Thursday 13

Thirteen Things about AmyMy husband has recently decided we need another dog to humor Ellie. I tend to disagree. So, here are my Thirteen Reasons I do not need another dog. 1. Dog hair, enough said 2. Babies crawl on the ground, puppies poop on the ground, babies put everything in their mouths, including poop I'm sure 3. Higher vet bills 4. More excrement to clean up 5. More money on dog training classes 6. More time needed to train the dog 7. Having to walk another dog in the cold Indiana weather 8. Puppies chew things 9. Pee does not come out of carpet 10. My bed is too small for another dog 11. Loud noises, ie barking, makes me shaky 12. Frankly, dogs smell. Don't you hate that on your hands? 13. When we go out of town we have to board them, more money we don't have. So there ya have it, I don't think we're getting a dog! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. Di (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Just moving right along...

I haven't posted much in the last few days because I've been so busy with the 5 minutes from mom blog party hopping. It has been so fun to meet so many new Christian women bloggers out there. I have been using my blogger account because, and I just realized this, you can't leave comments on spaces unless you have a spaces account. How annoying is that? One more reason I like my blogger account better. Of course, because of all you dear people, I will keep the spaces account, but really, why would they make it that way?!?! It's so much more fun to have comments from all kinds of bloggers.

We have had a fairly busy week. Monday we got Lilla's one year pictures taken. Oh, they turned out so cute! The first try she refused to smile for even one picture, so we went back a week later and she smiled for basically all of them. She was a smiling fool I tell ya! So cute! I wish I could afford to buy all of them, they turned out so lovely and full of her personality!

Yesterday we had playgroup in the morning, I watched my niece and nephew in the afternoon. Here are pictures of them. They are cute kids huh?

We started a new small group last night. It was a busy day! It was our first time ever paying a babysitter. We had her come to the house with us, because, well, I'm still paranoid delusional when it comes to Lilla, but it really worked out fine. Our pastor, whose house the group is at, has a 5 and 7 year old that just love Lilla so they had a blast together!

Whenever I see the kids I always tell the little girl how much Lilla loves her. I guess it made the little boy sad because he told his mom, "I love Lilla too!" Isn't that cute? So it was so perfect when, during the group we heard Lilla crying for like a minute and didn't know what it was. It stopped abruptly so we really didn't think about it. Later on I asked the babysitter what had happened and she said, "Jordan left to use the bathroom and Lilla started crying. When he returned she stopped right away." Isn't that cute? So we got to tell him how much Lilla loves him too!
So, that is about the short and tall of life right now. Today we are going to the Children's Musuem with my sister and neice so that is always a good time. Here is a picture of Lilla and Madison on this little plane at the musue. Maddie's having a blast, Lilla, not so much! We haven't been in a month due to the weather so we are excited to go back!

Take care and happy Wednesday to you all!

1 Year Picture!

Lilla got her one year picture taken today...isn't she a doll?

Grosser than Gross story here... (Every party needs a pooper!)

Warning, Warning: If you are eating something DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT go any further...hey, I warned you!!

You know, a few weeks ago I was reading another mommy tell a really ick story about her 8 month old, and thought, oh, how glad I am that was not me. Of course, today, it was me.

So, Michael put Lilla in the tub for her bath before bedtime. I could hear them in there laughing and playing, meanwhile I was going through old mail to toss away in the kitchen. Suddenly I hear, "Honey, can you come help me? Honey! Honey!!" So, it's getting louder and louder so I go rushing in there, a little confused and concerned. I walk in to find my husband dry heaving over the side of the tub while my daughter has a confused look, to go along with mine, on her face. I look down at the tub and see, oh yes, brown. Lots and lots of brown. Oh, it is so not pretty. My daughter has pooped in the tub. FOUL!

So, of course, I insist poor Michael get it out while I grab Lilla up and run her to our tub. Michael starts cleaning Lilla's tub with Comet in he meantime. After I've rinsed Lilla off, start up the water again, tubs filling, I look down again, oh yeah, this is just gross. The child must have felt seriously comfortable in the bath tonight. So, naturally, I make my husband do the cleaning all over again. Oh, there are some serious benefits to being married ladies!

So, she did stop the poop fest about that point. Good thing, because we also ran out of hot water right about then. Oh, the joys of parenthood!

Tag, you're it!

So, one of the party goers as tagged us all. Her name is Kimberly from Kimberly's Cup.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things…

A Authors
Dan Allendar, CS Lewis, Charles Dickens, Sandra Boynton (Children's Author), Max Lucado

B Books
The Chronicles of Narnia and the Screwtape Letters, Shadow of the Almighty

C Coffee
I don't drink coffee, I'm a tea drinker!

D Dessert
Tiramisu from Buca di Beppo's...way too much rum but oh so yummy!

E Elegant Object You Own
My pearls my husband bought me our first Christmas married

F Flowers
My tulips I bought in Amsterdam, just love them!

G Guests for Tea
My friend Claudia, she just loves tea.

H Home
The white house, yeah, I could live there!

I Inspirational Authors
None come to mind

J Jane Austen book
Never read one. Not too much into fiction.

K Kitchen Gadget
My press and sealer. Love, love, love it! It keeps my blueberries tasting good all year!

L Laundry Help
We have one of those hamper dealies that has 3 compartments, love it!

M Musical
Fiddler on the Roof

N Naptime
Anytime cuddled up with my girl

O Organizing Tip
I sort all my clothes in my closet by color. It really helps in a rush.

