Thirty- part 2

We decided to keep on celebrating, if you will. We met up with one of Jake's good buddies from college, got a hotel room for a couple of nights and just did our thing. I can't lie and say the whole weekend was about Jake because he did kind of spoil me and let me have the better part of the day Saturday to go shopping (and its been so long!). But we also had some nice dinners, went out on the town, soaked in the hottub, and saw a movie.

This is what a 30 year old looks like:)

old buddies

acting crazier than we really are

first time riding the bull and he didn't even get my face!

Matt's turn

On Sunday Jake and I decided to visit the Henry Ford Museum before leaving town. If you remember, last year we checked out the Motown Museum- which we loved.

My review of the Henry Ford? It was awesome. Of course, I didn't think to charge my camera so I only got a few photos before the battery died:(

 A 1950's kitchen. We both agree that the 50s and 60s are our favorite decades--all around.

An original Allis Chalmers tractor. (per Jake's request:)

One of the first wagons used for transportation.

Us pretending to drive a New Holland. (hey, where did Jake's face go??)

And then the battery died. Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of my favorite things, such as the chair Abe Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated, the Rosa Parks bus that started the entire Civil Rights Movement, the limo JFK was sitting in when he was shot, plus tons of other cool historical things. Guess we will just have to go back! If you like history and have never been, check out the Henry Ford!

Thirty

My husband turned 30 on October 5th. Did you know that October 5th is THE most common birthdate in the country? That is because October 5th minus 40 weeks= New Years Eve. And people like to celebrate and whoop it up on NYE.

He was not very excited leading up to the big 3-0. It was actually pretty hard for him and I'm sure I won't understand until the day I turn 30. (I'll probably just sit and dread the day and wonder how I've accomplished so little in 30 years. Isn't that the truth?) In great humor, his sister sent him 30 black balloons to work and had his assistant play My Next Thirty Years by Tim McGraw over the intercom.

With hopes of trying to cheer him up I threw a little surprise party for him--family only. And I'm not sure we could have fit another body in that house.

He was completely surprised and had a smile on his face the rest of the night. So I guess it was a success.

Thanks to my mom and dad for helping with the surprise and his mom and dad for having him:)

Check out his 29th HERE

new obsession

Yes, someday I will own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Preferably a female. With a girlie name like Ruby. I have a soft spot for all dogs, but I really am in love with this breed; with their sweet faces and curly ears. They remind me of my first dog, a Cocker Spaniel name Cindy. Yes, at 5 years old I named my dog Cindy.

The last thing my husband wants right now is another dog. We have been having some issues with Layla. She wants to beat up just about every dog she comes in contact with. I am hoping it's only the females she dislikes but I'm not so sure. The other night Jake was in the livingroom playing with Layla and he called out to me, "You know what I think Layla's problem is?"

"What?" I asked. Thinking, Here we go...

"She has zero social skills." He answered.

A light went off in my head. What would be the perfect solution to that? Why, buy her a sister of course!

Layla's basically the light of my life, but I have a big heart. There's room for two!

fall in northern michigan

(Fall 2010, my parents' front yard)

 There are certain aspects of Northern Michigan that I have spent the last 10 years trying to escape but have come to find rather endearing. Like this time of year when all the critters come out. On my way home from our cabin yesterday I passed two cows, just walking alongside the road, stopping every couple feet to munch on some grass. Not a care in the world. Reminded me of last December when this friendly creature crossed the road right in front of my moving vehicle: and then started coming toward my car when I hollered out the window, "C'mere Baby."

That was interesting. I also passed some roadkill on my way home. Four dead racoons! Now, I know they're pests but it was a little disheartening to see 4 dead ones lying side by side on the shoulder of the road. So, if you're ever in my area, please drive slow or you might just take out an entire generation.
 How about the time I came home to find a huge, feathery, dead partridge on the front porch? The most northern michigan thing about that partridge is he was later laid to rest in my parent's kitchen freezer...

(Dead as a doornail. Birdie hit that window hard.)

More recently, the animals have gotten larger...

I was introduced to this bear last week. He had been shot dead by an eager and excited hunter. That's my fake sad face but I really felt sad. I kept thinking how he should have been running through the woods with his friends, or dipping his massive paws in the pond in search of a fishy dinner. But instead he laid dead in the back of some redneck's truck. Population control...yea, yea, I've heard it before.

These are the kind of animals I like to see in the Fall...and every other season as well. The live ones, who get plenty of love and ride quads with their papas:) Layla is so spoiled. Wait until you hear what she did the other day! I guess you'll have to wait for the animal chronicles part dos. Stay tuned.

In celebration of fall in northern michigan, check out one of my fave country songs:

Fall & House Peeks.

Happy First day of Fall!

I haven't shared any peeks of our current house yet. We are renting again, of course, so everything is a bit temporary but we make do. I thought now would be a good time to share some photos since we just sprinkled a bit of fall decor about.

I need a rug under that table, don't I?



Can you tell we're into pumpkins this year?? Which leads me to my Fall Bucket List. For last year's list go HERE.

*Carve a pumpkin

*Only buy things I love. (Fall for me means shopping...)

*Attend a football game

*Take a color tour

*Make hard cider

*Weekend getaway with the husband

*Pull out the ol'e crockpot

*Have a bonfire in the backyard

Let me introduce you to my friend....



His name is Manes. He lives in a place where death and destruction are prevalent. His family wonders, daily, where their next meal will come from. He is unable to find work in a country where 90% of the population is unemployed.

Want to know something else about Manes? He has a heart the size of Texas. He loves and serves the Lord diligently. Despite living in poverty, he is so thankful to a God who loves him and who he knows will provide.

I had the pleasure of meeting Manes while in Haiti this summer. An intern at Mission of Hope, he squeezed in next to me on a crowded bus one sweaty morning, and by the time we reached our destination 30 minutes later, we were BFFs. Despite a huge language barrier, we discussed our families, favorite movies, music, and even our relationship status. (Go HERE to read more on this.)

Manes has a problem and I am putting it out there on his behalf. He wants to attend a University in Haiti, where he can learn all of the things we privileged Americans were forced to learn in school. He has a dream to become a doctor one day. To help the people in Haiti in a way that they desperately need. An education isn't an expectation in Haiti. It is a privilege. I don't know anyone more deserving of such an opportunity. And I know you won't find anyone more grateful. After some corresponding and a little digging, I found out that he needs a total of $1,000 to attend school for an entire year. This amount also includes lunch every day and transportation to and from school via the tap tap (taxi).
UPDATE: The $1000 has been paid but that did not cover tap tap, lunch at school or books. We continue to support him weekly. 
If anyone out there reading (does anyone actually read this blog? Besides you, Mom:) feels compelled to donate funds in any amount big or small, please email me at: karlee05@hotmail.com and I will give you the details. Thank you in advance.

"I tell you the TRUTH, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did unto me."

Have you heard? I'm an aunt again!



My nephew, Drayke Joseph, was born on Friday, September 2nd at 7:30 pm! The handsome little guy came in at 6.7 lbs and 19.5 inches long. What a little peanut he is. His poor mama labored without an epidural--not by choice. But three pushes and we watched as he squeezed his little way out. Way to go, KK. He joins his Dad and Mom, sweet big sister Jazi, and wild big brother Houghton. Houghton's already coined his nickname. "Baby Dragon".