Eight years ago I was in college.
I was dating a boy.
I was dating a boy named James.
He went to college, too.
A different college.
Actually, I take that back.
Eight years ago I was engaged to a boy.
A boy named James.
We lived 20 minutes apart.
30 if you ask my dad.
But if you're young lovers, it's 20.
I didn't see James every single day.
We did spend a lot of money driving back and forth for just a few hours together. This was, however, back when gas was cheaper. $1.70ish for a gallon of gas. OUTRAGEOUS!
Anyhow, back to my story.
It was Valentine's Day 2003.
I was in class.
I've been trying to remember my classes that day but I just can't do it. Probably 7 different music classes. I don't know.
After one of my classes, I went to my room.
Someone had written on my white board.
I don't remember exactly what it said, but my boy James wrote it.
Wait a minute, he had class all day too! What was he doing here? Why wasn't I looking at him? Where did he go?
I ran down the hall, towards the parking lot to find him.
But I didn't find him.
I found my van.
That's right, I drove a van. Laugh now.
My van stood out on this particular Valentine's Day.
It was decorated in pink, red and white.
There were giant hearts, window paint, confetti, candies and a huge card scattered in and around my van.
It was amazing!
My boy had driven up to my college (a huge 20 minute drive) just to decorate my van.
How sweet.
Best present ever.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Random
Hello out there! I'm back. This will be a random post (hence the title) to catch you up on my life.
We had a baby. Reuben James, born 12-15-10, weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces, measuring....to be honest, I can't really remember and I don't want to go look because then I'll never finish this post! After 2 months life is starting to settle in with 3 boys. More on this later.
I've decided to bring back the Goal of the Week Program. I'll have a new goal every week. Last week's goal was to read for an hour each day. I did great until I started getting sick and then I just slept and fed the baby. I'm reading Little Women and The Good and Beautiful God. TGaBG is a book that our church is reading together. It's pretty cool reading the same book as 150 other people. I like to read Little Women about once a year because it's just my favorite book ever!
I like wearing leggings and skirts. I know that I'm about 2 years behind on this, but I like it. And I would like to buy some boots. Boots that are flats. Warm boots for the winter. Now that winter is over. The only time to buy boots is when winter is over. Clearance!
James told me tonight that in 8th grade he was the softball manager. Just take a minute and let that soak in. Now picture a little tiny 105-pound James. With straight light brown hair. And big glasses. Now let THAT soak in! So cute!
I should go find a picture of little James but again, I would never finish this post!
I went on a date tonight. The day-after-Valentine's-Day is a quiet time to go on a date. Thank you VanDrunens for watching our 3 boys. Do you know how free we felt going out sans boys? As we were walking in to the bowling alley (which we walked out of 3 minutes later) I told James that I feel so deceptive going out without the boys. People look at us and say, "Look at that cute young couple. Man their lives are going to change when they have kids. They have no idea." But really, we know.
I have many more random thoughts but I cannot remember them. Oh! This week's goal is to post a new blog every day. I'm only 1 day behind!
We had a baby. Reuben James, born 12-15-10, weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces, measuring....to be honest, I can't really remember and I don't want to go look because then I'll never finish this post! After 2 months life is starting to settle in with 3 boys. More on this later.
I've decided to bring back the Goal of the Week Program. I'll have a new goal every week. Last week's goal was to read for an hour each day. I did great until I started getting sick and then I just slept and fed the baby. I'm reading Little Women and The Good and Beautiful God. TGaBG is a book that our church is reading together. It's pretty cool reading the same book as 150 other people. I like to read Little Women about once a year because it's just my favorite book ever!
I like wearing leggings and skirts. I know that I'm about 2 years behind on this, but I like it. And I would like to buy some boots. Boots that are flats. Warm boots for the winter. Now that winter is over. The only time to buy boots is when winter is over. Clearance!
James told me tonight that in 8th grade he was the softball manager. Just take a minute and let that soak in. Now picture a little tiny 105-pound James. With straight light brown hair. And big glasses. Now let THAT soak in! So cute!
I should go find a picture of little James but again, I would never finish this post!
