Seems like a long time since I took a few minutes to post. This past week has been a whirlwind. I cannot seem to even think of what the next few weeks will be like.
Rob and Megan just finished "Peter Pan" and that puts a close on Megan's High School Drama Career. This was her last play that she will ever do as a high school student. The play was pretty good. Lot's of crazy colorful costumes and great makeup effects. Rob had a good role and had quite a few lines. He was so handsome and looked so tall on stage. I cannot believe that he is only 15. Megan did his makeup and gave him a five o'clock shadow making him look about 25. When we saw him just after the play I couldn't help but think that he is going to be an extremely handsome man.

Bob took the kids, Max, and Nick, to see it again last night and they all had a great time. Max was a little on the scared side until he saw Robby close up and realized that he wasn't a real pirate.
Belle came down with a tummy virus so I stayed home with her last night and all of today. Bob took two of the boys to the Scout oh rama and then to set up for a pancake feed for tomorrow. He just walked in the door from taking the kids to see some Chinese Acrobat performance at DD Miller. It's been a busy day for him. Rob competed this morning in Jazz Choir and will find out how they did on Monday. Megan worked for a few hours at the coffee shop and I took care of Belle all day.

Well..... I feel like my writing is a little on the confusing, no focus, or continuity, side and it's driving me crazy. I know that I will look at the post tomorrow and will alter it. lol. I came across another scrapper's blog and was reminded of the important things... it's these daily adventures that we encounter that really gives excitement to our lives. It's seeing the ah ha moments. It's hearing the little voices of the kids as they communicate with one another in the next room. It's all about these little minute, seemingly mundane tasks and events that we overlook all too easily. I love my life and where I am right now at this very moment. I love being a mom of six kids. I love taking care of my family, doing laundry, washing dishes, and making meals for them. I am blessed...blessed because I have a loving family who loves me in return. I am going to run down stairs right now and tell them just how much I love them... Good Night.

Just thought I would post before hitting the sack. It's getting late and the kids are all tucked into their beds, hopefully sleeping away. We spent the past few days marking milestones. Bob & my 20th anniversary, Andrew's 14th Birthday, and Anabelle deciding she wanted to sew on her own without mom helping at all. Yes, this is a milestone. She is only 7 and loves to create things. I think she gets this from Megan. So this evening Belle comes into my room with a pink sweater in hand, a spool of thread and a needle and climbs onto my bed preparing to sew down the huge collar on her sweater. She hates big collars and asked if I would cut it off. If I did that, the whole sweater would unravel... so, she did the most logical thing in her 7 year old mind... she sewed the collar to the inside of her sweater. It's a little bulky, but I am not going to undo it. It's her creation and she is so proud of it. I will praise her when she proudly wears it to church in the morning and I will not undo and resew it. She would know. Looking at the sweater and the big stitches reminded me of something. You know how often we make sure that we repair things in our lives, whether it be a sweater or hurt feelings, or some other faux pax that we have created, with small stitches so it's not so apparent or visible to others? I do this. I want things solved with the least amount of attention. When I watched Belle sew, I thought of my silliness in trying to hide or minimalize things. I was reminded that it's ok to see the imperfections... that's what makes each of us beautiful, original, and flawed. Being flawed is a good thing... well, knowing that we are flawed and recognizing those flaws is good because we can never better ourselves if we think we are perfect. ha... there... that's the whole lesson God gave me today.. I am NOT perfect, I have flaws, and it's ok. Now to celebrate them, to embrace them, and to work a bit on them... that's the task at hand. Love you all! Blessings Always~ Mary

Today is Bob & My 20th Anniversary and he's away on business....he'll be home late tonight, though. I have had an incredible day. Memory Makers Magazine is putting out a book. Memory Makers 601 Great Scrapbooking Ideas...and....... they have asked for one of my layouts for publication in this book. This is really really really exciting for me. I am totally blown away. I was feeling kinda sad yesterday when I realized that Bob was going to be gone and that Creating Keepsakes isn't making their Hall of Fame calls til Monday and then I got the email. I guess it just goes to show you that good things do happen when you least expect them. I will post more later. I have to go make dinner for the kids.

