Sunny Day

The sunshine was beautiful today! But like Sandy said Oh so cold. Thanks for the sunny change Tami, I sure need the sun all over me. I can just imagine how good that would feel just all the way to my old bones.. We are studying Rev. in home group tonight, finish up next week. We have been at it for months. I am so thankful someone told me about Jesus. He makes the coldest day warm. The pictures are beautiful. What beautiful great grands I have. Love you all Gram Bev

Weather

Isn't this pic of Olivia sweet! She's saying goodbye to Grandpa. It looks like all of my family with the exception of Jon and Phyllis are going to be getting some nasty weather the next couple of days. I'm thinking a trip to CA would be nice right about now! Hope you don't mind that I changed the blog, I just need a little sunshine thought you all might enjoy some too!

Monday

We had the stomach bug at out house this weekend and Jensen and Addi still have fevers so I took te day off. I still had to go to the preschool to drop off library books ad my lesson plans, then only bad thing about calling on on a Monday is you still have to go up there to explain the lesson. I also stopped at Costco to stock up on milk which is almost $2 cheaper per gallon, juice, and grapes, they have the best grapes in these parts. We also stopped to vaccum the truck out from all the salt and juice boxes, and get some homemade tortillas for dinner tonite. When we got home Addi and jensen layed down for a nap and Gwen just fell asleep so I cleaned my kitchen and scrubbed down my cabinets, they get so gross. I was hoping to take a trip to Target and get a few other items we need, but we no longer have direct deposit at work and our paycheck were not ready today like they were suppose to be, so yuck hopefully they're will be no snow day tomorrow so I can get it then. We are suppose to get 6 to 10 inches so who knows. hope to spend the rest of my afternoon loungin on my couch wathing movies while my chicken soup cooks. I am super sore from my work out yesterday.
Ruben is ready for school tomorrow already, we are so greatful for Ms Tammy Ruben loves her class because she had the best animals and stories. I am so excited for this week because I am setting up our room as a Post office, and we are going to mail love letters to our families.
Well enjoy you Monday's love you all!

Frozen Again!

It was -9 when we went out to take picture this morning. The sun is shining beautifully and the snow is sparkling. Wes is taking the opportunity of one day without snow to haul in some fire wood. I just cleaned a little this afternoon before the kids came home. Wes and the boys brought home a whole bag of hot dogs and hamburgers from sledding Sunday so I don't have to cook tonight, and Grandma sent home our leftover white pizza from dinner last night so I wont have to cook tomorrow either. I had a pot of soup on the stove yesterday that we didn't eat so we'll have that with our hot dogs and our pizza. Were supposed to get a good snow storm Wednesday so were hoping for a snow day. Have a great afternoon. Love ya Sandi

Wishing!

This is where I would like to be today, floating down the lazy river holding my grandbaby!

Friday

Its Friday and I love it. This week was out first full week of work since Chrsitmas break so it seemed extra long. I did however stick to my normal cleaning schedule and It helped out drastically. My friends at work are always asking how I keep track of everything, clean house and still have time to make homemade dinners, and lunches for my kiddos. They are always joking around because one of our teachers had to go to walmart in the am and buy new underwear for the whole family becuase they had no clean clothes. at me because I have a cleaning scehdule but this week the laugh. Yesterday she asked me for my cleaning schedule so she could take better care of her home and stop feeling guilty for accomplishing almost no house work on a daily basis.

My mom started this in her house after she quit at Starbucks and I stuck with me too when Ruben and I got our first place by ourselves. This really helps me feel like I am doind something good and productive and makes me feel like I am making a difference in my home.

Mondays- Kitchen top to bottom I even scrub the floors

Tuesday and do bathrooms and wash the tubs and shower every other week

Wednesday I dust the living room and clean the windows.

Thrusday I do bedrooms and put away any laundry in baskets

Friday I clean the hole house, but it doesnt take as long because I already did the hard stuff, and I nap.

Saturday and really the same

Sunday I clean the refrigerator before shopping and rest. sort of.

I do this and I feel normal and balanced. If I stick to it I still have time to work out, play with the kids, do my work for the preschool, and spend time with Ruben at night when he gets home, and that nice because lately our time is hard to find.

Afterall i hold my children accountable to putting away their toys and if they dont they loose privledges or I put them in the closet so If I dont do my chores. I dont have time to get on the blog or scrapbook and all the other things I like to do. Just my thoughts for today.

Love you all Happy Friday.

