Rags to Riches

Wresting for the Scouts

2009-02-12T06:11:00.000-08:00

Zach has found a new love--Wrestling! Every night after school Zach has been practicing with his team at Lewis and Clark Middle School for 2 hours. He was so excited when he came home with a team warm-up and uniform! Although I don't really understand the fun in wearing a Singlet, I think it is worse than wearing a speedo, Zach doesn't seem to mind! I also have a hard time watching someone besides his dad twist him into a little pretzel, so half the time I have to watch with my hands over my eyes. But Zach loves it and is having fun and we are proud of him for trying his hardest!

Just a little pre-match nerves!!

Oh, yes that is Zach stuck on his back getting chocked to death!

Father Daughter Dance

2009-02-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

After 5 hard days of house hunting I made it back to Nebraska just in time to get Bay ready for her big night out with her Daddy. Every year the base has a Father/Daughter dance and we finally were able to get tickets!!! It is such a popular event it usually is sold out before I can get tickets--well not this year!! Daddy was at the ticket office before it opened to make sure he could take his little Princess for a night she will hopefully never forget!! This year the theme was Disco and I thought it would be cool for Bay to dress Disco, but she wanted to dress pretty instead!! Shocking to me since she usually chooses Zach's clothes over her own! I found 3 pretty dresses and she picked her favorite one ( I have to add it was on clearence for $7!!). Bay and Daddy looked to good!! I warned Bay about Tom's dancing--not so good! In the end they had a great night!!

Everyone needs Disco Glasses!!

Dallas Market

2009-01-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

Purses, Jewelry, Shoes, Clothes, Friends and Good Food--All the things I love! Every January I get to go to Dallas with my friends Rhonda and Tina to work in Rhonda's wholesale booth. Rhonda and I met 20 years ago when I first moved to California. The first Sunday I went to church in California I sat by her and she must have felt sorry for me looking lost and confused. We hooked up and I was her sidekick, often asked if we are sister's because of our nappy hair. We have remained good friends even though we have been miles apart. Tina is Rhonda's Friend she grew up with in San Antonio and I have known for about 13 years now.

Rhonda and Tina picked me up at the airport and we hit the road to market to start the set up. After unloading the uhaul it usually takes us about 4 hours to build her booth. Every year it is fun to see what new items Rhonda has added to her line and every year her creativity pays off and draws many, many women to our booth to ooh, and ahh! This year it was Recaps. Rhonda made thousands of beer & pop caps into necklace charms and they were the hot item this year!

Don't mess with a girl holding needle nose pliers!!

Market starts bright and early Friday morning and goes until Monday. It is a long 4 days of standing on your feet but we always seem to have fun! I love meeting all the people and getting their stories. Retail is very competitive so there is usually a good fight somewhere between vendors that is exciting to watch and it is amusing to see how the women are dressed. Tina never fails to keep us laughing. This year Tina introduced me to Bon Qui Qui on Youtube. If you haven't seen Bon Qui Qui you need to visit her. It seems as if Tina has missed her calling, she either needs to be a comedian or work at Burger King with Bon Qui Qui.

Tina's Feet were hurting so she gave me her winer face!

Although it is fun to get away, by Monday I am ready to get home and see my family!! Tom and the kids welcomed me home with Mommas favorite treat "Twix Bars!!" Thanks Rhonda for letting me help you and as always I had a great time!

Sushi Anyone??

2009-01-20T21:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, after all the cleaning got done and the house got listed on the market I was still snowed in our house. What's a girl to do?? After I had watched all the movies I could stand and broke up many wrestling matches, cleaned up a gallon of white paint dumped out on our living room carpet and vacuumed all the ceilings I decided to make sushi!! Rowdy and Jessica stopped by our house on the way home from California so I decided to have her teach me how to SUSHI baby! Lately I have gotten hooked on Sushi from the commissary but it is way too expensive so I was determined to make it myself. Jessica and I headed out to the Korean Market and bought all the ingredients, little did I know there were so many different kinds of rice. I have always bought Jasmine rice because that is what my sweet friend Lisa told me to buy, but sushi needs sticky rice so Jasmine wouldn't do. With all the ingredients in hand we rushed home and cleared the kitchen to start creating! I had a blast making the sushi rolls and with each one I made I got a little better at rolling them tight. I had even more fun eating them all!! Thanks Jessica for a fun night!

Teenager in the House!!

