Little blessings

Although 2009 has been a bit stressful in regards to employment, it's turned out to be somewhat of a blessing. For most of the year Mark did a lot of stressing and complaining about his job with the Village of Oswego. Their Village Board Members have a lot to be desired. It was getting tiresome and I worried about Mark's stress levels in relation to his health. Then at the end of summer they parted ways, unexpectedly. This brought on some new challenges to our household, but it made us all a bit closer and more conscious of the cost of things, not only financially but personally, made us realize the real friends and supporters in our lives. So many of our family members, friends and neighbors stepped up and asked if we needed anything to let them know. Others did things without even asking. Mark became more connected with our kids and at a preteen level, to me this was big!

During this time, we discovered several of our friends were going through true crisis with their health. We've prayed for them and tried to be supportive as much as we could. This made the old saying "Life ain't nothing if you don't have your health" a true reality. So we couldn't go out to dinner as often as we did before, or we would really have to wait to get that new CD you wanted. Boo hoo on us... our friends were looking at the reality that life does end. (You would think we already learned that lesson since my father died 26 years ago yesterday).
Again, making us closer. Thank goodness our friends seem to be on the mend. We still pray for Mark's cousin Sally who battles with bone cancer.

For us, after several weeks of job searching, Mark got an offer to work contractually with the City of Evanston. Although it's a trek - 1.5 hrs each way daily. It's a job in a field my husband loves. Mark will continue to work with them until the contract ends or until he finds a permanent position. We've been blessed to have each other, our health and will enjoy a joyous holiday. Sometimes these little blessings are actually miracles, but only time will tell. For now, I'm enjoying the holidays with my family and hope you do to. Merry Christmas!

Our kids are on the Honor Roll!

It comes to no surprise to some, but our kids are once again on the Honor Roll! The first trimester has ended with both having all A's. Of course Scott did just scrap by with a couple of
A-'s.

I was worried that the adjustment to Jr. High would have hurt Scott's chances of achieving this fabulous achievement, but I see I was wrong .... or is the incentive to bomb his sister with water balloons just enough encouragement to keep this kid on the Honor Roll list?

See I notice at mid term that Scott was struggling a bit, so I offered an incentive. They each will get a 5 gallon bucket at the end of the year. For each trimester that they've achieved all A's I will fill a third of the bucket with water balloons so that the two of them can have a water balloon fight against each other. Both of them lite up with such excitement of the prospect of pelting each other that they agreed and the grades kept improving! We've drawn a chart at home and Annabelle couldn't wait to fill in her third! Scott was so surprised that the B+ he had in writing class turned up as an A- on his report card that he called me immediately to share the good news - all A's.

Mark and I are so proud of the two of them. They understand the importance of good grades and that with good grades it will be easier to get into their choice colleges. We are blessed to have such bright kids and hope they continue to work hard at school. At the end of the school year, I will be sure to post pictures of the balloon fight!

Beef-A-Rama

While in Minocqua for our anniversary, we experienced the annual celebration of Beef-A-Rama. What is this you may ask? It's where the local businesses roast/grill/supply a rump roast and parade it down the street for all the town to see. Then the public lines up to get a beef sandwich from such roasts. Of course, the town hosts a craft show and some music in the park too. It was fun and funny to see the towns people really get into this. It's the last big celebration of the summer. Most of the summer residents look at this event as their last goodbye to their summer homes/friends until next spring. Oh, and they sell T-shirts of this event. People come from miles each year to experience this. Mind you, this was the 45th anniversary.

Oh yeah, we saw Frankie (Mojo's friend) in the parade with his owner Lisa. Wow, has he grown!

Minocqua is actually an Island, so some sporting fans went with the Island Beef theme.

These two pictures are actually of these participants rushing to get their roasts in the parade. Notice the glass case holding the roast and the bicycle basket carrying these ladies roast!

Nice hats! :)

It's been a while...

since I've posted a new blog. From the looks of it, I missed a whole month. It's been a busy month for our family, so I'll try to sort it all out in a simple catch up post.

Kids are well adjusted into the school year. All healthy (knock on wood) and so far almost all A's. Scott needs to take Advance Math a little more seriously. The kids have been walking Mojo for us and that is a huge help! Both kids have taken up archery and seem to really like it. Scott has also joined the Anima (spelling?) club in school - it's Japanese art of drawing? From what I've heard, no drawing has actually occurred yet - lots of film viewing?*? He seems to really be enjoying it though and since being in extra-curricular activities is a requirement to be recognized by the National Junior Honor Society, he's glad it's something fun. Other than archery, Annabelle has yet to join anything. Although, she has been successful at getting Mojo to walk through the agility poles on his own!!! Practice does produce wonders:) In regards to school pictures, it appears my children took to the REAL ME look this year. I'm not too thrilled but they have a point - why should we look different on picture day than any other day of the year. I tried to explain because their pictures will hang for a whole year in their Grandmother's formal living room. My kids are too practical and since I can relate with their thinking, I backed down. We'll see how this turns out!

Mark has just about finished the main bathroom of the house. It took a long time, but the results are great! I love the room and it makes me feel great everyday getting ready for work in it.

