When It Rains It Pours

I work with 16 hotels all throughout the Midwest.

Right now, the economy isn't so great...people aren't traveling as much...companies are cutting back on their spending...families aren't vacationing like they used to.

Three of my hotels are actually performing exceptionally well this year! They are on their way to record setting numbers, hotel of the year awards, etc.

Then it started raining:




And raining, and raining, and more raining. The river crested and now our parking lot looks a lot like Lake Michigan.

The city mandated that the hotels be evacuated, the power shut off, associates sent home. This is not good for Guest Satisfaction Scores or Revenue Generation.

Hopefully the sun will be shining brightly in the very near future!

**Update-many have asked about the whereabouts of these hotels. They are located in Hammond, IN (Northwest IN) and are in no better condition 3 days later-we're hoping to be able to get back in by early next week. What a mess**

40 Years and Counting

Happy Anniversary to my dear Mother and Father in-law!



40 years...what a milestone and a wonderful example to all of us.

Thanks for being wonderful parents and grandparents to our family.

Must See Movies

I don't get out much. To see movies, that is.

There are two coming out that I would love to see. *NOTE-probably don't watch these trailers with your kids within earshot*

I love George Clooney and Brad Pitt together!! Big Ocean's 11, 12, 13...fan.
This looks hilarious.
BURN AFTER READING


Let's say we get a bunch of us gals together and go see this chick flick. I love all the ladies in the film and the music is great too!

THE WOMEN


The next several weekends are shaping up to be pretty busy, so maybe I won't get to them until they are out on DVD. In any case, can't wait to watch them.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Our baby is turning 5 today!

What a sweet big sister and loving little girl.

We can't wait to see what the next 5 years brings.

We love you!

BARBIE-Q

Over the weekend, we hosted a Barbie-Q in honor of Avery's 5th birthday.

Good food, Great friends & family, and Gorgeous weather.





We now have many more little tiny Barbie pieces to keep track of, and many more wonderful girly things! I think I'm just as excited about the girly toys as she is. I loved my Barbie's when I was little--I'm so glad she enjoys them too.



Don't all the kids look like they are having a ball? :) It's so hard to get everyone smiling at the same time.

Thanks to our family and friends that were able to come...we love and appreciate all of you!

I'm Ready...Are You?

I love this time of year!

I remember on fall Saturday mornings being awakened to the sound of the Boilermaker Special coming down Northwestern Avenue blowing it's horn.

I remember many tailgates on Slater Hill over the last 20 years listening to the band's pre-game show.

I can recite the "I AM AN AMERICAN" speech played in Ross Aide Stadium before every home football game.

I love the atmosphere surrounding College Football.

Team pride, fall weather, tailgating, fight songs, the band, the team running out onto the field...

Tomorrow, the Boilers kick off their first game of the season.

Our flag will be flying. BOILER UP!!

My Kind of Town...

Chicago-what a great city. We live so close, but just don't enjoy much that the city has to offer. Well, we checked a few more things off of our list over the past weekend. Enjoy some of the highlights:


The kids' first train ride on the South Shore


What an easy way to travel to Chicago


Hotel Shenanigans...you'd think I'd know better since I work in one!


The view of Lake Michigan from our hotel room.


Navy Pier. We had dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.


Look at that skyline!


The Runners...Nike+ Human Race 10K. Way to go guys!


The Grandkids w/their Grandpa and Grammie


The lost flip flop--found 3 blocks from the hotel 12 hours after it was first reported lost.

Happy 9th Anniversary Babe!

I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me
-----words by Newsong featuring Natalie Grant

Peaceful morning

Most Sundays after church, we walk to the pond on the church grounds to look for frogs, ducks, geese & fish. I always think it would be a great backdrop for pictures, but don't usually take my camera to church with me.



God's majesty was in full force yesterday...the weather was beautiful, the ducks and geese were friendly, the kids were smiling upon request (at the same time), and I remembered my camera. Not to mention, we had just heard a great message from Pastor Rob.

Favorite Show

This year, I've become obsessed with the TV show Jon & Kate Plus 8. Big thanks to Heather for turning me onto it.

Every Monday night, Avery and I watch the show together. It makes my life with two kids seem so simple. After watching what they accomplish together, I'm certain we can do anything with our family of four. For example, we're headed to Disney in December and are strongly considering driving the 20 hours. Well, if the Gosselins did it with 8 kids, I'm sure we can handle it with our two.

I like the family even better after reading their website. Although the TLC show doesn't really discuss this, it sounds like they are strong Christians with an undeniable faith in God.

I know that there are days when I feel like I am yelling all day, but boy does Kate really get on Jon! I wonder what she thinks if she watches the shows.

I love that they don't let the size of their family keep them from doing family activities, going to museums, waterparks, vacations, etc. Granted, I'm sure they don't have to cover the cost of much of it due to the hit TV show. But they get out and do fun things together.

I just enjoy how normal they are, even though their life has been on tv for the world to see for the last 4 years.

If you haven't seen it...check it out on TLC, Mondays at 9pm EST(yes, Avery is still awake at 9pm)

#37

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!



Thanks for being wonderful examples of how to live your life simply, faithfully, and lovingly!

Morning Phone Call

Jealousy is not a desirable trait. The Bible tells us not to covet what others have. I'm trying really hard!

