NotSuchACityGirl

♪♬Be still my soul♪♬

2011-10-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

So, here I am again wondering what is going to be happening in the next chapter of my life. It has been almost a year since I graduated from college and I am now holding my own in two jobs, both of which are in the restaurant industry. Monday-Thursday I am a chef and Friday- Sunday I am a waitress. It is sort of a dual personality I suppose. But God sort of handed me both jobs so I am there for a reason. As I wade through the business of these dual lives, and try not to fall asleep in church, I wonder what I am supposed to be doing next. In my "great" plan for my life I would have been married and living life by the side of a man I have been praying and waiting for since I was 16. Obviously God had other plans. Anyway, due to the crazy work schedule I don't have much of a social life but I do have time to think. I think while I drive, while I do prep work, while I roll silverware, and while I attempt to drift off to sleep after a late night at work. People so often seem to skip right over thinking. They drowned out any silence with music or with ceaseless (and often pointless) chatter. Don't you every just want to take a walk and think. Contemplate, breath deep, and maybe even just listen to the silence. One of the most moving and beautiful stillnesses I ever beheld was after a long afternoon at work when I parked near some woods and walked into the deep snowdrifts and just listened to the snowflakes fall as the silence enveloped me. So after much thought I would challenge you to just go out into a solitary place (without electronics) and just stand and think in the silence. Who knows maybe God will give you that gentle nudge of guidance you have been praying for but have been too busy to hear... Just something to think about... :)

It's the most wonderful time of the year... :)

2011-10-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it?”

Emotions end in poetry

2011-09-27T19:10:00.000-07:00

Recently I have had friends and acquaintances that have been having relationship trouble. People get angry, argue, and fight and unfortunately some people let that get the best of them and just avoid the problem. With this in mind I started thinking about my husband and how I would want any arguments we have to play out. I am in no way delusional enough to think that if I am with "the one" we will never argue or fight but I do know that if we communicate it won't have to be World War 3. I want him to remember that no matter how frustrated or upset we get with each other I want him to wrap his arms around me and kiss me good night at the close of ever day never "letting the sun go down on our anger" With this thought in my head I ended up writing this poem. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my heart :)

Kiss Me Anyway
(by Elizabeth Crepinsek)

Kiss me good night
At the close of every day,
So even when we argue
I know we'll be okay.
Kiss me good night,
Can you see it in my eyes?
I wanna say I'm sorry
For the part I played today.
We're angry and we're sullen,
But we cannot stay that way.
Kiss me good night
And when we'd like to walk away
Remember what we promised
On that precious day
You promised you would love me
I promised to obey
Then we promised for forever
In a special way
I'm married to you darling
And I will always say:
Even when we argue
Kiss me anyway.
I never want to shout,
Or have a yelling match.
Especially, since hearts are made of such thin glass.
I know your weakest points
And you know all of mine.
But love means we won't use them
To get ahead this time.
In the drowsy, dreary twilight
Of a long and trying day.
I want you to remember,
Despite the words we say
That I'll love you forever
Kiss me every day.

2011-03-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

So tonight at Church I was praising God and looking back at all the lonely moments in my Christian walk where I felt alone and then out of the blue God would bring a Christian brother or sister "out of hiding" and show me that His children are everywhere and when we cross paths we can encourage each other greatly. So this poem is to thank God for my Christian friends from high-school, a Christian friend he brought into my life while at Ivy Tech who encouraged me in ways that He doesn't even know about, and about my new friends in the Bible study God has brought into my life just when I felt totally alone! Enjoy :)

I stumble down the dim lit trail pressing towards a distant light.
A sputtering candle in my hand to see the pathway by.
I squinted at the darkness and I felt it closing in
The candle in my hand flickered once again
I recollect a happy time when that flicker was a flame.
When every day a sabbath regardless of the rain.
My friends all stood around me our candles like the sun.
We walk along together and sometimes even run.
But one by one we ventured out to different schools
Our solitary candles sparkling like jewels.
Over time my flame, it faded
I felt deep darkness pressing down.
I heard whispers from the shadows asking: "Who needs candles now?"
My mind recalled a moment my flame had almost died
When almost right beside me another candle came.
He walked along beside me and we fanned each others flames.
Our candles lit the pathway and our walking there together
Helped us both sustain our precious, lovely flame.
My thoughts jerked back to my present when I tripped and fell.
I knelt oppressed by shadows in a darkening dell
My tears caressed the dusty trail as anguish filled my soul
How could I let this flame go out? For now it Barley glowed.
Amid my deepening sorrow I cried out for His help.
Dear God please send me someone, I can't go on alone.
Before my whispers even formed to words
Someone tapped me on the shoulder and reached out a helping hand.
The candle in his other burned cherry on it's stand.
He told me if I walked with him some others we would meet.
I took his hand quite quickly and my heart began to beat.
We walked a couple paces and he rapped upon a door,
Which just an instant later flew open with a slam!
The candlelight inside the room felt blinding to my eyes
While the smiling and the joy were soothing to my soul.
My own heart started soaring as the moments ticked on by
This place of sweet communion to quench my dry and dusty heart.
The fading spark of candle that had nearly died was sputtering and glowing till it steadied and revived.
Surrounded by the warmth and glow of companions with like mind
I knew my journey would be sweetened by this fellowship tonight.
Together we are stronger, More able now to fight!
So now walking on this footpath the way is clearly lit
Shoulders there to lean on, hands to aid you when you slip.
The journey is quite lightened and the way seems far less rough.
God knows we need our comrades when we're in dire straights
So look just o'er your shoulder or just around the bend.
He'll bring you strong companions until your journeys end.
For then we'll no more travel, we'll all be dressed in white
No tears no wretched trials, only brilliant light
Forever with our Savior and our Holy God.
Drenched in His peaceful presence and at His bosom ever rest!

Just Around the Bend...

2010-11-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

The semester is coming to a close. I have watched it fly past at an exhausting rate of speed. And in the back of my mind there is an ever present questions. "Now what?" Friends ask me, strangers ask me and I ask myself. I wish so often that my life was a book that I could go pick up and turn a few chapters into the future and see what is going to happen, what I should do, or where I should go. But life isn't as simple as a novel and no amount of wishing and hoping is going to reveal the future to me (not even the tiniest bit) I cannot see what is ahead. See, life is more like a series of books all released at different times. I am approaching the last chapter of this book and the publishers are enjoying the suspense and anticipation of the next addition. There will be no sneak-peeks, spoilers, or promos and so the only thing to go on is the speculation of the fans and they try to see which of the various choices ther heroine has will be the subject in the next book. So what should I do? Well, the true author of the situation is God so technically I should ask Him right? Well, easier said then done. But I must be doing a little something right because this November is hectic but it has been one of the most content and peaceful times I have ever had in my life. I may not know the what lies around the bend after graduation (if I pass my exams lol) but I do know that the maker of the universe has a plan and it is going to be one heck of the story! :)

Notre Dame Pics

2010-10-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of dinner's or other items that I have been making at Notre Dame this semester during my internship there. It has been crazy and I am exhausted but I am learning quite a bit and getting a lot of good experience. Enjoy browsing the pictures :)

New Dawn of Hope (an original work)

2010-09-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

This is just me working on expressing some feeling that have been swirling in my mind. I find that I can easily talk/think myself into a depression or at least a slump and I am trying to remind myself that the way out is through teaching yourself (over and over again) the truths of scripture. Life is more then just going and doing and jumping into the next activity. Written 09/15/10.