I will start today's post out with a photo that was taken several weeks ago of Robby and Megan while they were on a theatre trip to Minneapolis. They had a great time. Isn't Rob getting tall?

What a fun weekend we had. Bob and the kids spent a lot of the day clearing out ice and melting snow chunks out of the driveway and off the sidewalks around the house. There was so much snow. There is still a lot of it left. I have been thinking of some interesting things lately. I was thinking of how wonderful my life is right now this very moment. The kids are all healthy. Dave is doing great in San Diego with his job and is gaining a lot of experience and responsibility with Smart Drive as a Field Service Supervisor. Megan is getting her things together for college in the fall. She's so excited that she will be studying theatre at Northwestern. Robby is busy with his piano lessons and "Peter Pan". Andrew, too, is busy with piano and Boy Scouts, as is Nathaniel. Anabelle has met two new friends who have moved into the house across the street. They seem to be really nice girls. I still can't let her go and play at someone else's house without me there. I am not ready to let her go. She isn't ready either, which is good. She is growing up too fast. Where are the breaks? She needs to slow down. Bob is healthy and is keeping busy with his job.....and me, well, I am here at home taking care of all the things that moms usually take care of and... I am loving my life, so Life is good.

As I was sitting with Anabelle this evening I looked at her and thought that I really wish my kids could stay at this point forever. I wish they would not leave home and not grow up, but that we could live in this perpetual state of March 12, 2007. Dave is proof that time flies. Megan is as well. I think of the next few days and all the different directions our daily lives are taking us and I am reminded that I really need to stress to my family that they are loved. Bob is heading down to Huron for meetings and won't be home til Wednesday night. Wednesday is our 20th wedding anniversary. I can hardly believe that we have been married that many years. Time just goes so quickly.

Well... it's getting late and I am thinking that I should go up to bed. I love you and send lots of hugs and warm wishes.
Mary

I have been thinking that I need to start posting some photos and maybe get some inspiration from them for scrapping.. soooo here is my photo of the day.... Guess who this is???

It's Friday the 9th and it's been a long week. Hopefully this weekend will be nice and quiet around here. We have been working like crazy helping Megan fill out all her scholarship information, school questionaires, and trying to get some regular home schooling done at the same time. Megan did receive a small scholarship in the mail on Wednesday from our local American Leagion for her oratory that she gave on the Constitution. She used part of the money to buy a beautiful had quilted comforter that she found on clearance, for college. Other than that, she has been pretty frugal with her funds. She is looking for a good computer to take to school with her.

I have been working on more layouts for submitting to various magazines. I am still plugging away. I am amazed that there are so many calls out and so much wonderful talent out there. I have met a few ladies on 2Peas that are really very helpful and encouraging. I am really enjoying getting to know some other scrappers who are busy moms just like me.

Calls for Hall of Fame are not going to go out until the 19th instead of the 16th so I will be waiting three extra days to see if my scrapping is good enough to make it. If not, that's ok. I did give it my all and I have some really really really cool scrap items that I made to enjoy for years to come.

Well, I am getting tired and am heading off to bed. Love you all!

Mary

Well, the snow is finally melting a bit and the streets are getting cleared a little bit more each day. I am still amazed at the pile of snow that is still sitting at the top of our driveway hiding the Bravada beneath a huge white blanket. It looks so soft and beautiful, but it isn't. Looks can be deceiving. The kids have enjoyed their time outside building snowmen, forts, igloos, and making snowballs galore with a snowball making thing that Bob bought for Nathaniel's Birthday. He made 242 snowballs the other day and stored them up for a battle the following day. He won! Well, I should sign off for a bit. I think I am in need of a nap. All the snow makes me want to bundle up under a big fleece blanket and just dream away. Have a great day! Mary

Ok..... so it's really snowing badly outside and we are homebound... That is a good thing and it's so much fun to know that we can't get out our own driveway... This isn't too bad. School has been cancelled for two days and the town is virtually shut down. All banks and stores are closed, as if I could go shopping anyway.. hehehe.... wait... I could be ordering online!!!!

