Catching Up

Okay, now that I have filed for my Tax extension let me get some blogging out of the way (and believe me, if it were up to me a Return would have been filed instead of an extension. Unfortunately one of the company's Joe worked for last year has the dual partners feuding in court and we don't have his 'official' W-2 from them, just estimates of his income and such--very frustrating!).

We had a busy but fun weekend. Friday after I left work I went straight to Wal*Mart and I think set a new record for grocery shopping. My feet were aching, but I was a price-matching & coupon shopping queen--lots of good sales last week! Joe played a gig with the Irish group he plays with so I was able to turn up the music and clean the house, which I find very relaxing.

Saturday morning we were up and at 'em early. We set on the road a little after 8a, stopped for donuts, then pulled into the oil change place. The kids were all comfy cosy in the back of the van watching a movie and munching on donuts...so the oil guys let me stay in the car with them while they worked. So much easier than taking them in (and seemed to be faster, they were done in no time!). After the oil change we were on our way to Grampa Kotter's. We had a really great visit...and here are some pics to prove it.

Cash found a Storm Trooper costume, which he donned for the entire day

**have I mentioned before he likes dressing up as much as Jas**

And for the pictures below, Jasmine found my camera and took approximately 20 pictures

(I think the only reason she stopped was due to the batteries dying)

Sunday I was up early again to make spaghetti for potluck/baby shower after church. We had a great turnout, but Joe was feeling a bit under the weather so I had my hands full with both kids and helping set-up the potluck, cutting cakes, getting mom-to-be presents to open, clean-up. It was definitely an experience. We finally left the church around 2p, only to be headed back around 4p for an appreciation dinner for AWANA volunteers. They catered a full barbecue meal that was fabulous and Jasmine enjoyed a pizza party. (And you know Joe must have been feeling down to miss out on barbecue!).

**Funny story--When picking Jasmine up from her pizza party she was telling me one of the 2nd graders was being mean to her. Well, the other girl's mom happened to be picking her up at the same time. Jasmine looked over and said 'Oh, there she is. Let me go tell her mother how she was acting.' So I tell her to hold up and to let it go, blah blah blah. Well wouldn't you know it, they are walking EVERYWHERE we go after that. Jasmine tried a couple more times to make her way over there but I was always able to play interference. Well, the girl happened to look over at Jasmine at one point and she said 'I think we need to try to be friend's from now on. OK? So, let's just be nice to each other.' The other girl just had big eyes and kind of nodded and quickly turned around.**

Happy Birthday to Zach

Last night we went to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's (see picture below....we had the party area ALL to ourselves!).

Our dear friend Zachary turned 9 this year and we were excited to be able to celebrate his special day with him. Exactly nine years ago yesterday I was actually in the delivery room with my friend Shelly watching him be born....truly amazing!

Here are some pictures--Jasmine and Cash absolutely LOVE hanging out with Zachary and were very disappointed not to be able to go home with him. I think I heard Aunt Shelly, can we sleep over only about 800 times (OK, maybe I exaggerate a bit but that number is not too far off).

(the boys aren't quite as good at posing as Jas & Zach)





**new ride at our CEC, which Jasmine spent most of the evening on**

(have I mentioned before her love of horses?)

What'd you call me?

This is our dog Dali

**like Matt Dillon's character from The Outsider's--pronounced (dal-lee)--short for Dallas.

NOT pronounced (dol-lee) as in Dolly Parton

Anyways, during dinner last night Jasmine has a brilliant idea.

Jasmine: 'We should change Dali's name.'

Me: 'What?'

Jasmine: 'Yeah, his name should be Jason. Come here Jason, come on Jason. Be a good boy'

Joe and I exchange looks and just bust out laughing. Dali also gave me a confused look, but then she dangled some food for him and that's all she wrote.

Anybody else not file their taxes yet...please tell me I'm not alone.

Prayer Request

Please pray for this family. Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and just received a lung transplant last night. They also have a baby in the NICU.

Confessions of a CF Husband

Read their story, it is very interesting. I tear up daily reading Nate's updates (so, I'm a big cry baby...what of it!!).

