what's yellow, goes "quack, quack quack" and smells like Aveeno?

Spooky the pumpkin, Spooky the conceptual drawing (we work with a plan, like all great artists!) and the kid with the spooky face... *ooh, spooky*

MMM.... pumpkin guts. This girl *loves* fresh vegetables!

Eww, Mom, GROSS!!!

carving "Spooky", our aptly named jack-o-lantern.

to drive or not to drive


That is the question burning on the minds of many. At least everyone in this household, that is. Kim called me this afternoon and wondered if I wanted to join her on a quick trip North to see Mom and Dad. It's hard, cause I still don't feel recovered from Chicago/Champaign, but I'd love to see my parents and my little brother. Plus Rob is so hunkered down in school that it's really a great opportunity for him to play catch up. So I'm going. Glad to go in one sense, hoping to catch up with my dad, trick or treat with the kids, see their new house... But I'm really going to miss Rob, haven't felt like I've spent any time with him lately. I just love him so much, it's hard to be away, even for a few nights. Darned newlyweds. (ha ha, after eight years)

So I think we are going. Have to be honest and say pictures at the pumpkin patch are pushing the scale. Eli has gone every year since he was born, and Brea went last year. It's pretty special to us. I'm just praying they handle the car well. Eli will be fine, but Brea is another story. Pray for us! I'll try to blog while I'm gone, but mom and dad live in the twentieth century with dial-up, so no pictures till I return. Happy trails to us!

Our new car. sporty, huh?

My life as a sitcom.

Yesterday was a toughie. The kids were trying to kill each other. Brea was really up 14 hours straight, with the exception of an hour nap or two. I finally got her to bed at 10pm. I was wiped. Tuesdays are always my hard day.

Finally got to drive my new car today, it was fun. It has really tight steering, so I like that. The moon roof is pretty cool too. Mostly I'm just glad not to have to get the kids in and out of the two door.

Planning on working on Christmas card design today. Hopefully I'll figure it out quickly and be able to knock it out quickly. We'll see. I'd like to scrap tonight. I'm all proud because I've already been to Walmart and back and have supper in the crock pot. It's a new receipe I'm trying, garlic chicken.

Big excitement, huh? the life of a stay at home mom. Now I see why they don't make sitcoms about us. No one would watch. :)

Five Random Facts about Me.

1) Red is my favorite color. So vivid, daring, irresponsible. Love it.

2) I hate money. Really wish I could operate without it. It's kind of an overwhelming responsibility and I'd just rather not.

3) I swear I'm truly a misplaced Chicago-an. I lived in Evanston from age 2-6 and I have never gotten it out of my system. Still hanging on to my North Shore accent. Drives my hubby nuts.

4) I was born without any pinky toe nails. (we'll leave it at that and make you ponder...)

5) I'm actually not any good with children, God just gives me grace for my own. (thank you!)

Well, that's enough for tonight. It's been a long tough day with a happy ending. Thank you Jesus!

I know you can't see the car, but this is us, standing in front of it when we picked it up tonight. So happy!

another day...


deep breaths. Moving slowly into being back at home. It started with wake-up, that brutal "Mommy - Sarah's up" at 8am. Wouldn't have been so bad if Rob and I hadn't been in dating mode and up until 2am last night solving the world's problems. Seems like I've just stepped right back in to our life, dealing with our issues. Not to complain, it sure was fun to forget for a bit. But I really think our job situation is unsalvagable. So very sad, disheartening. I'm going to have to cancel Thanksgiving, which will be tough, but I know I can't handle the stress of it, not with the way things are going. We are going to have to tighten our belts, which is almost comical, considering that we barely even have belts to tighten anymore. :) (green cordorouy jackets aside!) I canceled our dish network this morning, just one more bill we don't need. I was sad, cause they shut it off the moment I got off the phone with them. Felt bad for the kids, they were in the middle of Sesame Street. Rob will have to look and see if he can set up the antennae again for us. Those kids watch too much tv anyway! :) -the glass really is half full, I promise-

Eli has his first school picture today. I feel so old. I think it's more real to me than when he started pre-schoool, that classic blue background elementary school photo. deep breaths.... My baby is growing up right before my eyes. He was screened for school last week and I am embaressed that he didn't know his last name that day. I've told him hundreds of times, but he forgets. It's annoying. So now we are drilling it. Important life information in my book.

