Give me a F...give me a L...give me a U...what does that spell?

Yep. Influenza struke our entire household this past week. Aches, chills, fevers of 103 was common among us all. We are finally starting to feel better-if you call having a harsh cough better. It literally took us like 6 days to get over this nasty flu.

But now we are ready to roll again. School is back in session & housework is being done. Fun, fun fun!

While we were all sick we celebrated Isabelle's 5th birthday on Feb. 26th!

Amazing!

It seems like just yesterday that she was born.

She has made our lives such joy since she's been a part of our family. She adds a lot of humor & laughs into our everday routines. She really knows how to make you smile just when you need it. I love how Isabelle crawls into bed with me on Saturdays & gets really, really close to my face & says"Goodmorning beautiful mommy"

And her bright smile just lights you up inside!

Isabelle has such a gentle kindness to her. She always notices when someone is in need. And she will immediatly fill whatever need at any moment!

She is learning everyday & growing up before my eyes.

The other day we were looking at the "Isabelle book"(the scrapbook I made her of her life so far)and it was such fun to watch her expressions as we turned the pages. She has been a blessing from God since day one & I can't wait to see what God is going to do in this amazing girl's life!

Happy Birthday my sweet Isabelle!

I landed some more commercial spots. It's funny how things happen when your not really looking. I stopped looking for opportunities & they keep coming to me. Thank you Lord. And the best part is they are paying jobs. I have an opportunity to work with a web company that is starting to market companies websites. They are making commercials to add to their websites to help promote them better so that people can physically see what they do. Not Hollywood, but great for my resume & learning about the filming industry.
My first commercial I'm playing a boss(kind of like Lumburgh from Office Space-except female) mmmmm-k?
That will be fun.
I then have another commercial where David is also going to be in it...we are playing a married couple who is leaving their dog with a doggie day care type place while they are on vacation...we actually get to work with a dog & trainer for this shoot. Even more fun...a doggie & my hubby!

We have some more lined up that I'm not sure of yet...I'll post some pics if I can get my hand on some while we shoot...
Have a nice day-mmmmmm-k?

After a long couple of weeks, I'm ready to get back in the saddle. Both of my girls ended up having strep throat (at different times), and when they did they both felt horrible. They only laid around wanting someone to snuggle them. I was blessed to be the one who comforted them since I am able to stay home. I didnt get much done...well, actually nothing got done. But that is all part of the mommy job. You love, you comfort, you put things aside for your kids. Sometimes it is difficult to remember to not worry about what the house looks like but after you see the sweet little faces beaming up at you...you just don't care about anything else but them.

I love being a mom. I love snuggling in bed on Saturday mornings watching cartoons (well, they watch cartoons I just snuggle & get some extra sleep). :) I love hearing them call me "momma" still. I love seeing their eyes light up when I am away from them & we return together (even if I'm only gone for an hour). I love the deep conversations that we have. I love the crazy playtime of tickling, wrestling & pretending that we are characters from another world. I love dancing around the kitchen shaking our "toushes" .

At moments I wonder how I'm going to get through the day with all the chaos. Some days are just crazy. Lots of tears, lots of disagreements. Little girls argue over some crazy things. But thankfully my God somehow gets me through. Each day. And each day I thank Him for my life. The good & the bad times.

We are about to embark on a new chapter of our lives.
The girls will be going to school next year. And I will be going back into the "working" world.
I am excited yet in another breathe somewhat scared & sad. It has been almost 8 years since I left my job. I loved being at home with my girls. But I am excited to see what God brings my way. My resume' is already out there. I want God to lead on this one.
I had an opportunity at my old work place but it would have required me to start working now. Abby would have had to go "into" a school in the middle of her first grade year, and I would have had to find somewhere for Isabelle to go. I interviewed for the postition & I really wanted my old job back but I did not get it. In a way, I'm relieved. I was frantic. I did not want the girls lives to be turned upside down mid-year. Again, God took care of that. I know He has the perfect thing out there for me, in His time.

still waiting

I'm still waiting to hear how things are going to turn out...I'll post more when I find out. In the meantime, I've been spending a lot of time giving things to God. He is in control...no matter what happens. Even if NOTHING happens, He knows what He's doing. He may just be wanting me to focus on Him more, to give up the steering wheel & let Him drive. He may just be opening my eyes to other opportunities, things I may not have thought of before.

