From the Frozen Tundra...

School was cancelled due to an air temp of -20, wind chills up to 50 below here in the northwoods (But not before my diligent husband was at his desk getting report cards finished at 5:45am!). The kids are still snuggled in their beds, I got to have a quiet devotion hour and ahh... another day is before us.

Going with the "freezing" theme of the day, I thought you fellow Wiconsinites might enjoy this- and you who don't hail from the cheese-state may come to appreciate how hard core we are!

Cold vs. COLD
60 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat.
People in Wisconsin plant gardens.

50 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Eagle River sunbathe.

40 above zero:
Italian & European cars won't start.
People in Wisconsin drive with the windows down.

32 above zero:
Distilled water freezes.
The water in Green Bay gets thicker.

20 above zero:
Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Wisconsin throw on a flannel shirt.


15 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Wisconsin have the last cookout before it gets cold.



Zero:
People in Miami all die.
Wisconsin people close the windows.


10 below zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico
People in Wisconsin get out their winter coats.


25 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Wisconsin are selling cookies door to door.



40 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Wisconsin let the dogs sleep indoors.


100 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Wisconsin people get upset because they can't start the Mini-Van.



460 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale.)
People in Wisconsin start saying..."Cold 'nuff fer ya?"


500 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Wisconsin public schools will open 2 hours late.

A new "layout"

Those who have updated to blogger beta, check out the "customized look" section. I've been playing with mine, can you tell? On the homepage I just clicked on "Customize your look" and then had fun with different colors from there.

I wish I could use fonts I have stored on my computer- their choices are very limited.

It allows for a few more choices than the old templates- and it was kind of fun. Definitely much easier than before!

Enjoy!

A contest!

I have a confession to make. I LOVE contests. I dream of winning something big. I don't play the lottery or go to casinos- but I do like to sign up to win things. Like this.
Good luck, ya'll.

Hmmm...

Banana tagged me with an interesting thought... "What are 5 things I'd like to do before I die?"

Many who know me well know traveling is at the top of my list. Traveling with my family? Even better. With the exception of the first one, maybe, I'd like to do each one with Jake and the kids at my side.

1) Hike the AT. Probably just part, but I'd love to do it. My brother-in-law did it start to finish, but mom and wife doesn't equal bachelor. I will also never attain his physical fitness level. I'd be satisfied with portions of it. :) (By the time my mothering responsibilities lighten my body will... well, not have lightened.)

2) Visit South America. Machu Picchu and a rainforest.

3) Go on a safari in Africa.

4) Travel through New England in fall... Slowly.

5) See each of my kids into adulthood- Serving the Lord and joyful.

OK, I'm back

After a rocky week of circumstances and illness (the kids), I'm back.

God is so good. He gives strength, peace and hope.

My "theme" for this year (and beyond) is...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His
Glory and grace.

Until further notice...

... "Doodles" will be on hold. No plans for when I will resume at this point. Just know I need to be done for awhile.

For the love of my kids...

I haven't posted a photo of the kidlets for a bit- here's one with my little (6'5") brother when we got to see him at Christmas.

My parents will be here in a couple hours to help us celebrate Noodle's big 0-9! Nine years ago tonight Jaker and I went out to eat at a nice, quiet, Italian restaurant for what would be our last night not being parents. For the rest of our living, breathing days on this earth we will be parents- What a priviledge. A job that is scary and sweet, crazy and rewarding... and all those emotions can land in ten minutes of time!

I have been attached this week to this song off of MWS's most recent CD. Parents, if you HAVEN'T heard it, grab a box of tissues. The piano music is just a beautiful as the words. GET THIS SONG!!!

How to Say Goodbye

tell me when
the time we had slipped away
tomorrow turned to yesterday
and i don't know how

tell me what
can stop this river of tears
it's been building up for years
for this moment now

here i stand
arms open wide
i've held you close, kept you safe
till you could fly
tell me where
the road ahead is gonna bend
and how to harness up the wind
and how to say goodbye

tell me why
why does following your dreams
take you far away from me
and i knew that it would

tell me how
to fill the space you left behind
how to laugh instead of cry
and how to say goodbye

 

Weekend update

Well, Doodle laid low for about an hour Wednesday (just enough time for me to decide we weren't doing school) and then was back to his normal self. So, I don't think he had a stomach virus. We did school Thursday and Friday, and he did well. It takes both of us a bit to get back in the swing of things.

