Well, today I thought that maybe I should start writing about my friends. Most of the people who check out my blog are in Oregon, so I figure it could be of some interest to start by writing about my friends in Maryland- just to give a glimpse of my life out here.
Let me start with my friend, Sara. She is fresh on the brain since I spent the day with her today. But before I get to that, I thought I would give some background on "us."
Sara can probably tell you the exact day and hour that we met but my memory is not as hot. So this is what I remember. We basically grew up in church together (at a different church than either of us attend now). Our friendship mainly developed in high school- and mainly through youth group there. Even today we talked about and saw some pictures of us on a couple different beach retreats. We have some pretty awesome memories of those days, and still keep in touch with other friends from the youth group there (Mandy, Becky, and Jen).
The one story that you may have heard about me was my most embarrassing moment. This was the night that the youth groups (both Jr and Sr high) were planning to go ice skating. Well, Sara and I were the only high schoolers there that night. The bus broke down and we ended up coming back to church and having somewhat of a game night with pizza. Sara and I stayed in the kitchen with the leaders, rather than hanging out with the jr highers. We were talking when all of a sudden, the porcelein (how DO you spell that?) sink that I was leaning on came COMPLETELY off the wall and water was everywhere- with me on the floor. I think I could have died. I ran to the bathroom with Sara, just to notice a huge gash in my jeans/bottom. Sara saved me by running and getting me some scotch tape and papertowels to bandage myself up with. Also, I was spending the night at her house that night, so I didn't have to show my parents- which saved me the embarrassment of having to go to the ER for stitches. Anyway, it's a fun memory for both of us, I'm sure.
Anyway, Sara came over today with her two, sweet girls! The kids all played quietly all day (well, they were glued to the TV, but who cares!) and Sara and I got to catch up. It was really refreshing, and just a lot of fun to hear about her crazy family- ha ha! (Hope they're not reading this!) And even though we are in Tues. morning Bible study together, we don't often get chances like this to just sit and talk for HOURS!
The thing I really appreciate about Sara is just how much she's grown. Our conversations are very uplifting and I walked away (I didn't walk too far, just into the next room, but still...) feeling encouraged in my parenting and had some new thoughts from the day about things I could do or even think about differently when dealing with my kids. I am so proud of her and just thrilled to see how evident God's work is in her life! In all areas, she was positive and I don't think in all our conversation she said anything to belittle anyone or cause me to think less of another person. I really appreciate that. I don't know about you, but I find that hard to do sometimes. It's easy to talk about the negatives because it often brings more excitement to a conversation. Yet, when you are done and the friend is gone for the day, you feel kind of crummy for putting others down.
And since I know Sara will be reading this, I will send a message straight to her. Sara, thanks so much for pursuing our friendship over the years. It's a special one. I really do see the growth in your life. I think you are a spectacular wife and a wonderful mom to your girls. All three of them are blessed to have you in their lives! You have become a very mature woman, and it makes it all the more fun to hang out with you. Let's do it again soon! Love you!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Music anyone will love
OK, so I have found the most wonderful music. I would say CD except that I don't personally own the CD. I went to the music store last week and had both the CD and the DVD in my hand, and since the DVD was only $2 more, I chose that one- which has probably double the amount of songs the CD has.
Anyway, Celtic Thunder is the name of the group and they are SO SO SO wonderful! I am still amazed at the voice of one of the guys, who is only 14 years old. There are 5 guys total, and all with different styles of voices. Yet, I love hearing them sing together.
My brother heard this group while waiting for an oil change and had to buy the CD. Then my mom heard it while borrowing his van. Then she bought the CD. I watched the DVD at my mom's and I had to buy it. I'm telling you, it's addicting! Every song has a beautiful melody, which is rare anymore (in my opinion). They are such pretty songs, and yet the kind that give you chills.
So this is my recommendation for the day. Find the Celtic Thunder DVD and get a copy for yourself. They are new. The DVD came out this year. They do have the CD with some of the songs, and their second CD with the rest of them is coming out in Sept. I plan to buy them both eventually.
If you look them up and hear any of their stuff, let me know what you think. (My kids are even addicted! It's so fun!)
Anyway, Celtic Thunder is the name of the group and they are SO SO SO wonderful! I am still amazed at the voice of one of the guys, who is only 14 years old. There are 5 guys total, and all with different styles of voices. Yet, I love hearing them sing together.