P Pride & Prejudice Character
Never read/saw it

Q Quote

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot

Recipe
Rice a Roni spanish rice, sauteed green peppers and onions and chicken...fajita skillet, yummy!

S Scent

My baby after a bath

T Tea
Mint

U Underwater Creature
Flounder from the Little Mermaid

V Voyage You’ve Taken
Budapest

W Water Feature; Lake, Creek, Ocean, etc.
Lake Tahoe

X X-tra Special Treat for Yourself
Alone time. Need it, love it, gotta have it!

Y Thing About YOU!
My eyes, blue. Lovely.

Z Zoo Animal
Zebra, I just think they look cool. Love those stripes. Isn't God amazing?!?!

Pink

Do you remember the song, Pink, by Aerosmith? That's what I want to sing when I look at my blog right now. But hey, I wanted it to look festive for my party, so, it won't be this way forever. It is BRIGHT!! Hey, you gotta have a little fun in life, right?

Party Post

OK, so since I've given up the idea of giving up blogging for Lent, I decided, why not join a party instead? So, there is this Ultimate Blogging Party going on. It basically gives exposure to your blog and helps you meet other bloggers. Yes, because that is certainly what I need in life. I know, I know. However, I need to feed my addiction, so humor me people!

Anyway, anyone can join the party and you may win special prizes. Oh yes, my favorite price FREE is featured in the word prize, so I just had to do it. Why don't you join too?

Well, part of being part of the party means you need to leave a party post. What's a party post you ask? Well, it introduces you to all that might stop by and let's them know why they should hang around and check out your blog. So, here goes...

So...what to expect...

My name is Amy. That's me over to your left. I'm the adult, sometimes. I live in the bustling metropolis that is Indianapolis. Yes, home of the Superbowl Champions and the not so championship behavior of our pro athletes. But, that is a post for another day...I'm a recovering social worker and current Stay at Home Mom.

Anyway, I am married to Michael, for nearly 3 years and we have one beautiful daughter, not that I'm biased or anything, named Lilla. She's 1. She enjoys such things as watching the toilet flush, eating my mail and pulling the dogs feet even though she gets growled at. Who could tell me she's not going to be the next female Einstein?!?!

I blog about my little universe here in corn country, my always struggling faith and desires, and, I hate to say, but just the mundane. I try not to make it so though, there has to be a bit of humor in everything. Ugh, who wouldn't want it that way, right?

I love posting pics of my peanut, so you'll see many. I also just discovered smilies so that will be my new passion for the next 5 minutes until something better comes along. I'm a big music fan so I'm always changing it and explaining why. Hey, I said I TRY not to be mundane, ok?!?! I post recipes sometimes and I enjoy finding new memes to do. Right now I'm doing Thursday 13 and Friday Feast. Also, I have another blog, just for a bit more confusion. I can't decide which I like better so it's just a mirror, however, it contains tons more pictures and music and other fun stuff, over at spaces. The addy is www.dramy75.spaces.live.com

So, that's me in a nutshell, hope you enjoy your visit. Leave me a note and I'll visit you too!

See ya April 7th

Hi all.  I just made a real snap decison to give up my blog and all blogging activities for Lent.  It is so crazy of me, but I know I spend way too much time doing it and I want to use that time instead to deepen my relationship with Christ.  It is going to be so hard for me!  What am I going to do without all of you???  Oh well, it is important enough for me to do it.  I'll see you all in April!!  Have a great St. Patrick's Day, my birthday (3-19), my anniversary (4-3), Good Friday and Easter until then.  OK, how am I not going to blog about all those things???  Have I lost my mind??? :)  Take care all!

 

Amy

Tulips Teach Too!

Last night, as we were sitting down to dinner, I noticed that my tulips are starting to wilt. It made me a little sad as they had brought in spring, if only for a few days. Something else I noticed, is that they were all leaning to one side. I thought that was so curious and so I questioned Michael, "Why do you think they are all leaning to one side?" At the same moment a bell went off in my head and we both said, "The sunlight." They were going toward the light, of course. They will never be "alive" again as their stems have been cut, but they are desperately trying to hold on but if for another day.

Isn't it funny how when God wants to teach you something he will put things in your view that make you refocus?

I couldn't help but be reminded of my need to go towards the light. How I need to desperately be reaching for it, no matter what the cost. Like the tulips, I know that light means life. Albeit a different kind of light, the light of the world, Jesus, but light all the same. It reminds me of my daily need for a bible study, which I've been so slacking on lately, and deep communion with God in prayer. That light means life to me.

I think I'll go do that bible study now...

Monday Meme 41 : 2006-04-02 : Spring Forward

1. List 3 things you like about spring:

1. Warmer temperatures

2. My toes not freezing

3. The snow melting

(do you sense a theme?)

2. List 3 things you hate about spring:

1. Allergies

2. My birthday, I'm getting older people!

3. Rain

3. Do you set your clocks forward in the spring? Do you think it is a good idea?

yes and yes

4. Do you have allergies in the spring? Do you take any allergies medications?

yes and yes. It aggravates my asthma so I usually wind up having a few trips to Dr. Gemma

5. What are you looking forward to the most this spring?

My tulips coming back in full force!

I was the 5,022th person to take this week's Monday Meme!

Finally, some relief!

I was just looking at the weather report and it seems as though we are going to get a break from the craziness. All this week highs are going to be above the freezing point. Yup, it's true, and I couldn't be happier. I think I got frostbite last night on my toesies. Also, it means some of this snow will dissipitate. (Well, there's a 10 cent meteorological term if I've ever heard one! Hope I used it right.)