I don't know. And that's okay. He knows & that is all that matters. By the way, my twitching eye has stopped (the minute I stopped worrying-was the minute it stopped) :)

Thank you Lord for your timing & not my own.

forgetting to breathe

I am forgetting to breathe. I need to take a big, deep breath & I just can't seem to. My mind is filled with the static of some life changes & I'm actually forgetting to breathe. I am not normally an anxious person. Actually not at all, I just don't worry about a lot. I tend to find the good out of every circumstance. I drive David crazy with that. But I'm feeling a bit anxious these days...I actually have a twitching eyelid because of this-it just won't stop. Some things came up that we didnt expect until around the fall. So we need to make some decisions a little early. Don't get me wrong, we DO feel this is God's hands...but wow, we didnt think our prayers would be answered soooo quickly! Over the next couple of weeks things around here will be changing dramatically...I need to find peace in my Lord once again & know that He is in control...(breathe in breathe out)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....there it is....

New Year

As I reflect on the year 2007 I think of utter craziness & utter JOY...the sell of our home, building our new home, moving my in-laws into our home, finishing the basement until they could move into THEIR new home, in-laws in a serious car accident, dealing with 2 new puppies that were very sick, sending the sick puppies back, getting a new HEALTHY puppy, Abby starting 1st grade, teaching Isabelle this year(pre-K), David's work craziness, screenplay ideas, commercial shoots, Abby dealing with 'true love', Abby learning the hard way about her role models making poor decisions, sharing with a young couple thru couple mentorship about marriage & life, loss of friendship, friendships being restored, forgiveness, God providing during hard times, God revealing himself in moments of feeling alone, planting grass, landscaping in-laws yard, welcoming old friends back to Ohio, helping the same friends flip their house, ideas, ideas & more ideas that God is giving us...I could go on & on!

Thank you God for another year of your faithfulness, help us to become more faithful to you this coming year. We will trust in you & we will strive to be joyful in ALL circumstances whatever 2008 brings!

Winter Fun

What a wonderful Christmas it was...being with friends, family & just plain doing nothing. We have really slowed down since last year & I love it! This year for Christmas we tried to focus more on the reason we celebrate rather than the world's view of Christmas. We took time to ponder Christ & His birth...every morning of Christmas we tell or act out the Christmas story(which of course the girls love doing). A friend of ours told us how she only gives her kids 3 gifts(afterall that is all Jesus got-right?) So we took on this new way of thinking, which limited our spending also. What freedom that gives when you know your limitations...

Here are some photos of us enjoying our time as a family during our snowy days...

Hope you have a wonderful beginning to your new year!

Friends for over 23 years!!!

Yikes that makes me really old! I just spent an evening with my friend Margaret & her family & we had such a blast! Margaret & I have been friends since I was in 4th grade & she was in 5th...it seems like just yesterday that we both were walking down our Christian school hallway wearing our uniforms & dorky glasses to match! We became instant friends the moment we met. This past saturday night we reminisced about life over the last 23 years & well, we laughed...and laughed, and laughed. (that's about all we do when we're together). So here's a picture of Marge & me! (Then & Now-can you tell which one I am in the pyramid?)

I love ya Marge! Thanks for hanging out! It was nice to catch up & laugh about our time together over the years...

Dream Big

I had to post this because Isabelle just looks too darn cute not to...in this picture she worked really, really hard to make a pillow tower to reach the ceiling...about 2 years ago I took a picture of Abby doing the same thing! That picture is in my scrapbook right now & below it reads " Expose yourself to the possibility of doing something remarkable!"