2008-12-14T21:49:00.000-08:00

Today was a big day for my sweet Zach!! He has now entered the teen world! This boy still melts my heart. His tenderheartedness and compassion for others are two qualities that make him special. We have started a new tradition in our house called Birthday week and Zach was the first recipient. I wanted to bring a cake to his school and he about died-"Mom, I don't want to be the center of attention!" I wanted to bring him to Texas Road house so they could put a hat on him and dance and sing to him-his response-"No Way!" So on Friday I brought him a Jimmy John sub sandwich and just so happened the secretary at the school granted me permission to interrupt class and deliver it to him. When the teacher opened the door Zach's face turned bright red and Zoe ran across the room and gave him a great big hug! His teacher made a big deal about Zach's birthday to embarrass him even more. That night we went shopping with Zach's birthday money and the sweet boy offered to buy his sister Nike Shox even after she was being a little turd to him. Generosity is another quality God instilled in Zach that I love. Sat. morning came and Zach had the entire day planned. BLT's for lunch, open presents then spend the entire day with only his HERO! The look on Zach's face when he opened his presents was to die for. He got new riding gear and you would have thought we bought him a new car. He immediately put it on and him and Tom hit the road to play in the dirt. You see we have 2 dirt bikes sitting in our garage left here by Matt and Jen and Zach's perfect day was riding in the woods, so off he and Tom went. ADVENTURE-another quality I love about this boy but scares the pants off of me! Zach, like his dad, has NO FEAR and loves to take risks. The day finished off with a Platter of Hot Wings at Buffalo Wild Wings and a window shopping trip to Cabella's. I must say I was a little jealous that his perfect day didn't include me, but love the fact that he has an awesome daddy to hang out with!

I am so thankful that God trusted us with this sweet boy and pray that God will bless him with many more happy years!

A Different Christmas Poem

2008-12-11T19:06:00.000-08:00

It seems most times I want to have a pity party for myself, God sends me gentle little reminders in various ways. This time it was in an email from my dear friend Jodi that I grew up with in Iowa. Tom will be gone for Christmas this year and I was feeling a little down and in my email was this little reminder of what I have to be thankful for. So grab a tissue and enjoy the poem.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,>

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.>

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,>

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.>

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,>

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.>>>

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,>

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.>

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,>

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.>

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,>

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.>>>

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,>

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.>

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the>

sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.>

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,>

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.>>>

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,>

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.>

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,>

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.>

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,>

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.>>>

'What are you doing?' I asked without fear,>

'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!>

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,>

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!'>

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,>

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.>>>

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light>

Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right,>

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'>

'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,>

That separates you from the darkest of times.>>>

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,>

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.>

My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,'>

Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'>

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',>

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.>>>

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,>

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.>

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,>

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.>

I can live through the cold and the being alone,>

Away from my family, my house and my home.>>>

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,>

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.>

I can carry the weight of killing another,>

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..>

Who stand at the front against any and all,>

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'>>>

' So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright,>

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'>

'But isn't there something I can do, at the least,>

'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?>

It seems all too little for all that you've done,>

For being away from your wife and your son.'>>>

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,>

'Just tell us you love us, and never forget.>

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,>

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.>

For when we come home, either standing or dead,>

To know you remember we fought and we bled.>

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,>

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'>>

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN>

30th Naval Construction Regiment>

OIC, Logistics Cell One>

Al Taqqadum, Iraq

Christmas Lights 101

2008-12-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

I had a wild hair to put my tree up and decorate for Christmas. Sounds pretty normal except for the fact I had to crawl up in the attic to get all the decorations, Tom was in the middle of doing homework and Zoe had to be picked up from school in 35 min. Did that stop me??? No way I climbed up in the attic and instantly my ADD kicked in and I decided I should organize the entire attic while searching for the Christmas boxes. After many screams "Honey" , "Honeyyy", Tom came to my rescue and we managed to get the Christmas tree down the ladder along with 8 plastic tubs. I was overwhelmed with the wad of lights that lay before my eyes in one huge tangled up ball, but determined to decorate I started to tackle the mess.

Tom's job has always been wrapping the tree with lights, but I was trying to avoid another Redneck Christmas. You see last year I left the house while Tom put the lights on the tree and when I returned home I wanted to die. He had thrown purple lights with white cords up on the tree and there was more white extension cords everywhere.

I am sure if I would have let him our tree this year would have looked like this:

I was determined to make my tree light up from the inside out and Tom's meathod was out the door. So I googled "How to decorate a Christmas tree." My search found me a little man saying:

#1 You need a tree

#2 You might need a step stool

#3 And you might just need some lights......

That is all I could take of the little man in the santa hat. I decided I would wrap the lights as I put the tree together. Fast forward...48 hours I finally got the entire tree up and wrapped with lights, 600 lights to be exact. I was so proud of myself and excited to plug it in and see my masterpiece. Only one BIG problem. I could not find an extension cord that would fit the plug. URRR. When Tom walked in the door I yelled "HELP" and he came to analyze the problem. Well, it seems as if I had wrapped the entire tree backwards!!! Tom said "you better start unwrapping!" Oh my Goodness!! All that time wasted--I had to walk away from the tree. In true Tom fashion he saw this as an opprutinity to play on my frustrations. When I walked back into the room my man had the tree lit up and it was Fabulous!! Once again in true Tom fashion--he rescued me from my failure. By now all the kids were home from school and the fun began with putting all the ornaments on the tree. Zoe hung about 10 ornaments on the same branch, but in the end it turned out great. It is so fun this year to watch Zoe get so excited about all of the lights! We have told her there is no santa, but she is sure there is a santa because daddy is his elf. So I guess we will just go with that!

