Friday, September 21, 2012

Notice of Moving

Wow, it looks like it might actually have fixed the problem I've been having for over SIX months...well, it's too late..I've moved the blog:

Here is the new address:  http://familyfrankandsense.wordpress.com/

Monday, June 25, 2012

Alright, so I finally remembered to ask our resident IT guy, Kevin, about why Blogger won't let me post!!  Yup, that is the reason I've been so silent and why you have missed hundreds of pictures...for some reason Blogger won't let me make a new post.  However, it's still not completely fixed.  Kevin got it so that in Internet Explorer I am able to write a post, yet I am not able to post pictures.  Yet, in Google Chrome he got it so I can post pictures, but not write a post.  If anyone actually sees this, it means that I wrote the blog in one browser, saved it as a draft, added pictures in another browser and then was able to publish.  Actually, I don't know if I'll even be able to publish, but it's better than nothing I guess!

Anywho, in the last month my little sister Stephanie got married, I attended my cousin Elise's wedding, and went to the WHO (Washington Homeschool Organization) Convention with my mom and Jeremiah and Lilly.  I also went to a wedding with Travis as the Marrying Preacher and Jeremiah and Lilly Ring Bear and Flower Girl, the kids are getting pretty tired of weddings!  I have survived the first part of Summer activities, mainly the week where Travis was gone to Senior High Camp.  Now, we're in the middle of Fireworks (he had one day to rest before it started).  I dislike Fireworks Tent the most...his schedule is so random and I feel listless, but I'll be going to my parents on the 28th to celebrate my Dad's birthday and retirement.  I'm not sure how long I'll stay, just kinda depends because Travis will be driving to and from Denver for IYC (International Youth Convention) from July 2nd-9th.  The only good part of that is that he misses the busy part of the Fireworks Tent, but that means other people have to pick up the slack.  But then he'll be 'free' for a couple weeks, just normal Youth Group, Sunday School, Sunday Worship, Youth Activities, Counselling etc...

Here are some links to view pictures via Facebook.

Matthew & Stephanie's Wedding
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3182057425860.2118648.1098437381&type=3&l=b8250a97e7

June...so far:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3298598819322.2120800.1098437381&type=3&l=5d0517ec6c

A couple Pinterest Projects I've finished recently:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3227452560710.2119474.1098437381&type=3&l=ca13081eaf

I put this together with a free program I found on the internet...pretty happy how it turned out!  Their feet say 'We 'heart symbol' Daddy"


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Maybe?

We received a call today from our old renters, we've only had two renters in the four years we've rented the house, so there are the 'old renters' and the 'new renters.'  Anyway, they called and said, "I heard that your renters might be moving in the Summer (say WHAT?!?!  First we've heard), and we'd like to rent it if that happens, if you're okay with that."  Hmmm, let's think, renters lined up for if/when the current renters move.  Okay, I guess we can do that.  Travis then told them that they'd move to priority one if they bought the place, seeing as the renters are on a month to month (and we told them we'd sell it if the opportunity came up), it's not a cruel thing. : )  So, maybe, just maybe it'll sell.  How wonderful would that be?  Super, fabulously, awesomely, GREAT!!  That's it for now.

Well, I have the time, here is a link to April's Facebook Picture Album since I haven't done the greatest on picture updates for a while: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2953888601782.2114756.1098437381&type=3&l=802dadfe2c

Here are some of my 'artist' photos that I've taken with my new 'toy'. : )






Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Enchiladas

In a nut shell:  Made an extra 8x8 of layered enchiladas for dinner tonight.  Left it on the stove to cool since we didn't eat it.  Forgot about it during Awana and after Awana it was covered in ants, so not happy about ants right not.

I really don't like ants, I've been sugar/boraxing them for the past couple days.  It's helped keep them away from the rest of the counter and compost, but I forgot to put some on the stove area because it's not the highest hit for ants.  ARGH!!  I was looking forward to those as a snack tomorrow.  Such is life.

Anyway, onto more enjoyable subjects, well relatively more enjoyable.  We applied to two jobs recently.  That's good, two that we fit the qualifications, and both are in the Salem-ish area (which we like very much).  So, for those who read this, be praying that one of them might be where God is calling us to be.  

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The 'Guardener'

Isaiah was telling me a story this morning, it went something like this...please  insert large animated movements and eye expressions.

