1.06.2010
Happy 2nd Birthday, Zyler!
Check out some pix from last year and a video of him blowing out his candles. :)
12.09.2009
Joys of Homeownership
Clearly we have lots to be thankful for... But we are probably due a mini rant. :)
We were lucky enough to buy our home with all appliances installed in good working condition. In the past couple of years we have replaced (I think in this order) the microwave, toaster oven, washer, stove, toaster oven #2 (which was replaced with the stove with a built-in toaster), and now finally our heat pump, which began today! $$$ Cha-ching! That one especially hurts the pocketbook. But we feel pretty darn fortunate for it to have limped along the last few years being 31 years old by now, the original heat pump with the house.
So, we have no heat tonight (in the upstairs zone), but we have been "chillin" it anyway since it started giving us problems. Z has a small space heater but truly I don't think he needs it. He seems to sleep just fine with a blanket in the mid-60s! So do I, but I have a built-in incubator with #2 on the way! Boyers Heating & Air will complete the installation tomorrow. They will need to replace aluminum wiring with copper.
We were lucky enough to buy our home with all appliances installed in good working condition. In the past couple of years we have replaced (I think in this order) the microwave, toaster oven, washer, stove, toaster oven #2 (which was replaced with the stove with a built-in toaster), and now finally our heat pump, which began today! $$$ Cha-ching! That one especially hurts the pocketbook. But we feel pretty darn fortunate for it to have limped along the last few years being 31 years old by now, the original heat pump with the house.
So, we have no heat tonight (in the upstairs zone), but we have been "chillin" it anyway since it started giving us problems. Z has a small space heater but truly I don't think he needs it. He seems to sleep just fine with a blanket in the mid-60s! So do I, but I have a built-in incubator with #2 on the way! Boyers Heating & Air will complete the installation tomorrow. They will need to replace aluminum wiring with copper.
10.11.2009
Woodworking Shop
Jason is close (within weeks?) to having the shop floor finished and concrete poured. Finally! I think it will be a big relief for all of us. He has been consumed with it lately so that he can get it done in time for another winter season. He is in the middle of building a play-coffee table for Zyler. (We will "borrow" it as a coffee table.) Maybe it can be completed in the new shop instead of the crowded garage!
And thanks to Mom & Dad Kite for all their help the past couple of weeks in the new shop!
And thanks to Mom & Dad Kite for all their help the past couple of weeks in the new shop!
10.02.2009
Daily Audio Bible
9.30.2009
Economy Update
God IS good!
Jason has been working for the past several weeks--or maybe a couple of months--for Neuman Aluminium on a contract basis, which has certainly been a blessing in itself. However, we recently found out that they are calling him back on a "permanent" basis effective October 1. Which is tomorrow! Thanks be to God, and, Lord, please bring work soon to those still seeking employment!
Jason has been working for the past several weeks--or maybe a couple of months--for Neuman Aluminium on a contract basis, which has certainly been a blessing in itself. However, we recently found out that they are calling him back on a "permanent" basis effective October 1. Which is tomorrow! Thanks be to God, and, Lord, please bring work soon to those still seeking employment!
9.24.2009
Looking for Study Participants (Parents of Preschoolers)
Received this within my network. Thought it was worth passing along. ~P
--
Do you want to learn how to feed your child better? If you are the parent or main caregiver of a preschool child, you are invited to participate in a nursing research study online. This study is being conducted through Villanova University.
This is a nursing research study using a website to teach you about good feeding habits for children ages 2 to 5 years. The study can be reached at website address here, http://family-health.appspot.com
For more information, go to http://family-health.appspot.com or contact the principal investigator, Cynthia Rubenstein at 540-209-2506 or cynthia.rubenstein@villanova.edu
Participants must be 18 years or older, have computer access, and be the primary caregiver for a child 2 to 5 years old.
The study provides 2 weeks of unlimited access to health information to improve feeding practices for children and those completing the study will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Walmart gift card.
--
Cindy Rubenstein, RN, PhDc, CPNP-PC
Department of Nursing
James Madison University
HHS 2100
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
--
Do you want to learn how to feed your child better? If you are the parent or main caregiver of a preschool child, you are invited to participate in a nursing research study online. This study is being conducted through Villanova University.
This is a nursing research study using a website to teach you about good feeding habits for children ages 2 to 5 years. The study can be reached at website address here, http://family-health.appspot.com
For more information, go to http://family-health.appspot.com or contact the principal investigator, Cynthia Rubenstein at 540-209-2506 or cynthia.rubenstein@villanova.edu
Participants must be 18 years or older, have computer access, and be the primary caregiver for a child 2 to 5 years old.
The study provides 2 weeks of unlimited access to health information to improve feeding practices for children and those completing the study will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Walmart gift card.
--
Cindy Rubenstein, RN, PhDc, CPNP-PC
Department of Nursing
James Madison University
HHS 2100
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
9.18.2009
Life and Death...
I will take a similar format to my friend's recent blog post and throw two subjects into one post. I know it has been a long time since we have updated anything here but I do intend to keep this blog somewhat alive!
On life: We are planning the arrival of a new gift in early April! I feel so blessed and am eager to meet our new son or daughter. I have been feeling "so-so" as I near the end of the first trimester. I will plan to update my "Mommy" blog once again on our progress.