Meggie and I are really enjoying our time away from the rest of the family. Meggie has a head cold and feels awful and I am just cold, so, we are tucked away in her bedroom with a big fleece blanket, a bowl of popcorn and "Roman Holiday" in the DVD player... yep.. we are set.. all I need is a glass of wine.

Love you...

Meg says I need to make it a bottle..hehehhhe

Ok... I just want to post a few photos of our driveway and all the snow that we have been getting around here. These top photos were taken yesterday before the big storm hit. It only stopped snowing yesterday afternoon for about an hour. It is still coming down right now.


Check out the difference in the level of snow by the garage. You can tell how much additional snow we have gotten because of the level it is on the left trash container. The kids are in 7th Heaven, and Bob has been tinkering outside....Me....well... Meg and I are keeping warm watching them from a distance. hehehehe


Can you see the Bravada?? It's there... somewhere. Isn't Belle the cutest???

This is a little brief. So much happening around here. As you know, Meggie has decided which college to attend and has filled out the financial information. She will be attending Northwestern in the Fall and is so excited. The initial financial stuff has the year almost paid for, so this isn't an obsticle for her. I love the way the admissions people work with her and have reassured her that they do not want funding to stand in the way of her being there. Her Official major is "Theatre".. dugh.lol she will also be pursuing Urban work ministering to inner city youth. How fun will this be? It's so up her ally. I have to let you in on a little known fact here. Megan has been sewing her own creations for several years and she has had many people request purses, shirts, etc. from her. We are thinking that maybe she would do well to start listing some of her creations on ebay. I don't know. There are some other "Indie" sites that would be great for her to look into. Well.. That's about all that's going on in my snow covered corner of South Dakota. Love you!
Mary

BIG NEWS!!!!

I know that you have all been waiting to hear how Megan did with her college applications and would like to know where she is in this process.... here it is... every college that she applie to has accepted her, including Northwestern!!!! This all sounds wonderful, but this is where the hard part comes into play. She now has to decides which school to go to. She really wanted doors closed so her decision would be easy, but now she has to make up her mind.
There are positives and negatives with each school. Grace is offering almost a full ride, UNO is a full ride, USD is partial, and we don't know what Northwestern is offering yet. The thing with Northwestern, though, is that they are the best theatre school in this region and is very famous for their theatre department. I think the deciding factor is going to be where she feels God calling her. SHe really really really loves theatre and that has been such an incredibly big part of her entire life, but there is the money issue. But, then again, if she's supposed to be at Northwestern the money will be there. It is quite a bit more expensive than the other schools. Grace wants a commitment by March 1st and they will throw in an additional 2,000 per year if she commits. So... my request from you all would be to please pray for her and send good thoughts.. Please, please, please, though, don't call her to persuade her one way or another. This is something she needs to really pray about and come to a decision about on her own. Just thought you would all like to know what's going on.

Mary

what a crazy busy, fabulous week!!
We just finished our first week's run of Blithe Spirit and it has been an incredible week. All shows were sell outs and Friday's show received a standing ovation. I, obviously am not an actess. I am an artist...so... I did what artists do... Makeup, Hair, and Costuming. Megan and Rob are helping backstage doing special effects and general stage help. They love every aspet of theatre. This is actually my eleventh play to work on and it has been, thus far, the most challenging. I actually transform two actors into ghosts...lots of fun. Connie, who plays Elvira, is so easy to transform because she has incredible bone structure, which makes shadowing and highlighting of her cheekbones so much easier than one would think. She really has looked fabulous. the second gal is more difficult because she has a very full face and it's hard to highlight her cheekbones, etc. I also get to age two men and three other actresses.. Iwill posts photos as soon as I find the time. Right now, I am exhausted and am heading off to bed as soon as I finish posting this. just wanted to let you all know that the show has been a blast and has done extremely well.. Night night... love you all!
Mary

