It's official, my name is Michelle and I am a Ravelry addict!

Ravelry is like mySpace for knitters and crocheters, and it's AWESOME! I will probably now spend way too much time looking for new patterns to try out. My goal this next year it to learn to knit so I can have tons more patterns to choose from! Right now the site is still in beta form, so if you are interested in joining you have to get on their waiting list. I put my name on about a month ago and received my invite over the weekend, so it doesn't take long to become a member and it is so worth the wait!

I just finished a blanket for a new baby and am starting another for yet another new baby coming! Women I know need to stop having babies so I can work on the afghan I started for Kayleigh two years ago. I love having an excuse to try out a new pattern, so I really don't mind all the little ones on the way.

Kiddos are great! William is climbing on anything you can think of, including using the chairs to get on top of the breakfast room table. Kayleigh is amazing us with her ability to memorize just about anything Stars Wars related.

Little Elmo

Little Princess

Papa teaching the Little Princess how to putt!

Isn't he handsome!

This picture is for you, Ame! Thought you would like to see the little nature girl in action. She found this caterpillar and literally laid on the deck for 10 minutes trying to get it on her finger. She was so proud of herself when she finally succeeded!

Aaaarrrrggggh!

Ever have those days at work where you just want to say "to heck with it all" and give up? And, knowing where we ultimately end up, realizing that everything here really doesn't matter so why bother. But then coming full circle and realizing it would be really dumb because even though our time here is short, we're still here. And we still have to survive. And, in my case, provide for 3 others. Funny how as I get older (dare I say more mature) I recognize that, in the Divine scheme of things, people and relationships will be more valuable than making sure I have a comfortable retirement. Don't get me wrong, I believe it's wise to save and prepare for not being able to work or not wanting to work all the time, but really all I need is enough to pay the bills and maybe have some left over. That thought is refreshing.

I'm thinking about getting one of these...



It's called a Smart car (www.usa.smart.com), built by DaimlerChrysler. They've been selling these in Europe since 1998 and have sold about 770,000. The main structure is very crash worthy, and the car itself is quite comfortable. They're doing a tour of the US to promote the launch in the first quarter of 2008, and Michelle and I went to see them at the Dart Rail station on Mockingbird and 75 Saturday.

Now, for all you nay-saying, SUV-because-they're-"safer", worry wart types these are very safe cars. Now, I have no illusion that if I got hit by a semi or a Suburban head-on at 50 mph that my wife will get a big payout and perhaps an opportunity to upgrade husbands, but...considering I commuted to work on a motorcycle for over a year 3-4 days a week, I'd say the safety concern is less than previous.

Also, 40-50 mpg for $13,000 is pretty darn good. To get that kind of city economy, I'd need a VW Jetta Diesel ($26,000 entry fee), or a Hybrid ($22,000 entry fee). I'm not sold on hybrid technology. I have a whole 'nother rant on that. Namely that they're building cars consumers don't want. You can't force a Tahoe driver into a Prius. So instead of focusing on small cars, focus on improving the economy of the vehicles people buy. A passenger diesel is an immediate 20% economy difference and is proven technology. Off my soapbox.

Plus, I got a thing for quirky different cars. I like minivans and hatchbacks and wagons and such. I'm not a Euro wannabe hippie treehugger, to be clear. But I am a tightfisted, penny penching, stingy, money-Nazi that wants to spend as little per month on a necessity and this is a great way to do it. No, I'm not riding a bicycle 16 miles one way to work, either. Also, this thing is 8.8 feet long. Parking is a breeze and it would take up very little space in my garage, leaving more room for all the other accoutrement's that take up space in a garage. It's only $99 to reserve one. I'm still kicking the idea around. As a pure commuter, it would be fantastic.

For the 3 people that read our blog, thoughts?

Today I am wondering if I am overly cautious or just realistic about the world we live in. For example, yesterday, while in line at Target, the man behind me began commenting an how cute Kayleigh was and asking questions like, has she ever been to Disney World, and noticing juice in my cart, is she a juice lover. He also noticed the shirts I had in my cart for William and asked if she was my oldest. I, of course, was vague in every answer to this questions because it kind of struck me as strange. If a woman asked those questions, I probably wouldn't think twice about answering them; but a man interested in my children puts me in protection mode. He was probably just a nice guy trying to make conversation in the long line, but I was uncomfortable. So, I wonder have all the stories on child predators made me too cautious/suspicious of people or is it better to error on the side of caution in this case?

