Favorite Foto Friday 05/30/08

This week, and I hope Doni doesn't mind, I have to post a picture of Tori Savannah! She is the third child of my blog friend Doni, they live in Arizona. This week Doni posted a photo of Tori with a close up on her face and eyes. This little girl has eyes you could drown in. She is SO adorable!




For even more great photos of Tori, as well as her brothers, Tanner & Ty, please click on Doni's name and you'll go to their family site. Doni is the photographer of all these photos and while technically she isn't a professional, she has a ton of skill!
Hope you enjoy your weekend!

More Prayer needed

God sure has been busy lately.............please keep the Smith/Sponberg family in your prayers again. Todd Smith is in the band Selah, his sister, Nicol Sponberg was a member a few years ago and is now a solo artist. Seven weeks ago, the Smith's lost their daughter Audrey Caroline. Yesterday, Todd's sister Nicol found their two month old son, Luke Gregory Sponberg, not breathing. They were unable to resuscitate him.

My heart just breaks into pieces not being able to understand why these things happen. I and they know its all part of His plan, but so many little ones lately, just devastating.

Lord, please cover the Smith/Sponberg family during this time. Help them to be able to cope with a second loss in such a short time. This family is hurting so much, help them to continue to see You throughout this trying time.

Tuesday Funnies ~ Kersten again

Kersten is at a really fun age. She'll be three in two weeks and she is just too smart! Potty training has been in full swing for a little over a month now and most days(and nights), she does really good about staying dry, however when it comes to #2, that is another story. It does not matter what we bribe her with or if we punish her(time out), she has no desire to poop in the potty.
We keep telling her that only babies go in their pants, big girls go potty and poopy in the toilet and we even have a book we read to her, which she has memorized by the way, every time we are in there. So this week, she got creative, she knows that Baby Jess is the baby, she isn't, BUT, she IS the baby sister of JoJo and Cody! So I guess to her, that means she still is a baby and its ok??
Oh boy, where do these kids come up with this stuff!

Prayer needed

Hello everyone~
Wanted to put out a new prayer request. A girl I grew up with many moons ago was found dead in her bed yesterday. She was I think 35, has a husband and two children still at home. No details on a cause of death.
Please just be in prayer for Carrie's family members as they go through the next few days and of course the weeks and months to come without her. It was a complete shock and as so many of you know, its never easy to bury anyone, let alone a child. Her dad, stepmom and two half sisters are close family friends. I hadn't seen Carrie in many years, but am still sad for the impact this will have on the kids. Please remember them all during this time.

Favorite Foto Friday 05/23/08

This week's favorite foto Friday consists of updated pictures of both Jess & Kersten. Mommy took them two weeks ago to Sears for their 1 year and 3 year pictures and they turned out really good! They are both so cute and growing way to fast, but I bet you'd never guess they were biologically related!! They are!

Happy Birthday to...........

Mom Johnson!
and
Wendi!

Hope both of you have a wonderful birthday!

Prayer needed

Please be in prayer for the Steven Curtis Chapman family.
Last night, their son pulled into their driveway and he accidentally struck the five year old daughter and she did not survive.
Pray for the family in the midst of this tragic loss. Pray for the son to be able to get pass the guilt he must be feeling. It's never easy to lose a family member, but this situation is beyond imagination.
Prayer is the only answer.
Thank you!

Back from Vacation

Well, I made it back, safe and sound from Sacramento/Portland. I had a good time in both places.