So Rob and I had brilliant conversation last night. I can totally see where we are the same people who met and fell in love almost nine years ago. (ack, I am old!) We just connect on so many levels. I feel so blessed. One of our big subject matters was how I feel like everything is so bad here, and have this hope that everything will be better in our new home. So then I try and be all realistic and say, is it really going to be better or is the grass just greener??? But truly, after lots of examination, all of our issues are completely situational. None of our frustrations are relational - with long term relationships anyway. Our economic difficulties are a direct result of our career choices (or lack there of), our frustration with our home is purely size and lack of landlord/responsible party. Our lack of friends is due to several things, mostly being no car or one car, and the foot in two places (school,church, and here). I really believe that all of those things will change in our new position and home. Not to say we won't have new challenges - life is never without challenges - but they will definately be different. The major important things in life, the relational and morality issues, we are doing great in that department. I am so ready to shine in the next stage. I know Rob is too.

Well, now I've rambled. Oh well. It's my monologue.

wrestling with the kids on the floor. We were having so much fun!

Me and Brea, isn't my coat cute? Such an indulgence, but Kim and Char convinced me I deserved it. (not that it was hard to convince me!!)

good to be home.

So I finally posted my Chicago pics. I am sad because I didn't really get any good ones of me and Kim, but we spent a lot of time together. There's one of me bored in the car, while she's chatting on the cell phone, but that won't do. It was really such a great trip. I am very thankful to be home though, I really missed my hubby and my kids. We picked them up this morning, Brea was so thrilled to see us. She didn't stop smiling all day, even at bed time. I missed them a lot, but Rob the most.

I did finally get a picture of me in my hot new coat, will post that here in a moment. Of course, we tumbled into lots going on here at home, decisions to be made about work and school. I'm just really praying for guidance and trying to keep the clear head that God gifted me with during my vacation. It was so good to get away and gain some clarity. Now if I can just keep that perspective for the next 7-8 weeks. Seeing our new house again really helped remind me how temporal these last weeks are, how we are almost through and on to our new life. Just have to keep focused. I know I say that a lot, but I need constant reminding to remain sane in these final moments of crisis.

Having dinner at Cheddars with my sister, brother-in-law, Kim and Hosea. (check out my cool coat!!)

shopping on Michigan Avenue.

looking back at the pier

My sis and I riding the trolley downtown.

the chicago skyline.

Me, on Navy Pier

the ferris wheel on Navy Pier

shopping at IKEA. woohoo!

Scrapbook shopping and other delights.

Had another all-star day today. Honestly it was just exciting to wake up and use the bathroom right away, rather than dealing with small children before my eyes are even adjusted to the light! I woke up lazily, checked my email and blogged before I even showered. Char and I enjoyed a great lunch at Za's (a fun italian cafe) with a friend of hers. Then we got manicures and pedicures at the local beauty school. It was kind of a mess, they didn't know what they were doing and it took too long, but it was really pleasant and I felt very special. Very relaxing. I had never had a manicure or a pedicure and my nails look great. very fun.

Later Kim met us and we were headed back to Char's when we spied a scrapbook store. Of course we had to stop, and actually found a second one just for fun. We topped off the afternoon with a late dinner at Cheddar's (mmmmmm). I had a big salad. Very happy tummy now. It was great not to have to share for once. Ate my meal in peace, had adult conversation, sat for a long time afterwards while things digested. It was fantastic.

We are going to watch a video now. And sleep. Hmmm. sleep. Sounds good right about now. Headed home tomorrow. Can't wait, I miss my hubby.

shopping on Michigan Avenue and other such nonsense.


So today was IKEA day. I woke up so excited for the day. I had never been to IKEA and it was everything I expected and more. I think Char was shocked at how excited I was over it, but I'm really just an excitable person. I found some great deals, and got a lot of bang for my buck. Things I'm most excited about? A giant metal board for my studio (to hang stuff on), a shelf to hold my primas, and some sweet new drinking glasses for the family. Very fun!