Outside I wear a smile
Inside I bleed to death.
The world around me waring
Looks to me to see,
A hope, a joy, a reason
A reason just to be.
A hope for life eternal.
A joy for every day.
What reason can I give them?
When I feel this way.
My tender heart is aching
Drowned by cold, chill pain.
Loneliness surounds me
Like a pouring rain.
Why do I fear silence?
Why is loneliness my bane?
I join my hands with Pity,
And sink into despond.
When I should be a beacon
To the light beyond.
"Misery loves company"
Or so the poets say.
But once you've been companioned
How do you get away?
You teach yourself a message
and throw away the lies.
And little points of truth
Will dawn across the skies.
And as those lights start breaking
They pierce your very soul.
They break your bond with Pity
And dash Miseries control.
They fill your heart with hope,
And with that hope pure joy.
And this dear world is reason
This truth is the whole reason.
The best and only reason.
Your reason just to be!

All My Haiti Pictures

2010-08-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some links to the rest of my Haiti pictures that I posted on Facebook... Enjoy! And thank you to all who supported me through prayer and financial support :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2067020&l=6bde06772c&id=1448784913

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2067024&l=3529c801af&id=1448784913

Just copy each of the above links to your search bar and hit enter

Haiti in a Nutshell :)

2010-08-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

So here are some basic point/highlights (be they good or bad) :)

Day 1: Arrival and Craziness aka Culture Shock
The flights went smoothly and we had a 2-hour bus ride form the airport to the base. That was quite a sight. The airport was like a big warehouse with a flight of stairs and some fold up tables with policemen behind them. We went through customs and then hopped on the YWAM bus and went through town. That was quite a sight as well so much devastation and so much craziness. The driver’s main tool on the road is their horn it was going almost non-stop! And just so you know there are like no rules for the road the biggest vehicles has the right of way and you better move or you'll be squashed flat. There were some times I honestly thought that we would hit either someone walking or someone on the motorcycle. The compound is surrounded by a high wall and has 2 gates one in the front and one by the new on base school building in the back. There is one big main building that has the open air cafeteria and the dorms (aka big rooms lined with bunk-beds) 1st meal... yep red beans and rice :) and yes I ate it we also had some Amazing pineapple fresh from the market. We all picked bunks after dinner and set up our mosquito netting and then took showers. They are some crazy showers it is a stall with a curtain and a pipe with a string. You pull the string and out comes water, but if you let the string go *poof* no more water, it was a little tricky at first but I got the hang of it and as you might have guessed with just a string there is no varying temp for water it is all one degree cold, but if feels amazing after the long day working or after sleeping.

Day 2: Seeing the City and Climbing a Mountain
Saturday we took a hike. We drove the edge of the city and climbed up this mountain trail all the way to the top were there were these old ruins of a French fort and overlooked the whole city. That was a HARD hike and it was so hot in the blazing sun. The view was stunning and we sat up there and prayed for the city and for the week we were about to start. The hike down was harder then the hike up (funny how you would think that would be opposite) I slipped and fell about a hundred yards from the top and scraped up/ bruised my knee, arm, and hand I felt like such a klutz. After the hike I went swimming and ate some dinner (well pineapple I was too hot to eat much else) During dinner it started pouring and it was WONDERFUL the rain+ the breeze cooled us down and the rain dropped the temp to about 87 or so.

Day 3: "Take the Shackles of my Feet so I can Dance... I just want to Praise You!"
Then on Sunday we had a very interesting day. After a rough night of sleeping and a cold shower, we visited the local prison with the prison ministry team. Just so you know American’s who break the law in the US have it great but people here are all in one cell practically on top of each other and they don't get to come out like ever (even in the courtyard) There were about 20 cells with 310 people (100 teens and 60 women). You do the math of people per cell ;) (Women had 2 cells). That was a lot to take in and I am still processing that a bit but the people there are so in love with Christ (about 220 have made professions of faith including 2 guards, all through the prison ministry) Since the base kind of has a "day off" on Sunday we played a variety of card games throughout the day. Brendon and Bruce taught Tiffany and I Uker (yeah I have no idea how to spell that but it was fun, Brendon and I won) and then I totally smeared Brendon at poker then we had church here on the base that night and it was great. We sang songs in English and Kreol (we raised our voices along with the sound of falling rain because it rained again that night, in fact it has rained all but one night while we have been here) There was one little Haitian girl who moved to my side during the singing and she grabbed my hand and didn't let go all evening and during the message she crawled up in my lap and fell asleep (she knew that phrase "what is your name" "up" and "give me" most kids know that last one though and they say it a lot.) I felt energized after church and slept better that night because it got quite a bit cooler.

Day 4: The 1st day of Working on the House
I woke up at about 5:15ish about when the sun comes up (side note: I was about to go find and kill the rooster that had been crowing since 4ish, just had to find him and a small part of the group would have fried chicken!!!) Breakfast was at 6:30 so I had plenty of time to get ready. After breakfast we all loaded into the back of 2 pickup trucks and hit the road. We drove to the village (quite a bumpy ride by the way :) and all hopped out near the foundation of the house. Each house building team sets up the foundation for the next house, unloads bricks, and makes the doors and windows too. So as soon as we were out of the truck we all put on out gloves and tackled the pile of cinderblocks near the foundation. We made chains and passed the blocks around stacking them in various piles around the foundation and on what would be the floor of the house. Those things were heavy and awkward and we were all hot, sweaty, and a bit tired once we got them moved around. But one cool thing was that right as we started people of all ages appeared out of nowhere and jumped into line and helped us :) Once that was done we started sifting dirt and mixing it with concrete to make mortar. Well, that requires water so the women of the village were carrying 5-gallon bucket fulls back and fourth from the river and pouring them into a huge garbage can so that it could be held for a while. Well Tiffany and I started to help them, that was funny apparently. It was about a 1/2-mile walk to the river and then you scooped up the water and walked back. Well, a flock of children melted out of the bushes and pointed and laughed at the "blancs" (which is what they shout at us everywhere we go) with the orange or white buckets on their head. That hike back was hard, those women make it look so easy but my neck and back and arms hurt after one time and I did it 4 more times lol each times more and more kids appeared. I cannot imagine doing that everyday multiple times becuase I knew I wouldn't volunteer for that again. That sums up that day and we apparently worked faster then most groups and we had our house walls almost all the way up :)

Day 5: Smerfs made an appearance on the worksite :)
Tuesday aka the 2nd day on the house we started stuccoing and painting all the windows and doors for the next house. We worked on painting and building doors/windows for the next 2 houses :)the blue paint wasn't water based and so it got over everything! My hands were totally blue for a while. Then sun was really hot and I drank a ton of water. I got really hot that day though and felt a little dizzy and sick to my stomach but after lunch and sitting under the one tree for a while I felt better. I poured some water on my head and started to work again. But this just wasn't going to be my day: One guy smacked me in the face while we was talking (he uses it hands as inflections just like you mom), then another guy smacked my in the shoulder with a long board he was carrying (that still hurts today which is Thursday), and then another guy smacked me in the head with a surveying tripod they used on the foundation lines of the next house. So I kind of ached in a few places by the end of the day. Went back to the base by 4:30 and did laundry by hand in some huge plastic tubs (With Tiffany, Bruce and Victor (the guys had to borrow my soap, am I the only one prepared for things? lol) after dinner. Then it rained, well poured really! But it was so, so nice and a relief from the sun.

