Tattoo and Chewed Legs

This post is simply a "what we're up to" post:


I will with a picture my son drew for me recently. It's (L-R) my nephew Judah, Rob, Malachi, my Mom, Elise, and me. I love how Mom looks like a typical cartoon Grannie even through she does not look like that in person! And I love how I have a fro and long crazy earrings! This one is going to be on the wall forever!

As is the case every December I am finding myself missing my brother Joe who died two days after Christmas 10 years ago.

Our 14 year dog Munro died about two months ago and after about a month we decided it was too weird to not have a dog so we got Gus, a black lab.

He's calm and a great dog but chews our stuff (as all puppies do). Just paid off this couch.... oh well. :0)Rob and I have our 10th anniversary this month. I was trying to think of a good gift to show him my love and devotion and this is what I came up with!

It's funny because when I mentioned my idea to some friends at work they said "No don't do that cuz what if he leaves you? Then you'll be on a date and be hiding your finger." And "I love my wife and everything but would I tattoo her name on my finger, no way. I mean you have to be realistic. Sometimes things don't work out." They were trying to get me to not do it but instead their arguments actually convinced me TO do it. I refuse to live afraid of what "might" or "could" happen. If we live in made up fears we miss the NOW. Besides, I think if your are married and think, "well one day we could spilt up cuz hey, sometimes things just don't work out" then I'd venture to guess you will break up. Rob and I have discussed it MANY times. Come hell or high water we are married and committed to one another. Love is not a feeling or convenient or always fun. It is a choice. And I choose Robert Aaron Abell.

Here's a quilt I am sloooooowly working on for a friend.

And here's one I'm working on for my Mom. Sorry it's taking me so long Mom. I need some more fabric to finish and I bought it from a specialty store that's only open when I am working.... will try to get it done soon.

Our tree went up last week.

Gus found the ornaments too much to resist. (Plastic - still not good to chew but didn't want anyone to think we'd let our puppy pose with glass in his mouth).

Elise had her preschool Christmas Concert this week. She was really into it (as you can see in this video).

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone. Love you all.

Yes, I'm Insane

I only blog now, like, monthly. Maybe that's good. I don't know. I'm just so busy with work, the rec center, kids, and school.

Best Buy is going well although busy. I am up for a promotion this week. Not sure I'll get it but if I do it'll be more money and will be my second one in a month so that's pretty cool. I really like my job and feel good that I FINALLY have a job that uses my administrative skills. As a business we are kicking butt and taking names. In the first week we did $400,000 over what we were projected to do. This means money for me because we have profit sharing. Very cool.

Yes, I am insane. At the same time I am still a full time student, mommy, and opened a youth house for the teens of our town. I actually looked into dropping out of school for now but it was going to cost me $2000 and a significant drop in my GPA so it was a no go. I am suffering through it for now. I got B's in my last two classes and think I will in these too and that makes me mad but whatever. I'm dealing with a lot right now so I guess that's the best I can expect. I've always been on the dean's list and it will severely piss me off if I drop below that... but once again, whatever. It is what it is. I will finish in Feb with Medical Business Administration and then am thinking of going on in the fall for either business or possibly marketing. Once I am an employee of Best Buy for 6 months they pay for school, so that's fantastic.

Kids: Mal is in kindergarten and it's really neat to see him already be able to articulate his thoughts more and become more independent. I would ask everyone to pray, however, for a really good friend for him. He tends to get along better with adults but cries often because he wants a little boy to play with. We have tried to have play dates and will continue to do so but prayers would be much appreciated. On another note, his teacher cracked us up when she told us "Malachi is a very bright student but he's a little flaky" - which describes him perfectly! She said the whole class will be sitting on the carpet and he'll be standing still in another part of the room. She's say "Malachi what'cha doing?" and he'll put his index finger to his mouth (as he is thinking) and slowly say "I.. don't... know..." :0) She's very good with him and she's a Christian so that is great.

Elise is good. In preschool and girly as ever.

