Singing Family Face Off

March 25, 2009, Wednesday - A local singing group has made it to the finals of the CBS Singing Family Face Off. They performed today on the Today show. The winner will get a recording contract with CBS records. Please VOTE for the Peay's. They are 4 brothers that started singing in church and now they are on their way to possibly a contract. Here is the link http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/10/earlyshow/series/singingfamily_faceoff/main4790097.shtml

Vote now until 3pm EST next Tuesday March 31. The winner will be announced on Wed. April 1st on the Today show. Go Peay's!!!

Nathan's 1st Soccer Game

March 21, 2009, Saturday - Today Nathan had his first soccer game. They had team pictures before the game. Some of his team mates did not show up for the picture. The weather was a bit chilly. Nathan did super! He is a natural. A little hard for daddy to get use to since we did not grow up with soccer as a sport option. More the baseball and basketball sports. But, Daddy is warming up to it. Nathan did so well. He really can run fast and keep up with the ball. Brittany kept score and helped take pictures. Nathan ended up scoring 5 goals and his team won 11-4. Way to go Purple Pirates! If he keeps this up, scoring 1 more than his age, when he is in high school he will be the star player. (Mommy's wishful thinking Ha!). Check out the slide show.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Pictures from the week of March 15th

Here are some pictures from this week. Sunday was Family Skate Night for our church. Nathan was sick and so Brittany, Grandma and I went. It was fun. It brought back memories for Grandma of going to the skating rink on the weekend with her friends.

Grandma and Nathan at McDonald's before we took Grandma to the airport.
St. Patrick's Day activities with the kids after school.

Mom and Dad's goat, CaramelBaby Shower for Mrs. Strader today - March 20, 2009

St. Patrick's Day

March 17, 2009, Tuesday - We hope everyone is having a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

My cousin's son, Troy, 3 month's old, is having cleft lip surgery this morning. Please pray for the doctors, Troy and his mom and dad. Pray for a speedy and quick recovery. Thank you so much!

Dad's Birthday

March 16, 2009, Monday - Happy 60th Birthday to Dad! We hope that you are having a wonderful day on your cruise.

Game Day

March 14, 2009, Saturday - Well folks....Nathan's first soccer game was canceled. It rained all day, and all Sunday and all Monday. Tuesday's practice is canceled due to the field conditions. Hopefully he will have his first game on the 21st.

First Soccer Practice

March 10, 2009, Tuesday - Today Nathan had his first practice of an organized sport - Soccer. He is four and growing up fast. The name of his team is the Purple Pirates. He has his first game this Sat. the 14th. His practice went really well. There are 8-9 kids on his team. Nathan was fast and quick. He made 7 goals. We bought a soccer goal over the weekend and he has been practicing. It will be really fun to watch them play on Saturday. Check back here for the game pictures.

Third Snow

March 2, 2009, Monday - First of all, I am sorry for not posting anything for a while. Our computer was down for a week because of the snow that I am getting ready to tell you about.

The beautiful snow came through Sunday night. Our power ended up going off about 2am. It was cold when we woke up. We ended up getting about 5.7 inches of snow. Our area has not gotten this much in several years. Of course the schools were closed. Chad's work was delayed 2 hours. Brittany, Nathan and I got outside about 10 am and could sled right down our driveway. The kids had a lot of fun. We walked down the road and found Brittany and Nathan's friends outside. They were wondering where to sled.....we said "our driveway" and so they came over and had a blast going down our driveway and side yard. Brittany made a little snowman and Nathan enjoyed tasting the snow. We entertained our self inside with no power. We stayed by the gas logs, but that only helped a little bit. Our house was 55 degrees inside & the estimated time for the power to come back on was 11pm. Well, thankfully God answered my prayers and the power came back on sooner....1:30pm. We were so cold at that point. During the power off and on it blew out the power source in our computer. After ordering a part....Chad fixed our computer and now we are back and running. Thanks Chad! Super Computer Man!
Can you believe it....I am writing this blog 1 week later March 9th and it is suppose to be 80 degrees today and we have our air conditioner running. Wow - this weather is crazy. I am ready for Spring!
I hope everyone has a good week. Don't forget to comment on this blog. It lets me know you are interested in what we are doing. Thanks!
Oh, the kids were out for 2 days and 2 hours of school. Thought you northern folks would get a kick out of that.

