tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294780792024-03-16T03:08:32.705-04:00Thoughts of a ConradJonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-50268685970654998172019-07-31T08:13:00.001-04:002019-07-31T08:13:44.491-04:00I Thought At The Time<br />
I thought at the time she was the most amazing woman in the world. July 31, 1999, I was just 20 years old. 10 days into being 20, in fact. Young, naïve, but “old for my age,” I thought. We were holding hands in the church where we met 15 years before. There was an awesome, baritone voiced man, Burney Enzor telling a crowd of friends and family about marriage. We were repeating our vows to be with one another forever. I remember thinking how crazy it was that we were getting married. And I wasn’t alone. Friends told me later that they were whispering during the wedding that this was so surreal. “Is this really happening?”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYD_8kpBKie1Kg4MNyZ58YZoZ4RZtqIkMTLjo7v0avZ86ModemY_ikvNnyGkBS-Y2nZYddd2n0bkd_bcHVgCl5VaVml7XTvTZiVHC6PM3PCB6K1cX8zhCbomiLJUdqYFELNol/s1600/Wedding+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYD_8kpBKie1Kg4MNyZ58YZoZ4RZtqIkMTLjo7v0avZ86ModemY_ikvNnyGkBS-Y2nZYddd2n0bkd_bcHVgCl5VaVml7XTvTZiVHC6PM3PCB6K1cX8zhCbomiLJUdqYFELNol/s320/Wedding+Photo.jpg" width="240" /></a>She was everything to me then. She was my friend. She was my focus and my reason for growing up and deciding to do more. We were going to do so many awesome things and all we had to do was have each other. We lit a candle to show the joining of our family and the start of our life together. We prayed, we kissed, and were presented as Mr. and Mrs. for the first time. I thought at the time she was the most amazing woman in the world.<br />
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Then life happens. We bought a house and started our next phase of college. She was determined. She was driven and she drove me to keep going. I was working full time and taking classes at night to keep some kind of momentum for my degree. She was working part-time and balancing a full time college course load for her Communications Disorders major. We had bills. We didn’t always have the money to pay them. She would pay one thing, delay another just long enough and then pay that before being late. Then do homework and study. Then remind me to study. Life got more complicated. It was hard. It was just us, but somehow life seemed to have gotten so challenging and busy. I changed jobs a few times to try to improve our financial situation a little. She helped me write resumes, helped me see what I was good at and to find the right opportunities. Then she’d study some more before bed and pay a few more bills, remind me about a doctor’s appointment and that she would be taking the dog to the vet the next day before class. We’d kiss good night and I would think about how much I loved her and I thought at the time she was the most amazing woman in the world.<br />
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But things change. She was pregnant and we were sure this was going to be so much fun. Things were just going to keep getting better. It was no longer just us. We were going to have a child together. How cool is that? We still hadn’t quite finished our degrees, but that’s no problem. I was almost done, maybe a couple of semesters to go. She finished her degree first. Going to final classes while pregnant, working, and still managing our life. Then she and I discussed my progress and decided I would go full time to school to finish my degree and she would switch to full time work. And so, she did. She started working full time to support our family while I finished my degree, got student loans, and worked part time. In a few more months we had both graduated. Not as easy as expected, but done. Now life was going to be a breeze. And I thought at the time she was the most amazing woman in the world.<br />
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And then reality hits. In 2002, we had our first son. It was awful. What in the world was this ridiculousness? He cried all the time and was the single most high-strung baby I’d ever met. And she was tired, sad, stressed, and a little angry, usually at me which I typically deserved. He was glued to her and she couldn’t rest. I didn’t know how to help and was not as good at this as I thought I’d be. We kept it together, though. We started figuring some things out. We (I) got less selfish. I was recruited out of college by a great company, but it required another move. Her support was unwavering. With our new, beautiful, and incredibly annoying bundle of joy we decided to go for it. We moved and she was as organized as ever and pushed me to my limits, like always. This, while also laying the foundation for our son to be the best he could be. She decided that her goals had changed and that she would stay home and raise him to be the man we knew he could be. Not just me, now. Not just her. A whole new world was starting for us and she was at the core. And I thought at the time she was the most amazing woman in the world.<br />
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Unfortunately, the new job wasn’t awesome. We missed home and family. We felt alone and with a small son it was tough. Money was still tight, despite the solve everything degrees and now, on top of that she was pregnant again. We were excited about our next little boy. He was going to be awesome, too, but let’s be honest. If the first year was going to go down like his brother’s, we’d like access to help. She was always supportive, but just as important she expected me to be everything I could be for our family. It wasn’t negative or positive. It was a simple fact that had always been there between her and me. It served as a pillar of strength and as my courage to reach higher. Or to simply pay attention to the needs of our growing family and what was best for them. So, we moved again. Coming closer to home and figuring out what would come next. We had our new son and he was a completely different kid. That wasn’t expected, but he was really quiet and happy (whew!) and we had figured out our family raising strategy. Things were still hard, but getting more of a rhythm to life. She was focused on two little boys, less than two years apart. She was keeping our family organization running smoothly and somehow still keeping me in line. And I thought at the time she was the most amazing woman in the world.<br />
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But life did what life does and got messy. We had a third son, but this time we didn’t care how loud he might be or how challenging. We just wanted him to be okay. It was sobering to see him in his oxygen tent and hear doctors saying stuff like “life flight him to Pensacola.” That was hard and scary. I broke down when that was mentioned. But not her. She just went to his bedside and talked calmly to nurses and doctors. She found out more info and, as always, inspired me to focus on the solution and next steps. We prayed. We had awesome friends support us and Joel came home, bigger than life and ready to drive us crazy in normal baby ways. And she was there. She was always keeping things together. Managing three boys under 5, now. Keeping our household together. Organizing church events and managing a bible study at our house. Our life had gotten absolutely crazy with busyness. And I thought at the time she was the most amazing woman in the world.<br />
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Life continues to change, faster and faster every moment. We had more and farther moves. She nearly single-handedly got two of our boys through middle school and into high school. She decided to get a job teaching pre-school, then come home and be the teacher, counselor, and mother to our three and manage realities of life dealing with loss of loved ones and helping manage her mom’s healthcare. The stresses are ever present, but so is she. Her focus hasn’t changed. It’s always been the same. To be the core of our family. To challenge me and our boys to be the men we all should be and to help us get there. She overwhelms me. I can’t imagine how I would have or could have done anything in my life without her. Nor how our children could possibly function in any way without the example she’s provided. She inspires, encourages, challenges, corrects, and counsels all of us in every way that we need it, whenever we need it, or even when we don’t think we do. She’s there. She’s always been there in my life.<br />
