybe because we've only spent 4 days together in the last 4 weeks. I've spent most of the morning crying which is rediculous, I can't spend the next 6 months crying like he's already gone! I guess I'll go make some soup. And see how many push ups I can do.

From Aunt Debra

Thoughts From a Frustrated Aunt

(Warning also a tear jerker)

I was getting frustrated with my frustration today. Ever since we got back from New York I have had this feeling that I had forgotten "something", and today I had enough. Frustrated and feeling a little crabby I am sitting on my front porch writing on a dollar store note book with a wal-mart pen because I can't type this on the blog myself.

My whole day was frustrating I'm working on canning up my 400th jar of "goodies" for the season and frustrated that I don't have a car to run to the store to pick up a dollar store item that would make my job a million times easer. Then my thoughts go to this "something" that I know I forgot. I've been so frustrated and crabby about this whole blog thing because I can't get on it and say things like "hey Brandi, the name Maria would be beautiful for a little girl", or "Tami and Sandi your brother is full of bologne I have seen him do ONE push-up in weeks." I'm Frustrated because I don't have a car so that I can go to the store and buy peanuts then drive to the post office and mail them to Uncle Wes and Lyle because Daaron ate them all. Then there's that ''something" again that I know I forgot. We had a wonderful time at church when we were back, but I wish that I had gone to Grandma's Sunday school class instead. The teacher in my class was a little to windy for my taste. It was so good to see J and Amy. They both looked so happy, but I can't remember if I put my arm's around them both and told them that I was proud of them. I was looking at the picture of Jon that sets on uncle Mike's piano. He look so brave and handsome. Then that wave of frustration came over me again as I thought about the nine years that it has been since I have seen him. AND WHAT WAS THAT "SOMETHING " I FORGOT!!!!

I was just having a frustrating, crabby, sad day. I kept having this feeling that I should check the blog today. Stubbornly I refuse to check it. After all why should I?! I can't respond to anything that you were saying anyway.

Then out of the blue over a pot of soup that I couldn't get to taste right I started to cry. I remembered Friday night hugging my nephew and his new fiance good-bye and then hugging and kissing my sister and brother-in- law good-bye. I remembered saying bye to Rod Saturday night over pie at Aunt Millies. Then hugging uncle Wes because I knew I would not see him on Sunday. I remembered thanking mom for everything and hugging her in the driveway. I thought about the quick trip there and the long trip home. Then I just let the tears come as I finally remembered what I forgot. Sunday I was so busy at church I forgot to hug and say good-bye to Sandi, Timmy, Ashley, and Dan. Lyssa, Ian,and Lyle will still let me "smooch" them and I forgot. Why the tears? They know I love them. We spent a lot of time together over wings. Mike stopped by the house to grab some things and give the official good-bye. So why was this bugging me all week and why was I letting my soup burn while I cried. I finished my soup, whiped my tear,and checked my blog.

I felt the frustration leave me and a peace fill me as I read these words: "If I didn't feel sad, then that would mean that I didn't love you. I guess it would would also be true then that the deeper the sadness then the deeper the love. And if THAT is true, then you have no idea how much I love you all. I love you more then the number of the miles I can see out this airplanes window right now. And it is a very clear day!!! A very clear day indeed!" Some how my day felt a little "clearer" and I wasn't a Frustrated aunt any more.

Love Aunt Deb

Whats up with that?

Guess what I followed to work last night? ...a snowplow...it was in the 60s but I figured ...well this is New York. Then after work I saw on the news that Erie county only has enough money for gas for its snowplows and emergency vehicles until the end of october, and theyve been turned down by one lender already for a loan. ...So... why are they running their snowplows now? Like I said... this is New York.
Love you guys
SLR

All Caught Up!!

