Mexicans Rock!

this is not ceramic tile!

what a floor!

not a stone bar!

desigened by mexicans

house nearby in breckinridge


We thought you would all enjoy some of Brady's handywork. Amazing what you can do with concrete and Mexicans, huh?

Favorite "Road Sign"

Ha Ha Ha Ha!
Hee Hee Hee Hee!
I love this kind of cat!

The only good cat is a dead one!

Go dogs!

Home Improvement Advice

It is always important to wear O.S.H.A. approved eye protection when working on any home improvement project - even if it is stripping wallpaper.

By the way - it is also advised that before anyone, anywhere chooses to hang wallpaper in their home to have a series of psychological tests done to see what is causing the insanity.

Consider yourself advised.
Buff

Byren Ellis - Then and Now

January 6, 2006 - I can't believe how fast they grow up.

Want a bite of birthday cake? I'm glad Byren's enjoying it.

Gramma Kathie & Grampo Peaky with the boys!

Don't Worry

I'm sure Chopper will show up. One of Cooper's hermit crabs got out once. I realized it very late one night, and so I went online to see if I could figure out where they may like to hide. While I was sitting at the computer I heard a noise behind me. I was sure I would turn around to see the missing hermit crab. Instead, staring right at me was the field mouse, Lucky, that Cooper had brought in as a pet (and got loose). Before I could react, it ran across the living room floor. The good part of the story is that the next day, we found the hermit crab along the wall in Cooper's room. We're still trying to catch the mouse. :)

Missing

Okay, we have bad news . . . Chopper is missing . . . Yep, it is official - we have a lizard loose in the house.
Evidently Carra was playing with him (against house rules) and left him to sleep in her teacup. Apparently he woke up and decided to look around.

It makes for interesting sensations at night - when it's dark - when our imaginations are at their finest. Buff woke up once last night convinced the lizard was walking across his face - it was just the pillow. He later stepped on a small toy - and thought he had stepped on Chopper.

Who knows how this story will end - but it will make for an interesting blog someday, I'm sure! For now we aren't sleeping with our mouths open!

Glasses

Mikayla and Brice both got reading glasses this week. Don't they look smart?

Brice came running into the dining room on Tuesday morning and grabbed his glasses and put them on and ran out of the room. Well, he only needs them for reading so I asked him what the emergency was. He said, "My eye is twitching. I should be wearing my glasses."

Apparently glasses fix more than just eyesight problems!

Encouragement

If you know me at all, you know I like bikes - especially antique bikes. No explanation. I just think they look neat.

I came across an article that I had read once before, but when reading it again, I found it even more encouraging. I thought I would share it with whomever cares! It has to do with marriage and it is written by Noel Piper - wife to John Piper. She uses a bike as an illustration.

John and Noel Riding in Tandem

Sunscreen on, helmets buckled, pedals in sync, and we were on our way. After a few minutes, Johnny called over his shoulder, “You’re doing pretty well for your first time on a tandem.” Without a thought, I replied: “I guess all these years of marriage have been good practice.”

Here are some random lessons learned last week riding along the Cannon Valley Trail behind my husband on a bicycle built for two:

• If I throw my weight around, we wobble and swerve.

• My initial “seasickness” eases when I quit resisting and let him lean the bike into curves and turns in the path.

• I often feel as if I’m not really adding much to the effort. But I must be doing my part, because if I lift my feet, he feels it and asks, “Are you still there?”

• My instinct is to press harder on the pedals to make sure I’m carrying my share of the load. But when I do, he says, “Slow down. Don’t push me so fast.”

• Looking over his shoulder, I can see a lot of what he sees, but not what’s immediately in front of us. Good thing he’s the one steering, braking, and changing gears. On the other hand, I’m more free to look around and point out the mile markers and the turtles basking on a log.

• I can’t brake or steer, but I do have the power to stop the bike and ruin the ride. If I stand still on the pedals and refuse to move, he can’t make them turn.

• I love it when we’re on level ground and using a gear that sets a slow, steady pedalling that surges us forward. But I need warning when he changes to a setting that requires fast foot strokes. When I’m caught off guard, my feet are slung from the pedals and it’s a trick to get them back in place without snarling the progress up a steep hill.

• When I realize I’m gripping the handlebars, I have to remind myself, “Let go! You’ve always wanted to ride ‘no hands.’ Now you can!”