Games, Play Doh and Kites

* * Making Memories * *

Bingo

Dominoes

Play-Doh (thank you Aunt Heather :)



New Kites

Got Prayer?

My house will be called a house of prayer.

Matthew 21:13

I finished up a study today on prayer called WHEN GOD'S PEOPLE PRAY. And the Lord has led me to post a message on my blog today on such.

It was really a great study. I have 'prayed' to God for as long as I can remember. Although there was a period where it was mostly selfish prayer all about what I wanted and felt. A couple of years ago when we got back into the church and I earnestly started seeking God I started a prayer journal. I have made many entries throughout the years--some periods I have made more entries than others--but prayer has definitely been a big part of my life for these years.

During this study I have been convicted to take it a step farther. I have since joined the Prayer Team at our church and have taken an active role in our ABF in the Prayer field. And I have to tell you, it has blessed me in so so many ways. I even stop by the Prayer Room on Sunday evenings with Jasmine on our way to AWANA's. We have a quiet time and then we pray for our upcoming week and I must say, she is becoming a good little prayer--always thinking of others I have left out.

I would also like to share that a couple weeks ago I was feeling down, d-o-w-n. I knew I had to do something before I started having my own little pity party. At that moment I sent out a text to all of my praying friend's. And just like that--once I turned on that light in my dark place--all my feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt were no longer able to dwell within me (exactly where satan would like them to stay). You see, I knew I had an army of God's faithful servants lifting ME up in prayer..WOW, what a feeling.

So I encourage you to not only pray, but make prayer a major part of your life. You will not be disappointed. The Lord will bless you and the time you spend with Him beyond any expectation you may have.

-

Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 4:13 & James 4:16

AWWWW

Pulled out my prayer journal recently and found this on one of the pages...

(I love you mama and dad)

And here is one of Cash in Joe's truck with his teddy safely strapped in

Candle Giveaway

Do you like candles??

Go to Annie’s blog because she is having a candle giveaway!

Easter Weekend

Our weekend was all about Easter. Friday we colored eggs at home and had a great time.

Saturday afternoon we went to our friend's house for a backyard egg hunt. Jasmine was the oldest kid so the eggs were pretty much thrown throughout the backyard on the ground.

Here's Jasmine peeking into Cash's stash to confirm she was 'the winner'



YUM, jelly beans

**Cash has just discovered his love for jelly beans**

Easter egg hunt Sunday morning in our living room, Jasmine found the last one.
Unfortunately I did not get pictures of the kids dressed in their Sunday best BEFORE leaving for church. Cash shed the tie before leaving the house and Jasmine's rose came off her dress on the drive from church to Gram's. Maybe once I get it 'repaired' I'll get them dressed up again just for a pic.

We went to Gram's after church for lunch and the kid's were not allowed to play in the backyard until AFTER lunch (which was 'not fair' according to all of them). Once everyone was finished with lunch they lined up at the back door.....


....and they're off

Look at all of those eggs -- unfort they were all EMPTY :O
Never fear, they all had baskets in the house with goodies inside.

We had a great great weekend. The weather was perfect -- a little colder on Sunday, but we averted the forecasted rain, which was wonderful.

A Date To Remember

March 25, 2000

We were married

Joe & I joined together as man and wife

Our relationship seems to move along in two year intervals. We dated two years before we married...were married two years before we had Jasmine...two more years before Cash made an appearance...the following two years were character building--tough times...the last two have been really good for us...and I am looking forward for many more to come.

I love my honey!

Please be in prayer this week for a group of 25 from our Sunday School class who are on a Mission Trip during their Spring Break. They will be working in an orphanage and bringing the Word of God to many of the unchurched people in Piedras Negras.

Pray for them to be Jesus to all of those they come in contact with while there on Mission.

Lunch Anyone

This is a typical lunch for Jasmine. Actually, she usually has a mini fruit roll-up instead of cookies but the day before she bought a box of the sugar-free chocolate chip girl scout cookies outside of Blockbuster. I occasionally try to change it up so she doesn't get too bored, but she likes what she likes....and this is it.

**Especially the clementine oranges...we love those in my house**

That's a PB&J, for those of you who are curious.

So what do your kids like??