I finally caught up on all the house work, laundry, school work, and tomorrow I don;t have to work. It feels so good. I can't wait to relax and do nothing tomorrow. It's suppose to be a perfect day tomorrow, 75 and sunny so I hope I can take the kids to the park. Gwen is standing up without grabbing o to anything and Ruben is not using a Binky anymore!!! It's so great. He is also using the toilet a couple times a day. I wish you all could see how big they are both getting. I am so excited to see them growing an changing. I am so happy that even though I am suppose to be resting they are still growing and changing, that's the amazing thing about kids they learn really easily and like to figure things out all on there own. Tomorrow we are also taking Ruben to open up his first savings account his Piggy Bank is finally full and her has some money from his birthday so even though he is small and still does not know one day he will be grateful. I am alittle exited about next week because we only have three days of school but I am also a little nervous because I have to hold my first parent teacher conferences. Well I hope everyone has a great week-end I love you all'

Brandi and Family

Warning: tear jerker

So here I am. Thousands of feet over the country is a Boeing 747 coming back from Yuma, AZ heading to Chicago. I have a palm pilot and a keyboard attached to it and I'm typing out my blog entry. Of course this will not be online until I allow my palm to talk to my computer and have my computer connected to the web but I've got time to let you all know what is going on with Uncle Phil.

First, I was in NY. Yeah-Baby! So much happened that weekend. J got engaged. I got to see a HUGE piece of my family. I performed the renewing of my parent's vows for the 25th wedding anniversary. (I must be going over Colorado right now. There is snow on the mountains.)

Then I drove home with my wife, which is important to note that she arrived in NY about 3 weeks ago and I was missing her very much. The next day I was off to Yuma. I traveled on 3 planes and through 3 time zones and the temperture almost doubled. It was hot! I spent all day Tuesday in the desert doing tests for the company I work for and got a good sun burn on my neck. (That's pretty hot too.)

I'll get back tonight. Maybe relax tomorrow and then off to fort Know, KY on Friday. My Guard unit is doing weapon qualifications that weekend. And for all of you who are dying to know, I do not qualify with any weapon (pistol or rifle) because I am a chaplain. As a chaplain our focus is not on the enemy but on our own troops. If a soldier was hit by a bullet, it would be me that could provide a level of comfort or courage to that wounded soldier. Ultimately, I might be able to pray with that soldier and help them to know Christ before death.

Well, now that I have have moved into something that are alittle beyond just-the-news. I might as well share the deep secrets of what is inside the 'Uncle Phil'. Seeing all of you this weekend was hard. I got word before I drove down that I have passed the first military board (test) to be a chaplain. I have two more and I have been told that if I pass to first two I will pass the third with no trouble. Once those boards are done I become what the military calls a 'deployable assest'. That means I can be sent to war. There is such a shartage of chaplains that the odds of me being sent is really, really high.

With all that said, I began to realize that this could be the last time I saw some one you before I would be sent to the other side of the world. I was so very happy to be there with all of you, and sad, and even scared ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! I still remembering saying good-bye. To some, I waved. To some, I hugged. To some of you, I held your hand. To some of you, I kissed you on the forehead. I couldn't tell you everything I was feeling because it was a party. A grand celebration! And for the auction, I won a book called Armed and Dangerous. What a good win for where I am going. (I'm over the mid-west now. Flat as flat can be but I noticed that then are a bunch of green circles on the ground. They must be planting crops in circles instead of squares. How are people ever going to get a square meal???)

So that's Uncle Phil's heart stuff. I realize that this might make you feel sad because it made me feel sad too. But let me tell you the MOST EXCELLENT GOOD NEWS about this whole thing. If I didn't feel sad, then that would mean that I didn't love you. I guess it would would also be true then that the deeper the saddness then the deeper the love. And if THAT is true, then you have no idea how much I love you all. I love you more then the number then the miles I can see out this airplanes window right now. And it is a very clear day!!! A very clear day indeed!

I love you and DUDE... we got to hang on more often. OK?

Uncle Phil
Thousands of miles off the Earth
(as usual)

Hurray!!!!!!!

Yeah, Phil's home, only for a couple of days, but that's OK. Even better than that, I can talk and eat and brush my teeth without pain for the first time since Friday night! Too bad it's going to cost me $500 a month to stay pain free! Who can do that? I guess we'll see what God can do!

This morning we had a nice Fall rain, the first time it's felt like Fall since I came home. Tonight, at 9:30 the temperature is still 70 degrees. I know I shouldn't complain, however I really loved the Fall weather in NY. I'm ready now for sweaters and sweat shirts. Chili and stew. Somehow they don't feel the same when it's 70 degrees.

So how are the push ups going Mike. Phil is doing 32 at one time right now, and he does that 3 times. Anyone else working on it? Maybe now that my face is feeling better I might get inspired . . .probably not.