Will Anyone?

February 27, 2009, Friday - Do you have a Will? I really hope that you do and if you don't then keep reading. This has been on my mind awhile and I wanted to just put it out here to get you thinking ...and acting! I think the big reason people decide to get a Will is when they have kids. If something should happen to you and your spouse, do you want the state to decide who will take care of your kids? Of course not! In the Will, you decide. You want someone with your morals and similar lifestyle. Without a will half of your estate could be tied up until your kids reach 18.
A Will will also protect your spouse. Without a Will the state would control the distribution of your probate estate and your spouse may not receive all of your estate.

"Death without a Will can be a never-ending nightmare and can inflict wounds that never heal." Ann Landers

Bottom line - get a Will! It doesn't cost a lot either. There is a local company that has been in business for 25 years & will come to your house when it is convenient for you and it only cost $99 (you also get some additional services with this). A $500 value for $99. If you are interested or want to know more just e-mail me and I will give you their name and number. Chad & I did this when Brittany was born and we have peace of mind if anything should happen. Don't you want this too? Don't you want to know your family will be taken care of? E-Mail me today! Don't wait! There is no time like the present. Have a great weekend!

Coach Chad

February 23, 2009, Monday - I hope everyone had a good weekend. I have been a little under the weather. Getting better though. I wanted to let you know what Chad has been up to this winter. He is again helping coach Upward Basketball at our church. This is his fourth year doing this. If you haven't heard of it it is a Sports Ministry. Many churches around our region offer this program. Each child gets equal playing time and the program helps develop character and self-esteem. During practice and games there is a devotional and prayer. It is an awesome program. Chad is glad to be apart of our church's program. He is coaching 1st and 2nd graders this year. I think they only have one or two games left.
We wanted to enroll Nathan in Upward Soccer, but he has to be 5 and so we have him enrolled him in the local town league. We haven't received the call yet from the coach, but I think he starts next week. Look for picture of his new sport soon.

Valentine

February 14, 2009, Saturday - I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. God loves us so much! John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God did such an amazing thing by sending Jesus, our Savior to us. 1 John 4:19 says "We love because he first loved us". I am so blessed to be able to have so many family and friends to love. I am so thankful for Jesus in my life and for my family and friends.

Chad and I were blessed to be able to spend some time together. We went to the movies and to dinner thanks to Mom and Dad for watching the kids for us.
Chad gave me 18 beautiful roses for Valentine's Day. They are so colorful and smell so good!

Grocery Game Update

February 9, 2009, Monday - First of all - Happy Birthday to nephew David - He is turning 1 year old today and he is living in The Netherlands! I hope that he has a great birthday with his family! You are sure handsome David, we miss you!

The Grocery Game - I like to do my grocery shopping on Monday's. Brittany is in school, take Nathan to preschool, come home get my coupons together and head to the store - Lowes Food. I have found that when I go on Monday's everything is there, they haven't run out of things yet.

Well - are you ready for me to reveal the savings I saved this week! Are you ready? I saved $52.38. That is great! My total bill came to $88.04 for groceries for the week for a family of four. I know some MOPS ladies that are major savers too and probably save more than this, but I am happy with this. Yeah!

I got Captain Crunch cereal for .70, Kleenex Facial Tissue reg. 2.29 for .70, Totinos Pizza Rolls reg. 1.99 for .30, 2 FREE Blistex lip balms, 16 oz. Milk-Bone dog snacks reg. 3.25 for $1.25 (I found that deal on my own), Swanson Chicken reg. 2.25 for 1.04......and the savings goes on. I also bought household cleaners, toliet paper, meat, medicine, goldfish, cheese & lots of other food.

I want to encourage you to try it out. Every coupon is money in your pocket.

I hope you have a good Monday!

Second Snow of the Year

February 3, 2009, Tuesday - Well, we woke up this morning to our second snow of the year. It snowed during the night and left us a covering with some ice. Schools were closed for today even though the roads were clear by about 9am this morning. Here are some pictures!

Grandma is 87

January 28, 2009, Wednesday - Today Grandma Schield is 87! Mom and Dad took her out to lunch to a friend's restaurant. They had a very good time. After Brittany got home from school the kids and I went to Mom's and we had pizza and yummy birthday cake (turtle cake) and Grandma opened her presents.Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady! We love you Grandma!