Field Trip Day!!!

2008-12-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

Today was Bailey's 5th grade field trip to the Bellevue Food Pantry! I have to say of all the field trips I have been on this one was the BEST!!! I love to help others and right now with our economy in a crunch and the holidays rapidly approaching it was the perfect time to help fill the food bank. I can remember growing up there was a time when my family had to visit our local food bank for food because my dad was out of work. I also remember being so very embarrassed and didn't want anyone to know that we needed help, but that was just my pride. So maybe that is why this field trip was so meaningful to me.

Each 5th grader had to do jobs to raise money to go shopping for food. The money was then divided evenly between all the groups. Each parent had 4 kids in our group. Each kid in the group had a job. One was the cart pusher, one was the shopper (Bailey), One was the recorder and one was the accountant. All the groups started with $55.25 to spend and the goal was to get as many groceries as we could. The kids had to scan the store ads, dig through coupons and find the best deals. It was their math lesson for the day. My group rocked! We had a great time! My group didn't know they had been assigned to the thrift queen--I LOVE to find a bargin!! When we discovered a good deal I would do a little DANCE for them and they would die laughing. I am pretty sure Bay won't invite me to another field trip! Once we got to the check out if we were over our allowance the kids had to decide what to put back--Parents were not allowed to pay the difference. We did great-- Only having to put back Marshmallows! Next the kids loaded all the groceries on the bus and we were off to the Bellevue Food Bank!

I had to drive separately because Zoe was with me so I followed the bus. I was so busy dancing and rocking out to the Veggie Tales Praise CD that I didn't even notice when I cut off one of the buses. Pretty good entertainment for the kids on the back of the bus! Once at the food bank the kids made an assembly line and passed all the groceries inside. It was so awesome to see the excitement of all the kids! A little old man and lady run the food bank and told all the kids that last week they were down to just 3 cans of soup on the shelves. So it was perfect timing for our 5th graders to bless more families!

2008-12-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

Do you remember as a kid the excitement and anticipation of going on a trip and getting to see your friends? I can remember, it seemed like the time would never come and the trip seemed like it took forever to get to the final destination(well in my case it really did cause my dad would make frequent potty stops!) Well the day finally arrived for us to leave and the car was packed with excitement and anticipation and yes the 5 hour drive extended a little longer because I seemed to have acquired my dad's need for frequent potty stops! When we finally arrived it seems as if time had never passed! The entire crew just picked up right where we had left off!

Thanksgiving had lots of.........Like lots of turkey and good food!

Lots of...air soft guns with little green pellets everywhere!

Lots of.....lovin' and kids!!

Lots of....shopping!!

(Sorry Lis-I love this picture it reminds me of Polish Pottery runs!)

Lots of....male bonding over some good ole hot wings!!

Lots of.....Laughter!!!!

Lots of...trying to get a family picture for Christmas cards.

Lots of....great memories!! I am so very thankful that God gives good gifts. The gift of friendship is such a blessing! Thanks to both of these sweet families for making our thanksgiving unforgettable!

It is Finished!!!!

2008-11-26T05:54:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished taping myself to complete my RPM cert with Les Mills. Although I have taught aerobics for a while I must say this has been the most intense and extremely hard certification I have ever done. About 3 months ago the foot doctor told me NO MORE STEP AEROBICS!!! It seems I have developed heel spurs in both feet and plantar fasciitis which is very painful! The doctor hooked me up with some sweet night splints to wear, and let me say, thank goodness I have been married for awhile because there is nothing sexy about climbing into bed with moon boots on!!! None the less I needed to find something else to teach so I thought I would try RPM (cycling). The initial training was Sat and Sun 8am to 5 pm both days. I went totally unprepared to ride a bike 16 hours. I always thought people wore those padded bike shorts to look cool and the bike shoes just added to the coolness, but that is not the case! After riding 14 hours my bootie was so sore I wanted to die. Well, that weekend we biked 80 miles and overloaded on information. To complete the cert we were given 3 months to memorize 9 songs and tape record ourselves be graded!! Well, in true Chenoa fashion I waited until the last min. to accomplish this huge task. Mon 5:30 am I taped and low and behold when I viewed the tape I was horrible!! It is very humbling to watch yourself on video, especially for 1 hour straight! After 2 more tapping's I think I am finally done and ready to be raked over the coals! I only hope when they view the tape they will be blinded by the diamond in my nose and miss all of my mistakes!!

Now I can get to the good stuff! Hookin' up with my home girls for Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for these friendships and cherish every moment our families get to spend together(only wish the William's family could join us!) This is an event we look forward to every year. Although the last 3 years we have gone to the Cairney's home in Ohio, this year we are going to Kansas to see Stefanie's new home! One might call us crazy having 13 kids and 6 adults in one house for 3 days, we just consider it pure FUN!!! Lots of laughs and tons of good food and usually some shopping, proves to be a great time! I hope everyone has a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Over The River and Through The Woods......