Ok...... I know it's winter, but getting up to -10 is getting a little old here. Bob woke me up late this morning. Really late. He let me sleep til 8:00. Can you believe that? With Meg and Robby down at the State One Act Competition school starts a little later than normal for us. Rob is usually up by 6:30 and out the door by 7:15 for chorus and Meg is up before him, but spends time in her room reading. She loves to read. This is something I haven't had time to do in several months.
I read short things, but she is reading novels for her Advanced Lit class and I am jealous. I love to read. I love the English language. I love seeing words on a page that envoke emotion, thought, and amusement. What do you think? What do you love to read? Do you have an all time favorite book? I don't think I could pick just one. I LOVE Toltsoy, Joyce, Elliott, Hawthorne, Cather, and even a bit of Hemingway. I think I love these authors becuase the deal with the condition of the human spirit. I didn't realize that connection until just now. We could discuss the various aspects of each author, but that would take months, so I will not bore you with that.

Subject change:
The kittens are such a crack up. They are so intelligent and fun. Patch answers the phone when it rings and the kids have to run to beat him to it before he knocks the receiver off the hook. He also comes to the kitchen and stretches up the front of the dishwasher and paws at it when he is thirsty. He meows at the doors when he is wanting us to open certain rooms up for him to investigate. He is just too fun to watch. One never knows what he will do next.

Pepper is more predictable. Pepper is our petite lady kitten. She is more refined and doesn't have all the time or laid back personality that Patch has. She has taken to loving popcorn and tries to steal carrots that are destined for the rabbit. She actually eats carrots! Anabelle told Mrs. Weisenstein, the boys' piano teacher, that cats eat carrots so they can see in the dark. I didn't have the heart to tell her that cats normally don't eat carrots and we just have a vegetarian cat.

And there's the queen cat, who will never be dethroned, Snuggles. We can't omit the happenings in Snuggle's life; now can we? With the weather being so cold Bob has been bringing Barney inside at night and he sleeps in the basement. Last night he brought him in and the three felines were lined up in the mudroom. Patch sniffed Barney and walked away, Pepper freaked, passed gas and ran to hide behind the upright piano, and Snuggles just sat there, unmoved. Barney had to walk around her. It was so funny to watch. After Bob took Barney into the basement Snuggles followed them down. She stayed down there for about an hour and then came back upstairs. Barney followed her up and she just casually sauntered up. Their personalities were so evident in this little encounter and we had a good laugh, except when Pepper gassed us.

So that is what is happening in my little corner of the world where even the antics of kittens can bless us a little bit.

Love you!
Mary

Well, I guess it's official.... I am on a real design team... Cut The Crop is an online store and they are featuring some of my creations for a term of six months. How fun is this. The owner, Tove, sends me a package with scrap book supplies and I in return, make different layouts, cards, tags, and altered items for her to showcase the product. I am really enjoying being involved in something so fun and fulfilling. I was up last night working....well, actually playing, with some of the supplies she sent me last week. You are going to love the mini album I created... so fun and funky... But, I am going to make you wait a few days to see it when it's all finished.


This "Card LunchBox" was made with Daisy Ds Girlfriends Collection papers.











Birthday card also using DDs Girlfriend Collection. I made the Candle Embellishment using a velum tag, metal frame, fastenator staple, and broken rhinestone flower petal for the flame.







Megan keeps trying to get me to make up business cards and take orders for different things, but I just can't bring myself to part with the things I make...well, other than to send as gifts. My SIL has a birthday at the end of the month and I think she may like the lunch box. What do you think, Mom?? I know you are reading this...lol..

This is really an exciting time for me with getting on the design team and having Memory Makers Magazine contact me about a layout. I think I will keep my fingers crossed for a while longer. Have a fabulous day!! Blessings! Mary.. wait.. I made a journal and entitled it "Blessed Beyond Belief" and I was thinking that I should change my blog name to that... what do you all think??? Hugs!

