Thursday, December 27, 2012

2012 Book Hit List


Since the last time we posted, we found out some crazy news! We're expecting a BABY! It was sort of planned, but a surprise at the same time, if that makes sense. =) We are doing great. We're expecting our special delivery around early June. This presents us with so many challenges. One of which is to obtain the most basic baby knowledge and parenting skills, as well as keeping our marriage as happy as ever, and training our puppy. 

Hence this list of books I hope to read over the next year. My aim is set low. Twelve months to read 6 books! We'll see how it goes!

1. On Becoming Baby Wise - Gary Ezzo

2. The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

3. The No-Cry Sleep Solution - Elizabeth Pantley

4. **Steve's Choice** We enjoy reading together a lot! Sometimes it's easier if he picks. ;)

5. The Proverbs - All 31 Chapters - Verse by verse.

6. Baby-Led Weaning - Gill Rapley & Tracey Murkett

What are you reading this year?

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Beatrice Taylor - Domestic Marvel

Andy Griffith Day was yesterday, if you were so unfortunate to not have known. It was the anniversary of the first airing of the pilot episode of "The Andy Griffith Show". Such a great show! If you've never seen it or you miss it, catch it on Netflix!

Beatrice Taylor, or Aunt Bee as she's affectionately called by the entire town, is such a beautiful character. I love her! She's kind, gentle, loving, witty, wise, and a domestic marvel - especially in the kitchen. She has many, many different roles, from matriarch of the Taylor household to cook & female attendant at the jail, and especially mothering anyone in need - a wonderful portrayal of biblical truth - she having no children of her own (Gal 4:27).

We celebrated by having fried chicken & apple pie, among other small dishes with iced tea. It was fun to celebrate such a rare gem of entertainment while watching the presidential debate.

:: Congrats, Mr. Romney on a well-done job! You showed yourself approved! ::

:: Congrats, President Obama, on 20 years of marriage! Hope you have many more to come! ::

And I hope you have a blessed day!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Summer Sun

The three of us enjoyed sleeping in (at least Steve & I did) and a 5-mile walk at Minto. Now we're all hungry and Biggs is heading downhill to crash land in Napville. :)

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Things I've Learned From German Shepherds...

We watched two German Shepherd pups overnight this weekend. Bigsby was elated! Here's what I, a non-German Shepherd person, have learned from them:

1. We're German. We're stubborn and opinionated and somewhat war-like, just like the people.

2. No matter what size or breed you are, we will try to win. Again, we're German.

3. If all humans are out of site for more than 2 minutes, commence pitiful whining.

4. If there's a ball, there's only a ball. Nothing else exists.

5. If your opponent (or even your teammate) is nearby, never drop the ball.

6. Stare at humans for awkwardly long amounts of time. It's funny to watch them squirm.

7. Food is good.

8. Pretend you're deaf. It gets you more attention.

9. Equality is essential. If you have something, so should I.

10. Learn "normal". If anything deviates from this, freak out and bark loudly. Humans like this. Most humans. Ok, maybe just our masters at our house...

11. We love to love. Kisses. Hugs. Cuddles.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Fail

I have never used the slang term "Fail"... until today. I woke up at 4am to a whining puppy. To spare Steve lost sleep, I got up.

Back to bed at 5am.

Woke up at 6:15. Looked at my nightstand. Thought I was hallucinating. Rubbed my eyes. No hallucinations. There really were baby spiders crawling all over. Scream.

Got out of bed and ran downstairs to grab my clothes out of the dryer. Opened the laundry door to a pond that ran out the back door and also out into the garage all the way to the driveway.

On top of that, my fridge hasn't been working right.

Later we (dog & I) stopped at Steve's office to take a walk with him. I dropped my first dime in the parking meter. Nothing. Dropped my last coin in. Nothing. I jiggled it. It displayed this message "FAIL. Out of order." How did it know that perfectly described my morning so far??

Off to my doctor's appointment. Let's hope my touch doesn't break anything or anyone there!

Lord, help!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Bigsby & Me

Probably the best portrayal of our relationship. "Does this hurt, Kari?"

