I really enjoy volunteer work.  Back home in Missouri, I got bit by the volunteer bug at an early age.  We had a group in my hometown called the Junior Elsberry Community Betterment Association (JECBA).  We did everything from picking up litter, to pulling weeds at parks, and our big momentous project during my tenure was bringing the Vietnam Veterans “Moving Wall” to our community.  We also took an educational trip each summer to locations including New Orleans, Niagara Falls, and Washington, D.C.  I loved the feeling of being a “do-gooder,” and I continued my volunteerism through college. 

As a working adult, of course, it’s much harder to find time in your schedule to give back.  You’re already cramming in a hectic work schedule, family life, social obligations, and more.  But it continues to be important to me, so anytime I get the chance, I get to work.  This weekend, Floyd & I put in some sweat with two friends from our small group Bible study group to work on a Habitat for Humanity house.  We spent about 6 hours mudding and taping the home’s drywall.  It was hard work, and we were achy top to bottom after it all, but it was SO REWARDING!  I’ve helped with Habitat projects for about four years now, and love Habitat so much because you have a physical product to look at for your labor.  Someone will live in that house with their family, and we helped put it together.  It’s so good to make the time to give back–because the intrinsic and spiritual rewards are well worth the effort.

Posted under Uncategorized

So right now I am teaching a Bible study series called “Fearless”.  Last night in group, we talked about the burden of feeling valued and sometimes we can worry ourselves to death thinking about how we can leave an impact on this Earth in the time we have here–that can, for some people, even become obsessive in fearing what everyone else thinks and how we’ll be perceived for each move we make.  I’ve never felt quite that pre-occupied with the opinions with others, but certainly to some extent–especially with my profession–you do have to care how you’re perceived. 

But for me, in my life on the whole, part of leaving my mark is why I love to keep a full schedule.  There shouldn’t be a lot of time to waste, and I can’t stand NOT to be busy!  I’ve found, looking back, some of the times I felt furthest away in my walk with God were times when I wasn’t busy, involved, engaged.  Right now, I’m back to leading our small group, volunteering for Habitat this weekend, staying involved with the Jaycees, all while working full-time and being a wife and momma!  It can be challenging to juggle everything, but I just love to be busy!  It’s good food for my soul to be plugged in, engaged with the community and my peers.  So in the next few weeks, we’ll have two sets of house guests, I’ll be hosting a baby shower, and Floyd will be transitioning back to teaching!  So let the good, busy times just keep rolling!

Posted under Uncategorized

Last night, Floyd went off to play his weekly softball game in the 100 degree heat.  I decided that I wanted to take Drake to the pool and enjoy some fun in the sun–just the two of us!  We had a great time!  We didn’t go to the pool until about 6:30, so it was a bit cooler, the sun was starting to set a bit, it wasn’t crowded, and the water felt great!  We  had so much fun.  It was a nice change of pace to have a “Drake & Mommy” date!  He splashed and kicked and was full of joy.

But let me tell you–any time the two of us are out alone, I have a new appreciation for single moms!  I was lugging around the beach bag, Drake’s baby floatie raft, my car keys and money.  When we were done swimming, getting Drake changed and dressing myself!  But all in all, some time out of the house, just the two of us, was well worth it!  I love my little guy so much!  But of course–we’ll take Floyd along any time!

Posted under Uncategorized

So I bought some salmon, but I’m not really sure I even like it.  I’ve only tasted it once many years ago and it seemed a little “fishy” to me (no pun intended!).  But on my health kick I decided one of these days I’d like to try making it because it is protein packed and good fuel for the body!  I found a recipe that sounds awesome (a teriyaki, grilled salmon)–but I’m still nervous to try it!  Have any of you found successful ways to prepare salmon (baking, grilling, broiling…) that work well?  I think I’ll still have a back-up meal ready to go whatever night I decide to concoct this just in case it tastes terrible!  haha!  But I’m open to your salmon suggestions!

Update on my fit challenge:

After a stressful week and a bad weigh-in, I decided to brave the scale Saturday and was thrilled!  I am now less than four pounds away from my goal weight.  I was so encouraged by that, I took my measurements for the first time in about two months and have shed a total of 10 inches so far.  I’m looking forward to hitting my goal & going shopping!  The biggest thing for me is to feel healthy, energized, and try on whatever I want and feel good about my body in my clothes.  And I’m getting there–one step at a time.  There have been mornings I’ve slapped the snooze a few too many times because I didn’t know if I could muster the energy to get up and do my workout, but once I do exercise I feel so good and have energy to make it through my day.  A 5:50 a.m. wake-up is not fun, but the results are so worth it!  Thank  you all for your encouraging words–it keeps me going more than you know!

Posted under Uncategorized

Last week was so tiresome–logging more than 40 hours in just 4 days of work.  As a result, I was able to have Thursday off, making for a nice long three-day weekend.  Back to the grind today, I feel renewed and refreshed.  I got in a couple of really nice naps this weekend and just had some good, quality family time with my boys.  On Thursday, we took Drake out to the beach at George Wyth.  He had so much fun in the water and wiggling his toes in the sand!  It was just precious.  Friday night, we caught up with some friends for barbecue, and I took a couple hours to volunteer with the Jaycees at the Waterloo Open Golf Tournament.  I love to have my wheels spinning and feel good about what I’m doing.  It’s nice to be back in the saddle, and feel ready to take whatever comes my way.

