I've been really bad about writing recently. If you are expecting something profound or incredibly interesting because of the delay, you are going to suffer much disappointment.
-I heard a song on the country station today I am convinced we sang at church awhile back. The only difference was the occasional switch of "Jesus" for "baby." Makes me wonder how many other songs could jump genres by changing one word.
- Every time I drive by K-mart in Ames I ponder about the size of the parking lot. There are at least 300 spots and I've never seen more than 10 cars. You could hold the county fair there and K-ma-part wouldn't miss a beat.
-Heavy rain and no sod on fresh black dirt don't get along. Just ask the geniuses building next door. I taught Allison a lesson on erosion, proper drainage and the phrase "gully washer."
-It's going to be kinda tough leaving this place we live for one reason. The location. I love being able to look out at the ducks, geese, 2 beavers, and great blue herons. As well as no rear neighbors and the feel of being in the country.
-Hanging sheetrock on the ceiling by yourself stinks. I felt like I was on a Biggest Loser challenge.
-I wish Makenna's teeth would come in already. She gnaws on everything like a dog on a fresh ham.
-Speaking of ham, how about this swine flu? If it reaches (God forbid) one million deaths per year, it will match malaria. And how concerned are American's about malaria? Perspective anyone?
-For a person who truly believes in the Bible in Iowa, its a very sad week. The aftermath of courts putting God's Word in the backseat was initiated.
-Speaking of gays, the Presbyterian church (narrowly) voted to not allow them to become pastors. How would that work? Just pick and choose which marriage and instruction passages to follow? The "this isn't what I believe God meant, so disregard it" approach seems a little funny. Guess what? Jesus doesn't make typos.
-I'm getting to experience first hand Ames government. What an exercise in futility. Heard of "Git-R-Done?" This is the exact opposite.
-What's the deal with Burger King's new advertisement for kids meals featuring Sir Mix A Lot? "I like square butts and I can not lie." Seriously?
-While Idol is interesting, I find the most captivating part is Paula's well-intentioned, yet ridiculous statements. Someone should sing "Ramble On" and dedicate it to her.
April 29, 2009
April 21, 2009
A Few Updates on Makenna
This week instead of a How-To Tuesday I decided to do an update on Makenna. I'll be back next week with a How-To though.
She had her 6 month doctor's visit yesterday. She weighed in at 14 pounds 11 ounces. Who wants to guess how long it will take her cousin Tana to catch up to her?
She likes to impress us with her ability to do several pivot turns while laying on her belly.
She really enjoys eating her rice cereal. But coughed, gagged, and threw up twice last night when we tried to feed her sweet potatoes. She reminded me of her cousin Drew. And after she threw up the second time I decided to stop trying to get her to eat and asked her if she thought that she deserved dessert? (that is an inside joke only the Willis family can appreciate)
She laughs when playing peek-a-boo.
She has found out that she is capable of belting out happy, high-pitched squeals that make me cringe every time she lets one out.
She has had her first cold. I'm glad she got one. It is building her immune system.
She likes to play outside, but hates the sun in her face.
She fought harder yesterday when the nurse tried to give her the oral medication than when she gave her the shots. Does anyone see a struggle with a strong gag reflex that she may have inherited from her father?
That is pretty much it for now.
She had her 6 month doctor's visit yesterday. She weighed in at 14 pounds 11 ounces. Who wants to guess how long it will take her cousin Tana to catch up to her?
She likes to impress us with her ability to do several pivot turns while laying on her belly.
She really enjoys eating her rice cereal. But coughed, gagged, and threw up twice last night when we tried to feed her sweet potatoes. She reminded me of her cousin Drew. And after she threw up the second time I decided to stop trying to get her to eat and asked her if she thought that she deserved dessert? (that is an inside joke only the Willis family can appreciate)
She laughs when playing peek-a-boo.
She has found out that she is capable of belting out happy, high-pitched squeals that make me cringe every time she lets one out.
She has had her first cold. I'm glad she got one. It is building her immune system.
She likes to play outside, but hates the sun in her face.
She fought harder yesterday when the nurse tried to give her the oral medication than when she gave her the shots. Does anyone see a struggle with a strong gag reflex that she may have inherited from her father?
That is pretty much it for now.
April 18, 2009
VEISHEA
We enjoyed some time at the annual VEISHEA celebration this weekend. (veishea is an acronym for the first 5 colleges at ISU and is the largest student run festival in the U.S.)
Grandma Janelle came and watched Makenna while Allison and I walked around campus. It was early in the evening, so not much was going on yet. Some pictures from Friday night....
Saturday morning they have a really long parade, so we just went for the end of it. 50,000 or so people generally show up for the weekend, so it was crowded, but we enjoyed running into friends, seeing some booths and displays and eating some junk food.
ready for the day...........canoe races on Lake Laverne
under the campanile............ is that corn mommy???
