Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is my Grandma Donna's birthday, she passed away in 2005. I had the opportunity to speak at her funeral. In honor of her today I am going to share what I read. 

Recently I had the chance to talk to my grandma in a very intimate way, I did an interview for a paper I wrote in April. I asked her all kinds of questions and found out so much about her. One of the things she stressed to me was family. She cared so much for her family. She always wanted to make others as happy as she was. One of the questions I asked her was, whom she most admired. She told me she admired her mother because she was so strong and always the backbone of the family. This hit home with me because I, along with many others, think my grandmother is the backbone of our family. She expressed to me her worries about her family when she passed away. She told me she worried her children would not get along and keep the family strong. Grandma would be happy to know that because we all have a part of her in us our family will stay strong and close nit. She is not only seen through us physically, but also in all she has taught us. Grandma Donna taught all of us that we must look on the bright side of things. She always stressed to me that when you find a bright side in all situations it makes life better and makes you happier. Grandma also instilled in all of us that the way you treat others is an important factor in a satisfying life. Even while she was in the hospital she was always concerned with everyone else. She knew all about the nurses, once while I was visiting she asked me about one of the nurse’s dog. This made me smile because here she is unable to speak and she wants to know about someone’s dog. Another way Grandma always cared for others was the way she would ask all kinds of questions every time she saw you. She would know exactly what was going on in your life and know exactly how to talk to you. She would know when to listen and when to give her opinion. Grandma Donna had so many amazing qualities and I can barely get across how wonderful she was. She was cheerful, sociable, genuine, trustworthy, classy, confident, wise, a giver, a teacher, a singer, and most of all a kisser. I will never forget my Grandma’s kisses. She kissed everyone. She knew how to show love and I will always admire that and strive to be the same. She was a giver because she would give you fifty dollars to spend when she took you shopping, but would pay for everything and make you save the money she gave you. She was classy in the fact that she was always so presentable; she had the best style, the best manners, and the best grammar. She was cheerful and you could see it in the way she presented her home, at Grandma’s you always felt welcome and felt at home. Almost every time I went over to Grandma’s she was in on her bed reading and she would have me come in and lay down with her so we could catch up on all that had happened in my life. She was so colorful and joyful in all she did. She let you know when you were doing something wrong, but she also let you know when you were doing something right. She was a gift giver in many ways. She loved to give you anything, whether it be her lip gloss or nail polish, her extra magazines or books, it could have been all the sweets in the world or something she bought for herself but thinks you need more, but most of all she gave advice and wisdom. She always did things to make others happy, but always made herself happy as well. Grandma Donna was also quite the singer; we will all miss her humming, whistling, and singing. It was always so comforting because you could just feel her happiness. Every time I see my Grandma in my self or anyone else I know it will make me smile because it is what she would have wanted. It’s amazing to me how many times I have already learned something from her or knew what she would have wanted since she has been gone. I love to know that it wont end in a couple days, but that it will go on forever. I know Grandma Donna would want everyone to rejoice in her memory and continue her love and her legacy. 

As I read over this 7 years later I think of my Grandma and how I think of her almost everyday. When I see a red bird, drive by a Big Lots or Tuesday Morning store, when I talk to my Baum side of the family, or when I see her beautiful picture on my bookcase. I know she would be so proud of me and she would remind me of the joy in my life. Love you Grandma!

Two Days off

A couple months ago, Mike and I decided to go to St. Louis for vacation. Mike likes the Cardinals, so we were going to go to a game. Not too much later we found out our friend Blake got a job coaching at Army. It wasn't too hard of a decision to make to not go to St. Louis and save our money for a trip to New York. I had already asked off work for yesterday and today, so because of a busy last two weeks playing Director, I decided to take the days off and be home.

Yesterday I had a lot of work to do to prepare for Upper Elementary camp so I spent the whole morning working on that, Mike and I went swimming at Mom's, and then I had two meetings. Day off? Yeah, I guess.

Today I ran a few errands and worked on a couple Pinterest projects.