We were leaving IKEA and missed our exit, got way off course (almost into Indiana) and decided rather than fighting the terrible outbound traffic, we should just turn around and head back into the city. So we drove the loop, with me galking my camera, taking pictures like a true tourist. It was amazing. We finally parked down on Navy Pier, paying way too much, but Char thought it was worth it. We walked up and down the pier, we ventured up Grand St and eventually found Michigan Ave. We ate dinner, shopped and just wandered around. It was incredible. I loved the buildings, the lights. Wow. Very stinking fun. I got an fantastic bright green courdoroy jacket from the Gap. It's so hot! I can't wait to show Rob! very trendy! I will post pictures from our excursion when I get home, can't now because I didn't bring my drive for it. Plus I'm using Kim's computer.

So off to start the day. We are getting pedicures and manicures. Out for lunch I think. Just generally getting spoiled. It's been really nice! I do miss Rob and the kids, but anyone who reads this on a regular basis knows how much I need a vacation!! :) Off to enjoy my weekend!

I must have been just too happy the other day.

Cause of course, the world comes crashing down last night. Our job has been really unstable lately, and we got a not-so-nice email yesterday. Rob and I are questioning our situation again. It's crazy, we are so stinking close to being done. But it's not like we can just coast across the finish line....

So we were reeling from theat but had an open house for Eli's preschool. We are driving home and the car won't shift out of first gear. Pretty confident that it's the transmission, it's had problems since Mom and Dad loaned it to us. Always all at once. I am thankful that God has provided us with a new car, but we won't have the money to get it for another ten days or so. Just praying it comes early so we can resolve all this.

I'm hanging on to my joy. I am, I promise.

Eli laughing at me. He's such a ham!

my little girl, peaking through the leaves.

look at this tree! It just looks like it's on fire! Makes me love fall. Also makes me want to go to a climate where we could have a more definitive season change!!

I love the fall weather.

Now, most everybody knows that I'm not a big fan of Missouri, but there are a few days out of the year here where it's just breath-taking. Today is absolutely one of those days. The leaves are crisp and changing colors, the air is warm and breezy, but not sticky hot (like normal). I'm dying to snap a few pictures of the kids this afternoon, when I pick up Eli from school. I spied a beautiful maple in full flaming glory right by his school, so I'm going to bring my camera and press my luck. They are pretty tired of pictures after yesterday, but it's just too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Rob's officially on fall break, but he's busting his hump to finish a mammoth paper. I feel so bad for him, working so hard, but I know it's temporary. He says he's just not in the mood to write a paper, but I told him that's no excuse, he needs to do it unless he's in the mood to fail and take another semester this spring.

I know it's fall, but it feels like spring to me. Life is just starting over, it makes me so happy. A new car, a new house, a new town. I'm so thankful. Rob and I are just in awe of God right now. It's a happy place to be.

I love this man!!!

another good one.

I can't believe Eli is old enough to climb a tree! So stinking fun! I love the looks on my kids faces. Probably need to crop this one, but it's cute.

me and my cutie patootie! (I'm so blessed!)

Family pictures are so fun!!

We had a great time taking pictures in the park today. I have a friend from my scrapbooking group who took our christmas pics last year, she did such a great job I asked her to do it again this year. I know it seems early, but I want to get cards done before thanksgiving, since 20 people are descending on our household that weekend, and then we are moving three weeks later.

Anyhoo, they went really well. I'm loving the digitals, but I'll have to wait another week or so to be able to afford to develop the film. I'm very confident though, Becky is extremely talented. Posting a few here.

don't we look cute??

A possible candidate for the christmas cards.

my fun haircut!

EEEEE!!!!!


Just a happy day and that seemed like the appropriate response!! So much good happened today, it was unbelievable.

Started just like any normal day, painfully early and groggy. Brea was up at seven am, ready to play. I had been up with Rob until nearly one, so that's kind of a short night. So I let Rob sleep in, but then Brea was getting drowsy and Rob and I had work to do around the camp. So she slept and Rob and I hauled tables and chairs (which I hate, definitely my low) for a couple hours in prep for our final group of the summer. I know it's October, but we've still had camp and this is it. So that's a happy day in my book to begin with.

