Tastes of Fall......

The move date was/ is set. Originally we were set to move into the house in Lexington on Oct. 15th. However, that date has gotten pushed back to the 22nd. I definitely feel like I am scrambling to see a lot of people and do a lot of things before I leave.

Here are a few pics of the house for the curious folk:

Front of house... bet you couldn't tell (hehe!)

Fenced in backyard with a small patio and deck

Part of the living room (looking at the front door) taken from the dining room/ kitchen area. It's a pretty open concept.

Fireplace in the living room. It's wood-burning which is what I like :-)

Part of the kitchen

The rest of the kitchen. I am CELEBRATING counter space!! For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE to cook and bake. The kitchen in our house in Wooster is...well, let's just say it doesn't have as much counter space.

Third bedroom which we will use as a guest room and office area as well.

I copied the rest from the website as one huge picture, so I will list what you are looking at:

1) Dining room right off of the kitchen (basically one huge room)

2) Upstairs full bath that will be right next to Jo's room

3) Downstairs half bath

4- 6) All Pics of the master bedroom. Yes, it has it's own bath and walk in closet. I am in HEAVEN!

7-8) 2nd bedroom which will be Jo's room

I am actually really relieved that we are just renting while for now. I know that it means another move in the future, but I am not ready to buy another house. We signed a pretty long lease (over a year) so at least I know we will be there long enough that it is worth getting really settled. The people we are renting from are awesome (same boat as us- couldn't sell their house so they decided to rent it out). They don't care if we paint or anything. Plus, we can get a dog without any extra charge. Which is good b/c we are planning on getting Jo a puppy for Christmas. That is a topic for a post another day!!

Today was Johanna's last gymnastics class here. So, of course she asked if we could make cookies for everyone. I stupidly said yes and even told her that she could pick the kind. She chose cut-outs before I could tell her that she could choose anything she wanted besides cut- outs. They are just so much work! I suppose I could swallow my pride and not do everything from scratch. Lets face it folks, that's not going to happen....call it the masochistic side of my personality. So, we made heart cut-outs last night as well as pumpkin muffins and chocolate pumpkin bread. I figure if I'm going to make my kitchen a wreck, I might as well make as much as I can! She is such a good helper in the kitchen. She LOVED cutting out the cookies and putting them on the baking sheet. This morning she helped me make pink butter cream frosting. I frosted and she decorated with all sorts of sprinkles and candies (all while sampling of course). By the time we got to gymnastics she was so hopped up on sugar.....let's just say she had a little extra bounce today. I am sure her teacher was very thankful. I made sure to leave her 4 cookies and 2 muffins as penance.

I wish that I didn't love to bake and eat. One without the other would be better for my jeans. I always say my jeans don't lie (sung to the tune of hips don't lie by Shakira).

Meanwhile, we are back at home. Cookies and muffins were shared. Jo has crashed from all the sugar and is half asleep on the big comfy chair in our living room. My kitchen is a wreck and I have frosting and sprinkles all over the dining room (which has carpet). I went to clean up, and I realized that this was probably the last time I will make cut-outs (and have to clean up the ensuing mess) in my house.

I love my house. I worked hard to make this house what it is. I have so many memories of baking in this house. It is in this house where I developed my love for cooking and baking. Before here I thought I didn't like to cook. It was hamburger helper or rice-a-roni....a lot! I am ready to say good-bye to this house, my first house, but I still know it will be sad. This is the house Johanna came home to that chilly February day (It was 2007 Superbowl Sunday and it was FREEZING. I'm talking subzero temps...which I will not miss). I have so many memories in this house.....good and bad, but mostly good.

I know that I will take the memories with me wherever I go. I hope that whoever lives here here next enjoys it as much as I have. It's a great house.

This whole post feels very random, but I think I know where it all started. As I was cooking yesterday, I kept thinking about how much I love fall. It is my favorite season. I love baking with fall tastes of pumpkin and apple. I love the changing leaves and the cooler temperatures and crisp air. Everything that comes with fall just feels so different than summer or winter. It is such a beautiful transition....beautiful way to experience change. Tastes of fall make me think of tastes of change.

So, I will take that attitude into the much bigger change that is happening in my life and realize that transition can be beautiful.

Witty Wednesday

Johanna, like many three year old children (who NEVER stop talking), if full of little pearls of wisdom that make parenting a toddler slightly more humorous than torturous. Haven't we all had those moments when we were so frustrated but then they do or say something that is sooooo inappropriate (and usually takes place in public) that we have to turn away so they don't see us laughing. This could range from doing the "booty pop" (no idea where she learned this) to asking mommy to play Ke$ha from her ipod while at church.

Today's completely appropriate moment of course took place in the car where nobody could witness that I do actually teach my child things that don't involve dancing or lyrics that at age 15 would keep her locked in her room until she was 35. On the way home from my dad's house (affectionately known as papi) Johanna was being louder than normal. Normal would be incessant talking that ranges between 4 and 5 on the Richter scale. This is defined as "Noticeable shaking of indoor items, rattling noises. Significant damage unlikely." Today's talking (singing/ pirate chanting) was more around a 5- 6 (Can cause major damage to poorly constructed buildings over small regions. At most slight damage to well-designed buildings.). Her sing-song event eventually turned into a very dramatic version of fake sneezes which apparently are very humorous to people under the age of 4. When I, frustrated and tired....... I mean- quiet and calm, asked her to quiet down and told her that sneezes weren't that loud, she said, "But mom, that's the way Jesus made them."