We had a pretty good weekend. Friday night we had pizza and went shopping at Wal-Mart. Yes, I know, we are pretty exciting that way. :)

Saturday we spent the day baking cookies for a youth event that night. We made sugar, peanut butter and chocolate chip. That was a whole lot of cookies going on. Of course, most of them didn't get eaten, so guess where they are sitting now? Yes, half are in my belly, half are on the kitchen counter. Michael needs to take those to work for goodness sake!

So we went to the youth event, it was a Valentine type thing but meaning love for God. It was a really nice event and the kids seemed to enjoy it, so that is good. We go to a really small church in a tiny community where there are other small churches, so the churches have banded together for youth events so there will be more than 2 or 3 at each one. It's been a great thing and about 25 kids were there.

Sunday we went to church and then Michael took Lilla over to his parents house for the day. Yes, that meant 6 whole hours of free time for me. Holy cow, it was great! I relaxed, took a bath, watched an episode of House on DVD, played with my blog (of course!) and cleaned. It was so nice just to have that time. I'm thankful Michael gave it to me.

So that is about the tall and short of it. Today I need to drop books off at the library, get an oil change and other errands like that. Hope you all have a good President's Day!

My cup runneth over

As I've mentioned before, it is seriously snowing here. The fluffy white stuff just keeps coming and coming and coming. I guess we are supposed to get another 2 inches by tommorow.

Well, I have a beagle. Beagles are short dogs, of course. So, snow and beagles peeing usually doesn't mix. Poor Ellie's hoo hoo must be freezing because she tries to take care of business as fast as possible and get back in the house the quickest route. So cute! Michael actually had to dig a square for her in the field across the street so she could go #2 as well. You got to love having a dog.

Anyway, Michael was taking Ellie across the street to do her business and Lilla and I were standing at the door watching Ellie hopping up and down with white stuff flying everywhere. It was as tall as her I tell ya! Michael was looking back at the door just laughing and Lilla was laughing and pounding on the door just wanting to be part of it. It just made me laugh.

As I stepped outside of the scene for just a moment I couldn't help but be thankful for all my blessings. I just had to remind myself of what a good life I have. We are not people of means. We have the smallest house in the neighborhood, we drive older used cars and I shop at Goodwill to save some money. I tell you that just to say, money cannot buy happiness. Being married, having kids or a dog, travelling to far away countries or meeting famous people will never do it either. Ultimately you just have to be thankful for what you have. I need to be thankful for what I have. It seems to me that when I am truly content with what God has given me, that he just blesses me with more. My cup runneth over. What a good God.

Global warming? I don't think so.

Okay, so here's a picture of my house on a normal February day...

Now here is our house today...

Any questions???

Friday Feast

Appetizer
What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?

It would be nice if it was light music, something soothing that never turned annoying and didn't wake the baby. Also, if it woke me up it wasn't an irritating noise but something that makes me smile.

Soup
Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).

I'd say partly sunny with a slight chance of storms.

Salad
What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?

Social work. I studied it for so many years, I feel like I know it pretty well.

Main Course
Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. Which books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?

The bible. I would love to be able to memorize a whole days worth. Wouldn't that be amazing?!?!

Dessert
If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next confection, what would it be like and what would you name it?

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. Smooth and creamy, maybe a touch of almond or hazlenut. But, the most important part is the chocolate. Milk chocolate, not dark.

Thursday 13

Thirteen Things about Amy13 Places I could spend $1000 1. The Gap 2. A cruise to the Bahamas 3. Kohl's 4. The Children's Place 5. Ann Taylor 6. Target 7. Old Navy 8. Kittle's 9. J. Crew 10. DSW 11. Ebay 12. Archiver's (scrapbooking store) 13. Michael's (craft store) Yes, the Gap would be number 1 on that list. I love that place!! Baby Gap and Gap Kids included, they have THE best clothes. And, if I had $1000 I could actually afford it! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Ain't he sweet?

Michael totally suprised me with this...happy Valentine's Day to me!!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

The story of us

In the spirit of Valentine's Day and love all around, I thought I'd tell you the story of Michael and I.

October 9, 2003 just started off as any other day for me. I went to work, had dinner over at a friend's house and then decided to go to the service at church. My friend had asked me to stay and hang out over at her place but something just drove me to church that night. I sat at a table with a bunch of people I'd never met before and quietly listened to the talk our associate minister gave. I spotted an acquaintance across the room and decided to stop over afterwards and say hi.

Meanwhile, Michael was also just having an ordinary day. He had been to work and decided to also attend this church service based on an invitation from a client of his. Michael had never been to my church before, and he had been repeatedly invited to the Thursday night service but because he lived across town he never attended. This night he just really felt a need to attend.

Fast forward to the end of the service, I went over to my acquaintance, Kenny, and said hi. Since Michael had come with Kenny, he introduced us. We exchanged hello's and I thought nothing of it really. Kenny invited me to BW-3's with a gang going over from the service. At first I said no, I had to work in the morning and was kind of tired, but after a few minutes I agreed to stop in. When I went in I decided not to order anything as I wasn't planning on staying and I wound up sitting in the open seat next to Michael. I thought Michael looked rather young so it never occurred to me that anything would happen. Something that seems really small that actually stands out to me though is that Michael offered me some of his drink after awhile of talking. The reason it meant something to me is that I'd just been so off and on with a guy for so many years and he would never let me drink from the same glass. That seriously annoyed me. I was impressed that in Michael's eyes there was nothing gross about it, he just kindly offered me a drink.

