The deers that got a way!

We have had a turn in the weather down here signalling its time to go hunting. November 15 was opening season for guns and dogs. Ian was treated to a day out with the men of the church searching out deer from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. What stories he told. He had never hunted with dogs and wasn't sure it was something he would like, but now he won't stop talking about it. He even thinks I want a pack of dogs barking in my yard year round. We are still discussing that. Anyway, he said he "rolled" a doe, but there was no blood trail to track her down and she was gone. I just keep praying he will be safe while he is out.
So, on Monday after he worked all day he came home rounded up the kids and off they went to hunt. They sit in the car and just wait for the deer to come. Isaac apparently was so excited when an 8 point buck walked right in front of the car. Ian shot and he went down, but apparently not for long. While Ian went towards the downed deer a group of men who had been hunting near by appeared, and the deer took off. Long story shot, the deer of a life time still wanders the woods of Oxford. Ian tracked him for about 2 hrs and found him, but he took off again. I guess my freezer will remain empty for a few more days at least!

We are alive!!!

Just wanted to post that we are alive and kicking here in NC. However, with dial up its sometime takes a while to get over to this blog. Anyway, the kids are doing well. Anna has completed 1 month of homeschooling and is doing well. Isaac continues to keep me busy.
I have started baking more now that I have time and a schedule. Cookies have become somewhat of a favorite for me. If anyone has a good recipe please post it. I am always looking for new ideas. Chocolate chip cookies can get boring.
Home made bread has been known to be made as well.
Well, the kids are calling my name. Hope you are all well and I will be posting more pictures soon.

Chasing Toads....

When I was a girl chasing toads wasn't as fun as throwing rocks at bee's nests. However, I am glad my daught has found fun in chasing toads. When we visited our church playground the other day she found one hopping around. It was hilarious to say the least to watch her hopping around after it. She did catch it eventually, but quickly threw it to the ground with scream and a giggle. She thought it was "weird" feeling. I did catch a few pictures of her giggling as she chased the toad and just had to share one with you.

Thinking about School Pictures

Remember the days when we use to have the awful school pictures. The generic backgrounds, bad hair styles, and even worse glasses! I got to thinking about how we are homeschooling Anna and my need for school pictures. So, I marched her out today in the sunshine and sat her on a rock, ok so its a fake rock that is covering our well, but it looked like a rock! Anyway, this is what we got, will it pass for a kindergarten school photo?

Would love to hear your comments...please!!! I am not even sure anyone reads this!

Reading

I was going to participate in the Reading in the Fall, however, with no Internet connection for so long I was unable to do it correctly. However, I have been reading up a storm. I think I have read about 10 books to date since it started. The book I am reading now is the one I want to talk about though. Its a book that I had purchased over a year ago and just never took the time to read it till NOW! Praise the Lord that I am, cause now I feel like I remember who I am and who I represent.

Anyway, the book I am reading is "The Remarkable Women of the Bible" by Elizabeth George. OK, so I just started it today, but I am finding so much to take hold of and really put to practice in my life. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be challenged by the woman of the Bible.

I will review some of my other reads from this Fall, but for tonight this is the one I wanted to focus on. Enjoy!

Pictures of the kids from NC

The Kids on the slide at the local park. Our favoite hangout right now!




Anna on the porch at the house we are staying at for the time being.

Isaac enjoying the swings at the local park!

We are moved and getting a routine

Sorry it has taken me so long to write, but we don't actually have our own place yet and its hard to find time. We are living with some friends that offered us a soft place to land and get our feet under us. We are Grateful.
Ian is working for a temp agency and is working at the Revlon plant right now. He is working 2ND shift and enjoys it. He went today to apply for a permanent position there too, so we are praying that will open up for him.
The kids are adjusting to not having our own space. It has been tough, but I think we have finally figured it out. Isaac enjoys playing with his trucks in the dirt and Anna has found pleasure in playing soccer and baseball in the yard.
I am trying to just keep things together and going. I was going to go for an interview, but we are having difficulty cause Ian has to be to work at 3pm and I wouldn't get out till 5pm and we only have 1 car right now. For now I will be a stay at home mom for my kiddos which brings me much joy (on most days).
Today it is about 80 degrees, which is just perfect to me. There is a slight breeze which makes it a little nicer too.
Well, I am going to attempt to attach a few pictures of the kids at the local park we have found and love. Its not too far away so we can sneak down for a while and spend time together.