The Grocery Game

January 31, 2009, Saturday - I hope everyone is having a great Saturday. It is 31 degrees here right now and they are calling for our second snow of the year on Monday and Tuesday. Yeah! I love snow!
Do you like saving money? I sure do. I love searching for a bargain. Hey, our money is hard earned, why not use it wisely so you can make it go farther. I would like to tell you about The Grocery Game. It is a company online that you subscribe too and you sign up for the grocery stores that you use in your area. When you play, you'll get a weekly list of the lowest-priced products at your grocery store matched with manufacturers' coupons and weekly specials -- advertised and unadvertised. The Grocery Game does all the hard work and research, and presents it to you in an easy to use format.
You need to get the coupons in Sunday's paper & use with the list. Try it out! You can try it for 4 weeks for just $1 and then it is $10 for each eight weeks. Believe me, you save that $10 & way more just on your first trip to the store.
- it is so easy to use
- you don't run all over town to different stores, just the grocery store you like to shop at
- you can save more than buying Wal-mart generic brands
- it is fun to see how much money you can save your family each week
- your car payment, house payment, your tv bill, etc. are fixed costs - the money goes out the door, but your grocery bill is something you CAN control. Start saving now!
- mention my name when you sign up, THANKS!
- Call me if you have any questions, I would love to help you save money!
- Go to the website and sign up now www.thegrocerygame.com

Snow Day 1-20-09

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The kids enjoyed the day off of school because of the snow we had overnight. Enjoy the slide show of our sledding Tuesday morning. We had a lot of fun! Our first snow of 2009!

Brittany's Birthday

January 18, 2009, Sunday - Today Brittany turns 7! Happy Birthday Brittany! The kids woke up early this morning and so we decided to go to the early service at church. Brittany celebrated with her Sunday School class by bringing some M & M cookies. After church we stopped at the grocery store & then finished preparing for the party. Her theme was the Littlest Pet Shop. The toys are very popular in the stores, but no one around here carries the party supplies for it, so we order those things online. I am glad they arrived in time.
We had a great party. The kids made glow in the dark sand critters. Then they played a musical game and bingo. Then we had cake, ice cream & cheese doodles. And then opened gifts. Last year during Brittany's birthday it started snowing. That was so neat. This year they were calling for snow later in the evening. It did snow Monday night though. More about that in the next entry. Brittany had a super fun birthday. Thank you to her friends that made it to the party.

Brittany's 7th Birthday Party

Make a Smilebox slideshow

God knows

January 9, 2009, Friday -

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Job 14:5 Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.

Psalm 39:5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.

Psalm 139:16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

Brittany & Nathan's Rooms

December 31, 2008, Wednesday - Well, our kids are growing up. With both kids Chad & I did not find out what we were having when I was pregnant. We moved Brittany out of her all pink room into the bigger room which was the guest room. We faux painted her walls half purple and half yellow with a ocean/fish border 1/3 the way down the wall. For Nathan's wall we went with something gender neutral and did bright yellow walls with a Winnie the Pooh border at the top. When he was about 2 he went with the Bob the Builder comforter set, wall stickers & curtain. Well, Nathan is now 4 and we decided it was time to update his room. Chad having the time off with vacation, he decided to take on the project. Nathan wanted a tree frog theme. Chad was just going to paint the border green, but discovered that the border when wet just peeled right off so he ended up taking the border down. Then painted a green border & decided it didn't make a big enough impact & so headed out to the stores & returned with a frog border & more green paint. Here are the before and after pictures. It took Chad 3 days (it always seemed to take longer than we think it will), and Nathan thoroughly loves his new room! BeforeIf you notice, Chad painted the ceiling green too!After

We updated Brittany's Princess comforter set to Littlest Pet Shop. She wanted a beach & Littlest Pet Shop theme. Chad found a beach poster and Brittany came up with the idea of putting Littlest Pet Shop stickers on the poster. What a great idea! The poster is hanging over her bed. Here is her before & after shots.

We had a wonderful 2008 and look forward to what God has in store for us in 2009. We wish you many blessings in the coming year. Happy New Year!