We came in and got an early lunch, I called on a car ad that Rob had found at school. We went to check it out and it was such a good deal. We test drove it, spoke with the seller, took it to get it checked out by a mechanic. We decided to make an offer. It's a 97 Dodge Intrepid, green, in just beautiful shape. We are so excited. It will take us a couple weeks to get the rest of the money, but it will be cash, so we won't have a loan at all. What a relief.

I came home and called Lori, which I'm sure she thinks we are crazy, but we just both felt so strongly that it was a God thing. Then I went for a hair appointment at a fun salon in town here. She did a brilliant job - and was so cheap! I'm going to post a picture Rob took of me tonight. I love it. Came home and the local scrapbook store called to say that the new HKS line was in. EEE!!! So exciting, I thought they weren't going to carry it at all, since some HKS stuff is available at Targets (but not ours!). So I grabbed Brea and ran to town to meet Kim and shop. Bought some way cool stuff with my full card, so my total was less than $10. Picked up a take and bake pizza on the way home and we vegged out in front of Because of Wynn Dixie as a family. (after I called Lori again to share, of course!) We spent good time putting the kids to bed and now I'm all set to scrapbook. Super day, I tell you. So excited for this week, going to see my little sister and getting to check out IKEA and all. Good times.

a layout I did this morning, inspired I by something I saw in the garden I think.

Do you ever just wish you could edit your past?

You know what I mean? Like pictures in a scrapbook, where you could just crop out the not pretty parts, and only scrap the memories you want to keep. Instead I'm haunted by bad choices, stupid mistakes, thoughtless comments. I can keep them at bay during the day, busying myself with the everyday hustle of caring for two small children, but when I lay down to sleep it all comes back with frightening momentum.

I'm sure you are all wondering what deep dark secrets lay hidden in my brain, but I don't even mean big scary immoral stuff, I just mean the stupid things. That's what haunts me. Things that I should have known better than to do, or knew better but just did (or didn't do) anyway. ergh. I overthink everything. Maybe that's why this blog is good.... or bad... I don't know. Have to think on that one. :)

a random layout about what makes me sad.

More thoughts on scrapping

I can't get over how productive I've been scrapping lately. It's exciting. I always think if I could just take time to do it every day that I would hit and maintain a certain level of creativity. I think I'm trying to prove my theory. I want to put my work on here, but since I'm working for HOF, I can't. Maybe after I finish up my entries and get them mailed. I am going to put up an effer dare layout - since it's not HOF material. It's really not at all like what I'm doing these days, but it was fast and fun. And I used an ancient piece of paper from my stash! woohoo!

I really spend way too much time daydreaming about my scrapping room - being able to wander in there any time of day, leave anything out, it will be so freeing. Plus Brea will be sleeping upstairs, so I can play with the lights on and music going! fun for me!!

I am anxiously awaiting the new HKS line, it's been very inspiring for me lately. Can't wait to see it, touch it in real life.

Oh my long day!!!

wow. Should have figured that since yesterday was such an awesome productive day that today would stink. Started off on a bad foot - terrible nightmares all night, the kind that it would have been more restful to not sleep. Woke up to cranky kids. Monster Mom made several appearances, unfortunately. Right down to tonight, Brea's crying in her crib now, but it's so late and I know she's wiped out, she's just teething so monstrously. ergh. I need a vacation.

an amazing shot of my son, taken this afternoon. He's so stinking photogenic, doesn't get it from me or Rob. Makes it fun though. And now he lets me pose him!!

my daughter, zoning out this morning watching Boobah.

I told Rob this morning, I think life is just easier now that we know where we are going to land. Which is kind of funny, being a christian, in theory, you always know where you are going to land. :) And I try to keep that in perspective, but the here and now is pretty real too. I do feel like a burden has been lifted though, even though we are still stuck in our too small house with our too small paycheck, the end is around the corner, and our new life in Illinois awaits us.

