The Last of October Happenings
November 2, 2009
Thank the Lord for an AMAZING month! It was busy, but not so much that we couldn’t enjoy it … it was just right.
October = Pastor Appreciation month. A good excuse to have some company! We had dinner with Dad & Mom Smith, as well as the Spiveys.
Rough & Tough Soldier -Keegan Spivey
Sweet Baby Cameron Spivey
October 24th was named “Make a Difference Day”, so that’s what we did. Several people from the church joined up to make a difference in our church and community.
Abby and I made a difference to this flower bed by pulling some weeds (make that ALOT of weeds!).
My Nathan cleaning the fans. I'm so grateful for a husband who "makes a difference" everyday!
Here's the group receiving an earthly reward for their labors. Papa John's pizza remains the best even if you have to eat it outside on a cold and windy day.
Brennan Marshall giving a Papa John's cheese smile for the camera. This little guy worked along side me for over an hour, helping me spot clean the carpets! He was very good at finding the spots!
Here’s a picture from a recent girl’s night with Candy Fox and Angee Vincent. It was Angee’s turn to ‘host’ the evening, so we went out to eat then shopped at Khol’s. Shopped? No … more like spent two and a half hours talking/walking/sitting around the store, then buying a pair of socks! 
Date label in my mashed potatoes = FREE DESSERT!
Last Friday I began to miss my family a little more than usual. I know the Lord knew just what I needed because the very next day I received a phone call from my niece, Lydia, who told me she missed me and wanted to come stay with me for a few days. She insisted that she bring her mother, of course. That was fine with me! Dad & Mom came and stayed too … it felt SO WONDERFUL to be with my family!
And that brings us up to November. Really? November already? That means the holidays! Family get-togethers, lots of food, Christmas music, baking, hot chocolate, parties, snow, shopping, traffic, … I say BRING IT ON!!!
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”
Warning: Sappiness Ahead!
October 17, 2009
Although I realize that Sweetest Day is actually a day meant to celebrate all the people who make your life special, it is especially difficult for me not to focus on one particular person in my life …
407 days of pure sweetness…
and it just gets sweeter as the days go by!
HAPPY SWEETEST DAY, NATHAN!
Humble Happenings
October 12, 2009
Our October so far …
We got our month started off right. On the 1st we attended a “Total Money Makeover” seminar in Indianapolis. Since then, “budget” has been a more frequent word in our vocabulary! Can you guess who is our household “Free Spirit” and who is our “Nerd”?
"But Dave Ramsey says ... "
We are adjusting to Nathan’s new work schedule… and loving it! As of the end of September, he resigned his job at Gibault, and has accepted more hours at Whispering Hope. His daily responsibilities consist of various activities involving sandblasting, maintenance/construction, funeral/burial services, and many other assignments that I’ll leave for you to ask him about! His schedule on a ‘normal’ work day is 8-5, with lunch at home! Love it! No more going in at six a.m., or getting off at 11p.m. Of course, his work day doesn’t necessarily end at five. He fills his evenings with misc. business related work, lawns, volunteer work, etc..
My hard worker, tearing out an unnecessary closet.
Bus ministry incentive: perfect attendance for a month = ice cream party! On our van, two boys earned their reward. Luke insisted that he wanted the “bucket” from Walmart, while his brother, Zach, was not to be convinced that the “bucket” was the better deal, so he opted for a DQ fudge blizzard.
WE LOVE CHOCOLATE! So who got the better deal?
Some shots of recent Sunday night company:
A Good Day
September 30, 2009
Today I:
Put flannel sheets on the bed.
Watered the mum.
Ate a bowl of chili.
Wore a hoodie.
Walked through a field of sunflowers.
Yes! Fall is here!!!
Discovered this gorgeous field of sunflowers on my way home from the dentist!
Enjoyed sharing my find with a handsome man later on in the evening.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...
This new job is really affecting him.
Is it really worth it?!
September 29, 2009
While I was taking part in the scene above, the doorbell rang three times and the phone rang twice. ”Are you ok?!” How silly I felt when my simple reply was “I’m just cutting onions. (sniff).”
After yesterday’s episode of cutting onions for chili, I paid a visit to Google and asked how to: “not weep while chopping onions”!!!!
The net offered these suggestions:
1. Cut the onion while rinsing it in water.
2. Refrigerate or put it in the freezer 15 min. before chopping.
3. Put a piece of white bread in your mouth …!?
4. Cut near an open flame (such as a candle).
5. Vigorously chew a piece of gum.
6. Rinse your knife in cold water after each cut.
7. Sip cold water. Hold it in your mouth, and when it warms spit it out and get another (apparently the “spit out” part is crucial, because if you swallow the water your eyes will burn twice as much). ?!
8. Spritz cutting board with vinegar.
9. Remove the ‘core’ before slicing.
10. Keep a slice of lemon in your mouth … or a mint.
11. Wear goggles. They sell goggles just for onions! Ha!
12. Cut onions with eyes closed. Do not try this at home.
13. Lick the onion. Eww!
14. Run your wrist under cold water.
15. Purchase pre-cut onions!!!! Duh!
Hmmm. Which piece of advice shall I try first? Perhaps a combination?
