Have you ever....

Had a really stressful week? You don't sleep well & then wake up with a headache? With a sick little girl, I've had 2 nights like that this week, poor thing coughs so hard & wakes everyone up. Then with the move & not finding out until yesterday that we were still on for close today. I've been a crabby little bee until this morning, one man changed all of that.

I stopped at the gas station on my way into work to grab a soda, as I was walking out to my car I passed a gentleman & what from my wondering ears did I hear?? "Good Morning" I couldn't believe it, he wasn't some creepy old guy hitting on me, he was a 30-something polite guy that made my day. Sometimes it's the little things we do, going out of our way to be polite to strangers!

Last Sat I stopped at a gas station & I had a teenage boy walk back to the door just to hold it open for me. You know the kind, by appearnces you may judge them as a troublemaker, but his momma must have taught him some manners. And to think my hands weren't even full.

My biggest pet peeve is rude people. You know the kind, like at Wal-Mart, pushing & shoving, standing in your way like they own the aisle. The ones that bump into you & keep walking. Well I just want to challenge you to go out of your way today & be extra courteous to a complete stranger. Afterall, it might just make their day brighter!

Stressed!!!

We are supposed to be moving into our new house this weekend & I don't even feel like I have half of our house packed. I go into a room, start looking around & get lost . It doesn't help that Jake has football practice most nights & let me tell ya it's kind of difficult to do much with Carmen around. So here I sit on blogger after only packing 2 boxes tonight. I guess it will get done even if we throw stuff in boxes at the last minute (that usually happens anyway) Ha!

Closing is scheduled for noon on Friday, but we are still awaiting a confirmation on that. Because of the $8,000 tax credit, everyone is backed up & we haven't been approved yet by rural development. Everyone is hopeful we can get it done, worse case scenario we won't be closing until next week. :(

Carmen has been running a low grade fever since Friday. She has a cough, but has been generally ok. I hope she kicks it soon as I have already taken lots of time off work lately. Not that I don't have the vaca time to use, my boss isn't the most understanding (he stresses when he has to cover my job) & I have loads to do at work.

Cordell played awesome in his game last week! He was in for every single play, offense, defense, kick off & kick off return! We were very proud of his tackles he had & the 6-0 win. He does a great job firing up his team. He did suffer his first visible injury after he smacked his chin into another boys shoulder pads during a tackle.

I guess those boxes aren't packing themselves.........

Happy 2nd Birthday Carter J!

Let's see 2 years ago today I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the hubby at Taco Inn, had my favorite Deluxe Nachos on flour chips with a huge helping of jalapenos! It was a Thurs so I went back & finished my shift at work, but what I didn't know was that it actually turned out to be my Friday! That evening I went home & did the whole evening routine, dinner, check, baths, check, kids in bed, check, computer time, check. Jake was just getting into bed at 9:30 when I told him I thought we better go to the hosp, my contractions were timeable & I didn't want to deliver en route.

We dropped the kids off & headed in to St. E's, which was super busy in L&D that night & we had to wait an hour before checking in. They checked us in about 11:15 and I was 5cm. They called my doc about 3am when I was 8cm, she came in and broke my water & I was ready to push but still only 8cm. After making it through a couple more contractions Carter Jefferson was born at 4:01am Oct. 19, 2007 in 5 mins of pushing with 3 pushes. He was born 11 days before his due date weighing 7lbs. 12oz & was 19 3/4in long. Once again I was able to have a totally drug free birthing experience, but only because I have short labors. I feel sorry for these poor women in labor for 12 or even 24 hours.

The first thing I said was "He actually has hair!" The other kids barely had any & it was so light, Carter's was so dark & was even curly when wet! He was quite his own little character, completely opposite of my other two. He liked his binky, he was not the chubs that the others were, he was just starting to roll over & laugh out loud. I sure do miss my monkey man! I am greatful that we were able to spend 3 wonderful months with him & see him smile!

I ordered the image above from Carly at To write their names in the sand she is a wonderful blessing to many bereaved parents! Go check out her blog!

Where do I even start????

This past 6 weeks sure have been busy! Football is in full swing for Jake & Cordell. Carmen has started volleyball as well! Thank goodness it's only one night a week, but watching a 3 year old try to keep up with the BIG girls is ridiculously cute!


The last weekend in July the kids & I found ourselves tubing down the Niobrara. This has turned into an annual event with my family & we thoroughly enjoy it! The weather was perfect, not too hot & not too cold!


The second weekend in August found us hanging out at the Lancaster County Fair! The cattle show ran for 7 hours on Sat on what was possibly was the hottest day of the year! Cordell did show & tell with a poster he made on recycling & Ricky once again showed his rabbit Midnight. Cordell received two blue ribbons, one for his poster & the other for his adorable pig cupcakes that he made.
On August 11th, I was online daydreaming & looking for houses for sale, when I spotted the PERFECT house in Malcolm. Jake tried to meet with the banker on Thursday morning but he was out of the office. We went & looked at the house on Sat am & were sold on it. The following Tues we met with the banker & were approved, called our realtor & set up a time to look at it again. We were ready to make an offer, until our realtor called back & informed us that the house went under contract earlier that day. BUMMER!! 6 days on the market & it was sold.


