I did it, woohoo!

So, I finally got up the nerve to try my first painting. I'm so excited, it actually turned out. I'm sure there are plenty of misplaced shadows, misguided light. But with my untrained eye, I think it looks pretty decent. I'm looking forward to painting another one. Thank you Bob Ross! Hopefully I relax and take time to enjoy the next one.


Still waiting on the house, so excited!

Have a Happy New Year!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What happened?!?

Christmas 2009 is over... How did that happen? Stinkin' Iowa! I hate snow, and I really hate Blizzards. I definitely need to remember Jesus is the reason for the season! Hello, Angie! Get it together!

I really hope God opens a door that leads to Virginia Beach or San Diego...somewhere greener, somewhere warmer, up in the mountains, down by the ocean, where it doesn't matter, as long as we're goin' somewhere together, I've got a quarter, heads Carolina, tails Californiaaaa. Ok, that's a song, it does matter where I'm going, it needs to be coastal, warm, and no mountains... I'm ready for an adventure...

Speaking of moving, we should be moving in a couple of weeks. That's of course if everything goes as planned. Of course, it isn't where my dream move is, but it will work for now!

The kids seem to be happy with their gifts. I'm happy with mine. I received Bob Ross painting supplies. I love Bob Ross. It has been a huge dream of mine to paint since I was really young. Now I'm scared, what if I bomb? I don't have any talent. Not that I was given very many opportunities to develop any. I was raised by a single mom, she had to work hard to support us. Extras were not something either one of us experienced often. So, who knows, I could be the next Monet.

I'm really looking forward to getting back in shape. It's the one thing I have complete control over in my life. There are so many things I can't control, that keep stressing me out. Enough is enough. I will have success at something! Well, I do feel successful at being a mother, wife, and homeschooling my children. Those are the most important jobs I have. I would still like to do better at those jobs, too. Look out 2010, I'm on a mission, who knows what God has planned...

Catching Up and San Diego I Miss You

Well, I must once again admit I am not a great blogger. If I was following this blog, I would stop. Borrrrring, snore...please don't, I'll get better I promise : P

Here is some pictures from our Coco Key fun...


These are my friend's cute and cuddly twins, who just turned a year...

Hunter and Libby, my friends 6th child of 8. She rocks at the mom thing, and she homeschools too. She was one of my inspirations to start homeschooling.
We are still living with our in-laws. I've had two houses lined up, and both fell through. But that's what I get for sending my husband to check out the first one. He's not a detail person. Unless it has to do with computers, of course. So that mold festering all over the basement, well it must have been hidden that day. Needless to say that house was not up to my standards. Next house, landlady lied... made promises...broke promises...and luckily she wasn't smart enough to get our deposit before she broke them. So once again I'm on the hunt. I need to hurry, my MIL is fattening me up with her yummy cooking!

San Diego was beautiful, I wish I was there.


Michael always has a phone attached to his head, poor guy can't seem to figure out how to remove it...
Wow my legs kinda look big, but it makes me feel the sun again...
Why do I wish I was there you ask....


Snow storms are not my thing! Around a foot of snow dumped on Iowa. The only reason I can tolerate it: #1 It's pretty from inside my warm house #2 I haven't had to go outside in two days #3 I have to!

Stay warm my friends!

Goin' for a splash....

The kids and I are going to Coco Key Water Resort today, with some good friends. I'm going to try to get in the water with them. You see, I hate cold water, so I'm often a party pooper! Luckily they will have friends to play with if I chicken out. Besides, I will need to snuggle my friends beautiful twin babies!

Things are good with my dad he is making progress at the treatment center. I'm cautiously optimistic.

I just found out I have gained 12 pounds in a couple years, plus I had some to lose before I gained that. I'm going to kick my butt in gear, and get in shape. Just wait you'll see!


I also get to go to San Diego in November. It has to be my all time favorite place, and I've been to Cancun. Can't wait!!!!