That sums up my two amazing daughters...they are both always trying to figure things out & doing pretty remarkable things along the way...in my eyes, making a huge pillow tower is pretty cool!!!!! Sitting on top without falling is pretty remarkable too! I like that they both dream big! As kids nothing holds them back, nothing! I want my life to reflect that...right now I'd say things like"yeah, but it might fall" but why not say" yeah, but it could stay up "

Dream big!!! Why not? What have I got to lose?

I know that I keep quoting Erwin McManus in his book "Soul Cravings" but listen to what he says here...

"We were created to strive for progress and to pursue it with passion. It is God who designed us this way. He made us creative, and he makes us responsible. "

We are the ones who have to ACT on the creative juices He gives us...we have to build the baseball field so that "they will come", we have to put together a "pillow tower" to reach the ceiling...why not? Yes it might fall, but why not try...dream big!

Late Anniversary Post

I've been waiting to put my pictures on my computer so that I can post about our 13th Anniversary vacation...so here they are!

We traveled to the Erie Islands back in October to get some R & R and to have a little fun with the girls.

It was almost 90 degrees the entire 4 days that we were there...beautiful weather & wonderful family time together. We sailed on a boat, Abby got to surf at Kalahari, we met pirates, stole buried treasure, took nature walks, discovered a deserted beach & walked thru underground caves...Kelly's Island, Put-in-Bay are Cleveland's lost hot vacation spots...I'd recommend anyone spend time up there! What a beautiful place!

I can't believe it has been 13 years already since David & I said "I Do". What joy it has been to call myself his wife. We have grown alot together(especially since I've known him since I was in 2nd grade & he was in 5th grade)we've grown not only as individuals but as a couple as well. I never realized that I would love him more & more with each coming year! I never thought it was possible to love him more than I already did! David is an amazing husband, father, son & friend...he loves soooo good on people! He gives his all to others. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers many years ago by giving me this Godly man...I adore him & I'm thankful for being able to stand beside him...thru the good times & the hard times...I look forward to many, many, many more times to come!

Role Models?

Last night we had a special HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL birthday party for Abby & her friends...we had about 8 kids & 8 adults over & just had a blast! The kids had a little talent show & sang to all the songs & did a show for the parents...we had a few HSM trivia games...we put play microphones, starburts & HSM stickers in the kids goodie bags...what a fun party! Abby & Isabelle had a great time!

This morning after breakfast, I noticed David & Abby were suddenly missing from our morning playtime...they had closed the door of the school room & were talking-Daddy & daughter...I had no idea about what...until they called me in. David was practically in tears...

They then shared with me that one of Abby's friends who was at her party told her about Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella from HSM)...I'm sure you all heard about her taking her clothes off & taking some photos of herself that ended up all over the internet...well, Abby's friend told her that it wasnt true & of course Abby wanted to know if it was true...so David told her that the rumor was true. Abby apparently began to weep. She loves Vanessa, she thinks she is so talented. She is supposed to be a role model...

We have all made mistakes, I know I have..too many to count. But if only the celeb's realized that people look up to them. Abby didnt end the conversation there...she decided to write Vanessa an e-mail. After I read it I then realized why David was almost in tears. It was heartwarming. She told Vanessa that she was sad about what happened & told her that she was beautifully & wonderfully made & that God loved her & that she would be praying for her...

Amazing...she was still not finished...she then printed off some HSM pictures & wrote on them "Remember to pray for Vanessa & the rest of the HSM cast"
She put the picture up in her room so that she'll remember to pray for them!
What an example...
...my daughter is "reaching Hollywood" right where she is at...
Beautiful.

Abby's 7th Birthday!

Where has 7 years gone? I remember the day that Abby came into this world(what mom wouldnt right?). She wanted to come about 3 weeks earlier but the doctor wouldnt let her-but she still decided to come 3 weeks before her actual due date. That's my girl! Abby is on her own agenda! She has a mind of her own. She wanted to get started on her life! Things to do!

