New Page on the Blog

Thanks to my dear friend Vicki Koons, I have been inspired to create a second page to my blog.  There may be more coming.  I'm just excited to be trying something new.  My darling husband would say the only reason I did this is my intense competitiveness.  WHATEVER!!  OK, he's probably right but I'm not going to let him know that.

If you have an extra moment go take a look. 

Do you feel blessed?  Whether you recognize it to not you are.  Today I am reminded that I am blessed with good health.  Thank you Lord for your protection.

Musical Showers of Spring

Unfortunately, this is the best picture I got of Reagan's spring concert but my friend Stacy got some better ones.  I'll have to steal those from her.  Apparently arriving only 20 minutes before the concert is WAY too late because we had to sit on the back row.  Stacy was there just 5 minutes earlier and had a front row seat. 

Anyone who knows Reagan also knows her love for comfy clothing and distaste for dresses.  This picture doesn't show the classes attire so let me just tell you about it.  Reagan said she was to dress in "beach clothing."  So she picked out very casual white shorts and a bright orange cute but casual shirt.  I thought she did a great job until we arrived and saw that all the little girls had on spring dresses.  Yes, my daughter pulled a quick one on me this time.  Don't think it will work again! 

Today Emma's show choir concert was at 2:30...what a great time for parents.  NOT!!  Emma is in the middle row...the one in the white shirt.  :)   Mrs McConnell did a great job with the kids.  If I can figure out how to get a video posted on here I will share Emma's duet.  What a little performer & I'm a proud mama!

Sing a joyful noise!

Dressed Before 8am

As a stay at home mom for 3 children and one handsome husband I have fallen into a world of waking at 7am and dressing sometimes before I take the children to school (8:30am) but certainly if I'm going to shower, dress and do make-up it's AFTER I take them to school.  This week has been a challenge; dressed and ready for a very busy day before 8am.  That's just craziness!  I am ready for the weekend.  Not that it's not as busy, I just don't have to primp before going to soccer and softball games.

Monday:  Geesh, I can't even remember what I did on Monday.  It was something!  I know I babysat in the morning.....  Remember Monday is my laundry day and I still got most of it done.  Monday is also Emma's dance night which this week included the parents...costume night.

Tuesday:  We were all at school before 8am to prep for the Arts For All program. Our elementary school has a wonderful working relationship with Children's Respite Care Center (CRCC).  Fifty (50) 2-5 year olds with disabilities were brought in for a craft day.  It was exhausting but very fun.  Watching all those 5th grade students love on and help their little buddies truly warmed my heart.  I hope to get some pictures emailed to me soon. Before all that started, I got up early to make food for a noon jewelry party ...it didn't happen. Dang, I could have slept in at least another hour. :)

Wednesday:  Emma's field trip bus left the school at 8am.  After getting Reagan to school at 8:30 Olivia and I mentally, physically and emotionally got ready for her preschool screening.  Really I just got her dressed and started thinking about how traumatic it will be for me when MY BABY goes off to school.  (sidenote: she got a call back)

Thursday:  2nd grade field trip to the zoo for 5.5 hours.  Really, teachers need a raise in pay.  I don't know how they do it day in and day out.  Mrs Grewe even gave me an easy group.

I'm so ready for Friday....lunch with my BFF Susan.  I think I'll drive the girls to school in my jammies...a hat...no shoes...no make-up!  That's what I call  bennefits of being a SAHM!

Less Than An Hour

We are so proud of Emma.  Not only is she a great student, loving daughter, loyal friend but also so in love with Christ.  Watching our children grow, learn and develop into lovely young women is such a blessing.  Tonight we enjoyed watching her last elementary orchestral concert. 

Below is Emma and her orchestra instructor.  Since Emma opted in to Chris' school she will have a new instructor next year in middle school.  Thank you Miss Stickney for teaching and encouraging our daughter.  Chris really likes her because the concerts start about one minute early and we are back at home in less than an hour, which includes the cookies afterward.  Impressive!

Olivia's comment, "Wow, that teacher sure is doing a good job!"  :)

Emma you are beautiful inside and out.  Keep working hard to be the best you can be.

I love you, Mommy

Bring It

This girl can play some soccer!!

Obviously so can the rest of her team because in the first 5 minutes our team had already scored 3 times.  By half time we were playing 4 on 6 and it still wasn't fair to the opposing team.  However, with fewer defenders Reagan had a great time at goalie. 

