Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A Friend For Ole





 Tim caught me at a weak moment.
A very weak moment.
Tim and I were sitting at the kitchen table last Sunday,
 and he was telling me about a little chocolate lab puppy
that was at the Men's D.U. Banquet last Saturday.
Landon was helping Tim at the banquet and one of
the prizes was this puppy. Oh, how Landon wanted to win that puppy!
 Tim said that he told Landon that,
"Mom would kill us if we brought home another puppy!"
I shocked not only Tim, but myself when I replied,
"No, I wouldn't have."
What? What? Did I say that???
(Tim's mouth about hit the floor along with mine)
Ole loves Landon so much, it's intense.
He was so lonely this winter, with Landon in school all day.
I couldn't even let him out to run during
the Day Care kids nap time as the snow was waist high! 
He had to wait for Tim and Landon to get home.
While most people know I am not a big dog person,
I do love animals and my heart broke for Ole.
I thought to myself all winter, Ole needs a cuddle buddy.
But, I was careful to keep those thoughts to myself.
Until Sunday.
Tim pounced on it!
He called the guy right up,
 who just happened to have a few more puppies available.
So, last night we drove to Alex.
There was a boy chocolate lab, and a girl black lab.
The boy was bouncing and running and wild!
The girl was sweet and mellow and calm.
We told Landon he could choose
and I was silently praying....
"Please take the girl. Please take the girl...."
Landon chose the girl.
She curled right up to Landon in the car and
slept all the way home without a wimper.
She is such a good girl!
Ole is in 7th heaven!!
What is her name you ask?
Her name is Lena.
That's right....
Ole & Lena.






Monday, March 29, 2010

Sunday....Sunday....


Tim got a nap in...


So did Landon.


Tossed around the ol' pigskin...



Tim's Uncle Leland won a gift certificate to
Headquarters in Graceville at the D.U. Banquet.
He lives in Royalton, so he gave it to Tim.
Landon, his buddy Ryder, Tim and I
put it to good use!
Thanks Leland!!


Ahhh....the power of cheese.


Played a little darts...



Played a few tunes....


Went for a little Sunday drive...




Hit the movies.
How to train your dragon.
It was great!!!


The proud owner of the Gopher Theater.
Karen Anderson!
(And her hubby Chris!)


You can't watch a movie without popcorn!



Hey! Look who I found at the movies!
Ruth and her daughter Kaitlynn!
What beautiful smiles...

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Big Kids

I don't know who the bigger kid is.
Ole or my Dad!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Don't Be A Sinner!


