Happy Birthday to our Brown Eyed Girl!!

Happy Birthday to our little girl! She is 6 years old today. I can't believe she's already in kindergarten and making her own choices. We couldn't be more proud of her. She's such a blessing. Every day she greets us with a smile that lights up her eyes. She's definitely her daddy's little girl and smothered with love. Kaitlyn begins cheerleading in December and already plays soccer. She loves Hannah Montana (what little girl doesn't) and painting her fingernails. She's eager to begin reading and points out the words she knows when her dad, brothers or I read to her.

Happy Birthday!

Here he is, the birthday boy today. He's grown so big and so handsome. He had his well check last week and I couldn't believe how big he's gotten. Not much longer and he'll be passing up his big brother. Poor Nathan! Happy Birthday Matthew! We love you.

Happy 9th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Matthew. He turns 9 years old today. He's been an awesome kid to have around and such a wonderful blessing. He always has a smile on his face and a song in his heart. Since he could talk he was singing on the pot and humming while he ate. His bright blue eyes light up our everyday.
Most of the following pictures are from our still camera. The digital camera is still new to us. Anyways, enjoy! They are listed backwards and in two separate postings.

Work in Progress!

Here are some updated pictures of the entryway. So far, the ceiling is in and the plaster/patching is complete. Now, we wait for the plaster to completely dry and then begin the smoothing process (a very dusty job).

Here is an answer!

I posted a question to some people about Obama and McCain. I've not been able to find a lot of bipartisan truthful information in my area and requested some info. Here's what I received from one person. I'd say he's very astute. I have a response from someone else that I will post later. Her information was from that of a Christian which I found to be very enlightening. Anyways, here is the first response.

He’s (Obama) going to play Robin Hood with our country and that’s just not right. You’ll notice his plans help those that are “struggling” and hurt the rest of us. This country was founded on principals that include fairness to all, not just the people that you van to every poll in the state and pay for their votes in cigarettes and beer. Our government owes us defense of our homeland, just laws, and a fair system of enforcing them. That’s what the three branches cover. Anything beyond that is socialism and has no place within our borders. Though I don’t agree with the tax credit that McCain is pushing, at least it’s distributed fairly. All taxpayers receive it, not just those that “can’t afford” health care. Obama is the socialist wolf in the centrist sheep’s clothing and it doesn’t take much brain power to realize that. I think people at the polls should be forced to read the constitution and a few quotes from our founding fathers before being allowed to vote. Maybe a couple of these:

“… a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring on another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.” -- Thomas Jefferson

He’s a BIG spender, Chicago politician. But according to him and his VP it’s the patriotic thing to do.

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln

Obama is one of the furthest left on banning guns, except for guns toted by his “civilian force.”
“He that lives upon hope will die fasting.” -- Benjamin Franklin

“But.. but.. but… that’s my whole um, campaign’s um, basis!” -- Barack Hussein Obama (not on the record J)

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” -- Thomas Jefferson

Obama obviously doesn’t believe this, he’s definitely not “like the other presidents on the dollar bills.”

“To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” -- George Washington

Obama plans to dismantle our nuclear deterrent and our ballistic missile defense at the same time. Good plan ("sarcasm").

Anyway, I don’t think abortion is the big show stopper here. The liberal justices have already decided that R v. W made abortion legal in all cases and any state that tries to restrict it gets their rights to do so trampled by the gang of 9. The president really doesn’t get a say in it unless the congress decides to actually do their job and write a bill regulating it or relegating it to the states, where it should be.


Here are two starting points for broader information on Obama:

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=309049794517352

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122425690170244659.html

McCain for some odd reason doesn’t like to call the rat a rat. I will. I’m not completely behind McCain on every issue but he has a much greater grasp on what the federal government’s job is. Not to define marriage, not to enable abortionists, but also not to provide welfare, especially by redistributing the wealth of others. I could go on all night; there are literally hundreds of reasons NOT to vote for Barack. He’s hiding his true self behind the façade of “the first black president” and the “even LESS like Bush” platform. You seriously can’t trust this person.

I apologize if any of this offends anyone, however, I believe it very important to be well educated and informed before deciding on something that will affect the rest of our lives and those of our children. In the question that I emailed to some people, I asked for information regarding both candidates in order to help me make an informed vote. Last semester, I took a Composition class and we were required to translate George Washington's Farewell Address to this country. It layed out his plans and ideals for us. You should all take a look at it. It's amazing to see that the things he warned us about are the things that have been ignored and the result has been what he dreaded it would be.