Cold, rainy, and it's really gettin' me down...

Did I ever tell you my daughter is kinda funny...or gross...


She didn't kill it... I promise

Yes, she did find all these creepy crawlies in one day... she's the creepy crawly whisperer




Wish I could be a more consistent blogger, not that anyone reads this that I know of anyway. If you do thanks, sorry I'm so boring :0

Just feelin' kind of depressed today. Wondering why so many people get to have more babies and I don't. We have spent $6,000 down the drain trying to conceive for the last two years. Hopefully we will start our adoption in December, but I'm just feelin' low today. It feels like it's too big of a mountain to climb. I can't imagine how we will get $13-17,000 more saved up. We have a huge chunk saved up now, that will just get us started.

Spent last week putting my father in a homeless shelter while he is waiting to go to a different treatment center. Nothing like being called at 9 in the morning and being told your father is on a greyhound bus, and he wants picked up at 6 p.m. Over an hour away from where I live, when I had a million things going. But, hey, lets mess up another day of my life, who's counting anymore. I'm so thankful that I have a Heavenly Father that is always there for me!




In other news... we went to Vala's Pumpkin Patch a few weeks ago. Love that place! School is going swimmingly. I've made it two months living with my in-laws, one month to go. If only we could find a place to rent that was decent, and in a safe part of town. I'm running again! Yay!!!! Not losing any weight, but I'm just going to keep pluggin' away.

Have a good weekend!

First Day of School

We had an awesome first day of school! We actually just finished our first week, but I am a blog writing slacker!!! This is our first year using Total Language Plus. Caleb is doing a study with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Hunter's study is with the Courage of Sarah Noble. We had homemade waffles for breakfast. My kids were bright eyed and bushy tailed!





Actually, not so much, but they did pep up a bit!


We are driving to Des Moines on Monday afternoons until we move back. The kids are still taking gymnastics, and Hunter is still taking piano lessons there. We didn't want to drop everything since we will be moving back in three months. We jetted to Des Moines after finishing school. We had an afternoon field trip at Living History Farms. It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful start to the school year!

Every time we go he has to have an ice cold sarsaparilla!

And every time we have lunch there, Hunter has to have nachos (fake orange cheese substance), yummmy!

Hunter and her best friend had fun slopping the hogs. The hogs noshed on onion peel, and the tops of gourds.

Caleb has been waiting all summer to get the chance to mow their yard, at last he has accomplished his dream!

After a fun-filled day like this, you ask, what was the best part of the day? Both kids answer, gym class. I kicked their butts by having them run around the block, doing chin-ups at the park, 50 jumping jacks, 25 squat jumps, 20 bench push-ups, 20 tricep dips, frog hops back to the house. Of course Hunter did about half of most of our workout. Caleb did beat me on the push-ups and tricep dips. I need to start lifting weights again.

All in all, a pretty great week!
Angelic

Beach Fun...

Hunter and I went to the lake today! It was so windy!!! We had a lot of fun though. We enjoyed our picnic on the beach. Sand just adds some texture, and chips teeth, no biggie. We had a sand sculpture competition. I made a turtle, that was kinda cool, for me anyway. Hunter was a bit distracted by... well...everything...as usual. She started quite a few sculptures and castles. She went in the freezing cold water. "I'm just gonna put my toes in," she said. Hunter never just puts her toes in. She couldn't help it that the waves were so big and inviting. I still have sand in my hair...and possibly my teeth! Caleb was at a friend's house...in case you were wondering.

Well, I haven't been running much the past two weeks. I've injured my knee and I will find out more at the doctor tomorrow. I'm very disappointed. Hopefully I get good news. I doubt it though. I ran two miles tonight. Each mile I ran a little over two minutes slower than usual. Still had too much pain. I ran 50 miles last month, 36 miles the month before, I'm not sure what I ran the 2 months before that. Enough that's for sure! Oh well, I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Blessings to you!
Angelic