Moments ago, I received a phone call from Beijing, China. I heard the crowd in the background, the excitement in his voice. They are at the Olympics! Watching Beach Volleyball, no less. Right now!

He had to talk quick...international calls on a cell phone probably aren't cheap, and I could barely hear over all the noise. Near the end, he asked "How are you guys doing?". What a good brother!

I said, "we're a normal family enjoying summer in the Midwest...now go buy some really expensive tickets to watch Michael Phelps make history!".

Moments of Fear

A second can turn into a lifetime. Your heart is beating out of your chest.

Have you ever not known where your child is?

Your mind works differently as a parent, doesn't it?

Have you ever thought to yourself "even though I am near to my child, what if someone ran past real fast and snatched them up"?

Saturday afternoon, we were at the park. There was a festival going on. I was talking to a classmate. Jon was right behind me with the kids on the playground.

Problem: Jon thought Austin was with me.

It was a matter of seconds, but neither of us knew where Austin was.

I found him standing on the other side of a gathering of people a few feet away, in the middle of the basketball court all by himself. He had tears in his eyes and his little finger in his mouth.

You don't want to panic, but at the same time, horrible thoughts are running through your head. Once found, you scoop them up and hug them with all your might. All of this in a matter of seconds. Seconds that seem to last forever!

Swing Batter, Batter!

The early beginnings of a baseball star??!!

Olympics, anyone?

The Olympics begin this week on 8-8-08. I haven't heard much excitement leading up to the Olympics this year, other than all of the political hoopla. That's too bad. The athletes train diligently and without rest for years leading up to these games.

The motto is "One World, One Dream". For a few short weeks, the world comes together to celebrate and compete for the highest dreams of winning a Gold medal. I love to watch the stories unfold of all the different athletes and see how through sports we can momentarily break down the barriers of language, age, and different cultures.

I'm looking forward to watching my favorites: Gymnastics, Beach Volleyball, and Swimming.

Yummy Applesauce

Tonight we made applesauce! All by ourselves! Almost two years ago, my parents helped us make some and we have just one container left.


This time we used transparent apples, which I definitely prefer. I love the wonderful aroma it makes throughout the kitchen and I love to be able to go to my freezer whenever I'm in the mood for applesauce!


The apples before (a few days before they were ready)


Jon getting into the action.


Avery is our little helper.


Before and After


Ready to go to the freezer. These containers have been around awhile. I remember coming home from college for a weekend or something and taking back frozen applesauce or strawberry jam.

When I was little, my cousins and I were known as the Applesauce Kids...we loved it and couldn't get enough. The way I go through applesauce, this batch will probably last me until Labor Day! :)

Vacation Bible School

Every Tuesday in July, Avery has been attending Vacation Bible School at a little church right near our subdivision. Our church, unfortunately, didn't offer VBS this summer, so it turned out to be a great way for her to learn more about Jesus while learning new songs, making crafts, and hearing stories from the Bible. She didn't seem to mind that she didn't know any of the other children when she started five weeks ago.

It was a really cute Beach Party theme. She had a great time. Even Austin was singing the catchy songs just hearing them for 15 minutes each week when we all walked over to pick her up.

Tonight they had a program for the parents to watch them. We were smiling from ear to ear.

Toddler-speak

Austin's vocabulary has taken off since he turned 2.
Some of the things he says are so funny, they just make me smile.

Some of my favorites right now:

AMBLEE-ANCE (every time we pass the fire station)

BEEP (Bird)

RUNNY BABBIT (Avery said it this way too when she was little)

CRIP (CHIP)

SAMMICH (Sandwich)

A-CHANGA-MA-DIAPER (change my diaper)

MORE DWEENK (drink) PLEAAAASSEEE

ROLY POLY (all bugs)

BLINKERS (Sprinklers)

COFFEE (all mugs)

I Love Saturday Mornings!

* Jonny's Blueberry Pancakes
* Sausage
* Coffee
* the Garage Sale section of the classifieds

My Favorite Fair Memory

It was a warm summer evening in late July of 1998. I had just arrived into town from Indianapolis. My sweetie and I were headed to the fair.

Upon arrival at the fair, we headed to get some strawberry shortcake. Then we made our way towards the Ferris Wheel. Jade and Andrew were there too. I thought, "how strange that Jon isn't wanting to have any bites of this yummy strawberry shortcake". Oh well, more for me!

When we stepped onto the Ferris Wheel Platform, the carnival attendant held the door open for us to step in and then closed it. Again..strange that we were the only ones riding in that car, when I had noticed that every other car was loaded completely full.

We enjoyed our ride and when our car reached the very top, it stopped. Of course, I assumed that they were loading more riders down below.

As I was taking in the sites of the fairgrounds and beyond, suddenly Jon was on his knee (in the wobbly car) with an engagement ring in hand! His proposal was so sweet...I was thrilled and said "yes" immediately.

When the ferris wheel started moving again, we stopped at the bottom and the carnival attendant allowed Jade and Andrew to jump on board with us. The carni gave us a big toothless grin and told us that he, too, had gotten engaged on the ferris wheel and wished us well.

It had all been planned ahead of time. Jon had visited with my Dad, Jade and Andrew had fore-warned the carnival attendant, and Jon had such a nervous feeling in his gut that he couldn't eat a thing.

Every year, we walk past the Ferris Wheel and remember that memorable ride.