Yikes, it's been a while!

Okay, no excuses, I have been so negligent with my blog! A blog is like a kitten:  you need to care for it, love it, feed it and check on it regularly.  Luckily the word 'regularly' is very subjective and in my case, that means once every 6 months!

I've been inspired by my sister-in-law Liisa to care for my little blog on a much more frequent timeline.

So to catch up, this is what we've been doing lately (since March, remember those subjective terms):

1)  Andy graduated from HS
2)  3-4 trips to NY
3)  Trip to the lake
4)  Long summer for Andy of Beast at WP (many tears by Mom)
5)  Move for Lilli to a different house with different roommates
6)  Juggling of bedrooms at home as we finished the attic and kids have moved
7)  House projects for mom and dad
8)  Pete's jr. year started
9)  Pete is playing offensive and defensive line for his team
10)  An ongoing search for a puppy by Pete and Mom
11)  School back in session for everybody
12)  Many hours spent looking for airline tix by Joel


Although this is a short list of the many things the months have brought our way, it gives you a vague picture of what goes on.  Through it all we count our Blessings and are thankful for all that God provides and all of the ways he surprises us! 

Craziness!

 Things have been crazy at our house the last month. (My excuse for being so Blog tardy) A quick overview:  I've been to Florida and California for work trips.  We took a family trip to Washington D.C. where Lilli was able to fly out and meet us to go through the White House, ride the Senator's tram, sit in on a Senate session, see the pandas and eat lots of cupcakes!  We've been wading through paperwork, dr. appointments, background checks, and praying we get Andy to West Point safely and successfully.  We've been researching colleges with Pete and planning his summer of college classes, work and getting ready for FOOTBALL.  Lilli is going to Philadelphia for a week for a student nursing convention while planning a summer medical mission trip to Cambodia.  We're finishing a remodeling project of the attic and starting work on our backyard--yay Iowa weather in the 70-80s in March!  Track meets start this week with soccer soon after. Oh, yeah we try to work too.  :)  I love it all, but it does get CRAZY-as evidenced by the picture of me above. 

Most importantly all of this reminds me of how truly Blessed we are, how important it is to try to be a blessing to someone else each day and to be thankful for each day we are given!  Embrace the insanity!

Big Changes at the Meyers House

West Point Academy

We found out this week that Andy has been accepted to West Pt. and will report July 2nd, 2012.  After about 2 1/2 years of applications, essays, deadlines, interviews, physicals and tests, we can take a short (really short) break before we start getting things ready for him to go.  We are all excited for him and are trying to prepare for the big change that will be happening at our house.  When Andy got the first phone call on Wednesday night, he had a little smile on his face and I knew what was happening. Although it is hard for us to have any of our kids far away, we know that he will do great and he is ready.  As I'm sure all parents of future cadets feel, I think they're lucky to be getting such a fine young man.  We're planning on lots of frequent flier miles .

Things I LOVE right now, this very minute!

Scratch cupcakes

Lilli coming home for the weekend unexpectedly and a husband that will drop everything to go get her

Going to basketball games and seeing Andy "dunk" it

Planning a family adventure for Spring Break

Spring Break

Getting home from work at 1:30 on Fridays

Looking at baby pictures of the boys

Pete getting excited for football

One of my students who was in a homeless shelter moving into an apartment

Making mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner

A kitty app for the ipad for Meg to play with

The little things...

The First Snow......

Today was the first snow of the winter in Iowa--January 12!  This made me realize that I don't stop to notice the little things enough, so here goes. 
Some of the "little things" I'm thankful for:

*A day at school when I DON'T have to call security

*Going to the refrigerator and finding that the diet coke I had hidden, hadn't been found

*A new episode of  American Pickers

*Finding a sweater I love on clearance--extra 33% off!

*Going to an auction and getting a whole box of vintage, metal trays for $5.00! and then selling the ones I didn't want on ebay for quite a bit more  :)

*Finding a great recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies

The great thing is, all of these things happened this week!  Thankfulness is a way of living, I'm trying to get better at it.

Random thoughts

Sometimes we hear things and think, "Wow, that's so true!"  and they promptly leave our heads forever.  A few weeks ago I heard one of those things, but it hasn't left my head and it keeps popping up in my life.  I'm thinking I need to pay attention to it and look for ways to show it and share it.