Anyway, we started talking and found that we had a lot in common. I thought he was a really nice guy and I had an extra ticket to a function the next night at a musuem so I asked him if he'd like to go. I was just thinking as friends. We started talking some more and 3 hours later we looked around and there was nobody but us left.

That night neither of us could sleep. It was such a nice and exciting feeling. I was floating on air thinking of this new guy.

When he came to get me the next night we actually decided to ditch the function and go to dinner at a little restraunt in Broad Ripple. We talked and laughed and talked some more. It was such a lovely warm night where we sat on the patio and just enjoyed each other. After dinner we went over to a pub and watched the Cubs in the playoffs. It was awesome, they won that night and so did I! Yeah! Michael was just a night in shining armor to me. We decided to drive down to a little town about an hour south on Michel's motorcycle the next day. That was the day I knew I would marry Michael. Three weeks later we were engaged and on April 3, 2004 we said our I do's. We never looked back.

Love is Different

I was starting to think about Valentine's Day after a visit to Lisa at Lisa's Quiet Spot today, and I was considering how the world sees, talks about, sings about, makes movies about and just all together thinks about love and then how a Christian should see it. It's so much more complicated than the passion we are taught to crave (not that passion is bad) and how we are told that sometimes it just dies. The rate of divorce absolutely astounds me. Not just in Hollywood, but in real life too. Too many people are looking at marriage as temporary. If that is the case, then people should not be committing til death do us part. Anyway, I digress...

I remembered this song by one of my all time favorite groups, Caedmon's Call. If you are not familiar with them, do yourself a favor and become familiar with them. They are awesome! I've loved them since I was in college and they have just grown as musicians and songwriters over the years. They write lyrics about real life, questions we all ask and feelings we all go through. They are just an amazing band, in my humble opinion anyway. So, one of the leads wrote this song about a relationship he had and how Love was different than what he thought it would be. He said, "As often as our culture tries to tell us what love is, I thought I would put down a little of what I believe love is not. Love is neither a 30-minute sitcom, nor is it a sappy pop ballad. Rather, it is the most difficult and most profound of human experiences, but thanks to our post-modern culture coupled with our own capacity for sin, it’s often much different than we would think."

LOVE IS DIFFERENT

Well, it looks like five thousand miles broke the camel's back
But it's not as though I had a plan to win you back
Because I don't know what I want
But at least I know that much
Now I'm afraid love came right up
And it slapped me in the face, but I did not know

'Cause love is different than you'd think
It's never in a song or on a TV screen
And love is harder than a word
Said at the right time and everything's alright
Love is different than you think

So I won't expect a postcard from Trafalgar Square
But I'd be lying if I said I didn't care
Because you can't just turn it off
And put a blindfold on your heart
But I’m off to a good start
A continent away, but I do not know

But maybe you're the dream I’m waking from
'Cause I see you everywhere I go
Darlin' you are such a mystery to me, you know

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down...

The weekend is over already, how can that be?  It seems like it just started.  Weekends are always so busy for us it seems as though you blink and you miss them.  This one was no exception, particularly because there was so much celebrating Lilla with it.

Friday night I made the most yummy chili.  Michael wound up working really late, again, so I had to use my quality control skills on it quite a few times, just to make sure it was still ok.  It was!  There aren't too many things that I make that I just love, love, love, but chili is one that I do.  I still have some left over so I think I will put it over some Tostitoes Lime Chips for lunch today.  The combination of the two is delicious!  We then went to Lowe's to buy some blinds for the back door.  It's only taken us 2 years to get that accomplished!

Saturday we woke up and made a great breakfast of sausage patties, scrambled eggs and toast with Raspberry Preserves.  Another good meal!  We usually have pancakes on Saturdays because they are so easy, so this was a special breakfast.  Yummo!  Then, we met my parents and my sister's family at Applebee's for a Lilla lunch.  If you have not had their 3 cheese bruschetta penne, you really should!  I'm telling you, all this food was just delicous.  Of course, it had to be finished off with one of their blonde brownies.  Lilla had a bite sized chocolate brownie and ice cream, cute!  Then we just went to the mall to shop and went to Fry's electronics to look around.  That place is huge!  It's a Michael story if I ever saw one.  The man could live there I tell ya.  Well, somehow, we got sucked into buying a playstation 2 and the game dance, dance revolution.  Now we're addicted...crazy!

Yesterday we went to church, came home and took a nap and then went to my in-laws for a birthday lunch and cake with the cousins.  That is always fun.  So yeah, I think I gained like 12 pounds this weekend!

Today it is seriously cold outside and dreary, one of those lay in bed all day kind of days.  I think I will go there now...

Friday Feast

Thank you all for your kind words regarding Lilla's birthday.  It really confirms in us once again that there are good people out there that have a heart for the hurting!

And now, without further adieu, I give you the Friday Feast:

Appetizer - Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?

Yes.  In December I had pneumonia and I've also had a lot of asthma related issues.  Good times.

Soup - What colors dominate your closet?

Black, white, red and blue.  They are color coordinated in that order.  Any variations, such as a green, fit in with their primary color.  i.e., pink  with Red and green would go with blue.  I know yellow is also a primary color but I think I have one yellow item so it goes with the blues.  No, I'm not Obesessive Compulsive, why do you ask?!?!

Salad - How would you describe your personal "comfort zone"?

I am a gregarious introvert at heart, so I do like to be around people, just not large groups.  I am not a fan of loud noises, I prefer soft tones and calming music and colors.  I am more comfortable with the poor or middle class.  Because I've never been upper class and I worked with the poor as a social worker, it is hard for me to understand them.  I really love to be around people of other cultures and traditions.  I don't care for debates so I'm much more comfortable around people who are not arguementative, wether they mean it to be that way or not, it's just a personal preference.