Moving to Oxford, North Carolina

Hey there... this is Erinn, Laura's friend. She asked me to update her blog since she is without a computer at home and can't get to the blog at work.
So, she, Ian and the kids are preparing to move to Oxford, North Carolina pretty soon. By August 22nd they should be on the road, if not sooner. Laura has a possibility of an interview at a hospital in NC this week and prayerfully that will be the job for her. If so, they will leave sooner.
Please be in prayer for the Gilpatric family. This is a huge step of faith for them and they are really trusting God in the details.
And be patient... there may not be an update for a little while!
Thanks!
Erinn (for Laura)

A day with the Animals....

Today my mom and I braved the crowds at York Wild Kingdom. We got there before they even opened and walked around before we could get in the get. Isaac and Anna were content cause they could the Elephant.
We had a wonderful day and went through the park two times in 3 hrs, which is good considering the crowds after lunch. The big hits of the day were the Deer and Ducks. They wanted to ride the elephant, but we decided for the price it wasn't worthy paying to find out they wouldn't get on. We saw a lion sunny, which made us laugh and think of my Dad on Sundays napping. The tigers were eating blocks of ice with treats, and the alligators were sunning. The bear cubs were running and jumping on each other which was a hoot to watch.
Anyway, was a wonderful day. Not to hot, but there was a nice breeze. Thanks Mom for coming to meet us and paying for the day. We all had a great day and were ready for be by 7pm. Love that!

family fun.

Ian and I decided that we would take the kids up to Grafton Notch on Saturday as it was nice and we didn't want to pack quite yet. It was great. We took a picnic lunch and spent the day hiking and splashing in the water. The kids are asking today if we can go back, so I guess they had fun. I do think we found a hiking partner for my Mom though, cause Isaac just kept going like a mad man. It was so cute to see the kids would hold hands and walk the path together. Was nice to see them truely enjoy their time together (cause today they seem to have forgotten that!
We do know now that Anna doesn't like ledges, so definately not the person to go hiking with my Mom.



Isaac and Anna hiking at Moose Cave!
Isaac actually ran through the entire pathway. I had all I could do to keep up with him.

Not too sure how I will do

So, another one of those fun tests. How many Countries do you know the names of? I don't think this is my quiz, but I am going to try it and then I will post my results.
Here I go......


....the results are in. Are you ready, cause I almost passed out.

47

Created by OnePlusYou

Maybe I am smarter than a First Grader! Thanks again Erinn.

Can you Type???

So, being someone who works in an office I this is right up my ally and I will do well. So, off I went and well, this is about my fourth score and although its not my best (cause that was about try 3) its not bad for someone who obviously don't type much even tough she works in an office. Too funny.


59 words

Speedtest

Ok, so anybody who reads my blog, let me know how you do. Thanks Erinn, this has been fun...but now I am late to work! Just kidding!

I've been tagged

I've Been Tagged!

My friend Erinn tagged me in this meme on her blog so I thought I'd go ahead and oblige her by participating in her questions!


Favorite person (outside family)? Anyone who has lasted the test of time and remains faithful through the good, bad and ugly (cause there has been a lot of that!).

Favorite food? Strawberry Shortcake with ice cream (99 pub and restraunt has a great one).


Quirks about you? I am always on time

How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? Great wife, excellent Mom, devoted to family, and enjoys her work (at SRHC).

