New Addition to Our Family

Just to set the facts straight, it's not a baby, but a puppy! We found an ad, made the call, and found that the owner only lived about 20 minutes from us so we thought (or maybe I thought...) that the least we could do was take a drive and meet the little guys. Of the 11 puppy litter, 10 pups made it. We had 2 males and 5 females left to choose from (some were already taken home or spoken for). We decided to focus on the 2 males and I think that helped to make our choice a little easier! We went with the laid back, really fluffy, hefty fella. We'll pick him up in about 2 weeks, allowing us time to get the supplies we need and make sure we've got a home ready for him. Introducing, our new golden retriever, name TBA...SiblingsMom and Dad

Timber!!!

It has been a quick, productive morning on our acreage! D's parents and brother came with their tractor and chain saw to take down a couple dead trees in our grove as well as trim up a few with low hanging branches. They helped to make things so easy! Darin and Dad even helped to fix a few electrical things in the house. Thanks, you guys for a fun, yet productive, morning!

AVP Tour Comes to Town

The AVP Tour came to town this weekend. The main highlight was seeing "The Professor" Todd Rogers, 2008 Olympic gold medalist. Nicole Branagh, 2008 Olympian was also competing. Justin and I were trying to pick up some moves for our potential 2-man volleyball team this summer. Maybe our best hope is to get one of these players to sub for us every week! Oh the taste of summer was sweet!The women in tournament play.
A fun game of coed four on four.
Todd Rogers

Todd Rogers and Stein Metzger

Rogers and D!

The court transformed

Below is video of Rogers warming up.

Thinking Spring

It is a bit on the cold side out there today (we're only under another wind chill advisory!) so I've decided to keep positive thoughts by thinking spring! My parents received a flier in the mail from their local conservation office detailing a 2009 tree sales program. Our acreage already has a fantastic wind break, but I'm interested in some more trees, bushes and the like for some creativity and color. I've been online searching the various trees for sale to get a good look at their foliage and soil needs. I've narrowed down what I like, have drawn a map of the backyard, and am now trying to figure out a layout. Very exciting to look in the drifted backyard and picture green grass and new trees! Join me in thinking green today...

Praying for the Triplets

We received word over the weekend that one of Justin's college teammates and his wife, welcomed identical triplet girls into the world. The girls came 12 weeks early, mom had been on bedrest since Thanksgiving, and all the girls are having lung problems. Please help us in praying for Amelia, Grace and Madelyn.

Your Best Life Now

I'm (D) currently reading a book by Joel Osteen titled, "Your Best Life Now." Recently, I finished chapter 4 where Joel talked about breaking the barriers of the past and specifically "strongholds." As he explains, "You will never go beyond the barriers in your own mind. If you think you can't do something, then you never will. The battle is in your mind. If you are defeated in your mind, you've already lost the battle. If you don't think your dreams will ever come to pass, they never will. If you don't think you have what it takes to rise up and set that new standard, it's not going to happen. The barrier is in your mind." Joel goes on to explain that God desires for us to have joy, peace and happiness, but we also must do our part to start expecting good things. Essentially, if we change our thinking, God can change our life.

Further, "God is just. He knows when people aren't treating us right. He knows when we're doing the right thing, yet the wrong thing keeps happening to us...God sees every time you've been taken advantage of."

This chapter really struck me as I started to acknowledge the strongholds I have in my own life. I can have "stinkin' thinkin" and dwell on things of the past or worry about things I have no control over. It is my desire to change my thinking and instead, expect great things to come; to expect great things of God.

What are your strongholds?

Pesky Squirrel

We have enjoyed watching a variety of birds come to the feeder just outside our living room window this winter (yes, we again acknowledge that we are 60 year olds trapped in 30 something bodies!). What we haven't enjoyed is a pesky squirrel or two who find a way to get on the feeder and eat all the feed! Case in point, the above video. Justin has already cut down numerous branches but to no avail, the squirrels keep flying and skying. D has already placed the request to relocate the feeder this spring as the ground thaws. I think it will only be good for her blood pressure...

Sunday Sledding

A fun Sunday afternoon of sledding today with D's family.

Praying for Jon

Justin's high school classmate and good friend, Jon Schroeder, has been in the hospital since before Christmas. He's been diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The doctors have made it clear that it is very serious and potentially life threatening. We have been praying daily for Jon and his family, pictured above. Please join our prayer chain. For more information about Jon, he has a carepage.

New Addition

A new addition to my extended family...my brother's puppy...Ruger (pronounced "Rooo-grrrr").

Winter Photo Fun

We've enjoyed snapping a few more photos outside this winter. Enjoy! We finally caught a blue jay on our bird feeder outside! Also, D's dad made each of the kids a birdhouse for Christmas that will now entail a little friendly competition. He said that whoever can get the first photo of a wren on the house will get a $25 gift certificate to the restaurant of their choice. Being in the country, we think our odds are good it could be us! Let the competition begin!
Before we could begin holiday travel, Justin had to clear the way so we could get our "sleigh" through! Here he is on his toy!

The beauty of the ice on our fencing at the bottom of the driveway.

We've been attempting getting that "perfect shot" for our 2008 Christmas photo ornament. Our goal is to have our house in the background to remember our first Christmas in the house. Here are our attempts! Let us know your favorite! Number one is above followed by 2, 3, and 4. As you'll see, the house is not well seen in all, and my hair looks actually good in one...but you can't see the darn house! Shoot!

Christmas 2008 in IA

We started our Christmas travels to D's parents. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning there. For Christmas lunch, we were at a cousin's home. D enjoyed snowmobiling with her brother, Darin, as well as the traditional Christmas Eve hot dog roast in the fireplace.Posing for a Christmas photo.
Siblings Dana, Darin and Deedra. Sister noted that the star was over the "angel." HA!

Mom and Dad pose for a photo of their own.

Christmas Eve coloring with the kids...where did those kids go anyway?

Kiddos on Christmas morning.

Christmas 2008 in MN

We enjoyed the weekend in MN with Justin's family. Our traditional family photos are below. Howard and Linda
Justin and Deeds

Todd and Alyssa

Nate and Cori Ann Eric and Ang Baby Ty with Dad. Our nephews got these helmets for a gift. Justin and his brother, Nate, enjoyed playing with them just as much. None of us were fortunate enough to catch a photo of them together, but here's Justin clowning around!More playtime...Justin was trapped in a tent with nephews Jordan, Brady and Cody. Cousins together Cousins in their PJs