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On that hot day in July 1999, she sang a song as part of our wedding. “From This Moment,” by Shania Twain. It was a surprise for me. We stood holding hands and I heard these lyrics in her voice:<br />
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<i>“From this moment life has begun. From this moment you are the one. Right beside you is where I belong. From this moment on.”</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92XrLLwLEvJdU0TltX6mCu7VDXJOeRvbHnOszOKiQK0bZQoTC5zkVQfVOuGfKN93eDq8kZLQwrk7oaC_n3BFGtt_dKHa4tovWJjUQijtKdOu7bKDCv6e1A11RLa9soxvnHzK8/s1600/Me+and+Kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92XrLLwLEvJdU0TltX6mCu7VDXJOeRvbHnOszOKiQK0bZQoTC5zkVQfVOuGfKN93eDq8kZLQwrk7oaC_n3BFGtt_dKHa4tovWJjUQijtKdOu7bKDCv6e1A11RLa9soxvnHzK8/s200/Me+and+Kelly.jpg" width="200" /></a>It’s now July 31, 2019. I’m forty years old. Just 10 days into being forty, in fact. Twenty years since I married my friend. And I know that she has been and is the most amazing woman in the world. From this moment on.<br />
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<br />Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-11396437223848604852015-09-17T14:28:00.003-04:002015-09-17T14:28:56.025-04:00I saw that we haven't updated this in a really long time...so here's our crew now....<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Gabe is playing football at Ridgeview Middle School and for an organization called the Wranglers. He's an awesome kid, smart and I can't believe almost a teenager. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Noah is doing gymnastics. He's been doing it for a few months now and is really getting better. He likes it a lot. I think he likes that he gets one-on-one attention from us when he goes too. Noah loves to tell stories. He adds details that may or may not be true but he just wants your attention. He loves to climb on EVERYTHING</span><br />
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<span style="color: lime;">Joel is our funny guy. He is also playing football for the Wranglers. It's his first year in tackle but is LOVING it. It's so nice to see him liking something. If you come to our house, he'll show you his helmet. :) </span><br />
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We are really busy with these three. Football is pretty much our life right now. Practice for Joel is three days a week. Gabe goes to school at 6:30 for the middle school practice and has practice 2 other days of the week for the Wranglers. We have games on Mondays and Saturdays. Gymnastics is Wednesdays. We are thinking of starting our own life group again at the church we have recently joined and I've agreed to teach the 5th graders on Sunday mornings. Throw in Jonathan making trips back to Tallahassee every so often and we are just one basket of craziness. Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-80748247605248599912009-07-13T15:31:00.007-04:002009-07-13T15:41:41.404-04:00Lake Ella...Today, the boys and I went for a walk around Lake Ella and fed some ducks. I tried to get a few pictures of them because it is always so beautiful there however...they really didn't cooperate. Here's a few!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NMfUyIPsdaFkmeyXZi7nM8LjUEJVFmJD30i-8fjI4IX-1pmD_UIWfiKXSeLG-yaWk7ET9f3uvNtVXMXBeXSZf-tmFq-3rq5lsIRCBagMNrHwpZ2RMrrk30qv9K6qNf-3qDrCgw/s1600-h/gabel.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NMfUyIPsdaFkmeyXZi7nM8LjUEJVFmJD30i-8fjI4IX-1pmD_UIWfiKXSeLG-yaWk7ET9f3uvNtVXMXBeXSZf-tmFq-3rq5lsIRCBagMNrHwpZ2RMrrk30qv9K6qNf-3qDrCgw/s320/gabel.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358031617041995970" border="0" /></a><br />Gabe<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf4eKWnLUyU02z2wxgKJ731pszc_0DnPgJrLdGyzz2IlxS8UvccHrarxl_Of1puDX3znX4NoWJ-kxnTOUWr33ar7Q8Foxu1iCt6e1FZyfMcrUnIEBZEdbo6TD38dN8-V3IKZ8Bw/s1600-h/noahl.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxf4eKWnLUyU02z2wxgKJ731pszc_0DnPgJrLdGyzz2IlxS8UvccHrarxl_Of1puDX3znX4NoWJ-kxnTOUWr33ar7Q8Foxu1iCt6e1FZyfMcrUnIEBZEdbo6TD38dN8-V3IKZ8Bw/s320/noahl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358031244964187362" border="0" /></a><br />Noah<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ujbh8-d_mT9kCSYIJqt59G1tPbRF9aYZl5Orjn6zBd6UmVV2sv4VD5PlF6BFkGqlHlDYfPhf9jVxjWMv2t87PI1pnUXnTzu7kZKq9zJxcp-rhL5f_IvGssB7t2ZvfWAQeociGw/s1600-h/joell.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ujbh8-d_mT9kCSYIJqt59G1tPbRF9aYZl5Orjn6zBd6UmVV2sv4VD5PlF6BFkGqlHlDYfPhf9jVxjWMv2t87PI1pnUXnTzu7kZKq9zJxcp-rhL5f_IvGssB7t2ZvfWAQeociGw/s320/joell.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358030904156204658" border="0" /></a><br />Joel a few days before his 2nd Birthday!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2xBAQt_V9xJfDD-FcM4MQqsLsjyHZBYlQqMtTCP_DNixUpWt3b4SASWlYiuBcpfdWEWf9M2ih7qcCf4zo1AvDvPSbWt5kmYT9BDQGOcWx6DbLQPxE6QnDThu3rDvtQ6GOGF0Hg/s1600-h/njl.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2xBAQt_V9xJfDD-FcM4MQqsLsjyHZBYlQqMtTCP_DNixUpWt3b4SASWlYiuBcpfdWEWf9M2ih7qcCf4zo1AvDvPSbWt5kmYT9BDQGOcWx6DbLQPxE6QnDThu3rDvtQ6GOGF0Hg/s320/njl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358030604084652114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCaENGkm4IKAN0u7I-WlEKCJtqmq2D0BZwc0H4_nCOeNl1M7wMvZijjU_RRiE6gi_-BfxkTxBGr_XelYNOFNAHZrHPCcThB6Ib4hHDx6VbRNv_3JQbuBCyWMjYtwr9lub4839MA/s1600-h/boysl.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCaENGkm4IKAN0u7I-WlEKCJtqmq2D0BZwc0H4_nCOeNl1M7wMvZijjU_RRiE6gi_-BfxkTxBGr_XelYNOFNAHZrHPCcThB6Ib4hHDx6VbRNv_3JQbuBCyWMjYtwr9lub4839MA/s320/boysl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358030279517026754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Crazy boys!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-35284688509010887062009-06-20T17:49:00.008-04:002009-06-20T23:12:32.811-04:00A weekend with no boys!!!<div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90h1t7KXdh9QCv0pxGF1cAP2Y-YfCXbARZmXF_gukWITAlzun5jBzTiJepfwGopeCSp_a4Iul0AvTAjzhIHYvAwghx0GkCM6rVsJvQxukGC3VFr9D1iEty69jSIOU4XRjqamB7A/s1600-h/SDC10437.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349609382767473026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90h1t7KXdh9QCv0pxGF1cAP2Y-YfCXbARZmXF_gukWITAlzun5jBzTiJepfwGopeCSp_a4Iul0AvTAjzhIHYvAwghx0GkCM6rVsJvQxukGC3VFr9D1iEty69jSIOU4XRjqamB7A/s320/SDC10437.JPG" border="0" /></a> Last Saturday morning, Jonathan & I drove to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blounstown</span> to meet my Mom. My parents decided to take all three boys for the weekend since Jonathan and I had to be in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gainesville</span> early on Tuesday morning. This is the first time I have been away from the boys over night since Joel was born and away for a few days since Gabe was born. WAY OVER DUE!!! Saturday was fun, we went to a Birthday party with no kids. It was great not being stressed about the boys and not sweating from chasing after them. We then went to a few stores that we wouldn't want to take three boys in. We just enjoyed the afternoon. Later we grilled steaks! After about 2 hours of being home it was just way too quiet so we went to Books a Million. It was so nice not to have to go to the kiddie section. We each got something yummy to drink and just sat reading our books. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">AAH</span>!!!<br /><br /></div><br /><div>Sunday, we skipped church. Sorry Pastor Matt! We slept in (very rare at our house) and drove to St. George Island for the day. It was wonderful. We enjoyed just sitting and doing nothing. Jonathan built a sand castle even with no kids around or bucket & shovel. We also got to see some dolphins not twenty feet from us. I tried to catch a picture but like kids...they move too fast. We loved not having to bring an entire car load to the beach and just enjoyed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">each other</span>! When we got home we met up with Brad and June and went to Olive Garden (one of my favorites) which is way to expensive to take all three kids. Then the four of us went to Seminole Bowling. What a fun day & night!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS56WjSSQyhjkuljdcCirPDkk9tskSy9jzoU53QAMip6Qyq9fzyqy4RyJml2Zh8MuyQdsaWO0_v4WNCv-ftqj9RLKLB8mrWEg_pOsam80qfV71IwmxPRTvXM1LclbD5BwHDAIdXA/s1600-h/SDC10436.