Any regrets in life? Umm..Money and its spot in my marriage. Not going to college after WOLBI..now I will never do it.


Favorite Charity/Cause? March of Dimes because of their work for premature babies, as it is been helpfully to a great friend of mine.


Favorite Blog recently? http://raganramblings.blogspot.com/

Something you can’t get enough of? McDonald's Sweet tea xtra lemon light ice.


Worst job you’ve ever had? I have loved all my jobs although they haven't always loved me. : )


What job would you pay NOT to have? sewer worker...LOL!


If you could be a fly on the wall, where? Can't say that I have thought about being a fly...so no thoughts on this.


Favorite Bible verse right now? Is 43:2 "When you pass through the waters I will be with you, when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you, when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze"
And trust me the fires are blazing here, but still smiling and thanking the Lord daily.

Guilty Pleasure? Hugging and kissing my kids. Don't have money to spend even if I wanted too. : ) Oh, and while everyone is gone this weekend I just didn't do anything...boy do I feel quilty...NOT!


Got any confessions? I haven't cleaned anything this weekend as I had planned as I have been alone. Its nice to put my feet up and just relax.


If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? renting a UHaul so that when we do figure out our next stop in life, its paid for!

Favorite thing about your house? its not my problem anymore!! LOL!


Least favorite thing about your house? Its not my problem anymore. I will miss our first house in the future.

One thing you are bad at? doing my daily devotions and being in the Word Daily with our Lord.


One thing you’re good at? hugging my kids


If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I would have been more wise with the Money the Lord supplied Ian and I with when the Church in Minot closed, cause then we might not be in the situation we are today.


Who would you like to meet someday? Someone willing to give me a scholarship to school so I can get my Nurses degree...what a dream.


What makes you feel sexy? Have you seen me lately, I never feel that way.


Who is your real life hero? My dad cause he has always been there for me and always says he Loves me.

What is the hardest part of your job? Patients who come to the office for one illness and add about 10 other things which then puts us behind even further.

When are you most relaxed? OK, so the most relaxed I have been in the past 4 years has been the past 3 days with no one home and everything is quiet. I don't need to go anywhere, just need about 1 hr a day to get my thoughts together without someone tugging on me. Its been nice, but definately want my angels home and soon would be nice. Miss my babies. The next 2 weeks will be very long.

What stresses you out? People doing my job and not doing it well.


What can you not live without? a hug from my kids (except over the next 2 weeks)


Do you agree or disagree with the recent article that reported that blogs are authored by narcissists? What article? Truthfully, I don't care either way.


Why do you blog? I was watching my friends blog as she and her family went through a though time with their daughter learning to walk after an amputation, and realized that this would be a great way for people to keep up with us cause I am not good at writing or calling for that matter. Now, its just something I do when I remember.

Thanks Erinn for having me do this. I hope I did it right. : )
http://raganramblings.blogspot.com

So the rules are:
1. Answer the questions.
2. Link back to whoever tagged you.
3. Tag 8 bloggers - 2 from each category
New/Newer Bloggers
Bloggy Friends - Blogger's you'd like to get to know better -
Blogger's you don't think who will respond but you hope will -
**I don't know anyone else to add to this! Sorry!

My True Joy

Just one more thing for tonight. Wanted you all to see what my True Joy is.

Still digging

Last summer Isaac started digging a hole in my back yard where he was searching for worms. He found plenty. This summer he has new purpose with this hole.
This past winter Ian's folks had a sewer pipe break and were unable to use their facilities all Winter. When the snow finally disappeared in April they were able to get the pipe fixed. That being said, Isaac is now trying to "fix the pipe" in our yard in that hole he started last year. Too Funny!