Okay, so I thought on the whole "What gets me excited" question...

Intellectual excitement:

Solving math problems--I know I'm a dork!
Watching a crochet project begin to take shape--I'll post a pic of the blanket I just finished later.
My children finally getting something I have taught them.
Making gifts /figuring out the perfect gift to buy for someone

Activities:

Softball--haven't played in a while because I just can't get into the co-ed thing. If you aren't playing to win, it's just not the same!

Board Games--well, except Monopoly

Shopping--unfortunately this is more fun when you have money to spend and we are not millionaires!

Does reading count as an activity?

I know this isn't a really long list...maybe I'm just not an exciting person! No really, my idea of a vacation is a beach, a chair, and all of Jane Austen's novels. Throw in the movies based on her novels with an unlimited supply of yarn and I'm the happiest woman alive. Does this make me dull?

It's a Two Way Street

In Michelle's previous blog, she commented about things that gets someone excited or passionate. In the comments, Brent turned the tables on me for mine. I'm going to break it up into thought and action (with a few that overlap)

Thought:
Service
Efficiency - i.e. planning errands for least amount of driving/time usage. Stuff like that.
Risk analysis
Common sense - although I'm guilty of not using it at times.
Sucking it up - again, guilty of whining on occasion.
Proper grammar and spelling - petty, I know, but it irritates me.
Trivia

Activities:
Service
Physical activity - sand volleyball, skiing-water and snow, motorcycling, Sea-Doos with my friend Jeff, Bocce Ball, water parks, weightlifting(a little lacking on that of late). Pretty much anything that's not sitting still.
Computer games - the nerd in me can't be contained
Bridge- old person game, so I fit in. It is a lot of fun.

I'm sure there are some others. If anybody has made observations about things they think I've appeared passionate/excited about, let me know so I can update my list.

Justin.

While watching Good Morning America this morning I saw a commercial for Monopoly with electronic banking. At first, I thought, "What a neat idea", then I thought, "Wait, half the fun of Monopoly is fighting over who gets to be the banker!" Growing up I really wasn't a fan of the game, but if I was the banker, I loved it! There is just something about counting out all that "money" and making change for people. Needless to say, I do not plan to purchase this new Monoploy!

Lately, I have been thinking about a question Justin keeps asking me: "What makes you excited? What is your passion?" The sad thing is, I really don't know. There are many things I like and enjoy doing, but nothing sticks out above them all. Well, there is one thing that really irks me....lies, especially those that lead young people astray. So, I guess I have a passion for the truth, most importantly the truth about the freedom Christ gives us from sin. Last Friday, 20/20 did a segment on homosexuality that had me yelling at the TV. It really irritates me when the media tells people struggling with this that they have no choice but to give over to the feelings. I think what bothers me most is the thought that some teenager was watching this program and has now decided to live this lifestyle because some biased news program told him he would be unfulfilled in life if he didn't. GRRRRRRRRR!

A couple months ago, Justin and I noticed one of Kayleigh's eyes would wander when she focused on you from a distance. We thought maybe she had discovered how to cross one eye, so we waited to see if it continued. Well, the wandering eye kept wandering and it even became more noticeable, therefore we made an appointment with the optometrist. Turns out she needs glasses and her prescription is +4. I think she looks pretty darn cute in her new eyewear!

Today is a slow day, finally! With school starting and childcare back to normal, I haven't found much time to blog. All my one-year olds have dropped morning naps and Kayleigh hasn't taken an afternoon nap for the last two weeks. I was hoping she would go back to taking her naps, but I don't see it happening. After about a week, I gave up trying to make her sleep and decided if she's going to be awake she might as well learn something; so, we started The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading on Tuesday. I was a little hesitant to start her at three, but she seems to be enjoying it. Next week I think I will try adding some math games to our "school" time.

Well, the video I put on for the kids is over and I have to go start lunch!

When I am asked if I work or stay at home, my answer is yes! I don't have this many everyday of the week....that would be three 1 -year olds, a 2 -year old and two 3- year olds. My days are busy and sometimes a little crazy, but it's fun; well most of the time it is. Naptime is still my favorite time of the day and lunchtime my least. The three oldest entertain themselves fairly well, although I do have to referee on occasion. I thought I was going to be able to begin preschool with the 3-year olds, but I haven't quite worked out when. Right now I send them outside for 30 minutes a day in the morning and then they watch a short video while I work on lunch. I'm not stressing over structured learning time right now. Maybe when it rains or is too cold to play outside we will do a little craft or something.