The thing I heard:

It's more important to DO right, than it is to BE right.

So:

*When I want to correct someone or they are correcting me and I'm annoyed--Do right

*When I feel slighted and want to return the favor---Do right

*When I could ignore something, but my ego doesn't want to---Do right

*When I see someone in need and I can help--Do right

*When I can share what I have---Do right

*When I feel like doing nothing, but I have the ability to do something--Do right

*When I can keep my opinion to myself and listen to someone else's--Do right

The list could go on  forever, but this is where I am today.  Where are you?

                                  For:

*Pastors that preach the Word
*Awesome children
*Great people to work with                                 
*Betsy and Meg
*Husband that never balks at home projects      
 *Targets with Starbucks
*Jigsaw puzzles and a puzzle table to do them on     
*Time for baking
*Christmas music                                                       
*Christmas lights
*Friends who understand "happy" tears           
*Seeing former students who are successful
*Lowe's                                                                     
*Bezzerwizzer with the family

Rebels-Fall 2011 Sr. Night

Bittersweet time of Life....

Some pics of Senior Night with Andy

Some of my favorites....

There is nothing more precious than time spent reading with little ones.  I love children's books and count every minute I spent reading them with my kids as the most precious, even as they got older and we read chapter books together.  These are just a few of our favorites....when you have a minute, check them out!

Just Some Projects at Home....

I just remembered that I previously said I'd post pics of some of the projects we've been working on.  This  is our downstairs bathroom.  I've recently fallen back in love with wedgewood blue, so blue it is-for now anyway.  Colors don't last long at our house.  Thankfully, I have a patient husband who's willing to humor me.

Here are a few pics of the living room with new furniture.  When Lilli moved to Iowa City, she needed a couch and chair....so, what's a mom to do, but sacrifice her furniture for her beloved daughter.

We also have been doing a bunch of things in the backyard and Lilli's room---I'll try to be better about posting those soon. 

Are You Ready for some Football?

Rebel Football 2011

Andy with the other Captains and the Honorary Captain

Pete entertaining the crowd on the sidelines

Both of the boys getting personal coaching

After the Grundy Center game talking to the fam

Talking to Papa and Liz

This year we get to watch the boys play together again--we didn't think that would happen past jr. high.  It's great to watch them warming up together and talking on the sidelines.  It's pretty special.

Under "construction".....

This time of year always brings out a desire in me to re-do things at home!  Maybe it's getting the house ready for winter when we'll be trapped indoors for months at a time.  This year, it's partly that and partly having one less person living there and wanting to occupy my time.

Projects in progress:

*Painting and redecorating the downstairs bathroom  (with the upstairs one to follow)

*Sanding, prepping, and painting an antique bed and dresser to put in Lilli's room--since she took all of her things with her

*New living room furniture/configuration--Lilli even took our living room furniture!

*Relandscaping our backyard--moving plants to the stream, taking out some bushes that don't "match" my yard  :), and putting in some new perrennials

*Just finished painting one side of the house

As I look back, I'm using the word "I" quite liberally--Joel is doing the lion's share of the work, but I'm great with the ideas and planning!  I love the way a room looks with new paint! 
I'll post some pics soon!

Happy Fall and if you need an idea person for re-doing something, call!
(I chose this picture because I've been threatening Joel with painting something this color, he's not on board yet.)

Sunday Musings

I'm thankful.....

For friends and family that have been encouraging Lilli every step of the way and will continue to pray for her and support her at school!

For our church where we're held accountable and made to think about our actions which can be uncomfortable, but is so necessary.

For family that love our kids and are convinced that they're the best!  :)

For jobs where we can touch and help people and have great coworkers.

For 75 degree weather.

For my aunt Pat, she is simply the best!

For a home to decorate and husband who is always willing to do the work that I envision.
.
For a dog that will walk with me whenever and wherever I want her to.

For the ability to see the blessings in my life.

Are you ready for some Football?!

Football Time!!!

