That Was a Wild Ride!

Last weekend was, to say the least, a wild ride. We started with a big storm, winds a gazillion mph (I heard 80 was possible, but didn't see that here....Friends did, though). Unlike our friends, our worst damage was a hunk of siding from the construction project across the street that now resides in our front yard. I was at Walmart when it hit. Suffice it to say the water in the lot was ankle deep and I was completely drenched before I got the two carts unloaded and into the car. On to birthday prep!

With my sweet friend, D's help, we cleaned, decorated and made a cake. When everyone arrived, we went to the pottery place to paint our ceramic projects, then met the family for pizza. We came home and the girls played, then we had cake and ice cream floats...yum! I gained every bit of six pounds this weekend. It was sooo good, you see! The girls stayed up until about 5:30, but I only lasted until 1:30.

Up at seven, preparing for the day and the first pickups...we had eggs and chocolate chip pancakes. As they left, I started preparing for prom. Trav ran errands in town for me, and I gathered items needed for a dinner at a friends' house. Once he was dressed and out the door, I finished pulling weeds and changed to help at the dinner. My friend, J, served her son and seven of his friends dinner before prom. It was so lovely and she went all out. When I came home, I brought supper for my crew and got them to bed. I sat down to watch tv and fell asleep way sooner than anticipated. Hubby woke me up to go to bed, but once I got changed and washed up, I was completely awake. Trav was still out, so I grabbed my knitting to watch House and wait for him. He came in about 1 with friends in tow, so I stayed up until 3, when I finally realized they would, no matter what, outlast me.

The best thing about Mothers Day is that it was low-key. We went to church, did some quick errands then shopped and shopped for flowers. The big kids had a rehearsal for a concert. After getting home, the girls and I put out 15 pots of flowers plus some. Hubby and Nathan rode the motorcycle to visit the grandmas and take them their gifts. Trav had baseball practice, then we grilled and had the WHOLE family at home at one time for supper. Now that was a happy Mother's day. All my blessings, all together.

Today we hit the ground running again, in prep for Pop Concert and graduation. It is a beautiful day, so I'm hoping I can manage to find a way to do graduation announcements outside. If you get one with some dirt smudges, you'll know what happened.

Lighter Fare

On a lighter note, cruise on over to Boo Mama's March Madness. I think it will be fun to follow the brackets and see who wins!

I was reminded that we used to have green pancakes, clover cookies, and we celebrated St. Patrick's as if we actually had some Irish blood in our veins. My sweethearts are not happy with donning green shirts and calling it a day. So, I guess I will get along and begin our traditional corned beef meal. Or, semi-traditional. I just don't wanna make a grocery trip for cabbage. Perhaps I can try out these clover cupcakes. HT to Melanie for the link.

Coming soon: We had caterpillars. Now they are in their chrysallises...or is it chrysalli? Whatever, I'll have pics as they emerge as beautiful butterflies!

So, What's Been Going On?

For starters, we just returned from Mexico. We had a business trip over the weekend that took us to Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun. I would like to pretend I was "put out" by having to leave my babies to go to the beach. I could focus on the weather that was cool enough to merit jackets and blankets by the pool. I could tell you how annoying it is to make all the arrangements for a weekend trip. All of it would be true. However, the truth is, I liked it. My babies were just fine, barring the car stuck in the middle of my yard when I returned and a house that looks like a train wreck. Yes, the weather was cool, but I found a perfect spot that blocked about half the wind and I am a DIE HARD so I endured with nothing more than a swimsuit by the pool. And, although it is a lot of work to leave, for a weekend or for weeks on end, the timing was just perfect, getting me back home to get everyone whipped into the routine that begins tomorrow.

They have been off school for a week because of what our local media refers to as "Winter Storm '09". Should we get hit again, I am hoping they call it "Winter Storm '09, Part Deux". Last week on Monday night through Wednesday morning we had about 30 hours of sleet, followed by snow. The end result was a bit more than ten inches of "white stuff" which provided days upon days of high energy entertainment for this crew plus a few. I am ever so thankful that we maintained our power. Not very far south of us are thousands of folks who are in their second week of no power in this frigid weather. When we were getting sleet and snow, they were getting freezing rain. The pictures my hubby took while checking the area out for his job were indescribable. We had an ice storm in '08 that cost us several days of power. Many of these folks have been told it will be four weeks or more.