Main Course - On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?

Hands down, the Amazing Race.  Several friends and I have talked about applying over the years, the timing was just never right.  My friend, who is a Republican Politician and I, who was a social worker, thought we'd have a good angle going on.   She's actually one of those arguementative types I discussed in the above.  Whew, would that have been some interesting TV!

Dessert - Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?

I love just about everything about Christmas.  The lights, the music, the joy, the family, the friends, the cards, celebrating the real meaning of Christmas and hearing the Christmas story over and over, and of course, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.  What is not to love?!?!

Happy 1st Birthday Lilla!

 

Happy Birthday my beautiful little girl!!

 

About a month ago, I met some young women who had lost their children due to a condition named Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.  I have really been moved by their stories and how much those short times and "little things" meant to them.  I became very thankful for the last year that I've had with Lilla and so I decided to do something a little different to commemorate her birthday than the usual 1 year old birthday party.  Below is the copy of the letter I sent out to our friends and family for this blessed occasion.

 

Lilla is Turning 1!!!

On February 8^th, our little Lilla is going to be a whole year old! We are so excited and want to celebrate in a very special way!

Because we have been blessed so much, we want to bless others. We have decided not to have a birthday party, but to do something a little different to commemorate this particularly happy day.

Our family is planning on using the money we would have for a party and birthday presents and instead donate it to the Ronald McDonald house, a home away from home for families of sick children. We are asking that everyone else do the same. Even if you were just going to pay for gas to get here, please consider any donation! If you do, please send Lilla a card and let her know! We plan on giving these cards to Lilla when she is older so she will know that her sacrifice made the life of other children and their families better.

Thank you so much for your love for Lilla and for these families of extra special kids!

Love, The Hornek Family

The Ronald McDonald House, 435 Limestone St.,

Indpls, IN 46202

317-269-2247

 

We've had some differing feedback on our choice, but in our hearts we really feel good about helping other people and teaching Lilla that it is better to give than to receive.  We truly hope she carries it for the rest of her life.

 

Take care all, and have a great night!!

Happy 1st Birthday Lilla!

February 8, 2006
February 8, 2007 - You've come a long way baby!!

Happy Birthday my beautiful little girl!!

Her Love is Better than chocolate

I was thinking about Lilla and all the changes she's brought and the love that she's given us over the last year and I couldn't think of a more fitting song for her than this song by Sarah McLachlan called Ice Cream. Here are the lyrics:

Your love is better than ice cream
better than anything else that I've tried
and your love is better than ice cream
everyone here know how to fight

and it's a long way down
it's a long way down
it's a long way down to the place
where we started from

Your love is better than chocolate
better than anything else that I've tried
oh love is better than chocolate
everyone here knows how to cry

it's a long way down
it's a long way down
it's a long way down to the place
where we started from...

Now I have to tell you that I have a major sweet tooth. There are few things I like better than a big bowl of ice cream, almost any kind of ice cream will do. The only thing better in a bowl is ice cream with chocolate on top. Yummo!! Well, that being said, there is something even better, it's the love of my little girl.

I went over to my in-laws today, they wanted to give me a little rest since Michael's been out of town this week, and so I was lying in the guest room watching the Food Network (what's new?!?!) while they sat in the living room playing with Lilla. Suddenly I hear a babbling brook in the hallway and in pops my little crawler with the most humongous grin on her face because she saw Mama. Now, I say to you, is that not better than chocolate?!?!

Foiled again

So Mother Nature has once again foiled my plans. Michael is in Denver for work so I thought it would be a perfect chance to go to my mom's for a few days and hang out, but the weather had other plans. It is snowing! And, I mean, really snowing!! We are supposed to get 4-6 inches. Now, for those in places further North or in the mountains, that may not seem like a lot, but, it is for Indiana! We really don't have a good system in place for road cleanup so it means that virtually everything will stop and traffic will be jammed forever due to the snow. That really does not make me want to go anywhere. Particularly to my mom's. She lives in the country and they are supposed to get 7 inches. I like my parent's and all, but I prefer to be stuck in my own home rather than someone else's.

It is starting to get so cold outside my toes feel numb. I took a shower this morning and I actually felt like they were dethawing...that can't be good.

Lilla is starting to get cabin fever already. She really prefers to be out and about and the last couple of days it's just been too darn cold to go anywhere/do anything. She is starting to turn into little Ms. Fussy, not fun for mama. I really wanted to start weaning her this week but being stuck in a house with a fussy baby you are trying to wean does not sound like a good time to me. Oh well, what are you going to do?

Anyway, I think I will go blogwalking now and check up on a few of ya! Take care and stay warm!

This time last year...

Yesterday I was thinking about the changes that have come to my life in the past year. On this day, one year ago, Seattle and Pittsburgh were playing in the Superbowl in Detroit. The youth group was having their first gathering to watch the game but, although I am a sponsor, I decided to stay home. Why? Glad you asked...I was about to have a baby!

I knew I was going to be induced on Tuesday morning so my mind was elsewhere. I did watch the game from my bedroom, but I had a million things on my mind. What would it be like once she got here? Was I prepared? Would I be a good mommy? Would the labor and delivery go ok? Did I leave anything undone at work? The list went on and on.