• When I’m ready to turn back, he’s aiming for one more mile marker. When I’m ready to finish easy, he says, “Let’s see if we can beat our record.” With that kind of encouragement, I do what never would have happened if I’d been on my own.

• Near the end, when I see one more hill, I open my mouth to say, “Let me off. I’ll walk up.” Then I realize how foolish we’d look, me plodding alone and him trying to keep the bike going by himself. So I shut up and keep pedaling.

• And I discover that, when we pedal together, impossible inclines become possible.

Perhaps the 19th century songwriter was wiser than he knew when he created a marriage proposal that said, “You’ll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.” It makes me think of what Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:22-24: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”

John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He and wife Noel have four sons, one daughter, and an increasing number of grandchildren. Noel Piper has written many books to encourage women.

Brandi's answers

A-amazing thing you have done? – hmm... I'm pretty boring!!
B-best friend? Keri
C-cake or pie? Cake – German Chocolate
D-drink of choice? Mountian Dew
E-perfume... a girl's always gotta smell good!!
F-favorite color? Black
G-gummy bears or gummy worms? Bears
H-hometown? Waverly, Colorado
I-indulgence? Riding horses and Mountian Dew
J-January or February? January... Stock Show and two Holidays off!!
K-kind of candy? Cotton Candy
L-like to visit _____ someday? - Ireland
M-movie? – Ever After!! and Dumb and Dumber
N-number of siblings? 2 older, very productive brothers
O-oranges or apples? Oranges
P-phobias or fears? being alone... in the long run. I don't want to be alone when mom and dad die.
Q- favorite thing I do in quiet time – I don't like quiet time... it bores me, I pace.
R-reason to smile? my best friend Keri is going to have a baby!! and mom makes me laugh everyday!!
S-season? Spring, the colors are so pretty and all the baby cows are born.
T- favorite tune – Blue Clear Sky- George Strait
U-unique characteristic/ fact – I'm pretty much perfect!!
V-vegetable you don't like? mushrooms... they grow on horse pooh!
W-worst habit? Mountian Dew
X-extra special pet? Mom!!
Y-your favorite food? Mountian Dew
Z-zoo animal you would like to meet/see in the wild? a monkey!!

Getting to know you

I have a few friends that have filled out an ABC - get to know you list. I decided to tweek it slightly to make it more kid friendly and have the kids fill it out. I learned a few things about them myself!

Once you've learned a few things about them - fill it out for yourself and post it/ email your results back! It would be fun to learn a little more about you!

Here are the results:

Mikayla:

A-amazing thing you have done? – getting an A on a spelling test (and it was only once –which makes it so amazing!)

B-best friend? Lizzie Meissner and Sarah Krebs

C-cake or pie? Cake – but not cheesecake (can she be MY daughter and not like cheesecake??? I may have to give her up – any takers???)

D-drink of choice? Water - no really she is serious!

E-essential item I use everyday? Pencil – have to get school done!

F-favorite color? Black and purple

G-gummy bears or gummy worms? Worms

H-hometown? Sussex, WI – have you ever heard the funny story about the water tower?

I-indulgence? Riding Grandpa’s horses and chocolate chips

J-January or February? February – less colder (at least we hope!)

K-kind of candy? Butterfinger, Twix and Reeses

L-like to visit _____ someday? - Russia and China

M-movie? – Ever After (Mom and I think Aunt Brandi like that one too)

N-number of siblings? 3 – Brice “the annoying” (7 years), Carra Grace (4 years), Owen “the monster” (2 years)

O-oranges or apples? Apples.

P-phobias or fears? Spiders – just ask dad – he has to kill them all

Q- favorite thing I do in quiet time – read (Katie Kazoo today!)

R-reason to smile? Owen – no wait that’s laugh!

S-season? Fall – “It is so pretty and my birthday is in the fall!”

T- favorite tune – Jesus, Thank You (Sovereign Grace)

U-unique characteristic/ fact – Have you seen her left arm????

V-vegetable you don't like? Squaaaash

W-worst habit? Talking with in food in my mouth!