Posted under Uncategorized

So the terrible teething has returned to our household.  Poor little Drake had a rough day with Floyd Sunday.  Teething tables, juice soaked frozen wash rags, chilled teething rings–nothing seemed to make him feel better for any long period of time.  Monday was much better, but he was still a little whiny.  Today started out great but he’s still not back to eating his regular foods on his normal schedule.  So I just hope those little teeth finally start to show through so all that pain he’s feeling is worth it!  All that crying and middle of the night wake-up calls left Floyd pretty wore out and run down.  He got his first shower in 48-hours last night. 

As for me, I worked about 25 hours in two days covering the search for the two missing girls in Evansdale.  It’s been a bit stressful, and has left me achy and tired.  So I started off the week missing my workouts on Sunday and Monday.  I’m doing a summer shape up and slim down challenge with a group of ladies, headed up by a college friend of mine, to keep pushing myself on my new path to be healthier and back to my best body/health.  And with all the chaos of the last week, the challenge has not gotten off to a good start for me!  But today I got up early and did my exercise routine, feeling much better about getting back on the wagon.  I’ve hit my second plateau the past two weeks as a result of my imbalanced schedule, so I’m hopeful things will now get back into a good, healthy rhythm.  I’m getting so close to my goal weight–I’ve just got to keep pushing forward to get there.  And REST will make a big difference I know in conquering the challenge ahead!

Posted under Uncategorized

I haven’t taken a bubble bath in quite a while.  But Friday night, I felt one calling my name.  I had a CRAZY week last week, which started with helping cover President Obama’s visit to eastern Iowa, we’ve all pitched in with coverage of the Peregrine financial scandal, and Friday I was slammed covering the high speed chase and arrest of a guy who escaped from the Black Hawk County jail.  It was a long week!  So that bubble bath was magic–let me tell you!  I locked myself in the bathroom, lit a half dozen candles, and turned on some light music.  I had a good conversation with God about all that’s going on in my life right now, and just enjoyed a few minutes of utter relaxation.

Today, I’m back to the CRAZY grind!  We’ve been swamped covering the search for two missing young girls in Evansdale.  My heart breaks even more for their parents, now that I’m a mom myself.  I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through.  I think after this day, another bubble bath might be in order.  It’s nice to have an amazing husband who hangs in there through these insane days with me.  I feel terrible that I can’t spend hardly any of the day today with him–it’s his BIRTHDAY!  Happy 31st Floydie!  I love you so much…and I’ll try my best to make it up to you somehow.

Meanwhile…be praying for the families of Lyric Cook & Elizabeth Collins.  Hopefully these girls will somehow make their way home.

Posted under Uncategorized

…that time DOES fly when you’re having fun!  Today our Drake & Mark’s little one, Madison Schnackenberg, are 7 months old!  Yesterday, I ran into a reporter from KCRG and it was the first time we’d seen each other since I had Drake, and we both were just saying how it doesn’t seem like it’s been this long since these babies were born!  There have been so many fun milestones these past several months.  Drake is now sitting up so very strong all the time.  He rolls over at lightning speed.  You’ll look down one second and the next he’s rolled himself half way across the room!  Drake has an incredible laugh and can really get going when you tickle him or bounce him like crazy on your lap.  I just inked a few of his milestones in the baby book and was getting sappy just thinking about all the little changes he’s made as he’s grown these past many months.  He is trying so hard to crawl these days, and LOOK OUT once he does!  OH BOY!  Baby-proofing is just right around the corner.  Everyone tells you “a baby changes everything”.  And yes, they do–in the most wonderful, amazing, indescribable way imaginable.  I love coming in the door and Drake grinning ear to ear each evening when I come home from work.  That little guy melts my heart in no time, and I love every moment our little family trio gets to spend together (make that a “quad”–including our puggle dog who loves to lick Drake’s chubby cheeks!).

Posted under Uncategorized

Sister-in-law Shannon and I with Drake and her son Lukis (holding each other's babies here!)

I am just back from a nice four-day weekend back home in Missouri.  It was so great to see a lot of family that we haven’t been around since January!  Drake had such an awesome time with all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins–you name it!  He spent a lot of time in the pool and being held, but was a trooper through it all!  We celebrated Floyd & his twin brother’s 31st birthdays with a pool party. 

Playing in his bouncer at my parent's home

It was SCORCHING hot all weekend–temperatures well above 100 degrees.  On Friday night, we enjoyed a Cardinals ball game–when we left to head downtown it was 111!! YIKES!  Even though the Red Birds lost, we both were stoked to take home World Series replica rings.

Replica ring--AWESOME!

It’s never easy each time we leave home to come back to Iowa.  We love our lives here, but it is difficult to be away from all of our awesome family members and friends. 

Poolside!

It just makes us so grateful for all of them and the time we do get to spend together. 

My parents feeding Drake

Posted under Uncategorized

Drake had his six month check-up today & he did great–shots & all!

He is now *20 pounds, 14.4 oz.!  And our big little man is 28 inches tall. 

Posted under Uncategorized