I went on a date tonight. The day-after-Valentine's-Day is a quiet time to go on a date. Thank you VanDrunens for watching our 3 boys. Do you know how free we felt going out sans boys? As we were walking in to the bowling alley (which we walked out of 3 minutes later) I told James that I feel so deceptive going out without the boys. People look at us and say, "Look at that cute young couple. Man their lives are going to change when they have kids. They have no idea." But really, we know.
I have many more random thoughts but I cannot remember them. Oh! This week's goal is to post a new blog every day. I'm only 1 day behind!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Drivin' Through the Car Wash
I can't believe that I'm writing this post. I feel like such a country girl. Please don't make fun of me too much.
This weekend I drove on some gravel roads and my van got terribly dusty. (I don't understand how my mom stood the dust since it was a constant on our cars when I was growing up.) To add to the mess, some of the teens from church put their hand-prints all over my van. I decided to make a trip to the car wash this morning.
*As a side note, Asa is at school. I'm staying home with Judah because he's sick.
After we took Asa to school, we went to the car wash. I don't really go to the car wash very often and when I do, it's usually the self wash. As I drive, I wonder if I have enough money for the car wash and wonder if they take credit cards. Hmm. Really, I'm so behind the times.
I pull in and there's a nice attendant at a little window like McDonald's. I give her my money (they also accept 4 credit cards) and tell her what wash I want. I proceed to drive into the little building. Well this is where it gets crazy. At least for my little country self. There's a guy inside directing me how far to pull in and there's this weird track thing. Am I supposed to drive my tire into that? I guess so. Then, get this! You put the car in neutral and just sit there! Really? This is awesome!
OK so I'm a total goof. I've never been to a real car wash. Let's hear your jesting now. Meanwhile Judah is wondering what is going on. He has a scared look on his face and is pointing out the window. Luckily he doesn't cry. His least favorite part was probably the loud dryers at the end. I'm with him. I thought my wipers were going to be blown off!
Anyhow, as I drove away I reeled in the amazing technology at the car wash. I highly recommend that you visit your local fancy car wash today. It's fun!
This weekend I drove on some gravel roads and my van got terribly dusty. (I don't understand how my mom stood the dust since it was a constant on our cars when I was growing up.) To add to the mess, some of the teens from church put their hand-prints all over my van. I decided to make a trip to the car wash this morning.
*As a side note, Asa is at school. I'm staying home with Judah because he's sick.
After we took Asa to school, we went to the car wash. I don't really go to the car wash very often and when I do, it's usually the self wash. As I drive, I wonder if I have enough money for the car wash and wonder if they take credit cards. Hmm. Really, I'm so behind the times.
I pull in and there's a nice attendant at a little window like McDonald's. I give her my money (they also accept 4 credit cards) and tell her what wash I want. I proceed to drive into the little building. Well this is where it gets crazy. At least for my little country self. There's a guy inside directing me how far to pull in and there's this weird track thing. Am I supposed to drive my tire into that? I guess so. Then, get this! You put the car in neutral and just sit there! Really? This is awesome!
OK so I'm a total goof. I've never been to a real car wash. Let's hear your jesting now. Meanwhile Judah is wondering what is going on. He has a scared look on his face and is pointing out the window. Luckily he doesn't cry. His least favorite part was probably the loud dryers at the end. I'm with him. I thought my wipers were going to be blown off!
Anyhow, as I drove away I reeled in the amazing technology at the car wash. I highly recommend that you visit your local fancy car wash today. It's fun!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Warning: Blog Reactivation in 3....2....1.....
I'm really trying to keep my blog going. Really, I am trying. It's just not that easy these days. I do have a lot of things to say. I just can't remember them. I dedicate this blog to my favorite things right now.
1. Family craft night.
2. Judah's little giggle.
3. Checking on my boys after they fall asleep. Every night my heart melts when I see them sleeping.
4. Cuddling with the boys on chilly mornings.
5. Iced tea.
6. Hot Chocolate.
7. Listening to Judah sing.
8. Feeling my littlest guy rolling around in my stomach.
9. Chatting with friends while our kids play together.
10. Cuddling on the couch with my sweet husband.
More posts to come....I hope!
