Lingua Ravioli Dinner

Last Sunday The Lingua Family (my dad's side of the family) got together for our traditional ravioli dinner. We had not got together with our whole family for a few years, they hadn't even met Gracie yet, so it was a good time getting caught up with everyone.

Ronnie Lingua, Mandy Lingua, Alissa, me, and Amy--Lingua first cousins minus Billy who couldn't make it.

Lingua first cousins and our kids.

Mom, Great-Aunt Olga, and Dad.

WHAT?

Jeff and Marion's house. Gracie sitting at the new kid table that is decorated with Noah's Art pictures.
Grace said, "Oh Marion, this is so beautiful."

Tonight on the phone talking with my mom.
Gracie said, "OK, I'm done talking with you. I love you bye."

Five minutes ago sitting on the couch. Gracie had her sippy cup resting on her nose.
Gracie said, "EEEWWWW. I put this cup in my bottom."
I said, "No you didn't. That's crazy."
Grace, "Well, it smells like I did."

A great visit from a great friend!!

It all began 10 or 11 years ago at my favorite place on earth, Ne-o-tez. I was, as I often did, counseling during the 11-12 year-old girls' week. From that week two things stick out in my mind, LICE (not me one of my campers) and Laura. Laura was one of my campers in my cabin that year. She was a cute, little, shy girl whom I had to console for days after the lice episode (she didn't have the lice either, but she was scared out of her mind). After that summer I don't remember seeing Laura again until the next summer when she was at low-teen. (Sidenote: I didn't work that week I came down to visit to surprise the director, my "friend", Jon. When I left that evening we had our first kiss.) I remember that visit seeing the little, shy girl and me giving her a hard time for being scared to say hi to me. Over the next few years Laura and I saw each other many more times at camp. She came out of her shy self, and we became good friends. We have been counselors together at camp, activities directors at camp and just have had fun hanging out with each other neglecting our duties at camp (it's not always about the kids, right?). There was also a time when she organized a bunch of her hs friends to come to our house weekly for a Tuesday night devo. Over the years I have watched her grow up. I have watched her be too scared to call my house for fear of Jon answering the phone, to now applying for jobs in big cities to be out on her own. She is truly an amazing woman, and I love her and value our friendship very much!!

Last weekend Laura came to visit. My girls love it when Laura comes!!

We all played their new game from David and Heather, Hullabaloo (it's a cross between an undated cake walk and twister, very fun).

I wasn't suppose to post this picture, but it's my blog and I can take her, I'm not scared.She's so pretty!! :-)
Here we are at camp 2006, ready for the cowboy banquet.
This is one of my favorites. It was taken at camp 2007 by Lexi.

Good times. Thanks for coming and thanks for making me set up a facebook account!!

When did you turn into your Mom or Dad?

This morning on the radio, during my 3 minutes to preschool and another 3 minutes to work, they were discussing the moment you heard your parents' words come out of your mouth for the first time. It is so true, we all do it, we ALL turn into our parents at some point.

For me, I feel like I am almost a carbon copy of my parents. Every conversation I have with my mom she tells me I sound just like my dad. Yet, in my daily life dealing with my kids, I sound just like I remember my mom when she was dealing with us three girls growing up. All I have to say is at least I have good parents!!

Here are just a few things I say that are straight out of my parents' mouths.

I'm the mom and I said so.
You better knock it off.
You can't go outside with wet hair, you'll catch pneumonia. (that was my grandma)
Close the door!!!!! (you know, when it's cold outside)
You have got to stop bouncing your leg.
And my least favorite saying...
Do you want a spankin?!?!? (Of course the answer is no why am I asking?)

There are so many more one liners that are not coming to mind, what do you say that is straight out of your parents' mouths?

Seriously, are you kidding me?

This time we were just having burgers, so green beans substituted just fine. My unsatisfaction was held to a minimum.

Fall Pictures

Nothing New

Nothing new going on here. I was tired of see the same post for a week on my blog, so I thought I would share this forward I got this week. Have a great Friday.

