Thanksgiving

We had a great day yesterday. We had a house full of people for brunch (which I prepared). We enjoyed that meal and then attempted to get a good picture of Aiden, Logan and Gavin. As you see from the pics above, it's much harder than it sounds. They are the cutest guys in the world, but together they just look like the Three Stooges! We did enjoy the 'normal' thanksgiving trimmings for dinner (which I did not prepare) and then just hung out. Mom did crafts with the boys and at one point Logan turned to Grandma and said, "You're smart, Grandma." Pretty much made her night.

I hope that everyone had as wonderful of a time as we did.

I think it's nap time!

Love,

Carrie

Fun Times

Good morning,

We had a fun weekend. Friday night Marcus took the boys to see Madagascar 2 while I scrapped. It was sad to learn that the scrapbook store that I use once a month is closing. Sign of the times, I guess. Saturday I scrapped a little more and then we were off to a Fort Wayne Komets hockey game. We only had 3 tickets, so Logan sat this one out, but Aiden had a great time. He was really into it, especially when the guys hit the glass (Mommy too!) I've attached a picture from the hockey game.


The picture of Logan (and Aiden) is of Logan being a rocker. I know, we are horrible parents, but we are big fans of the 80's/90's hair bands (AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Cinderella ...) and there is a station on our satellite that plays all of this fine music. A lot of the times we have that on rather than the TV. Friday night before dinner we were listening and Logan comes out of his room with this hat on and sunglasses banging his head. It was too funny!

Last night we had Aiden's first parent - teacher conference. It went well. She commented that he is a great story-teller. Scary, I think. And I don't know WHERE he gets that from! He had perfect attendance for the first trimester. He received a certificate and a pencil which he is very proud of. (Pics attached). He really enjoys school and likes his teacher ... thank goodness!

Well, Thanksgiving is going to be at our house for the first time ever (and maybe the last depending on how the food turns out). I am making brunch for everyone because Marcus will have to go to bed right after that (nope, he doesn't get Thanksgiving off). So, then we'll just hang around until dinner time and have the normal Thanksgiving trimmings. Should be fun ... I hope! I am sure a blog will follow.


Have a happy Tuesday!


Carrie

Mommy has Super Powers!

Last night I decided to make cookies with the boys. We voted for chocolate chip cookies ... yummo! I had gotten all of the ingredients out and ready and had turned to get the bowls. I told the boys not to touch anything and I noticed that Logan was reaching for something and I told him not to touch anything while facing the opposite way. Aiden was shocked and asked, "Mom, can you see out of your brain?" I laughed and said, "No. Why?" He said, "Well, how did you know Logan was doing that?" Again, I laughed and said, "Well, Mommy has eyes in the back of her head!" He was shocked again and asked, "Does Daddy?" I said, "No, just Mom."

So, yes. I am sure I am a horrible mother because I told this fib and said that Daddy does not have this secret power, but it was really funny! Plus, Aiden is my sneaky one, so if this wards off any wrong doing, I am ok with that fib.

Another funny, er, cute thing Aiden said last night was about a stray cat that has been lingering in our neighborhood recently. He looked out the window and said, "Mom, do you see that cat out there? It's adorable." HA! Adorable! Who knew that he knew that word?

The last funny thing was from Logan. As you know, they now have faux hawk hairdo's. Yesterday morning I told Logan he looked like a rooster and he said, "No ... I am a chicken!" My bad, my bad.

Talk to you all soon,
Carrie

It's Tuesday!

Hello all.

I am happy to say that the weekend went well and I am feeling like myself once again. It was great to return to Alexandria and spend time with family and friends. Saturday night I was able to go with my family to Johnny Carino's Italian Grill ... my all time fav. Sunday we visited our home church and were so glad to see faces we have missed over the last few months. It was nice to be loved on! After church we ordered pizzas with the old bible study gang and hung out for a little while. It was great to catch up on everyone's lives. All of our kids are getting so big! I think we had 11 kids and some were missing (including Jason McCorkle!) Then we were off to Gavin's first birthday party. Fun times.

I took the boys to get their hair cut last night. They wanted mohawks, we settled for faux-hawks so that I can brush it down too. I think they are pretty cute! What about you?

Have a great week everyone,
Carrie

Just an update on me

Hello all.