1. Family craft night.
2. Judah's little giggle.
3. Checking on my boys after they fall asleep. Every night my heart melts when I see them sleeping.
4. Cuddling with the boys on chilly mornings.
5. Iced tea.
6. Hot Chocolate.
7. Listening to Judah sing.
8. Feeling my littlest guy rolling around in my stomach.
9. Chatting with friends while our kids play together.
10. Cuddling on the couch with my sweet husband.
More posts to come....I hope!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Serve Week
One week this summer I was luck enough to serve with the teenagers from our church. Every morning we made sack lunches, one for myself, two to share. Every day we had a different project. Monday (July 5th) we picked up trash at a park in Kansas City. You can imagine what we found at Swope Park on the day after the 4th of July! The best thing I found was a couple walking down the street. They were collecting cans. We looked through my bag of trash and picked out all the cans. As we were digging, the lady told me that they can get $1 a pound for cans. She also asked if I had an extra pair of gloves. As we were walking to my car to get the gloves, I told her that we had packed extra lunches and water that day and asked if she was interested. She was. I gave her two lunches and two bottles of cold water and two pair of gloves. We said goodbye and God bless. Then I thought. $1 for a pound of cans? One Dollar? One pound? That's a lot of cans. And what does one dollar buy you? This was the first of many humbling experiences during the week. I thanked God in that moment for a house and a job and a family. We are so blessed.
After we picked up trash, we ate our lunches and talked about all the gross stuff we picked up. Then we headed out for downtown to hand out some lunches. It was really simple. We drove around and looked for people that we thought needed a lunch. We did this for 3 days. We gave out about 60 lunches. Some people took the paper bag and walked away. Some stopped to tell us their story. Many were very grateful. One man giggled, he was so happy! We drove in our cars silently, humbled by the situation.
Tuesday we worked in two groups. One group sanded and painted a lady's porch. The other group picked up trash in her neighborhood. Someone stopped as we were picking up trash and asked why we were there. We just answered that we were doing what we could for the people in the neighborhood. The lady whose porch was painted was very touched by our work. I was told that she said "thank-you" a million times and was moved to tears at the end of the day.
Wednesday we worked at a food pantry in Kansas City. We sorted bread and packaged cereal. We all got to wear sweet hairnets! In the afternoon we did some yard work for a special lady. Her husband had just passed away and she was preparing to host people at her house around the time of the funeral. It was raining and we were doing yard work. Mainly we were pulling weeds and bagging up grass. Heavy, dirty work.
Thursday we sorted clothes at a local clothes closet. Easy work compared to the previous afternoon! Later that morning we did some work at another food pantry.
In this entire week, I never heard one person complain about the work, the heat, the trash. We served with open hearts an I think everyone left having been changed.
After we picked up trash, we ate our lunches and talked about all the gross stuff we picked up. Then we headed out for downtown to hand out some lunches. It was really simple. We drove around and looked for people that we thought needed a lunch. We did this for 3 days. We gave out about 60 lunches. Some people took the paper bag and walked away. Some stopped to tell us their story. Many were very grateful. One man giggled, he was so happy! We drove in our cars silently, humbled by the situation.
Tuesday we worked in two groups. One group sanded and painted a lady's porch. The other group picked up trash in her neighborhood. Someone stopped as we were picking up trash and asked why we were there. We just answered that we were doing what we could for the people in the neighborhood. The lady whose porch was painted was very touched by our work. I was told that she said "thank-you" a million times and was moved to tears at the end of the day.
Wednesday we worked at a food pantry in Kansas City. We sorted bread and packaged cereal. We all got to wear sweet hairnets! In the afternoon we did some yard work for a special lady. Her husband had just passed away and she was preparing to host people at her house around the time of the funeral. It was raining and we were doing yard work. Mainly we were pulling weeds and bagging up grass. Heavy, dirty work.
Thursday we sorted clothes at a local clothes closet. Easy work compared to the previous afternoon! Later that morning we did some work at another food pantry.
