You Might Be a Minnesotan yasureyoubetcha

MINNESOTA ACCORDING TO JEFF FOXWORTHY:

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from October through May, you may live in Minnesota.
If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't even work there, you may live in Minnesota.
If you've worn shorts and a jacket at the same time, you may live in Minnesota.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Minnesota.
If "vacation" means going anywhere near a lake, you may live in Minnesota.
If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Minnesota.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Minnesota.
If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you may live in Minnesota.
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you may live in Minnesota.
If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both doors unlocked, you may live in Minnesota.
If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Minnesota.
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you may live in Minnesota.
If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you may live in Minnesota.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in Minnesota.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction, you may live in Minnesota.
If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you may live in Minnesota. If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly", you may live in Minnesota.

If you actually understand these jokes, repost this so all of your Minnesota friends and others can see, you definitely do live -or have lived -in Minnesota!

Poor Thing

Notice the full bowl of food? And the full bowl of water? Yeah. Every blessed morning Griffen meows for more food and more water.

Comeback

Nathan hears a lot of words and phrases at school. Some he doesn't know. Like last year he was called "jackwagon" all the time and came home to talk about that. Gotta love the public school "socialization!!"

Nathan "Mom, I know what I am going to say when kids say, "See ya suckah!!" at school."
Mom "What's that?"
Nathan "Later lollipop!"

Victory

Timmers earned a 2nd place trophy for speed in the Sparkie class.
Mommy earned a 2nd place trophy for speed and a 3rd place medal for best paint in the open class.

My first trophy. EVER. Sniff. I would like to thank my husband who worked tirelessly to help me buff axles. Sniff. I am forever grateful for the support of family and friends who have allowed me to do my best. You mean the world to me. I would also like to thank all of the little people who raced their little cars that were left in my pinewood derby dust. Sniff. I love you all.

Sprained

It was slippery out there on Tuesday morning as I moved the sleds from the van to the garage so I could go grocery shopping. I slipped, I put my left hand out to catch myself and landed on it. OUCH!! I figured it was broken. But denial is a powerful thing. I went grocery shopping one handed. I used the bacon to cool down the wrist. Then tried frozen peas and tater tots. Called Patrick crying. I dislike hospitals, clinics, doctors, etc. etc. BUT I did need to find out if my wrist was broken for THE THIRD TIME!(First time I jumped over a fence at the age of 12. Second time I found my old pogo stick at the age of 21 and took it for a spin.)
A friend called and I heard her voice and started crying again. She dropped everything to come and pick me up and take me in for xrays. Ugh. Sat and waited and waited and sat. Sigh. Felt dizzy and lightheaded and gave the medical assistant named Kyle a hard time by not letting him weigh me.
I saw the xray and WHEW! A bad sprain. Ice and splint and ibuprofen. So far so good except I can't get the Carla proof cap off the ibuprofen.

My Plaid Force Field

Sigh

I send Tim and Nathan off to school with lunches and kisses and hugs and warm clothing. They walk three blocks and I assume they get there as I haven't heard otherwise from their teachers. There have been the occasional brotherly scuffles on the way. This morning they both stormed back into the house after I had said my goodbyes 15 minutes before. So close. Almost to school! Tim was crying, Nathan was yelling and they were late. Something about snow in the backpack and a hat swung in a younger brother's face. Get in the van, mancubs! I prayed with them, dried some tears and listened to them reconcile. I sighed the sigh of a mommy who has heard it all before. Deja vu for me. Joshua and Sarah used to walk to school together.

Lillian

I told my abortion story at my church in March of 2009. A beautiful young blonde named Jamie was there to hear it. She became pregnant and remembered mine and Aubrey's story and made the difficult, yet life affirming decision to put her daughter up for adoption. I had the privilege of meeting that precious girl named Lillian and her adoptive mother Kristen. I have no words to describe what this past weekend has meant to me.

TLC

I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning. I stayed in bed and slept until lunchtime. With the other Streams off and doing stuff, it was just Josh and I at home. He poked his head in my room and asked if I wanted some lunch. I ordered a grilled cheese sammich. He made a couple for me and a couple for himself and he joined me for some clips of Tim Hawkins. The boy even got my order right. 2 grilled cheese with extra mayo, cut in rectangles NOT triangles, medium well with ketchup on the side. And a napkin!! Perfection.

Future Leader

WHUT?