He's A Character

What can I say about my precious Cash...he is a character

Every week when I pick him up from his Sunday School class the teachers can't tell me enough about what he did and how much he made them laugh. He is definitely our comic relief. And even when it is not the appropriate time...I have been known to leave the room because of my inability to suppress a laugh. He are some pictures of him from last week as we leave in the morning...you just never know what to expect...

we're talking 6:30am, still dark

this was the really cold day last week it snowed...

that's one way to keep your face warm!

Ninja mask...check

Batman cape...check

Gun shoved in pants in case of bad guys...check

and last but definitely not least...Spiderman

Our little web spinner!

A Weekend In Pictures

**when you get the concrete wet and get the chalk out, it makes a very messy paste**

***and yes, Cash wore his Darth Vader costume to our friend's house for dinner Saturday***

Air Hockey Man

Oh No They Didn't...

Does anyone else actually mail in rebates?? Last year at the After-Thanksgiving sale I purchased a portable DVD player for the van and it had a $30 mail-in rebate. I followed the directions and had all necessary steps covered. Rebate was supposed to arrive within 6-8 weeks. So I wait…

The company has a website where you can check the status of your rebate, so I check about once a week. All it ever showed was that they had received it. I waited until week 9 before contacting them by phone. At that time I was told it was a glitch in the system and she would move the process along it way. Sure enough, the next day I checked and it had progressed a step, so now I’m thinking any day now I’ll get my money….not! A week later I check and it has not progressed to the final step…I’m not happy. I call the customer service to ask for them to move it along again and mail my rebate. The girl says that is impossible, it takes 2-3 weeks between the two steps. I tell her that is unacceptable since I followed the guidelines they laid out and expected them to do the same. Of course she has nothing else in her training manual to tell me so I insist on speaking with a supervisor…this is where it get hairy!

Supervisor gets on the phone and I give him the sequence of events and explain that I expect my rebate to be mailed immediately. He proceeds to tell me my explanation has no credibility and that my calling in at week 9 had nothing to do with it moving a step and that the rep I spoke to must have lied when she said there was a system glitch, it was just coincidence the day I called is the day it advanced…um, ok, if that’s what you want to believe, but you’re WRONG! I then explain I’m not really concerned about when or why it moved, we are now coming on week 11 and I should have had my money by week 8 and need to know what he is going to do about it. He’s got nothing but a smart mouth and a bad attitude AND he was yelling at ME. So then, after raising my voice at him, in order for him to stop talking, I politely tell him I need to speak to his superior….oh the shock in his voice was priceless. He barks at me to hold and transfers me to a number that rings and rings and rings and goes nowhere….seriously?!? At this point I search the internet for the manufacturing company for possibly a different customer service number. The website that was unfortunate enough to have the same name as the loser manufacturer of the DVD player has in bold lettering on their Contact Us page ‘Note: We are NOT an electronics manufacturer for DVD players and other equipment.Please do not contact us concerning rebates or other questions about their products as we cannot help.' Sounds like I am not the only one with issues. I finally track down the Parent Company and get an email address for Customer Service. Wanting an immediate solution I call the original number and ask for the same supervisor I spoke with to begin with (note: always write down times and names of customer service you speak with—very handy). The agent tried to get the Supervisor I spoke to the first time, but apparently he was WAY to busy-or scared-to talk to me again and I get another Supervisor. I tell him had transpired earlier and he can’t help me either, but he was very nice about it. I then ask to be transferred to his next higher up and he says, hold while I transfer…not again. I ask for a direct number or name and he says they don’t have direct numbers…um, ok, highly unlikely but this is kind of what I expected. So I tell to go ahead and transfer me, but if it rings to nowhere like before, I will be contacting their parent corporation to inform them of the service they are providing their customers and the store where I bought the product to let them know what is going on, and the Better Business Bureau. He sounded a little uncertain about transferring me at that point, but did. And again it rang and rang and rang…I put it on speaker phone and let it ring for about two minutes before hanging up. So very frustrating!!

I never did actually speak to anyone, emails will be sent.

Miraculously I received my rebate in my mailbox within two days!! Victory on my part, I just wonder how many people send in their rebates to this company and get back a big fat zip-zero-nada-nothing…ever!!