So we have spent many hours searching for something else that will fit our needs. There is a house that is being listed tomorrow & we are going to look at it. Hopefully it meets our needs!


Cordell started 2nd grade on August 13th, he is enjoying being back in school & playing with his friends. Corby has moved back to Lincoln & started school in Bennet on August 17th. He says he likes it there & has been attending everyday! It's disappointing that he had to switch schools again & that he is further away from us now.


Shaunice & Savannah went home to live with their mom on August 14th. We were all saddened by this, but thankful that we got to spend 13 wonderful months with these two special girls! We met up with them & their mom for a play date on August 28th! Their mom would like to keep in contact with us & would like the girls to continue relationships with all of us!

August 16th we traveled to Utica to celebrate Jake's grandpa's 80th birthday! Ray & Donna are very special people & we are very blessed to have such loving, compassionate people in our lives! We love you Crappa & Grandma Donna! The weather was perfect for a picnic in the park. I just can't believe how unseasonably cool August.
We were also able to spend time with my great grandmother when she was in town for the day! We don't get to see her often & it's pretty special that my children are able to know their great great grandparents!

During the first 3 weeks in August we travelled around town & had church at various places. Our first stop was the State Capital. We had a sun filled morning worshipping God on the north steps! Afterwards we were able to tour the capital! August 9th we attended church at Morrill Hall, it was raining hard that day & I am so glad that we were inside! We were blessed by the presence of my friend Cassie & her 3 beautiful kids! We once again were able to enjoy a tour of the facility! On the third Sunday of being a church on the move we met at The Lincoln Children's Zoo! While there Pastor Mike blessed the kid's backpacks before the start of the year! After singing praises & feeling God's presence we walked around & visited with the animals.


I am so grateful for our church & church family! Our pastor is so wonderful & creative, he keeps everyone entertained & interested. I have learned & grown so much as a Christian since the inception of St. Mark's NW.

This past weekend we had the opportunity to attend Crossfest at Crossbridge Christian Church. This is my best friend's church & it is a community wide event. Ron Brown was a guest speaker, their worship team performed most of the night, free food & games! This is an annual event & I hope the word gets out & more people attend next year! Kala talked me into coming to church with them the following morning. They had a presentation of Cardboard Testimonies, let me just say this was very moving. If you are curious about what I'm talking about google cardboard testimonies & watch a video about it. I had no idea who the people sharing these were but it was AWESOME to see how God works in people's lives! I'm going to suggest we do these at NW & it got me thinking, what would be on MY Cardboard?? I know if I thought long enough I could come up with lots but the one that speaks clearly to me is...




Front: Filled with guilt & shame after Carter's death

Back: God has forgiven me & given me the strength to forgive myself

Forgiveness is a powerful thing!
Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord!

Fun week without daddy!

Eventhough we missed Jake this week, we had a fun time without him! We had plans almost everynight so I think that helped to make it go faster. Monday night the kids & I went out to eat at DQ Grill & Chill. Our life insurance company sponsor a monthly get together & pay for part of our meals! $12 for all of us to eat supper & have Blizzards, you just can't beat that! Cordell highly reccomends the flavor of the month Tag-a-longs! Anything with Girl Scout cookies in it has to be awesome! Tuesday mom cooked dinner for us, Wednesday the kids helped wash & walk the cows. They are busy getting them ready for fair.

Thursday my mom babysat & I got a much needed break out with my girls Lisa, Cassie & Tori! We spent 4 hours at Granite City drinkin' fruity drinks & having girl talk. You 3 will never know how much therapy that was for me, Thank You! I am truly thankful for your friendships & believe that God sent you into my life for a reason!

Friday we saw another awesome production out at Pinewood Bowl! This year was Footloose & for the life of me I couldn't get that song out of my head all night. We took a picnic out there and ate before it started.

Saturday we were up early to go to Sidewalk Sunday School, Cassie & her kids were able to join us for the morning! After nap & a game of Apples to Apples, I finally got Jake's birthday cake finished!

Sunday after church we met up with my grandpa to go to the Children's Museum. This was Carmen's first experience there & she had a meltdown as we were leaving. She did not want to leave, she threw herself on the floor & was screaming! I really should learn that a 3 year old still needs a nap!

So daddy will be coming home tomorrow night & I'm sure we will all be up late with extra hugs & birthday cake! Thanks Jake for working so hard for our family! You truly are my soulmate & I am so blessed to have you in my life!

Free Manicures!!

I just thought that I'd let you all know if you are in need of a free mani come on out & Carmen will practice on you! I said free not professional! Ha! Last night she wanted me to paint her fingernails but I was consumed with other things, so I got out the old newspaper & let her go to town. After about a 1/2 bottle of remover & a bunch of paint she got em done!

Just to make u smile!