Landon and I had quite the night last night. But, before I can tell you all about it, you need to know a few things. First, I am a hider. I hide little toys and treats that I want to surprise Landon and the DC kids at a later date with. I am also a forgetter. Out of sight, out of mind is a real thing! I forget where I hid them, or I forget about it all together. So therefore, Landon is a seeker. He knows I am guilty of this and he is forever digging in the cupboards, closets and my purse for those treasures. The second thing you need to know is about our Halloween. Last Halloween Landon came home with enough candy to feed a small nation for a year! I didn't want him to eat all that candy, so every day when he left for school, I would throw a big handful into an old Halloween bag. I only picked out suckers, hard candy and things I thought he wouldn't miss. My plan was to throw the whole bag out once I was sure my plan had succeeded. I had a huge bag full and I hid the bag in the linen closet under the sheets. But, once again....out of sight, out of mind. I forgot about it. So, on with the story....
Last night I was "trying" to watch American Idol (Tim was at a Ducks meeting) and Landon was playing on the computer. Soon he became bored with the computer and started bugging me to put money in his "Jump Rope For Heart" envelope. I told Landon I would write a check for him "later" and continued to try and watch the show. Landon left the room and came back a short while later. I noticed he was holding his envelope really close to his body and sneeking peeks at me. So, I paused the T.V. and looked in the envelope. He had a five dollar bill in there. I knew he had taken it out of my wallet and asked him where he got it. He said his grandma gave him $5 for helping her clean. (She did, but I knew that Tim took that $5 away for another reason and that Landon has to earn it back.) I told Landon that I knew that $5 came out of my billfold and went into a little sermon about telling the truth and stealing and the bible and how the angels are sad when we do things like that. I was feeling pretty sure that I had made an impact when Landon said he was sorry. ("I'm sorry and I was wrong" are two sentences that RARELY come out of Landon or his dad's mouth!) He went upstairs and I continued to try and watch American Idol. A few minutes later I looked up and standing in the doorway with one hand on his hip and in the other hand his huge HIDDEN bag of Halloween candy was Landon. He said "Well.Well. Well.....Now, how did my Halloween candy get in your closet? Did you steal it?" Now, a good mom would have taken the opportunity to explain to her child how it was in their best interest, blah....blah...blah....
But, it hit my funny bone so hard all I could do was laugh and laugh. This pretty much encouraged Landon and he went into a sermon that would have made any t.v. preacher proud. "Ohhhhhhhh....how the angels are crying now....." I was laughing so hard, I ended up on the floor with the tears just pouring from my eyes. Landon marched in a circle around me and went on and on. Just when I felt like I could compose myself and speak, he would get right in my face and say something like, "Do I need to hide my Easter Eggs from you?" and the laughter and tears would start again. He roared.... "It's in the Bible! It's a ten commandment! Thou shalt not steal candy from your kids!!! Don't be a sinner!!" He was so funny! All I could manage to squeek out was a little "o.k." I haven't had a belly laugh like that since I let Tim eat the dirty pancake. So, once again I won't be getting the "Mother Of The Year" award. But, it's o.k. because I won't be getting the "Wife Of The Year" award either.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Jack Pot!

I was invited to a GOLDMAXX party tonight.
 I walked in with my little pile of jewelry,
(That had been sitting in my jewelry box for 12 years!),
 and walked out with a big ol' check for almost $400 bucks!



The GOLDMAXX Lady paid me on the spot!!


Here is the little pile of jewelry I brought to the party.
I almost didn't go because I didn't think it would be worth much!


My grand total!!


GOLDMAXX Party At:
Desiree's House
April 20th
5-7 P.M.
Bring your gold, silver and platinum
earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, class rings
and get paid $$$ on the spot!!!
It doesn't matter if they are tangled or damaged.
They will take them!!!
It's that easy!
                                               Tell your friends and family.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!!!
Who couldn't use a little extra cash??

The Park!

















Now that the weather is nicer,
Landon and I can take
Ole and Tim to the park!
:) :) :)

Friday, March 19, 2010

Talent Show



Landon's school had a talent show last night.
He didn't want to be in the show, but he did enter his art work.
The show was so cute. The kids sang, danced,
dribbled basketballs, hula hooped and jumped rope to music.
They also played musical instruments and did gymnastics.
The music was really a nice touch to the talented acts.
I asked Landon if he would like to be in the show next year.
He said he would, and that he was thinking about jumping rope.
I've already got the music for him to jump to...
Rocky of course!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Keep Your Fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.


"What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the young woman continued.
"I want to be buried with a fork in my hand."

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, "Keep your fork." It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!"
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want you to tell them:
"Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come."

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you, ever so gently,
that the best is yet to come.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Small Town U.S.A.