2008-11-17T09:44:00.001-08:00

We hit the road literally over the river and kept driving through the woods to visit Grandma and Grandpa and my brothers this weekend. We have enjoyed the last 4 years being so close to my home town, a 2 hour drive sure beats 12 hours from Oklahoma or 26 hours from California. Zoe tells everyone her "best fwend" is her Grandma. She adores her! She follows Grandma everywhere talking non stop and Grandma is way more patient than me. She listens to all of her stories and puts up with Zoe being all over her. I must say when Tom is gone and I am single parenting--it is a much needed break for me because when Grandma's in the house you might hear Zoe say "what Momma?"

We got to my brothers house and met his new addition to the family--a little rat dog. As soon as Bay saw the dog she said "Mom she looks just like our dog Bear. Remember the one that you stepped on and almost killed?" Yes she is right and so that dog didn't last in our family very long. The girls were thrilled and rolled around on the floor with her until she sank her sharp little puppy teeth into Zoe first and then she brought Bay to tears also. It is so funny watching my big grumpy brother pamper this crazy little dog. Friday is always pizza night at our house so we had some pizza hut and I mean had some Pizza Hut! While Zoe was distracted we snuck out the front door and made a quick Wal-mart run for fabric, cause we were going to sew some purses. Well, 3 hours later we got home and did not feel like sewing at all so we surfed the web instead. About 2am I fell into bed thinking I had only 5 hours to sleep before Zoe woke up and then I remembered Grandma was the lucky one to be chosen to sleep with Zoe!! Yeah!!

Saturday we went with my dad to visit my Grandma. I love this lady so very much and recently she moved into assisted living. Although it is a very nice facility it is hard for me to go visit her there. It just doesn't seem right, not Grandma's house that I have so many many good memories of. As we walked into her apartment her sweet face lit up!! She was and always is excited to see us! After everyone was greeted with a soft kiss we sat and chatted. I had to fight back the tears several times. When she saw Bay she kissed her then just looked at her and she could not remember her name. This is hard for her too I am sure--here is a woman that raised 7 kids and has 24 grand kids and I don't remember how many great grand kids and used to be able to tell you every one's birthday off the top of her head. She told me about her two girl friends and showed me the exercises they are making her do and was very concerned about Tom getting a job and where we would move. I love to hear her advice so I asked her where she thought we should move. "Well, Chenoa I would think about the kids first. Where do they have good schools? And I would always look for a good church! Why do you want to move away?" We took lots of pictures and she wanted to make sure they were only from her waist up. (You see she is the one I got my bottom half from and us Van Cleave girls don't really like the JayLo look.) At one point I asked her "Could you please tell your son to start wearing his teeth?" She said "I think he would listen to you more than me!" And she turned to look at my dad and she said "Don't hold your mouth like that!" Instantly Dad moved his mouth. I said "See Grandma He still obeys you!" It makes me laugh, I guess you are never too old for your mom to correct you!! About this time the kids were climbing her walls so we had to say our goodbyes but she insisted on walking us down to the front door. Since her hips are not so good my sweet Bay offered to put her shoes and socks on for her and as I watched I cried. Tears of joy and sadness mixed. All the times that she has served us and put our shoes on and now we have a chance to serve her back!

We headed to the mall with a little pit stop at my cousin's dorm room. Dominique gave us the grand tour of his pad. Zach loves to hang out with Dominique and loved checking out his room. Chick fillet was calling my name to we didn't stay long. My heart started beating faster as we approached my favorite mall eve-- Jordan Creek. I love this mall it just seems to have all my favorite stores, but for some reason I never have enough time to check them all out. While we were sitting and eating my little brother said "Chenoa your nose is swollen! You better go get some sea salt and a different earring for that!" Well, I tend to be a little, hmm lets say dramatic when things like this happen so from this point on all I could think of is sucking my earring up my nose and it getting stuck. Crazy I know but you see that is why I am not a nurse because every patient I worked on I would think I would have the same illness! So my mission was to find a piercing shop and get this nose to stop swelling up!! I dropped the kids with Grandma and Grandpa for bowling and gym time and headed out to find me a piercing shop. When the tattoo man saw my nose he said "I have seen much worse--here is some sea salt to clean it with!" Mission finally accomplished!! With sea salt and Qtips in hand I rushed back to doctor my nose at Rowdy's house. Much to my surprise the earring had sunk all the way in my nose and as I pushed it out to clean it I thought I was going to throw up~~another reason I am not a nurse-I an pretty wimpy!

Sunday we were finally able to meet my littlest nephew Landon. He is so darn cute and chubby. Hudson is his 3 year old brother that just loved to fight with Zoe. We had a great day shopping and bowling again with Grandma and Grandpa and my brothers.

Meet My New Friend!!

2008-11-13T21:26:00.000-08:00

I met a new friend today over a hot cup of Joe--what do you think?? Would you like to get coffee with us next time? Can you imagine trying to kiss this guy? Ever thought what he does when he has a cold? Is he trying to give himself an eye lift? Not quite sure why someone would do this?? Ok, truth is I didn't really meet this guy but I did meet his friend at the Tattoo shop today!!