I got to thinking about it this morning. I am so excited to become a resident of Illinois. I'm excited for my IL driver's license and voter's registration card! (I'm a goober, I know!) I left Illinois when I was 6, so it's been twenty years. It already feels like home. I have never felt that way about Missouri, never have I been proud to be a resident of this state. It's been humbling to recieve aid from the state, and I am grateful. But I'm so excited to be upstanding, contributing members of society again. I think Rob is looking forward to providing for our family too. These past three years have been such a challenge for us both. It will be good to be back up on our own two feet again.

Today has just been a good day. Cleaned house all morning, just spent the last hour planning pages for tonight's small group. I'm headed out this afternoon for a little Walmart trip by myself (woohoo!), plan supper and spend a few hours playing with the kids, and then tonight is small group. A great day really. I'm so thankful. I can feel the cloud lifting. The sun is peaking out.

I really like taking pictures.

In case I haven't mentioned that before. I really enjoy photography. I could do it full-time, if I was any good, if I had the right equipment. I dream about a Canon Digital Rebel, I think it would be so fun. Now you can get film rebels for about $200 at Walmart, it just makes me sick. But I know I would spend the savings in film in less than a year... Maybe some day. hmm.

Had a lot of fun doing photos for the Snavely's this afternoon. Sad about the way my digital performed though. Must have been a funky lighting situation, I got a glare off the lens it seemed. Very frustrating. I'm hoping that Becky's camera took better shots - she let me use her rebel. (it was exciting!) Some of mine turned out great, but most were sub-par. I'm sure she'll have the film developed by tomorrow night if I know Becky. We'll see.

Traci and I at Creations Unlimited. (in front of some really fun new double sided ribbon!)

the flu stinks

We are all throwing up here. Or pooping our guts out. :) Sorry, that's a little uncouth. But we all have the flu. I'm feeling a little better today, but still weak from yesterday. At one point I actually fell asleep on the bathroom floor! (ew!) It was just a strange day. I had met with my friend Traci yesterday morning, we visited a couple of stores and then did lunch, but I was too sick to eat at that point. I got home and died. I'm glad I went though, I would have been way sad if we hadn't gotten together. She is visiting all the way from Wisconsin.

Eli has had it the hardest of all of us. He's been laying around since yesterday morning, just now he ate for the first time since Friday. Poor kid. Brea keeps looking at us like "Get up and do something you lazy bums!" because she got it first and is feeling better now.

It's sad to me, a great weekend lost to flu. I was hoping to play some. Kim was supposed to come over and hang out with me last night. But I don't want her to get sick too. blah.

I'm scheduled to take pictures of a family this afternoon - I am really looking forward to it. I had so much fun taking photos of my sister's wedding, that this should be awesome too. I need to check all my equipment before I leave at four. Other than that I'm just going to lay around all day and be lazy, trying to recoup from yesterday.

Look at this little girl! She doesn't even look like a baby anymore! She looks like a miniature person!!

just a super cute picture of my little girl with her price cutter balloon - watching teen titans.

Hee Hee Hee

(laughs wickedly)

I'm going to be all cool, pretending I'm some up and coming scrapbook star and say the can line "I wish I could show you what I'm working on, but it's a secret... but it's *so* cool!!" (gag, gag, barf, barf)

But cause it's me and I'm crazy I'll say it anyway!! I am working on some super-sweet scrapbook action, but it IS a secret because I'm HOF bound. Well, not really, but maybe an honorable mention?? I'm having so much fun with the process. I think I've completed 7 layouts now - for a total of ten, but they are by no means my final entries. I'm just working out the kinks, defining my style and getting ready for a big finish. :) Happy mood today. Did two layouts last night and working on a two page spread this morning. Feels good to be so productive, even with my house crumbling around about me. Details.

My friend Traci is on her way to Springfield. We are going to get together to catch up tomorrow. We'll meet at ScrapGen, one of my fav. hangouts in town, but it shouldn't be too dangerous since I was just there last weekend. Unless, of course, they have new HKS stuff, but it's advantus, so I won't hold my breath. I'm excited to show Traci my new work. Excited to hear about her new house and job. It will be a welcome relief to the monotony of here. I have to give Rob some study time tomorrow, but that's ok, cause Kim is back and will come to play tomorrow night I think. (yippee!)

