Random Thusday Thoughts

* It is 9:38 pm, but it feels like 1:30 am. Why, then, am I taking time to post? Because I have the memory of someone 3 times my age...at least that is the way it seems sometimes. I know if I don't write down my thoughts, they will be lost in the abyss of forgetfulness.

*Claire is...well, Claire. If you know her at all, that about sums it up. She has quite a little spunk to her personality and the girl makes me laugh. Here are a couple recent funnies from her little 4 yr. old mouth (with some background info as well, so it makes sense).

- I love Mandesa! I've gotten the chance to hear her live twice at Women of Faith and I love her! I was given an album of hers for Christmas. I thought the kids would enjoy listening to it so I let the girls borrow it one night for their music. Big mistake...(just jokin')... Jake never got the chance to get it because Lydia has claimed it. So, the other night, Claire saw me turning on the little boombox and she said, "I don't want to listen to that Aunt Lisa!" Guess he needed a change of pace.

- While on the Mandesa theme, there is a song on the album where the words start off as "How Much? (referring to God's love for us). The "How Much" part repeats itself a few times, almost like a chant. Once Claire asked me why the song said, "Ham-ich," which is her word for sandwich!

- Claire is in the L-O-N-G process of learning that she is not the center of attention at all times...imagine that!? With this comes learning to wait her turn to talk when Daddy and I are talking or one of us is talking to Jake and Lydia. So, she has heard the word "interrupting" a time or two, you could say. Not long ago, at some mealtime, she was talking and got extremely frustrated at her siblings. She finally had enough and proclaimed loud and clear, "YOU ARE UPTER-ROOTING ME!"

*Before we left to visit friends in Kentucky, Lydia asks, "Do they speak English there?" I guess that is up to one's interpretation. Although, I'm not one to poke fun since I had a thick, Carolina accent when I was young.

* Claire has been on a kick about asking people if they live in America. She hounded two older girls the other day at the library about the matter.

* I have developed a love/hate relationship for swim team. I love that Jake and Lydia are learning how to swim. I hate the time commitment for it. Ok...so hate is a strong word. I dislike it very, very, very, very, very much. Practice is every morning during the weekday. That's not so bad. It's the stinkin' meets. There are so many swimmers, so many teams, swarms of people, and from the time we have to be there to the time we get to go home, it takes about 4 hours; longer if it is a home meet. I asked J & L if they wanted to do it next year and they both said "yes." We shall see.

* The street department for the city of Kettering stole my kid's library signs. Really? Jake met his goal of reading 30 hours last week and got his Library Champion sign for the yard. Lydia met her goal this week and I took her Tues. afternoon to get her sign. Wed. morning, I saw a truck stop on the side of the road, pull up the signs, and throw them in the back of the truck. I hurried the kids, who were all eating breakfast, out the door. We were going to go get our signs back. I have to believe the guy saw us and then quickly drove away, leaving me shaking my head and my kids disappointed. Lydia was quick to remind me that we could go and get another sign, but I told her we were going to complain. The whole thing just bothered me. No knock on the door and definitely no hanging around when the mom and kids come out to find out what's going on. Well...the reason was that we are not allowed to have the signs on the city's property, which is between the street and the sidewalk. They have been put there the past 2-3 years, but apparently, they are trying to really "clean up" the city and two signs whose purpose is to encourage kids with reading is offensive to the eye??! Our signs were returned and now they are on the non-offensive side of the walk.

* I have been pricing room darkening curtains. I wish I knew how to sew and could just make some of my own. Oh, why didn't I pay more attention in Home Ec. class?

Cake Hobby

So, it's been a while since I posted. Summer vacation started with a bang with 3 plus weeks of pink eye. Loverly - huh? We were pink eye free until about 4am this past Sunday morning, when Claire came back in my room complaining of her eye bothering her. Poor girl...this was her 3rd bout with it (with Lydia and I also catching it, despite my coming just shy of using Lysol as a perfume). Claire's problem is linked to a recurrent ear infection...so hopefully, when her ears get checked next week, she will be in the clear or else it's off to the ENT for her. We have also been busy with a trip to KY to visit friends (next post), VBS, and swim team.