We always knew (somehow)that one day we'd have a baby girl. While David & I were dating we would always talk about naming her Abigail...we didnt know why-we just knew.

Then when the doctor forgot to announce what we actually had...David so gently whispered in my ear "Ang, it's Abigail Rose-we have our baby girl"

My heart leaped! What a beautiful baby(even though she had a slight cone head due to the sucction they had to use to get her out) :)

Now 7 years later I look back & see how God is beginning to grow her into this incredible girl. Everyday I think "wow"...I know that she is going to do amazing things in her life. When we sit & read the Bible together daily, Abby challenges me, she asks questions that I would never even think to ask about God. She wants to learn, she wants to do His will, she desires to love Him.

We went through a few weeks of her not saying "I love you" to either of us(not even David)...we would say it to her everyday & wonder why she wouldnt respond...we prayed, we questioned...is she confused about love? Abby is very deep. During our times of prayer about this we realized that Love is an important word. You shouldnt just say "I love chocolate" ...yes, I REALLY like chocolate, but how can I put "I love you" and "I love chocolate" together? They mean two different things...Erwin McManus talks about this in his book "Soul Cravings"...get this book-it's a great read...so we asked God to calm our worries...to let us just LOVE her regardless if we heard it back or not...we patiently waited, loved, kept telling her that we loved her...and then she asked "how do I know if I really love someone?"

Woooo, her deep mind took her to a place, where if she wasnt sure about love then she didnt want to say it...she didnt want to just say it and wonder if she really meant it.

Well, one would normally be concerned about this...but God reminded David & I both that one day, we don't want her to just say "I love you" to anyone...yes, she is commanded to "love everyone" but to give her heart fully to express "love" is slightly different. I want Abby to carefully think about who she loves...who she one day will give herself to (future husband).

It's beautiful actually...I then started to enjoy her "time of searching"...we didnt push her, we just loved & waited...

Last night for the first time in a long time, Abby said" I love you mom & dad"...David & I both melted. I know that love is not about "hearing the words back" and getting your fill from someone, but wow did it feel good to hear her say it. And I could see in her eyes that she truly meant it-it wasnt just a response...it was from her heart.

Thank you God for my beautiful, amazing Abigail! She teaches me everyday...

Happy Birthday Abby!

Will post soon

I've been really busy with...well, lots of things, so I will post later. I have a lot of pictures to share of our little vacation away last week...and I'll let you know about an audition that I'm going to later tonight...fun, fun, fun!!! Chao.

A little time away

Last weekend I spent driving alone out to Columbus to visit a friend who moved out there. The entire trip I sang my heart out...!!!!!She invited me to spend the weekend with her & a few other friends of hers to just hang out, shop, go the the salon & have fun! We spent the entire day Saturday shopping-uninterrupted-literally ALL day! I don't think I have ever done that! But being on a budget I didnt spend very much money-the other girls spent around $200-$300 each....wooooo! Then we headed to a salon where they all got massages & I decided on a new haircut! What fun to not be in a hurry-to just chill. I read a magazine, I ate slowly, I walked slowly thru the mall...I took my time. We tried on hair extensions(wow, that was so much fun), we got free makeovers & just had fun!
After we shopped till we dropped we finally got to dinner-at 10:00pm! We had an amazing yummy dinner at a restaurant called Mimmy's.

Then the next morning-I slept in to almost 9:30am!!!!!Ahhh, it was nice to not have to rush, get up, take the dog out, make breakfast...etc...I slowly got out of bed, took my time in the shower, ate breakfast & enjoyed conversation with the other girls.

Everytime my friend & I get together she asks a lot of questions about God. We always get into deep conversations because she is really searching. She takes her kids to Catholic church but does not believe all that they do. So we all just sat around & talked about God over cinnamon rolls & coffee.
Thank you Lord for a wondeful weekend of relaxing & sharing a little about you...