We are having dinner with LeAnn and Travis tonight - our youth pastors. It's sad cause I'm pretty sure it will be our last dinner with them. I'll miss LeAnn a lot, we've been fast friends. Wow, we sound so social all of the sudden. A glimpse of the old RobNAnna - making an early appearance?

That's my prayer, that we'll go back to our old easy-going happy selves when we leave the forsaken place. I pray every day that it's the place and not us, that our core personalities haven't changed. Time will tell. Toodles!

brea and me. (yesterday)

my cute kids this morning, before sarah hurled chunks all over her outfit.

Blur.

It's hard to know where to start. Seems like things have kind of been in a blur lately. I am so excited to be moving. I wish it wasn't still ten weeks away, but that's ok. I'm trying to figure out colors for the house, but it's almost stressful because I'm not there, living in it or at least visiting it and thinking about each room. I really want to do one room lime, or something interesting like that, but not sure which. So far I have only two rooms planned; the studio and the master bedroom. Everything else is up for grabs. I am really excited to make it our own though. We are still waiting to hear if they will do the carpeting for us or not - I'm hoping yes. Also Rob asked for a Mac laptop, so that he can do a lot of videos/dvds, etc. The board will meet again and get back to us.

I took Sarah to the dr yesterday, a follow up for her ears, which are finally better. He prescribed elidel, which made me nervous, but we discussed it and it's really the best choice for her excema - since it's uncontrollable at this point. He also prescribed an antibiotic for her diaper rash. The amount medicaid paid at the pharmacy yesterday was over $300!! Isn't that crazy? I'm so thankful we will have insurance going into our new job.

Sarah had a hard time going to bed last night and woke up with a fever. She threw up twice already this morning. I feel so bad for her, she's been sick so much. We ran to the grocery store and got more Liquilytes to keep her hydrated. We are planning on having dinner with friends tomorrow night and I'm so looking forward to it. ergh. I'm just praying for her, we'll see.

Well, I should go do something productive now.

I'm married to a pastor now!!

It's hard to believe. Unreal. I'm so happy. They offered us the job. Rob will email in the morning to accept it. We will move over Christmas break. I will actually be a pastor's wife. It's so thrilling. All these years of sacrifice and effort, it's going to be worth it. They offered us a great salary package, complete with health insurance. They are going to do some updates to the house between now and December. We are moving in ten weeks. Can you tell that I am counting down? Good by little house, good bye.

My good friend Kim and I, just after our shopping extravaganza with the girls. (and just for the record I took this picture, Kim didn't think I could do it!)

me and dear hubby. I know, I'm a lucky gal.

the waiting....



Anyone who knows me would tell you that I am not a patient person. Waiting is just not my strong suit and waiting for today (or tomorrow's ) phone call is no exception. Pins and needles. There is just a lot riding on it, do we stay or do we go? In the meanwhile I am trying to scrapbook to pass the time. I've touched up a page from the other day and done a new one. They are ok. I made cards last night with a bunch of prima's, so I felt productive. I'd like to be playing more now, but Sarah is up from her non-nap. It kills me - she slept 3 hours for Rob yesterday, but today she won't sleep for anything. (ergh!)

Shopping yesterday was fun. I got a new album for all my loose pages, so that makes me happy. I found a couple fun things on clearance, half off, and that's exciting. I'm in a strange mood though, so scrapping isn't coming naturally today. I keep fantacizing about my studio, and being able to leave things out, having everything within reach. I am *so* excited for that.

And so we wait....

Ready, set, SCRAPBOOK SHOP!!!

Yippee. I am going on a well-deserved shopping trip this afternoon with my small group gals. It is kind of bittersweet, because I am fairly certain this will be my last event with them, and I will miss them all very much. My small group has been an absolute gift in my life and I am very thankful for each one of those gals. We are going to McAllister's deli for lunch and then checking out the sale at the Northside Hobby Lobby, and a scrapbook store or two after that. I am in dire need of a new album, so that is my goal for the day, since I'm nearly twenty pages out of my last album already. I haven't been posting anything on 2peas lately because I'm officially working on HOF now. (so exciting)

I feel bad spending any money today, but after surviving yesterday I am so thankful to have some previously scheduled time away. It's going to be lots of fun! I'll try and post some pictures later.