Wanted to post some pics of the cakes I have made so far. Dan gave me a cake decorating class certificate in February and I started that 6 week class in April. I had so much fun and was happy to learn some new "tricks." Here they are in order... First cake made was for my sister's b-day.
Design transfer cake...donated to the Family Fun Fest at school, during which there is a cake walk. How fitting!

This was not part of the cake assignment for the class, but I did make this cake for Dan's b-day. Go Colts!

Not a huge fan of clowns, but week 5 was learning how to make them. They were kind of fun!

We celebrated early for my nephew, Matthew's, b-day while he and his fam were in town for Memorial Day. I'm sure he would have gone for a Star Wars themed cake instead, but he was a grateful recipient anyhow.

The last class was learning how to do the basket weave cake. My weave does not look the greatest mostly because I was rushed and I had the wrong tip. That would be my only complaint about the class...I felt rushed. But then again, I can be a bit of a perfectionist in certain areas. I was the last one to leave the class every single week. But I was also enjoying my "free time."

And this cake had nothing to do with the class either. Just felt like practicing. I made this sheet cake as an appreciation to the VBS workers. Our theme was kind of a western one so this was my attempt at a bandanna pattern. I do need to work on my lettering, that's for sure. And that's all for now!

Happy "Last Year Of The Thirties," Dan!

Dan turned 39 yesterday, May 15th. That seems crazy! Thankfully, my husband doesn't act or look almost 40 to me. I love that he is full of energy and spunk. I love what he said yesterday, even though I will admit I made a "you're strange" face. He says for his 4oth b-day, he wants to have a big dodge ball game with a bunch of friends. How fun is that? I will say, that strange face came after his next comment. He wants to use the old playground type balls that really sting, instead of the softer ones made nowadays. I think I'll be a-ok watching that game.

Last night, it dawned on me that this summer (on my birthday) will mark 15 years of us being together as a couple. FIFTEEN YEARS...wow! And later, in August, we will celebrate 13 years of marriage. Seems like the days are flying by quicker than ever. Thankfully, I can say that I love Dan so much more now than before. Seems like a "duh" thing to say, but in this day and age, I think I will celebrate that statement. And so...in honor of my hubby's birthday, here is a list of some of the things I love about him.

1. He loves me and is patient with me.
2. He is a hard worker. This has always been true of Dan, but was very evident last year when Dan was unemployed, but was willing to perform ANY job he could find to provide for his family.
3. He is crafty and desires to figure out things on his own and does a great job of it. Example...many, but the most recent one would be our floor to ceiling cabinet/shelving unit he built and installed into our family room. I tried to get a picture on here, but couldn't figure out how to because it was not on Picassa. But take my word for it, it is incredible!
4. He loves our kiddos and is a wonderful father to them. He wrestles with them, plays games with them, takes them on bike rides while he runs, buys them little souvenirs from the cities he travels to, and takes time to have lengthy conversations with them. Those were just some of the things that popped into my head. I am just grateful that he is such an involved father. *pictures below...old ones, but ones I haven't put on here before. I need to get the camera out and start taking pictures again.*
5. He is pretty thoughtful and takes time into making something special. Two examples...go back and read about our anniversary in August 2009. More recently, for Valentine's Day (which we don't normally really celebrate), he bought me a gift certificate to a cake decorating class. He took notice that I was looking at the schedule online and he sneakily went and got me the gift certificate. (And I am loving it, by the way). *See picture below to see the cake I made for Dan, using the techniques I've learned so far.*
6. He is funny. That is something that I have always enjoyed about Dan. Even though sometimes he goes a little too far with it. Like the time he sabotaged by Facebook account with a post saying "Pregnant." Thankfully, I was able to clear the air pretty quickly with that one. His most recent big funny that I can think of is when he told people on April Fools Day that if they went to Chipotle, they would get a free burrito if they said, "I'm a fool for Chipotle." Most people saw right through him, but there were some who did it and even a couple who got a free burrito out of it because the managers thought it was hilarious (my brother in law, Matt, being one of them).

I could list more, but I need to go and pick up Claire from preschool. Just wanted to wish Dan a "Happy Birthday." Love you, Dan!

Anna Girl!

Introducing...Anna Jane Rickert!!!

