October Already...

So I have to figure out what I want to do with blog. I have many hobbies, running being #1 and than baking which I have breakfast cookies in the oven right now. Also love to cook and find new recipes to tryout. I even tried my hand at CakePops. Those are a messy project. Then decorating and crafts for the kiddos.

I am going to start doing more with this blog. Also figure out what direction I want this blog to go. As always I will be with my kiddos. Got a fun weekend plan to celebrate my daughters 11th birthday. Happy Weekend.

Crazy Summer

As summer draws to a end as we are approaching Labor Day Weekend. School starts the day after Labor Day.

As the girls and I get settled into our new community. We are learning where everything is and where all the other kids are. My #2 daughter has started a dog walking business.
I have stuck with my running which has helped me.

How did I forget how much I hate earthquakes. We have had four since we moved back.

Getting into a schedule

It's been a month since we said good bye to Minnesota. In that month I have found many challenges and struggles. Relearning to co-habitat. 9 months is a long time to get used to doing it all on your own. I am liking having Chris back around. Nice not always being the bad guy.

The trip itself had lots of ups and downs. For the biggest one being the SUV is still in Arizona. The poor thing decided it was done driving. Next is having a house with very little in it. We only sent the Pod with beds and boxes, so we are starting over that way.
We are lucky we have the summer to learn the area and the library is one of our favorite place. Which is we are right now and I can post this blog. Since no Internet at the house yet. Its coming but they need to bring in a line to do it so its a huge amount to get it set up. Since the house is 40 years old and never been wired for Internet before. So I will get by until then. 
Other things not helping is the girls got sick with impetigo. A skin infections. No idea how they got it. But now it is gone. Woo hoo.

Then the most irritating things is my phone is acting up. It hates to charge and geek squad lost my protection plan. So waiting for that to be fixed so they can fix my phone.

But I am happy with my new home and my new city. It is a work in progress and I am getting there.


Have a wonderful Blessed day.

7 States Down.....

Day 4 of our epic roadtrip /moving trip. We had a great time in Chicago visited great friends.  Bob was the best tour guide.
Even found Wrigley's stadium trying to  dodge the crazy Chicago traffic.  After 2 days in Chicago we said goodbye at night time to Chicago and promised to go visit again.
Then we had the a 17 hour drive ahead of us to be in Fort Worth Texas.  I was informed there is a difference between Fort Worth and Dallas.

We did little stopping through the night to get to St. Louis we did pull over for photo open.  The Archway is cool. After many hours of driving er took a small detour into Kansas yo get another state.
Well Kansas sucks from Emily which I  agree with that statement. We wanted to try a little diner which was only 5 miles out of way.  The Diner  was showcased on diners. Dives, and drive-ins from the Food Network.  No menu food just buffet so we left and got Sonic. 
Back on the road got lost trying to get back to Interstate 44.  Oklahoma was a long drive. Girls got a little restless in the car All day.  Then just wanted to get to Texas so they said no big stops lets go.  It took us about 20 hours from Chicago to Fort Worth Texas... not bad for four girls.

In Texas we have had the best with our old neighbors  and dear friends. Swimming and laundry was my plan. Even got a run in.  My body was nit used to running in 90 degree heat.  Only did 2.6 miles
Run is a run so I am proud I made time for run. 

More on the road later as I snuggle into my hotel bed.

As the box add up

My big yard 

On this quiet morning I hear the birds chirp and the quietness of the sleeping house still sleeps I reflect on my past 4 years in this home. It has been a wonderful home for my children to be grow in. As we close the chapter of our lives in Minnesota.
I am truly blessed to have felt welcomed and loved while my stay here was shorter than I would have first thought when we moved here. On May 1st 2008 at a rainy 40 degrees. That was quite a shock. Even survived 4 winters here too.
As I pack and move to the Pod today. I will fell sadden by the closing of this chapter but also excited to open the next Chapter.
The ultimate road trip. Taking 10 days to get from Minnesota to California. Hoping to get a few cool spots in on the way plus visit with dear friends.

riding bike when the snow melted in March 

In that I say let the moving begin.