My son came home from school one day,With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough, to put me in my place.
'Guess what I learned in Civics Two, that's taught by Mr. Wright?
It's all about the laws today, The 'Children's Bill of Rights.
'It says I need not clean my room, don't have to cut my hair
No one can tell me what to think, or speak, or what to wear.
I have freedom from religion,and regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,and I sure don't have to pray.
I can wear earrings if I want,and pierce my tongue & nose.
I can read & watch just what I like,get tattoos from head to toe.
And if you ever spank me,I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,with the marks on my behind.
Don't you ever touch me,my body's only for my use,
not for your hugs and kisses, that's just more child abuse.
Don't preach about your morals, like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control, And it's illegal too!
Mom, I have these children's rights,so you can't influence me,
or I'll call Children's Services Division, better known as 'C.S.D.'

Mom's Reply and Thoughts
Of course my first instinct was to toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson made me think a little more.
I mulled it over carefully, I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face, he's messing with a pro.

Next day I took him shopping at the local Goodwill Store..
I told him, 'Pick out all you want,there's shirts & pants galore.
I've called and checked with C.S.D .who said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes instead of Nike Airs.
I've canceled that appointment to take your driver's test.
The C.S.D. is unconcerned so I'll decide what's best.'
I said 'No time to stop and eat,or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn to make your own sack lunch.
Just save the raging appetite,and wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions, a favorite dish of mine.'
He asked 'Can I please rent a movie, to watch on my VCR?'
'Sorry, but I sold your TV, for new tires on my car.
I also rented out your room, you'll take the couch instead.
The C.S.D . requires just a roof over your head.
Your clothing won't be trendy now, I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get, will buy me something neat.
I'm selling off your jet ski, dirt-bike & roller blades.
Check out the 'Parents Bill of Rights', It's in effect today!
Hey hot shot, are you crying,Why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out, instead of C.S.D..?'

The New House

No, this is not my beautiful house, it is my brother/sister-in-laws'. I am posting pics of their new house so family who have not yet had a chance to see it completed (Chicago Earnharts and Warrens), and others who I am sure would like a little tour. This sounds kid of weird to say, but this house was truly built for God's glory. What do I mean by that? Well, they plan to hold monthly (or so) retreats for fellow Christians. I am not 100% for sure of the exact agenda, but I know there will be a lot of different people staying here at various times to seek healing. I know God has been the center of this entire undertaking starting here. Jeff and Marion are such amazing people, I know God will bless their efforts. (Notice Lexi in the background of these pictures showing the camera her new movie for Christmas, I have NO idea why. She's weird.)

This is the "big room" as my girl's call it. I believe it will be used for the office, Marion's crafts, and the grandkids' toys. This is the view from the sink area in the kitchen looking into the "reading nook."
This is the view from the entrance looking onto the living room to the right, dining room to the left and kitchen straight on.
The living room.

This is the basement, not quite set up yet for the "meeting room" which is what it will be. The guests that stay downstairs have almost a complete kitchen at their disposal.

There are also 5 bedrooms split between the upstairs and downstairs for guests, and then a separate bedroom on the main floor for the facilitator of the retreat to stay in. It is a nice house and it will be a tool for some great things, plus it's pretty comfy for us to stay when we come to visit too.

Meaningless Story to follow

OK, so this morning I decided to be all efficient and put dinner in the crock pot. Good idea right? I mean what is better then to come home at 5:00 (late mtg today) and already have dinner ready? So, I pull out a beef roast, onion, seasonings, and potatoes. I get everything in the crock pot ready to go and then think, "I need some carrots." So, do I have any fresh carrots, of course not, canned will have to do. I reach into the cabinet get out my canned carrots, open and drain before I take the lid off. I then took the lid off and found a nice full can of green beans!! WHAT THE CRAP? Immediately I check the can, I mean it is 6:30am, clear as day people I swear it had a picture of carrots. OK it was missed labeled. So, what's a girl to do I was still feeling cooked carrots with my roast? I put those green beans in a corning ware dish and into the fridge. Carrot can number two. Same freakin thing!! At this point I was disgusted. I rechecked that can, and it too had a picture of carrots, another corning ware dish of green beans to the fridge. After close inspection of the can I find that it says, "Satisfaction Guaranteed." Oh I can tell you I was NOT feeling satisfied, and I will be writing a letter to Bentenville, AR to get my 66 cents back for those two cans. Of course when I got to work and e-mailed my loving, supportive husband his response was, "Are you sure it said carrots...I mean we all know you don't read so well." Such a funny guy.
FYI my roast, potatoes, and corn was mighty tasty tonight.

