Tributes

Hello.

Last week is a week I'd rather forget quite honestly. Let's start off with Friday, August 14th. This is the morning that I received a call that a friend had passed away after a 3 year battle with stomach cancer. I'd met Becca when I was in 7th grade. She my camp counselor at Yellow Creek Lake Camp. I then was reconnected with her when she began attending my church when she came to AU for college. She helped out with the youth group and she and I grew very close. That remained for a few years until she graduated and moved away. Fast forward to 2 years ago when I realized that my good friend Steph and Becca were running partners. Steph invited me to go visit Becca and we had a nice time. Then a year ago Marcus and I moved into Becca's hometown! Small world, right? I did not spend as much time with her as I would have liked. We saw each other at Carol's Corner or at ballgames or community functions. We always shared a hug and a laugh. A few weeks ago, Steph and I went over to Becca's for another visit. We ended up staying nearly 3 hours but we just didn't want it to end. We shared funny stories from our past, stories about how we met our mates, stories about the kids, she shared family photos that she had organized for her kids so they would know their heritage. It was the most perfect visit. We did head back over the night before she passed, but Jade, her husband stopped us and let us know the situation. That was very hard for me. That night I couldn't hug my boys without thinking how short life is. She has two young children also and I can't imagine not seeing them grow up. It all hit home for me that evening. The next morning we received the call. Monday was her viewing and hundreds if not a thousand showed up to pay their respects. Tuesday was her funeral. Of course there was crying, but there was also some laughter. It was almost as if Becca was there conducting it for all of us. One of the neatest tributes to her was when my friend, Steph and the other 5 or 6 ladies that would run with Becca did somewhat of a tribute run for her. They all took a flower from the gravesite and headed for a run down one of Becca's favorite roads to run. I know they had a wonderful time remembering and honoring her. I think that was the coolest idea and so fitting. She truly left her mark her on earth not only through her children and husband, but her good works. I encourage you to check out her blog where you can get a snapshot of the wonderful Godly woman she was. May she rest in peace.

To add to all of the feelings of losing a friend, I found out on Monday that two fellow employees have resigned. One will be done at the beginning of September and the other towards the end. That leaves me as the only recruiter. Ugh. Talk about stress. I've been trying to go with the flow, but it just makes me a bit nervous. Hopefully we'll get someone hired soon and we can get them trained and move on. i will miss Debbie and Susan though.

So - this weekend I just needed to veg. We had two picnics to attend. We had a great time. Marcus also went to a local tattoo parlor and got some new ink. He designed it himself (the tattoo guy perfected it though) and he is very proud of it. As he should be. It looks HUGE in these pics, but it's still small enough that when he has a short sleeved shirt on it is not visible. He wanted this tattoo to represent his faith and our boys. I think it looks great and does just that.

Last thing. Aiden is still really enjoying the 1st grade. We hear a rumor that he has a little girlfriend ... but he's not quite ready to admit that. He does tell us that they play on the monkey bars together though. Cute. We also had a meeting for Logan's preschool. UGH. So weird! Where has the time gone?

Pictures Galore! Vacation and 1st Day of School

Where have you guys been? Wait, what? It's ME that's been missing? It's ME that has neglected this blog? No way! Well ... ok. Maybe you're right!

We have been busy enjoying the last few weeks of summer. We had a great time on Lake Cumberland in KY the last week of July. Lots of pics attached to show just a snapshot of the fun.

Today was Aiden's first day of first grade!!! Can you believe it? I am so not old enough to have a 1st grader ... right? Ugh. He was a bit nervous about the homework load, but I told him that we can do it together and it will be fun (I hope). I just spoke to him and he said his favorite thing they did today was read!!! Great answer!! Anyway ... you KNOW I took lots of pics, so here are some of my favs.

What a Quick Trip!

So, I thought that last weekend was going to be a quiet, relaxing weekend (other than working the 4H booth). Boy was I wrong! Friday night my Granny (my great grandma) was air lifted from one hospital to another due to what they originally thought to be heart issues. My parents were already out in MO so they were with her. All reports were grim. When my dad was in ICU with her, her blood pressure was very low ... like in the 30's low. Mom told me on Saturday that if my schedule allowed we should probably head that way. So, me, Marcus, Jamie and Gavin headed out on Sunday after Jamie got off from working her shift at the ER. I got to sit in the back with Gavin for 400 plus miles. He was sooooo happy this entire trip! It's odd to say we had fun when we were afraid we were going out to tell our Granny good-bye.

Granny did move from the ICU to a regular room on Sunday so that allowed us to spend more time with her on Monday. We were there for several hours and I think all of us felt at peace with what may happen. Her heart and kidneys are only functioning at about 20% at this point. She'll be 89 in October and is no longer a candidate for any other heart procedures. We have yet to hear if she'll start dialysis. Either way, it would be awesome to see her again (probably Thanksgiving will be our next trip) but I know that she has lived and served a great life and seems ready. Of course she is scared, but she wants to go home. She told me that she knows she'll die at home and that's how she wants it. She was released on Tuesday.