When I saw these photos I immediately thought of my grandmother, Margaret. My dad has a photo of her on the front steps just sitting and thinking... how cool is this.... Meg is now 18 and getting ready to spread her wings just a bit more... actually, her wings have been spreading for a few years now, but she is now ready to take that big leap; you know, the one where she doesn't have mom and dad hovering about her making sure that she doesn't fall flat on her face.

This past Sunday, our Youth Pastor who is filling in for John while he's on sabatical, gave a very thought provoking sermon on taking risks. Are you a risk taker? Meg is my RISK TAKER, notice all caps... she does not back down from challenges. I used to use the word picture of a Pit Bull Terrier. Once Meg takes on a challenge she gives it her all. She gets in there, rolls up her sleeves, and works til it's done. She is not a quiter. She may be hesitant at times, but she just does what needs to be done. This has always, always been her personality. Some kids sit back and test the water before jumping into the pool. Meg takes a look at the frigid waters before her and instead of dipping a toe in, she jumps. Not just a regular jump, but a running I-May-Bellyflop-but-that's-ok jump. She usually doesn't bellyflop, but I think you get the picture. She is so content and sure of herself that she doesn't pay attention to the stupidity of idle chatter that she sees around her at the high school and she doesn't let the pettiness of others get her down. She has told me, and I need to remember this, "there are two types of people in the world, those that are true to themselves and really experience all that God has for them, and then those who are so caught up in their little lives and their little egos that they miss out on life". Looking back over my life, I wish I had been more like the first type of person. I think Meg's going to be just fine... no... I KNOW Meg's going to be more than fine. She's going to experience all the blessings God has in store for her and she's not just going to fly when she flaps those wings.... she's going to soar!

Happy Monday!!!

Today was a great day. I spent a good part of it organizing the library and rearranging the kids' desks. I have a bit more room now and am feeling less crowded in there. Robby and Megan are back to rehearsing for One Acts, which willl be held in Feb. I have been really buy getting ready for Blithe Spirit. I am doing costumes and makeup again. It's a lot of fun.

Robby received some rather exciting news this morning. He made Jazz Chior so he will be pretty busy the next few months. Well, I am actually starting to doze so I had better get offline. More to follow tomorrow.
Mary

Another post in two days, can you believe that???

Ok.. well here's the scoop. Everyone who knows me knows that I am an avid scrapper. I am also very competitive and love a challenge. Well, here is something that happened to me that I cannot explain.....

Just when you think you've done all you can and have taken your hobby as far as you can at that moment.....something happens..lol

Ok.. here it is:

I was laying in bed at 12:34 just after midnight and I picked up a little memo book that I carry to jot down ideas, plans, quotes, etc., and I thought, wow, I started this little book of "Intentions" last year at this time. I turned to the first page to see what I wrote a year ago and it was a list that looked like this:

Goals and Intentions for 2006:
1. be nicer to the kids and Bob
2. Keep a better house
3. be more structured with schooling the kids
4. encourage creativity in the kids
5. support Bob's financial decisions

then there was another list:
Artistic goals for scrapping:
1. Organize scrap area
2. attend CKU
3. write more/start a Blog
4. get published
5. join management on a scrap site
6. win some scrapping contest
7. Get asked to join a Design Team

So... I thought, wow, 6 out of seven... that's not too bad... My scrap area is organized. I went to Boston, I have a Blog (need to keep up with it), I got published online and on the CKU Master DVD, I have my own scrapping site with 616 members, and I've won a few design/scrapping contests... so while I was praying I thanked God for a great year in my scrapping and I can't believe I actually told Him," well, you have about ten days to get me on a design team" and I went to bed.