I finally got up enough courage to pierce my nose today. Although everyone has there own opinion of what is pretty I decided that my friends look was not really for me but I would prefer a tiny little crystal. I was so stinkin' scared I even drove away from my house with all of Tom's resumes on the roof of my car (but that is a whole different story). I was determined not to leave the tattoo shop with out getting it done this time. It took me 4 trips to the shop and I am thinking they were about to ban me from there for loitering. I got to the shop with my knees knockin' walked up to the door and it was locked. So I started to walk away and the tattoo guy came and opened the door. Meet my other friend-- although I don't remember his name because I was so nervous! I sat in his chair and almost chickened out as I watched him pull out all these surgical tools and watched him put on his rubber gloves. Next he put a clamp on my nose and said "Ok, I will tell you when to take a deep breath." So I am waiting and He said "Ok, you are done and it looks good!" I couldn't believe it was done. For 4 years I feared the pain and blood and I have to say getting all my shots hurt worse than this!

So here it is!! It is a little bigger than I wanted but in 10 days I can change it out and put in my little tiny fake diamond!!

So next time you see me please don't think of me as the lady in this picture. I'm still the same girl with just a little sparkle in my nose!

2008-11-08T21:26:00.000-08:00

My sweet friend from www.amotherlode.blogspot.com did this to me. I feel totally intimidated by her blogging because I don't know anyone else that can me laugh so much that my stomach hurts. But here I go:

1. I am a coffee snob. I always try to beat my husband to the coffee pot in the morning so I can make the coffee to my standard. Super strong-so strong that my old neighbor would come over and get a cup of my coffee if she needed to use the bathroom. I do not like to order coffee while we are out and about unless it is from Starbucks and at home I prefer to brew Folgers Colombian. I drink it black or with only a little cream. Lately I have been in a little bit of a deli ma--International Delight quit making "Vanilla Toffee Carmel" my favorite creamer that I have used for the last 6 years. Lately, I have been seen standing in front of the creamer cooler starring at the assortment of creamers trying to figure out what to buy. I think I have bought every flavor and none of them compare to my "Vanilla Toffee Carmel!"

2.I married my husband 30 days after I met him. I would not recommend this to anyone! By God's grace we stayed married. I remember Tom came home from work and said if we want to get housing allowance we need to get married, so next thing I knew we were on our way to Reno to get married. After we got our marriage license we walked across the street to the Starlite Wedding Chapel and waited for a preacher. To my amazement I watched the man that married us walk out of the bar and walk into the chapel. Fifteen min. later we were married. After we were hitched we tried to go to the casino for the buffet but the bouncer kicked me out for being too young. We were babies--I still had braces on my teeth for Pete's sake! Although the first 3 years were not so great I can say now I love my husband to pieces and am thankful for the 18 years we have spent together!

3. I love to talk to myself all day long. Yes it is true I love to talk and during the day when my kids are gone and Tom is gone I just talk to myself. While I am writing this I am thinking I am weird! Even Zoe has picked up on this. I will hear her talking and ask her who are you talking to? "Myself, momma like you do." Please don't seek help for me until I start hearing voices.

4. I never wear underwear when I work out. Oh yeah, no panties so I don't have to worry about weggies and pantie lines.

5.I had my car repoed when I was in college. This was a very shameful moment for me!! I remember 2 guys knocking on my dorm room and saying we are taking your car now. So I had to walk to the parking lot and hand over the keys. I was totally at fault and had not made a payment in 4 months. I was a starving college student trying to pay for books, tuition, food only working 15 hrs a week at HyVee.

6. I think I am a little OCD! Although I have never been officially diagnosed I think I could fall in this category. I like my things a certain way and get a little irritated if not done just right. Towels folded my way, my closet color coded, shoes lined a certain way. Well, maybe this is just considered a control freak!

7. I love to dumpster dive! One might find me poking my head out of a dumpster or walking out of an abandoned house. I am not picky I enjoy digging through peoples trash out on the curb. In California I knew the trash mans schedule and I would drive by the houses to pick up my goodies before the trash man got there. In Oklahoma I made friends with the trash man and he would actually deliver things to my house that I had told him I was looking for. Oklahoma was also good because we had allies with dumpsters which made it easy to find treasures!!

Ok now I am going to pass on this little gift and like Lisa I am new to blogging and don't know a lot of people in the blog world so I am taggin Jen at www.airforcewife-jen.blogspot.com, Larissa at www.blue-country-cottage.blogspot.com, and Lydia at www.hotharrisonhouse.blogspot.com.