Day 6: "Let the rain fall down..."
Then on Wednesday we went to the worksite and the walls were up! We started roofing the house and that was so great! It is amazing to see it all come together. I think the YWAM people consider PBJ's the food of missionaries because we have that everyday for lunch and it is a breakfast option too :) so I don't think I will want any of those for awhile once I get home :D It was really hard to be around the kids for awhile, not because I didn't want to be but because the most common phrase uttered was "give me!" and it is hard to say no about some things since they seem to have nothing at all. But it is getting easier it is almost as if they don't care if you say no and really you can give it to them to use and then pull the same thing with them and say "give me!" and they give it back and laugh and start the whole thing over again. I really hate to say I was kind of worried about setting stuff down becuase I thought they would take it but they don't really bother stuff, they ask for it but they don't just take it so that is good. This day thought it was a bit crazy, just about 10 or so minutes after we finished putting the last pieces of tin on the roof it started to rain, just so you know it doesn't just drizzle here once it starts it pours and then lulls. So everyone started scrambling and gathering all the tools and putting them in the nice new house, just so you know the roof doesn't leak :D the truck came to get us and we all got SOAKED on the ride home but heavy that means we didn't have to wash all the dust and dirt off our clothes that night or something like that. :)

Day 7: "The bucket must be made of gold!"
Then today we went out the Ba-la-le where 3 of the guys in our group built a house last year. It was great we got to do some serious off-roading. Tiffany and I sat in the cab with the driver so we were the only ones not covered in mud from the splashing on the road. We got stuck once but not for long the scariest section of road was a stretch of all water where at one point it was so deep the car was sort of like a boat but thankfully we didn't get stuck and Todd got some video that he is going to post on FB soon which is really cool! In the village there was even more poverty then in Timonet (where we are building) and St. Marc (where base it) and it was really sad to see but the kids and the people are so happy there even in the poverty. We had some translators and we lined all the kids up and passed out crayons and pictures and it was so FUN everyone was great and then we kicked around soccer ball with all the kids too. We spent about an hour and a half there and then went back to our house site. We put the 1st coat on the house and the second coat on all the doors and windows and then we went to play with the kids. We went to the well to fill all the water-balloons and borrowed a bucket from one lady. Well buckets are some serious things and a HUGE HUGE fight broke out. Another lady was trying to take the bucket that we were using that belonged to this other lady and there were people screaming and shouting and then some hitting and almost rock throwing. Needless to say I was a little freaked out and we dropped the whole water balloon idea and went back to the house. We gathered the kids later and passed out crayons and pictures like in Ba-la-le but WOW such a big difference in the effect. There was fighting and shoving and crying and it just wasn't fun or nice at all really. We put stuff away fast and didn't get it back out. But it calmed down quickly and we just kind of hung out with the kids. Went swimming to cool off before bed.

Day 8: "Off to the resort for a swim in the Caribbean..."
The day was ssssooooo relaxing! Even though I woke up at an obscene hour of the morning it was really relaxing also. After breakfast we went straight to the beach. A resort really, not quite like ones in America but loads better then outside the walls. Our bus went through the gate and it was a drastic difference. One side was total devastation and the other the breathtaking beauty of the ocean. It was nice to swim and relax on the beach.

Day 9: "Not such a great day..."
I spent half the day napping because I felt kinds sick but thankfully I was better by the late afternoon ( think it was cuz people home were praying) It was brutally hot that day so I think that contributed to my feeling crappy too. But I don't think anyone was feeling the greatest becuase they were all laying around sleeping and sitting. I even found one guy sleeping on the cement floor under a table because the floor was cold :)

Day 10: "The end is in sight..."
Last day is here wow!!! It seemed to go buy so fast 1/2 of me wishes to stay and 1/2 of me wished to get out as fast as possible. We dedicated the house and it was Amazing! The 2 families were so excited and it was wonderful! It was so rewarding and exciting.

Day 11: "Homeward Bound..."
I had been up since 3am because I was so afraid of sleeping in to late it was crazy. Took the 2 hour bus ride to Port-au-Prince airport and hopped on a plane. When we hit American soil I wanted to shout for joy. Tiff and I practically raced through customs and found the first pizza place there. We bought a really over priced piece of pizza and enjoyed every single bite!!! Then we had a 2.5-hour layover and then got on our plane to Chicago. Once I got there I couldn't wait to get my bag and get home. But it was late to I went to my Aunts house. Had more pizza and some ice cream too. It was delicious! Took a shower that required no effort and loved every minute. Then I jumped in a cozy bed and went to sleep in a room with AC. Ah the comforts of home. The next morning I was officially home and it was great.

PBJ's must be considered the food of Missionaries

2010-07-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

There they are everyday preaty much in fact we are having them for lunch this afternoon. So far they have been an option for almost every breakfast and are served to us at every lunch time while we are working. I guess cuz it is fast and simple and it won't spoil but what I really want is a PIZZA or some Mac and Cheese or something but not PBJ right now..... Anyway as you can tell Haiti food it getting to me along with those lovely PBJ's there is a ton and I mean a TON of rice. Rice with red beans, rice with red juice, rice with bean juice, and rice with chicken, and rice rice rice. It has been a little difficult but I a ok with it. If I am hungry I will eat but the main problem is I am not really that hungry due to the heat cuz as you might guess it is majorly HOT here. The sun beats down with quite an intensity. We have done a ton of things and the trip has gone really smoothly. I caved on internest acess about 3 days into the trip but I din't start blogging till today (2 days away from the end of the trip)

It has been crazy. Thankfully our group has pretty much avoided sickness (Todd got a sore throat and Brendon seemed to have an allergic reaaction to somthing) but we all are fairly healthy compared to some of the other groups. The heat and the intensity of the sun are getting to me and making me quite tired today but thankfully we don't have a ton to do since it is Sunday.

Our Home for Hope house is up and painted and ready to be dedicated tomorrow which is really exciting! I'll write more about that a soon as I get home and then I'll be able to post pictures too so. Ttyl

Off to Haiti

2010-07-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

Well here goes nothing. We all raised enough money to go on our trip. We leave tomorrow and fly to Miami and then to Haiti. We will be there for 12 days and I am really excited/ nervous about it. I have my bags packed (carry on and checked) and I don't think I have forgotten anything :) I am really hoping and praying that God will grow me through this trip and that it will be a life changing experience. Adios!