After living in large cities in Florida for almost 20 years, moving to Wheaton was a bit of a culture shock. It took a looooong time to get used to the grocery store closing at 7:00, or having to drive an hour just to go to Wal-mart. (This was Pre-Wahpeton Walmart days.) How instead of 8 movies to choose from, there was only one. Each week. The good jobs were few and far between and if you didn't "know" somebody, it didn't matter anyway. You weren't going to get them. At first I thought I would never adjust. I wanted to sell my house and move to a larger town. Now! But, I had a little problem that prevented me from doing that. Tim. So, in the name of love, I sucked it up and dealt with it. Then along came Landon. Things were looking up! Before I started my own DC, Landon went to a DC ran by a loving woman who was like a grandma to him. It felt so good, knowing that he was in good hands and I didn't have a worry all day. I knew her, and so did everyone else. If there was anything to be worried about, someone would tell me. That's the way it is in small towns. Everyone knows everyone's business. Even when it isn't any of their business! (O.K. maybe that is one of the not so great things about small towns. But, the positive does win over the negative.) When Landon started school, I loved that I could walk into the room and know each child by name and their parents and most of their grandparents. I loved how when he was older, he could ride his bike to the swimming pool and I didn't have to worry about someone hurting or kidnapping him or stealing his bike. The park is only a block from our house. All I have to do is step out the back door and holler "Landon!" (Sorry neighbors!) and he will come running home. Going to the movies is now a special family treat that we all look forward to. When the movie is a family movie we can hardly wait for the week to end. We appreciate the movies. Tim's parents and my dad also live here. I can't even begin to tell you how much that means to me. (And to Landon too!) He will have thousands of wonderful grandparent memories throughout his life. When Tim and I need to go out of town, (We do a lot of purse parties!) there is nothing like the feeling of knowing that Landon is always welcomed at his grandparents, and that he will be safe and sound and loved. No worries whatsoever!
Monday night Landon and I went to the library. He rode his bike and I walked. As we approched the little gas station on the corner, I told Landon to pull in. We needed to put some air in his tires. As we walked up to the air pump, the owner of the gas station came out and offered to help us. (That would never happen in Daytona. You could stand there until the station closed and no one would come out to offer to help you.)
I was very appreciative of that as I am always afraid I am going to over do it and blow out the tires!
Then we continued on our journey to the library. As we entered the library, the librarian greeted us by name. I stopped to talk to a friend who is very, very pregnant. Her little bun is going to start in my DC this summer. As I placed my hands on her belly and exchanged greetings with her I found myself getting caught up in her excitement when she said she was having contractions. The baby is coming soon! What a happy feeling!! When we left the library a gentleman held open the door for us. Small town manners. Gotta love it. Walking home, I was overcome with a sense of "belonging." I now love my little town.
Without a doubt, this is where we are suppose to be.
We are home.

Monday, March 15, 2010

F.W.W.S.S.


Future Wheaton Warrior Super Star!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Our Little Family Get Away...


We have been promising Landon a "hotel"
 weekend family get away for a long time now.
Just the three of us.
A month ago we booked a room at the AmericInn
in Fergus Falls and the big day
 finally arrived this weekend!
The AmericInn was super family friendly
 and we had a wonderful weekend.


 

Sprinkles!


Big is Beautiful! ;)


Fishing Pole Heaven at Fleet Farm!


Landon thought these were the
"dumbest things ever!"
What a waste of camo...


I can't help it.
It's the redneck girl in me!
( No, I didn't buy the T-shirt. lol )



Come on.
 It's funny!



Landon bought a new bat and ball
with his birthday money.


Landon wants a motorcycle.
Look out neighbors!!!!
(Don't worry. It's not gonna happen!)


We dropped a few things off at
the Good Will, and....



 

Landon picked up something.
An accordian!!!
(Sob....)


Check out this yarn tree!
Tim and Landon didn't want to check
out the yarn store.
Guess I'll have to check it out when
I make my next trip to Fergus,
ALONE!


We had the whole pool to ourselves...


For about 5 minutes!
Landon played monkey in the middle
with these kids for so long,
his fingers pruned up like a monkey!


Landon got in a little exercise.



Weeee.....





There was free popcorn at 5:00...



And free hot fresh baked cookies
at 8:00!!!


Checkers anyone?


The 24 hour coffee bar was sweet!



The free breakfast bar rocked too!



They gave all the kids balloons.


Wrinked happy camper.



Yee Haw!!