Side Note Update to previous post: Gracie peed standing up again!! This time I caught her and only stopped laughing myself when I saw the mess she made this time. Yuck!

Christmas Vacation

On December 27th we hit the rode. We loaded up the truck and took off to visit our good friends the Hines who live in Tennessee. When we all get together it is always a good time. The kids love playing together and so do the adults. This time the little girls enjoyed sharing Hillary's kitchen set and her Barbi car, while everyone had fun playing with the Wii. However, the highlight of the whole trip was Vicki and I going 3-0 in Spades against the guys!!!! This may not seem like that big of a deal to you, but to Vicki and I who started out 6 years ago always going blind nill (I don't know how to spell it) and still losing, this was HUGE and SO much fun!! We also had a date night without all the kids and went to downtown Nashville to Wildhorse Saloon. So, so much fun. All I got to say is the "clubhouse" was rockin.

Gracie, Hillary, and Lexi filling up play kitchen stuff with water.

Gracie and "My Lee Lee"
While we were in TN we also got to spend the evening visiting with some other friends the Cassillys. They moved from O'Fallon, MO, 3 years ago. All three of our families use to live in O'Fallon and attend the same church, now three years later none of us live in the same place, crazy. We have seen Barb and the girls a couple times over the years, but we hadn't seen Dave since the move. They are such an awesome family, it was great to catch up.

Our group of 15 eating at Famous Dave's BBQ, yummy!!
Gracie and Hyatt playing at the mall while the adults talked.
Hyatt and two of his future wife potentials.
Kortney, Summer, and Lee Lee

Lexi and Hillary playing in Gracie's boat, or at least she thought it was hers.
Hayden and my BFF Chelsi

Shane, Dave, and Jon

This Just In...

Gracie had to go potty so she went, completely unattended like normal. When she was done she informed me that she got the stool, lifted the lid, and peed standing up!! She was SO proud!! I was sure when I went into the bathroom I would find pee all over the floor, but no, not a drop. So, I ask her to show me exactly how she did it. I almost peed watching her getting all set up and sticking out her little belly. So funny, yet with all the toilet bowl touching, so gross!!

Christmas Day

The girls' combined present was a v-tech smile, pink of course.Everyone gets a new CD in their stocking.
Nothing like a new tooth brush to go along with the m&m bag.

Sportin' the new bath robes from Aunt Amy.

Lexi enjoyed putting her pretend makeup on Matt as much as he did.

We always have a "brunch" at the Earnhart's house.

Jeff and the girls on his new porch swing.

"Thanks Aunt Susie we love Dora."

Josh, Ashley, and Gracie

The Holiday begins

Christmas Eve Eve

After church on Sunday Jon, myself, Lexi and Grace went up to my parent's farm. The kids always have a blast up there. A ton of toys and dress up clothes and just hanging out with Ma Ma and Pa Pa. Gracie is such a Pa Pa's girl, anything she wants she can get if she asks him, including a Mule ride in 30 degree temps.








Mom and Dad's white lab gave birth to 7 black labs the day before Thanksgiving. Now they were 4 weeks old and so stinkin cute. It did make me think twice about taking one home, yet I can not get past the black hair that would be all over my house.
Poor Lexi, always has booty crack issues. It's a shame she doesn't have a little more junk in her trunk like her mommy.

Christmas Eve

Lexi, wearing an old prom dress, Grace, Issac, and Kalista--the little kid table.









The adult table.






Passing out presents.













Kalista and Lexi getting ready to open presents.






Gracie opened up her present from Aunt Lissa and found Shrek 3 which she knew we had bought for Megan. Gracie thinking she had opened up Megan's present walks over and gives it to Megan insisting it was hers. Megan who was very confused just brushed her off and then later had an ahha moment when she opened her own Shrek 3 movie.

Grace opening a present.

Mom, Amy, and Megan humoring me as I ask them to pose.