Zachy showing me his muscles!

My thoughts redux

It's been like 5 months since I posted last so I decided to write an update to my last post. I really want to start blogging again.

Outside my window.. It's overcast and a little dreary.
I am thinking... that I need to open a Panda Express in IF.
I am thankful for... so many things but for right now- my new niece Brooklyn (Betsy and Jonah's) and my new nephew Beckett (Kendall and Chelsi's) that were both born last week. What a blessing! I am also going to have a new sister-in-law. Zane is marrying the lovely Marie Epps in May.

From the kitchen... It's strangely quiet but for the dishwasher running.
I am wearing... a dress.
I am creating... nothin'. I've got no creative juices lately!
I am going... to church.
I am hoping... my tailbone doesn't hurt in church.
I am hearing... the hum of my computer fan.
Around the house... there is a lot of laundry folded and ready to be put away.

One of my favorite things...Beckett and Brooklyn.
A few plans for the rest of the week... The week is new and therefore still promising! Spring cleaning here we come!

A few pictures to share.... the cutest little babies born this week! We are blessed!

Outside my window.. It's chilly but promising.

I am thinking... that I should get off the computer.

I am thankful for... Mark and the kids helping me get by this week.

From the kitchen... I am thinking chicken noodle soup (homemade) for dinner.

I am wearing...Pink shirt, track pants

I am creating... not very much.

I am going... to find an AWESOME pumpkin patch.

I am reading... A Midwife's Tale

I am hoping...for great health.

I am hearing... Brynn primping endlessly before she goes to school.

Around the house...Cleaning isn't totally finished but today is looking promising for finishing things up.

One of my favorite things... Zachy saying "last year" for everything from a minute ago to last year.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Going to my brothers homecoming meeting and dinner! Yay!

A picture to share... Brynn

PS-If you are reading this you are tagged!

My memories of 9/11/2001

I have thought a lot about the significance of today's date and the song "Where were you (when the world stopped turning) by Alan Jackson has gone through my head many times. I am reposting my thoughts from my Sept. 11, 2007 blog entry.

My memories of 9/11/2001

I posted this back in May but I am thinking about it again today on the anniversary of that horrible day in 2001. May God continue to bless America.

I need to write about my feelings on 9/11.Short version is I was up with baby KateLyn and turned on the TV. Usually I wasn't up that time of morning 6:30 ish Pacific time and was horrified to see the towers burning. I remember I was watching NBC. I couldn't comprehend the magnitude of it. Surely there weren't many people there. Shortly after I turned it on the towers fell one by one. I remember looking at it in horrified fascination watching it unfold live on TV. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. I thought that maybe there weren't that many people in there since it was fairly early in the morning. Up until that time, I wasn't sure what the world trade center was. I thought they were some UN type of buildings or something. I remember panicking. I tried to call Mark and I started flipping channels and QVC was on and they were still selling things. That seemed so strange to me. In a few minutes, they had stopped selling things and had a banner that due to the days events they wouldn't be airing their programs.

Brynn had preschool that day so I took her to school and remember driving by the Puyallup Fairgrounds on my way and the fair was going but there weren't many people there and I can remember the feeling that it all seemed so odd to see fair rides going when the world was upside down. It was eery. I had a gift card from Target so that day I stocked up on food and water in case the world was ending. There were only a few people in Target which was odd since it's usually packed! I was scared to be in a store. It was such unfamiliar territory. I didn't know if the terrorists were "done". I had felt so safe before like the US was just too big to be hit significantly.

I remember standing on our deck that night and thinking how strange and quiet it was because they had shut down all air travel and we lived near McChord AFB and were used to seeing planes. It was a really scary time not knowing what was coming next. In the days following it was heartening to see several people standing by the side of the road waving large American flags.


I didn't cry about it until about 6 months later when I was watching something sad about days events and then it all came out. I felt such sorrow for the senseless loss of life the families of the victims endured. The story I still remember almost 5 years later was of a man from California whose wife was at the WTC on business for just a few days. I remember him pleading to let him know if anyone had any information about her. Like so many others, I don't think he found her. I hope we never forget about the people who lost there lives so senselessly that day and the heroes who saved so many lives on the planes and on the ground. If you haven't, I would encourage you to write down your thoughts on this historic, horrible day.

I want to be a blogger

I really want to start blogging again. I enjoy the outlet and basic journaling of my little families lives. I could say we have had a crazy summer (and we have) but so has everyone else and I am learning more all the time that we make time for what we want to do.

