Common Conversations

I was driving in town yesterday after taking Joe to work. I have Ben, Kimmie and Ryan with me. I realize as we drive - we talk much...only I'm not usually ever the one leading the conversation - but the one answering - 'Momma, Mommy, Mommmm'.

As we were in between the blocks of Pizza Hut, Moose's and Barley's, all this happened in the span of a block and 1/2...due to slllloooww traffic ~

Ben: 'Mommy, why did you turn and not have your blinker on?' Me: 'Sorry, Ben, I'll remember next time.' Ben: 'Joe doesn't like it when you don't use your blinkers.' Me: 'I know Ben, and neither do the Police, I'll try to remember next time.'

Ryan: (who is trying desperatley to connect with the world of reading) 'Momma, that place S-A-O-O-N (he left out the L), is that a really old place?' Me: 'Yes, Moose's has been around for a long long time.' Ryan: 'It looks really old'

Kimmie: 'Mommm, when I go to bed and dream about monsters, does that mean that I am really going to see monsters? How does my dream know what they look like?' Me: 'I don't know Kimmie, maybe something you saw on TV, and something you shouldn't be seeing again.'

Ryan: 'YEAH! Like when you watched my movie 'Waterhorse'. You shouldn't see it anymore, only me and Ben.'

Kimmie: 'Mommm? I can't watch Waterhorse anymore?' Me: 'Yes you can Kimmie.' Kimmie: 'But Ryan SAID...' Ryan: 'I didn't say anything Kimmie.'

Ben: 'Mommy, you didn't turn your blinker on again when you turned........'

Christmas Finery

It's that time of year. When we all get dressed up for different reasons. The 3 little ones spiffed up for their Christmas Program at school today. Couldn't get every one to smile at the same time. This will have to do. Of course - the program was a 2-parter. Ben at 10. Then Ryan and Kimmie at 2. Lotsa driving that day.

Carri and I, or better known at the 'Golden Girls' at the 'Calling All Angels' Gala. Very fine time. So much bling - my eyes hurt...reminds me of a song we should have sung 'I wear my sunglasses at night'...

We look like Ma and Pa Kettle going to town fer da evenin. Yah it wuz gut time. Notice the golden deer in the picture ~ Yah gut time.

I love that these 2 got out with their husbands for a night of relaxing fun and finery ~

~~ My Mom ~~

It's been awhile since I blogged. Life is busy. During my busy time, my mom came to visit me and my family.

My mom has never been to the Flathead.

For the first issue - I was interested in who would be the kind people to bring my mom to visit me? I met Rosie and Dee. Funny women.

Rosie is a retired nurse - on oxygen. She has her oxygen on her while driving - then flips the tubing over her rear view mirror when she parks her car.

Rosie's 'co pilot' is Dee. Dee is a retired music teacher - who breaks out into song at any given moment - and is blind.

And there is my mom...who they graciously gave the whole back seat to...for their drive.

They stayed at the wonderful Outlook Inn here in Somers - the proprietors there were very kind to this trio.

Rosie and Dee took a day trip to Polson during their stay here and left my mom with me the whole day...at one point I grew concerned that maybe they would not come back...and it was all a hoax...to have my mom move to the Flathead...scary moment...but they returned...singing together

So here is a picture of me, my mom, Kimmie, Ben, Gordy and Joe...not alot of these exist...pictures of me and my mom.

That's all I'm going to say about that...

Bedknobs and Matching Night Stands

Gordy and I are getting a new bedroom set delivered tomorrow. We have been married 18years - and have never had a head board for our bed, never - or matching nightstands - or a dresser with a mirror on it. I am very excited. All our years have been surrounding tending to the kids and their needs and wants. Now it is time for us :)

I am so very excited.

~ The Circle of My Life ~

The past 2 months have been a whirl wind. Really unbelievable...with so much happening between September 1 and November 1.

Through it all - for me it has been about God's guidance, grace and glory.

Many have asked me - how do you do it? How do you do it all? Really - some days moved by so fast - I didn't fully have the opportunity to 'feel' all that was going on...just moving from activity to event to purpose.

I am glad that I took some pictures along the way. I have been fairly closed-mouth about all the 'behind the scenes' of most of my days...really because I was so busy thinking all the time - I couldn't articulate my thoughts...and feelings...

So - in the end - it's really about the circle of my life ~ my walk with God ~ my family ~ my work...take a look:


1st day of school: This is the first day of school - also my first day of working as a full time employee of Intermountain...the Home wasn't named yet - but many were selflessly working on this venture...


Randi and Char: On one of our many shopping trips. We filled my Durango many many times over. Part of the fun of setting up the Home - was the decorating with a purpose - the purpose of affirming the positives in life...even when life is hard.