I killed a bad ant *scowl* last night.  He was trying to kill a good lady bug *gasp with raised eye brows*.  It was a gardener lady bug, he was guarding our house. *wide eyes of expectation*

I was wondering why he kept adding 'it's a gardener ant/bug/rolly polly' to everything...it's because that means they're protecting us! : )  Just thought I'd pass on my smile from this morning. : )

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Life

Life, it never is exactly what we expect and yet it all works, right? I wish there was a camera crew capturing the kids the last few weeks, they've just been hilarious. Jeremiah has learned the joke that goes like this: Jeremiah: "Hey, what's under there?" You: "Under Where?" And then he busts up because he made you say 'underwear.' The joys of a six year old boy! He actually got me really good with that joke at Target. I was focusing on pushing the cart while Isaiah was climbing in (no time to stop for such things), he kept saying 'What's under there' like four times and I finally said, in an exasperated tone complete with hand gestures, 'Under WHERE?!?!' Yeah, he laughed a lot over that one! We've also started teasing him that he likes Princess Peach (from Mario) and is going to marry her...oh, the reaction is priceless EVERY TIME!! I understand a little bit more why boys like to harass girls, it can be such fun.
I'm learning with Lilly that she follows after her mother a bit too much in the fact that if she's hungry, don't expect much beside attitude. I might print out the quote for her permanent apology speech, "I'm sorry for the unkind words I spoke out of hunger." But, when she's not hungry she has just been blossoming into the most beautiful little girl, inside and out. She's not as generous as the boys, but she is sweet and caring none-the-less and I'm so excited to see how she grows...okay maybe petrified as well when she approaches pre-teen or teen.
Isaiah has said so many things that are funny, but I can't remember any of them. He's also continued to charm and woo every female from age 0-99, sorry for those past 99. ; ) He is constantly telling me that I'm beautiful or a daisy or how much he loves me, complete with some of the best hugs ever. He told me about a two year old at the church, "Allison sure is pretty." He plays with Addie a lot...she's his kitty, or doggie or chicken or whatever Addie feels like (which sometimes she answers his question 'Are you my kitty?' with 'NO, me Princess!!').
This little girl is going to give me a run for my money, which I'm not sure how that works if I don't really have any money, but she likes things her way. She's so dang adorable and loves to imitate Isaiah as he passes out hugs like they're going out of style. Last week she got to play on a student computer in Grandma's school (she LOVES computers and phones and can unlock cell phones etc...it's amazing). While she was 'typing' with two hands she turns around and goes, "Shhh, be quite Mama!" I just about died laughing, apparently that's what I sound like when I'm on the phone (which is right by the computer!).
Anyway, the main reason I was going to write this post, besides it being too long since I last wrote is to say that we've invited a 16 year old boy to live with us. I know, it seems weird, but he's been a part of the youth group for a couple years (between moving to Eastern Oregon to live with his grandparents/guardians for a while). His parents are druggie losers, big time. He's basically been on his own since he was 12? He has a 3.5 GPA (or something like that) and hasn't lived with someone more than 4 years in his life. He's a good kid. It was a possibility that he'd move in around Christmas time, but he had somewhere else lined up, but a couple weeks ago that stopped working so he called Travis and told him he was on the curb with his stuff. I don't do transitions well and I must admit the first few days were hard because I was trying really hard to adjust my attitude (while fighting PMS), ugh, yeah not so pretty. : ) I was up at my parents during Salem's Spring Break and Travis and Kevin (the boy) worked every day on the remodel. He worked and worked hard, didn't complain and was teachable. While up there, the Sunday Sermon was about 'Interruptions' and how they bring us closer to God and build our faith in God. I don't think I have the notes page anymore, but it really spoke to my heart about how it's not just for him. He doesn't want to be put in the foster system, but wants to be emancipated. He needs a job for that to happen, please pray...this kid can make it, pray that we're a good example of what a marriage/family/kids/christians should be. It's weird, this is not what I thought would ever be part of our family, but since I've been married to Travis we've had a youth kid stay for a couple days while grandma cooled down (this kid stole from us), we've had a ex-felon (white collar, with lots of improvement made) stay in a trailer next door, we've had a 20 something kid live in the shop for two months (it was supposed to be one), we've online homeschooled a high school youth for a year, we've considered opening our house to a number of other youth or people...I love my husband, but it scares me every time.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Remodel

If you're not part of FB (which most of the readers who actually read this aren't), you may or may not know that we are remodeling our kitchen. It was a very 'galley' narrow kitchen, that with the addition the previous owners put on made it the hallway as well. Need less to say it was rather inconvenient, especially when the dishwasher was being filled and there was three inches to scoot through. We've pulled sheet rock down, rerouted sewer and water pipes, patched the floor, moved 220 electric line (and the stove), sanded and paint some of the cupboards, painted a wall, installed two new windows and put up waynes coating (spelling?)...I think that's it so far. We're expecting the contractor to come on Thursday to put in the beam that will keep the house from falling down as well as widened the 1950's steep stairs! All this will make the whole area more open as well give you two ways around, rather than straight through the kitchen! Unfortunantly, it does leave us with only one bathroom downstairs (and the one upstairs). So, with all that explanation here is a link to all the pictures I've posted via FB...