Cooking with Zoe

2008-11-08T11:09:00.001-08:00

This girl LOVES to cook!!! If I am baking anything Zoe will quickly go to the closet and grab the footstool and set it up next to me. She has actually gotten pretty good at measuring the sugar and flour and cracking the eggs. When we first started cooking together, most of the flour and sugar ended up on the floor or counter top. After each ingredient she adds to the bowl she always sticks her little nose in the bowl and smells. Maybe she learned this from our dogs who like to stick their little noses by your mouth and smell your breath. Who knows? After everything is mixed and we pour the batter into the pans Zoe puffs up her chest and is so very proud of herself for a job well done and anyone that eats something Zoe has made, she makes sure they know that Zoe made it! Today our treat was pumpkin bars and oh were they good! I can remember growing up eating these at our church! Once a month after night service we would have a cookie/bar social and I would always scout out the pumpkin bars! So I got this recipe from my Sunday school teacher and wanted to share it with you. Make sure you top them with Cream Cheese frosting. I love the recipe because it makes 2 pans so keep one and give one to a friend!

2 Cups Flour

2 Cups Sugar

2 Cups Pumpkin

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 Cup Oil

2 tsp. Baking powder

2 tsp. Baking soda

2 tsp. Cinnamon

4 Eggs

Mix all ingredients together and pour in a greased pan. Bake at 350 for 25 min.

you can either pour in 2 pans for bars or 1 9x13 pan for more like a cake. If you use

the one pan it will take a little longer to cook.

Our next creation---TACO SOUP!!! I love this for dinner it is so easy and yummy!! As you can see, Zoe is not so crazy about the Garbanzo Beans! She always picks them out and lays them on her napkin! I like to make the soup a little on the spicy side and in the picture of Zoe's mouth open wide she is expressing to us her mouth is on fire and she "needs a dwink!"

Remember to Pray

2008-11-08T10:51:00.001-08:00

As I was driving home the other day I noticed this house and thought I would share the picture with you. I was reminded to pray for our country and the new leadership. In Bible study this week we got down on our knees and prayed. Lots of heavy hearts in the room that morning and disappointments with the outcome of the election. One of the ladies reminded us that God can raise up a king and bring them down too.

Who are you and where is my husband?

2008-11-03T11:03:00.000-08:00

For the last 18+ years this is how I watched Tom leave for work! I must say I like a man in a uniform-oh so sexy! But this morning this is how I watched Tom leave the house.
That is right a suit and tie! He cleans up pretty nice, and I have to admit I like this look to! Or maybe it is just that I like him?!? As we are getting closer and closer to that retirement date Tom has been searching for a job. Although for years he told everyone he wanted to be a garbage man he decided maybe he should use his degree he has worked hard to get and some of that airplane experience! After watching the movie Fireproof I tried to convince him he needed to be a fireman because I like that uniform too! Non the less He had his first interview this morning and I can't believe how crazy nervous I was for him. I felt like a momma sending her kid off to school for the first time. I wanted so bad to go with him and walk him to the door, but he told me he didn't think that would look so good. As I watched him drive away I couldn't help but wonder what's next? What does God have in store for us? Where will He use us next?

When Tom first started searching for jobs I became obsessed! I was constantly looking on line for a job and I had no clue really what they were saying in the job descriptions, I just thought you've done one airplane you could do them all--well I was wrong. I was driving Tom nuts!!! It was one Wed. morning after Bible study (Calm My Anxious Heart) that I totally gave it to God, even though I really never had control of the situation in the first place, I just thought I did. I prayed that I would totally trust God in this situation and quit wasting my time. It was then that I truly felt ok, I prayed "God I know you already have a plan for us, I know you love us and wherever you lead us I will go, I do have to admit I had one simple request--No Snow!!!" Why does it amaze me every time that when we do submit to God's authority in our life it brings peace? I have been told a time or two that I am stubborn but you think I would have gotten this by now. It is then that Tom finally started getting calls and my family got their mom back. One of the statements in my Bible study I like is:

It's our "helping God out" that leads to an anxious heart. When we take over and try to control what happens, we take our focus off the One who is in control and put our eyes on our circumstances. I Timothy 6:15 says God...is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters.

I pray that over the next months while our life is totally in limbo I would daily remember this and keep my focus on Jesus my blessed controller.

The Half Way Finished Project

2008-11-03T10:53:00.000-08:00

Here is the half way finished steps! Since we were unable to find red brick we have to paint the entire stoop to match the house. So when we are totally done I will display the end project with pride for the hard work done by my handyman. I have to admit I was a little nervous when he started pounding out the brick and even more nervous when I noticed the entire concrete slab being held up by 2 jacks. I thought for sure it was going to just fall off the house~but Tom did a great job and I should not doubt him. "Dood job Daddy" as Zoe would say!

The Strategic Planning

2008-11-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

We were woke up Saturday morning with tons of laughing coming from our basement. No it wasn't Bay or Zoe--it was 4 boys body slamming each other and planning their army mission for the day. I rolled out of bed and hit the coffee button and Tom whipped up a breakfast for our soldiers. After they downed 18 scrambled eggs Zach and his friends got dressed up in camo and I dropped them off in the woods to play a mean game of Air soft. As I drove away I was sure they would be dropped back off at our house by the Bellevue police department. About and hour later the team drug themselves back to our house covered in mud and tiny little stickers. They had found a creek and waded through it-- all except one solider who was afraid his mom would kill him if he trashed his new school shoes! They had a ball and their mission was complete. I can not understand how it is fun to get shot with and air soft gun??