Summer so far... '10

2010-07-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

So far:
Car wash which turns into a water fight with my little sister
A trip to Kal-Haven trails and South haven Beach which was tons of fun!
4th of July fireworks! Also amazingly fun!
And going back to my favorite city to see my favorite kids ;)

I love summer but it is flying by so so fast. I only have 9 days left till I leave for my trip to Haiti...

Long time no posts...

2010-06-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

Not for lack of thoughts of lack of a few interesting activities but from a little laziness :)
So here is what I have been up too. I finished my spring semester and am working as a waitress (which I love :) and now I am enjoying my summer vacation so far. I have been to the beach twice :D and I have enjoyed a few cookouts/bonfires and lots and lots of sunshine. I have been to the city to visit "my kids" and I have been up to northern MI to visit my friend twice which is wonderful. Also I am planing a missions trip to Haiti with 9 other people. I am really, really excited about this trip. It will be my 1st trip WITHOUT my parents :) I have a lot to do to prepare for this trip and I would covet your prayers :) thanks and I'll update soonish

And the new semester begins

2010-01-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

Well here we go again. It is back to the grindstone tomorrow. I have 12 credit hours and work on the weekends. Understanding Literature, Menu Design, Classical Pastries, and Catering. It should be a good semester. I have tried to get myself organized so that the semester will start smoothly. I have all my books (yeah! for saving money, I rented them online and saved over $200!!!!!!!) and I think I am ready to get started.....

whoosh! ..... 2010

2010-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

So winter break is almost over. Did it even exist? I really felt the whole of December was a blur. Normally I am so excited for Christmas but that is because all month long we listen to Christmas music, prep for Christmas as a family, and watch Christmas movies on fridays. And I went to school and work. I feel like I just kind of drift in and out of the family and don't even know what they are doing, wait you guys went ice skating? When did that happen? Wait your going where nobody told me? It is really a different experience this year. Not that I don't like my job or enjoy school I just feel that I am slowly losing touch with my family. Somehow i feel very alone. Except last week, that was amazing! I got the chance to attend Urbana '09 in St. Louis, Missouri. I knew only one person in our group of 8 so I was really worried. But there was no reason to be :) I met my friend Kelsey in Fort Wanye at her college roommates house. Ruth (her roommate) and Daniel (Ruth's brother) were both very friendly and welcoming. We seemed to get along right away. Well we left from their house at 6:30 the next morning to drive to St. Louis. We got there in the afternoon and met David S. who had just flown in from texas. He and Kelsey had been friends since they were little, he was very friendly too and was accepting of me right away. I was starting to feel more relaxed but I knew i had yet to meet the last girl in our group and then the 2 guys that were also friends of David S. Welll I shouldn't have been worried they were amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Emily was great. She was friend.y, open, honest, witty, really just a joy to be around. Ben and David G were both amazing! They were funny, kind, considerate, and just wonderful to be around. I really, really enjoyed the Christian fellowship and the long talks too. Then it was my birthday, my 21st birthday. I was with all these new friends and they made it a memorable birthday. The guys went out and bought a bottle of wine to celebrate which was fun, but I was not really a fan of that wine so maybe a different one will be better. Anyway I miss them all and the community I felt there. How do I feel as content with God as my close companion as I did with those people there? Well now it is 2010 another semester begins in a few days I am interested to see what God as in store after this? :)

Petoskey, Michigan and Cephalopod day in Fish and Seafood

2009-11-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

Cephalopods yuck! that was one weird day in fish and seafood. Did you know that even when octopus are dead their suction cups still work little. The octopus stuck to my friends hand while he tried to cut it up. I was not a fan and touched it as little as possible but yet it was fascinating as well as creepy. The octopus was all spread out on the cutting board and then we poached it for a little while and it shrunk up like cheap cotton in a dryer it was weird!

Last weekend a group from school went on a trip to Petoskey, Michigan a small town way up north in MI. It was a really cute place. We went and visited some farms and some other really cool places, We ate bison and home grown veggies. And we had an all around good time :) Our hotel was right on the bay so we had a really great view, one weird thing is that the hotel used real keys for the rooms i had not seen that before (shows how young i am i guess :P) One farm had a sling shot used to fling un wanted produce out into a field to feed their sheep it was for little kids so what did we do as a bunch of college students? Yep we bought some produce to fling at the sheep! i mean to feed the sheep :) We went to a wine tasting at a casino which was weird for me since i am under aged (don't worry i did not drink anything, except for the diet pepsi in a wine glass) On one of our evening walks we found a cannon in a park and decided to see how many people we could get sitting on top of it that thing was freezing cold but it was fun! One day when we visited one of the farms it was so cold that Ahsley and i shared my pair of mittens cuz she did not have any and we walked around with our arms linked to keep our other hands warm :) So that was pretty much my weekend and i had a really fun time so i wanted to tell you about it, enjoy the pictures.... (ps the 2 meals are Bison Tostados and and Bison/Venison with Root Veggies and Wild Rice)

Here fishy fishy.... no wait I don't want fish I think I'll bake something yummy :)

2009-10-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hey there school is going well. Still not a fan of fish class but of the fish we have made so far the Ahi Tuna and the Hlibut have not been that bad, if fact i kind of liked the tuna (sssh!! don't tell anyone) Baking science is great we made homemade caramel's and i melted them down and made caramel apples covered in peanuts yummy! We also made puff pastry dough which is TIME CONSUMING! and a little hard but hey the apple turnovers we made with the dough were well worth the work, they were deliciously flaky. Midterms are just around the corner so I have to be studying not so fun. Work is going great and I really do enjoy waitressing/hostessing :) So your updated now so I am signing off :) bye!

"Wake me up when September ends... which is in a couple days"

2009-09-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Well September has literally flown by. I have been crazy busy. School is going okay I am really not a fan of fish and seafood, cutting up fish is not a great pastime in my opinion :P I love baking science it is really fun and very interesting :D Lots and lots of hw but hey that is a side effect of school right? I just started working as a hostess/waitress at The Skillet in downtown south bend and I am really enjoying it. It my kind of job fast paced with a smile required. Also waitressing is like playing memory (which I am good at) this face matches this drink... So that is me right now hope you enjoy these pics that I have been taking at school.

" Summer has come and gone..."

2009-08-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

My summer has passed so fast and the fall semester is upon me. September is just around the corner! Last week I was able to hang out and go shopping with a friend. We tried on clothes that we would never buy or wear and shoes that would probably kill us if we tried to walk in them but it was really fun :) Then I took the train to Chicago and stayed with my aunt for a week. We hung out watched movies and went shopping. One day we went to the movies and saw Julie and Julia I REALLY liked it!!!!! It made me want to cook something and maybe even attempt what Julie did... hm maybe someday when I am married I will cook through a cookbook who knows :) I had a lot of fun with her and got a chance to see some cousins too. I came home and ordered my textbooks from my new favorite site www. chegg.com where I can rent textbooks for a portion of the bookstore price and save lots of $ , which I love to do! Last night I went with a friend to a football game. I still do not understand football but maybe someday I will find someone to explain it to me and then I will understand. It was fun to hang out with her at the game and to watch Persuasion with her beforehand. I took a walk with Mr. Darcy in the form of Pride and Prejudice and I think that is really the only summer reading I will be getting in. I have one last day of freedom before school starts so talk to you later...