I'm Loving it!

I love working 3 days then having 4 days off.! I'm home til next Tuesday at noon. I'm liking the sounds of that. I would like to stay around home and just connect with some of my friends I don't see too often but Gram T again has pneumonia. I talked to her tonight and she seemed to sound very good and on top of things soo I'm asking you all to pray for her to continue to get well and stay well and for me to make the right decision. Stay here or Go. Ashley and I went out to Applebys for supper tonight and then a little bit of shopping. I do so enjoy these times. Pure joy!! It is snowing a pretty slow giant flakes snow and a warm 27. Don't laugh after below zero 20's feel like heat wave. Keep warm and enjoy you week. Love Gram Bev

Good Morning!

I forgot to take my yogurt out last night, so I did this morning , and it turned out really good. Its nice and smooth and a little thinner than store bought. I like the taste better than store bought and can almost eat it plain, just a little honey in it is good. I cant believe making yogurt is so easy, and it can be done with no electric if nessesary. Just use a thermos, fill it with milk , then pour into a sauce pan and bring to a boil on the stove. then cool to 122 degrees, or til you can put your finger in it to the count of 7 without getting burned. Then stir 3-4 tbsp plain yogurt into it and return to thermos. leave for 8-16 hrs, then pour out and stir the whey back in , put in fridge and enjoy. If you want thicker yogurt you can strain the whey off .
Love ya
Sandi

Wednesday Craft Day at Ashleys

Today was a pretty productive day, even though we did get everything we planned on doing done really early. Today we made honey lip balm, vanilla lip gloss, almond milk bath powder, piney bath tea, thyme astringent, floor cleaner, window cleaner, spot remover, and yogurt. Quite a combination. We also looked up more recipies to make more cleaning supplies and skin care items next week. My favorite of today is the honey lip balm so far. I havent tried any of the bath stuff yet and I cant see how the yogurt turned out until 10 tonight. Im excited about that.
Love ya
Sandi

I'm not liking this!

Last night when we drove home from J & Amy's it was raining and all the snow was gone. This morning I woke up, and it was snowing, snowing pretty hard for here. We have about 3 inches again, which I know really isn't bad, but I'm just tired of it. I decided I'm going to just stay in and stay warm, which means I didn't go to the gym today, for which I will feel bad all day! YUCK! Thankfully, spring is on it's way.

On a happy note, I started working in a new business yesterday! I've been looking for a way to make a little extra money so I can travel with Phil again this year. If I go to work, I can't travel with him so that limit's my options. Several times over the course of 2 weeks I saw and heard about Thirty One, so I decided to check it out, and yesterday I joined the business. I have 5 parties scheduled already and am really excited. Especially excited that the new spring/summer line comes out Feb. 1. It's helping me think warm! If you want to check it out go to www.mythirtyone.com/tmajcher. My open house is February 3! Brandi already has several of the products and has her eye on the large utility tote, so I'm hoping to go a do a party for her real soon! Stay warm!

Tuesday

Wes and I took Cameron out to Houghton this morning to stay with Tim till Friday. Its always a beautiful ride no matter what season it is. Then we took the two of them to do some grocery shopping in Olean, because Tim only gets 1 meal a day at the school, so he has to cook the rest of the time. We had a nice breakfast in Olean, but I was surprised at how few resturants there were between houghton and olean, about an hour ride, that were even open for breakfast. There were lots of Mc Ds, TH's, BK's, Subways ,and pizza places, but the one we stopped at was about the only one we could find. Breakfast is my favorite thing to go out for, but maybe there are not many people who do that, except on weekends? It was almost 45 degrees warmer this morning when I got up than it was yesterday,and it wasnt quite 30 degrees. Tomorrow its craft day at Ashleys, Thursdays we go to the library, and Friday we have to go back out to Houghton to pick up Cam, so we get to stop for breakfast again. What a fun full week were going to have. Have a good day.
Love Sandi

Play at the library.

the girls and I have some to our first story time at the library and they love it. Ruben is at school today so its just us. They are here with two other girls and little boy making puzzles and playing with pretend soup. I am so glad t hey get to have some fun before they go to the sitters, its actually relaxing for me. I can check email and get books for school and home, while they get some play time. Why have I not done this before?
Hope you all have a great Tuesday. love you
Brandi