We headed home on Tuesday and had an equally great time for another 400 plus miles. Our round trip from Sunday to Tuesday was 1262 miles ... but who's counting???!!! It was really memorable on so many levels and I am grateful that we were able to do it. I've attached some fun pics from the trip. There's even one from Gavin's first bite of Maid Rite! It truly is a right of passage in this family. Oh, and we did not take the boys. It was such a quick trip and they couldn't go back to see her anyway, that we decided against it. I am glad we did. It allowed us to have one on one with Granny.

Night view of St. Louis. It truly was the prettiest I have ever seen it.

Gavin is getting weary on the way to the hospital.


Ugh ... Gavin loooooooved sucking his toes! I think he knew this grossed out Aunt Carrie so he did it even more! Little stinker!

Gavin's first Maid Rite. Mmmmmmmmm...

Just look at that face. There are no words.

I was so glad to have some Aunt Carrie/Gavin time. I love that kid!

Happy Birthday Marcus!!

Today my wonderful husband turns 31!!! (I love mentioning how old he is because for a month there we are the same age. He is now older. WHEW!) Keeping up with my tradition (ok, I've only done it once) here is a list of 31 things I love about you, Marcus. (in no particular order).
**WARNING*** MAY CONTAIN SOME MUSHY-NESS!***

*The way you love our boys.
*How dorky you can be (I know ... some of you are surprised).
*Your honesty.
*Your integrity.
*You pay the bills every month. I never have to worry or balance the checkbook, which is a great thing for all involved.
*Your cooking.
*Your cleaning.
*Your Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (although not truly diagnosed, You have it).
*The fact that you quit smoking 2 1/2 years ago cold turkey and haven't turned back.
*How much you appreciate it when I make you coffee.
*Your work ethic. If people had half of what you do they'd be in good shape.
*Your patience (yes, I know how lucky I am. Most would not put up with me).
*You love every member of your family ... and it's a HUGE family.
*How supportive your are of me. Most would run the other way.
*Your smirk.
*You're quiet, but always aware.
*How when I thought I was dating a "bad boy" that I ended up with the sweetest guy ever.
*How proud you are of me and the boys.
*You listen.
*Your positive thinking.
*Your laugh.
*You're very organized (see OCD)
*You're a fun person to be around.
*You are level-headed (I need this).
*You never let me know if you are worried. You just take care of it.
*You make sure the boys and I always feel safe.
*You works hard to provide for us.
*You know who you are.
*Your pride.
*Practically everything about YOU!!!!
*And lastly ... that I feel he was created just for me. He's exactly what I needed.

I heard this song a few years ago and this is exactly how I feel about you. I love you.
It’s always been a mystery to me How two hearts can come together And love can last forever But now that I have found you, I believe That a miracle has come When God sends the perfect one Now gone are all my questions about why And I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life Chorus: I wonder what God was thinking When He created you I wonder if He knew everything I would need Because He made all my dreams come true When God made you He must have been thinking about me I promise that wherever you may go Wherever life may lead you With all my heart I’ll be there too From this moment on I want you to know I’ll let nothing come between us And I will love the ones you love Now gone are all my questions about why And I have never been so sure of anything in my life Chorus: I wonder what God was thinking When He created you I wonder if He knew everything I would need Because He made all my dreams come true When God made you He must have been thinking about me Bridge: He made the sun He made the moon To harmonize in perfect tune One can’t move without the other They just have to be together And that is why I know it’s true You’re for me and I’m for you Cause my world just can’t be right Without you in my life Chorus: I wonder what God was thinking When He created you I wonder if He knew everything I would need Because He made all my dreams come true Tag chorus: He must have heard every prayer I’ve been praying Yes He knew everything I would need When God made you When dreams come true When God made you He must have been thinking about me.
Song is by the Christian contemporary group Newsong. You can find a CD at Amazon

Summer Hoffman Style

I am sorry I am such a blog slacker these days. We have just been enjoying the sun like never before. Any of you that know me know that I would much rather be inside in the air conditioning rather than out in the heat. I mean ... if not, aren't we just wasting $? Well, this year I've been truly enjoying the time outside. I love that the tv is never on before 9 pm since the sun is out that late. I love watching the boys ride (and crash) their bikes. I love my porch swing. I love watching the birds in our backyard. I love NOT doing my hair (wait ... did I just write that?!?!) I love camping. I love hanging out at the lake. I love not caring about the clock. I love my boys running around without their shirts on (and yes, slathered in sunscreen). I love that I have a flip-flop tan for the first time in years! I love NOT wearing make-up (I know ... another shocker!) I love eating dinner with the family outdoors. Man ... I could go on and on. Instead, I'll just share more pictures from our Summer Hoffman Style. I hope you all are enjoying yourselves at least half as much as we are! If not ... come join us!

Oh... and I forgot to let you all know that Aiden's ankle is

much better and he was allowed to stop wearing the boot on Monday! FREEDOM!

We went camping last weekend and had a BLAST! So much fun that we are returning this weekend! Below are some great photos from the weekend. Enjoy!