On September 24th, Mark and I celebrated 15 years of marriage. So much has happened in the past 15 years and we have so much to be grateful for. To celebrate we traveled back up to Wisconsin. I have to admit at first, I was not so thrilled about going again. I like to do something different - city like- every once in a while, but boy was I surprised. The weather worked out great, the colors were starting to change and Mark and I loved our time away without the kids. Although thoughts of the kids were a constant in our minds, I'm glad we went. I've decided that I truly do love Minocqua, WI. It's my favorite place to relax and just be.

We returned home to find Mark was being forced to resign by the moran's on the village board. Mark wants to save the Village's finances and they, the board, apparently want to go bankrupt! This world never ceases to amaze me.

So this leads me into October, with some hesitation and worry as we go forward. Mark is looking for employment, I'm trying to figure out a second job or overtime at my current job, how are we going to pay for the Christmas gifts and be sure to hold on to our home of 8 years which we just finished fixing up, food, etc...? Of course, I say this knowing that I must have faith in not only Mark but the good Lord, himself. We are truly blessed. Things in life happen for a purpose. I truly believe this. I just hope to be shown this purpose quickly for I am not a patient person (If you've ever met me, you already know this!).

This brings me to the current adjustment... having a house-husband. Mark has taken up to doing the laundry, cooking dinner, and other various projects around the house. Which leaves me feeling happy yet with too much time, along with sweaters that have lumps in the shoulders because he hangs them to dry! It's been good though because Mark has had the time to really listen to the kids more closely since for the last two years, Mark has worked many late nights and very long days. So, I find myself out of the loop! I'm in his old shoes. It's just plain weird.

Embarrassing

Anyone who knows me, knows there are times (many times!) that I say or do things that tend to embarrass myself or come out the wrong way. I don't consider myself a stupid person, but sometimes I react with such hast that things don't go as they are meant and it's these times that can make for some funny moments in my life!



Sunday, was a beautiful day. I was sitting out on our deck at the table writing in all the events listed on the kids monthly school newsletter onto my family calendar. The kids were playing outside on the swing set and running around the yard. Being a nice day, several of the neighbors were out working or enjoying the day too. I live in a suburban neighborhood, where like most, the yards are on the smaller side. Close enough to each other to hear an occasional conversation or two, and being partially deaf, if I can hear it then you know the neighbor is being really loud. Well, while filling in my calendar, I heard a loud sound of someone bringing up a loogie and then with great force, spitting it out. Without batting an eye and not looking up, I blurted out my initial reaction "That's disgusting and I don't ever want to hear that again!" Of course, I thought it was Scott, my son, who had conquered up the sound and I wasn't going to have anymore of that. But as quick as I said it, a man from the other side of our six foot privacy fence, standing on my neighbors deck looked over at me and said "Oh, excuse me" in a half-hearted apologetic way. I looked up horrified and immediately apologized - explaining I thought it was my twelve year old as my children continued swinging on the swings giggling. Then I turn around to go into the house to burst into laughter, to see the neighbor on the other side of our home already doing so. Life in the burbs!



So I'd like to say we all had a good laugh on that one, but the guest of my neighbor on the other side of the tall fence, must be related to the homeowner because like the rest of that clan, he rudely continued to make the noise all day - and as I suspect, just to annoy me as I sat to enjoy the beautiful day on my deck. Some people are just ignorant. Me on the other hand - Grace just isn't my middle name!

First day of school!

Today was the official start of the school year. This year was different, in that the kids are in separate schools, so no races to the building this year. Scott (7th grader) actually gets to take the bus, the first time since kindergarten. Jr. High was no big deal for Scott. He came home all smiles. (I'm waiting for the school to call now! LOL!)

Annabelle (a 5th grader) was a little nervous when we walked to school together, but very pleased with her first day when I picked her up. I don't know if it's just my kids that don't get excited or want super new clothes for school or if it's all kids this generation, but I remember it being the most exciting time of year, needing to buy new outfits to wear and deciding which one to wear first. Oh, wait, Annabelle did wear her new Cubs shirt!

July Birthdays

Although we celebrated Mark's 40th in June, we thought it only right to acknowledge the actually turning of 40. So on July 28th we celebrated with a homemade blueberry pie and a nice dinner at home.

Scott turned 12 while we were in Minocqua, so we had a party with all of the family when we returned. We ended up with a very nice day and enjoyed seeing everyone after being gone for two weeks. Scott has grown to be a very insightful young man, you loves kids, so I'm not surprised when he gets excited to play with his younger cousins.

Back from Vacation!!!!

Fun in the Northwoods. We really enjoyed our time up in Wisconsin. Of course, two weeks is never enough for us. After the first two days we had freezing cold weather the rest of the first week. So we made the most of it by having fun playing card games, scrabble games, going minature golfing, to the zoo, go carting and Mark of course enjoyed his fishing time! He caught the most fish ever this year. Yay!!! We would sit with Mark's parents at the end of each day to view the most beautiful sunsets.

Mojo even had a great time on vacation. He made a new friend, Frankie. They chewed on sticks together. They even played in the water. Mojo went on his first boat ride too! He didn't like it so much.

After our first week the sun came out and we had visitors during the week. It was so much fun.
Mark's brother Kevin and his wife Dana came, then their son Kev and his girlfriend Lorrine and her son Caleb! My sister and her family were staying near by and visited for a great day in the sun too! We had such a good time. Summer time- it's the best!