This is Tom's strategic planning for the day!! The bricks on our front porch all started to crumble and over the summer we have developed a big hole!! Not good when you are wanting to put your house on the market and need some curb appeal to draw in the buyers! We tried and tried to get someone out to repair our porch and after a quote of $1300 Tom decided he would learn how to lay brick. Obstacle #1 our house was built in 1986 and no one makes large red brick anymore. Obstacle #2 Tom has never layed brick before. After hours of busting out the old brick and 10 bloody fingers Tom confessed he understood why they would charge $1300 to do the job!
I had some strategic planning myself--painting trim and closet doors! I first had to figure out how to get the closet doors out and haul them outside to paint! Thank goodness these are the last doors to paint!!! Why is it that our bedroom always seems to be the last room in the house to get finished. I have lived here almost 4 years and I am just now painting the doors to match the rest of the doors in the house! Well, at least the next owners can enjoy them.
I finished my project quite a bit faster than Tom but by the end of the day he had done a great job at laying brick and I am so thankful he ventured out to try something new. I think we can finally put a FOR SALE sign in our front yard! Bring on the buyers!!!

Trick or Treat or Treat

2008-11-02T20:21:00.001-08:00

Zoe was so exctied for Halloween to finally get here! As soon as Zach and Bay left for school she wanted me to put her costume on. I had a ton of places to go before I took her to school and she proudly walked around with her cow costume on collecting candy at every stop. I am Bay's room mom at school so I was in charge of planning the class room party and in true Chenoa fashion I waited until the last min. to get all the supplies. I guess I waited too long because even Wal-mart was sold out of our favorite yummy sugar cookies. After many stops, supplies in hand and one sugar high little 4 yr old I dropped her off at school for her first Halloween party. Then off to pick up Pizza and I made it to Bay's room just in the nick of time to catch some of the parade around the school. Bay decided she would be a soccer player (how original). The party was a hit and I am so glad it is over. Somehow I get talked into doing these parties every year and yet I don't ever remember signing up for that. The Pressure to keep the kids interested in the games is intense but they seemed to like the games so all is well.

Bay's Kindergartner she reads to.

This year Zach and his friends decided to venture out trick or treating on their own. They were more interested in scaring people than they were in getting candy. Tom, Bay, Zoe and I started out together but after just 3 houses Tom and Bay ditched Zoe and I because we were too slow. I loved watching Zoe run to the houses and inspect every piece of candy she got! She would say "Trick or Treat or Treat" and people would laugh. At one of the houses Zoe got an empty M&M wrapper and when she walked away she handed it to me saying "Momma they gave me garbage!" The man at the house heard her and just started laughing-he had just eaten the M&M's and accidently gave Zoe the wrapper. Since he felt bad he loaded her little pumpkin up with good stuff! In the end Tom and Bay decided they should have stayed with us becuse Zoe got the most candy-- much to her delight!! All of the kids dumped their candy on the garage floor and sorted it into piles, as I watched them it reminded me of when I went trick or treating and my brothers and I would sort our candy in piles and trade what we didn't like for our favorites. Thankfully my kids blessed their momma with all of their Twix bars!! We finished the night sitting around the fire with friends and neighbors enjoying the unusually warm weather.

Enjoyin' The Warm Weather

2008-10-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness it was so pretty out today we had to get out and enjoy the warm weather because you never know how long it is going to last! I decided to wash my nasty car and I mean nasty. Tom and Zach thought it would be funny to empty the house gutters on top of my car and it was gross plus I have found that driving on the gravel roads gets me around town faster but from all the rain last week the dirt roads have turned to mud. Let me tell you mud plus wet gutter leaves is not a good mixture. Zoe and I pulled out the hose and got to work!

Bailey is doing the coolest school project! Every 5th grader is suppose to find jobs to do for neighbors and family. With the money they earn they get to go to the grocery store on a class field trip and buy groceries for the Food Bank in Bellevue. They want to fill the food bank for the Holidays rapidly approaching us. So, after school Bailey decided to rake the neighbors yard. I think she thought it would take an hour or so but it ended up taking almost 3 hours of hard work! How can you rake leaves without running and jumping in them--I am convinced you can't. Zoe and I couldn't resist the big huge pile of leaves so we joined Bay.

Soccer Comes To An End

2008-10-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

Bailey had her final soccer game this weekend with the Galaxy team. It has been fun to watch the girls really come together and play as a team. They work hard every week at practice then play their little hearts out on Saturday's. This was the first season for them to play on the big field and there is quite a bit of difference in the amount of running they have to do. This has become one of Bay's passions--she loves soccer!!! I can remember the first year she played and we had to keep telling her which way to kick the ball so she didn't make a goal for the opposing team. She hung in there and each year has worked hard to learn the game. Thanks to two wonderful coaches the last 2 seasons she has really become quite the little player. Although I will miss watching her play I have to admit it will be nice to finally sleep in on a Saturday morning!!! After the game we celebrated at Wendy's. It was here that the boys decided it would be funny to make Zoe see how fast she could eat her frosty. Well, you know what happens when you eat cold stuff fast--Brain Freeze!! We laughed so hard at our drama queen and her brain freeze!