Sacramento/Placerville~
I got in at 11pm, Mark picked me up and took me to his and Ashly's apartment to crash for the night. We stayed up for about an hour chatting and catching up, but both of them had to be up and at 'em, so we kinda kept it short. I was awake bright and early, still being on CST time and all, so was up when they both got up to get ready for the day. Grama & Grampa Booth came to pick me up around 11am. We headed straight to Sunrise Mall from there where JCPenney's was having a fabulous sale! Almost everything in the store was 50% off and I had a $15 off coupon if I spent $75. Well, by the time I had picked out what I wanted, I ended up making two $75 purchases and got to use the coupon twice, so I got 4 pairs of capris, one VERY nice church outfit and a pair of jammies for $120. Not bad if I do say so myself. Being the product of two very awesome Gramas that know how to shop the sales and get the best deals, what would you expect, right? So, now I have some summer clothes that fit and they are cute to boot! After shopping, we headed to the Old Spagetti Factory. YUMMO! Grama got her favorite lasagna, Grampa had spinach ravioli and I had spagetti and a meatball. We all got spumoni for dessert. MMMMMM, I can still taste it! After that, we headed up the hill to Placerville and home. We spent the rest of the afternoon just relaxing and hanging out. After supper, I went to visit my Dad & Sandee for awhile, but was wiped by 8:30(10:30 CST), so I headed back to Gram's to crash.
Woke up on Saturday a little later than Friday, but still was up early. Had breakfast and headed back to Dad's. We had planned to go gold panning that afternoon. Bunnie, my dad's rottie(sweetest dog ever), came with us. She is a river dog for sure! That, and she'd follow my Dad to the ends of the earth if he asked her! Anyway, Dad goes goldpanning on a regular basis and when he has a full day, he has this dredger that does alot of the work for you. However, we didn't have all day, so we took the basics and set out to scout a location that would be lucky. Well, the one he wanted had no trespassing signs and barbed wire, I took that as a sign to stay away, so we went where he has gone before and just choose a different part of the creek. If you have never gone gold panning, you wouldn't know you are basically going to end up soaking wet, so I was slightly unprepared, but adapted nonetheless. My tennis shoes were soaked, as were the bottom half of my capris, but in the three hours we were there, we made significant progress on the area we were in and I found the teensiest piece of gold for a souvenir! Dad said if I had another 10,000 of those, we'd have an ounce! HA! It is alot of work, but surprisingly fun. I guess its the prospect of finding something? We ended up bringing home about a third of a five gallon bucket of what my Dad refers to as "concentrates" to pan from home. This was the stuff that was left after picking out all the big rocks and most of the dirt. I went grocery shopping after we got back, I was planning to cook brunch for Mother's Day and I needed supplies! Got back to Gram's and unloaded and took a brief nap before we all left to meet Dad & Sandee at Casa Ramos, a Mexican eatery with nummy food. The rest of the evening was spent with Melannie shopping for Mother's Day presents.
Sunday dawned and again, slept a little later than the previous day. I got up and made myself a smoothie for breakfast, wasn't serving brunch until 11am. After that, I started on my preparations. I had bought fresh fruit - strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, oranges and grapes - so that all had to be washed and sliced. I also had bought ingredients to make belinis, they were virgin(normally made with champagne) and very good. Had cranberry and pomegranate juice with sparkling water and simple syrup and fresh fruit slices for decor. Then Melannie and her husband Angus came to help me with the rest. We made Texas toast french toast, pork and turkey sausage, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. It was almost as good as going out to eat, just more economical and of course delectable when you know how it was prepared! Melannie's mother and my Aunt Lynn and my Uncle Matt came, as well as Dad & Sandee, so with Gram, Gramps and me, there was nine of us. We had a good time laughing, telling stories and of course EATING! We opened cards and gifts after we cleared the table. I think everyone really enjoyed it.
Spent the afternoon just hanging out some more. The plan was for me, Dad and Sandee to meet Mark & Ashly at BJ's in Folsum for dinner. We were going for Ashly's birthday AND because I am a complete nerd and HAVE TO eat there whenever I am in the area. I love that restaurant! Can you say PAZOOKIE?! They make, to order, the best dessert ever, its super simple, but they make it awesome. Its a fresh baked cookie(your choice) served hot from the oven with a scoop of ice cream on top! HEAVEN!! I had pizza for my dinner and that was awesome too. I REALLY wish they'd come our direction, so far, they are a West Coast thing, I keep begging, maybe someday they'll listen to me. After dinner, we headed back home to wallow in our gluttony. =)
Monday was my last day to spend with Gram & Gramps, so I spent most of it just hanging out with them. Gram and I had pedicures scheduled in the morning, my treat for Mother's Day, so we did that and grabbed Taco Bell taco salads for the three of us on the way home. The afternoon was spent preparing for the BBQ we were having that evening. My sort of goodbye supper. Everyone came over - Matt & Lynn, Mel & Angus, Dad & Sandee AND Mark & Ashly. We had a good time eating and telling stories. The main purpose behind the BBQ was so that Mark & Ashly would have a little extra time with everyone since they live an hour away and are so busy with work and school, they don't get much time in Placerville. They were also my ride back to Sacramento as I was leaving early Tuesday morning to head to Portland. After dinner, we left and went to Mel & Angus' apartment and played a board game for awhile before heading to Sacramento. It was another somewhat late night, but we were all up and moving Tuesday morning and I got to the airport in PLENTY of time to get through the hoops of security and board my plane.