Finally broke down and gave the boy a haircut. He had a mullet thing going, so it was about time!

Isn't this the most pitiful face ever?

So, as Justin said, I was a single mom for almost two weeks...I don't know how single moms survive, especially those without any family support around. I am lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents and my sister nearby, so it wasn't too bad.

Made an "A" in my English class and received 48 out of 5o points on the final paper! I'm pretty proud of myself on that account, seeing as I wrote most of the paper with two babies crawling around at my feet. Only 42 hours left...two more English, one sociology and the rest are math!

My ten-year high school reunion is coming up in October...yikes! Not exactly excited, but I am looking forward to seeing a few folks. I am still amazed that I somehow manage not to run into anyone from high school more often. It's hard to believe that high school was ten years ago...feels like more from my perspective. It was at the beginning of my senior year that I made a misguided decision that took me down a road I'd rather forget. Suffice it to say, that year and the two that followed were pretty crappy. Now, looking back I don't even recognize the girl in my memory as me. Paul wrote in the book of Romans that when men turn their backs on him, he gives them over to a depraved mind...well, it's true. I often wonder why I was allowed to go down that road. I hear stories from people about God keeping them from making stupid decisions and think, "Why didn't he protect me?" He probably tried and I just didn't pay attention. I think the main thing God has taught me from that episode is compassion. People do stupid things and I think, sometimes, Christians are the last people to offer grace, when they should be the first. It is easy to look at the actions of a person and make judgment, but you cannot know what circumstances brought about the actions just from looking at a person. That is not to say circumstances justify sin, but they can explain it to some degree. Whenever judgmental thoughts come to mind, I think of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. There are no "degrees" of sin with Him; you lust, you commit adultery; you hate, you murder. The attitude behind all of them is the same. I wish more Christians would get this.

To Sea, or Not to Sea,that is the question.

Well, 7 years in the making and I think I'm finally going to get to make up to Michelle a "real" honeymoon. See, our first one was done on a shoestring budget of less than $500 I think. That's what happens when you get married too young, I guess. I should have listened to the wisdom of Brent when I first got married and taken on some debt to splurge on our honeymoon.

So, 7 years later I have enough choice to actually spend money on a vacation, and a real one. So now our dilemma is what to do. We're thinking of a cruise with some dear friends, The Rutschmans. I hear cruises are a fabulous value for what you get. I've also heard it's more fun with friends because it's nice to be able to do things with other people you know, yet you still have the ability to just be a pair.

We're also kicking around getting a condo on the beach in/around Gulf Shores Alabama. See, this is where I'm learning from the past. I am actually listening to Brent who can't shut up enough, er, heap enough praises on the greatness that is Gulf Shores. I'm looking at some pictures and it does look pretty gorgeous. I'm also a fan of keeping my tourist dollars in the local economies. Yes, I'm sure Europe is wonderful and all, but there is so much to see and do in MY country that I want to see and do those things first. Then, I'll consider overseas. I'm very much a patriot when it comes to that.

So, the question for anybody that actually reads this, is what else to consider? Ideally I'd like to be able to drive to save money on a plane ticket unless said plane ticket is available for less than $200 per person. Any suggestions?

Whirlwind Summer (at least for me)

This has been quite a busy summer session for me. Week in San Deigo for work in May, week off the July 4th holiday in Austin and a trip to Sea World, and then I just got back Friday from a 7 day canoe/camping trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area that spans the Minnesota/Canada border. I'm done with vacation until May of next year when hopefully Michelle and I will go on a cruise with our friends The Rutschmans.

Re: Canoe Trip - Talk about gorgeous country. We made base camp on an island in the middle of a lake, and then took a couple day trips to other lakes nearby. Fishing every day, catching 3-4 without a lot of effort. Paddling out 150 yards from shore to get water straight out of the lake; it's that clean. Swimming in shoulder deep water and still being able to see my feet. Watching the bald eagle's eat the fish guts we left on the opposite shore. Overall just enjoy the majesty of this created world. I really have a hard time believing all of this is a great cosmic chance, and places like the BWCA just reinforce that.

The trip was exhausting but wonderful. The last day was very eventful. Let's just say high winds and novice canoeists equal involuntary swims: three times. It's a better story in person, though. I'll hope to go again next year if Michelle let's me (while I was gallavanting in the wilderness she was a single mom for one and a half weeks).