My brother heard this group while waiting for an oil change and had to buy the CD. Then my mom heard it while borrowing his van. Then she bought the CD. I watched the DVD at my mom's and I had to buy it. I'm telling you, it's addicting! Every song has a beautiful melody, which is rare anymore (in my opinion). They are such pretty songs, and yet the kind that give you chills.
So this is my recommendation for the day. Find the Celtic Thunder DVD and get a copy for yourself. They are new. The DVD came out this year. They do have the CD with some of the songs, and their second CD with the rest of them is coming out in Sept. I plan to buy them both eventually.
If you look them up and hear any of their stuff, let me know what you think. (My kids are even addicted! It's so fun!)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
My athletic girl
My daughter, Meredith, turns 6 on Saturday. Unbelievable! Well, as a homeschooling mom, I really want my kids to be good readers and good in math, for some reason. I guess it's because those are the two subjects you start with in kindergarten. So Max came along, started school and is so good at reading...and math. What a smart boy! Then Meredith came along. It wasn't pulling teeth to get her to do her work. Her attitude was fine. She just didn't care. She'd try, and then say, "I give up." It wasn't a bad tone of voice or anything, it was very matter of fact. It hasn't worried me. She is only going into 1st grade. But I wonder how she'll do in the future in school.
But I don't wonder how she'll be on a playing field, or roller skating rink, etc. You put skates on that girl and she is OFF! On Saturday we picked up a pair of rollerblades at a yard sale. She put them on and she was all the way down our driveway before we even had time to tell her to put her helmet on. Then today, she not only had those rollerblades on, she was ALSO using the scooter at the same time. It was a riot. I need to get a picture of that.
Each kid is good at something. Mer will be the athletic one. She even looks the part. We're going to try her in soccer in the fall and then baseball in the spring. I think she'll do great.
But I don't wonder how she'll be on a playing field, or roller skating rink, etc. You put skates on that girl and she is OFF! On Saturday we picked up a pair of rollerblades at a yard sale. She put them on and she was all the way down our driveway before we even had time to tell her to put her helmet on. Then today, she not only had those rollerblades on, she was ALSO using the scooter at the same time. It was a riot. I need to get a picture of that.
Each kid is good at something. Mer will be the athletic one. She even looks the part. We're going to try her in soccer in the fall and then baseball in the spring. I think she'll do great.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Spiritual gifts and love languages
I went to our one day women's retreat at church last Saturday and was given a Spiritual Gift test. That to me was exciting because I have been wondering what mine is. I had it narrowed down to about 4. Anyway, I took the test yesterday and it just didn't help. I scored about the same (between 31-35) on four of them. So now what?
Well, the funny thing is that on Leadership I only scored an 18 and Teaching was only a 6. Guess what Scott's top two were? Yes, leadership and teaching. I guess that is a good thing, because hopefully we can complement each other well.
So on to the love languages. We took that test too, and I scored a really high score on Words of Affirmation. Scott scored a O on that one. He scored really high on Acts of Service. I scored a O on that one. Good grief!
So what do I make of all this? I'm still not sure.
Well, the funny thing is that on Leadership I only scored an 18 and Teaching was only a 6. Guess what Scott's top two were? Yes, leadership and teaching. I guess that is a good thing, because hopefully we can complement each other well.
So on to the love languages. We took that test too, and I scored a really high score on Words of Affirmation. Scott scored a O on that one. He scored really high on Acts of Service. I scored a O on that one. Good grief!
So what do I make of all this? I'm still not sure.
Monday, April 21, 2008
My favorite show
Heather is flying in tomorrow for a visit. I can't wait. I always love having people over, it's just the cleaning part that I don't want to do. I want my house perfect, but don't want to have to make it that way. Today I woke up just dreading ALL I have to do. I have to still find places for some things, and that is the hardest, or should I say, most unmotivating part of it all. Anyway, I dragged myself downstairs to get started. I decided to grab some breakfast, just to give me some energy, and then I sat down to watch TV during breakfast. It must really be bad- I NEVER do that! Anyway, I looked through the recorded shows on our DVR that I haven't watched yet, and my favorite show was recorded. Jon and Kate Plus 8 is such a fun show for me! I can really relate in many ways, and I just love that kind of thing. Not only does she have a lot of kids who are close in age (twins/sextuplets), she and Jon kind of have similar personalities to Scott and me. Well, thank you Jon and Kate. Since watching your show this morning, I have mastered the guest room and am ready to move on. I think I can do this today!