Couldn’t Resist
September 23, 2009
My brother-in-law (I’ll let you guess which one) sent me this “daily chuckle”. Just had to share …
September: Family, Friends, and Fun
September 22, 2009
A few shots from the busy month of September …
A day with Cayden and Keegan Spivey
Making sloppy joe turnovers... key word: sloppy.
Smith trip to the Creation Museum
Isaac didn't do much petting at the petting zoo!
Such a big boy!
This adorable expression has been voted a look of fear, exhaustion, and wonder. It really deserves a much better caption.
A weekend with Grant and Bryce VonBokern
For some unknown reason, Grant decided to wash his hair in the bathroom sink.
So grown up.
Notice the sucker beside the otherwise healthy lunch. Later I found carrots under the hutch ... ?!
This activity kept Bryce occupied for a while. Eventually he became quite frustrated and went to find his own little pair.
'Helping' Aunt Laura make sugar cookies on a rainy Sunday night.
An evening in the park with the Spiveys and the VonBokerns.
A group effort. Great results.
Thank you, Lord, for Family & Friends!
Celebrating a Beautiful Life
September 16, 2009
September 13th marked a special day for a very special lady! Try as we might, we’ll never be able to show her exactly how much we love and appreciate her! Her life is truly a beautiful example for all.
Happy Birthday, Mom Smith!
Not only was the 13th a special day because it was her birthday, it was her 2nd year to celebrate Grandparent’s Day! The day was complete when Stephen, Jessica, and Isaac arrived from Chicago to join in on the fun.
The Whole Gang
I’m thankful for a Mother-in-law who:
1. Prays for her children.
2. Is just a phone call away.
3. Keeps us all in line!
4. Is always willing to help.
5. Opens her home to others.
6. Cooks great meals!
7. Is a very hard worker!
8. Has a genuine love for others.
9. Raised my husband to be such a gentleman.
10. Treats me like family!
ONE YEAR!
September 16, 2009
Still Newlywed
OK, so this post is slightly delayed. It has been one year and eleven days…. but it is still most definitely blog-worthy!
It all started several weeks ago when Nathan informed Laura to block a few days out on the calendar … September 2-5. Where to? No response. So as every obedient wife does, Laura wrote “Anniversary Trip!!!!” on the calendar, and punctuated those dates with several hearts. The day drew closer and closer, and still no response as to the destination of this Anniversary Trip.
In the mean time, I, Laura, took a trip to Kroger. Just an ordinary trip … until I came upon a section of the store I had never taken time to notice. As I shoved my overflowing cart toward the checkout, I found myself in the greeting card aisle! ”Oh! That’s right! I have an anniversary coming up!” Now I realize I had to look quite ridiculous there with my cart in the middle of the aisle, ice cream melting and all, as I read each anniversary card, laughing, crying, trying to find the perfect fit. It was a new experience and I made the most of it. I’ve never paid much attention to the cards that read “To my husband…” etc… I rather like them! Thirty minutes later I put all the cards back, and decided that none of them said it just right, so I resolved to make my own. However, reading those anniversary cards made me feel the love as I put away the melted ice cream in the freezer that day! Several days later, I decided the local Hallmark store might have more of a selection. I was right. And because of my indecisiveness, on Nathan’s first anniversary, he received not one, but two anniversary cards.
September 2 finally came. Nathan got off work at 6, we loaded up the car, and headed to … who knows?! I begged and pleaded until finally I was rewarded with some hints like “salt and pepper” and “It takes a village”. Still clueless. I was granted a lifeline, and with the help of my family members we discovered that our vehicle was bound for Shaker Village, in Harrodsburg, KY. Nathan and I had never been there before, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We spent two days learning about the people who had once occupied the village, and relaxing in the very serene surroundings.
Nathan in front of the Family Gathering Place. Notice the two front doors - one for the women and one for the men!
We stayed here in the Old Stone Building
From there we drove down to Natural Bridge. It was Nathan’s first time there, Laura’s second. The trek up the ‘mountain’ seemed impossible at times, but we finally made it, and it was well worth it. Laura finally convinced Nathan that jumping off the edge wasn’t among his most brilliant ideas, and we continued our journey through the park.
Sweat and all, we made it to the top!
Livin' on the Edge
Attempting an unsuccessful climb up the Balancing Rock
We made a pit stop in Sparta, KY and were greeted with sparklers and several versions of the songs “Happy Birthday” and “Happy Anniversary” (sung by Bethlee and Christiana). The sparklers were left overs from our wedding! Fun stuff!
YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE!!!
We spent the last day of our trip going bargain shopping and eating. Ever heard of Essencha? That’s a long story, but the short version is, we spent our $25 dollar gift card then headed to Chipotle for some real cookin’!!!
Thank you, Sweetheart, for planning a fun and memorable
Little Bitty Lydia
September 16, 2009
Sweet as can be!!!
Lydia’s song is sung to the tune of Lollipop Lollipop:
Little Bitty Lydia, Oh Little Bitty-a,
Lydia Bitty Lydia, Oh Little Bitty-a,
Little Bitty Lydia, sweet as can be,
She Loves her mommy, and her daddy.
She’s a little bitty angel, as you can see,
Man, I’ve got to hold her, please!
We call her …
Little Bitty Lydia, Oh Little Bitty-a,
Little Bitty Lydia, Oh Little Bitty-a,
Bum, ba dum, ba dum bum bum …
Need more Lydia? She has her very own web album!