What else?...... Ah yes. Youth House. October 11th the Free Rec Center for the Awesome Youth of Candor officially opened. It's called "Candor Rocks" and had on average 15 the first week and this week had on average 25! They're so funny too and really lift my spirits. And they're not church kids, their all new to me, which is awesome. The best compliment is when Monday two 17 year old boys walked through the door, stopped dead, and exclaimed "Whoa. This place is sick" (means it's insanely awesome). We are in need of snacks, volunteers, and money to help pay utilities. I plan to write for grants whenever I get a moment to breathe. Here's some photos of the before and after as well as some awesome photos my cousin Alex took around town that are on the walls of the youth house. I am so grateful to all those who have helped out in various ways!

Here is also a short video of my kids helping me paint. I involved them in the entire process because I felt they needed to be invested in it if Mommy was going to do it. They think it's a really good idea and come down to play sometimes too.

This is my favorite one: The town youth obviously picked one sign to stick all their gum to. It makes me smile cuz it's "so youth". I know, I know, it's defacing public property and blah blah blah, but I like it.Before:After:It's really fulfilling to see this dream come true and in action. I once had a great conversation with a guy who runs a shelter in Baltimore and he told me that if God gives you a vision you need to do two things: first list out your objectives and go over them daily so you stay focused on those specific goals. and second, guard your vision. No matter how sincere the person is, if they want to something outside of the vision you polity tell them no. God has given YOU the direction and will continue to do so and to stray from it is a mistake. The other day Rob was chatting with someone and I was in the room and he was saying things to them about things we could do that were outside of the vision (in fact opposite of the vision) and he meant well but I interrupted and said "No. You're not going to high-jack my vision." he and the person he was talking to looked at me like I was rude but I don't mind because I will guard this vision, this gift because God has in trusted it to me.

Well I have already spent and hour and a half doing this blog (cuz blogger is sloooow at uploading pictures) and I have to go shower and get ready for my day.

You all Rock! Have a great day and be the change you want to see!

Soooooooooo busy

I have been so incredibly busy blogging has taken a back seat. Here's the condensed version of what we've been up to...
We took a MUCH needed vacation to Wildwood, NJ before Mal started school.

Rob's castle - he had made one the day before with just his hands and Elise had told me "Daddy's not very good at making sand castles." So the next day he set out to do his baby proud. Here's what he came up with.

On our way down to the shore we stopped at Longwood Gardens just outside of Philly. It was amazing!

Elise's favorite - a hairy cactus (not it's scientific name :)

About 15 minutes after getting back into the car :)

After we returned home I started this quilt for my Mom's birthday. It's actually still not done and her birthday is past but I ran out of money. I should be able to finish it soon.

Rob's sister got married on September 5th.

Mal took these next two:

My niece Lana (the tall one)

My niece and nephew Janna and Matthew

The siblings

Cute... but I just couldn't bring myself to wipe with it!

Elise took this one

First Day of Kindergarten!!!!That bus could not get there fast enough for him!

Then on September 12th my cousin Tim got married. Look at his beautiful bride. (I stole these pictures from Abbies facebook page because I actually had to miss the wedding because it was my first day of work at my new job).

So yeah... excited to say I have a new job! I am full time at the new Best Buy being built in Vestal. I really like it, get paid well, and great benefits to start soon. I am in customer service but that hasn't started yet. Right now we are unloading trucks and stocking the shelves. Rob gets the kids up and to their respective schools (Elise goes to Preschool from 9-12 everyday and Mal has all day Kindergarten). Then Rob has 3 hours to himself every morning to do some work and then he gets Elise. They have some special time and then Mal gets home. Soon after I get home.

It's very needed for me. I spent 5 years feeling absolutely trapped and now when I come home I'm happy to be there.

Still in school. Set to graduate in Feb. Last time I checked I had a 3.82 GPA (Yeah baby!) Doing a little worse in my two current classes due to work starting but still should come out with a B in each, so it's cool.

Oh yeah, and in the midst of all this I'm opening a free rec center for the teens of Candor. I know I seem like I'm crazy doing all these things at once but to achieve greatness one has to be at least partially insane and fearless.

So that's my deal. What's yours?