Brownie in a Mug
I have been wanting to show a friend how much she means to me, so today I made her a little gift. For you pinners, have you seen the "Brownie in a Mug" or the "Chocolate Chip Cookie and a Cup?" Well, I thought this would be perfect for my friend at her job. If she had what she needed she could in just a few minutes whip up a brownie. I also recently saw a pin for writing on a mug with a sharpie, baking it in the oven, and then the writing doesn't come off. So, I decided these two things would be great together. I got a mug for $1 at the Dollar Tree, wrote on it "There is nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate." Then I realized I hadn't tried this brownie to see if it even tasted good, so I whipped one up and I was pleasantly surprised that it was yummy. The next step was to mix the ingredients, the dry ingredients into a ziploc baggie and the water and oil into a small plastic container. I got a spoon and a dish towel. I put the ziploc, the recipe, a spoon, and the plastic container inside the mug, wrapped it in the dish towel and wah-la! I know she will love it!

Jersey knit headband
I found a pin that was a homemade headband out of t-shirt material. Wouldn't ya know I just happen to have a few yards of orange jersey knit just calling my name to be something wonderful! It uses a 5 strand braid/weave technique. First you sew the ends of the 5 strips to start braiding. I followed the directions---good thing for pictures because I am not so good at following directions without them. When you're done braiding you sew the other end and then sew a piece of material around them and together. It turned out wonderful and I even wore it tonight when I took a trip to Walmart.

Tonight I am doing my first couple loads of laundry in our basement. We recently received a washer from a high school classmate, what a blessing! We had a dryer waiting for us, but we had to change out the plug in cord (Mike did a great job). Mike has done laundry, but tonight is the first time for me. Kinda fun, I'm sure the fun will end when the dryer buzzes and it is time to fold.

We have decided not to buy a house yet. We hadn't found the perfect thing for us so we decided to stay in our rental home. We really like our landlord and the neighborhood, so here we stay for awhile. Because we are staying we are turning our extra bedroom into a craft room/office. The extra bed will go downstairs in that bedroom...YOU can still come visit, don't worry. Surely if we spend a lot of work changing the to be nursery into something else a baby will come!

Speaking of baby, we are still waiting! God is good. We know He is faithful. He is not working on my time, it is His and that is how it is supposed to be. BUT don't let these words fool you, I am struggling. Yes I am struggling. A. Lot. I am so thankful to have the Lord on my side because I'm struggling, but I'm succeeding. Not as a mother yet, but as a child of God. I'm trying to be a light for Him. As I struggle I will continue to shine. I will not believe Satan's lie-I know my God is for me not against me!

Thanks for reading! I know it has been awhile.

Woah! Where did April go???

House update: We put an offer in on a house. It is a short sale so that ironically means it takes way longer. So, for the last 4 weeks we've just been waiting. And we'll continue to wait. We love this house and really want it to work out! We've continued looking and haven't found anything else we like nearly as much. When we saw the house my first thought was, "I want to invite people over to this house." When we went in I immediately pictured a birthday party at this house and I also made sure we could fit our 12 other Home Team members in the living room, that is a sign right? ;-) So, say a little prayer that if this is the house that everything will work out in our favor.

Summer Job update: Mike got a job working Extended School Year, which means he'll work at Southeast for the month of June teaching Biology. It is a half day 4 days a week, exactly what he needs. I got a job at the church working Summer League, a summer day camp for school aged kiddos. I get to work with some great people and at an amazing place. I am blessed.

Adoption/Baby update: Not going as planned...you would think I would have stopped planning 2 years ago! We are close to finishing our MAPP class (through Youthville to foster/adopt). After the class they have suggested we take a few more steps before we get to do our Home Study. An additional 6 months is not exactly what we had planned. We don't really know where to go with all of this. We are really praying for direction in what the Lord has planned for us, we feel like there are so many decisions we have to make and we just pray we are really hearing the Lord's voice in what we should do. We are still open to many avenues of adoption...IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE LOOKING FOR ADOPTION FOR THEIR BABY PLEASE KEEP US IN MIND!

Other news: I've been able to see my best friends more in the last couple months than all year. I have 3 wonderful friends getting married in the next 2 months...in Oklahoma...so that means we get to go to OK a lot :-) Summer Camp is being planned as we speak and I'm really excited for an awesome camp this year. The Goddard Campus of Pathway is going well and Mike and I really enjoying being a part of it (I've missed the last couple weeks and can't wait to get back next week)! With all the craziness, I'm really looking forward to the summer!