My Eventful 30th Birthday

Ok, I can finally sit down and tell this story. Everyone that needed to know (parents, boss) now know ... I didn't want them finding out via my blog. Respectful, I know. :)

So, here goes. I turned 30 on Monday, June 1. It was harder than I had expected. I cried ... a lot. It wasn't that I just sat down and cried about it, but lots of things made me cry that day and it was only because I was on the edge. Marcus and I had planned a night out together while my mother-in-law kept the boys overnight. The next day we planned to head to Shipshewana to the flea market.

So, for about a month or so now I've talked about getting my nose pierced. I've thought that they (little studs) are so cute and that I wanted one. So, Marcus told me that he would take me for my birthday. YIPPEEEEEE! We drop the boys off at Carolyn's and head to the tattoo shop called, "House of Pain." Yes, that should have been a red flag, I know. We walk in and I cheerfully say, "Hi. I am here to get my nose pierced!" The tattoo guy looks up and says, "REALLY?" Yep, that should have been another red flag. So, off we go into the room. Now, I was feeling pretty pumped at this point. I sat down in the chair (it was an old fashioned shoe polisher chair ... odd I thought). Marcus was there with me and I assume he was going to watch - however the guy is terrified of needles, go figure! So, Mike (tattoo guy) and I are just talking and BAM! He does it. He sticks about a 4 inch need through my nose. YEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH! Now, I've given birth to two children WITHOUT drugs ... that's nothin'! Holy cow that hurt! He stops for a sec to make sure all is ok and then I hear, "Um, man, she's getting a little white." Sure enough ... I was passing out. Marcus has been with me long enough to know how to bring me back after passing out (yep, it's kind of a habit for me). The next thing I really remember is the smell of that ever too familiar smelling salts. The first thing I asked for was drink of water. The other tattoo guy came back with a cup of water and I took a sip. It must have escaped my mind that I still had a needle through my nose, because when I took a sip of the water, I hit the needle and that sent me back into a bit of a panic. I went to take another drink and I just poured it all down the front of me! So now, I am in pain, I have a needle in my nose, a soaked shirt and three men hoovering over me. And we haven't completed the task at hand. ARG! Oh, and I forgot to mention that SOMEWHERE in all of this the tattoo guy says to Marcus, "Um, maybe this wasn't her brightest idea!!!" Yeah, red flad #3! So, on we go. The first stud I had picked out didn't fit me ... I guess my cartilage is too think. Huh, who'd have thought. So, they get what was called a nose bone. Yep, this sounded pleasant ... NOT! He got the nose bone in and then had to use needle-nosed (appropriately named) pliers to pinch the nose bone shut. UGH! That was equally as painful as the needle itself. Ok, nose bone is in, all looks well, but I am still a bit white. Here's the pic of me just finished. Still white and if you look closely at the right side of my shirt (my right) you can see where it's wet. So, we just sit there and talk with the guys for about 10 minutes before getting up to pay and heading out for an enjoyable dinner. Ohhhhh if the story could end right there. We head to one of my favorite restaurants in Warsaw. I sit down and order one of the most expensive items on the menu ... HEY ... is was MY birthday! By this time, my head was pounding so I popped 3 Tylenols. Our food came, I took 2 bites of my steak and 3 bites of fries. Then I started to shiver ... remember, my shirt is wet! I also start feeling weird so I tell Marcus to finish eating, but I must go outside. I found a bench and looked like a drunk sitting there. Several people stopped to make sure I was ok, all I could do was grumble and pray that they were also admiring my new bling that has caused all of this! Marcus finishes up, has my meal boxed up and we head home. The second I walk into the house I vomit what little food was actually in my stomach. I take an anti-nausea pill that I had left over from this and went to bed. I was in bed, alone, sick, with no kids at home at 8:30 on my 30th birthday night. Swell (oh, bad word choice!) Oh, and here's a pic of the nose. Cute, right?

Tuesday I woke up feeling great ... even the nose! It hurt to yawn or open my mouth real wide, weird, right? But other than that I was great. We got up and went to breakfast, Shipshewana and dinner. We had a wonderful 15 hour date! Just what I needed.

Wed - Saturday were normal days. I had noticed that the nose bone was even with my skin and the tattoo guy told me that was normal. WELL ... by Saturday night I realized that new skin had now grown OVER the nose bone. I am guessing that is not normal. It was about midnight when I noticed so I got a needle, removed that new skin and pulled out the nose bone a little ... a little too much. I couldn't push it back in. Marcus tried but I got all tingly and didn't want to pass out again, so we removed it. I was/am bummed. We could have returned to the tattoo shop, but at the time the thought of them threading that needle back through made me ill. Now I wish I had. Yep, you read that right. I really miss it! And I know my boss wasn't thrilled (nor were the parents) but I could have had a clear one during times with them and they'd never see it again! Humph. So, if y'all know someone that would numb it for me before hand, let me know. I know some will say if you can't take the pain then you can't get one ... but come on people! I went through it and then some!

So - I've officially found something that hurts WAY more than turning 30 and a week and a half later, I am considering (ish) doing it again. Can anyone say MID-LIFE CRISIS?????????