Summer days

Today, as Ian worked. The kids and I hung out together. During the week they are in Oxford with my In-Laws so we don't have to pay the outrageous price for babysitting. They love the time they spend with Nan and Pa, however, coming home is fun too cause they spend time with ME!!! Today was HOT for Maine and we were enjoying the sunshine. Isaac, as he usually is, is dirt from head to toes. Anna, well, she would rather be in a mall shopping where its cool! That's my girl.
Enjoy the updated pictures.

To go or Not to go???

For the past few weeks I have been tossing around the idea of going back to school. Its been a dream. Now, as I get my thoughts in order I am on the road back to school. I may not be able to start today or tomorrow, but my plan is in order and I am on my way. I was to start on Tuesday the 20th of May, but after truely praying about it I will probably be starting after the summer to insure that we have a plan for babysitting and just a plan for the family. Ian is back to work and ENJOYING his job, so I don't want to distract him from that. However, can we juggle daycare funds out of the budget that is already stretched to the MAX? God is great and very merciful, so we will pray over the summer and hope that God directs for our families future.
Pray that as I make this plan and go forward with it that the Lord would calm my heart. College you guys is a pretty scare thing for me, thus I haven't done it yet! Its funny to be 33 and just be starting the journey of school. I will let you know how it goes.
For now, PRAY!!!

Just for fun!

Check out this site for a great chance to will a $100 gift certificate to Target. I am hoping I will get this one.
http://b-nn.com/index.php/2008/05/01/bloggedin-bounty-may-2008/

Mini vacation

We have had a rough winter up here in Maine with no prospect of Spring any time soon. We still can't see the slide on the kids swingset. My only saving grace at this point is that I was able to take a 4 day vacation to Maryland back in March and boy was it nice. I went and visited my Friend Erinn from Word of Life. Her husband Micheal was nice enough to allow me to come and visit with her for the weekend. Her son Abraham is now 2 and I have just met him for the first time during this visit. What a joy to see him doing so well as he and his brother were born so early. He is a blessing.
Anyway, while in MD we spent the day down in Baltimore which was so much fun cause we took Erinn's sister and her two children as well.
I missed my family, but was glad to be away for a few days to catch up on sleep.
I would post some pictures, but there seem to be a problem with them all. So, you can go to Erinn's blog and check out some of the pictures. http://raganramblings.blogspot.com/

Cruise Cancelled

So, my cruise got cancelled. I am thankful though, cause a little boy who needed a liver got his new liver and is doing well. Little Riley is settling into hospital life and getting better daily. He had a little bit of trouble yesterday, but hopefully they have gotten things straigtend out today.
Instead of going on a cruise for 7 days, I will be going to Maryland for 4 days. My friend Erinn from back in my WOLBI days has greatfully opened her apartment to me for a few nights. Its not a 7 day vacation, but it gets me away and allows me to visit with someone I haven't seen for over 7 years now. Last time we saw each other was Erinn's wedding. It will be great to visit with her and meet her little boy Abraham for the first time. He just turned 2 and is the cutiest thing (other than my kids) I have ever seen. His smile is just so big.
Anyway, just wanted to update you all (if anyone even reads this) on what has changed. Our cruise may be rescheduled, but we just don't know yet. I will keep you posted.

Praises from Maine

I have been very busy lately trying to get ready for my "Trip of a life time". My mother-in-law has given me a cruise. Her and I are to set sail 2 weeks from today. We are suppose to go with 2 of our friends, but we are not sure who will be going at this point as one has just been given a wonderful gift. Our friend is a "Foster Mom" to a little boy named Riley. He has been sick since birth and was put on a transplant list for a liver (I believe). He was put on the list at the beginning of Febuary and got the call on Friday morning to get to Boston for the surgery. He went through beautifully and was awake Saturday morning, but it will be a long stay at the hospital for recovery. Pray for little Riley. His mom's parental rights are in the process of being terminated. Please pray for Riley that he will have the opertunity to stay in the home where he feels safe. He is a wonderful little boy who just wants to be loved.
Anyway, just wanted to give a quick little post to let you know I haven't fallen off the edge of the world.