Friday night we went to the Bulldog game, then came home and watched 24 (surprise, surprise!). Jake and the boys got a last minute invite to go fishing in the morning, so our plans of a family day to EC were foiled. Doodle lives to fish (we hope it morphs into a strong desire to fish for men!) and Jake just couldn't pass up this chance to get him out on the ice. Bella and I continued with our plans to shop- so we ate breakfast, loaded up and headed down- only for a stop after a bought of carsickness (her, not me) A package of wipes and a cute new outfit later and we were back in business. I spent my gift card to Eddie Bauer on a cute new pair of pants and a purple shirt (thanks mom!) and Bella found a magnetic Cinderella paper doll set that she bought. We had lunch together and headed home.

We had (they brought in!) friends for supper and then sent our hubbies out for a movie and appetizers. Often the dad around this house doesn't get any guy-time to speak of and it was SO fun to enable it!

Today I got some great mommy-time as my adventurous friend and I hit the trail to the south and did a 4 1/2 mile hike. It. Was. Great. and I could be persuaded to do it again at the drop of a hat. What a gorgeous world our Lord has made!

So, here I sit. All is well with the Dahls. Just Doodling away in our corner of the world. Running the earth- Watching the sky.

Ha ha ha...

I should have known as soon as I typed,"I mean it this time," that I was setting myself up! We are in fact NOT doing school today, either.

My sweet student just threw up.

A new addiction

So we were going to start back with school today, but then I looked around at my house, which looked as though it had thrown up, more than likely due to the obscene amount of sleeping in yours truly has enjoyed over the past week. Ahh. So... we're starting back with school tomorrow. I mean it this time.

And yes, Jaker and I are new addicts to a highly acclaimed series... you guessed it-


Yes, I know we are 5 seasons behind and living under a rock and all that for not having gotten hooked earlier, but enjoying it none-the-less. Thanks, Lottie! :)

Happy New Year!

We had a good, but whirlwind-like holiday season with visits to both sides of the family and friends up-north as well. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to everyone for having us and for all the amazing gifts! We have all enjoyed a couple days at home now- and man, can we sleep in!
If you have an infant, please skip the next line, as I don't want to hurt feelings-

We have slept until 8:45, 9:00 and 9:40 the past three days. All of us. Ahhh!!!

We got a new game- Whoonu- a Cranium game. It is so much fun! The gist of it is each person has a turn to rank their favorite things. The other day Dawson was ranking 6 things and put "breakfast in bed" as his most favorite. The funny part is, he has never HAD breakfast in bed- just thought it sounded "totally awesome." So, this morning, we put an end to his wonder and served up eggs, toast, oranges and yes, grape juice (his fave) in bed. He was thrilled. I wish I had taken a photo of his face. :)

We brought in the new year in style with friends and games... It was a lot of fun! :) Thanks to all who were here!!!

Tomorrow is back to reality. School. Ahhh. I have some prepping to do. :)

Right now we're still in pj's and spent the morning straightening up and doing each other's hair (just Ellie and I!). The girls are off to watch a new Strawberry Shortcake movie while the boys finish cheering my Badgers to victory over those Razorbacks.

Happy New Year!

A Bloggityville Birthday Announcement!

Go on over and wish this sweet lady a happy birthday today!!!

Tiptoe-ing through the plague

The people around us are falling like flies to a yucky stomach virus. Friday night we had visitors and Saturday morning got a call that their daughter had been sick throughout the night. Saturday the boys played football with friends and after they got home one of the other boys got sick. We went to a party last night and one of the kids who stayed with our kids got sick in the night.

Tis' the season. I'm not sure if we are the carriers and are spreading it to those around us, or if we are iron-wall resilient to whatever this yuck is. I have been staring quizzically at my kids all day... bracing myself for what seems sure to come.

I just hope they don't do it behind the Christmas tree...

Just another day in paradise

I was going to post about the nice little day we had yesterday... but it will have to wait as I have been alerted to the fact that the kitten puked behind- yes *BEHIND*- the Christmas tree.

I quote... "Mom, I thought there was an ornament down behind the tree, but then I got closer and it looked weird, and I realized it wasn't a weird ornament, it was just puke. And I think Mango did it 'cause she was behind the tree. And she was eating the branch."