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349609662097395714" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS56WjSSQyhjkuljdcCirPDkk9tskSy9jzoU53QAMip6Qyq9fzyqy4RyJml2Zh8MuyQdsaWO0_v4WNCv-ftqj9RLKLB8mrWEg_pOsam80qfV71IwmxPRTvXM1LclbD5BwHDAIdXA/s320/SDC10436.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The castle!<br /></div><div></div><div> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcXQyqjQNiGlC77kYf1g_1_jLz9xHETselTvqjOFYdEryf0D6nmW4xGAI7Tu-QaLRnAsS01t0rTYhiXDndo4LC_wphdwViwDFeWMG8DP14rW88da1oZ8s335Soa-WJwqB0iDrJg/s1600-h/SDC10425.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349612852997512674" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcXQyqjQNiGlC77kYf1g_1_jLz9xHETselTvqjOFYdEryf0D6nmW4xGAI7Tu-QaLRnAsS01t0rTYhiXDndo4LC_wphdwViwDFeWMG8DP14rW88da1oZ8s335Soa-WJwqB0iDrJg/s320/SDC10425.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>St. George Lighthouse<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Monday, Jonathan had to work so I slept in, went for a walk and then took my time at the grocery store. I then put all the groceries away and cleaned a little bit. I think I even took a nap! I later went to the gym and just had a relaxing night of NO arguing, fighting, or whatever ever else my boys can do. (All which they are doing right this very second! HA!)</div><br /><div>Tuesday morning around 4:30 we were off to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gainesville</span>, which is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">separate</span> blog. What did I learn from being away from my boys??? That I love them very much and our life has become very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">noisy</span> but entertaining. I enjoyed spending time with my husband. We could have grown up conversations and even do things without planning. I loved how we picked on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">each other</span> like we used to and could even laugh when one of us said something really dumb and not have to explain it to a six year old that has to know everything. Jonathan did still catch me spelling out things even with no kids around. Overall, the most adult conversations I think we have had in a very long time. Thank goodness for Grandparents!</div><br /><div><br /> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-27588263775364829142009-06-20T16:13:00.005-04:002009-06-20T17:48:38.884-04:00Kelly's Health News...<span style="font-family:courier new;">Last Tuesday, Jonathan and I traveled to Shands in Gainesville to find out exactly how bad my bladder was and to confirm my IC diagnosis. After a few hours of waiting to be called back...it's finally my turn. The doctor explains that they are doing a "simple" procedure to find out the capacity of my bladder...the procedure takes 10 minutes but I have to be put to sleep because it can be painful. I wake up...in a lot of pain. The nurses give me tons of pain medicine to try to help me but nothing is helping. I finally am able to get up and go to the bathroom and find a little relief however now I feel like I am about to be sick. They get me back into the rolling recliner and finally wheel me to Jonathan. After several doses of nausea medicine and another bag of fluids...Jonathan then tells me the NEWS! </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">A normal bladder for a female my age should hold 1000 cc's. Someone with IC's bladder will hold around 750 cc's. My bladder would only hold 450 cc's. WHAT?!? The doctor was able to stretch my bladder to hold 500 however there is nothing he can do to fix the damage. Wow! No wonder I have been miserable the last year and had these problems most of my life!!! I go back in a few weeks, July 7th, to see what else there is to do and to be put on the only medication prescribed for IC. So, please just keep me in your prayers. It's great to know what has been going on but also not so nice to know you have a very damaged bladder! </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0WPvP6sYdKDH45vQh85KcHzly7EIZGqg1egevCP7XiYpYRpYn5hf52zwkN7TbLB7TnaaOcRQ4o2hJx3keV4C11qPiRPz4nTkwJRNLfqH3_x7cb5r-EdBKWY7eS_WMPz6pNyEaA/s1600-h/photo%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349528752100625074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0WPvP6sYdKDH45vQh85KcHzly7EIZGqg1egevCP7XiYpYRpYn5hf52zwkN7TbLB7TnaaOcRQ4o2hJx3keV4C11qPiRPz4nTkwJRNLfqH3_x7cb5r-EdBKWY7eS_WMPz6pNyEaA/s320/photo%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;">Jonathan took my picture right before I went in for the procedure!!</span>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-46320851483271785542009-04-12T22:32:00.007-04:002009-04-12T22:41:46.999-04:00Easter 2009 Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY5fbtP8WedHK509dgJfn4UmJtdr_ImwMaeNeGGx_Yc8sX3bJnHhUwUj596APDtW9lhqUMsjLl0ZX87pmS-6CuqF9I5lLrjK9d7DgqnS7RpPSp_RiCYlykwi4yT-S4P8DmgDb2w/s1600-h/boys.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323999360694688194" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY5fbtP8WedHK509dgJfn4UmJtdr_ImwMaeNeGGx_Yc8sX3bJnHhUwUj596APDtW9lhqUMsjLl0ZX87pmS-6CuqF9I5lLrjK9d7DgqnS7RpPSp_RiCYlykwi4yT-S4P8DmgDb2w/s320/boys.JPG" border="0" /></a> All three boys Easter Sunday!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlm6-2v2XZDT1sdrroBfKWb02C3Kx-AVcHrHcaeog-5XPZr25pAYjycMXM9Eh8R1Oqjn3K8yHlTlrBQZYQuGKPbJIWXhXccmdT3glSGjkDbzupPOh-vJb-FYNv2Cw1fkFb5ijmbg/s1600-h/gabe+bap2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323999211885926178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlm6-2v2XZDT1sdrroBfKWb02C3Kx-AVcHrHcaeog-5XPZr25pAYjycMXM9Eh8R1Oqjn3K8yHlTlrBQZYQuGKPbJIWXhXccmdT3glSGjkDbzupPOh-vJb-FYNv2Cw1fkFb5ijmbg/s320/gabe+bap2.JPG" border="0" /></a> Gabe's Baptism<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmhviAwdn1G6S1nDAAjwbGqXsQvo-IaQUopCL35nu5h5KiSZyFkjh9Z5YR8ngsdKWyT0uXLdJSjNcqIK1sXxhM8xUwXEjAv3bSQt0s5gAskDJD7hmT9GEgT6BLMmnO2DLI_5GxQ/s1600-h/gabe+bap.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323999088059610994" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmhviAwdn1G6S1nDAAjwbGqXsQvo-IaQUopCL35nu5h5KiSZyFkjh9Z5YR8ngsdKWyT0uXLdJSjNcqIK1sXxhM8xUwXEjAv3bSQt0s5gAskDJD7hmT9GEgT6BLMmnO2DLI_5GxQ/s320/gabe+bap.JPG" border="0" /></a> Gabe was so excited & the water was SOOO cold!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsREiWsNJ5E09pYhCd3rAboYtIijpxyGyrAfyMoAAAZehxGkaMOQoh7CIC4ibVCbGx2h0955_1KTH0Qg-rIt9T_yu9BTVcE0NXN2t6B38RdaBosfh2bpYiJmhwXZv6akYBP-k6ww/s1600-h/boys+tball.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323998634489778514" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsREiWsNJ5E09pYhCd3rAboYtIijpxyGyrAfyMoAAAZehxGkaMOQoh7CIC4ibVCbGx2h0955_1KTH0Qg-rIt9T_yu9BTVcE0NXN2t6B38RdaBosfh2bpYiJmhwXZv6akYBP-k6ww/s320/boys+tball.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br />Both boys ready before their t-ball games at the same time....different fields. The fun begins. </div><div><br /> </div><div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-45829143586350788182009-04-09T14:19:00.003-04:002009-04-12T21:17:41.830-04:00Gabe's WitnessThis morning, Kelly was dropping Gabriel off at school. You'll remember in my last post I said he is being baptized this week. Well, his teacher pulled Kelly aside and said, "Yesterday, Gabe told me he was going to be baptized this weekend." Kelly confirmed this and the teacher continued. "When he told me that, another little boy asked 'What does Baptized mean?'" The teacher told Kelly that she couldn't answer that question or talk about religion, so she just acted busy with her papers. The little boy then looked to Gabe. Gabriel told him what it was and meant. What happened next was amazing. The teacher said that the boy asked Gabe how you get baptized. Gabe's first reaction was "Well, you go talk to Pastor Matt..." I laughed when I heard that. But then he stopped and said..."actually, first you need to have Jesus in your heart." The little boy and Gabe apparently talked a little while longer and the boy responded by saying..."I don't go to church so I didn't know what baptism was, but now I want to ask my mom and dad if they'll take me to church so I can be baptized!" The teacher said it was awesome. She told Kelly that she couldn't have answered the boys questions any better. I was amazed at how quickly the Holy Spirit has begun using Gabe. He just had his first witnessing experience and God spoke through him. Praise God for surrounding Gabe and for speaking through him yesterday. I hope he continues being a light of Christ.Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-48244456535888776562009-04-07T11:42:00.003-04:002009-04-07T11:57:24.323-04:00Gabriel's BaptismI am so very proud of Gabriel. Last night, he and I had a conversation with our Pastor and Gabriel is going to be baptized on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009!! The Holy Spirit has been at work on Gabe for a couple of months. He has been asking a lot of questions and Kelly and I have talked with him at length about everything. After he started asking so many questions, I decided to walk with him through several versus in the Bible and really get an understanding of where he was. Then, one night after we'd talked, I was putting him to bed and he called for me. I went to his bedside and he said he wanted to ask Jesus to come into his heart. So, we talked for a few minutes and I made sure he knew what that meant and really understood it. I was satisfied with his answers and I helped him pray. That night, my oldest son became a Christian! We then went to visit with Matt, our Pastor and he asked Gabe some tougher questions than I did, admittedly. Gabe was not quite comprehending eternity and destinations, etc. completely, so Matt didn't think he was totally ready. So, we didn't push him and we just kept talking with him occasionally about everything. Then a couple of weeks ago, Gabe started asking and saying some very interesting things. Finally, when I asked him how long you stay in Heaven and he proceeded to tell me "Forever...well, at least until new Heaven..." (I never told him about new earth) and he continued explaining to me that he was referring to when heaven and earth come together (thank you Awana and G-Force) I knew he was ready. So, again...we went to see Matt and Gabriel knew and understood everything. Matt said he was ready and we are having a baptism service on Sunday!! I am really kind of beside myself with this. It all came about so fast and I can only hope I've been and will be a good Christian example for him. The road isn't easy and this is a journey that he is just now beginning. But, I know where the road leads and that Gabriel is with God.Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-6619510445998718252009-03-16T14:10:00.002-04:002009-03-16T14:36:07.481-04:00Hulu and the Masters of the UniverseAlright, so I've just recently (Superbowl ads do work) discovered <a href="http://www.hulu.com/">Hulu</a> and I must say...awesome! Having full episodes of your favorite shows virtually commercial free (they play VERY short ads occasionally) is just plain, well, awesome. However, it's also like crack, so be careful. <br /><br />Anyway, I just discovered something about Hulu that I didn't expect. It has brought my sons and I together in a way that wouldn't have been possible without it. We now share a bond that will never be broken, for it was forged in the fires of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternia">Eternia</a>; in the halls of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Grayskull">Castle Greyskull</a>. Yes, my sons and I have discovered full episodes of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He-Man_and_the_Masters_of_the_Universe">He-Man and the Masters of the Universe</a>!!! And, I am proud to say that my sons wanted to watch episode after episode and I didn't just say yes...I said "I HAVE THE POWER!!!" and clicked play! It was AWESOME!!! <br /><br />It was so cool seeing them glued to a little bit of my past and seeing what I probably looked like when I was glued to it in 1983! When I finally decided to make them go to bed...they ran to Gabe's room and grabbed the three or four surviving He-Man toys from my childhood (yes, I still have them) and we're going crazy as <a href="http://www.he-man.org/cartoon/cmotu-pop/universe/he-man.shtml">He-Man</a>, <a href="http://www.he-man.org/cartoon/cmotu-pop/universe/skeletor.shtml">Skeletor </a>and <a href="http://www.he-man.org/cartoon/cmotu-pop/universe/king-randor.jpg">King Randor</a>. For the first time, they now understood why those toys are so DANG COOL! And, when I heard Gabe yell, "I have the powerrrrr!!" as he held He-Man aloft...there might have been a tear...and this time, I didn't cringe when they smacked them together...for now they understand the awesomeness of He-Man and The Masters of the Universe!Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-21562745089264184932009-03-15T23:13:00.002-04:002009-03-15T23:16:48.634-04:00Gabe on the news.....<a href="http://ww2.wctv6.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?clipId1=3548576&at1=Sport&vt1=v&h1=11pm+Sports+3%2D14&d1=363300&redirUrl=http://www.wctv6.com&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv&rnd=60344957">http://ww2.wctv6.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?clipId1=3548576&at1=Sport&vt1=v&h1=11pm+Sports+3%2D14&d1=363300&redirUrl=http://www.wctv6.com&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv&rnd=60344957</a><br /><br /><br />Gabe's class did a Fun Run on Saturday. Click on this link and about 3 minutes into the segment it talks about the race. He is on the clip about 3 times. He has a hat and green shirt on! Had to share!<br /><br />KellyKellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-56319682670448780512009-02-16T21:11:00.003-05:002009-02-16T21:19:45.544-05:00Joel...Well...I am getting a new cell phone hopefully tomorrow and finally figured out how to get these pictures off my phone without deleting them. I cry every time I look at them because of how we felt during this time. The emotions just come rolling back like it is happening all over again. I still haven't been able to watch the video we took for his birth. I know I am so blessed to have this sweet guy in my life, who makes me laugh and keeps me on my toes...it's just still so fresh in my mind! Just so blessed and thankful for this little bundle of energy! Can't help but to spoil him rotten!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1QLSH2brbefAOHCTey7plY_UVl5pxyFOHDLxeKXTOW-TjlZlTHvznMuiBYFrMge_FS99x8tGpDYoECNVRXVUd3G3n9YchMyTqhIXVBq4afEgpDsXCMcVFM1DRtRxMRz0U0FUvw/s1600-h/cd09ae29000e.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1QLSH2brbefAOHCTey7plY_UVl5pxyFOHDLxeKXTOW-TjlZlTHvznMuiBYFrMge_FS99x8tGpDYoECNVRXVUd3G3n9YchMyTqhIXVBq4afEgpDsXCMcVFM1DRtRxMRz0U0FUvw/s320/cd09ae29000e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303583478018052274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMfoz4y-b-JGbUWZrMjvN2S0Y3U5_IWq9JCvPWSFzXl1upeJuEgpLGhsaz10OAl0icxOsfVHoJbrTF3hUkCKhzI46ysZNHu1hvwlMWKZIy-69u_VTGwpGd_FhFDVnnWmNYSxZcQ/s1600-h/9e2b9aefc39f.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMfoz4y-b-JGbUWZrMjvN2S0Y3U5_IWq9JCvPWSFzXl1upeJuEgpLGhsaz10OAl0icxOsfVHoJbrTF3hUkCKhzI46ysZNHu1hvwlMWKZIy-69u_VTGwpGd_FhFDVnnWmNYSxZcQ/s320/9e2b9aefc39f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303583393373616978" border="0" /></a>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-52895233233473300122009-02-08T21:26:00.005-05:002009-02-08T21:35:57.605-05:00Pictures for Angela<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8kQI0a25Cj2etgH5wu7WcXwVdJeNNJ1ique_PdR5d78UMKllznMnX7sRxHU5bb-ocofCDmjoMIR6dxjPr8Ob6GXb7yqgOe-NqGDHt0VeTOydx3VxzRl5VU8Yvq0L4DMQKpIKmQ/s1600-h/SDC10342.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300620280431000274" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8kQI0a25Cj2etgH5wu7WcXwVdJeNNJ1ique_PdR5d78UMKllznMnX7sRxHU5bb-ocofCDmjoMIR6dxjPr8Ob6GXb7yqgOe-NqGDHt0VeTOydx3VxzRl5VU8Yvq0L4DMQKpIKmQ/s320/SDC10342.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gabe on Friday after his school program.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7uCMwecqENx1MjLFbIJS6LRxTPq_sTezwfJxC9_xmkPQz3Z5FWxo1JXRlA_vw40rax_UCH6Jtqp4TprRT-MaLBs6dIbgBvzFG3CJvcGGdoNxFeGcWe-5kDUe8IuYf1IEkGDrSg/s1600-h/SDC10289.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300620096856213282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7uCMwecqENx1MjLFbIJS6LRxTPq_sTezwfJxC9_xmkPQz3Z5FWxo1JXRlA_vw40rax_UCH6Jtqp4TprRT-MaLBs6dIbgBvzFG3CJvcGGdoNxFeGcWe-5kDUe8IuYf1IEkGDrSg/s320/SDC10289.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Noah picking strawberries!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8CWFEdmtADXW1jjMTvWrgYzP4w7hJ_9u_h44HwRFW5MgPrcq2c5OMoREh3Y4zSkGblc0HnXeuEmn00kJMegSP9SLPwAHSZrRaBsa3CMjz4K4hke_wohtxvuWA8YT_CNe7y7gaQ/s1600-h/SDC10198.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300619877843336402" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8CWFEdmtADXW1jjMTvWrgYzP4w7hJ_9u_h44HwRFW5MgPrcq2c5OMoREh3Y4zSkGblc0HnXeuEmn00kJMegSP9SLPwAHSZrRaBsa3CMjz4K4hke_wohtxvuWA8YT_CNe7y7gaQ/s320/SDC10198.