While the Streams ate dinner one night I was trying to track with the conversations going on around me. I heard Sarah ask, "What show did we get?" I replied, "Captain America." and continued eating. I noticed that all talking had ceased and I looked up to find every Stream eye focused on me and every Stream mouth hanging open. I was informed that the question was, "How much snow did we get?" NOT "What show did we get?" After that the meal turned to mayhem as "CAPTAIN AMERICA!!" was shouted by one and all followed by hysterical laughter.

Happy 6th Birthday, Tims!!

Protection

Not Quite

In order to facilitate love and friendship among Stream siblings, Patrick and I have the cherubs draw names at Christmas.(I also like to yell, "Help your brother!!" at least 12 times a day)They truly do think about what that person wants and are very proud of what they pick out. For birthdays the eldest Streams try to scrape together the funds to buy something for the celebrated one. I asked Sarah if she had been thinking about what to get for Timmers and when we should go shopping. She said, "I just thought I could wrap up one of his old toys."

Drugs

Awhile ago my family was running out of patience. I seemed to be on a rampage for a couple of weeks every month and they didn't quite know what to do with me. I didn't quite know what to do with me either. I tried everything I could think of but realized that nothing seemed to help. When Sarah said to me, "Why are you so crabby ALL THE TIME??!!" I knew it was time to get a little more serious.

I think it is safe to tell you that I have been on Zoloft for 2 1/2 months now. It is to help Carla get through the crazies. Whether it helps remains to be seen at this point, but I haven't felt the urge to strangle anyone with my bare hands in weeks. That must count for something.

Nice

Patrick put on his dress shirt and thought it felt rather scratchy. Scratchy with Griffen puke.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Being Me

I wear mittens in the winter. More warmth, which is good. Less finger dexterity, which is bad. As I was going in to get my fave coffee at the local Kwik Trip I locked the van using the key fob.(Fob! What a great word!)I came back to see both automatic doors open and Stream garbage flying out. Let that be a lesson to you. And when I type you I mean me.

Simple Gratitude

REPOST

Always a good reminder.


The underlying reason for ungratefulness remains unbelief. What we actually mean when we complain about our circumstances is: I don't really believe God can figure out what's best for me. Often this root of unbelief lies so deeply buried that we can't grasp what makes our daily existence miserable. But the obvious fruits of ungratefulness are worry, anger, self-pity, and a judgmental, complaining spirit. On the other hand, a grateful heart generates inner peace, faith, contentment, and a positive attitude. God asks us to give thanks in advance-before we see or know the consequences. Make a deliberate choice to give thanks, transfer your focus from circumstances to God, and look on the bright side. The choice to be grateful instead of bitter is a choice that anyone can make.

Madalene Harris
TODAY'S CHRISTIAN WOMAN

Carly Time

I have not been alone in 11 days. This introvert can do this for one more day. One more day. All kidlings are back in school TOMORROW!! They are seriously bemoaning that fact and I am trying to empathize. I am smiling on the inside.

Naomi, Carla, Mona

The sisters are reunited. Thank you, Lord.

Christmas 2011 Form Letter

Is it time for the form letter already? Let us begin.

Patrick has lost 42 pounds in the last year. The man looks amazing! He had a fantastic season of inline racing! He has Joshua to thank for mowing the lawn for him all summer and freeing up time for Pat to keep the pool from turning green, playing catch with Nathan and Sarah, and trying to fix whatever Timmers destroyed. He works hard for the money.

Carla has been enjoying the newer van that was purchased in June. No more duct tape, broken horn, no to low heat, broken driver's side window or rust. Grateful describes it pretty well. She is enjoying 4 Streamers in school this year! The sound of silence is intoxicating but by 4pm the mayhem is back. There are no words to describe what it feels like to be reunited with her two sisters and their families!! Wow. She has been so busy but can't seem to recall what she has been so busy doing. She is always good for a heated discussion about abortion. Don't get her started.

Joshua is content to be one of the tallest 8th graders at his middle school. He can never seem to get enough to eat around here. It is high time he begin thinking about his future. His goal planning session with the school counselor and parents is coming up. It should be fun as we all sit and stare at each other. Joshua will chime in with grunts and noncommital shrugs of his shoulders I am sure.

Sarah is a whirlwind of activity. She wants to try everything there is to try in the whole wide world. For the most part, her parents encourage that. Her grades are great, she loves her teachers and boys have become interesting. She has been asked out to a football game but her parents answered NO for her. Let's keep our eye on the prize shall we? Boys as friends. Study hard. Have fun. Boys as friends.