X-extra special pet? Cinnamon Sugar – the hamster

Y-your favorite food? Corn beef hash (formerly known as corn beast hash)

Z-zoo animal you would like to meet/see in the wild? Cheetah and lion (see – not meet)

Brice:

A-amazing thing you have done? – getting the wind knocked out of me when Dad and Mr. Zempel were jumping with me on the trampoline.

B-best friend? Sean, Ryan, Zach, Philip, Caleb

C-cake or pie? Pumpkin pie and cheesecakes – (yes, he is MY son – he got the cheesecake gene!)

D-drink of choice? Red Raven (from Sprecher’s)

E-essential item I use everyday? My mom – she does everything for me (I am still trying to decided whether to be flattered or offended).

F-favorite color? yellow

G-gummy bears or gummy worms? Worms

H-hometown? Sussex, WI – favorite place – the library

I-indulgence? Date with Dad – Cabela’s

J-January or February? February- closer to my birthday (March)

K-kind of candy? Spray candy

L-like to visit _____ someday? - Africa

M-movie? Scooby Doo – (Okay – it didn’t originate as a movie – but we own one of many made into movies)

N-number of siblings? 3 – Mikayla (10 years), Carra Grace (4 years), Owen “the monster” – 2 years

O-oranges or apples? Oranges – honey tangerines to be specific

P-phobias or fears? Tornadoes – but would still like to see one

Q-favorite thing I do in my quiet time – read books (mysteries) & KNEX

R-reasons to smile? Because I’m happy (that answer makes me smile!)

S-season? Spring – birthday and fun

T- favorite tune – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

U-unique characteristic/ fact – can fall asleep in under 1 minute

V-vegetable you don't like? All of them - oh, wait I like corn, is that a vegetable?

W-worst habit? Not sitting on my bum at dinner

X-extra special pet? Chopper the lizard & Squirt the turtle (who miraculously remains alive in spite of the fact he has yet to eat one piece of food given to him.)

Y-your favorite food? Fruit snacks

Z-zoo animal you would like to meet/see in the wild? Komodo dragon - cool

Snowball

Meet Snowball - the newest addition to the family.

He is about 1 foot tall and will probably be the only snowman of the season so linger as long as you like. I think he is quite cute. He is wearing an American Girl doll scarf and hat. How lucky for him that we were prepared for his arrival!

By the way, I stand corrected. The last time I blogged about snow up here, I shared Buff with his toy (snowblower). We got about 4- 6 more inches of snow today and Buff was out "playing" again. He came in and proclaimed that his snowblower is NOT a toy - but a tool. I apologize for misleading anyone into thinking he actually enjoys clearing the driveway - with his tools!

Vacation

Here are a few pictures from our few days away. About all I have pictures of is the waterpark - but then that is all we did all week. It really was a blast for the kids. It was a smaller park compared to the WI Dells parks, but it was perfect for our kids at the age they are now. We will grow into the bigger parks soon enough!

We have this great idea that all of you out in Colorado need to come up here next January and make it a full family vacation. You can get great out of season deals. We'll have to talk about it!

Here Owen is explaining to a complete stranger his fascination with the "boat dump it." (For illustration see the following pictures).

The boat dumps over 1,000 gallons of water every 5 minutes.

Waiting for the dump . . .

Here it comes . . .

Whoosh!

Happily soaked!

Carra loved, loved, loved the waterslides. The problem was that we had to climb many stairs to get to the top of the slides - and she was much faster than Buff or I. If I paused to catch my breath, she would stop a few seconds then say, "Come on, we have to go!" I should have lost at least 5 pounds from all the cardio vascular excercise she put me through!

Mikayla slid off the lilly pad

1

2

3
I think he is part frog!

The lazy river
How come they don't look relaxed?

"Da spinkwer"
Wow, did he have fun in the kiddy sprinklers. He ran for 2 days straight - and slept very well at night. Every time he got wet, he had to come and explain to me what happened. Every time. . .

Riding in the elevator. Evidently it created a unique sensation. Notice there are two Owens. It truly feels like there must be two Owens most days. That kid has all the energy the other kids never used up!

Dream

I had a dream . . . I know the last guy who said that actually had an impact on the world - don't get to excited about my dream - nothing earth shattering here.

One of the things Buff and I enjoy doing together is going to coffee shops, finding a quiet corner with comfy chairs and talking. The problem is that a lot of other people have the same idea and so we often have to compete for the atmosphere we so desire. (Now there is a picture for you - Buff and Tina dueling it out with another couple for the couch at Starbucks!)