No writers block here!

Ahhhh, my mind won't stop! I have so many things up there that I don't know what to do with them all. Yes, I have a writer's pad that I jot my ideas in, but then what? Where do they go from there? God is sure teaching me patience as I see opportunities coming my way...it seems like everywhere I turn, more & more doors keep opening. It's just that I don't know what do to after they open...I'm an ideas girl, not an admin girl...I think up ideas....then I sit on them...forever! I'm praying for someone to come into my life that can help me make up a plan. My friend Joy, who is also an ideas girl, just so happens to be an admin girl too(wish I had both gifts) but she is so graciously helping me with one of my projects. My book, which I wrote 3years ago, is finally moving forward. Joy has made up a timeline for me to focus on-a goal! She is also helping me to write some"pop ups" that will appear throughout my book. I am so excited about her doing this-she is funny, intelligent & brings such a different feeling to my words.

I'm also working on several other ideas that I truly believe God has inspired. He is working on David too because he is starting to get creativly involved in the ideas & dreams...!

It's scarey sometimes when you don' t have a clue to what God is doing. But on another note, it's awesome! So many times, I've watched Him take me to new places & I was fearful, but He is always good, He always has a better plan. Even the hard times take me in places I'd never venture to.
God, thanks for opening up these doors. I can already see your hand working...use me for your glory. Wherever you lead, we will follow.

My Sweet Isabelle

I havent bragged on my girls lately & I think today is a great day to do that! Abby started school about 2 weeks ago(1st grade already)and of course I am homeschooling again...we have double the hours this year & a lot of great classes...science, art, music are some of our new ones this year. I love working in our new homeschool room! It has been a little hard motivating her to do math, but wow...she loves science & history-which are both classes I hated in school! I want to focus on what she loves. We, of course are going to learn math(because she HAS to)but I can see a real passion for the others.

She wants to be a detective when she grows up, and I believe that she would make a great detective! So, we went to the library to find some detective books & mysteries. (if that's how you spell it-I never said I was smart-hee hee-in fact, I'm re-learning right along with Abby) She really loves to help "solve" them as we read!

Isabelle is not quite 5 yet so she missed being able to go to kindergarten this year, but she sits in on most of Abby's classes, and I have a special workbook just for her. She really loves learning how to write her letters! And she learned how to make patterns, she is quite the organizer so she really enjoyed that!

Both girls started gymnastics this week-we are trying it again to see which activity to choose. I don't want to be one of those mom's whose kids are involved in EVERYTHING! I don't think it is healthy. I want them to experience everything, but just not at the same time. So, we decided on one at a time. They both are really enjoying it so far!

The other night I was putting Isabelle to bed-we go thru this little ritual everynight-brush teeth, potty, stories, songs, we dance together...then we snuggle! As I was giving her a kiss goodnight, she puts her nose right up to my nose & says "mom, your the greatest mom EVER"

then another big hug & smooch!

Ahhhh, my heart. She had made my hectic, crazy day worth it all...

My sweet Isabelle.

Eyes still wide open

It's amazing the things that God throws your way when you have your eyes wide open...last weekend David & I were on a date...we wanted to see the movie "Transformers" and it was only playing in a theater out in Valley View(which is not any where close to us)but we went knowing that the movie would be leaving the theaters soon...we drove out there & when we walked in we were greeted by one of David's clients. She has a non-profit organization that helps people with cancer. Her mother recently died of cancer. She was there not about her organization but about herself. She needs to raise a lot of money for an upcoming surgery that she HAS to have to save her life-she found out that she has some major heart problems(I don't know the medical terms for it). She not only asked for prayer but she said that she needs help to fix her house to make it "live in care" ready(she'll need someone to care for her during this time)she said she needed to build some sort of shed to house her extra boxes to clear out a spare bedroom....praise God, our church just started a program that reaches out to those in need. I suggested Mosaic(our church)to come & build what she is in need of! She was blown away! I plan on organizing this project this week with Mosaic...

