It's Saturday night...,

and I think I'm gonna like it here.

Catch-Up

It has been awhile since I have posted....so, to catch you all up -

We washed the dog (thrilling, I know).
Larson got the first 'injury' on the trampoline (*note* - if you are a queezy/weak stomached person, go ahead and scroll on past this picture)

Ryan finished his year long hiatus of carbonated drinks - and off to Sonic we went!! He is now onto his newest year-long quest...50 sit-ups, or push-ups a night. So far, so good.
Secily has been reading every book that she can get her hands on, wants to do everything herself, and is about at the same stage of potty training that Larson was at this age.

Green Day

Sense of Smell

Two days ago while changing a diaper I caught a whiff and the thought seriously drifted through my mind "Is that the worst thing I've ever smelled?" After I had caught my breath and dried my eyes I remember some different times in which I had encounters something worse, but it brings us to the latest question.

Bird in Home Depot

Phase II

After a week and 5 fatalities I have decided to implement phase II.
Chemical Warfare.

Sonic

What's your favorite thing from Sonic?

Politically Correct

We had sexual harassment and discrimination avoidance training. Of
course all I can think about is what would Michael Scott be saying.

Gorilla

3 inches of glass between me and him, but I still felt like Sigourney Weaver.

Overkill

Is there really a scenario where they could run out of shopping carts?

Butter or Fake Butter?

What's wrong with this picture?

Lonely Grief - (clarified)

I have been thinking about that sentence ever since I posted last night. By saying it was lonely grief I did not mean to diminish the support of our friends and family. We have had such support from our parents, from our siblings, our friends, our small group, our church - each one of you has been such a blessing, and has brought comfort to us during this time.
But grief itself, I think, is lonely. You suddenly find yourself "minus 1", and you feel that, you are reminded of that, throughout each day.....each time I buckle the kids into their car seats, I am 'minus 1', and each time I tuck the kids into bed, I am 'minus 1', each time I look at a family photograph, we are 'minus 1'. And, because of the way that life works out - I am alone in my memories of her kicks, of her hiccups....that is all I have, and that is where the lonely comes in.
But to our fantastic parents, to our siblings, our friends......you have been such a blessing to us. You have been the hands, the arms, the ears, the shoulders of God to us during these past 6 months as you have held us, listened to us, let us cry on your shoulders......our grief has been made bearable by the love & support that you have given to us. We love you all, and are so thankful for you.

Momma alway said

If you grew up in my family and if you're reading this you did. Our mother would always ask upon return from school, "Tell me something you learned today". A tradition I plan on passing down to my kids.

• Madonna's real name is.....(drumroll).... Madonna?...Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchi to be exact
• John Denver's real name is Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.

I guess his agent was afraid people weren't going to buy off on "Thank God I'm a country boy.... named Deutschendorf"

6 Months

It has been 6 months. 6 months ago today we lost Ellis. I often go up to the cemetery on the 19th of the month, and I went again today. Today her headstone is in.

Her place is marked. Her name is written. I will never see her name anywhere but there - not spelled wrong at the bottom of a crayon drawing, not addressed on a birthday invitation, or on a report card, not embroidered into a team jersey, or printed in a wedding announcement. And as I sat there today looking at her name I mourn the loss of all of those times that we will miss, all of those moments that we would have loved to share with her.

Grieving Ellis over the past 6 months has been so difficult on so many levels, but I think the hardest thing in our particular situation is that it is hard for others to share in our grief. Not that there haven't been people willing to mourn with me, but when someone older has died, there are stories to tell, memories to share, moments remembered to laugh about. With Ellis only Ryan, myself, and my Mom ever saw her, held her, and only my Mother-in-law & my Dad have seen the pictures of her. So, for most everyone, there is no face to put with her name, no picture in their heads of a little girl who looked just like her sister. It has been lonely grief.

When I feel alone I do think back to what our pastor told us as we were planning Ellis' funeral service - he told me "Karin, God will not waste your pain". And I know that if I let Him, the Lord will use this, use us, to hopefully minister to someone else. But I have to be willing. I have to be willing to let go of any anger, I have to be willing to be fully happy for someone else without comparing it to my sorrow, I have to willing to praise God, and accept what He has given us with a grateful heart. Because God is good. Even through the pain, even through the sorrow, even through the suffering....God is good.

The verse that is written in the corner of her headstone is Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God". And though I mourn here - for me, for us, for the time that I wish we had, I know that sweet Ellis is in a place with no sorrow, for she is seeing Him. She is in His presence, and in His presence there is fullness of joy. God is good.

Phase 1 Shock and Awe

I read that they like cotton because its good nest material and they
like peanut butter because, ..well who doesn't.
14 traps. Lock and load. Let's get it on.