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joel in the bath tub fully dressed I think this was the 2nd time he did this.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1chqZg0AEIogyRTiNZ-v424fspruZRzVnM2hZpsAZVIKkysADJ0Fyt7dq7FBoICezr92iEnZ2qgmp9rVzn-orvE0lDEaisrsXgPYcKygBT4GINLPai6wEBPBcKgSNjF76B1MxdQ/s1600-h/SDC10346.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300618640132426594" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1chqZg0AEIogyRTiNZ-v424fspruZRzVnM2hZpsAZVIKkysADJ0Fyt7dq7FBoICezr92iEnZ2qgmp9rVzn-orvE0lDEaisrsXgPYcKygBT4GINLPai6wEBPBcKgSNjF76B1MxdQ/s320/SDC10346.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My sisters & me with my sweet baby niece!<br /><br /><div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-59862379973096808372009-02-06T16:21:00.010-05:002009-07-24T16:25:41.006-04:00Songs that make me happy.You have to be ready to turn up the volume and enjoy these three. They aren't crazy...they're just some of my favorite songs to lift the spirits. So, if you're down...remember these songs as fun pick-me-ups.<br /><br />1. I love this song. In fact...I've recently taken the step to call it my favorite song. There are more than just musical reasons. I'm a sucker for nostalgia and this reminds me of when I was little, hanging out at home in the afternoons with my big sisters. In the time frame between getting home from school and the absolute deadline to begin cleaning and have it done before our parents came home, they would force me to watch MTV. I would rather have been watching He-Man, Transformers and G.I. Joe. But, every now and then...this song came on and it made me laugh. It isn't He-Man...but it's almost as enjoyable to the 9 year old in me. It makes me happy. (Thanks for the memories Annmarie and Melanie)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULjCSK0oOlI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr>v=945FOiz7nMA</a><br /><br />2. This song is just awesome. I like it. A lot. It is one of my favorites and the man singing it has a cool story. He died young, but touched a lot of lives and lived life happy, thinking of family, friends and community over himself. He was loved and at the end of this you'll see the kind of love people had for him at his traditional Hawaiian funeral. This song makes me happy and want to close my eyes and think of good things.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZFkXQKCuBc"target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D68ymfjpw98</a><br /><br />3. A classic. It just is. And it makes me happy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5IIXeR5OUI&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5IIXeR5OUI&feature=related</a><br /><br />So what songs make you happy? The ones that make you smile when you hear them, no matter how your day was going before it came on?Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-35203618001698461292009-01-26T21:39:00.006-05:002009-01-26T21:50:23.738-05:00I'm telling Mommy!A few days ago I decided to take a quick shower while Joel & Noah were playing. I came out of the bathroom and Noah said..."Mommy, Joel had your make up but I took it from him." I said well thank you Noah! However take a look at the evidence on his face! I couldn't help but laugh & laugh! He was tattle telling but was covered with the evidence! Kids are so fun!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2BVHT3SetYiTUINOb6Iq6Nu25vZL37gdrpAMudJrZ08D28TxwdNG_n-dlu-BIlDUDAxMtmE8o3GunpBDWxycsf7v9w2OVye3WopjElSWVZp9plvGipgx9GRltp3lV4DqS7PADQ/s1600-h/SDC10262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295799211437085074" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2BVHT3SetYiTUINOb6Iq6Nu25vZL37gdrpAMudJrZ08D28TxwdNG_n-dlu-BIlDUDAxMtmE8o3GunpBDWxycsf7v9w2OVye3WopjElSWVZp9plvGipgx9GRltp3lV4DqS7PADQ/s320/SDC10262.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYahYQfhx0LcrXP6r7z9GGve3u88W4LVku5M6Xnkp7TYYlpYih7WbBm-fqtxB9VOY148g7VGvIlHmC9oVlW7QepcIXQn4eNkbIuXKC76hyphenhyphenIep1QcSzdnq_xeo89DKs3a5nhtaAg/s1600-h/SDC10261.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295798733900040738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYahYQfhx0LcrXP6r7z9GGve3u88W4LVku5M6Xnkp7TYYlpYih7WbBm-fqtxB9VOY148g7VGvIlHmC9oVlW7QepcIXQn4eNkbIuXKC76hyphenhyphenIep1QcSzdnq_xeo89DKs3a5nhtaAg/s320/SDC10261.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><div> </div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-61691681221368002782009-01-26T20:54:00.015-05:002009-01-26T21:38:28.161-05:00Joel's New Bed!!Well, we've had lots of fun at our house lately! Joel has been talking up a storm and just does things to keep us laughing. He climbed out of the crib a few months back and we thought...here it comes, but to our surprise...he didn't do it again until about 2 weeks ago. He just fell out! He had this huge red mark on his head and I decided it was time to take the front off his crib and let him be a "Big Boy!" My other boys were already out of their cribs by 18 months and didn't mind us putting a full size bed rail on the side so they didn't fall out. In fact...they never touched it! However...Joel is a different story. He hates it! He pushed it off and just started playing all around his room. I let him play thinking he would get tired and just go back to his bed. WRONG! I decided to go check and this is what I found. Yes, sound asleep in the Thomas ball pit! The only way I found him was the toy in the ball pit made a noise and then I saw him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgjTHvyXdSy7nBwmOPR5LYrbx0_JzHqpvZDyNZVsn9-1W1u8L4T3qNpQKKdRZOu8SM5lyaHN2mZG14EoBEUdaq6Trn7I3rnLg05mpHMgJ_X5kK9xVaoWE4JiONe8u6-5_zWByqA/s1600-h/SDC10238.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295795883159412082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgjTHvyXdSy7nBwmOPR5LYrbx0_JzHqpvZDyNZVsn9-1W1u8L4T3qNpQKKdRZOu8SM5lyaHN2mZG14EoBEUdaq6Trn7I3rnLg05mpHMgJ_X5kK9xVaoWE4JiONe8u6-5_zWByqA/s320/SDC10238.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />He has been very fun! At night he goes right to sleep because it is dark and he can't see, but during nap time....it's an adventure. He's fallen asleep at the door on the floor after several minutes of yelling "Knock Knock Mommy"! The lastest today was just too funny! He was playing instead of napping and was having a great time. I decided to go back into his room to put him back to bed and when I got to his room, he had taken about 40 diapers and thrown them out of the basket they are normally in. I opened the door and he said..."Made Mess!" I couldn't help but laugh! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KrYAPqZWI6y0s8yzUilaj1dL2JFpyqUtLO9NgcVJevbT2S_6OiXvGwkVfWzMOwOHY56cLTGIOCbav_6OkVDi_KfJY2mRkz5kCy5yk0FMa-cohi_34B500s9EuZ83KVLCmlD5dw/s1600-h/SDC10282.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9qrucRFMsEcI1IQlNBR1XpYU6F2rHNXREFasghnY9VICxwZYtodDe8c3iTPu-u9p0Z8zwvIWe2RoNVPmCIf21dORv0C42VtR5WYRz8QOlYuJqgy9socCF9cMr6HesKzpxgViaw/s1600-h/SDC10282.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hxw43sDBYZIrLPBD7ot0hn9CdFzpSZ3uP_KyrIKOT0_77GhUHi1v-8sFGF54r1TCjUVbxriB6NmKXn4EpsL28idGTS26Kvz99_aSJcm18Zy2nQtCnWrNJOq7L94dsWCDH5JoPQ/s1600-h/SDC10282.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295794564901626690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hxw43sDBYZIrLPBD7ot0hn9CdFzpSZ3uP_KyrIKOT0_77GhUHi1v-8sFGF54r1TCjUVbxriB6NmKXn4EpsL28idGTS26Kvz99_aSJcm18Zy2nQtCnWrNJOq7L94dsWCDH5JoPQ/s320/SDC10282.JPG" border="0" /></a>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-80172372193087773922009-01-08T17:07:00.018-05:002009-01-13T10:58:12.965-05:00I know the Truth, but don't completely understand it.(Note: Please comment on this post with your thoughts. I'd love to have your insights and hear from other Christ followers. We understand things together.)<br /><br />This is going to be another "controversial" post for some. Let me start by saying that I want my faith to be that of a child. I hear the questions my sons ask me. So sincere is their heart in wanting to understand God, faith, death. That's the way I want my faith to be. Pure, sincere, open and to the point. So I am going to be blunt with childlike realism. I have over the years (and a lot recently) been trying to get to the core of what I believe spiritually. At the core, I believe in God. I believe He hears us. I believe in His love for us and that He sent His son to die for us. This I believe. I have faith in that.