Portland/Beaverton~
I flew into Portland, but mostly was in Beaverton, which is a suburb. Portland is so beautiful in the spring. Everything is so green and fragrant. The trees in the west are SO different from what we have back home, they are tall and majestic somehow. Anyway, I got to the airport where I was met by Mom & Marissa, and Marsha, a very nice lady from the church who was our chaffeur. The purpose of going to Portland was for their annual convention, its four days of praise & worship and teaching the Word. It was an awesome meeting. It is sad that some of our elders are passing on, but awesome to see the younger generation taking the lead and pressing on. Grama and Grampa Wood were there as well, they traveled with Mom & Marissa. I worked in the kitchen two of the days of the meeting. At these meetings, its typical to feed the people twice a day, breakfast and dinner. So I helped with the preperation of the meals and the serving. We cooked for 500 most every day. I love to cook and since I don't get to do too much of it just for myself, I was having a good time cooking that much food. Its amazing the operation they have set up. Their scullery(their term for dish room) is bigger than Mt. Carmel's kitchen! It was alot of fun meeting new people and helping feed God's people. Marissa worked in the dining room those days and she enjoys that alot. The church in Beaverton, Cornerstone Gospel Assembly, is a huge campus consisting of a large sanctuary and an equally large dining room/gymnasium/school. They also own property bordering the church consisting of apartments and dorms, as well as many of the church members living on or right next door to the property. They call it a campus because it really is set up like one. I am in awe of their hospitality and the amount of work that went into preparing and pulling this convention off. Thank you to everyone!
The convention ended Friday afternoon, but one of their regular church services is Friday night, so we had church that evening as well.
Saturday was the day I was to return home, I slept in that morning before having breakfast and packing my things. Mom and the others were scheduled to leave Sunday morning to head back to Indiana/Kentucky.

It was a short visit to both towns, but all in all, good to see my family and friends. The weather was nice in both places, although Portland got steamy for two days, very strange for them at any time, let alone in May.
No more real vacation for me until Christmas, when again, we'll gather for the holidays and our own youth convention.

Favorite Foto Friday ~ My cute nephew

Since I won't be around for two Favorite Foto Fridays, I am posting this cute photo of my nephew, Austin. He is nearly six months old already. Doesn't seem possible. He was 4 pounds, 2 ounces when he was born, went home at 3 pounds, 12 ounces. He is now over 13 pounds!!
So cute!! Love you little man!

Less than two hours............

I should be cleaning the mongo pile on my desk, but here I am, in blogger land!
So excited to be going away, but the pressure is mounting! I "think" I got everything dealt with at home and didn't forget anything. Work has been more of a challenge as I have been training all week and it just wasn't the best week to be doing that, but oh well.
I get off work in less than two hours, then I'll walk over to the Kahler to pick up my shuttle to go to MSP. My flight is at 9:11pm tonight. I get into Sacramento at 11pm PST, 1am my time. Hoping to have my own row on the plane, looks that way as of now. If so, then I'll stretch out and crash. For some reason, I sleep pretty decently on a plane. You wouldn't think so since the seats aren't terribly comfortable, but, I manage.