Wow it has been too long...

2009-07-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

I have done quite a few fun things this summer. The best one was my friend Brittany and I went to Indianapolis to see Wicked the musical which was amazing!!!! I loved it and I have been singing it constantly. We had a great time we ate dinner at the speg factory and them we went to the musical and drove home, that part was insane we got home at 2am. We had a family party and played bags aka corn hole which was fun. I played with my cousin Steven against my mom and brother and we won which is the first time I beat my brother at that game so it was twice as fun! Then a week or so ago my friend ran 50 mile and I went to watch him run. He was great, I could never have run like that the most i have run is 7 mile but hey he is great like that. Other then that I have not done much fun this summer. I took 2 summer classes for school, Sociology and Chemistry, so not fun but they are almost over so i can endure. I went to an Amazing Do Hard Things conference and really enjoyed it. I got a new cell phone which has a texting keyboard that is really fun :D I have signed up for my 5 fall classes and I think I am ready for fall classes to start but not quite yet I still would like to enjoy a little summer. I really want to make it to the beach before I have to go back to school. Anyway ttyl and here are some pics :D

Adam on his Run

Chicago and using Dad's camera...

2009-05-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

So, this past semester went really well. I studied hard and it paid off. I got all A's!!!!!!!!!! In one of my classes I was top of the class and was picked to go to the NRA Food-show. It was really fun and interesting too.
I was then able to go visit some friends and it was even more fun. I went on my first beach trip of the summer and it was wonderful. I had a great time walking with the sand between my toes and playing with the kids and soaking up the sun.
lat week I also used my dad's camera to take a ton of pictures of flowers and other things that i love and i just wanted to share some of the pics with you.

My first Prom.... okay I didn't go i cooked for it :)

2009-05-24T17:25:00.000-07:00

So this year i offered to cook for Anton and his prom date. Then the group kind of grew :) Yeah it turned into 11 people and I got very nervous. I made lasagna with italian sausage, chicken fettuccine alfredo, key lime cheese cake, and carrot cake. It was a ton of fun and everyone enjoyed it. So here are some pictures of the evening. Looks fun hu?

The Picture (an original work)

2009-04-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

The world points one way
My conscience another,
It says if you go there you know you'll just suffer.
His dark face it beckons
In his hand their appears
A picture so perfect it brings me to tears.
I reach towards the picture,
It flickers and falls
It only resembles the joy it involves.
I look o're my shoulder,
And there behind me;
Just one step away
A face full of light as bright as the day.
He smiles through tears and says just one thing.
"Beloved just trust me and it will transpire."
All of my heart yearns with desire,
To step towards the One who makes it all right,
The One standing there just inside of the light.
I turn only slightly,
And my ears are assailed,
By whispers of darkness the promises paled.
Those whispers they tell me: " Why wait for His time,
When all I must do is surrender the line."
Just give him my treasure, beyond all compare
And he'll hand me the picture he is holding just there.
That picture that holds all I desire.
But will it be worth it when I'm covered in mire.
Worth that one treasure He told me to hold.
The one thing He said was to wait and be bold.
The prodding continued:
"Don't think only act
I'll give you your wish for your purity pact.
Surrender that one thing and joy will be yours
You'll never be lonely you'll finely be whole."
The offer was tempting but I knew deep inside,
That if I surrendered then I might as well die.
The grief and the pain would be too much to bear
My life would be dragged to the pit of despair.
I turned towards the Lord with crying and tears.
"Help me dear Jesus to squelch all these fears!"
I reached towards my father, my brother, my friend.
The darkness was closing around me again.
As soon as my cry reached the tip of my tongue,
The whispers were vanquished the battle was won.
The Lord clasped me close to His chest.
And in that sweet instant I was at rest.
The nightmares, the darkness, the despair was all through.
"Remind me right now my strength is all you!"
"Beloved remember and never forget,
I'll always be faithful in every respect."
He reached out his hand and there in his palm
A picture more perfect then the phantom's before.
A picture completely worth waiting for.
"My princess I know this is what you desire
But do not surrender for muck and for mire.
The treasure you have, hold it so tight
And only surrender to my perfect knight.
I'll bring him to you and I promise you this,
You'll have one lovely picture you won't want to miss."

(Picture is from a friend's blog and of her family)

Spring break and then back to classes...

2009-03-20T06:40:00.000-07:00

Well spring break was great. I went to the library and got some books that lost of people had been talking about. They were really good actually. Then over the weekend i went my G-ma and Aunts house it was fun. I had a great time :D. THen is was back to school... I wasn't really feeling that if you know what I mean. On the nicest day of the week I had to go to math class (how fair is that) Then on wednesday I really didn't like that fact that we had to fabricate the pig it was gross!!!! I made it through the week and hopefully can hang out with some friends this week who know. Here are some random picks of food that i have made and one of some fellow students :) Love you all....

RUN for your life

2009-03-20T06:31:00.001-07:00

and this too

He bought you to set you free

2009-03-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

this is a great reminder

So far so good...

2009-02-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

Well I made it thorough the first few weeks of school. So far classes have gone well. My classes are not at the best times. I have Breakfast and Pantry at night (ironic hu?) and then on Wed night I have a class at night as well. I am going non-stop Tuesday through Thursday and then I have Fridays and Mondays "off" for hw and anything else. I am enjoying classes a lot. Not a huge fan of math though (sorry dad) I am doing well with my recipes and in class so I am glad about that. One day we made cheese which was fun, the professor said that I had made the best one he had ever seen including the one he had made before :D I also got to work with phyllo dough which I found fun, contrary to what everyone says. Still cold and snowy here in the midwest just for your information. Well I have to get to dinner and finish up some hw so talk to you all later :)
Love,
~Elizabeth

ps here are some pics from class: friends and food :)

My family entering 2009

2009-01-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

Here we all are doing well and trying to live our lives to the glory of God. God Bless and Happy New Year!