Enjoy the images you may have of me dealing with said pile... *BEHIND* the tree in the corner. Mmmm...

Ahhhh...

Tonight was the Kidquest and Bible Buddies Christmas program at church. The kids did so well in each of their parts! I will have to share photos soon... but not tonight. I'm pooped.

Just one more holiday production ahead of us now. Sunday both Jake and I are in the Christmas Cantata at church. I've really enjoyed taking part in the theatrical end of it this year and last. Someday I wouldn't mind doing a community production... maybe when my kids can be in one too! :)

We got cookie dough made today... and will maybe cut out and bake sugar and gingerbread cookies tomorrow evening. Doodle, Bella and I are headed to "A Little Princess Christmas" tomorrow morning (Daws kind of groaned at the title, but when he found out it was a play, he was excited- Meanwhile his sister was planning what she was going to wear... She thought she got to be the princess) !
I am off to bed. Good night one and all...

This is our snowman the other night with his biggest fans...

Our kiddos with ALL FOUR grandparents. Here. In our house. AT THE SAME TIME!!!

 

Noodle's Christmas concert?

Alright, grandparents, this is a feeble attempt to let you see Noodle in his "snowman finery" at the Christmas concert last night. Mind you I tried to use my digital camera's video feature- and I was up in the bleachers, so it's not the best quality, but here's our boy! ( when I downloaded the video to" youtube" The sound doesn't match up with the video... not sure why this is!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YPOvxZLXGY

And don't miss this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prnRlKrlorI

Dahl family update...

We are all alive and well- we've just been hither and yon far too much to keep you updated!

I am back on the bean and it's a good thing. I'll have to post a photo of this new pot. Starbucks sent me a voucher for the next model up (which DOESN'T have the same electrical problems) at a discounted price. The machine kind of looks like an alien space ship, but it makes a great cup of joe, so I'm not complaining.

After my woeful tale of not being able to go with my family to meet Hannah, see the new house and see my sisters-in-law... I ended up being able to go. It was such a wonderful trip! Jaker and I talked the entire way down while the kids slept (except for the occasional shrieking of the eel- I mean, Bella. It was wonderful to take a morning walk with my SIL's, see our beautiful nieces, and enjoy family time. We found out the trip was only 4.5 hours, which is an ol' hat- that's how long it takes to go to my Mom and Dad's- So look out, Seversons, we just might come see you more often! :)

We got back Sunday night. Monday and Tuesday the dust flew as I got our house ready for friends to use while we were away. Tuesday night the younger two kids finished swimming lessons. Doodle passed on to level 3 and Bella said as we got into the car, "I thing I'm starting to like level 2!" (A good thing seeing as how I think she may be in it for awhile!)

Right after lessons we took another 4.5 hour journey to Mom and Dad's for the Thanksgiving holiday! Oh, it was fun. My brother was there (PTL!) and it was the first time all 10 of us (immediate family) were together for a year and a half. Thank you, God! We enjoyed a huge feast with extended family, played multiple games of canasta- our family game- and had a great "day-after-Thanksgiving" shopping spree.
I had NO Christmas gifts bought before the day began and have a lot done now, so I consider it a successful day. The crowds weren't even that annoying, and except for Kohls, the lines weren't long. I think unless you're up before 5 and rushing to be the first one in- that day is overrated. It's not that bad.

So this week we're settling back into school. My goal is to be halfway done with our curriculum by Christmas, which means 20 lessons between now and then. It's doable, but with all the holiday festivities and preparations, I know it's also a hard time of year to stay on track. So, we'll do our best and try to enjoy the season first and foremost. Take Care... Happy Monday!

Striving to exist in the java-free zone

My coffee maker was recalled. It was a beauty of a model that Jaker got me for Mother's Day this year. Oof I've loved that appliance. UPS came yesterday with a coffin box to send it back in.

So this morning I made myself a big 'ol cup of tea. I like tea. When
I choose to drink it. Since I am being forced to by the impending headache NO caffeine would bring on... well, Let's just say the tea isn't cutting it.

So, if your reading this over a steaming cup of java (Fannie, Ringmaster...) take you next sip for me. I'm not sure how long my Java-free life will last- you'll be the first ones to know when I'm back on the bean.

For the Love of Scrabble

Always a game fan, here's my official Scrabble score...

Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 18. What is your score? Get it here.