As homeschoolers, we would normally do at least a bit of school on these days, but given the preparations being made to be gone and the really amazing, perfect play snow which comes so seldom in our area, I didn't have the heart. Instead I made some wonderful desserts, soups, chili, and homemade hot chocolate from Dove chocolate, no less. We consumed about five gallons of milk in about 36 hours and getting out to get a refill wasn't an option. There were a few tense moments when we had to ration the milk.

Probably the highlight of the weekend was the Superbowl. I wish I could watch it like that every year. The property where we were staying opened an on-site movie theater where they projected the Super Bowl and had snacks and drinks just outside the door. The place was mixed between Steeler and Cardinal fans. We could yell and scream to our heart's content. I was rooting passionately for the Cardinals, and more specifically Kurt Warner. I was terribly disappointed in the loss. Then, during the post-game interviews I was reminded that the Steelers are a classy organization, and the thought of Bill Bidwell making the acceptance speech made me cringe (a hint of bitterness that goes back to when he moved the Cardinals from St. Louis), so I just couldn't be too sad. It was one of the most exciting Super Bowls I remember with some amazing highlights. And, being a Marketing major, the commercials are always intriguing. I especially liked Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head for Bridgestone.

There you have it. Tomorrow we are getting back in sync and hitting "it" hard. Hopefully we will be able to extract my car from the yard. Our efforts thus far have proven fruitless.

Life at Our House Lately.....

It appears my dire hopes for normalcy after the Holidays was in vain. Last week was a hum-dinger. It is a constant juggling act with the four younger people in our home, but thankfully, the juggling usually involves only one or two at a time. Not the same one or two, they switch off, (I'm convinced they have contrived some sort of tag-team, but I haven't been able to catch them in the act of the tag just yet) so it's doable. Once in a blue moon, and thankfully not more often, they all blow up at once. Last Wednesday that is exactly what happened. One had behavior issues, one had the stomach flu for five days, once had chest pains that ended up not being serious, but in the meantime an abnormal EKG kept us on our toes for several days until his heart was checked out and cleared, and one has had some big driving issues. I apologize for that excruciatingly long sentence. I won't publish pictures or names to protect the not-so-innocent, but you can probably figure it out. I didn't like that week. I'm glad it is over. This week has been a little odd, but certainly much closer to "normal". It's Friday now, and I have high hopes for next week!

In the meantime, I'm happy to report I've been able to maintain a bit of an exercise program, and I've kept up with my Read Through the Bible this year. Yay! 15 days! It is scary that it feels like such an accomplishment. No, I didn't get sucked into 24, although it is sitting on the dvr just waiting for a weak moment. No, we haven't watched Idol, yes, we are progressing in Season Three of Lost, and....confession time....I'm hooked on House. It is really frightening how much Travis and I relate to him. I hope I'm not that much of a jerk....on the outside, anyway. It really helps the exercise fly by, for which I'm grateful.

So, now I'm in catch up mode. Speaking of which, there is a vacuum downstairs calling my name. Have a great weekend!

The TV is trying to take over again.....

And it is being wildly successful.

After a couple of years of watching almost no TV except the occasional, warm, fuzzy, Andy Griffith Show,


last January we succumbed to the intense peer pressure from family and friends and started watching both 24


and Lost.



We watched a season of each, then by popular demand within the family, continued watching 24 until we were.....completely.....caught.....up. That's right, SIX seasons in about as many months. It is a wonder we didn't shoot the place up. And, yes, we watched the special in November. Our plan is NOT to watch it when it begins again in just six days, quite frankly, because we may tear our hair out waiting from week to week.....so, we can wait for the videos. Maybe.