Finally.....

The past 9 months have been long. The day has come were my family is whole again. Chris (my other half) has been in California for work while I have been in Minnesota with our 4 daughters. I was pushed into the single parenting for a time. I will honestly say it was a huge challenge for me. I was humbled in realizing it does not make you weak to ask for help. I did have a huge support team with my Church Family. Sometimes all I needed was a hug and a comforting "You are doing great"


The girls and I did have adventures and made due with only having Mom. Good thing for Video Chat so the girls could see their Dad. Love all the technology which can help bridge the gap of the miles apart.

Now our new adventure starts. This time next week we start our drive to California! Yes I said a drive with a family of 6. Going to make it has fun as I can. Hope my camera can keep up. Yes I love to photograph all our moments. This one is an epic one so many pictures will be taken. Thinking need one for every state we enter. I am excited to show my girls our great nation, with how vast and different each region can be. Starting out in Minnesota and passing through Texas then going on to California.

The Girls with their Dad 

We will visit and see some friends and family on our way. Maybe they will even feed us too : ).   Still need to look into towns and different places we should stop and see. I am wanting to make this a little educational. My fourth grader has been doing the States this year for Social Studies so this drive is very interesting to her.

On that note I will leave this with my favorite Bible verse  Romans 5:1-5  http://bible.us/rom5.1-5.niv
 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wet have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And wet boast in the hope of the glory of God.3 Not only so, but wet also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

My Mothers Day with my Girls

After over sleeping. Thank you to a little girl who jumped on my head and woke me up.  As a dash around at 6:30 in the morning to get out the door for Minnesota's Race for the Cure (5k). Which I run for many I love who have had to fight that ugly disease  I love you Mom Toni. Was out the door in 10 minutes. 

At the start line

I had been sick for the past few days so I was debating even running. I had a bad cough and tired a lot. But I woke up in m;y hurry feeling rested and ready to go. As the start of the race got underway I took it easy and I could tell I was running a little fast then normal which I wasn't it was just that I felt that way. Fist mile was a little over 10 minutes. Go me. Next mile I felt really comfortable and went with the pace around me. 2nd mile was around 10 minutes again. Start to get a little tired after that. I finished the race at 32:06.  Glad I did not quit and pushed through. Now my early morning run is done now rush of to home and get ready for Church.

Finished in 32:06

Stopped by and got some Coffee ran into one of my favorites Ladies Sherry from Church Nursery. I was going to get her coffee for Mothers Day but she beat me to the punch and got mine instead. I get home and have breakfast waiting for me. My oldest daughter made me a fried eggs(a little over cooked) wheat toast and strawberries. Since Chris has been gone for work for this year the girls try so hard to keep up with the things they did with their Dad. Chris every year would make a deal for Mother's Day.

My Mommy's Breakfast and all my cards. 

Hannah being baptized 

Hannah right after she was baptized. My happy Girl . 

Then its off to Church. The kiddos I teach on Wednesday night were singing for the Moms. They did a great job. 4 and 5 year old are so cute when they sing. I finally got to sit during service and hear a wonderful story about women in  the Bible. Mary,  Abigail and Ester. After that I got a my proudest moment on my Mother's Day. My second daughter was baptized. She was just bubbling with happiness.

The bought Cake 

The rest of the day I relaxed even bought a cake from the bakery, which is kinda weird for me since I like to bake and do that stuff myself. I ended my great day with a dinner prepared my my oldest daughter. She made chicken Alfredo with shells pasta and veggies. It was a lovely meal.

That is why I loved my Mother's Day. My girls make me so happy.

The card I loved the most. Made me have a giggle. Best or Beast it works for me. 

My Baby is 12!!

Emily 2 days old. May 2000

This is my baby.  Well she is 12 years old today. So she is not a baby but a preteen who is becoming a wonderful caring smart loving young lady. I have been guiding her through life for all this time. I can say we have learned lots together. She will always my baby even when she rolls her eyes at me and groans MOOOOOOOOOOM.