The Daniel Fast

Almost a month ago we started a fast. The Daniel Fast was presented to us and we decided to jump in head first. Mike and I really like to be challenged. We knew this would be tough and that was one of the main reasons we wanted to do it. The first week was definitely the hardest. I was addicted to caffeine, now I didn't have it in abundance everyday, but it was enough to go through the withdrawl headaches. Those first three days were rough! Not only was I dealing with headaches and hunger, but I was dealing with meal planning and the time it takes. I really had to learn how to plan meals because we couldn't have anything off our normal meal list. We could have different elements, but not any complete meal. We had to be creative. Most of all we had to be open-minded. Along the way I met so many people that said "there is no way I could do that." Let me tell you...if you want to, really want to, you CAN do it. Did I have to eat things I didn't really like? Yeah, sometimes. Did I find new things I could eat? For sure.

So, how are we doing since the fast? Good. The first week after the fast we were out of town a lot and had to eat out. That was tough. We were having the opposite feelings from when we started the fast. The first week of the fast we were craving eating out, the first week back to "normal" we were craving home cooked food. Since we've been off the fast and eating at home, we have been trying to find a happy medium. Still eating rice and stir fry veggies but adding a meat element. Eating some sugar, but not at every meal. My goal has been to eat food from the fast for breakfast and lunch and then other foods incorporated for dinner. I've done alright.

What I've gained from the fast: a more willing trust that God has my back and can help me in anything! I am also interested in reading the label of what I put in my body. I learned how cool Daniel is, as Mike said, "Daniel is straight G(angster)!"

I'm so thankful we challenged ourselves with something that brought us closer to each other, our friends, and the Lord.

House Hunting part II

Already a disappointment. I know a little different than yesterday. I was really pumped about it all, but then I found out the house we really had our sights on has gone off the market. Three houses on our list of 7 were nixed today because of one reason or another. I'm kinda bummed and things haven't even started. I am really trying to seek the Lord in what He wants for us. Please help us by praying for us, where the Lord wants us, and that we can really follow His plan!

House Hunting

Well...we've almost been married for 3 years and we're finally considering the commitment of buying a house. We've looked at one. It was a good start. Good price, good "stats," and the neighborhood was a good one. But, it was kinda outdated, not very clean, and the kitchen was small. One thing I dislike about our rental house right now is there is no cabinet space. If it were my own I would have added some because there is room, but it isn't mine so I've just been dealing with it.

So, when I look at a house my first criteria is kitchen space or the possibility of kitchen space. When Mike is looking at a house he wants his own bathroom/man area and he'd love some land. Mike grew up in the country and is a true country boy. We never really expected to find a house in our budget with land, especially somewhere not too far out from Wichita.

Good news. We found one. We've not looked at it yet, it may be a total flop, but there is possibility! I told my mom and she says it is too far away, BUT I keep telling her it is closer than Oklahoma ;-)

We have plans to look at it and hopefully 7 more houses this Thursday. We are so excited! Updates to come. I also plan to blog about our Daniel Fast as well. Just add that to the To Do list.

Life with a Cheerleader

One of my older sisters has the most natural cheerleader personality of anyone I've ever met. She always has the attitude of cheering people on, encouraging people in whatever they are going through. My sister Jacque is a cheerleader. Now, Jacque was a high school and college cheerleader, but that isn't what I'm talking about in this blog. 

No matter what I'm going through my sister is there to cheer me on. In our adult life I can't remember going through something without Jacque there encouraging me. She isn't one of those people that is always happy and cheery and annoying, but she is encouraging. When we decided to look into adopting, she was the first one to get excited for us and support our decision. As I was telling her about our fast, she jumped on board, but reminded me that it wasn't going to be easy. She isn't one of those people that just goes along with whatever you think is right and want her to agree with though. When we started fertility treatments she was skeptical, along with her concerns she expressed confidence in our decision to go ahead with it. Jacque also reads my blog and I like that. 

My sister is not only encouraging, but she shares her children with me. The BEST gift she could ever give me. She trusts me to love, take care of, play with, and be an example for her children. She allows me to be the best Aunt I can be, I love my sister (and brother-in-law) and my niece and nephew! Thanks J for being an awesome sister, mom, friend, and cheerleader!