This week is the beginning of "the season"!  I love it!  Andy gets to be a part of hosting a football camp for elementary school kids tomorrow and Wednesday through Friday both boys will be going to high school football camp.  Mind you, this isn't singing, s'mores, and games--but they call it camp anyway.  This camp consists of running, sweating, lifting, groaning and for some, throwing up even!   
Every year, I have mixed feelings at this time of year because I love watching them play, but I also know that it's one year closer to them being done with high school.  When the boys were little, I thought that it would be hard to see them be attached to other adults, but their relationships with their coaches and teachers has been a true blessing to them and to us.  As parents, we of course think our kids are great :), but it's nice to know that others like them too.

I also love this time of year because college and NFL games will follow right behind the start of the high school season--our college team was picked unanimously to be the conference winner again.  This football season is bringing quite a change to the Meyers household--one that we never could have foreseen or prepared for.  One of us is becoming an Iowa Hawkeye, we intentionally raised our children to shun all things U of I.  But, as Lilli is starting there in a few weeks for nursing school, our loyalties are utterly divided.  How do we, with a clear conscience, send money and a child to the school without
semi-supporting it?  It will be an interesting few months.  Realistically, football isn't the epitome of importance- or so I've been told anyway. But, what we know to be true and how it plays out aren't exactly the same thing.

All that being said, Happy Football to all and to all a great season!

Thankful Thursday!

Orchard Hill Church

Sunflowers in my garden

Countdown to football started

Drumsticks-- the ice cream kind  :)

Joel going grocery shopping with me

Time to read my Book Club book

A break in the heat

Walking with Betsy

Price is Right--lame I know, but I love when I get to watch it!

Cherry tomatoes fresh from the garden--not my garden yet, but somebody's!  :)

Summer lovin"...

Summer lovin', had me a blast! (Read with music playing in your mind please. Yes, I love the movie Grease!)

S---sandals
U---unplanned events
M---marigolds
M---mowing
E---evening walks
R---raspberries

L---lemonade
O---our pond
V---vacations
I---ice cream
N'---nature

Bittersweet....

My personal definition of the word bittersweet:

Finishing an awesome book

Daughters getting into the school they really wanted

Sons applying to schools to serve their country

Youngest sons asking to sign up to take the ACT

Vacations at the lake with the family

Senior pictures

Summer

Students moving on after having them for a year

                                                             

Gardening .....

Yay!  My raspberries and strawberries are ready!  I love the process of planning, tilling, planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting my garden.  This year I planted corn, tomatoes, peppers, peas, sunflowers and have a strawberry and raspberry patch.  I often plant things just because I love the way they look, i.e. peppers.  I love the colors and sharing them with friends--don't love the taste so much.

I also love flower gardening, it's amazing to see the creativity of our Creator.  There are so many colors, shapes, scents and varieties.  I've found myself returning to "old-fashioned" ones in the past few years.  I've planted a daisy garden, columbine, and bleeding hearts.  Daisies simply make me happy to see--it's like a garden of smiley faces. 

Counting the days.....

Our family countdown has begun....our annual trip to Northern Minnesota.  There is nothing better than the moment we pull out of the driveway together.  No phones, no computers, no TV.  We spend the time fishing, reading, boating, fishing, grilling, eating ice cream, fishing, looking for bears...you get the idea and if not, watch the movie The Great Outdoors--an old classic we watch before taking off every year to get ready. 

Each year becomes more precious as the kids get older and we know that soon they might not be able to join us.  We're hoping that they'll all be able to work their schedules go with us for many years.

15, 14, 13.....

The Joys of Parenting

Pete and I have begun a new venture!  We have been attending auctions, buying merchandise and selling it online.  It is so much fun to have a common interest and get to spend time with my 15-year old.  We have been learning together about the costs of business, dividends (his favorite part), and the importance of buying things others will like-not stuff we want to keep! 


Lilli is waiting to find out where she will attend nursing school.  It is a joy to watch your children become the people they were meant to be.  She is spending more and more time with some mission projects which may ultimately help her decide where she wants to go.  Wherever she ends up, it will be where she's meant to be and doing what she was created to do. 


What a joy it was to travel to New York to spend the day with Andy when he graduated from a Leadership Seminar at West Point!  It was like stepping onto the real-life grounds of Hogwarts!  I was amazed and impressed with both the young people there for the seminar and the young people that are cadets at the school.  As a speaker shared, "This is actually the Greatest Generation.  This generation is coming of age in a more turbulent time than ever in history, and will deal with things we could never have anticipated. "  I think we're in good hands.