Bright Sunshiney Day!

We had some great weather today, so Chandra, the kids & I headed to the pool. It was the first pool visit of the summer and the kids were SO excited. They both loved the pool more than they did last year. Especially Secily - we couldn't get her out!




Chandra has been Larson's Sunday School teacher all year which has been so great both for him, and for me (because I get to hear all of the stories of what goes on!). Today Chandra told me that during class they were telling the kids the Bible story......
"Today's story is about a man named Peter" she says.
"Peter Parker?" Larson excitedly asks
"Uh, no. A different Peter"
"oh."

I promise we read him Bible stories at home.

Krull

Turkey

Q: How do you make a turkey float?
A: Get two scoops of ice cream, some root beer and a turkey.

Hey..., where are you guys going?

Taco Bell

In college a friend of mine gave me some solid money saving advice
I'll not soon forget. "If you don't have enough money for a bean
burrito, just squeeze a couple of hot sauce packets in your mouth.
It's like the exact same thing."

Of Mice and Men

A few nights ago, I come home to find a small, unwanted "house-guest" scampering about. I do not like mice. I don't even like hamsters, or guinea pigs. I do not think they are cute, I think they are gross. So, as soon as I recognize our intruder, I do as any girl would - I run to the bedroom to get my husband to take care of it. He slowly (he is MUCH less concerned over this whole matter than I am) gets the broom and looks for our little friend, but to no avail. The little mouse has gotten away and is running free through our house. *sigh*
We set a few traps the next day. Nothing. I am beginning to get very worried at this point. I really do not want this creature in my house.
Then, this afternoon I hear it! I hear the creature in our bathroom. I immediately call Ryan who is about to get off of work, and he tells me that yes, he will take care of it. 20 minutes later he arrives home with this:

To catch a mouse.

This!!
Needless to say, the critter is STILL running around our house.

And, yes - if ever there is an attempt to catch the tiny mouse with the enormous fishing net, I will have the video camera ready! And I will share. :)

"Hey Shrek its me"

Here's Secily's new toy which she just told me is a donkey? "My
Little Donkey"?

Raj Rajan's Auto Shop

Raj has been our mechanic ever since our engagement night when my car broke down and we got towed to his shop. Note: no computer anywhere in the office.

Save on gas

The best feature of this peaceful traditional homestead? Besides the
beehive dome and skylight that is perpendicular to the ground; its 100
yards away from Love Field's active runway.

Happy Birthday

It's Christmas in May for somebody.

Lake Weekend

We spent this past weekend at our friends Tim & Sarah's lake house. A weekend at the lake is always great - and this was no exception!!
We flew kites,

Fished,
Sarah & Lauren:
Ryan, Larson & Secily:

Swam,
Ryan & Secily headed down to the dock,
Even Scout got in on the fun!

And, what is a weekend at the lake without a great splinter!? Larson was the not-so-lucky winner this weekend.....
Ouch. He was really good about it, and after only a few tears - and a Popsicle - we had it out and were back to playing.
We finished off the weekend in Fort Worth, where Tim & Ryan sent Sarah & I out to be pampered on Mother's Day. :) It was a good weekend.

Then yesterday, the time had come - and I said goodbye to the 'roaring twenties.'

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and birthday greetings.

Happy Mother's Day

Link

Bubbles

May 23rd

• Once I didn't buy clothes for a year


• One time I laid off soft drinks for a year (period ends 5/23/08)


• One time from 5/2308-5/2309?

She has a Name!

Here she is - WITH a name......

Audrey Elizabeth Carretto.

(pictured here with her Granny & Grandpa)

What a cutie!!

More than eggs

On my way to pick up eggs and hazelnut creamer I was unsuspecting that I'd witness a battle of such epic proportions.

Our New Neice!

Natalie & Andrew had their baby girl last night! We are so excited for them! She weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and appears to have her Daddy's long limbs! I'm not forgetting to mention her name....she doesn't have one yet! They are taking a poll on their blog, if you want to check it out & cast your vote!
Congratulations Natalie & Andrew!!

Comfort

The most comfortable position in sports. Golf cart. Feet up.

In other news, my sister had a baby girl.

Link

Rainy Day Activity

Cupcakes!
Or, as Larson pronounced it all day "pupcakes"

Make the batter, lick the beater.
Check.

Make & color the frosting.
Check.

Get out the toppings.
Check.

Load them up!


Check.
Enjoy!
Check.
Yes, that is Larson - dressed in a Superman outfit, slinging (slinging? flinging? spinning? not quite sure of the appropriate spidey verbage here, {my deepest apologies to any Hoeksoma's out there!}) a web....he is the Superhero of all Superhero's!