(By the way, Jon and Kate are on TLC Monday nights- yea- it's tonight!)
(By the way, Jon and Kate are on TLC Monday nights- yea- it's tonight!)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
We made it
April 15 is always a big day in the Keen family. Scott begins tax season the end of January, and even though we adjust to the crazy schedule, once we get him back, it's amazing that we ever made it through without him. I am one who just likes to have my husband around. I don't like running the house without knowing he'll be home for dinner, for example.
This was Scott's first year with the new firm here in MD. By the end, he was working all the time. I mean that. If Max had a baseball game, he did slip away to see the game, but then back to work he went. A few nights last week, he didn't get home until 3am. (What does he think this is, poker night!??)
April 15 in OR was pretty exciting. His firm there had it all together. He would usually get done early and everyone would go home around 3pm. Then they would meet together at Rudy's Restaurant on the golf course there in Salem that evening for a tax party (and boy did I miss that halibut dinner this year!!!). Then, they would all get off the next day, as a holiday.
This year was not the same. Scott ended up not getting home until after 10:30pm. I think he grabbed some dinner at the Royal Farms convenient store for dinner. He did get to sleep in the next day, but didn't get the whole day off.
For me, tax day was fun. I started out by going to Bible study, which my mom teaches. I always look forward to it. It is at the church I grew up in, not the church we attend now. So it's fun to see the older ladies especially (along with Sara and Katie who are my age) who were friends with my grandparents. Now we are friends. It's just a good time.
Then my mom and I left there and grabbed Lauren and hurried back to drop her and the kids off at my house. She is so great and babysits for me at least once a week! My mom and I quickly left my house to get to Turf Valley Resort for our 30 minute massages we had scheduled. We were in a hurry, did I mention that. I usually don't feel too rushed during my day, but that day I did. We wanted to get there early enough to eat some lunch in their restaurant before the massage. Well, go figure that the one time I wasn't paying attention to my speed, I got pulled over. I was doing 58 in a 40. I found it interesting that the officer was coming at me and quick turned around to get me. He put his lights on right as I came over that hill. I didn't know they checked the speed of cars coming at them. Now I know. Thankfully, because of my wonderful driving record (I have gotten just one ticket almost 10 years ago. It was my first time driving through Junction City after the Scandinavian Festival, and the speed limit changes to quickly there at those lights) I only got a warning.
We did get to Turf Valley in time to eat and the masssage was great, although the lady doing mine felt the need to keep talking to me. Thankfully, though, she was asking questions about God and my church and family- I think she was really intrigued with the fact that I am only 31 and have five children and I love God and all that. Anyway, I felt our conversations were beneficial, so I didn't mind.
Well, that was tax day for us. I'm glad we made it through. Tomorrow, the family is celebrating having their daddy/husband back and we are going up to Harrisburg, PA to a hotel and then Sat. are going to Hersheypark for the day. It's one of my favorite places on earth. I'll eat plenty of chocolate for all of you! :)
This was Scott's first year with the new firm here in MD. By the end, he was working all the time. I mean that. If Max had a baseball game, he did slip away to see the game, but then back to work he went. A few nights last week, he didn't get home until 3am. (What does he think this is, poker night!??)
April 15 in OR was pretty exciting. His firm there had it all together. He would usually get done early and everyone would go home around 3pm. Then they would meet together at Rudy's Restaurant on the golf course there in Salem that evening for a tax party (and boy did I miss that halibut dinner this year!!!). Then, they would all get off the next day, as a holiday.
This year was not the same. Scott ended up not getting home until after 10:30pm. I think he grabbed some dinner at the Royal Farms convenient store for dinner. He did get to sleep in the next day, but didn't get the whole day off.
For me, tax day was fun. I started out by going to Bible study, which my mom teaches. I always look forward to it. It is at the church I grew up in, not the church we attend now. So it's fun to see the older ladies especially (along with Sara and Katie who are my age) who were friends with my grandparents. Now we are friends. It's just a good time.