Wow... 2009

2009-01-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

This year has gone really fast, the summer flew buy and now so has the fall semester. Christmas was great. We did our presents on the 24th and then on the 25th my mother and I cooked dinner for our family and our pastor and his wife came over. The dinner was great if i do say so myself and I also made a beautiful cheesecake with raspberry sauce. Then a few days later I became a no-longer-teenage-adult. I am officially 20! My birthday was great. During the morning mom, Anton, and I went shopping. We found some great sales and I bought a nice shirt. Then we went to the mall and I got my ears pierced, painful but should prove fun later on, thanks for the cash for the G-ma :) After our full day of shopping we went home and had dinner and watched the movie Mansfield Park. Anton's friend ashley was here and so was Karrissa, I had a great evening. Now I am just trying to enjoy the rest of my break before I start school again on the 12th. So far I am totally enjoying it! Love you and talk to you later :)

December 6th... 23 days to go :)

2008-12-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

Well, I am currently going crazy! Friday was my Persuasive Speech, it went well but I was so nervous!. Last night my friend Nathanael came over for dinner we played a game, ate pizza, and watched my favorite Christmas movie (White Christmas), it was fun and it was nice to see him, since he lives in Arizona I don't see him very often. Then today I ran, it was freezing!!!!!!! 20° and windy. Then ever since then I have been studying for my finals. I have to read my recipes for Mon, Tues, and Wed. organize a flow chart so I can do them in the allotted time and have them turn out well :) I also have a big nutrition final on monday and another speech on Friday. Then next week I have 3 written finals and the classes will be scouring the kitchens as school during our end of the semester cleaning. The should be fun ;)
I have been thinking a lot about my birthday and how it will be to be 20 this year. No more teen behind your name, I think it will be weird. But hey, that is all right now Love you,
~Elizabeth

Back in the city :)

2008-11-29T06:37:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody :) Happy Thanksgiving!! the other day and now it is time to start thinking about Christmas!!!!
I had a great time at Thanksgiving, Grandma the turkey and ham were great, wonderful German Chocolate cake Lisa, and I love the rolls Uncle Jeff :) Eating all the food and watching the fellowship was great. I am so thankful for my family. For the ability to spend time together and enjoy each others company. I am also thankful for the prayers for me as i go to school. i have made friends and am really enjoying the class. Right now I am back at the H's and playing with the kids and enjoying myself. I love you all!

Today at school=yummy

2008-10-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well today I made cream puffs and carmel sauce. It was fun and yummy. Here are some pictures. Spending a whole lot of time at school :) Love you all.

Anton...

2008-10-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well, as you know he is a SR this year and loving it though he is ready for a break for a few days. I had a opportunity earlier in the year to take some pics of him and I think he is using some a Sr. Pics. Last saturday he went to Semi-state, he ran a PR but he didn't advance. It was cold that day but I had fun watching. In fact some of the underclassmen are really crazy, a bunch of boys painted their bodies with the word Anton (and on their backs the word Brenna, the girl runner from PENN at Semi-state) A few races ago he and 9 other guys came to our house and cut mohawks into their hair, it was a little crazy looking :) but you know they are guys I don't always understand them. So here are some of the pictures I have taken of him.

My life now...aka college

2008-10-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been really, really, busy. I have made a lot of very interesting food and am following with some pictures of some of the dishes. Speech class is going well but I still don't like it at all! I am getting an A in English!! and in most of my other classes too. I have a partner named Don who is in most of my class and he is absolutely wonderful. He is helpful, caring, and encouraging a great partner for any class and I think we will be in a class together next semester too. I also have another friend named jenni who is wonderful too. We went to dinner after out long monday and had a blast. We will be in multiple classes together next semester. So far this has been my semester. Love you all lots :)

Freshman again :)

2008-09-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone school is going amazingly well. I have cooked a lot of yummy things and everything has turned out great. I gave my first speech and it went well even thought I was so NERVOUS. I was really excited because I got my 1st English paper back on Friday and as the teacher handed it to me she said: " nice job you are prepared for college writing." I was thrilled. Well, I will keep you posted :)

First Week of College

2008-08-31T18:37:00.001-07:00

Cooking School-
Monday: Basic food Theory & Nutrition
Tuesday: Stocks, Soups, & Sauces
Wednesday: Intro to Baking
Friday: Public Speaking & English

Here I am in my uniform and here is my knife kit

I get to carry it at school scary huh?

SCHOOL

2008-08-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

On the 25ht of August I start school full time. It should be fun :) Here is what I will be reading:
Hungry yet?

So far this August...

2008-08-12T13:54:00.000-07:00

On the 3rd we had a Surprise 75th Birthday party for my Grandma. We had a lot of fun. She was so surprised! All the Aunts got thrown in the pool, Tammy went into labor (and had a boy later that day), I took lots of pics, and everyone ate lots of food. The next day we went downtown Chicago and had a good time there. Lots of walking. We went to Navy Pier and I loved all the flags at the end of the pier. After that I didn't do much of anything fun this month. I ordered some school books and a knife set(for cooking). I have been able to watch some of the Olympics and hat has been fun. I am excited about the track events but I also love the swimming and gymnastics. I loved the 4X100 that the Americans one by just seconds!!! It was a great race! My bother starts school tomorrow and I start on the 25th. It should be a good year :) ttyl

The Windy City!

This July...

2008-07-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

Well, July has flown by so quickly! So far I have an A in one class and I have to take my final this week in the other , yikes!! I hope it goes well. We have had our friends the Jonses over for a couple days and that was fun. Anton ran a race and then on my dad's birthday we went to the water park it was really fun.

The 4th of July

2008-07-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July. I want to thank all or our soldiers for their sacrifices for our freedoms. I don't know if you hear this that often but thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank all the guys I know that have joined the military: Alex, Steven, Tim, Nathanael, JT, Brent, Nick, Jake, Nick, and Clayton. Thank you guys so much for your willingness to serve. Have a great holiday everyone.

image from google not taken by me :)

The bombs busting in air...

2008-07-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the 4th of July, a holiday celebrated with beautiful fireworks and lots of food. But what do those lovely, bright, and even dazzeling lights in the sky represent? What do our soldiers think of and feel when they hear the explosions and see the bright flashes? Is is fun? or does it call up haunting memories and maybe even fears? I have know idea what the men and women who fought, and currently fight for our freedoms in this country have dealt with and seen nor do I think that I would be able to stand it if I did. My heart aches for them for what they have been though. I cannot make that fact of war go way, but I can remind others of what tomorrow means. The 4th of July is a wonderful celebration of the freedoms we have in the USA, but don't let it be just another day that you don't have to work or study for school. Remember what freedom cost (a lot) and that all those lovely fireworks are pictures to remind us of the bombs and the sounds of the battles that were, and are being, fought to keep this nation free. And tell those who have been through the real battles that you are thankful and you support them. God bless our soldiers.

image found on goggle :) not taken by me

Wow...

2008-07-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that is is already July. June just seemed to fly past and now summer is almost over (I know most of you don't want to think about that :) School is going well and I am getting the hang of the internet classes. Some of the assignments are hard but I am getting through it :) Now I need to figure out my fall schedule. Have a great week.

Father's Day

2008-06-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

Well HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!
No matter what I know you are always there for me. I love you dad.

School... Already :)

2008-06-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I started my 2 summer classes last monday (9th). At first it was really overwhelming, but I think I have the hang of it now. All this week I have been doing homework and studying. I have also been doing Algebra reviews so I can score well on the clep test.
Over all even thought is has been a new experience it has been going well.

It was been good to be home. All week mom has been making strawberry jam and the house has smelled wonderful! Boy am I looking forward to PBJs strawberry is my favorite jam.