Tom and I finally had a date night and went to see the much talked about movie "Fireproof"! What a great movie! It was just a reminder to me how God can change our rags to riches, when we totally surrender to Him. It is only when we lay down our pride and call out for our Father to help us that He can make something beautiful out of trash. I can remember in my marriage when I wanted to quite trying! I gave it to God and just asked that He would change both of us! We had a lot of growing up to do! He never promises that it will be easy but He does promise that He will never leave us!! It also made me think--Do I have anything that I need to take a ball bat to in my life? Anything that is taking my attention away from pursuing my husband like God intended? It is not always as clear at Kirk's problem in the movie. Like the song Slow fade says its when the black and white turns to grey! I was also reminded that living my life according to God's standards is a huge example to those people he puts around me. People are watching how I treat my husband, how I treat my kids and how I respond to conflict among other things. I don't always have to have the perfect words to say--my actions speak louder than my words. One saying that we have taught our kids is Love God and Love Others and if we are truly living this way then it brings true joy. Do I always do this?? No, I fail but thanks to God's grace I can humbly go before Him and ask forgiveness. I am so thankful that God didn't let me give up on my marriage but has blessed me with being married to a man I can call my best friend!

Let The Sewing Begin

2008-10-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

The Last couple of days have been rainy and cold!! I know the snow is right around the corner--URRR!!! For some reason this type of weather gets my creative juices flowing and since I can not redecorate a room in my house, I dug out my sewing machine, wiped off the dust and transformed my kitchen into a craft room. I have the cutest fabric I got at my favorite little quilt shop that has been sitting in a bag, so I decided to make a purse and finish another tote bag I started in July. Of course the moment I get my supplies out I have two little helpers right next to me wanting to sew also. Time to cut fabric and I could hear squeals coming from Zach's room so I ran to see what was the problem. Oh MY goodness, the things Zach and Bay can talk Zoe into amazes me!! They had drawn all over her face with markers and tattooed their own bodies!Thank goodness it was not permanent markers. Scary part was I saw Zoe armed with a marker herself and chasing Zach and Bay. After all the commotion finished, we started our purses and sewed for the next 3 hours. It is so fun for me to watch Bay sew she is singing and dancing the entire time but somehow gets her work done. We gave Zoe all of our scrap fabric and she let her creative juices flow by decorating a pumpkin for her little preschool. These days Tom is at class 4 nights a week so poor Zach is stuck with 3 girls. We tried to get him to sew a purse but he drew the line and decided to get his gear ready for his big air soft fight instead. He is a serious army dude when it comes to an airsoft fight! He packed his army bag, loaded his gun, got his hard hat ready and tried on all of his camo. After all Zach's preparations, we were still sewing and he caved!! He helped me finish my tote bag. I just love that boy!

Family Picture Day

2008-10-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

Today I finally decided to attempt professional pictures of my kids. Just thinking about it stressed me out. The thought of finding something matching for them to wear and making sure every ones hair was ok and getting there on time never sounds fun to me. My motivation is our little Zoe. Since we got home from China with her I have never had all 3 kids pictures taken together and she has noticed that she is not in any pictures. So while at girls night I met Carrie Newell owner of Uniquely You Portraits www.uyportraits.com and set up our appointment. Saturday morning we painted toes, straightened hair, cleaned faces and headed to meet Carrie at the Old Market downtown Omaha. Although it was a tad bit cold for my barefoot pictures I wanted, the kids did great (with a little bribe of a trip to the candy store)! We had fun climbing trees and rocks and jumping the stream for pictures. I can't wait to see how they turned out!

Time for mom to pay up on the candy so we visited the Old Market Candy store and found enough sugar and chocolate for the entire week! Walking around the old market is something I just love to do but do not do enough. It is so pretty with the brick streets, old brick buildings, horse and carriage rides and tons of flowers. We found a quaint Pizza place for lunch where the chef still tosses the dough in the air to make the brick oven pizzas. We looked in all the little shops having a relaxing Saturday UNTIL I totally fell out of a store down the cement stairs while holding Zoe. I wanted to DIE! First it hurt really bad and Second there was at least 50 people watching me if not more. Well, there I was laying in the middle of the side walk with Zoe and she was crying telling us she broke her arm (she tends to be our DRAMA QUEEN)! Not one person came to my rescue-so Zach and Bay got me up and helped me to the curb. I tore up both of my shins and smashed both knees and busted a blood vessel in my hand and on top of that I trashed my favorite shoes!!! See why I don't do pictures!

We did have a great day and if you ever want to go to the old market I would love to take you--minus the music store!