Pittsburgh wound up winning that night, which we were happy about since they beat our Colts in the 2nd round of the playoffs, and I was induced that Tuesday morning. However, I labored on until the next morning. Lilla was very obstinant about not wanting to come out, which is so hilarious because she is a stubborn baby, and they finally did a c-section at 7am.

For the next couple of days I'll be at my mom's while my husband is in Denver, so this story is to be continued...

Dun, Dun, Dun....

We did it!!

Holy Cow!!

Colts Win!!

Indy is celebrating tonight!

You knew this was coming...

On game day we're even supporting our team at church! (People were asking us if we were getting a family picture taken or something...funny!)

Go Colts!!!

Glory be to our Great God

Anyone who has been reading my blog for awhile knows by now that I am a lover of music.  It has a way of touching me that is so amazing.  This is especially true with worship music.  I don't know why but I have felt closest to God in the times where I am praising him in song and in spirit.  It just feels like a crying out in love to a wonderful God that deserves all my praise.  I can't help but think of an eternity where every being will be praising him always.  Won't that be wonderful?  No one to curse his name or use it negatively in hate or rage.  Ah, what a day, what a place, what a Savior!

Anyway, today is no exception in my rejoicing in him.  The song I'm thinking of today is Our Great God.  The lyrics are below so you will be able to follow along in praise.  Fernando Ortega and Mac Powell (from Third Day) sing it on the City on a Hill: Sing Alleluia cd.  This is one of my most favorite songs ever.  I remember on my way to work I would have it blasting in my cd player and just be singing praise to my Great God.  Often in tears as I heard the verse saying, "Rise up oh Lord and he (Satan) will flee before our Sovereign God."  It would just remind me of what a great and loving God I serve and the power in His name. Oh, it makes my heart leap even thinking about that.   Take care!

Eternal God, unchanging
Mysterious and unknown
Your boundless love unfailing
In grace and mercy shown
Bright seraphim in ceaseless flight
Around your glorious throne
They raise their voices day and night
In praise to you alone

Chorus:
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!

Lord, we are weak and frail,
Helpless in the storm
Surround us with your angels
Hold us in your arms
Our cold and ruthless enemy
His pleasure is our harm
Rise up, oh Lord, and he will flee
Before our Sovereign God

Chorus

Let every creature in the sea
And every flying bird
Let all the mountains, all the fields
And valleys of the earth
Let all the moons and all the stars
Throughout the universe
Sing praises to the Living God
Who rules them by His word

Chorus

Friday Feast

Here's another addition to my Friday Feasts. Just a kind of fun thing I like to do on Fridays. Hey, why not?

Appetizer
What was one of the fashion fads when you were a teenager?

I don't remember the appopriate term for these shirts but they changed color with your body heat. I thought they were so cool and bought one for my boyfriend. I look back now and think, why would you want people to know when you're sweating. Ewww!!

Soup
Name one thing you think people assume about you when they first meet you.

A lot of people assume that I'm kind of stuck up because I am an introvert. I'm usually the one who first reaches out my hand to say hello and introduce myself, but I'm pretty quiet and the one asking the questions, not answering.

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how hard do you work?

Oh gosh, it depends on the day. Maybe like a 6. I could be a whole lot more productive if I didn't have a computer addiction. I am usually cleaning something though. Since my work is taking care of my home and daughter it never ends, so maybe I should have given that a higher mark. :)

Main Course
If you were given a free 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl to sell anything you currently own, what would you advertise?

Hands down, my house. I would really like to have a bigger house with a bigger yard closer to church. However, God really opened up the door for us to have a house at all, so I'm not complaining. It would just be nice to have a bigger one.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I love to ________ when it is _________.

I love to go for long walks when it is warm outside. I am dreaming of Spring!

I figured it out, sort of...

I just wanted to say thank you to Liz, the inspiration for my being able to have, not one, but TWO blogs. No, I don't really need two, but if spaces keeps wigging out on me, I will be able to go to old reliable blogger. And, this allows me to not lose information but just publish it in two spaces at once. Fabulous! So, I will suggest it to all of you, windows live writer is the way to go. I just did a google search for it and downloaded it. Now, it is on my hard drive, so I just pull it up, instead of the whole blog, and type in whatever I want, and then publish it in both places. Very Cool!

So, Michael is still sick, although he does seem to be improving. He, literally, slept nearly the entire day. He's been pretty weak and not had an appetite at all. We just had sandwiches for dinner due to his stomach being so fragile. Oh, and I also made Vegetable soup for lunch which was really good. I didn't even need a recipe and I never made it before. I just kind of thought about what probably went into it and threw in any vegetables I had. It was really yummy. I tell ya, watching the food network really comes in handy. I'm really learning to cook.

Oh, the other news is, this week Lilla finally decided to start standing up on her own. I tell ya, she puts things off until she is darn good and ready and then she goes after them with a vengence. I was starting to get worried about her as she will be a year next week and she wasn't even pulling up on anything, now everytime I turn around she's standing up. What a nut!
Her ears are another story. We had to go back to the doctor today because she's been banging on them so much, even on antibiotics. The ENT still has not called to make the appointment and the poor baby is in pain. Unfortunately, no one likes to deal with CIGNA (our insurance) so only one ENT in Indianapolis takes them and they are slow to return the doctor's calls. Please pray that they will call soon, Lilla is in a lot of pain. So, here we are on like the 5th or 6th antibiotic. We've lost count. That, and living on Tylenol. I've never been one to take medicine but I can't watch Lilla in pain so I feel like it's a steady diet for her. Hopefully it will be done soon.