Nathan is enjoying the year of being 8. I actually haven't seen him for a couple of days as he got Lego's for Christmas. He has been quite vocal at school about his faith in Jesus Christ. He is concerned about the salvation of his friends but also rejoices in others that know Jesus! Carla eagerly awaits a call from the school principal and keeps her team of lawyers briefed on the situation. Bring it on.

Tims. Oy. It makes me tired just to type his name. The boy is a running, yelling, wrestling, leaping ball of Stream. He is hell bent on destruction and this year has taken to drawing stick figures on all of the walls. Beauty. He is in love with his teacher and two of his cousins. The mush just pours from his soul and I do try to help him take it down a notch. He doesn't want to learn his letters or his numbers which earns him "special helpers" in school. More ladies to love I am sure.

Griffen will be 13. He is still as fat(fluffy)as can be. His newest "thing" is peeing on the rugs full of shoes. I am beyond frustrated. Otherwise he sleeps all day.

Lumpy has escaped at least 4 times in the last year which is always exciting and exhausting. The novelty has pretty much worn off for The Lump.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Stream family!

Merry CHRISTmas!!

Mmmmmm

Timmers brought home a gingerbread ornament for me. The ones made out of Elmer's glue and cinnamon. He bit the head off and handed it to me.

The Repost I Post Every Year

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2008

PSA: Helpful Christmas Decorating Tips

There are a few guidelines we follow around here when it comes to decorating for Christmas. The first and most obvious to us is Christmas-Keep Out of Reach of Children. Joshua and Sarah are at the perfect age to stand in awe of the Tannenbaum, but I can send them to your house to do that. There are Littles to think about. So here are the Stream Family Decorating Guidelines.

1. When dragging out the fake Tannenbaum make sure the calendar reads December 23rd.

2. Find a small corner in the living room and jam the tree in.

3. Using heavy wire, nail that baby to the wall.

4. Use lights sparingly. Remember last year? Nathan ate a red bulb like candy.

5. Decorations are fine, but why spread them all over the tree? They eventually migrate to the top anyway. Start at the top.

6. If concerned about the lack of presents, make some decoys. Otherwise the real loot does not belong under the tree until the calendar reads December 23rd.

7. If the loot does make it under there early due to a fatal case of "Christmas Spirit" stand guard at all times with a roll of wrapping paper, scissors and scotch tape. Rewrap swiftly and consistently.

8. All other decorations are put on hold.

9. Except the manger scene. And the Santa cookie jar. And the wreath. And a paper chain. Maybe stockings.

10. Hang stockings from the ceiling.

Nathan's Heart

Nathan loves Jesus. He was busy in Kindygarten drawing pictures of Jesus on the cross and writing little stories about God. In first grade he was asking others if they believed in God. This year in second grade he has been asking a very pointed question. "Do you know who hung on a cross for you?" He has come home THRILLED to tell me that there are so many in his class that answer, "JESUS!" There was a poster hung by the library and all students were to write what their favorite part of Christmas is. Nathan wrote Jesus Christ. It was scribbled out with green crayon. Nathan wasn't discouraged for long. He told me, "Mom, someone else wrote Jesus Christ and so far it has stayed!!"

Before and After

We were given these new leather couches by some family friends!! Thank you Bartig family!! Sarah was sad. Once she learned the old smelly couches were going to the neighbors she felt better. Maybe she can visit them. Tim loves how slippery and slidy they are. Nathan says they are too tall. Joshua is concerned that Griffen won't like them. But my husband and I are THRILLED!!

Thank you Joshua

for eating the rest of the dill pickles and saving the pickle juice for the rest of your family. You just never know when one of us will have a hankerin for a swig.

Rejoice

I try to make the Stream mornings around here peaceful. Even though the two youngest boys are prone to leap out of bed screaming and wrestling at 6:50am. But I digress. I make a hot breakfast every morning, I help pack cold lunches, I set out reminders and signed permission slips and checks for field trip fun. I set mittens and hats over the radiators so they are all warmed up. I pray over and with my children and also make sure they are hugged and kissed and hear the words, "I LOVE YOU!" before they head to school.

Joshua came home the other day and walked in the door and sighed with a great big smile on his face. He said, "Hi Mom! I love coming home! Our house is so cozy and sometimes I just can't wait to get here!"

The little things that I do in my life for those God has blessed me with will one day be the big things.

Sarah's First Recital