Beautiful Weather

It is so nice here today as it was yesterday. Matt is enjoying this warm spell so he can get some roofing done. He is unusually busy for this time of year. The last ice storm drove many to place a call to their local roofer. We haven't advertised except by word of mouth for some time now. I think we placed an ad in the merchandiser a little over a year ago but that was only for one day and before that it had been a few years. We have all we can handle on our own and when we have tried to branch out, it only causes more headache and trouble than what it's worth. Matt is very particular with his work and ends up redoing what his employees do. From time to time we hire subcontrators to help catch us up. I think we are at that point right now. I substituted in the middle school yesterday for half a day. Today I am the librarian for my children's school. We are keeping busy.

Vision Troubles

Austin broke his spare glasses the first part of December and we had to get him contacts until we could get the glasses fixed. He had already broken one pair of glasses so now I have 2 that need to get repaired. The contacts have been fine until this morning he complained one of them hurt real bad. When he took it out we found it was torn so he had to go to school with only one contact. His vision is terrible without any corrective lens so he did not have a good day. We were able to get another pair of contacts and hopefully will have a the other glasses repaired this weekend. At this point they are telling us his eyesight has changed since his last visit so we need to order all new glasses anyway. It has only been 6 months since his last visit.

A New Year

I have felt for some time now like I am just flying through life. The kids have grown up so fast and it seems like every time I turn my head they grown by leaps and bounds. Sometimes I look at my pictures and wish I had the energy I used to have when Austin and Katlyn were the ages of Phillip and Nathan. I enjoy my Children and hope to be able to take them on another trip this summer across the USA. Our RV is quickly wearing out. I found out the other day that my PA teaching certificate has not been automatically renewed as usual. I need about 6 credits of continuing education to bring my certificate up to date. It looks like I'll need to go back to school. I've wanted to persue my masters so it looks like I'll have a start on it anyway. I am still able to substitute with my license. I do have some credits from when I worked for Cornwall-Lebanon School District and also when I taught 1st and 2nd Grades at Grandview. I guess I need to go back and have them document the hours elegible for credit and see where I'm at from there. Have a Happy New Year

Merry Christmas!

The kids had a great Christmas. Phillip got the guitar he wanted and has been playing it almost nonstop :) I am so glad he has a desire for music. Katlyn got quite a bit of clothes and that is what she had wanted. Austin was happy with his Wilson basketball and football as well as a digital camera. Nathan was happy with everything. He enjoyed Phillip's guitar every time it was put down within his reach. Matt and I enjoyed a day at home for a change without having to run to town. My parents bought our whole family tickets to Sight and Sound for the Christmas Story. We will be going on the 28th. The kids are very excited about this. We have been to several other shows and we know we will not be disappointed. They make the Bible really come alive.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!

It's my Birthday! I actually don't feel like crying. I have a wonderful life full of suprises around every corner. I have been blessed with a good home and wonderful family. God has been good to us. I will be 38 years old tomorrow. I am happy for all God has blessed me with and am looking forward to another year serving Him.

Oh Deer, Oh Deer, Oh Deer

Matt called on his way home about a week ago to inform me he was bringing home a small buck that he had seen at a customer's home. It was on the customer's back patio and when it saw Matt, it came right up to him and allowed him to pet him and licked his hand. The customer said she didn't know where it had come from and Matt wanted to show the kids so he picked it up and brought it home. Mistake #1. The kids of course loved it and had a lot of fun over the next few days feeding, watering, and petting this deer. Matt had called for a permit to keep it first thing but this permit didn't come right away and he soon decided he needed to alert the Game Warden. Phillip had claimed "Buddy" as his pet since Austin and Katlyn have ponies. The Game Warden came this morning after the kids were off to school and Matt off to work. I went out and showed him the deer in the fence with the ponies. The deer came running right up to me and nuzzled his nose on me. The Warden was very reserved and not so trusting. He asked if there were any kids around that would get upset if he used the tranquilizer gun. I told him no but he didn't need to use it. I would hold the deer while he administered a shot. He wasn't too sure if that would work but was willing to try. I fed "Buddy" an apple and the Warden was able to get a quick shot in before he jumped. It didn't take long and the deer got very sleepy. I asked him what they planned on doing with the deer and he said they would take him to a rehab and then try to reintroduce him into the wild. I'm not so sure that is a wise thing but who am I? The truth is, it was fun to see a friendly deer up close but this deer will be a completely different story come next fall. There will be no sign of the calm demeanor. The Game Warden suggested if we wanted to raise a pet deer we should get one from a deer farm at birth and have the kids raise it from birth. We have the permit application now and I guess we'll see what happens. We do not live on a farm!!!! At some point we are going to have to stop taking in any and all types of animals. I do not like indoor pets although we do have lizards and fish. During this last ice storm Matt and Austin went out to put the ponies in the barn with some straw but the deer would not stay in. It kept bolting outside. Matt just let it stay and the next morning they found it asleep under a big pile of leaves. It was happiest in it's natural habitat.

Renaissance Faire

We were guests at the Renaissance Faire yesterday for A Christmas Carol. We really enjoyed it and had alot of fun. The actors met our family since we were the first to arrive and find seats. They took Katlyn right up on stage to help them tell their story a few times. Nathan was another contributor. They would talk right back to him during the performance when he had little outbursts. He was pretty excited about the whole thing and would just yell out. They named him Tiny Nathan (one of Tiny Tim's unknown little brothers). I am still trying to figure out my new camera so I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the pictures online right away or not. This was a performance that was really nice for kids. We chose to go during a school performance so it would be geared towards children. I'll post more when I figure out the camera.