I guess I could start off by updating my blog header that has been there since Spring. :) I am going to try to work on it all this weekend. I hate doing an update encompassing several months.

Highlights of us TODAY:

Mark- Still enjoying Qwest and can't wait to see the Seahawks play this weekend

Kayla- Busily trying to think up the next great American business while folding laundry and attempting to make sourdough bread.

Brynn- She's a 7th grader. Need I say more? I doubt she saw one play of the football game she attended tonight. Don't bother trying to call us, you WON'T get through.

Ryan- Ry is excited to try any new thing and right now he's excited about writing club and soccer. (and eating everything in sight)He's 10 and his shoes are a mens 8.5.

KateLyn- Kate is a social butterfly and she attended her friends ballet class tonight and decided she just might join.

Zachary- Finally learning to enjoy lots of new foods but mournfully missing his siblings when they go to school.

We are blessed and I hope to blog more often!

Lazy Summer Days

More Beautiful You- Official Music Video

Every girl and woman should watch this video and really take in the message. Thanks, Holly!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXSkd8apbWM

ALASKA

We returned this past week from a delightful cruise to Alaska with Mark's parents and his sister and her husband. It was absolutely perfect in every way. The weather was delightful, the food awesome, and the company great. I enjoyed someone cleaning our room twice a day and leaving candy on our pillow every night. My new goal in life is to figure out a way to get paid to cruise. :) I want to be an editor on one of those travel websites that rates different cruises.

We enjoyed every port and every day at sea. It was such a great week and I appreciate all of the helpers that watched my kiddos. We love you!

2 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO ALL YOU GIVEAWAY

CLICK HERE to enter my giveaway for a 2 year subscription to ALL YOU magazine. It's a great magazine with TONS of coupons in it each month! Tell a friend or 100! :) Thanks!

Where the heck have I been?

Great question. Some Ehnat highlights for the last several months. :)

1. I started a new freebie blog. CHECK IT OUT!

2. We have been sick more often than not. It's getting embarrassing and I am afraid to tell people anymore! I told Amy that we won't get swine flu because I am sure we have built up a resistance. Mark was down for about 5 days with strep. (Mark NEVER gets sick)

3. I planted flowers for the first time in my life and then it snowed. That's sad on a few levels.

4. Awhile back my sisters and I made freezer meals. Now, that was awesome!

5. We had a fun Easter egg hunt at my mom's.

6. We went to Yellowstone and it was snowing so hard we came home.

7. I still haven't finished posting about my trip (in JANUARY!) but to tell the end of the story, right before we left my camera WAS turned in so there was a very happy ending to my camera ordeal. I love honest people!

8. The kids happily await summer vacation.

9. We are getting closer and closer to a finished basement! Thanks Don and Dad!

10. That's about it. Now check out my freebies blog! :)

I almost forgot! The biggest news is Zachy is FINALLY potty trained. No more diapers for me, EVER! WAHOO!

Picture Tag

BEAUTY SLEEP

Terri tagged me so here I go:

1.Go to your documents/pictures

2. Go to your 6th file

3. Go to your 6th picture

4. Post it, and blog about it

5. Tag 6 people to do the same

6. Name your picture

I guess Zachy had borrowed his sisters sleep mask. Silly guy!

I tag Betsy, Rachel, Carolyn, Chelsi, Sara, Robyn and whoever else wants to do it! :)

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009 (With Lyrics)

I love this video! I read somewhere that if you don't cry over this, you aren't human. I have to agree. :)

Brand New Blog

I have been working on a new freebies/couponing blog. It's very new and will have a lot more info soon but I didn't want people to miss out on the current great deals. Please bookmark the site,follow me on your blog reader and check back often for new content.I would also love to hear comments and suggestions as I build the coupon site more. Thanks!

afreebiesfreeforall.blogspot.com

Free Sippy Cup

Click here for a free sippy cup from Juicy Juice when you register on their site.

Free Arby's Roastburger-again

If you missed the last Arby's Roastburger coupon you are in luck because there is a new one! HERE it is.Thanks,commonsensewithmoney.com.

Redbox baby!

The Redbox code for today is 2GR4N8. Remember to return it by 9:00 pm tomorrow night and it will be FREE!

Free Tomato Seeds

Click here to receive a free packet of tomato seeds. You just enter the numbers off the bottom of any campbells soup can and enter your address. I am excited to grow a vegetable garden this year.