Baptism day May 8, 2011

In these 12 years she has found her way to Christ, with her own decision to be baptized on her Birthday last year. She has a strong faith to follow in Gods way. She is always learning and trying to be that kind girl.

As a 6th grader she joined the schools Track team. Very proud of her. She keeps trying new things. She loves the hurdles. She even learned the lesson if you fall you get back up. This week she started to learn long distant running. Pretty soon I will be on runs with my daughter.

I am trying to help her grow into a wonderful woman. At this time I believe we are on the right road.
Happy 12th Birthday Emmy!!!

Making goals and sticking with them.

I have been running for 3 years now. I love 5K but I do more distance for a goal. I am very goal oriented. It helps me grow. Most of my 5K are around 33 minutes. Tonight at my gym they had a 5K for people to try out.
So of course I wanted to test  myself to see how I will do on Mother's Day. I did very well I had a Person record of 31:00 Minutes. I am so happy with my time.

Right after my happy moment it was time to rush off the school for a 4th grade concert.  Which was very cute. The kids did a great job.

Its weird I now can say I am moving at the end of the month.

4 Graders Singing 

Hanging out with my #3 

Silly time before the concert start. 

One room down

How much stuff to girls need?  This move is a blessing. Just for the fact I can get rid of stuff. The kids are being so good about it.  So cute how the 4 year old takes something to the donate box and says I don't need that anymore. So after all the boxes got out of their now more spacious room. They had so much stuff that they could not keep it clean. I even moved  the beds for a new look for that last month we are here.


I do think all this pre packing stuff is getting me behind in the regular cleaning. But the more I pack or get rid of the easier cleaning gets I think.
Time to for a run. Got a 5k in 2 weeks. I am thankful I have my running to lean on so I don't get overwhelmed with the house. In four years we have fulled this house up. Now time to empty it.

The half way point of cleaning  

Finished room 

Mobile phones are great

Figuring out how to post from the phone. Be great on our cross country road trip.

How do you explain....

When serious illnesses come into your family how do you explain them?   My Dad has been diagnose with a Bone Marrow Failure Disease. 

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood. Some types of MDS are mild and easily managed, while other types are severe and life-threatening. Mild MDS can grow more severe over time. It can also develop into a fast-growing, severe leukemia called acute myelogenous leukemia this info is found on  Marrow.org 

How do you explain it to the grand kids?   At this time the course of action is blood transfusion to make sure he has enough blood. So please remember Blood is truly a gift and please donate yours.  

When a illness is so unsure it makes one feel a little out of control.  I know God has a plan and I lean to him in this time. 

Funny side note, while I was looking into this disease I came across the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society which has lots of race. So I have ran a few races for this cause already. That was a cool little thing. Have a blessed day.    Today this is the verse to help me thru this. 

Here is the CaringBridge Page for Dad  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joeisakson 

  Philippians 4:13    I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

Here comes the boxes.

6 weeks till I move across the country. Started the clean out and get rid of stuff. My plan is 2 projects a day unless it is a big job. Funny how life still goes on so scheduling this extra stuff is a juggling act. At least my girls are being very active in the donation piles. No tear yet in the that department yet. 

On other fronts one of my prizes I had won  a couple of weeks ago came in. I was so excited to open up the box. Just like a child, it is fun to get fun things. Today's treat was from http://www.cravingsonline.net/ is the cutest little cupcake which is a holder for a daily devotional. 

This is the verse that I hold closes to my heart.

Romans 5:1-5 NIV

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

I am a Pinterest addict. I find lots things to do with my girls. For Easter we made a Resurrection Garden. It was  such a joy to teach them about Jesus and see grass growing at the same time. Another great resource for me is http://247moms.com/. She had great idea and links. Also on Mondays there is a web-show.

Trying something new

Enjoying the Farm Babies 

Enjoying a quiet day at home with my youngest daughter. Some days are a jammies day. After a full day at the Minnesota Zoo its nice to clean house and be mellow.