I just wanted to let you know how things are going here in Northern Indiana.

At times I think I am adjusting well, other times, not so much. I am having one of those not so much days today, but I am sure it will pass.

I am attributing today's not so much day to the fact that we are heading to Alexandria this weekend. It's strange to me because we'll be staying at my mom and dad's house. Now, we had to do that during the ice storm, but this time is just different. We are just visiting, them, the town, everything. That's not home anymore and I keep referring to it as such. Of course, we still OWN a home there, so all ties are not cut. We are planning on going to church at CCC on Sunday --- I think I miss that aspect of my life the most. I miss my friends there, the connections that were made, the accountability that we had to that church, the fact that when we were not in service people called to check on us. We've been attending a church that I like, but it's such a large church that I don't think people know if you are a visitor or just coming to a different service for the day (they have 3 services every Sunday). I feel lost in the crowd. I also can't seem to figure out where it is that I am supposed to be serving in that church. It's just not home yet. Speaking of home, I do love our new house. It does feel like home when we are all there. It's the times that Marcus is working - days or nights - that it just feels more like a place to sleep. Then there's the job. I have good days and then I have bad days. I am a firm believer in adult learning, but coming into a university that I don't really know, well, it's hard to recruit and feel passionate about it. It's getting better week by week, but then there are those days ... OUCH. I do love the community that we are now apart of. People in Columbia City have been so nice and welcoming. I am now the chairperson for the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador's and I was just welcomed into the Columbia City Rotary Club (click on the link to see that pic of me). I just had coffee with the judge in the town and have met the mayor this week. Both men are have been very welcoming and made me feel like they are glad we moved our family into the community. It's funny because I never met with the judge or mayor in Anderson or Alex and yet I still feel more like I belong back there.

OK ... DO NOT GET ME WRONG! I am NOT depressed - maybe just a bit homesick. I am sure it will pass. I think with Gavin turning 1 this week and me not getting to see him until Sunday has something to do with it. The fact that I had some major meetings this week and did not get to see my parents face to face to tell them about it has something to do with it. Having no class to drive down into Anderson has something to do with it. The lack of a mall, Target or Kohl's in the near distance has something to do with it!!!

So, with all that said, I am excited about our trip to Alex and hope that I will be thrilled to return HOME to South Whitley on Sunday. I'll keep you posted ...

Have a wonderful weekend,
Carrie

God Understands

Weekend

Hello!
We had a wonderful weekend. Friday night the boys stayed with their grandma so that Marcus and I could get ready for Logan's birthday party on Saturday. We went into Wal-Mart and bought a Ford F-150 motorized truck. Never in a million years did I think we'd ever buy one of these because of the price, but I found one on clearance for $79 and we couldn't pass it up! Logan was thrilled (picture in slide show below). We then came home and worked for 4 hours on the monster truck cake. We cut the shape out, constructed and decorated it. I was so proud of us! The tires were ding-dongs. Food Network Challenge has nothing on me! HAHA! It wasn't perfect, but was pretty impressive for me. The party went great. Logan got some great presents and we had a house full. Thanks to everyone that came to celebrate with us. Check out the slide show below of all the festivities!
Have a great week,
Carrie

Logan's Birthday Party: MONSTER TRUCKS!

Time to Pray

I am not one to sit and talk for hours about politics, but I have to admit that Marcus and I watched the tv last night just in awe of what was happening. I am not sure yet if we are happy, sad ... I really don't know. But I read a lot of blogs and found this to sum it up for me (copied below but I encourage you to check out the site. He's a pastor in TN and I really enjoy his blog).

"Today is a new day. It’s a new era. Regardless of who you voted for or why, it’s time to switch gears. It’s time to pray for Obama as he transitions to become the President of the United States.

And furthermore, you need to know this is not a surprise to God. Before the billions of dollars were spent on this campaign, God already knew the outcome. He wasn’t sitting around the television last night ringing his hands like you were.

He doesn’t need a Republican or a Democrat, an electoral vote, or a state. He’s not red or blue. He’s God.

He’s God and I’m not. You’re Not. Obama is not. McCain is not.

So if your candidate lost. I’m sorry. If you’re worried your issues aren’t going to be being addressed. I’m sorry. But God is still God and He’s still sitting on His throne.

Let’s move on."