Gone to Amish Country

While the boys are away, my mom and I are taking a few days to poke around Amish country. I am so excited to be going on a trip that doesn't involve sleeping bags and a cooler! We will be staying at a quaint country Inn, and are assured that there will be plenty of shops and sites to take in.

We planned the trip to coincide with the boys' camping trip so we could be near them for "Family Day". Wednesday we will be able to stop in to see Chris and Jim for the day, then go back to the Inn for the night!


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On another Note:


SUPER NANNY:

I want everyone to think about my friend JT today. She is just one of those friends who is always there, ready with a hug, a funny story or a verbal smack to snap me into reality! Her attitude on life is right on and her faith in the Lord is strong. She is always inspiring me to buck up, put on my big girl panties and move forward then she makes me laugh until I have to change those panties!

JT is one of those women who serves God by taking care of children. On top of teaching the toddlers each Sunday and running all or part of VBS each year, she is a professional nanny. In her most recent job she cared for 2 children, the youngest was just 4 months old when she began three years ago. The family is moving out of state and today was her last day.

She has been sad about the move for weeks now and today was exceptionally difficult. I can't imagine her pain. How she loved these kids as if they were her own and now they will be taken away. I keep thinking about our choice not to adopt domestically because I didn't want to lose a baby if the birth mother changed her mind. Then I think about the nannies in China who over and over again nurture babies that end up being taken away. The loss must be tremendous, the choice to do it is heroic.

So cyber-hugs for you JT today...I'm sorry I'm going out of town... I will miss you...

15 Months

Today is our 15 month LID Anniversary.

I have been having so much fun with Chris this week. I didn't realize how distracted I was until last night. At VBS I bumped into a friend of a friend, I hadn't seen in many months. She grabbed me and said, "Do we have a baby yet!". I was so caught off guard, I started to tear up. I actually had forgotten and felt bad that I had to break the news to her that she still had to wait too...

I have Chris home for the next 2.5 months so when we get closer to our 18 month wait, I will be back needing to find a new distraction. However, nothing will be as natural, rewarding, or as fun as spending time with my son.

Since I am in such a great place right now, I am able to focus on my health. Michigan summer's have a way of doing that! In Michigan we just attack summer with a vengance! It's here so fleeting, we have to grab it and hang on tight!

So far the weather has been amazing. This means we have had very little rain and our grass is getting brown. Who cares about the grass? We have been in our little pool everyday and have enjoyed eating dinner's on the patio and walks in the park.

So I'm down 4.... let's see what the summer holds! Maybe I can get back to my wedding day, skinny?

Birdhouse II

Click on the picture for a closer look

The house itself is done... Tune in Monday to see if Jim had time this week-end to help me turn it into a lamp!


Have a great week-end everyone... I am hangin' with my guys!

NOTICE: NON-CYBER FRIENDS

You know who you are... family and friends who have a computer and periodically check my blog to see what's up. Kim, Janis, Judy, Mom, Jim (DH) and more! Yup! I know you all check, because you tell on yourselves!

Now, I know, you all know, that the whole reason I blog is, because I can't stop talking. So when you aren't around to talk to or hang out with I have had to resort to blogging! All my new cyber-friends keep me company during the day by leaving me comments and making me feel... well, appreciated!

I would love it if my non-cyber friends would leave comments. You may not be leaving comments because you might feel intimidated, feel you need a blogger ID or worry someone from cyber-land will send you weird e-mails. But I am here to tell you, you do not need to be afraid! You can leave comments quite easily and you don't even need to provide ANY personal info (except maybe a clue as to who you are)

In providing me with comments you will be doing a good thing! You will make me feel loved, needed and wanted. You will also be letting my cyber-friends know that I actually have friends that I have been in the same room with! As you can see.... this is a worthy cause! It's etiquette. If you like the post, leave a comment. Just like you would tip your waiter for good service!

So, here is your first Blog training!

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT ON LYNN'S BLOG- by Sewhopeful22

STEP #1: Click COMMENTS

At the bottom of each post you will find a comments line showing the number of comments in green. (Diagram 1)

If you click on the word 'COMMENTS' it will take you into the "Post a Comment Page".

STEP #2: Leave a Comment

On the "Post a Comment Page" you will find a list of comments on the left (if any) and the 'Leave your comment' box on the right. (Diagram 2)

Type a quick note in the large box. (Or long if you feel lead!)

STEP #3 & 4: Choose an identity

Other button: (best choice) Click this button and you will have a 'choice' of typing in your name or another identifier for yourself. First names are fine or you could put in say, "Shadow's Mom" or "The Perfect Nerd" or "Favorite Cousin" something I would know...

Anonymous button: Use this if you don't want me to know who you are. Say if you want to disagree with me... I wouldn't recommend this! ;)

STEP #5: Publish your comment

Once you type it all in, just click the big orange button "PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT" (Still Diagram 2)

It will then display on the right, for me and all of cyberland to see! (Diagram 3)

-Re-Cap At A Glance-
1. Click - COMMENT
2. Type what you want to say in the big box
3. Click the "Other" button
4. Type in your name (or skip altogether)
5. Click PUBLISH YOU COMMENT button

Now... I lets see those comments!

UPDATE: 6/8/07 I KNEW THIS WOULDN'T WORK....

6 DAYS... DOWN 135 TO GO

As the Mary Engelbreit card Jim gave me a few weeks ago said...

"EVER FORWARD, BUT SLOWLY"

Sheeesh... this is slow!

So when are they going to get April out of review?

I Saw Ladybugs at Gymboree!

My cousin Kim and her four year old Gracie meet me every month or so for lunch and shopping.

Kim and I love to talk! We have a lot in common and I just love spending time with her. Gracie is a 'terrific' shopper and is starting to have an opinion on her wardrobe!

Friday I met them at Great Lakes Crossing and we just wandered the mall, going from kids clothing store to another, chatting away, oblivious to anyone else there!

Kim's son, Noah just turned nine, so we even spent a little while picking out a few summer duds for our boys at The Children's Place.
However, spending time in Carter's, Gymboree and Claire's picking out pink hair bows for Gracie were a bit more fun! We even spent some time in the Sanrio store. Gracie got a new Hello Kitty jewelry box!

Check out the deals I got at Gymboree on these ladybug theme clothes for Hope. All half price! All in 12-18 months sizes.

P.S. Kim and Gracie bought Hope the ladybug hair clips to match! It's a secret! Don't tell!

Life with Lily Lin

I've been waiting to post this one! After a few weeks of e-mailing Lily's mom, Nikki (Life With Lily Lin) and I finally set up a 'play-date'.

This past Wednesday we met at a neighborhood park and got to know one another.













Nikki had picked up lunch and spread out a big blanket for us. Such a good hostess!

I have to tell everyone that there were no surprises here! They were as warm, sweet and cute as they are on their blog.


Nikki was genuinely friendly and willing to share anything about Lily and her experience.








What a cutie!


Lily had a play structure and some swings to play on. When those got boring mom pulled out bubbles (imagine that!) and I pulled out the Play-Doh I keep in my purse! (secret weapon!)


Lily is very smart and much cuter in person. I was amazed at how tiny her fingers were. We had fun rolling Play-Doh shapes!


I can't wait to get together again and let them meet Chris.