I just had to add this one of Kenz. 

She has really come alive this season, already scoring 3 goals in 2 games.

Just joyfully telling the events of this mornings soccer game. :)

In The Clouds

Some days life is easier than others.  In no way do I want to come across as a person who is unaware of the multitude of blessings in my life.  Just like on a cloudy day you can't see the sun but you KNOW it still exists.  Today was a rough day.  I need to regroup and know the blessings around me exist even though I'm having a hard time seeing them.  A great starting point is my loving husband.  Thank you Chris for loving me anyway!

More Layouts

All Kinds of Craziness

Soccer, Softball, Dance Oh My!!!

Spring is a busy time at our house.  My family is my passion.  So in the midst of this craziness we will be attempting to focus some quality time.  Looks like we will have to schedule it to make sure it really happens.

Last night was Emma's first softball practice of the season.  She came home dead tired, apparently she has a really tough coach, he ran them until their legs fell off.  I hope I don't have a run in with the coach.  He's pretty cute, I'd hate to have to put him in his place.  :)  Emma wants to pitch and I'm prepared to kiss up to the guy so she can play the position she really wants.  Isn't that what all good moms do when daddy's the coach?

This morning Reagan's soccer team had their first game.  Can I just say, once again the Comets are a dominating force on the field!  Reagan scored 3 goals and played amazing defense.  So proud of all the girls.  They passed...they ran hard...they had a great time.

Tomorrow both of the girls have softball practice while Olivia and I will be heading south to Fairbury for a birthday party.

Monday starts a new school week with orchestra and dance.

Where is it in the bible that God tells us, "BeStill"?  I need to read that passage again and again.  Thank you Lord for your words of direction and encouragement.

Spring Break trip

easter baskets from nana

Easter Sunday at Oma and Opa's

nature walk in Hutchinson

so glad no one fell in the water

the best part of an overnight trip for the kids is the hotel

this one had a great pool

quality time with Aunt Delma

i'm so glad the camera worked well in space otherwise who would have believed i finally made it to the moon.

Easter Egg Envy

Making Progress

Our vegetable garden is showing signs of progress.  The cantelope were the first plants to break through the soil and hope to soon see sprouts of green peppers peaking out into the light.  The kids are so excited and asking all kinds of questions about when we will plant them outside and how soon we'll eat our produce.  Believe me, I'm excited too.  Purchasing store-bought fruits and veggies bring me down.  :)  Yesterday we made it out to Lanoha's Nursey for a little inspiration. Afterward, we started our green house (2x the size of this one) with flowers.  If they all grow we won't need to mow this year.  The whole yard will be full of flowers and produce...should make Chris happy.

Totally unrelated but thought you might be impressed with this pile of "Vincent fur".  The lion cut is not complete but he was done being patient.  I hope to go at it again tomorrow after everyone goes to school.

Easter is one week away.  Last night we attended "The Victor" at our home church.  The greatest story ever told came to life in a dramatic musical portrayal of the passion of Jesus. We witnessed the historic events of the Easter week: the Triumphal Entry, the miracles of Jesus, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. What a powerful night for the Raabe family.  It was a little too much for little Olivia but brought real meaning to the phrase, "Jesus died on the cross for our sins" for Emma & Reagan.  We all need that reminder from time to time.  If I don't "talk" to you again before next Sunday let me be the first to wish you a very happy Easter.  May the truths of Jesus' life become real to you. 

Blessings my friends.

MSG

Do you know what it is?  Monosodium Glutamate, food additive and flavor enhancer.  Most people know the common name and maybe even heard about it from time to time in the news but do you know the other names found on ingrediants lists that are also MSG, or contain MSG? 

natural flavor
seasonings
yeast extract
hydrolyzed protein
yeast food
gelatin
textured protein
yeast nutrient
autolyzed yeast
sodium caseinate
calcium caseinate
hydrolyzed corn gluten

This information is also found at the website  http://www.truthinlabeling.org/

Excitotoxins are molecules, such as MSG and aspartate, that act as excitatory neurotransmitters.
MSG is found in nearly all processed food
Glutamate is the neurotransmitter that causes dorsal horn spinal cord chronic pain sensitization

This is bad stuff and we consume way too much of it daily.  READ labels and educate yourself.  You health and life just might depend on it.

Emma

Emma and I spent the evening at the mall.  We got some great pictures taken at Picture People and then free drinks from Dairy Queen.  The only thing that could have made our evening better would have been pedicures before coming home.