Randi: Poor Randi...we had shopped and shopped - my Durango was so full - it really wasn't safe to drive. We had this very nice young DD man...'help' us pack the car..."Puzzles!!! I love puzzles!!!" He kept saying --- so so so funny!


The night before the first Open House: My children and I and Randi did a last minute shopping trip...it was pretty funny - they were troopers...Ryan's expression really depicts how I was feeling!


Nursery at Providence: The day of the first Open House...for the babies. Oh and Providence - finally a name...


Living Room at Providence: From the play table to Mickey's chair to the curtains - everything carefully picked and thought out.


Aquarium at Providence: We didn't want a TV in the main living area...not for the little ones...so we set up an aquarium. Thank you Petco for the wonderful discount to make this possible...


Family Room at Providence: A room to relax, laugh, chill...


Affirmation: Through out the house - we set affirmation statements - not so much for the children - but for staff...on the hard days :)


Fall: Our wonderful Fall weather has held out - all the way to November 1st...I stopped one day to pray after dropping the children off at school - the whole area was so golden and serene...beautiful


Ben turns 10: In the midst of the journey - Ben turned 10 - very excited about the new Wii games (Star Wars and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader)


Ben Birthday and Football: Of course - football was worked in.


Ryan chasing Andy: Ben's birthday was a wonderful Fall day - all were outside playing flag football...even Jesse and Joe.


Lady and Fluffy: What circle of life blog is complete without my puppies?


Full Moon: During this time - Ben was in Little Guy football. Which meant that he practiced 3x a week for 2 hours each practice...again the weather was wonderful and it gave the opportunity to witness outstanding Harvest moonlit nights.


Kimmie and Dancing: The little children liked to get dressed up in football jersey's - and Kimmie started ballet and hip hop dance class. So - Kimmie incorporated the 2 one day...football dancing...maybe it will catch on.


Jersey Time: The little ones - outside playing football...


End of Season Party: At the end of Little Guy Football season...of course there is a party...at Pizza Hut...a sea of green jerseys...and too much soda pop!


Aaron, Lisa, Azalea and Aden came to visit during this time - a fantastic time with the grandbabies...us at Wal-Mart...the only good thing about Wal-Mart that day.


Azalea and Nana: Enough said...


Aaron and Lisa: Spending quality time together...


Halloween: Those who know me well - know I am not a big fan of Halloween...but we get through it every year...my Ballerina, Darth Vadar and a stellar football player...


Back to the Beginning: Back to my children - in jersey - the Circle of my Life...

So in the end...much has happened...much that isn't portrayed in pictures...all the forms made, licensing application and meetings, contract writing, trips to Helena, goodbyes to friends and foes, my mother visited for the first time in the Flathead, a retired nurse, oxygen tanks and a blind co-pilot (I'll write about that later), Gordy's many road trips, drug testing and wonderful Nikki and Kyle taking care of Glacier Center...the list goes on and on...and through it all - God's presence is evident - God's guidance, grace and glory...day in and day out...

7 foot what???

Jesse's long ago friend has moved back to the Kalispell area.

When Tim and Jesse were younger - Tim was always larger than everyone - then suddenly TOOK OFF in height.

The last time I saw Tim - he was about 6'7" or 6'8".

Now the boys are 19...after church - we all went to lunch at Chinatown. I asked Tim how tall he is now. He's 7'1" TALL!!! Are you kidding me? Holy Cow...

As is the fashion today - all the boys pants are a little baggy over sized...etc...Tim gets up to refill his plate (I'm certain Chinatown lost $$$ on Tim)...and Gordy in all his quiet wisdom says: 'How did he find pants too big for him?'

Hahahahahahahahah

Love you Tiny Tim :)

It's 12:30 a.m. and do you know where your Mommy is???

It's 12:30...on a Saturday night.

I had planned on watching Saturday Night Live - but noooo...I'm glad I DVR'd it.

We had a wonderful shopping spree today...spent much $$$ on terrific things for the Children's Home.

Then arrived back at the Home - unloaded the car - and sat down to finish building the very most last of the paperwork...and realize...there is STILL policy and procedure to write...STILL!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not sure where I get my late bursts of energy...must be God...cuz it sure ain't me...I'm old now...

So - finally - now - am fully finished...it's late...I have to venture outside...here in the wilderness...

I am so looking forward to church tomorrow - I just read Levi's blog and he is in NY City...but no matter - Jesse has a long ago friend visiting and we are all going to church - I am excited to see Tim again.

Okay - that's all for now...time to venture home and enjoy sleep...