Yeah

We have no school today.The temperature is too low. The kids will be so happy. They were exhausted last night when they finally went to bed. The boys went sledding again yesterday . They go to this gravel pit on the reservation, so there are really nice big hills and lots of family members and friends go ther. Whoever gets there first on Saturday starts a fire then everyone who comes brings food. Hot dogs. hamburgers, coffee, chips , donuts.... all weekend long , every weekend when theres enough snow. So the kids sled and eat all day long and the parents watch them and visit. What a great time the kids have. Today well probably stay in and watch movies wegot from the library on thursday. Our pipes froze again despite our preventive measures , so Wes will probably have a long day, and hes been sick for the last 2 days with a head cold. Last night we went to Dan and Ashleys for game night. Ashley has the best snacks ever , but we devour them in just a few minutes. Sorry Ash, you know how it is, I live with a bunch of vultures, around here if you snooze you lose. We played a fun surviver game , and Ashley won. Well have a great day

love sandi

waiting

I'm waiting for Phil to come home, just one more day.

Happy Birthday Ruben!

Beautiful Day!!!

When I got up this Sunday morning I decided it was snowing tooo much, blowing tooo much and tooo darn cold to go anywhere so I took my shower and went back to bed on the couch with WDCX on the radio. I enjoyed the radio then took a nap. Sylvi called me after church and kinda pooh poohed my winter attitude and invited me up to her place later. So now I uncovered the car and shoveled off part of my porch and did my dishes I do feel better. It is sunny out too bad no part of me could be uncovered to soak in the vitamin D that I need soo bad. Did you know in Canada the public announcements encourage people to "take your vitamin D" in the winter? I'm thanking God today for friends that won't let me lay around and mildew too long. I am loving the pictures! Happy Birthday All!
Love Gram Bev

Just Don't Want to Move...

...away from the wood stove , that is! Its sooo cold! But its nice and warm in this chair in front of the stove and theres a pot of tea on it all day long. The boys and Wes have been gone for a few hours they're at a sledding party brrr, too cold for me. Alyssa and I are just having out watching movies and reading, and trying to stay warm. L ast night our pipes froze, but we lucked out and nothing broke , so we learned our lessonand bought heat tape and will leave the bathroom sink running all the time for the next few day of subzero weather. Besides having to buy heat tape , we also had to buy a new headlight (at least I didnt get a ticket for it), also a battery for the van this week. Oh well. Nothing really new and exciting around here , were just gearing up for the February blahs.

Have a good night

Love Sandi

Catching Up!

We have not posted alot lately so I have some catching up top do I finally read through all the old blogs I missed, we have all been so busy I guess. the snow days have really helped catch up though. Today I get to spend some time with myself shopping and running errands. I forget how important that is to recharge my self. In the car I was able to worship alittle with KLove and just have some peace and quiet time.

I am making my first homemade carrot cake for Ruben's Birthday tomorrow. The girls are colring with all their new birthday markers, and books, which they love and Ruben is making the little dolls that Aunt Sandi sent dance in from of Jensen while she eats a biter biscuit. She is 6 months old today I can;t beleive it she has been crawling for most of the month and sitting up for almost a week.

Ruben, Gwen and I had our first snow experience, well at least getting to play in it for the first time. We made snow angels, a snowman , went sledding on our bottoms, and threw snowballs, Those are all the things Ruben has to do before we could come in. Gwen lasted about 20 minutes, and Ruben and I stayed out for almost and hour. We had tons of fun.

Love you all.

Brandi

Home Again - Happy Birthday Gwenie!

We had so much fun in KS. Great Wolf Lodge was lots of fun! Gwenie just loves the water slides and is fearless, so fun to watch. I went down in the 3 person tube with Brandi and J, then Brandi and I tried out the new slide, it was great! Everyone floated through the lazy river. We ate way too much food all week! At the Lodge, at the girls birthday party, everyday really. it was good to be together.

It took us 3 hours to get home from the airport last night, because of the snow, I think it took J and Amy about 12 hours to drive home, that couldn't have been fun. Jon and his family flew back to San Diego today, and are planning to move into their new place today. Phil left at 1 today and will be gone until Monday. It's back to real life for everyone now.