This morning I got up and checked my emails and there was a letter from Cut The Crop, a retail scrapbooking store online, and I have been asked to join their design team..lol... how was that for answer to prayer? I had emailed the owner, Tove, inquiring about her Design Team. I thought, OK God, you have a sense of humor! and I laughed. I have been emailing the owner back and forth several times today and this is what we have agreed to.... (Maybe I should explain why being on a Design Team is a good thing). All of the big name scrappers are on Design Teams, they design papers, products and layouts to encourage and inspire scrappers around the world. If you are on a design team it gets your name out there and publications start picking up your work and you get good recognition and eventually great pay. Soooo, what I will be doing is this. ......
Every month Tove, the site owner, will be sending me new scrapbook products from manufacturers, I will use photos of my kids and scrap layouts, cards, tags, altered items and send them in to Tove, she will have them photographed and will use them for advertising products on her site. She will return my layouts to me and will include more product for my use. So........ I will be building a good resume for publication, thus giving me more exposure. I am really excited about this.... With the way my luck has been going this week, I decided to take the plunge and will be submitting for CK Hall of Fame again. I figure if I have already won a couple of contests with them, my name may be in someone's head there.... who knows, you can only try... right???
Well, keep your fingers and toes crossed for me.

Megan submitted her application to Northwestern this evening..... please say a little prayer for her, too. Love ya!
Mary

Ok.... I know, it's been such a long time since I wrote so there's a lot to write. Where do I begin.
The past few entries have been about the changes and accomplishments that I have seen in Megan and in her growing up so quickly. She, as you know, is in her final year of high school. She is very determined, artistic, fun, intelligent, and silly.... she is also a great big sister for Anabelle. Anabelle idolizes Megan and is her little shadow. I just feel so badly that Megan will be going off to college next year and Anabelle is going to miss her so much.

This past week we went to the cities and visited Northwestern University. Megan loved it there and really feels called to be there. We visited with the Theatre head and sat in a class. We actually spent six hours on campus visiting with various departments, etc. The tuition is quite a bit more than Grace, but, they say that they don't want money to be a reason a student can't attend, so they find money to enable all students that are accepted to go there. THis is encouraging. They said that they will be offering her scholarships in a few areas; theatre being one, interp/debate another, and for her gpa yet another, so we are hoping on her getting good chunk of her school paid for. Grace has offered 8,000 a year for all four years.... that's a big part of her tuition.

Last week Meg competed in All State Interp Competition and took "Superior" so she got a trophy and they gave her a nice write up in the paper and on the SD website. I also saw her photo on tv for "High School Heroes". This is an exciting time for her and we are so proud of her.

Our other big news is David... He is still loving his job and seems to be learning new things all the time. He has a lot of responsibility and is moving up so quickly in the company for which he now works. His official title is "Field Service Engineer". How impressive is that?

Robby had his Christmas concert last week and auditioned for Jazz Chior. They travel and compete with other high schools across the tri-state region.

I got a nice email from Creating Keepsakes this afternoon. They have published an album that I submitted over a year ago on the their website.... here's the link if you are interested in peeking at it:

Mary's Accordian Album CK.

well, that's about all that's going on here. I was, though, reading through a little book that I have. Where I have been keeping record of my 2006 Intentions and I find that this year was actually pretty productive for me. I accomplished everything on it except for being asked to join a design team. Well, I have two weeks left in the year to do that so I guess I better get busy.
That's all for now.

Mary

I am amazed.... truly amazed

Just when you think you have seen every aspect of your child, they go and do something totally amazing. Many of you know Meggie and all the activities in which she participates. So many of my family has encouraged, cheered her on, and supported her creative outlets. Well, this past week I was once again left speechless. Megan and Robby had auditioned and received parts in "Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice". Megan got the lead, Elizabeth Bennet and Rob was a dashing soldier....very handsome young man. Megan spent hours upon hours practicing her lines and was able to memorize about 100 pages of dialogue.

Through the years, since Meggie was 4 to be exact, she has loved the stage and acting. She has had roles in numerous plays, through school, church, and community theatre. Her landing the role of Elizabeth Bennet was the ultimate achievement of her lifelong love of theatre...thus far. This was her senior performance.