Family Vacation

2008-06-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

First we went the the Creation Museum and that was really nice I would recommend it to you it was run for all the age groups in our family. And gives you the right perspective on history. Then we went down to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. It was amazing. We spent 8 and a half hours under ground over all. Each tour we took gave a us different view of the cave. My favorite one was the grand avenue tour which was a 4 mile hike in the cave. But my favorite place in the cave was the "drapery room" under the "Frozen Niagra" it was beautiful I took lots of pictures. We camped and the was fun but it also brought my least favorite part of the vacation the bugs especially the cicada they were everywhere! Yuck! Then on the way home we drove through Elizabethtown yeah! After a few hours in the car we came to the Blueriver Cavern and took a boat tour in that cave it was really fun. I had a great time on vacation but there is no place like home. Here are some of the pics from the trip.

!!!HOME!!!

2008-05-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I am done with my year in the city. Now it is off to cooking school, and after that only God knows and he knows best.
I am so glad to be home with my family!

The Movies

2008-05-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

Last night I went and saw Prince Caspian. It was good, and even thought it didn't totally follow the book I enjoyed it a lot. And by the way Jacob, I am still going to take you don't worry :)

My favorite character was Reepicheep the mouse.

Summer... almost :)

2008-05-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ever kid in the house is getting it. The almost summer bug where the kids hate their school books and are trying everything to not have to do school and to get it done so fast so they can go outside. Even I am feeling it a little. I am so ready to be done for the summer.

Memorial Day Party

2008-05-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a good time at the party! There was lots to do...

Caleb and Jared ran their first 5k!

A Sand Box

A Game!

And lots of cute kids :)

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

2008-05-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

Never forget that freedom has a high price.

Visit girl talk (in side bar) for a wonderful memorial day sentiment.

May 20th

2008-05-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

The cutest super-heros ever!

STOP! (in the name of love... sorry I put singing into everything don't I guys :)

Flying without wings or leaving the back yard

Got Milk? (soy of course)

They get so excited about snacks.

Super Hero Hello :)

2008-05-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

It takes a minute to start.

In the suburbs

2008-05-19T09:30:00.001-07:00

Well, Mrs. H the kids are doing great! The city kids are having trouble understanding why all the suburbians have "parks" in their yard but not everyone can play on them :) Caden is loving the sandbox and the swings. Kaylie is loving the swings, dolls, and the dress up clothes. The other night we made s'mores and the kids loved them, the got to have "chocolate on their sandwich" and Caden put it. It is a lot of fun! We have been watching some Veggie Tales and we took a long walk to day and they got to ride in a wagon. They are napping right now so i have time to post this. Bye :)

Playing Outside

2008-05-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Old Enough

2008-05-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

For the fist time in my life I am now old enough to vote. But what does that mean. There are so many things that people stand for and there won't ever be a perfect canidate who you agree with entirely. The point isn't to vote for the one you think will be the most popular because you don't want the other person in office, because no matter how you vote God has already decided who will be president. The point is God has given you an opportunity to give him glory through your choice of who to vote for, are you going to chose the canidate you feel will make the most God glorifying decesions, even if he is the "underdog"? I believe that God has giving us this opportunity, how will you use it? My choice is to vote to the best of my ability and give God the glory.

Military Friends

2008-05-06T19:59:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about my friends in the military. I feel very patriotic showing my support of them. They are doing so much to keep this nation free and we don't thank them enough. I would ask that you continue praying for them. Steven is going to be returning to Iraq but I don't know exactly when. Nathanael is now stationed in Arizona working in communications. JT is in CA as is Brent I believe. Nick is back in elkhart for awhile. I don't know exactly where Tim or Jake is but keep them in your prayers as well. And my friend Jay plans on joining soon. Thank you all, and thanks to all the men and women who are serving in our armed forces.

The Zoo

2008-05-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Today we took Karissa, Corban, Caden, and Kaylie to the zoo. The kids loved it. It was sunny and warm, spring is definitely here. The kids ran around looking at the animals until they were tired. Then we brought them back for a nap, I think that they will sleep for quite awhile :) Here are some of the pics I took.

All the kids pretending to be chicks.

They loved seeing the goldfish up close.

There were even some beautiful flowers which I love.

Do Hard Things

2008-05-05T12:28:00.001-07:00

Well, I was bought this book and read it. It was great! The rebelution asked people who bought the book to send in their creative pictures and I thought I would share the ones took with you.

Well, everyone here in the Hamernick household helped to make this first pic possible. Without them I never could have taken it :)

Then Karissa helped me with the other one. We were thinking what we could do and we decided the book was more interesting then skateboarding so we took this picture. And then we took another one in a different place.

Well, what do you think? :D

Beautiful & Hard

2008-04-28T06:22:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I went to beautiful wedding. The minister talked about how the couples relationship drew both of them closer to God. How being together brought out the best in them and made them more Godly. It made me cry, that is exactly what I want. I want to have a relationship with a guy that makes us both grow closer to God and shows the beautiful picture of Christ's love for the church.

Do Hard Things. With God's help they aren't so hard. I don't ever start conversations with strangers but on the train back I sat next to this girl and we talked the whole ride. We talked about God, gender differences, homeschooling, morality, literature, and school. She is a buddhist and believes in reincarnation. We talked and I tried my best to state my beliefs and convictions but I stumbled over my words a lot, I prayed through the whole conversation and I know God can use what I said for his purposes. We talked about books and she has read lots of similar books (classics) I was talking about the book Do Hard Things and she was really interested. Well, this was a hard thing for me but with God's help I hope it sounded good. Please pray that God uses this in her life. Love you all, :)

What I am reading right now

2008-04-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is a book that is written in the form of a diary and it tells the story a of a young woman's journey in her faith. It is really good and encouraging. It explains the doubts and the difficulties of faith.

Girls Together

2008-04-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Kaylie and I painted our toes, and her fingers. She was really excited. It was fun.

Anton's Visit

2008-04-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Anton came to visit me last weekend and we had a great time. I beat him in a game of cards and he read to the little ones before they went to bed. Then we went down town and walked around. We did some window shopping and we ate lunch then we took the train back home for the weekend.

Flip-Flops

2008-04-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

Well for me this warm weather means getting a chance to wear flip-flops(their not called thongs anymore Rach :) and not gym shoes and sometimes even paint my toenails(bright colors). I just love this weather and just now at the turn of the seasons is when I get the most joy out of being outside. I will be using the upstairs porch a lot. Well, enjoy the wonderful weather everyone.

summer's days mean baths

2008-04-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

well with the nice weather comes the chance to get messy and these kids do it well :) They are going to need a bath everyday in the spring and summer.

Church Renovations

2008-03-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

We are renovating the church and building a new sanctuary. Everyone is pitching in and working together. It is lots of fun.

Day at the Park

2008-03-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

We had a great day at the park. The kids loved it and I had a great time too. They are so cute playing together.

Copy Cat

2008-03-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Kaylie copies Karissa in almost everything.

CONDO

2008-03-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

Corban came to see me and told me to come and see his condo. He built it out of books for his cars to live in.