Oh, by the way, I went to Starbucks tonight( I missed that while I was in NY!) , they have a great new Fall drink, Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. It's pretty amazing, try it out if you get a chance! Nothing else new to say, love you all!

Oh yeah, do you like the new format, or not, I can change it to something else, or you can, I'm sure someone knows more about this than I do. Tami

More Fowl News

Well, our ride home was quite interesting. First of all, it took us 6 1/2 hours to get from Michigan to New York and 8 1/2 hours to get from New York to Michigan. Must be the Jet Stream.

The first hour was fine, as we stopped at the Golden Corral in Erie for lunch. After that it was all down hill. We made the mistake of not bringing anything to keep Daaron busy. We complicated the mistake by stopping at a truck stop/restaurant/gas station in Ohio to look for something to keep him occupied. We promptly walked out of that truck stop as we decided we did not him occupied with the kind of stuff sold there. We went down the street and found a more, um..., family environment, where we were still unable to find anything to occupy his time.

Finally, we got through Cleveland and onto the turnpike. We stopped at a rest area and gassed up (boy did we gas up!). While there, Debra got a spicy sandwich from Panera while I filled the car with fuel. As Daaron and I waited for Debra, the seagulls must have decided they recognized me because they surrounded my vehicle. (Maybe it was Daaron throwing skittles to them, I'm not sure). Then Debra gets in the vehicle and asks me to retrieve something from the trunk. I promptly replied "Are you kidding? I'm not getting crapped on by another seagull!" She has the gall to say "Who gets pooped on by seagulls?" Then she looked at me and said "Oh! Yeah!"

On top of all that, the two door, chevy cobalt we had must be the most uncomfortable car available. No wonder Toyota and Honda are doing so well. If that's an example of American craftmanship, I don't think I can take much more. My head felt fastened in the forward position for about 8 1/2 hours. Anyway, we arrived safely home at about 9:45 that evening. Next time we will ask for an upgrade, to maybe a YUGO. Have a great week.
Mike

j's tattoo

Grandchildren

Aren't my grandchildren beautiful? I can't wait to spend some more time with them! They are growing so fast. The new one is growing super fast too! She weighs 4 pounds already, and isn't due to make an appearance for 3 more months!!!!! Has there been a name picked out yet?

100 what?

How many takers did you get Mike? Did you start yet? We want updates and pictures!
SLR

Sleepy Heads

Well while you were all having a great time with each other, I spent my week-end sleeping, working on potty training, and doing homework, and trying to call my family but no one answered. Saturday for Ruben actual birthday, we went to the Cider Mill and Ruben got to ride a pony for the first time. We got cider donuts and hot apple cider. I so wished that I could be there with all of you. I am so happy to have Amy as a part of our family, what a good choice way to go J. I can't wait to see you all, and I am glad that I am not feeling guilty about iver eating because my stomach is getting bigger by the day, I have have barely eaten anything. We enjoyed the evening at the park last night and I spent the morning with Jon on Saturday. It was so good to see him. He was getting ready to go back to California. Well I hope that you all had a great week-end and I can;t wait to see you all hopefully soon.

yep

i got engaged!!!!
woo hoo!!!!!
and i got a tattoo...which is pretty exciting.....but not as exciting as getting engaged



did i tell everyone i got engaged!!!!










and the bills lost.......

but i did get engaged!!!




J

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!

We can finally talk about it! J purposed, I'm going to have a daughter-in-law! We are so excited! Maybe not as excited as J and Amy, but I'll let them talk about that. The party was so much fun! We have had such a great time being home with our family. It gets harder and harder to leave every time we are here. And I always go home 10 pounds heavier!

Did you all remember that today is BB's real birthday? He is 2 today, and even though I have loved being in NY, another part of me is wishing I was in KS today!

Phil, Amy, J and I went to Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Mario's 25th anniversary party today! Phil did their vow renewal ceremony. He didn't really know he was doing it, so he was unprepared, but as usual he did a great job. It was fun to see friends and family there to.

Love you all, thanks for the great weekend. Brandi and Jon, we missed you and love you!

Mom (Tami)

Its Official!

WERE ENGAGED! AMYS GOING TO BE OUR NEW COUSIN!

WE LOVE YOU AMY!

ASHLEY, TIM, CAMERON,ALYSSA,IAN, LYLE and DAKOTA