Last week, Mom and Dad Chapman drove from Denver to see the play and spent the weekend with us. It was a great time. On Thursday night there were a few snags in the play with some of the actors stuttering, hesitating, or just looking a little unsure. Meg was so calm, controlled, and did not bat an eye or miss a beat when thingsdidn't go exactly as planned. Friday's performance was unbelievable. I admit it... I cried. All of Meg's friends came. As we were taking our seats I looked around and watched literally dozens and dozens of her friends taking their seats. Our friends, the West family, all came, aunts, uncles, inlaws and all. Meg gave the performance of a lifetime. People were sitting on the edges of their seats rivited and silent as they leaned forward in anticipation. When Elizabeth told Mr. Darcy off... the audience gasped and made comments like, wow, Ouch, and "Incredible".. they cheered her several times and gave her a standing ovation. She was misty eyed when she looked out over the audience, but there was still an exuberance in her face that could not hide the exitement and joy she had in this particular performance. I cannot remember all the parents, students, and friends who came up to Bob and myself to congratulate us. Megan received flowers from so many people and she was told that it was truly an "Emmy Performance" by our local news paper reporter and theatre directors from Town Players. I am so very proud of the kids. I am so proud that they have the where with all to commit to such a great endeavour, to stick through when the lines weren't sticking in their heads, to practice hours and hours on end.... but mostly to follow through and not whimp out when faced with such a great challenge. So, now that the Fall Play is over, Megan is looking at universities and is concentrating on putting her portfolio together. So... please, please, please, Pray for her and her decisions that she will be facing the next few months....and thank you for listening and letting a misty eyed mommy write about her "Elizabeth".

The photos are not here yet from the play, but I do have some recent ones of the Fall Formal. I took these photos of Meg and her date (platonic friend) at, of all places, a laundromat.

Wow can You Believe this???

Two posts from me in a week! Feeling so lazy here. Do you remember how I posted about the creative methods that my mother used to motivate us to clean our house..... "the Insurance Man is Coming" routine worked well.. I have tried that one and have failed... but alas, God has given me a way to get them all working...

Our local Historical Society puts on a "Parade of Homes" tour every year as their main fund raiser. They choose four historical homes and sell tickets for people to tour the homes. We have been asked in years past to do this and haven't felt comfortable enough to do it.. They asked us again just this past week and I said, "yes" even before talking it over with Bob and the kids. I was thinking.... "here's my chance".... my "chance" at what??? Why to get them to totally clean everything and fix the things that need fixing around here.

My creative kiddos.....polite way of saying chore challenged.... pitched in and cleaned their bedrooms cleaner than I have seen since we moved in here nine years ago. Did you all know that Andrew's carpeting is a really pretty shade of blue and grey?? Bob spent hours clearing off his dresser and going through his pile of things. Anabelle was such a great trouper and really helped a lot. Megan was gone most of the weekend competing for oral interp, but her room isn't bad at all... she's the child with OCD.

The committee chair toured the house a few minutes ago and loved everything he saw and even gave me a great book "Skeletons of the Prairie" as a little thank you. Bob & Carol Wagner (retired City Attorney), Stan Fox (our current City Attorney who lives directly across the street), and we are three out of the four.... people won't have very far to walk with Bob & Carol being next door to us.

Well, I have a few months to get everything ready, so we should be good... we really only have some minor repairs and upkeep thinkgs to do, so I won't be too bad. I am so glad that I said, "Yes"..... Well, Have a great day and if you ever hear me say, "Hurry and Clean your Room, the Parade of Homes is coming through," you'll know why.

Ok... here it is... so long since I last posted. It's been a crazy busy time of year. The kids are all so very busy with things and daily schedules... the boys with piano, scouts, music, chorus, plays, school work and all those fun things. Megan got the lead in the High School Play Pride and Prejudice. They are putting the play on November 3-4 here in Watertown.....

Well, I really don't have much to write right now. Church is keeping us busy and we are really trying to keep up with the changes and things that need to be done.

I am sitting here listening to Megan telling a kid why she absolutely loves being home schooled. She is too funny. She has also determined that she is going to home school her kids as well.

It's late and I am heading off to bed. Hi Mom... talk later.

~~~Mary