And on death: We said goodbye to our pastor's wife Teddi Nelson on Tuesday. She left to be with the Lord on Sunday, the 13th. She battled pancreatic cancer for eight months. Damn you, cancer. I found her funeral very touching and a wonderful tribute to her amazing life. Many, many, many people attended. I could not even participate in the church. I watched from a satellite location in our church's Activities Center. I agree with Abby on how incredible it is the number of people brought together surrounding a death (and also a wedding).
I was moved to tears by her drawing printed on the back of the program with happy, pastel colors of a rainbow and clouds, which read, "I am filled with the peace of the Holy Spirit. - Teddi." She drew it the day she went into hospice care. Pastor Dave, who says he could not say "no" to his wife of 33 years, gave the sermon at her funeral as she requested him to do. (Can you imagine what that must have been like for him?) He shared of a day not long before she died when she woke up in her room where religious music was playing. She asked the caregiver to turn off the music, stating that the angels were talking to her and she wanted to hear what they were saying. I truly believe she is now with our Lord and Savior and is finally at peace. What an honor.
Teddi was special to me and our congregation and, as a PK-K teacher, was passionate about children. She attended Zyler's church baby shower and I will always remember her by the wall hanging she gave us for his nursery.
Pastor Dave presided at our wedding. In fact, ours was his first wedding in Virginia. We think quite fondly of him and admire his strength and leadership throughout this obviously trying period.
I will close with a short prayer...
May God bless Pastor Dave's son James' wedding this Saturday! Bring peace and healing to Pastor Dave, his family, and our church in our time of grief. And God, thank you for this new life we are eager to welcome. Watch over and protect the new baby and my body as I carry and nourish it during such a crucial time of development. We are truly blessed and humbled. ~ Amen.
On life: We are planning the arrival of a new gift in early April! I feel so blessed and am eager to meet our new son or daughter. I have been feeling "so-so" as I near the end of the first trimester. I will plan to update my "Mommy" blog once again on our progress.
And on death: We said goodbye to our pastor's wife Teddi Nelson on Tuesday. She left to be with the Lord on Sunday, the 13th. She battled pancreatic cancer for eight months. Damn you, cancer. I found her funeral very touching and a wonderful tribute to her amazing life. Many, many, many people attended. I could not even participate in the church. I watched from a satellite location in our church's Activities Center. I agree with Abby on how incredible it is the number of people brought together surrounding a death (and also a wedding).
I was moved to tears by her drawing printed on the back of the program with happy, pastel colors of a rainbow and clouds, which read, "I am filled with the peace of the Holy Spirit. - Teddi." She drew it the day she went into hospice care. Pastor Dave, who says he could not say "no" to his wife of 33 years, gave the sermon at her funeral as she requested him to do. (Can you imagine what that must have been like for him?) He shared of a day not long before she died when she woke up in her room where religious music was playing. She asked the caregiver to turn off the music, stating that the angels were talking to her and she wanted to hear what they were saying. I truly believe she is now with our Lord and Savior and is finally at peace. What an honor.
Teddi was special to me and our congregation and, as a PK-K teacher, was passionate about children. She attended Zyler's church baby shower and I will always remember her by the wall hanging she gave us for his nursery.
Pastor Dave presided at our wedding. In fact, ours was his first wedding in Virginia. We think quite fondly of him and admire his strength and leadership throughout this obviously trying period.
I will close with a short prayer...
May God bless Pastor Dave's son James' wedding this Saturday! Bring peace and healing to Pastor Dave, his family, and our church in our time of grief. And God, thank you for this new life we are eager to welcome. Watch over and protect the new baby and my body as I carry and nourish it during such a crucial time of development. We are truly blessed and humbled. ~ Amen.
4.20.2009
Electrical Usage
In tweaking our budget, I got around to creating an electrical kwH usage chart. As you can see, our average isn't so bad, I guess, but our monthly kWh continues to go up, it seems. It can be more difficult than you think to save electricity! We will continue to try, though, and are always seeking ways to improve.
4.15.2009
"Well, the economy..."
That's about how they started the conversation. With Jason, today, at work. He's been laid off. Yet another to add to the statistic! Let's hope I'm not another come the new fiscal year July 1.
We are still pretty numb about it and getting a hold on what that is going to mean for us and the household. I am trying to remember that God is in control and He will get us through this!
We are still pretty numb about it and getting a hold on what that is going to mean for us and the household. I am trying to remember that God is in control and He will get us through this!
4.06.2009
"Almost" Walking
Our "baby" is 15 months old today and walking is imminent... then, of course, running! I will try to get some recent pix uploaded soon. We've had some technical delay in that department. :)
I can't believe the year + 3 mos have flown by so quickly. He is such a joy and we cannot imagine life without him. Dan & Kerry have spoken of this on their podcast also - I can remember things I used to do to fill my day, and, yes, I miss doing some of them, but mostly they were trivial, such as spending even more time on the 'puter, etc. In case you ever had a doubt, the bennies of having a baby by far outweigh the disadvantages. As John said, don't put it off "just because..."
I can't believe the year + 3 mos have flown by so quickly. He is such a joy and we cannot imagine life without him. Dan & Kerry have spoken of this on their podcast also - I can remember things I used to do to fill my day, and, yes, I miss doing some of them, but mostly they were trivial, such as spending even more time on the 'puter, etc. In case you ever had a doubt, the bennies of having a baby by far outweigh the disadvantages. As John said, don't put it off "just because..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