So, I had this dream that Buff and I were looking for a place to talk and we found a sports bar that was in a house. The house was loaded with couches and tables for people to sit around and talk. Now don't worry. In my dream - we only ordered a pizza.

I woke up inspired. Wouldn't it be great to have a place where there were plenty of couches, chairs, and tables around so that people could just come and sit. Maybe play a quiet game. Maybe just talk. Maybe study. We could serve coffee - there's is nothing like the smell of coffee to help someone relax (I personally don't drink the stuff - can you be addicted to the smell? I have discovered the joys of a vanilla steamer - mmmmmm! - and coffee free too!). Lots of rooms. Lots of places to sit. No dueling allowed.

We could have a library/reading room or possibly a bookstore where people who wander in could leave with a good book and inspired to live their week to count for Christ.

If it were in a house, the upstairs could be converted into a small/ cozy getaway for couples in ministry who just need to get away . . .

Okay, so that is my dream. It isn't going to change the world, but it was fun to think it up! I told Buff that he needs to let me know when he has saved our first million $ so we can get started.

Yeah, he laughed at me too.

Blizzard

Today, Owen was playing with his blocks by the back door. It was a beautiful sunny morning with the sun pouring in the window. You know how you can see a sunbeam flowing in a window because of all the dust particles floating in it? Well, we have LOTS of dust particles at our house - combined with the sun it put on quite a show!

Owen noticed the sunbeam and got very excited.

"Mommy, it's snowing!"

Yep, we had quite a blizzard! I hope he always finds it so amusing!

School

I just had to share Brice doing his math yesterday.

The lizard's name (today at least - everytime I ask he changes it) is Chopper and has become quite a smart little guy. How many lizards do you know that get the privilege to learn their math facts first hand. Yesterday they learned about mixed numbers. That can come in handy when you are changing colors - is it 1/2 or 1/3 green??? It also helps when counting crickets and worms!

Also, do you notice the tongue? (On Brice) Buff does this too when he is thinking. Has anyone else noticed this to be a Powers trait?

Speaking of tongues . . . Here is one to share! It's blue raspberry.

Name

I'm not crazy about the name of our post - "The Powers that be" - does anyone have any other ideas? Obviously you have seen the extent of my creativity! I am open to other options.

Snow Day

Winter has finally arrived to Wisconsin! I know this is just powder compared to what you have in Colorado, but we'll take what we can get! I think we have about 4-6 inches and it might snow some more today. It is supposed to be cold all week, so it should stick around a little while.

Here are the kids enjoying the snow!


Owen
He sat on the porch until Buff was done snow blowing. He hates the snowblower! Once Buff was done he had a blast!

Mikayla begging me to go sledding. It is only 20 degrees. I told her she was nuts! She and Brice went anyway (there is a small hill at the end of the road). They didn't last very long!

Carra got sprayed by the snowblower.

Brice playing with his KNEX snowmobiles.

Snow angel!

Buff playing with his toy! He loves snow days as much as the kids!

Life

Hey, Bevin, here is a brief answer to your post about doing it all: I have no idea! (Everyday I say to Buff - "I don't know how to do it all!")

I consider homeschooling to be the same as a full time job. The problem is that I don't get to walk away and concentrate on my job and then come home and concentrate on my family. I have to do it all at once! That is very overwhelming.

I don't keep a clean house on a quiet day, so you can imagine what my house looks like during school days. The hardest thing I am trying to learn is how to get my kids involved in the process. I feel like I spend my days nagging for them to get something done. Everything from making their bed to Science and math!

I am still in process, but this is what I have learned and done that has helped some. I am sure it will change again - it takes me a while to problem solve. . . .

1. I have had to check my heart.

I love a clean house - but I have never had it. I have spent a large majority of my mothering life in panic mode that someone will stop by my house and discover we live in chaos most of the time. I have friends that are immaculate - all of the time. I even have friends that homeschool, teach Bible study groups, and live life in an immaculate house. I cared more about what they would think (man-pleasing) than dealing with the heart issues that cause us to live in chaos. Is it laziness? procrastination? lack of discipline (for me and for my kids)? Also, I wasn't responding well to mess. I allowed it to cause stress - which affects my family. It becomes an idol to me.