Spending time with my oldest daughter one on one is truly what I call a perfect date night.  I love you Emma!

Think Spring...Think Green

We are trying hard to "think green" but after snow 2 days ago, it's pretty hard to believe today is really the first day of spring. Chris is taking another step towards going green. He has always been a big recycler but this year he is building a compost bin (pictures to follow) and expanding our garden. Today our garden officially started...inside. We plan to eat well this summer.

Proud Papa

Reagan and Olivia planting seeds

We hope to start seeing some sprouts break through the soil in a couple of weeks. You can be sure I will keep you up to date.

Now if we could just raise our own beef and chickens our grocery store trips would be few and far between. Maybe I should try canning again.

Spring Ahead

If nothing else, this must be a sign that spring is here. Tonight we will set our clocks ahead by one hour (spring ahead). It's a bitter sweet idea for me. On one hand, I really like my sleep and that one hour of missing shut-eye is precious to me. Maybe if I wasn't one of those chronically sleep deprived people it wouldn't matter so much. On the other hand, this day marks a wonderful moment in time...SPRING! I know it's not official anywhere except in my mind.

Losing that hour of sleep makes me remember Easter one year when I was a kid. We were late for church because we forgot to move the clocks ahead. If Easter isn't a mark in time to think "spring" then I don't know what is. Spring is new life....hello Easter is all about new life in Jesus Christ. The winter kills all green plant life and in the spring the plant emerges from ground with new life. 2000 years ago Jesus Chris died and on Easter morning he emerged from death with new life.

I can't say happy Easter tomorrow, not even Happy St Patrick's Day yet but I can say happy March 14th all you sleepy eyed people. Have a wonderful Sunday.

What a Surprise!

Last night I was ready to post some pictures of my snowless lawn and flowers breaking through the soggy ground. My spirits were beginning to brighten, I could feel spring in the air. And then I woke up this morning to a white blanket covering everything outside. If you know our family, you know my hubby loves a good practical joke so I first thought, maybe this is a big joke. That's a little too big for even Chris to pull off. It has snowed ALL DAY LONG!

Go ahead and feel sorry for me...I know I sure do. But one day soon it will be a perfect temp of 72 degrees and my yard will be green. There will be veggies growing, flowers blooming and my husband will be a gardening FREAK, truly my little world will be right again.

Working Girl for a Day

I have no desire to go back to work but today I'm pretending to be a working girl again. Pearson Chiropractic is a blooming new wellness center opened by my friend Nicole Pearson (no relation). Today I am sitting at her front desk acting as if I know what I am doing. So far so good, I think I have even fooled a few people. Being a full time mommy is my passion as well as my calling so going back to work is a foreign thought. But volunteering to help a friend for a day is both fun and stimulating, especially when I consider the alternative laundry and cleaning my bathrooms. Dr Nicole has someone to smile and answer phones today which comes with a cute little 4 year old bonus. Olivia adds a bright spot to the office, if I do say so myself. I hope she can hold out for just a few more hours and then I'm going to owe her lunch.

Enjoy your Monday. Lend a helping hand today. You never know what that small task may do for someone else.

More Birthday Pictures

Silly girls! Just a quick trip to Target for snacks before bowling and they found the perfect disguise. Kimberly and I being great role models encouraged this behavior and made them pose for a picture.

These girls have been friends for many years, dating back to our days at Third City Christian Church. Celebrating Emma's 11th birthday just wouldn't be right without her 2 dear friends.

Better Than Happy

Have you ever considered happiness and what that means? What makes you happy? For me it's little things like pedicures, Starbucks gift cards, hugs from my girls, dinner with my husband and a girls night out. All these things are great but not long lasting; toe nails chip, coffee isn't good for me, kids get busy, families get distracted and girlfriends come and go.

May I propose to you that joy is even better than happy. Joy is deeper, well grounded and not based on something superficial. Joy remains through trials and in spite of my good intentions as well as epic failures. My joy is found in my faith in Jesus Christ. He is steady. Read anything that Paul wrote throughout the bible and you will learn about joy. Paul's joy did not come after a day at the spa but often sitting in prison.

My challenge this week:
Read the book of Philippians. It's a short read, only 4 chapters. If you don't have a bible go to www.gatewaybible.com. I have a link on my blog at the daily verse to the right.

Find joy this week. You won't regret it and I believe you will be a better person for it.