A former colleague of mine who is pursuing an open adoption got her baby last night. He is gorgeous and they couldn't be any happier! Many years of infertility and this blessing literally landed in their laps. All things in His time! Hard to wait some days, but the payoff is so worth it. Congrats Wendi and JB on your gorgeous Isaac!

Anyway, no blog entries from me until I get back(5/19).
Later!

Vacation is coming!

WAHOO!!!!

Next Thursday, the 8th, I depart for my vacation. I will be flying to Sacramento to spend four days with my brother(Mark), my Dad & Sandee and my grandparents. I haven't seen most of them since September when my cousin got married and they haven't seen me since my surgery. Mark is picking me up that night and I'll crash at his apartment the first night. Grama and Gramps are picking me up Friday morning and we are going SHOPPING! Grama Booth said she'd help me with getting some of my new wardrobe. I am not quite to my goal, but, everything I currently own is pretty baggy or falling off of me. I'll need a few interim clothes and other things, I think I'll buy a little on the tight side and "grow" out/into them. Monday, Grama and I will do pedicures and manicures. The rest of the weekend is pretty unplanned, but will be spent spending time with my grandparents, my Dad and Sandee, and hopefully some time with my Aunt Lynn & Uncle Matt, as well as cousin Mel & her new husband Angus. Mark & Ashly have a church meeting most of the weekend, but hoping to see them some Friday night and then Monday night we'll have dinner at Grams and they'll take me back to their place as I have an early Tuesday AM flight to Portland.

On the 13th, I am taking a puddle jump up to Portland, OR, to go to a church meeting with my Mom and my sister. Mark will join us for a few days as well. I'll be there until the 17th, so about five days of time there and while the meeting takes up a good portion, we'll have time to explore and check out Portland too. I was there about ten years ago and absolutely enjoyed the area, so am looking forward to all that has changed since I visited last. Also looking forward to seeing some friends from the Sacramento area, as well as other churches. These meetings tend to be the way most get to see each other since we are all quite spread out.

Mostly, I am just looking forward to time away from Minnesota. Spring is having a hard time making up its mind whether or not it wants to stay. It is SO annoying. We had snow last week and there is a chance of it AGAIN in the forecast. SERIOUSLY, its May!!!! I know winter isn't officially over til July 4th, but we had such a long winter, we really need SPRING!!

Anyway, I'll be around for another week, but then I'll drop off for awhile. I promise to post about my adventures.
Have a good weekend!

It's official, I am an old lady

Well, yesterday I had a Fibromyalgia consult and lo and behold, the reason I am so old at the young age of 30. Fibromyalgia sort of covers a broad range of symptoms, but it basically is the diagnosis when doctors can find no other cause for them. I have consistent pain, especially with extremes of different tasks, I am majorly fatigued, have very little energy, have constant headaches, very poor sleep patterns and poor concentration. I had 18 of 18 tender points, so its full blown.

I will have some educational sessions to learn some ways to deal with the symptoms and even improve or fix them altogether. I also will be seen in the Pain Clinic and go through a three week daily program of how to cope and do things in a way that works for me.

While I was hoping this wasn't the case, I at least have a reason for feeling like an old lady and there are some ways to make it better. The surgery and after effects seemed to have intensified my symptoms, so hopefully with all the things I learn, I'll be better able to cope daily. The thing I hate the most is the lack of energy or the ability to do things for long periods of time. This stems mostly from my poor sleep patterns, and they will address that during the three week rehab program.

Please just keep me in your prayers. Things can only get better now that I have a diagnosis and a plan of attack.
I appreciate all the thoughts and well wishes.

Favorite Foto Friday 05/02/08

My nephew Jess again is the topic this week. This is a more current picture. He has grown so much and is too darn cute!!!
Have a good weekend everyone!