Anyway, I have to get up to go to MOPS in the morning so I'm going to go crawl into my warm bed, cuddle up next to the sicky and drift off into dreamland...sweet dreams to you all!

Let's try this again

Testing 1, 2, 3...Testing 1, 2, 3....

No decision

So I still have not made my mind up about coming over to blogger for good or not. It's just one of those annoying things because of the amount of work it would take. Today has seemed like a super bad day for my spaces account though so it's pushing me further and further.

Today has been a long day. My husband released his guts in the bathroom a little earlier. Poor guy. The cute part was though that Lilla went over to the bathroom door while he was yakking, pushed the door open and sat with him while he hurled. I know it sounds really gross, but I really think she was trying to comfort him. She is so sweet and really loves her daddy. What more could you ask for with a precious little girl?



I ran over to CVS to get Michael some Sprite to calm his stomach, picked up a 12 pack so there would be more fresh for later on in case he doesn't feel good, didn't look at the price, and wound up paying over $5 for it! Holy cow, soda is expensive. I had no idea. We only buy soda for parties and at that we buy 2 liters so I really had no idea what people were spending for it. I am so glad we don't drink pop, we'd be drinking ourselves out of house and home. Crazy!

The not so fun part about the hubbie being sick is the drama that comes along with it. I'm not sure why this is true, but everytime any man gets sick in my family, you'd think the end of the world was coming. They moan and they groan. They shiver and say, "I..I..I'm so cccccoooolllddd...Oh, the drama! I was sick in the hospital with pneumonia and as soon as I got out the hubbie wanted to be running all over God's green earth and then couldn't understand why I had no energy. What a turkey! Oh well, we love him anyway, it's just part of the package.

OK, off to bed, hopefully I will not catch whatever he's got. This winter needs to go away!!

Aggravation and the Edge

I think I might have to start this blog again. MSN is starting to drive me crazy. I kept hearing complaints about how people couldn't get into the system, how it was shutting down on them, how they were losing posts...blah, blah, blah, and I never knew what anyone was talking about. All of a sudden, I do. So, I may have to change once again and come over to blogger. The bad parts of that are, 1. everyone already knows and has me linked over there, and 2. I will have to learn this website better. I don't really remember how to do anything over here. My page took me so long, and I just finally figured out music. Ugh...

In other news, I just wanted to say how proud I am of Edgerrin James. I really was starting to wonder if there were decent famous people out there. Maybe I've been reading a little too much TMZ.com or something, but I really was wondering. Anyway, I came across this story today and I was so impressed! Go Edge, and Go Colts! (Of course!)

I'm at MSN

I started a page over at MSN quite some time ago and that's where I do all my blogging. Come visit me!

http://dramy75.spaces.live.com

The VonSick Family

Saturday Lilla started acting kinda not herself. Sunday we decided to take her to see the doctor. Apparently she has a virus in her respiratory area. Monday we took her back because she was getting worse. Tuesday, they admitted her immediatly upon arriving at the emergency room. Wednesday was a very long day full of tests, nebulizer treatments and lots of drugs. So, they finally released my little one from the hospital today. Ok, so it was only 2 days, but those 2 days seemed like an eternity. Particularly because I'm sick, I just wanted to be home. And Lilla was climbing the walls in that room. The weirdest part of the infants ward is the cribs are like cages. I kid you not. They are all metal and have bars from top to bottom. Apparently people have a tendency to leave their kids there, they think of it as daycare, and so their kids would climb out at night. Nice.

Well anyway, Lilla was so ready to get that IV taken out of her arm I thought she'd about chew it off! She happily said, "See ya later!" to those nurses and, "Yeah, we're home!" to Ellie the dog. Even Ellie was happy to see her. She gave her a couple of big Ellie kisses as a welcome home gift. Gotta love it!

4 down, 2 to go

So here we are at the "most wonderful time of the year", and I have to tell you...I am TIRED. Oh, yes, so tired. Even though it is just at the beginning. This last week we have been to 4 Christmas parties. I was supposed to go to an added one last night, but by the time we had returned from Louisville Lilla was acting kind of funny and I had a feeling she was getting sick so we sat it out. It's a good thing too because she is very sick and is now on some pretty strong meds. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

Anyway, I digress (does anyone ever notice I use that word way too much, I get off the subject way too easily apparently), after seeing the doctor today, we did head out to my mom's with an added 3 hours of driving and celebrated a small family Christmas there. Now, we have two parties left. One, is the party for my husband's family here in Indianapolis. That is always a crazy time. There are about 30 of us, and half are little kids that are very excited about the gifts, and it is just utter mayhem. The paper is flying, the mouths are squealing and the food is being dropped all over the floor. Chaos! And, since I come from a fairly small family, wow, is it overwhelming!

Then, Christmas day we are driving to Chicago for a big party with my extended family. I think it will be more of the same from the previous day, only more adults doing the squealing and dropping food thing than the kids. Ahh, the holidays, got to love them!

Measuring Trees

Last night Michael and I finally bought a Christmas tree. Oh, yes, we did have one already that had been a hand-me down probably of a hand-me down, but it was rather Charlie Brown looking, so we decided now that we have Lilla Christmas matters more and we should get a tree that the angel on top no longer dwarfs. We had actually been looking for the past few weeks and I had thought just about every tree we looked at just looked too fake. Now I know, it is fake, but in the age of actually being able to clone a living being, you'd think they could make a tree look presentable for goodness sake. So, we looked and looked and looked, and finally saw that Menards was having a 30% off sale this week so we went over to our friendly neighborhood Menards and looked some more. Of course there was only one that I liked and we couldn't find a price tag so we needed some help. There was no help to be found for quite some time, and the last trees of that variety got snapped up. Ugh!