It has been almost two months since she made her appearance and FINALLY Aunt Gwen has gotten a chance to blog about her birth! Anna was born on March 20, 2011. (I don't think I'll ever have trouble remembering her birthday as it falls on my due date with Lydia).

Apparently, Anna decided she just didn't have enough room left in the womb and it was time to come out. We had thrown my sister's church baby shower that Saturday, the 19th. We were wondering if Anna would come early since she was measuring big, but I'm not sure anyone guessed it would be a whole month early. After the shower, we helped to bring all the gifts back to Sarah Beth and Matthew's house. We said our good byes and I remember reminding them to call me, no matter the time, when things started to happen. Fast forward to 10pm...I get a call from Matt. When I saw his number come up on my phone, I started to get excited. But he burst that bubble pretty quickly. He had been doing diaper inventory and wanted my advice on how long babies stay in certain sizes of diapers. Ah, man!

I went to bed that night and I remember thinking, " I need to make sure I have my phone with me at night and have it on ring tone." I set it down on my dresser and went to bed. Fast forward again to 2a.m. Now, I am pretty sure it is Matthew with some big news...no more diaper letdowns. My sister was on the other end of his phone letting me know her water broke and they were on the way to the hospital. The plan was for me to go back to sleep, knowing most likely she would progress slowly like most women, and that she would call me if that seemed different in her case. I hung up with her and very quickly realized there would be no more sleep for me that night. My excitement had taken over! I called my parents wanting to hear their game plan. They were already getting ready to head to the hospital. So, I quickly got myself ready and left as well.

I feel so blessed that Sarah Beth and Matthew let me be a part of this awesome event! Sarah Beth did so great and I was quite the proud, big sister. Matthew was a wonderful coach and support to her, which was neat to see. Anna was born that afternoon, I believe at 2:41, if my memory serves me correctly. She was 8 lbs. 2 oz., but was still monitored and treated as a premie. It was love at first sight for all involved as you can see from the pictures below.

*Anna, Aunt Gwen loves you so much already. I can't wait to get to watch you on Mondays! You have captured our hearts and we are so glad to welcome you into our part of the family. You are blessed have such awesome parents and not too shabby of an aunt, uncle, and cousins.

A Life Well Lived...A Beautiful Legacy

This week, I had to say "good-bye" to a dear man. Mind you, not a final "good-bye," for I know he put his trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ, so I will be seeing him again someday. Smeltzer Charles Rose went home to be with the Lord on Monday, April 18th, 2011...just a few hours before his 92nd birthday. To me, he was Grandpa Rose, regardless of the fact that we were not blood-related. The Bowersox family was gracious enough to "share"him with me...something I will be forever grateful for. Some of the best memories from my life happened on Grandma and Grandpa Rose's farm in Galipolis, Ohio. Feeding the cows; gathering eggs from the chicken coop; going frog hunting, knee-deep in the pond; ridin' the tractor while it spread manure (who know getting hit by a random piece of dried manure could be fun?); going down to the creek to catch crawdads and skip rocks; working the meat from a freshly butchered cow; playing Carrom out in the screened in porch; getting our first try at driving - in my mind, I can still hear the crunch of the tires on the gravel; learning a lesson in patience, which involved Beth, Brian and I deciding we could clear our own path to the creek....ended up getting into a bunch of nettles. Wish there was a video of us trying to run back to the house while scratching and digging our arms and legs, then being hosed off and sent to the basement with Comet and scouring pads to get the boogers off our skin. I could go on and on. But I do have to mention one last memory. The first time I ever went to the farm, we stopped at a McDonalds. I had just known Grandma and Grandpa Rose for a few minutes...but leave it to me to make an impression. Can't really say why I was doing this, but I decided to twist the ketchup packets in half like little bows. As I lifted one up to pretend it was a hair bow, the thing exploded. I was quite embarrassed and didn't know to expect a scolding or not. How relieved I was when there was laughter instead!

I got the privilege of going to hospice Sunday evening and getting to tell Grandpa, "thank you" and "I love you." I count that as a gift to have been welcomed to come and give honor to such a gentle man. Since then, I have been pondering how very important our legacy is. What memories and thoughts will my loved ones have of me? While it is strange to think about, it is very much a reminder about what is important in life and what's not.

Happy Birthday, Bertha!