Then my mom and I left there and grabbed Lauren and hurried back to drop her and the kids off at my house. She is so great and babysits for me at least once a week! My mom and I quickly left my house to get to Turf Valley Resort for our 30 minute massages we had scheduled. We were in a hurry, did I mention that. I usually don't feel too rushed during my day, but that day I did. We wanted to get there early enough to eat some lunch in their restaurant before the massage. Well, go figure that the one time I wasn't paying attention to my speed, I got pulled over. I was doing 58 in a 40. I found it interesting that the officer was coming at me and quick turned around to get me. He put his lights on right as I came over that hill. I didn't know they checked the speed of cars coming at them. Now I know. Thankfully, because of my wonderful driving record (I have gotten just one ticket almost 10 years ago. It was my first time driving through Junction City after the Scandinavian Festival, and the speed limit changes to quickly there at those lights) I only got a warning.
We did get to Turf Valley in time to eat and the masssage was great, although the lady doing mine felt the need to keep talking to me. Thankfully, though, she was asking questions about God and my church and family- I think she was really intrigued with the fact that I am only 31 and have five children and I love God and all that. Anyway, I felt our conversations were beneficial, so I didn't mind.
Well, that was tax day for us. I'm glad we made it through. Tomorrow, the family is celebrating having their daddy/husband back and we are going up to Harrisburg, PA to a hotel and then Sat. are going to Hersheypark for the day. It's one of my favorite places on earth. I'll eat plenty of chocolate for all of you! :)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
I'm Back!
Hello out there! I FINALLY tried to get back to my blog and see if I could remember my password. Thankfully today, I did! I hope friends are still checking it here and there, just in case I might happen to write, which I am doing tonight.
Maryland is going great. I absolutely love being here. I look back on Oregon with great and fond memories. But I think it was time to move back. I know that God knows everything and has a plan for my life. I never doubt that, and I am thrilled that He saw my need and fulfilled it in a way where I could be close to my family again. It's been a fun ride!
Max started baseball this year, and that has been fun. He got the game ball this past Saturday for a good (and surprising, if I do say so) hit. He hasn't necessarily been the athletic one in the family, but he is doing ok. Actually, he is improving tons every time he's out there, and I love watching that. It's been good for him.
The girls are doing well- growing a lot. They are really into their "dollies" and coloring pictures for Mommy and all that. All of them would love to help me cook every meal. I wish I had more time for that.
Riley is the cutest boy ever! We love him so much. His smile is contagious and he really makes us laugh. Even his nursery workers adore him. Awww, he is so cute! I wish I could freeze his age right now. It's the best!
I'm just thankful that we only have TWO more days of tax season. Yippee! Maybe I'll actually get my husband back this week. That will be nice. We are taking a mini vacation up to Hershey this weekend, and that will be so fun. I'm really looking forward to that.
I can't believe how busy we've been these last 6 months (and even more in Oregon before we left). It's crazy. I have so many friends, especially in OR, that I would love to call and really catch up with. I have emails to write. I would like to sit and write a letter to my grandmother. I just really don't have enough time in my day. So, don't take it personally if I haven't talked to you in a while. You are in my thoughts and mostly in my heart. We will catch up soon! And, if you have time, write me! I would love to hear from you.
Maryland is going great. I absolutely love being here. I look back on Oregon with great and fond memories. But I think it was time to move back. I know that God knows everything and has a plan for my life. I never doubt that, and I am thrilled that He saw my need and fulfilled it in a way where I could be close to my family again. It's been a fun ride!
Max started baseball this year, and that has been fun. He got the game ball this past Saturday for a good (and surprising, if I do say so) hit. He hasn't necessarily been the athletic one in the family, but he is doing ok. Actually, he is improving tons every time he's out there, and I love watching that. It's been good for him.
The girls are doing well- growing a lot. They are really into their "dollies" and coloring pictures for Mommy and all that. All of them would love to help me cook every meal. I wish I had more time for that.
Riley is the cutest boy ever! We love him so much. His smile is contagious and he really makes us laugh. Even his nursery workers adore him. Awww, he is so cute! I wish I could freeze his age right now. It's the best!
I'm just thankful that we only have TWO more days of tax season. Yippee! Maybe I'll actually get my husband back this week. That will be nice. We are taking a mini vacation up to Hershey this weekend, and that will be so fun. I'm really looking forward to that.
I can't believe how busy we've been these last 6 months (and even more in Oregon before we left). It's crazy. I have so many friends, especially in OR, that I would love to call and really catch up with. I have emails to write. I would like to sit and write a letter to my grandmother. I just really don't have enough time in my day. So, don't take it personally if I haven't talked to you in a while. You are in my thoughts and mostly in my heart. We will catch up soon! And, if you have time, write me! I would love to hear from you.
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