So, in the meantime, we have picked up with Season Two of Lost. I'm telling you, these shows cannot possibly be good for a person. They are highly addictive, affect sleeping patterns (you have to find "the right place" to stop for the night and sometimes that may take until 2 am(!), not to mention those weird dreams...), and I'm sure beyond a shadow of a doubt they are turning my brain to mush. After all, that is what I have spent years telling the kids would happen if they watch TV.

Oh, and that is not all, no that is not all. We have another series trying to worm its way in...first through Ljo....we have managed to keep it quarantined to her college house until.....last night. When I arrived home from AWANA, guess who had introduced House to our....ahem, house?


Yes, Travis! It seems his girlfriend brought a season over and left it. Now, we have seen House on TV now and then, sometimes several episodes straight. And, I must admit, I find it entertaining. But honestly, I considered going down in protective clothing to put it in a Ziploc bag and take it out to a nearby field. I'm convinced there is something contagious in seeing how absurdly people behave when addicted to these shows.

But, I didn't. I left it down there. I'm determined to have more will power than to get started on yet another series.....

Oh, and let's hope the family doesn't realize American Idol starts next week. We may not recover.

Happy Birthday, Daddy

Today is my daddy's birthday. My daddy is....

....funny. His was one of the most entertaining families I've ever known.
....talented. His ability to play the piano with those fat fingers will make your jaw drop.
....smart. This list could go on and on...first of all, he married Mom. Then, together, they took a company from the bleak start in their basement to a $20 million company. Now, said company had over $100 million in sales. Now that is a smart businessman.
....humble. He never forgets from where he came.
....a God loving Gideon. God has blessed him abundantly, and he knows it.
....owner of the sharpest knife around. Just ask him! You can shave with it at any given time! (Though I always wondered why you would want to....)
...determined. He spent decades managing his diabetes with diet and exercise (using the term managing a bit loosely) in order to keep his pilot's licence.
....an explorer. He loves to check it out...whatever and wherever "it" is. Perhaps a gravel road on a snowy night, perhaps a trip to Australia to find out how the water really goes down the drain.
....a fisherman. And the challenge is to NOT use live bait.
....a daddy. My daddy.

Happy Birthday!

Quick Update

Dinner Party: Went wonderfully. We were blessed to have 39 people to join us for Christmas Dinner. I just wish I could have visited with each one so much more. Not enough time!

Sunday: Nathan and Annie were baptized. Clay's folks plus every single member of my family was there. As my sister says, we had Dad and his wife, every sibling and their spouses, every niece and nephew for two generations, all at a church service together, and it wasn't even a funeral! Praise God! Lunch at our house afterwards was more time for fellowship and fun.

Laundry: After everyone left, I hauled everything I could to the laundromat, and Travis brought the other half in his truck and we did 25 loads of laundry in four hours. Clean underwear! Yay! Still no washer.

Christmas Shopping: 99.7% done

Holly's 16th birthday: SHE PASSED!!!!!! Look out, world! Happy, happy day! Her dad took her out on her birthday date to dinner and a movie then she met me and drove her sister home all by herself! She even had to stop to wait for three deer to leave the roadway and we are thankful for God's protection on her first drive. Happy night!

What kind of idiot does this?

This year is the first time I get to have my family's Christmas dinner at MY HOUSE! I'm am beside myself with excitement. Now, as I may have said a time or four, when I was little, there were six of us. My mom, dad and their four children. So, when I started counting for dinner.....I kinda lost track after 35 or 36 or 37....and I don't want to start again.

Dinner is Saturday evening. I'm just giddy about seeing all my nieces and nephews again! I am following in the path of some of the most amazing hostesses I've ever been allowed to know...my mom, my dad's wife, and my sister. Those are some humongous shoes to fill. No stress there. So far, just giddiness!

So, I decided I just couldn't do it all unless I started a remodeling project. I will have before and after pics when I get time. For now, just know, that although not completely finished, today is my first day without painters here in awhile. Please understand, these painter-ladies are some fine Christian friends whom I love dearly, but I was glad to see their painter stuff go and be able to start putting Christmas decorations back up and putting furniture back again...you know, today is Thursday. The dinner is Saturday.