Hello

We have snow, and its still coming. It just statrted a few minutes ago we have about 8 inches which is alot for KS, We have had some wonderful snow days which I get paid for so that great. I ll take a gree day off anytime. WE are missing the family and we had so much fun while they were here. Olivia is getting so dark, and just gorgeous. The kids really loved great wolf we have tons of pictures to share of all the fun. My girls had their birthdays, and we got shots this morning. That is never fun. Gwen lucked out and didnt get any. Poor Addi has to havbe blood drawn and more shot on Monday, going to the doctor is so hard for her. I have to say I am not looking forward to it at all.
I am looking forward to this week at school we are talking about soup and sanwhiches. I have lots of fun craftsplanned so hopefully the snow will stop so we can actually do them this week. Tomorrow looks like a good day to go out and build another snow man. We leanred we have to wait a couple of days after it snows to get good snow for a snowman.
Well we love you all, I have to get to laundry.
Brandi

Crazy

I brushed a foot of snow off the car this morning, and drove the kids to school through a foot of unplowed snow, with snow coming down hard and blowing so visibility was terrible! Five minutes after I get home from dropping them off I get a call from the school saying sorry for the inconvenience but were closing the elementary school, but since the middle school ,and high school are all in school I'm inclined to keep them here. Thanks! Its supposed to keep up all day.
Well, stay warm
Love ya
Sandi

Days getting Longer

Did anyone notice that it didn't get dark until 5:45 pm today? Come on SPRING!! Well maybe its a bit early for that but I can wish can't I. I've seen God this week in just special ways I've been able to obey Him. You know smile and be nice to the grouch on the other side of the desk. Maybe if I still consider it a grouch I've missed the mark. Ah well I'll keep trying. I'm getting closer at least I didn't bite back. Lots of growing to do I guess. He gives sparkling diamonds in the form of light very cold big snow flakes. Roads have been just fine and the green houses (a few) are beginning to smoke thinking SPRING!!! Love ya all Grandma Bev

Wednesday-Craft Day

Wednesdays are craft days at Ashleys. Today we made candles out of all our leftover candle wax , crayons... from last year, also campfire starters from cardboard egg cartons, saw dust and wax, and gel air fresheners from scented oil, unflavored gelatin and water. They turned out cool!
Well hope everyone is having a good week and staying warm. Its not fair that Uncle Mike has had 2 snow days this week, especially after already having Monday off for the holiday! We never get snow days. I can sympathize with you Mike we get our last big pay check of the winter this week, nothing but unemployment till April now, and Wes wanted to buy a new TV, well instead we ended up buying a new battery for the car, and we really should get 2 new tires. So much for the wants, but thankful that all the needs are taken care of!
Love ya
Sandi

How quickly we forget!

Last week Debra and I started the week off praying for a number of things. I knew I only had enough gas to get through Wednesday. Daaron was in need of new curriculum, and we were praying for money to get rid of debt. So, Saturday and Sunday we spent time praying. I did everything in my power on Monday to simply leave everything in God's hands. You know how we often pray but then spend the rest of the time scheming about how to answer our own prayers? I refused to do that. So, Monday evening Debra calls me up and says "I have fifty dollars for gas!"

I thought, "Wow, where'd that come from?"

She continued on, saying "And, Joe (Joe-Ellen, Debra's friend from homeschool co-op) is ordering Daaron's curriculum. She has $500 for us and whatever is left after curriculum she'll write a check to us for the left over amount!" Wow, what an answer to prayer. I was going to put the rest of the money towards paying off debt. So, yesterday, when I had to buy two new tires, I wasn't real happy. I was grumping about, upset about having to buy two new tires when I realized the amount she wrote the check for was a couple dollars over the amount needed for tires. How soon we forget how good God is. So the rest of the day I fought with myself, sort of beating myself up for where my paycheck went. I started looking back and realized I didn't waste any of it, so why was I so upset? Then I remembered it is all God's anyway. If he wants to give me money to spend in a specific way, He can do whatever He wants. I'm just very grateful for His goodness even when I so quickly forget. How have you spotted God this week?
Mike

Wow I'm Excited!

I just turned the computer on to watch a movie , because we have no Internet right now , and the only thing I can do with it is watch movies and play solitaire. All the kids are gone and Wes is watching football, so i climbed in be with the heating pad , to , like I said , watch a movie. Well I decided to try to see if I could pickup any available Internet....and what do you know, I can! I don't know if its just a fluke or maybe the school has some good Internet service I'm picking up ,(Its actually working way better than mine ever did!), but anyways for right now I'm on!
Love ya
Sandi

great wolf

we were all at great wolf....it's been a fun time so far

Hello from Houghton!