Beth with son #3

Just wanted to shout out a "Happy Birthday!" to my dear friend, Beth (a.k.a. Bertha), a beautiful person on the inside and out! What a blessing she has been in my life. The days of us spending those carefree summer days on the farm or at camp are long gone. Now, we get to watch our kiddos enjoy similar memories. And while our adventures have changed, you betcha that we still have them! Trash pickin' in the late night hours, spending hours in Applebee's to have kid-less debriefing sessions, setting up our garage sales despite pending storms looming over our heads in high hopes that it would just "blow over." What I appreciate about Beth the most is that she is real! I know I can come to her seeking advice, prayer, encouragement...whatever...and her response is always real. Her passion is real! Her love for her family is real! Her love for the Lord is real! And I tell you what...real is refreshing. So, Happy Birthday, Beth. I love you, girl!

Lid's Skating Party

It has been over a month since I posted. Life in the month of March/beginning of April has been slightly CRAZY!! Lydia's party was a success as you will see from the pics below, but I ended up coming down with strep throat the day of her party. Being hopeful that it was allergies acting up, I suffered through and enlisted the help of others to help me serve, just in case I was truly sick. I am happy to report I did not spread the love to anyone. Although it was utterly awful to get strep, I was ever so grateful to get sick when I did, because the next weekend proved to be a very memorable one that I would've been sad to miss. For that was the weekend we threw my sister's baby shower at the church, complete with fire alarms going off 10 min. before it started and the fire depart. coming (some casseroles had bubbled over and were smoking badly). And then, somehow knowing her parents had all the things needed to care for her, my niece decided she was ready to be born. I got a call that very night (actually 2 a.m.) from my sis telling me her water had broken and they were on the way to the hospital. Anna Jane was born the next day at 2:41 p.m., I believe. Of course, she will get her own post, but it'll have to wait until I get my camera back from her parents =0). I love her so, so much already! Since then, I've gotten as many baby fixes I can and have enjoyed spending time with my sister, too. Throw spring break week in there, where we got to spend some time in Indy with family, as well as a busy week last week with our church's missions conference...and there, think I've mostly summed it up. Enjoy the pics from Lydia's 8th birthday party...as you'll be able to see, it was a roller skating party. Originally, she was just going have a couple friends over for a sleep over, but I discovered how inexpensive this place was (Skyborn Skateland) from a party Jake and Lydia were invited to a couple of weeks prior. In hindsight, I am soo glad she chose this over the sleepover with me getting sick. Thanks, Lid! The cake...a 2 layered German chocolate cake with homemade butter cream icing. I made a batch of rice krispies and molded it into a boot shape for the skate. This was the first time I worked with fondant, so it was challenging, but fun! The boot is covered in fondant and the letters and hearts are fondant as well. Used candy necklace pieces for the eyelets for the laces. I was going to use licorice strips for the laces, but what I had wasn't long enough. My mom had come over and she suggested just piping the laces. Well, I need lots of practice with piping, and my mom was up for the challenge. Way to go, Mom/Grandma! They turned out great! And the wheels are mini chocolate donuts. I didn't take into account the fact that the weight of the rice krispie and fondant would crush the donut, so I just placed them beside the boot. I was given suggestions by a certain someone. Next time, *cough Dan cough* I will do better on the wheels. =0) But I'd say for my first time doing a cake like this, it wasn't too shabby. I am really excited to start the cake decorating classes Dan got me for Valentine's day!

Playing with Barbies before it's time to get ready.

Never have I known two girls more girly-girl than these two. Did that even make sense?

Laced up and ready to get on the rink! *Grandma Ernst watching in the background...how nice it was to have them there that weekend, too!*

How many adults does it take to help lace up 11 pairs of skates?

Silly group photo

Somehow, we managed to squish all these kids around 2 tables.

Getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" to Miss Lid.

Cutting the skate...I was using lots of hand sanitizer.

Had to include this pic of Lydia starting to open her gifts. We got her that dvd, but you would have thought we gave it to Claire. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to watch "Ramona and Bevus" and would watch it everyday if she was allowed.

Her gift from her cousin...thanks Noelani! Lydia loves her pretty-pretties, just like you!

Finally, at the very end, Claire decides to skate. Once she got the right ones, she was having the time of h er life! I'd say a good time was had by all!