What kind of idiot starts a remodeling project at a time like this? Well, apparently this kind of idiot. Let me tell you, the house is looking sooooo much more "me". I told a friend I feel more relaxed and cozy than I have since we moved here. I just like....color.

Nathan's Room:

The living area and stairs:


And check out Annie's pink and black room:

The paint is too fresh to hang pics, so that will be...Saturday?

So, I'm plugging along on the lists. I have lists like, "To do this week", "To do Thursday/Friday/Saturday" (3 lists), dishes needed, shopping list, and the, ahem, list goes on. Then, yesterday, the washer quit. My laundry room is piled so high, I'm not sure how a repairman can swim through it. I'm debating on letting him try as to accentuate the NEED here, or get it all out so he will like me better. Ok, NOW I'm getting just a wee bit stressed. But hey, the tables linens are clean, so I'm still good.

Today I tackle the Thursday list. Oh, and I PROMISED to take Annie shopping for Christmas. Now THAT girl is stressed. I'm still just really excited.

Another upcoming post: Sunday is a very wonderful and special day!

Madrigal Feaste

Last weekend, we had the privilege of attending a couple of fantastic Christmas shows. No, they weren't on Broadway. But they should have been!

First of all, on Friday, I helped other parents in the backstage at Travis's Madrigal Feaste. Then Saturday, we were able to attend it as part of the audience.

Holly and her Grandma

Holly and her Grandpa and Dad

I know, you think I'm one of those moms who will get all excited and tell you how spectacular it was and how you would never believe anything like that could come from a bunch of teenagers, that a lot of it was professional quality, etc. You will think I'm just a gushing mother. Well, you would be right. I am a gushing mother. But then, I'm right, too. It was....unbelievable.

Trav was Czar Tripsachov, who spoke with a deep "Russian" voice (sounded like a take off on Arnold Schwarzenegger, but, well, everyone was impressed anyway). He also tripped. (Tripsachov? Trip?...maybe you had to be there) He was at the head table, where, while we dined on "fine swine" (chicken cordon bleu), they ate such things as carryout pizza and chicken wings. The show began at 6 o'clock, when they started seating everyone. B, a good friend of ours, was the town crier, announcing every single family in his frumpy crier's voice. We were led to the table by lovely young wenches and ladies-in-waiting, asking in Olde English droll, "Would you like tea or watah?"

My Dad was selected as the Table Master

The show began with some old Latin hymns, and an acapella prayer. I think even God got goosebumps hearing that one. As the show progressed, we were served a fine meal, and our entertainment consisted of a show, a wide variety of music, the guys dancing a clog dance, the ladies and wenches doing period dances, a ballerina dancing a bit of the Nutcracker Suite, jesters, minstrels, and when the knights fought over the fair maiden, she declared her true love was....right, Clay. She gave him a kerchief (tissue) with her kiss on it for him to keep. Later, she came by and properly arranged it in his pocket. We were even treated to a fire-breathing dragon! My nephew was part of the dragon and had us rolling in laughter as he, um, "growled" at us. Sounded like a purr to me.

My dad and Mr. Dragon sans Dragon Costume

The acting was, eh, for some, and outstanding for others. There were lots of solos (yes, Trav had one!)

Trav and Holly

Trav and me

If only you could see the bottom half of that outfit.....men in tights galore! The night ended a full three and a half hours later with a lot of teary-eyed seniors mourning their last stage exit, and the MOST stirring rendition of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" I have ever heard. It is my new favorite song of Advent.

Soon, I will share pictures from the other show we attended.....stay tuned!

The Christmas Letter

Merry CHRISTmas!

We hope this finds you healthy, happy, and enjoying the 2008 Season. We have been maniacs this CHRISTmas Season, and boy, has it been fun!

We are reflecting, as usual, but this year we are doing a little more of it. There is a reason for that. If we were to choose one word to describe 2008, it would be “transition”.

Of course, the year began with a huge transition for Clay. In March, he moved his office from Advance to Cape Girardeau. He enjoys working so near to home, and since Cape offers a few more dining options than Advance, lunch is a bit more of an adventure. Sometime when you are in the area, drop by and take a “tour”. The highlight of his year was when we rode the Harley to Milwaukee for the HD 105th anniversary. It was a week unlike any other…..ever. ‘Nuf said.

