Now is the Time 2010

Now is the Time is the name of our mission trip to Guatemala.
Namee because now IS the time. There are always reasons not
to go on a mission trip but from experience, there are many more
reasons TO go.

We are leaving July 16 and will return the 25th. The anticipation
is killin' me :) Nine of us have opted to go a couple of days early for
a number of reasons. As I type I am awaiting a phone call from
our mission leader on the child sponsorship program that I hope to
coordinate in the village of Santa Maria de Jesus. We are 99.9%
sure that it is going to happen. A few extra days allows me to
gather the information on the children along with photos.
I feel I am being led to head this program.

We have nearly all our travel money raised, only need about $250
more for our total of $4800. Additional money will need to be
raised as we provide supplies for Vacation Bible School also for
nearly 150 children which can add up. Glue, scissors, snacks,
you name it, we have to take it with us.

Last year my middle daughter Brennan and I had the opportunity
to go. This year my husband Rick, my youngest Mattie, and my
mother in law are also going with us. What a memory this will
be for us!

I will keep you posted!

Not Enough Time

It is only the end of January and already it seems like the
year of 2010 is getting booked solid.

June=OBX, July=Guatemala, August=Biking the Erie Canal,
October=Colorado.

Through in there Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers' Day, July 4th,
Thanksgiving and Christmas and then it starts all over again.

Wii are Family

For years I would not purchase any sort of gaming
system for our girls as I didn't want to create crazed
video induced comas in young children which would
lead a 12 step program. We did finally get an Xbox
a few years ago which we virtually didn't play.

I was a bit skeptical when Santa brought us a
Wii Fit for Christmas. Perhaps he was trying
to tell us something.

It has been a real hit with our family. Someone
is on it everyday. If a video game has to be
played at least this one has us moving.

Here's the problem. My family is very competitive
in a good natured sort of way. There is no throwing
of objects, kicking of walls etc. but there is a good
deal of ribbing.

It isn't limited to the ski jumping, or the slalom, or
even the juggling, we competed in everything!
Penguins catching fish, bubble girl floating down the
river, tilt city, and the yoga plank, nothing is sacred.

I currently hold the title of Basic Step Queen, and
the ever challenging Lotus Focus (requires sitting
still for periods of time) and am in the hunt for
topping the charts in skiing.

My dear husband is the instigator of all this since
he leads most of the sports.

I think we might be weird.

The Pope and the Queen will be stopping over later today.

Why you ask? Because I am in sweatpants that's why.

My 99% of the time routine is to get up shower, get
dressed, eat breakfast and start my day.

Getting dressed in my mind means something other
than pajamas, for me usually jeans and a shirt of
some persuasion. I am not, repeat, I am not a
fashion icon that little girls everywhere just have to
emulate. I am not a diva either, never have been,
never will be. However...I am an owner of a business
and try for the most part to represent myself semi
decently.

Today I am in sweatpants and kind of an older
shirt. I fully expect the Pope and the Queen
to show up later.

Each and every time I don't dress like I normally
would, someone comes to the house or studio
unexpectedly fully embarrassing me.

A few years ago I put on grubby clothes to clean
or something (trust me I didn't look my best )
and 4 different people showed up
without warning.

This past Christmas I again threw caution to the
wind and put on some sweats as I was planning
to ski or something. One of my clients show up
not at the studio but at my house. There I was
in all my stained sweatpants, messy hair glory.

I don't have anywhere I have to be today, don't
have to pick Mattie up from swim team, Brennie
doesn't start diving again until next week.
It is also difficult to do yoga moveson the Wii Fit
in jeans.

So, I did it, donned sweatpants.

I expect dignitaries to arrive later. Tea anyone?

What's for supper tonight?

Ham with brown sugar glaze, haluski,
and probably corn.

At least this is a meal that the majority
of my family will eat.

We went for groceries yesterday and I
had a disturbing thought. Have you ever
thought about how potentially gross the
open food/salad bars are that are in the
grocery stores? Ick! Ack! Yuck!

Virtually anything could be in there.
Image little kids, unattended, having their
way with the food there.

No me , no way, no how am I eating off
those things.

Call me crazy!

Pants on the Ground

I cannot get that song out of my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsv2LrdXf1Y

Kinda catchy in an off beat sort of annoying way.

Goodbye 2009

And good riddance! I didn't have such a hot
2009 so I was more than ready to kick it out
the door.

2010 looks brighter already. We, Rick, Brennan,
Mattie and myself are returning to Guatemala
this summer. Actually Brennie and I are returning,
this is Rick and Mattie's first trip.

We are waiting for word from our mission coordinator
at to definitive dates but it will be in July. It is our
desire to return to Santa Maria de Jesus the village
where we worked last year.

It is amazing the impact spending a week there can have
on a person. Brennie and I talk about it often and this
serves to get Mattie all the more excited about going
this summer.

As if I don't have enough irons in the fire I found one
more potential one to add to the mix. After much
thought and prayer, I am looking to become the child
sponsorship coordinator for the village. The town
leaders are eager for opportunities for their children
to have a better life and this may be an answer.
It is not a definite at this point as contacts and discussions
with another organization have to happen first.

We are also going to the Outer Banks in June with my
family and a dear friend. My parents are also going to
make the trip. We are always excited to get to spend
time together and the kids love it there.

Will hopefully continue to post as I can.

Here is a short clip of Guatemala. Enjoy!