<br /><br />Now, let's get to the harder stuff. I truly believe in asking questions of God when you don't understand. I think it's good to question. I think He wants us to question. I think questions are okay. I think fear is okay. I think admitting that you don't have a clue or shred of understanding of God, His plan, His world or His heaven is okay. All of these are okay as long as you are seeking the answer. Don't let doubts turn your heart, but rather ask it bluntly and most importantly, be open to His answer.<br /><br />Here are some of my biggest questions and I'm okay with saying I don't know or understand them. I'll even go as far as to say that sometimes I doubt them. But one doesn't learn without asking. I say these things out loud as David did and John the Baptist did. I ask these things of God quite frequently as God says we can. To ask is to learn. To question is to gain wisdom.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why the game? </span><span>Why this long game of cat and mouse with Satan? He could have destroyed Satan in the war in heaven. Why cast him down with humans? If I'm battling a snake in my yard, do I throw it in the house with my children? Why let him run the Earth? Why converse with Satan so casually about the suffering of one of God's children (Job)? Why not strike him down then? Why reveal Satan to us in scripture only to have us battle with his attacks, when in the end Satan's efforts are all futile. Is it simply to strengthen us through battle? Is it simply to force a choice for us? Is it because only through trial do we show our true loyalty? Aren't good people lost because of this game? People that would have chosen God if it weren't for the game? I don't understand this game. I don't know the rules. It's real time strategy, but I don't control very much of the map and I can't see the enemy. I wish I knew the gameplan<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span></span>but I have faith in His leadership.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Prayer</span>: Yes. Shock!! I don't understand prayer. Prayer has been proven, even by science to be good for you. It makes you healthier, happier, and less stressed. Sometimes, I can't help but to have questions though. Is prayer God's spiritual placebo? Does He really answer prayers? The fact that we can just dismiss an unanswered prayer as a "No" seems to easy. With some prayers being answered, many not and many we just forget about, I can't help but to wonder if it's all just coincidental. What if God wants us to pray because it's good for us. It helps us "give it to Him" because that's the way it happens anyway. He is a practical God. He gave really practical laws to the Jews regarding health and cleanliness. It helped them through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_plague">black plague</a>. What if things just happen because that's God's plan and praying is just something to help us deal with it? Or, maybe He does answer prayers. I don't know. But I do pray, though not enough and I know He hears us and I know that in the Old Testament He did answer them and even changed His mind when Moses lobbied to save the Israelites. But, I'm no Moses. Regardless if it's for an answer or just for peace of mind, I pray and will pray...if for no other reason than a chance to talk to an awesome God and remind myself that He is in control.<span><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Heaven:</span> Yep. No clue, there. Don't know what it's like. Don't know where it is. Don't know when you actually go there (right when you die? or before, during or after the Second Coming?). Don't know what happens when you get there. I just don't know or understand anything about it and I also have a fear that when I get there they'll laugh and say "there's been some kind of mistake." Come on, I'm not the only one scared that will happen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Earth and Creation: </span><br /><br />(Big category) I'll try to keep this one short, but it has a lot in it. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dinosaurs </span>(when, why, how long, what's the purpose, why before man)?<br /><br />Is man really the only creature with a <span style="font-weight: bold;">soul </span>on Earth? Look, I'm not an animal lover. In fact, I don't like very many. However, it isn't hard to notice that there are other animals on Earth that are capable of immense compassion, complex thought, mercy, maybe even love (Great Apes come to mind). These animals feel and react to pain both physical and emotional. Are they soulless? Are they throw away beings? I don't think God thinks that.<br /><br />How about those animals and how they got there. This is really hard to put out there, but I have questions about <span style="font-weight: bold;">Noah</span>. Every animal? Two of them? On a boat? Only survivors and just two of each species repopulated the entire earth? Genetically, it isn't possible for two to make a sustainable population. Researchers are trying to save species around the planet, but when they are down to two...it's over. There is no saving the species. So, either God stepped in (which could have been the case) or more animals survived the flood and Noah just had the best stock. The studs if you will. Who knows?<br /><br />Finally, the big one. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Adam and Eve. </span>On the same note as above...we know two can't make a sustainable population. Incest, etc. come in there as well and that has always bothered me. Did God create more humans and it just isn't mentioned? Did he just make it possible for that time? We see the damage this kind of breeding can have. How did it happen then? How did it work for both Adam and Eve and Noah (who also had to repopulate the Earth)? I don't know.<br /><br />I want to say again, that I am not saying that any of these are impossible or that I don't believe in them. I have faith in each of these. We are talking about a mighty God who can do anything. I'm just saying that these are topics I wonder about. Do we really have a grasp to understand this stuff? I am not one to just say "it is so because it is and to question it is wrong." I also believe these are major questions that seekers wonder about and to be dismissive of them and explain it away as "it's supernatural so deal with it" is something we can't do. I plan to try to get an understanding of these things through His word and His workers. I just wanted to share my questions and encourage anyone who has questions that it's okay to admit that. Seek Him in your doubts and He will show you the answer.Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-71316741529331272252008-12-17T12:48:00.009-05:002008-12-17T17:42:35.557-05:00I...am blessed?<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >I am blessed…and I don’t understand it. Tremendously blessed. Unbelievably blessed. Remarkably blessed. Disturbingly blessed. Sickeningly blessed. Do I deserve it? The question makes me ill for I know the answer. Not in the slightest. Not in the least. I am broken. I am pained. I am sinful. I am strained. I am prideful. I am lustful. I am greedy. I am stingy. I am boastful. I am weak. I am stubborn, and yet….I am blessed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >Why?! How can this be? It must be mistaken. It has to be blessings misplaced. Despite what I’m told, it can’t be just grace. I have children, a wife. I have cars and a home. I have a job, friends, and success in tough times. When others struggle, I await a bonus. When others worry about losing everything, I complain about my extra car having trouble. I see businesses closing and yet I can sell. I see children unhealthy and marriages fail. Mine thrive. Every day I wait in anticipation for a realization of this grave mistake. It can’t be meant for me. When will it end? When will the charade be over and the laughter at my expense begin. I prepare myself for the correction.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >If these blessings are indeed meant for me, well that’s a whole other problem. How do you expect me to handle such gifts!? I don’t deserve it! I am broken! I am pained! I am sinful! <span style=""> </span>I am strained! I am prideful! I am lustful! I am greedy! I am stingy! I am boastful! I am weak! I am stubborn! I am…Forgiven. I am Thankful. I am Blessed.