Spring and Matt.......................in front of Catt hall
daddy and Makenna enjoying VEISHEA
ahh, physics!...................tuckered out
Grandma Janelle came and watched Makenna while Allison and I walked around campus. It was early in the evening, so not much was going on yet. Some pictures from Friday night....
Saturday morning they have a really long parade, so we just went for the end of it. 50,000 or so people generally show up for the weekend, so it was crowded, but we enjoyed running into friends, seeing some booths and displays and eating some junk food.
ready for the day...........canoe races on Lake Laverne
under the campanile............ is that corn mommy???
Spring and Matt.......................in front of Catt hall
daddy and Makenna enjoying VEISHEA
ahh, physics!...................tuckered out
April 16, 2009
April 15, 2009
Dinner With The Van Voorst's
Last Thursday we enjoyed a wonderful spaghetti dinner at the Van Voorst's. Their son Atticus is 2 months younger than Makenna but over 2 inches taller than her. Here are a few pictures from the evening.
April 14, 2009
How-To Tuesday
How to Eliminate Houses When Looking For A New Home
Here are a few easy ways to narrow down your possible choices when looking for a new home.
**This post was just for some fun. I thought that our faithful blog readers would like to see some funny things we saw in a few houses we looked at during our house search. **
Here are a few easy ways to narrow down your possible choices when looking for a new home.
- If the house has cute kitten light switch covers, you might think twice about buying the house. Most likely that will be the easiest updating the house will need.
- When looking at a do-it-yourself updated house and you find that they labeled the toilet. You should be a tad bit concerned about why they labeled that and nothing else.
- Unless you are a child or enjoy miniature living, hobbit sized bathrooms should keep a house from becoming your potential home.
- Teeny, tiny ceiling fans are cute but not all that efficient for circulating air. So if you are looking for cute and not practical, tiny ceiling fans may be what you are looking for.
**This post was just for some fun. I thought that our faithful blog readers would like to see some funny things we saw in a few houses we looked at during our house search. **
April 11, 2009
Meeting Gabe
A couple weeks ago Makenna, my mom, and I went to meet baby Gabe. We had a great time. Makenna was more interested in their dog but I sure did enjoy cuddling a tiny baby again.
April 10, 2009
A cool picture
Mount Redoubt in Alaska. Lightning is actually coming out of the mountain. Click here for the article.
April 7, 2009
How-To Tuesday
How To Make A Decorative Plaque
I don't remember where I got this idea but I am always looking for ways to use scrap pieces of wood since we seem to have a bunch. I wonder why?
What you will need:
Next, give the plaque a destroyed look. I did this by taking a hammer and banging on it. I also used a chisel to make the sides uneven. (When I did this, it made Jared a little nervous as I was using the chisel the wrong way.)
Then pick out or mix a paint color you like and paint the piece of wood.
After it is completely dry you can add you bible verse. To be honest I don't have a great way to do this because when I tried to use a very small paintbrush the lettering smudged too much. So what I ended up using was a snapped in half toothpick to paint on the lettering and verse. This worked pretty well for me. I do have to give Jared the problem solving credit since he came up with the toothpick idea.
Here is a picture of the finished project.
I don't remember where I got this idea but I am always looking for ways to use scrap pieces of wood since we seem to have a bunch. I wonder why?
What you will need:
- scrap wood
- sand paper
- paint and paint brush
- bible verse of your choice
- tools or whatever else you see fit to destroy the wood a bit
Next, give the plaque a destroyed look. I did this by taking a hammer and banging on it. I also used a chisel to make the sides uneven. (When I did this, it made Jared a little nervous as I was using the chisel the wrong way.)
Then pick out or mix a paint color you like and paint the piece of wood.
After it is completely dry you can add you bible verse. To be honest I don't have a great way to do this because when I tried to use a very small paintbrush the lettering smudged too much. So what I ended up using was a snapped in half toothpick to paint on the lettering and verse. This worked pretty well for me. I do have to give Jared the problem solving credit since he came up with the toothpick idea.
Here is a picture of the finished project.
April 5, 2009
Ally's Birthday and meeting Tana
Last weekend we traveled to the Iowa City area to meet my little niece (and Makenna's new cousin) Tana for the first time. Tana was born the day before Ally's birthday, so it was a great day to spend with the family.
The cousins together
The youngest cousins
Ally's chef hat
You look like a doll.
I don't even realize I'm wearing this.
The cousins together
The youngest cousins
Ally's chef hat
You look like a doll.
I don't even realize I'm wearing this.
April 2, 2009
SOLD
Finally! We received an actual offer from qualified, intelligent people. Even though they seem a little unique as well.
The total isn't as high as we were hoping, but never-the-less, come 60 days or less we will be free of this large mortgage and free to start something else if we feel like.
We'll miss living here - who wouldn't, but we are even more happy to be leaving and starting a new chapter in our lives.
The total isn't as high as we were hoping, but never-the-less, come 60 days or less we will be free of this large mortgage and free to start something else if we feel like.
We'll miss living here - who wouldn't, but we are even more happy to be leaving and starting a new chapter in our lives.
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