Hello everyone just thought I'd try putting something on the blog for once. We have a lot of snow here and its cold. I am half way through my first week of my second semester this year and with a new semester means more books. For now I had to get 3 textbooks and the total was over $300 which I think is crazy and 1 of the books was used and it still was over $100. This semester I am taking 15.5 credits in 7 classes so I think I am going to be really busy this semester at least for the first half. I have a class called Advertising later tonight at 7. I only have this class once evey week for 2 hours. Well guess its time to say goodbye for now so ill try to leave you with some pictures I took of the snow and my textbooks I purchased, but I can't find a way to upload them on my phone. Talk to you guys again later,

Tim

Hi from Perrysburg

Hey where the heck is everybody?? Is everyone hibernating or what? It's 10 pm and I just got home from work the roads are slippery but it is so beautiful out. I'd love to go take a walk. The snow is light and sparkles like jewels. I think it is about 15 outside. I love the seasons. 'give me about a month and I'll be sick of winter but right now it is so so beautiful. Hope you are all well. I am well again. 'Great Gram T is well also. So much to be thankful for. Have a great week. Phil and Tami hug those great grandbabies for me when you see them. Love you all Gram Bev

Big Day!

I just got a call from Jon's family readiness officer letting us know that Jon's plane has landed in CA! In about 4 hours he will be meeting Olivia! Sure wish I could be there to see that!

Ruben's Mom has her appt. today to see if they will allow her to come back to the US. I'm praying that goes well for her. I'm sure she can't wait to get back to her family, and meet her newest grand daughter!

While Jensen was in the hospital, Brandi was telling me about the number of children who did not have anyone with them. She told me about volunteers who sit with the children, while their parents are away. That broke my heart! I've been trying to find a similar volunteer opportunity at the children's hospital here, but haven't been able to find one yet. I did find an opportunity to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald wing at Children's Hospital here in Lexington, so I applied. It's not exactly what I was looking for, but it's something and I'm excited. I'll let you know what happens with it. Hope you all have a great day!

I'm Home Again

Gram T got pneumonia so I went to Syracuse Sat.( I think) We managed to get her a dr appointment Sun and she started some pretty strong meds . She needed some help and is much better now at least able to get herself meals and meds. Keep praying for her tho . It's good to see Jensen is home. Hope we have gotten all the sickness over for the new Year. I go back to work Thursday and actually look forward to going. Enjoy your week. Love you all. Gram Bev

Happy New Year!!

We made it home, and we slept last night for the first night in almost a week. I feel ready for my day but wish I could just be lazy, my break is over tomorrow and there is so much I did not get done. I still have a little laundry to do, and Addi scrapbook is still there unfinished. She's alsmost two so maybe I will have it finished by her birthday, we will see. Congratulations mom and dad. That must have been hard work. I can't wait to see how it turned out.

Today I am going to finish cleaning my room and call it good, I have court today for my ticket so I will have to leave and get my kids to the sitter so I think I may also take a trip to Target and Hobby Lobby and see what specials I can still get. I need to get some ribbon so I can use my new ribbon maker. I am very excited about that. Also Ruben and I get to go out on a Date tonight, that has not happened in months, probably a lot of months.

My plan is to lose 50lbs this year, and to stop drinking soda, so today I have to drink all my diet root beer, because I am going to start tomorrow when I go back to work. I want to be able to do 25 push up and 10 pull ups. I have to catch up with Ruben he can do about 20+ pull ups, while carrying Ruben on his back.

Amy you have to send methe recipe for that omlet it looks so good. I love cilatro in anything though.

Happy New Year!

  We did it!  We completed our 2010 scrapbook.  We did it all on line this year and met the Jan. 1 deadline to get the book for 40 percent off!  We made the deadline by 10 min., but we did it!  Yay!  Baby Jensen is home today.  Keep praying for her, the Dr. thinks maybe her bowel is leaking into her kidney, she is going to have more tests done on Friday.  I'm so excited about this new year, can't wait to see what God has in store.  I talked with Jon tonight, he's doing well, off from work until Tues., hoping to be home sometime in the next couple of weeks.  Love you all!  Tami and Phil

Another Happy New Year!!

Happy first day of 2011! Seeing Jensens smile makes it happy! I will keep praying for her and J and Amy. Please add grandma T to your prayer list I talked to her yesterday and she has this stuff that's going around. Pray it doesn't get to her lungs. I think I finally am well. 'went to Ruth and Daves last night and had a nice time playing games and eating eating!! It is rainy here. Here's looking to the New Year!!! I dont know how it can get any better but anticipate good things!!! Love you all Gram Bev