Well, we decided to run over to another Menards, and try to find one there. Yeah! We found one! So, we loaded it up in the car (and when I say loaded it up, I mean opened the box, took out all the pieces, shoved those said pieces into the trunk and shut it as fast as we could before they came forth) and went home. Mind you, when we opened the trunk those pieces than flew out of the trunk. Too funny!

So, then we started to put up the tree and realized it was a lot bigger than we had really realized. Oh, how humongous it looks in our living room! Also, because the actual box was too big for our car we had to leave it at Menards and therefore could not take it back. We had to move all of the furniture, and put some in the garage and other rooms before that big old tree could be shoved in a corner. But, let me just tell you how beautiful this tree is! We didn't have time to put the lights and ornaments on last night, and it is already fabulous! And you should have seen Lilla's face light up when I brought her into the living room today and she saw that tree there. Too fun!

Moral of the story...don't forget to measure things before you buy them!

Rat tat tat

As I sit here writing I can hear a rattling in my every breath. I have pneumonia so that would begin to explain the issue. Still you have to think, that really can't be good. When I breathe, it sounds like paper being crumpled up. Definitely not good. I'm on some antibiotics but I'm not too sure they are working all that well. I get up in the night and almost cough up a lung and I feel like I'm losing some serious oxygen. Just an FYI that pneumonia happens when your capillaries that usually hold air fill up with fluids, ie green and yellow gunk, oh yeah, good times! The moral of my story is, go to the doctor early, don't wait until it turns into pneumonia. That paper rattling noise is rather annoying.

Learning how to do the watermelon crawl

So this week my daughter finally began crawling. It was such an exciting time for my husband and I as we watched her actually move from place to place without having to just throw her body there. That is how she has done it up to now. Also, she does this back up thing where we say, "Beep, beep, beep", I suppose you probably had to be there but trust me, it's quite amusing.

Anyway, as she gets faster and understands more that she is actually able to move herself from place to place without the assistance of her sucker mom, I just see how this little miracle is changing right before my eyes. Less than 10 months ago she was just a bundle of blankets wrapped up and ready to come home from the hospital, and now she is becoming more and more independent of her mama. Amazing how that works, the rest of her life is going to be more and more of the same. It's a strange knowledge, it's really the circle of life, but, it kind of makes me sad. :(

Go Grandpa

Last week most of my maternal side of the family (minus my husband and brother-in-law, oh, and aunt that talks to horses) went to Tampa to memoralize my grandfather with his friends in the community where he had a home since 1979. Good old Regency Cove. The place has changed in lovely small ways in the past 27 years, thanks in large part to my grandpa. He was what my grandmother kept referring to as "an icon" in the community. Now, I'm not quite sure she actually knew the definiton of the word icon, but I think we all got what she meant, and if it helped her to feel better in her grief, why not let her hold on to that belief?

Anyway, I digress, after I returned home I decided to look up Grandpa's old battalion to see if I could find out more about this soldier who had served his country proudly in WWII. I was thrilled to see his batallion had a website talking about their time serving. I got to know a little bit about the pioneer my grandpa was. Apparently, his batallion rode into the Marshall Islands and Guam on these amphibious vessels called Amtanks. They had never been used before for any reason so it was a risk and an experiment. They would go from water to land in suprise attacks on the beach. Many men were killed as they were learning to use them and there was no manual for really how it would work, so they were brave to be the first. thankfully, Grandpa made it through and lived 81 wonderful years to tell about it. Go Grandpa!

Why so difficult?

So I've just decided to come back to blogger.com and I'm not sure if I'm going to stay. I mean it's not like I had so many blogs here to begin with. For some reason I started out 3 strong over a year ago and then I forgot all about it and moved on with life. Well, just recently I've decided I like to blog, gives me a good place to vent I guess, so even though I blog on myspace I decided to keep an additional one here. In trying to figure out just how to put a picture on it though I've gotten so frustrated I almost gave up altogether. I mean, why does it have to be so difficult? Whatever happened to good old fashioned cut and paste? So, so much easier.

It's the end of the world as we know it

In an instant life has changed for Michael and I. One week ago we were planning what we would do this summer, the trips we would take, the festivals we would attend, now talk is about changing my eating habits, not taking hot baths and what machine I can still use at the gym. It's so different but so wonderful at the same time as we anticipate something so much bigger than ourselves.

Today we attended church and we were singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness", it again was resounding in my mind about how God is faithful to us. Even when we are not faithful to him. I have spent a life full of being weak and caving to my own sin and desires, and yet God continues to bless me immensely with everything I need. Morning by morning new mercies I see...

These are the crazy times...

So the strangest, greatest, coolest, craziest, scariest, most fabulous and beautiful thing happened two days ago...I took a pregnancy test and it was positive!! Way crazy cool for us! How is a person so happy and so scared all at one time? Suddenly there is something else to think about other than, "What are we doing this weekend?" or "Can you get home to take out the dog?" Madness I tell you! But, we can't wait as we anticipate what he/she will look like, act like, feel like, on and on and on. We have so many hopes and dreams for our child and it's amazing to think they have a whole wide open future ahead of them. Our greatest prayer is that she/he will grow to be a Godly person, will follow Jesus all the days of her life and be a man/woman after God's own heart. Oh, that it would be that way!

This moment has been one of the best moments of our lives. In another 5 weeks we will hear the heartbeat and that will really bring it home for us. Good times!