Travis is in big-time transition mode. When you see Trav, you must look up. At 6’ 3”, he looms over the rest of us. He is in the throes of making the life-changing decision of which college he will attend after he graduates in May. At one time, it was narrowed down to two. Now, we’ve lost track of where he is applying. You know it is bad when the siblings complain about not seeing their brother enough when he is still living at home. We are sure he is still living here when we see large piles of laundry in the laundry room floor and all the lights are left on in the downstairs. He is having a lot of fun, though, and between choirs, baseball, work at Wib’s, volunteering at the hospital and tutoring, he doesn’t have much free time. Volunteering at the hospital has been great preparation for being a doctor. It has also provided some great stories for when he does show up around here.

Since Trav is gone so much, we really need another driver. That leads us to the transition for Holly. Guess who will be 16? It is a matter of days. Then, our beautiful sophomore will be able to go to any youth event, to school, to Cape, and best of all, she can get Wib’s BBQ and ice cream whenever she wants! We don’t know if there is enough gut medicine in the world for us to send her off on her own. Have you noticed how many crazy drivers there are these days? Of course, one of them may be her. That smile on her face seems permanent, at least for this month. She is full of anticipation for the big day. Oh, and thanks to Christmas break, she will be out of school for a couple of weeks. We’re not sure which is better!

Nathan and Annie have pretty much transitioned into that not really a little kid, but not really a teenager stage. The media calls them “tweens”. You know this has officially occurred when there are no toys on the Christmas list. (Exception: video games. There is no age limit for those.) They are being homeschooled in 5th and 4th grades, respectively. You know how those homeschoolers are, they never socialize.

Please don’t tell “Thing 1 and Thing 2” that, though. They would hate to give up jump rope class, piano and guitar lessons, soccer, baseball, basketball, and an endless array of church activities. We are especially thankful this year, as they are both going to be baptized the week of Christmas. What better time to show the world they have made Jesus Lord of their lives than the week of His birthday?

Nathan is a typical 5th grader; he makes up a lot of stories and jokes, plays video games, hunts, and annoys his sisters. He provides endless laughs and entertainment to us all, and we are fascinated by what seems an endless imagination. He is a social young man, but if you want to know a little secret, his favorite place to be is home. He is quite a homebody and we love that about him.

Annie is still pink. In fact, she is really pink. Let’s clarify that, though. Annie isn’t soft, gentle, ballerina pink. Annie is bright, dazzling, hot glittery pink. She is still growing tall, and soon will pass up her mom and sister. On a typical day you may walk in to our home and find Annie still in her jammies (at 4 o’clock), singing and dancing around or helping Mom cook. It would be at that point you would urge her to hurry and get dressed before her dad comes home! Then, if you knew Becky when she was little, you would laugh at how much Annie is like her momma.
Speaking of her momma, as with most moms, when the family is in transition, so is the mom. Say a few prayers for her to keep the mascara from running at all the senior and graduation events. To see how it goes, check out the blog at http://www.lifeindenim.blogspot.com/.

We are even in transition where pets are concerned. This spring, our faithful black lab, Buck, passed away. It was a sad time for our family. We are thankful for our other furry friends; Tiger, the cat; Charlie, the yellow lab; and Benny, the westie.

The whole family went to Mexico this summer with our special friends, the Beels. It was a ton of fun on the beach, in the jungle, and in the pool. We were hoping it would be a great culture lesson, and perhaps be especially valuable in helping Travis and Holly in their Spanish classes. It was a remarkable experience, but as for helping in Spanish…..not so much. In the end, we all came home with priceless memories and we are looking forward to someday going back.

So, there is 2008 in a nutshell for this crew. We cannot possibly fathom what 2009 holds in store. It is exciting, a bit frightening, and, we’re sure, wonderful. Stay tuned to see what happens next! Have a blessed and safe Holiday Season.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

With love,
The Hursts: Clay, Becky, Travis, Holly, Nathan and Annie