My Husband the Craftsman

My husband has begun another project in on the house. He has so far completed the bathroom upstairs, the boys' room, Kaity's room and the TV room. He does such awesome work and it looks so beautiful when it's completed. Just a little historyy, the home we are living in has been in my mom's family for many years. My great grandma lived in this home and then when my mom was a first grader, her family moved here. Then, in 2006 my family moved here. It's a home full of so many memories and a home that needs work. So here are some pictures of before Tim started tearing down the ceiling and smoothing out the walls. The walls are made of solid plaster and so our plan is to try to restore it.
The following are pictures taken after Tim tore down the ceiling. He will be replacing it with 3/8" drywall. No plaster on the ceiling. It was so messy when he was done so I waited until he was cleaning. Oh, I guess I failed to mention that this is the front entryway of the home.


Stay tuned for updates as Tim turns this into a beautifully restored entryway.

I Got Tagged!

Okay, I got tagged by Ellie, so here goes. You are supposed to open the sixth file of pictures and select the sixth picture in that file. This is mine. In February, I flew out to California to be with my dad's side of the family as we said good-bye to my grandpa. It was an unexpected passing. We were all sad, yet, over joyed that he would once again be with my grandma. This is a picture of their headstone. My grandpa's date of passing hadn't been added to it yet. Well, that was a bit sad so I decided to also paste the picture next to it, my fifth picture. This is a picture of 3 of the very few most important male influences in my life. My brothers and my dad. Aren't they handsome?

OH yeah, I tag the seward family and the knight family. I'd tag Mandee, but Ellie already did.

Nathan's Last!

I made sure to put a picture of all three so I wouldn't be accused of favortism! Anyways, this is Nathan's last year as a Cub Scout. He will be crossing the bridge to Boy Scouts in February. He's getting so big and we are so proud of him. He's not big on sports, but he's big on science and math. His teacher had to move him to a group of his own because he kept answering all the questions in Science Jeopardy (Okay, enough bragging, it's ugly I know). Anyways, last night his Den was invited to a Boy Scout meeting to get a feel of what it will be like next year. He LOVED it!!! He's so excited to go camping in the winter and to go to a week of camp next year. I can't believe he's going to be 11 yrs old in less than 2wks. It doesn't seem possible. He leaves us tomorrow for 3 days of Outdoor Education at Nature's Classroom. I'm sending a disposable camera with him so I can post when he gets back. He's so excited and I'm so paranoid thinking of everything that could happen to him, after all, he's broken his arm 2 times now.

Thank You New York Yankees

Most of you know that our family is an avid baseball and football family. Many of you have been to our home and watched the games in the Garage with us. The best American Sports ever invented! Tonight is the 3rd of 5 games for the Dodgers vs. Chicago. If the Dodgers win tonight, it's all over............they're in the NLCS! The Dodgers have been in my blood ever since I was a little girl and saw Dodgers stadium for the first time. We knew the Dodgers had it in them to make it to the NLCS, but it definitely helped getting a coach like Joe Torre!! Thanks to the New York Yankees for giving up Joe Torre last year! He's brought the LA Dodgers back to life. Guess the Yankees shouldn't have given him up so easy 'cause look where they are at........Sorry Tim, I know that's your team. Anyways, good luck Dodgers secure that spot tonight. FYI we will be unavailable tonight from 10pm ET until the end of the game.

Attention Out of Town Friends and Family!

Nathan is currently raising money for his Nature's Classroom Program. He will be leaving for 3 days and 2 nights on an outdoor education trip later this month. They learn a great deal about the great outdoors, including, but not limited to cooking, building rope bridges, wildlife spotting, safe (edible) vegetation and creepy crawlies, and teamwork. He's very excited about this trip and has been looking forward to it since last year. So, the way the school pays for this is through fundraising. If you are interested, please visit http://www.allamericanfr.com/ They have cookie dough, pizzas, Auntie Anne's pretzels, cheesecake, candy, and more. Thanks for checking it out. The name of the school is Carey Elementary School in Carey, Ohio.

Fall has Finally Arrived in Ohio

This is by far my favorite season. I love the fall season. The smells, the colors, the holidays. Above are some pictures of our beautiful countryside. The bridge is a picture of one of two covered bridges left in our area. It's so wonderful to live somewhere that actually has 4 seasons. We loved living in Colorado, but there were only 2 seasons...........winter and summer. I miss the mountains sometimes, but would miss the colors of Fall and Spring even more.