</span> </p>Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-7302502367551446392008-12-01T12:08:00.003-05:002008-12-01T12:32:16.248-05:00Long time no blog.Well, it's been a LONG time since I've written a blog. I could blame my schedule, or something else, but admittedly, I've just been <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blogthargic</span>. Just a few updates, work is crazy, crazy busy, which is AWESOME! Things are going well there. Our family has been sick over the entire Thanksgiving holiday. Joel even ran 104.7 at one point and had to go to urgent care. Our van broke down again, which could be a blog in itself. Let's just leave it at, it's a Ford (backwards it spells Driver Returns On Foot) and we're just about done with it. It's only saving grace might be that we got bad gas, but if it's something else, like a fuel pump, well then this will give you an idea of my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITuNMszkT_M&feature=related">intentions</a>.<br /><br />The boys are doing great overall. Gabe is still doing well in school and Noah is a great big brother to Joel who refers to him as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wowah</span>. Noah has continued to amaze us with his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wit</span> and humor. They are far ahead of his age. He visited his Nana recently by himself (first time any of them have stayed away for a weekend) and he was in the car with Nana waiting on one of his cousins, Samuel to get something out of the house. Samuel, who is at the clumsy stage, goes to enter the house and smacks himself in the face with the door. Noah doesn't miss a beat, busts out laughing and says, "Nana, did you see what Samuel just did...he went <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BAM</span> and hit himself in the head with the door." as he continues to laugh out loud. Samuel even stopped crying because Noah was making everybody laugh, including him. Then, the other night, we were all at the dinner table and Kelly told Noah, who was refusing to stay seated, "Noah, stop getting up, you haven't touched your food!" Noah, then sits down...puts his index finger on top of his chicken and says, "I'm touching it Mommy." and laughs. Yes, he's a little punk.<br /><br />Other big news, Kelly turns 30 on December 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>!! We are planning a party for her on the 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span>. Fondue fun! The 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> is also a big event that I encourage anyone with small kids to come too. It's Movies in the Park at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tekesta</span> park. Classic Christmas cartoons played on big screens outside with free hot chocolate and cookies for all!! It's pretty cool. So, I'm planning Kelly's party and that event. It's a busy, but fun, fun month!Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-43538350724894435772008-10-28T18:18:00.001-04:002008-10-28T18:26:17.356-04:00For Grandmama<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxENlkLG_7e3XuU-_DtDS_UtZA4PBBcavamAO-9raElVKmkLEn9ogSUJ9rbvY_z5fNf3rcbbo7XWGk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-30156956358232924752008-10-22T20:50:00.004-04:002008-10-22T21:00:48.254-04:00Gabe's Scarecrow HomeworkGabe had homework. The family had to help him decorate, name and write a story about a scarecrow! Here's our finished project! We had fun!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X8hRmDRO3aQh3xJ6mPz6lG7QB1Yl11UGiROfrYcSCFRzn3u_MEqAkL4kglvnbKWICgewgR9MPJEc-PpJm4uvbcjU8k9qa-pRxS9zRpOgLruw2HzY5tOcwSk4069tJ2Al46VEdQ/s1600-h/SANY0797.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260146692900781810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4X8hRmDRO3aQh3xJ6mPz6lG7QB1Yl11UGiROfrYcSCFRzn3u_MEqAkL4kglvnbKWICgewgR9MPJEc-PpJm4uvbcjU8k9qa-pRxS9zRpOgLruw2HzY5tOcwSk4069tJ2Al46VEdQ/s320/SANY0797.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><p><strong>Samuel the Scarecrow</strong></p><p>There once was a scarecrow named Samuel that scared all the crows away. He loved his job! He really liked living in the farmyard. His friends lived in the other yard and Samuel really wanted to play with them but they were stuck in the ground and couldn't move. At night when everyone was asleep all the scarecrows would get off their poles and go play. The End!</p><p>Written by Gabe & Noah Conrad 10/22/08.</p>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-82275647705167248422008-10-16T20:58:00.015-04:002008-10-16T22:16:22.569-04:00For NOAH!I thought in honor of Noah turning FOUR years old this week; I'd take the time to blog about NOAH! Here's a picture of him on his Birthday (10/14/08) helping me frost the cupcakes...well...actually eating the frosting. It's the best part!<br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257922303226459522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLOkPxj6n4HEYkJuK-daFvepVMLzYcC6uA-Y2XB-C74Jx81eFUkP112XnEs5dUQF86o2hxL1GQtQ5NIoyIS43KUn8D6hpo20iumniMVNm159hHzMJ6nfFK6d0_8b6Zh6LUWuqtg/s320/SANY0774.JPG" border="0" /> <div><br />I don't know where the time has gone. Just seems like yesterday he was born and now he's FOUR! Well, I am really blessed & thankful for my Noah! He is so very entertaining! You never know what will come<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKyJGdGC5Z7BNK-mlBPA8602noPvn4z8rBPDh77KOUKmlUPit3kFqDO4wMbj1e2IOxfi9oH9D1xohLCOsedXc5_VaiYamogg8kx692cw1RIqp4oW1KkvRLMNgazPinpaqVte9/s1600-h/SANY0763.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257938684291814706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKyJGdGC5Z7BNK-mlBPA8602noPvn4z8rBPDh77KOUKmlUPit3kFqDO4wMbj1e2IOxfi9oH9D1xohLCOsedXc5_VaiYamogg8kx692cw1RIqp4oW1KkvRLMNgazPinpaqVte9/s320/SANY0763.JPG" border="0" /></a> out of his mouth! You know the kid...that waits for the worst time EVER to tell your friends..."My mommy farted in the car!" You jokingly say...that Noah will say anything...hoping they believe you! The past few weeks, he's been on a soccer team. I wouldn't say Noah plays soccer because he doesn't. Maybe for a minute or two and then decides it's a lot of work to run and he is done! It's been very entertaining to watch 3-4 year olds play soccer and to think that kids that age can get it! Well, not Noah, but it's sure been fun trying to figure out ways to get him to play for a few seconds. He's coming around with two games left! HA! Sports just may not be his thing but it's been entertaining!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Noah is also a very hands on child. He thought he would finger paint on the computer, keyboard & printer with TOOTHPASTE. Also, after applying red lipstick to his cheeks and fingers thought my carpet would look better RED than tan...he rubbed his fingers in the carpet.(Red was not his color) Another time after watching Mommy clean out the tub he decided the carpet was dirty and had a blast making designs with Soft Scrub in the carpet. (Daddy was called home with this incident!) My favorite is when he was almost 2 years old...we had blue sand in the sandbox outside and Noah decided his diaper was wet and took it off. He was only wearing the diaper and a cowboy scarf so when he took off the diaper...he was naked with except the red scarf & blue sand all over his body! It's the funniest picture! Obviously won't post that one! Oh, sweet Noah! You are such a little explorer!<br /></div><div><br /><div>There is also such a wonderful sweet side to him. He constantly follows me around the house with his Thomas sleeping bag and Farmyard Tales book(by USBOURNE...great book!) asking me to read to him. (He says it's MY favorite book...but it's really his!) He likes to sit right beside you (well actually it's on top of you) and read books! I love his laid back personality! He is very easy going and sweet natured. He loves to help! He likes to unload the silverware from the dishwasher and when I go to the grocery store...he's the first out the door telling me he'll help bring them inside! So it's been 4 years since God blessed us with this ball of energy and I am so thankful! There is never a dull moment with him and I look forward to all the other entertaining things ahead! (I am a little nervous & scared though!) My little pumpkin, I love you very much! </div><br /><div> </div></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-73966532515809519032008-10-04T20:59:00.004-04:002008-10-04T21:31:41.586-04:00Warning...Warning...So just want to inform you to NOT, I repeat NOT go the Southeastern Urology! As most of you know, I had a bladder sling and hysterectomy in July. While in the hospital, I was never seen by the urologist (Dr. Tran). I am only informed by my OB/GYN that he actually did perform the procedure. I had issues from him not visiting