Friday, July 27, 2012

Phileo

Phileo {Fill-ee-oh}. Def. A really cool guy of greater years with family ties to one Kari Hornaday. Enjoys Football, Basketball, his awesome wife Patty, his kiddos Maya & Jax, and summer afternoons out fishing.

There's this statue in a downtown park. It always reminds me of my much-missed sister Kris, who passed away, but it also reminds me to pray for my big brother. It's fun to remember Phil & Kris' relationship too. HORSE tournaments, paint balling at Daryl's, practicing his catcher's stance in the backyard, hiking, and fishing. :)

My family is amazing.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Parks, Pooches, & Slobber

We split our day between Bush's Pasture Park and Minto-Brown Island Park today. A tired pup & my movie star sunglasses, as Steve calls them, make for a good day.


Must sniff grass...



At the playground in Bush's Pasture Park that Steve grew up playing on.


Rockin' the glasses... As much as I rock anything.


Made it to Minto. Everyone loves the shade & water.


The brown dog would be Wilson. He's awesome.


We forgot his name...


Totally bummed he had to come home.


Zonked.



Translation: "Get that phone out of my face, woman, or I'll eat it!"

Saturday, July 21, 2012

On the wire

I hung out a clothes line today. The wildlife must have appreciated it because this dragonfly landed as soon as I brought out my first load of wash.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Our Little Announcement

We've added a new member to our family. It doesn't eat as much, and it has a lot of endurance. Such a helpful little guy. And all mine! Steve might disagree, but I'm determined!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Sharpie Magic

I love rubbing alcohol. It's the anti-sharpie. I recycled this bubble mailer, but be careful when using rubbing alcohol. Buy a lower Percentage alcohol or it can ruin the item you're trying to clean.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Stuck

I love summer. Gardening, late night walks, farmer's markets, hiking, swimming... Oops! Almost forgot road construction! I hate it though. However, it's not so awful with a view like this...

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Puppy Playtime @ Petco

Bigsby went to puppy play time at Petco for the first time. Nobody told us it was pretty much all tiny dogs.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Let's Go Camping!!

We did it!

All the way to 5am! Biggs had to potty.

Bigsby was fascinated by the crinkling tents. Steve and I still have our own tents from our single days. We decided to air them both out.

Steve's tent sleeps two. Mine sleeps four. Who thinks further ahead? The woman! Haha

After buying our house, I never felt very connected to it. I've always struggled with putting down roots in a place. When I sunk those tent stakes in the ground and stepped back to survey the scene, it hit me. This is my land. THIS beautiful grass and these big trees are MINE! Who cares about the house...

There is something truly unique about land. I'll never read the verses about Israel "possessing the land" or "living long in the land" lightly ever again. The land is, in my mind, one of God's greatest gifts. Through His will, it sustains us, protects us, gives us hope and excitement, and it is the canvass of His original love letter to us. This will take me a long time to fully grasp.

The crazy thing about our yard are the new plants that are constantly popping up. Much to our (surprisingly strong) dislike, these mushrooms keep popping up. Yet look how intricate they are! Isn't that amazing?

So... We got outside to enjoy our home. My tent has two zipping doors. Steve's has one. Hence we have a bedroom with a large dressing room aka the "eternal tent". Biggs lost control. He LOVED it.

Now that we know it's good camping land, come on over! But bring a sleeping pad or air mattress... Seriously solid ground here.

Love,
The Grumpy Camper ;)

Friday, June 29, 2012

Diving Into Summer

We've been busy!
Here's a quick update:
* Bigsby is BIG!

* Kari learned to hang drywall

* Steve laughed at Kari using power tools

* Steve is teaching College Sunday School

* Kari helped lead music for VBS this week and has been playing (limited) piano at church

* Steve has been doing most/all of the gardening this year!

* Kari got a part-time job merchandising at Portland stores for hair salon products (Paul Mitchell, Chi, TIGI). No, she doesn't get discounts. ;)

Today we walked at Bush Park w Biggs for the first time. It's so beautiful!

We also found some crazy $1 deals at Goodwill for the pup!

Biggs approves.

And desperately needs a bath...

Love,
Steve, Kari, & Stinky Hound Hornaday