Having said all of that - I don't have a magic answer. It is a moment by moment process for me. There are times when I deal with it - because it is what it is and I must respond as if the cross matters - and it affects how I respond to the mundane. There are other times (most of the time) when my sinful heart flares and I react wrongly. Thankfully, God gives me all that I need to respond correctly!

Here are some verses that encourage me:

I Peter 4: 10-11

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

2. I have learned how to include my kids. They can do a lot. I am still figuring out how to train them, but I found an article that has helped.

I have the kids fold their own laundry (Carra is actually quite good at this, but she still needs some help and encouraging), unload the dishwasher, sweep and mop the floor (we are still in training for this one), dust, vacuum (again - in training), taking care of the pets, make their beds, clean up general clutter (if it is on the floor they pick it up and PUT IT AWAY - no matter who it belongs to), and other various tasks. They each have a chart that they are responsible to keep - so I don't have to nag to get it done. If they don't chart, I assume it isn't done. If it isn't done, there is no allowance at the end of the week. Money is a good motivator. (Keep it balanced with good heart teaching too!) I can send you a copy of the chart if you want to tweek it for your kids.

3. Figure out what matters. Clean clothes, clean dishes and food are pretty much essentials. School gets added in there now too. After that - be willing to give a little. Get Brady to help (if he isn't already). If he just mops the floor and takes care of dishes, it can be a huge help!

I like your motto "do it now". I am going to add it to my new motto "PUT IT AWAY - NOW!" I'm a stacker!

Sorry, I didn't mean to preach! I can get it organized. I just don't know how to maintain it. I am open to any tips you can give me. It is my New Years Resolution just to make my bed everyday!

I enjoy the banter!

Tina

Our Week

Well, it is Saturday. I think I will take a minute to say hey! We have had quite a crazy week filled with counseling sessions, training sessions, church, babysitting, dr. appointments, asthma classes, co-op, oh, and lots of school! I even got a date in there with my hubby! Somehow in there I did do some laundry and dishes - the rest of the house is waiting for me to finish this post!

Buff is taking 4 weeks off from preaching with two weeks of it as vacation and 2 weeks of extra study and prayer at the church. His vacation officially starts Tuesday! We plan to take the kids up to an indoor waterpark and let them splash around for a few days. Then I have a whole list of projects for him to get done. We are all looking forward to getting away. Vacation is not something we do well or very often. Outside of visiting Colorado occasionally, we don't get away much. We are hoping to make this more of a habit.

Here are a few pictures of our week. Pretty uneventful, but not without memories.

Super Sleuth
I would be very frightened right now if I were an ant . . .

Buff and I crawled out of bed at 5:30 one morning. When we came back into our room, they had taken over our bed. They think our bed is the warmest and most comfortable place in the world. It is a treat for them to sleep on our bed!

Have a good weekend!

Tina

Hello Everyone!
I'm really enjoying all of the pictures and staying connected. I don't have any pictures today - life's been a little bit too crazy. I thought it was funny, Tina, that you did the section on staying organized. This is the first year I have ever made a New Year's resolution, and it is to be more organized, and then my new motto is "DO IT NOW." I'm finding this to be a bit of a challenge because I can't always do everything "right now" because I am only one person, so I think this will require some serious prioritizing. When we got all of the snow, I dug in and spent about 5 days cleaning and organizing. I think my biggest challenge is going to be organizing my time!! I would be interested to know what your days are like, Tina, since your life has to be pretty similar to mine - homeschooling with 4 children. We seem to get everything done that we need to, but it seems so chaotic at times. Is this just what life is like for most people in my situation? If so, I can be ok with it and just deal. If not, I need to make some changes. Anyway, I would be interested in your thoughts.

Brandi - thanks for the thought on Kita, I thought that was very sweet of you.

I'm going to try to get some pictures from Byren's first birthday party soon. I can't believe my baby is one. Time goes so fast.

2006

Some of my favorite pictures from the year!

Okay, so I got carried away! I couldn't choose! I have more I would like to post - I'll save that for another day.

I fully intend on sending Mom and Dad some copies of these. We just got some more Christmas money and next week we are "getting away" for a few days. Maybe I'll get it done then . . . . don't get your hopes up! I'll aim for April - Mom's birthday! Surprise!

Love you all!