Nice. So glad that Jesus makes it in there in the car while Ke$ha gets the stage at church.

Beauty for Ashes

This songs has really been speaking to me lately, so I thought I would share it with you. Hope it sends some encouragement your way as well.

Beauty for Ashes by Crystal Lewis

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy oer your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When what youve done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound Ive been set free
Ive been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

Learning Hurts

I have to admit that I have been going through a painful learning and growing process these past few months. I have learned many things about myself some of which aren't the greatest....but I'm working on that. I also have been reminded about how strong I am, and that I have amazing people in my life that will help me when the going gets tough.

I guess that's why this post is somewhat painful to write. One of the things that I am working on is being more real with people that are trustworthy. People that I should be real with. I usually want to just gloss over my feelings and make it look like everything is perfect. I have found that most other people like that as well. It makes me neat and clean....not needy, and not difficult to deal with.

Unfortunately, underneath it all I actually have feelings (don't die of shock...this is actually REALLY hard for me to admit). I do get bothered by things. My feelings get hurt just like other people. I still am not exactly the oversensitive type. I don't get ruffled easily, but it does happen. When it does happen I need to be able to admit that it happens.

I am grateful that I have people who have seen me for who I am ....the good, the bad, and the ugly, and still love me unconditionally. People who would give anything for me when times are good or bad. People who I don't have to explain my feelings to because they already "get it", and people who somehow know what I need without me always having to ask for it.

So, if you have even one person in your life that fits this glorious description....be grateful. They are precious gems that are a blessing to find and should be treasured for a lifetime. They can never be replaced. They grow in value as years go by. Their worth cannot be measured.

Favorite F-words

In honor of Friday and the beginning of the Fair. I find it fitting that I make a list of all my favorite f-words.....

1. Family (what a blessing)
2. Fantastic (I say this all the time. It's a bit ridiculous)
3. Fabulous (A close second to Fantastic)
4. Fried Cheese on a Stick (the most AMAZING fair food ever. SERIOUSLY.)
5. Fun (my middle name)
6. Friends (love them and am so blessed)
7. Football (LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Go BUCKS tomorrow!)
8. Fair (love me some cheese on a stick. Plus, it's a great way to get an ego boost. Have you seen some of those people?! )
9. French Fries (Fair style WITH vinegar please)
10. Fusion (the BEST workout class EVER in the history of mankind)
11. Funnel Cake (I actually prefer an elephant ear, but Brian does like himself some funnel cake!)
12. Funny (I humor myself on a regular basis)
13. Friday (The day that leads into the weekend is always a good thing!)
14. Freak (Probably my most used "not nice" word. Other drivers are often one of these.)

Feel free to add to my list! Have a Fabulous and Fantastic Fall Friday :-)

Bathroom reading...

I don't know what it is about 3 year olds, but I am learning that they can often be obsessed with going to the bathroom. This, of course, is only true when we are in public and when I have a cart full of groceries at the opposite end of the store. I have heard friends talk about this bathroom syndrome as well. I am starting to wonder if it is mostly girls too. My friends with boys haven't appeared to have the same problem.

I think the kids know they "have us" because they know we don't want to discourage them using the bathroom. I have actually had to make the rule that we cannot only use the public restroom more than 2 times during any one trip to that place. Seriously.

The other side of this dilemma (beside the obvious annoyance of having to take her to the bathroom ALL THE TIME) is that Jo is just now starting to become more independent in the bathroom. She actually goes into the stall by herself and I wait right outside the stall (and in her mind I AM NOT permitted to even touch the door while she is in there...good thing I know better than to leave my 3 year old in charge). In some ways this is fantastic. I still have to check the stall and put toilet paper down, but other than that it is a little easier than helping her through the whole routine. However, new problems have presented themselves due to this situation.

1. There is the possible locking of the door. I have told her repeatedly NOT to lock the door while she is in there. As you know, 3 years olds always listen, so I was shocked when she locked the door one day while in the Buehlers bathroom. This in and of itself isn't that big of a deal. The big deal came when she COULDN'T unlock the door to get out. I tried coaching her through the task while all the elderly ladies coming in and out gave me sympathetic smiles that hid (not really)their amusement with the situation. I told God that I would really like to draw the line at crawling on the bathroom floor surrounded by other people. As mothers we are asked to embarrass ourselves on a daily basis, but this was a bit much for me. Thankfully, God took pity on me, and Jo got the door open. I will take pity if it save me from crawling on the nasty floor. Did I mention I was wearing a dress?
2. There are all new options for getting into trouble while left alone in the stall. Usually, she will just do her business. But, there is always the possibility of taking WAY too much toilet paper or pulling the emergency cord while using the bathroom at the hospital. Yup, that's right. While visiting my sis-in-law at the hospital yesterday (she had a beautiful baby girl!), Johanna used the bathroom in the room several times. She save the best for last when she pulled the emergency cord next to the toilet. The nurse came rushing in (at least we know it works), and I had to have another talk with Jo about the only things we touch in the bathroom.

Maybe Jo has a future in product testing and development. She would be good at that.