In this entire week, I never heard one person complain about the work, the heat, the trash. We served with open hearts an I think everyone left having been changed.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Judah, Our Two-Year-Old
Judah turned 2 on July 1st. To celebrate, we put him in the car for 4 hours! I'll get to that. We tried to make a big deal about his birthday even though it was a crazy day. Since February I have wanted to get Judah a big stuffed Thomas that I saw at Target. A few days before his birthday we were in the store and found that they still had the coveted (by myself) Thomas. That was his special present from our family.
Since it had been months since we were in Iowa, we decided to go for a visit. We had to make a few stops before we left town. James had an interview for a job in Kansas City (more on that later) so we all drove to that. While he was interviewing I took the boys to Crown Center. We had a bagel at Panera and then went to the Clifford exhibit. The boys had fun, although I wasn't really impressed.
The drive to my mom's house was uneventful. We went to the city band concert on the square that evening. Most of the time the boys were clueless that there was a concert going on.
Saturday of that week my sisters came and we had a birthday party for Judah. He seemed to be afraid of the candles but loved his cupcake and ice cream!
Judah loves:
running around...yelling (He either says "ready, go" or "to infinity and beyond" before he runs.)
cars, trucks, trains
books
babies
animals
Judah is 34 inches tall and weighs 26 pounds.
Oh, by the way. It's a boy! Our third baby...is a boy!
Since it had been months since we were in Iowa, we decided to go for a visit. We had to make a few stops before we left town. James had an interview for a job in Kansas City (more on that later) so we all drove to that. While he was interviewing I took the boys to Crown Center. We had a bagel at Panera and then went to the Clifford exhibit. The boys had fun, although I wasn't really impressed.
The drive to my mom's house was uneventful. We went to the city band concert on the square that evening. Most of the time the boys were clueless that there was a concert going on.
Saturday of that week my sisters came and we had a birthday party for Judah. He seemed to be afraid of the candles but loved his cupcake and ice cream!
Judah loves:
running around...yelling (He either says "ready, go" or "to infinity and beyond" before he runs.)
cars, trucks, trains
books
babies
animals
Judah is 34 inches tall and weighs 26 pounds.
Oh, by the way. It's a boy! Our third baby...is a boy!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
My Birthday
Here you go. I know you've been wondering about me. I'm still alive, just not motivated. We've had lots of exciting moments this summer...it all starts with my birthday.
Let me say that I have the best husband. The day before my birthday, James took the boys out shopping. That's not necessarily fun on your own, especially since Asa wanted to stay home with me. On the morning of my birthday, James had picked up breakfast (from Wendy's, my favorite) and put it on a nice tray for me. Breakfast in bed! Then there was a series of clues all over the house to lead me to my present. He had printed some new pics of our family for our living room and also got "The Sound of Music" for me. Asa and I watched that instead of cartoons! Judah joined when he finally woke up. We went to McCallister's Deli for lunch that day. Yummy! I was showered with treats from my friends all day. That evening we had a picnic with the staff from church. It wasn't in my honor but it was a lot of fun! We played some sand volleyball after eating. Then on the way home, I hit a deer. Good news is that it just knocked out the headlight which James eventually fixed. (That's another story...he ordered the light and it didn't fit so he had to return it and order another one...long story.)
So my birthday was a great day! I felt very loved and lucky to have the family and friends that I have.
Let me say that I have the best husband. The day before my birthday, James took the boys out shopping. That's not necessarily fun on your own, especially since Asa wanted to stay home with me. On the morning of my birthday, James had picked up breakfast (from Wendy's, my favorite) and put it on a nice tray for me. Breakfast in bed! Then there was a series of clues all over the house to lead me to my present. He had printed some new pics of our family for our living room and also got "The Sound of Music" for me. Asa and I watched that instead of cartoons! Judah joined when he finally woke up. We went to McCallister's Deli for lunch that day. Yummy! I was showered with treats from my friends all day. That evening we had a picnic with the staff from church. It wasn't in my honor but it was a lot of fun! We played some sand volleyball after eating. Then on the way home, I hit a deer. Good news is that it just knocked out the headlight which James eventually fixed. (That's another story...he ordered the light and it didn't fit so he had to return it and order another one...long story.)
So my birthday was a great day! I felt very loved and lucky to have the family and friends that I have.
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