Then another woman greeted us asking if we were interested in doing a Moviegoer focus group...what in the world? We were interested since the movie world is our thing...she told us to come to this office in a few days, watch some previews, talk about them, critique them & we'll each make $100!!!!!Okay, was there a catch? Nope. We went, since we love critiquing movies & commercials...and we had a blast! They filmed us as we talked to show to the movie producers & such...not only was it fun, but we had a chance to share some cool God stuff about why the movie idea was either good or bad. Who knows who will be watching it & what God will do with our words...We both were very open about our comments & felt like God had led us there...plus, we each earned some Ben Franklins!!!!! What fun! Thank you God for yet another cool, fun opportunity!

Awesome Night

I just wanted to share what an awesome night I had tonight! We are involved with our small group from our church Mosaic & during the summer we've been meeting just for cookout & hang out time(not really bible study). We encourage everyone that hosts a cookout to invite their neighbors...well, it was our turn to host this month & I totally forgot to invite my neighbors...

Last night as David & I were taking our pup out I noticed a neighbor just getting home-I basically ran to their house(barefeet & all) and rang the doorbell...after I invited them, she actually hugged me & thanked me for the invite! Then as I walked home(barefoot)I noticed my zipper was down....haa haaa...I must have looked like a dork! But then I walked across the street & invited 2 more sets of neighbors....after I zipped up my zipper of course.

Well, let me just say how good God is....all of them came tonight!!!!!!!Everyone! Usually when you invite 3 people you'll get maybe 1(if your lucky) but we invited 6 and got 6!!!!!God is good!

We had a house full (about 16 people plus 10 kids) & I was just praying that we'd have enough food-and of course we did! It reminds me of the fish & the bread story in the bible.

I got a chance to connect with a neighbor who just had a stroke(about 3 months ago) and she is unable to speak really well. She understands everything but she can't always remember the words to say...I wrapped my arms around her & tried my best to make her feel comfortable(I can't imagine what that must feel like-to suddenly not be able to talk)
the other neighbor ladies & I discovered that we all love to scrapbook so we are planning a ladies get together in the next couple of weeks...

Man, God is good! I almost didnt run to my neighbors...I remember looking at David saying" It's too late, they arent going to be able to come-it's tomorrow"
But they came! Thank you God for being bigger than I am! I'd like to think that I'll continue to keep my eyes wide open to your prodding...zipper down & all! Hee hee....

Our summer in a nut shell

Here are some photos to enjoy of some of the things that we did this summer! As school approahces I am reminded that summer is almost over :(

Some of our favorite memories are:

Kalahari

Kirkland Farm

Swimming with friends

Picnics

Hikes

Reese(our new pup)

Idlewild

Camping

Stan Hywet(the butterfly conservatory was amazing)

Soccer with Mosaic

and just plain doing nothing...being together!

Windstream commercial pics

Finally, here are some photos of David & I shooting the commercial...the guys we are with are the directors. They were awesome, down to earth guys that really made sure that we were ok...every half hour or so, they'd poke their heads into the trailer and say"you guys okay, do you need anything?" They took such good care of us. We are still in contact with them & are hoping to do more work for them in the future.

The hours that we waited for our time to be on set gave us opportunities to chat with the other actors & crew members. Its amazing the work that goes in behind the scenes to stuff like this...you work hard, then you wait a lot! And eat!

I loved watching behind the camera-it was incredible to see how the commercial will actually look from just seeing it in person. In the back sat the sound crew & the Windstream clients with head sets on to make sure they were getting everything they wanted from the shoot.

Being that we were the last ones on set with the crew it gave us even more opportunities to get to know them & how things are done. I asked a lot of questions & just watched. I love this stuff!

It made me want to pursue this dream even more!

So, be on the look out for the commercial near the end of August & don't be surprised if you hear us on the radio & see us in some print ads! Crazy, fun stuff!!!!!