Order Today!!!!

2008-03-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

Spring Break

2008-03-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well I have had a great time over spring break.
It was warm :)

And we had a picnic lunch too.

It was Jacob's birthday and he wanted to go bowling. Later after we had pizza and cake. Yummy!

It was really great to be home. I miss it.

Spring Fever

2008-03-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

We just had to go outside. The sun was shining and it was 48°. We all went to the park and the kids just ran around and played with the happiest faces ever. Then Mrs. H wanted to go down to the beach. Wishful thinking on her part. We went and the kid played in the sand. But everyone was getting cold. The beach had a bunch of sand along he edge of the shore and we were playing tag on top of it. Then when my legs went through the snow I realized that the snow wasn't on the sand it was on top of the water. My feet were soaked in the coldest water I have ever felt. Needless to saw that was the end of the day and we went back to the house to get dried off.

Musings of a Lady

2008-03-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

During this year I have learned a lot. I have had a taste of motherhood and running a home. I have experimented with cooking and even with potty training :) I have even had the opportunity to test out my homeschooling skills. I realized the other day that this time in my life is when I have the biggest opportunity to grow closer to God. I don't need to do laundry, fix dinner, mediate an argument, just be mommy, or anything else that a wife/mother does. I can learn so much right now. Even though I cannot wait to be a wife/mother I realize that I need to make the most of my time right now. And with God's help I can do just that.

Weekend Visit

2008-03-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

I had 2 friends come over for the weekend and we had a great time. We walked around the city and we hung out at the house.

The Little Ones

2008-02-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Well now they are like the three little kittens except they have hats to lose instead of mittens :)

Playing in the Snow

2008-02-26T18:10:00.000-08:00

Well, the kids were eager to use there mittens. They looked so cute playing together.

Caden's Hat

2008-02-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it is cold out, And since Caden wanted his hair cut he needs something to wear over his head. So here is his hat. He is still just as cute.

Hair Cuts

2008-02-25T17:51:00.000-08:00

This was the first time I ever gave a haircut and KK's turned out nice. She sat very still and I trimmed up her bangs.

Then Caden wanted his hair cut and he wanted it buzzed like Josiah. I cut it and then he said that it was wrong because it still was there. He wanted all his hair off. So here is what it looks like.

My Valentine from my family.

2008-02-21T06:24:00.001-08:00

I forgot to post a picture of my lovely carnations that i got from my family for Valentines Day.

The Kids Made A Mess

2008-02-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

The kids got into some coal dust and water today. They were upstairs and they got it all over their hands and the walls and the bed and their clothes. Needless to say they got a timeout and scrubbed to death in a tub. They got dressed and Caden put this shirt on that said: "It seemed like a good idea at the time." it was very ironic.

Mittens

2008-02-18T11:44:00.001-08:00

The little boys keep losing their gloves so I made them some mittens with strings on them so they cannot lose them.

The Girl's Valentines Day

2008-02-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

Mine
Karissa's
Kaylie's
Well, all the guys got all the girls flowers. They were beautiful, and it was very sweet.

Oh, the Goodness of PBJ

2008-02-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

What kid doesn't like peanut butter and jelly? These kids are no exception. :)

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T05:45:00.001-08:00

Hope You all have a great Valentines Day. Love You all Lots.

Little Feet

2008-02-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

This poem is called "Mother's Inspiration" I feel like it applies to a Nanny too.

Had I no little feet to guide
Along life's toilsome way,
My own more frequently might slide,
More often go astray.

But when I meet my baby's eyes,
At God's own bar I stand,
And angles draw me toward the skies
While baby holds my hand.

A Fort

2008-02-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

Today the kids built a fort out of a blanket and some chairs. I remember doing that wiht Anton when we were little and we had so much fun. These Kids had a lot of fun too. Here are some pics.

New Foster Dog

2008-02-12T19:14:00.001-08:00

Well, the puppies got adopted and now there is a new dog at my house. Her name is Ariel, she is a fairly good dog.

More Gloves

2008-02-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

well, I wore them at the house and then she kids wanted some too so I made 2 more pairs.

Weekend Project

2008-02-09T18:11:00.000-08:00

I was really wanting to do a craft and so I knit myself some fingerless gloves. I finished them in a afternoon and had a good time making them.

Me and the Babies

2008-02-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

Even when they can be difficult I do love these kids.

Sharing

2008-02-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

The kids often don't like to share. But this day they were doing a good job.

Kaylie was playing then she said that she was going to sleep like a book. Then she crawled onto the bookshelf a curled up with a giggle.

A Home Prayer

2008-01-30T19:04:00.000-08:00

Someone at Church gave me this poem and I think it is wonderful.

A Home Prayer
Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I've no time to be
A Saint by doing lovely deeds
Or watching late with thee
Or dreaming in the dawnlight
or storming heavens gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals
And washing up the plates!

Although I must have Martha's hands
I have a Mary's mind
And when I black the boots and shoes
Thy sandals Lord, I find!
I think of how they trod the earth,
What time I scrub the floor;
Accept this meditation, Lord!
I haven't time for more.
...This was written by a 19 year old girl who was in domestic service in London a long time ago.

Finished Dresser

2008-01-30T19:03:00.000-08:00

I finished my dresser and it looks great if I do say so myself.

Girls Night Out

2008-01-30T07:04:00.000-08:00

We had a fun GNO. We all went to dinner and then to a play. It was a lot of fun. My Mom is taking the picture. :) The Play was My Fair Lady and it was great.

Building a Dresser

2008-01-30T07:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I am building a dresser for myself. It is going well so far. Here is me building.

Braided Hair

2008-01-28T08:59:00.000-08:00

All the girls got their hair done.

Everyday Prayer

2008-01-27T18:50:00.000-08:00

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Dear God: by Ruth Graham[at age 19]

2008-01-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid
(as we're inclined to do)
I do not need a handsome man
But let him be like you;
I do not need one big and strong
nor yet so very tall,
Nor need he be some genius
Or wealthy, Lord, at all.
But let his head be high, dear God,
And let his eye be clear,
his shoulders straight, whate'er his state,
Whate'er his earthly sphere;
And let his face have character,
A ruggedness of soul,
And let his whole life show, dear God,
A singleness of goal;
Then when he comes(as he will come)
With quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man
I prayed for long ago.

We made Cookies

2008-01-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

Kk said these things:" Elizabeth, I help."
"Elizabeth, I have a sneak?" AKA can I have some cookie dough.

"Elizabeth, I read your Bible?" AKA my recipie book

Snow

2008-01-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Well, I was doing dishes this morning and as I looked out the window the beauty of the snow was so calming. God is amazing each of those thousand of snowflakes that made up the 2 inches was different. He takes his time to create something so intricate than what am I worried about, he knows the deepest desires of my heart and he will provide all my needs. And I can just take joy in being a daughter of him and rest in his presence.

This Week

2008-01-17T16:59:00.000-08:00

This week God showed me that the more you make an effort to serve the more contentment and joy he gives you. God commands service and then gives you joy when you serve. Isn't it amazing how that works.