me in the hospital such as the nurses trying to send me home for the weekend with a cathetor and Jonathan & I calling the on-call urologist to get it removed. Next, he failed to send me home with antibiotics so of course two weeks post partum...I end up with the WORST EVER urinary tract infection. During those two weeks however I had called the office several times asking if I should have been given the antibiotics and the staff would never return my call. I called three times! Finally leave a message one night for the on-call urologist and he tells me to come in first thing in the morning that sounds like I do have an infection. UGH! I go to the office for the infection (with all three boys & have to WAIT forever) and get sent home finally with medicine and told to come back in a month. So...a month goes by and I am still having a little burning and getting up several times at night to go to the bathroom. I ask about that and am told that I still have white cells in my urine which could explain that but that Dr. Tran would like to run a culture and make sure. I am told that if I don't get a call in two days to please call his office. So, I leave the office without antibiotics and await a call. Two days later, I call! Two messages later I get a call back that the culture isn't back yet. Life goes on and I forget...I remember on Thursday of the next week, so I call and leave a message. Friday, I call and leave a message! Monday...I'm very annoyed! I beg the receptionist to help me find out the results. It's been almost 2 weeks and still no answer. She apologizes and leaves an email for Dr. Tran's nurse (apparantly she checks the email faster). Still no return call. I call again on Tuesday, TWO WEEKS LATER!!!! I get the same receptionist and she promises me she will get "Jennifer" on the phone. She does and I am told that she tried to call me at my home number twice. WHAT!? I haven't had that number in three years! Every time I have been in the office I have been given a sheet to look over and every time everything has been correct. Besides that the 10 times I have left messages I would tell her my correct phone number to call me back. The one time she returned my call it was on my cell. I told her that there is no excuse! She then proceeds to tell me that the culture did grow THREE organisms but she couldn't tell me if indeed I had an infection or not. Whatever antibiotic Dr. Tran gave me on 9/16 probably had taken care of it! WHAT!?! At this time, I am about to lose my short temper! I inform her I was not given any medicine and the symptoms were now worse. All she could tell me is that I would have to come back in and give them another urine sample so they could run another culture! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I simply tell her no thank you and hang up! I am not about to wait another two weeks!<br /><br />I then make an appointment with my primary care physician for the next morning. He listens and tells me if there is still white cells in my urine I probably still have the infection and will prescribe me an antibiotic. He will then run a culture and if I need a different antibiotic, he will call me one in! I did still have white cells in my urine and am currently on CIPRO. <br /><br />So all this venting to say...don't go to that office! Please also pray this infection finally goes away. It hasn't gotten better yet and I been on the Rx a few days so we'll see!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-36369952148027859952008-10-02T22:19:00.002-04:002008-10-02T22:37:29.536-04:00New Decorations?<div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">The other night I asked Gabe & Noah to get ready for a bath while I put Joel to bed. I was walking back from Joel's room and heard lots and lots of laughter coming from the bathroom. I get in there to see both boys, NAKED and hanging from the towel racks. Noah was on the towel rack on the wall and Gabe was right beside him hanging from the one in the shower. I couldn't help myself so I just stood there and laughed. Gabe's response was, "Mom, we're wall decorations!" I did run and get my cell phone to take a picture however I can't post due to nudity! HA! So if you need new wall decorations, just hang your kids on things....just be sure they are dressed.</span></div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-70958488629109784892008-09-18T21:01:00.002-04:002008-09-18T21:27:33.989-04:00These are the days of my life...So it always seems that when Jonathan is out of town...things happen to make me go nuts. This week has been no exception.<br />Jonathan left Sunday to fly to California for the week. Monday afternoon I am informed that our check (which should have been deposited at 12:01am) had not been deposited. WHAT?!? I spent money thinking it had been electronically deposited like it always is and well...it wasn't. The company Gina uses deleted our payroll and we were not going to be paid until Wednesday. Needless to say it's been a nightmare. The bank was kind enough to delete half the charges and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hallams</span> are paying the other ones since it wasn't our fault but what a mess it's been! We ended up with 6 $35 overdraft charges! Wow does that add up!<br /><br />Tuesday...I go to my follow up appointment at the Urologist to find out the reason I am still going to the bathroom a lot is b/c I may still have an infection. He ordered a culture because my white cell count was still high. Should know tomorrow if I will be put on antibiotics again or not. FUN! The other fun thing that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">happened</span> was after getting the boys out of the bath, I walk into the kitchen to find bubbles all over the kitchen floor....the dishwasher was overflowing! UGH!!!<br /><br />Wednesday...Besides starting to get a cold the day seems pretty normal. I go to MOPS at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Killearn</span> Methodist and then we all go to the boys soccer practices. It was 3am when I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">awakened</span> to some odd noises coming from Joel's room. He had thrown up all over his crib and had to have a bath. When I finally get back to bed after cleaning up everything...I turned my head just right and pulled my neck. OUCH! Which brings us to Thursday...<br /><br />Thursday...I normally drive Gabe to school (just the two of us) and I wait on the playground for the bell to ring and then he gives me a hug and goes to his class. Well b/c Jonathan is gone...everyone has to go which is a little stressful. This means everyone has to get dressed and have eaten before we leave. However since Joel had thrown up...I didn't want him around all the kids so we had to drop Gabe off (which he wasn't very happy about). We then get to spend over an hour at the pediatrician's for Joel's well visit. He gets two shots along with not feeling well and pretty much sleeps the rest of the day. Typical Thursday we host a small group at our house but since Joel was sick...we had to cancel so...I had to call everyone to let them know we wouldn't be having it. <br /><br />Thank goodness my boys have been great this week and for chocolate! HA! I am quite thankful that Jonathan will be home in a few hours and I can finally rest! WHEW! Being a Mommy sure is fun!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10051063164263951090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29478079.post-62449212650911595812008-09-10T22:11:00.002-04:002008-09-10T22:32:46.300-04:00Classic NoahNoah has a great personality. He's just a funny guy and always has something up his sleeve. The other day he was at church with a babysitter while Kelly was in a meeting. He asked the babysitter if they could go outside. She was new and had Joel and another little guy named Gavin. So, she explained that she didn't feel comfortable with that and that it was best to just stay inside for now. A few minutes later he took his compass over to her and started showing it off, etc. He then said, “do you see my compass?” and she said she did. He pushed it closer to her face and asked if she knew what it said. She said she had no idea, but he could tell her, so he immediately responded with a witty “it says YOU SHOULD TO TAKE ME OUTSIDE!” She busted out laughing, which of course meant that he continued to come to her with a different approach to the same problem. Classic.Jonathan Conradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12117444596154231042noreply@blogger.com1