Good Evening, Everyone!

It has been a while since I have written anything, so decided maybe it was time to do so.  We are looking forward to Christmas with most of the family being able to attend.

Grandpa was supposed to return to Iowa City today for the biopsy, etc., but the weather last night did not sound good at all, and it has been terribly cold today, but sunny, so probably could have made it, but, we neither one felt good about it and we certainly didn't want to jeopardize Delana, since she was going to do the driving.  We appreciate her changing work schedule so she would have been able to go.  Next time, which will be after January 1st, we will probably just drive out the day before and if necessary, stay the second night too.  They had his biopsy scheduled for 3:45PM and we were supposed to be out there by 8:00AM.  This sounded crazy to me, but, guess they wanted to do it all in one day.  I'd almost rather make 2 trips and not have such a tiring day for Dad.  Oh, well, we'll see what happens later on.

Are you all done shopping?  I am pretty much done.  If I get back to Pella, will look for one more thing.  I did get the Christmas cards out  earlier, which is a first for me.  I don't enjoy that job, but, do enjoy the cards from other people.

Sounds like Sarina and Stephanie have really been bombarded with exams this week.  I'm sure you both deserve a well earned break.  Will look forward to seeing you both soon.  Also, Eric, Rich, Denice, Jamie and Kendra.

We did have a little snow here last night, but, more out toward Eastern Iowa, which is where we were headed.  Supposed to snow again on Friday sometime.  Didn't tell you the high for today was 8 degrees.  It is back to 4 degrees already at 6:30PM.  Oh, good old Iowa weather!!!!  I'm sure Denice & family will really enjoy the weather, if it is this cold.  Hopefully, it will be nicer then.

Well, Wheel of Fortune is about to come on, so will sign off for now.  Keep warm and if you are driving, please drive carefully, and those flying we trust all goes well there too.  Will be praying for all of you.

Love to all,
Mom/Grandma

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Hello Family!

The snow has come in Oklahoma. We got a few inches on Thursday so exams were cancelled on Thursday and Friday so now we have double the exams next week... ha. As much as we love the freedom of snow days... the double workload that follows isn't always as much fun.

I second what mom said about Thanksgiving! That was so fun! I loved the craft so I'm looking forward to the next one! It was so fun to play with Payton and Micah, they have gotten so big! Hopefully we can see their little faces again at Christmas.

We took some photos in the snow yesterday for the Christmas Card from our college house. So I will be getting those in the mail to you all soon. Here is one of the pictures from our cold adventure.
Any interesting news on the Iowa home front?

I better get back to studying now. Love you all! Enjoy your day :)

Sarina

Post Thanksgiving Note

It really pays to get on this a little more often - it always takes me a little bit to remember all I have to do to even get to this point.
We really enjoyed Thanksgiving Day with everyone - thanks to Darla for hosting that one!!  You did a great job!  Now we are all looking forward to all the Christmas things going on - the calendar is filling up believe it or not - between family and church things and both of our other jobs we will be partied out by the time it is over with.
Everyone needs to be prepared for some fun on Christmas day - I have several games planned and am working on another craft for those interested in that.  I am so excited that I have this friday through Sunday off to, of course, go shopping and then get some other things done as well.  I have a ladies activity to fix food for on friday and then a member of our church passed away and her memorial service is on saturday and need to fix some food for that too. Always something - but I would be bored if there wasn't always something.
As I was sitting here I realized that Eric had told me that they would be leaving Japan on Wednesday so that means he is probably in transit as I am writing this.  Can't wait to see that guy in not too many more days!
Have a great week everyone!!

Delana

HELLO FROM THE CULBERTSONS!!!

I have to apologize...I have not been keeping up with all the action on this new blog! I was happy to hear it was created two months ago but then never checked back in until now. And wow, y'all been busy little typers!

Anyway, just FYI, I added myself (Danandanna@gmail.com) as a contributor to the blog. So I can easily, conveniently, and quickly write a blogpost on this blog while logged into my OWN blog. Plus, at the bottom of this post, you'll see "Danandanna" as the author. I like to be correctly identified.

Technology these days...I tell ya! :) They just think of everything!

So here is a quick recap of life at "Casa de Culbertson" as of late:

• Dan started his new job at Iowa State University - he's still in training for this first month, but then his schedule will be consistent. He always has Saturdays off now! And we have been researching our insurance and it's true! State benefits are awesome. :)
• Payton has KinderSchool everyday except Tuesdays from 8:30-11:30 am. She loves it and she is learning so much. She never ceases to amaze me with her maturity. 
• Payton likes to eat and snack all the time. Groceries are getting to be expensive to keep everyone with full bellies!
• Micah is fighting a cold right now. The kids' daycare has been a breeding ground for sickness. So it's always going to be a battle this winter season, I suppose. 
• I have a lot of vacation time to use before the end of the year, so today, for example, I took half a day off from work. Although, I'm still "working" because I am monitoring my email.
• Dan's car - the Pontiac Grand Am - wouldn't start Monday morning. We had to have it towed to a repair shop and have the fuel pump replaced. That was an unexpected and rather expensive repair that suddenly landed in our laps. But we're glad for quick service and thankful to have relatively reliable cars!
• My job is going well - it's the same ol' same ol' stuff that I did pre-kids. So it has it's stressful days. Luckily, I work with about 5 other ladies that do the exact same thing I do, so we can share in our woes! :) The worst part is having to drive to West Des Moines from Ankeny every day, which is about a 20-30 minute drive. 

We're looking forward to the holidays this year! And seeing everybody! Dan is excited to actually have TIME OFF for a change. It'll be the first time in our 7 years of marriage that he hasn't had to work on or before Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Ok, the children won't let me have any more peace and quiet so I need to conclude this post before they take over the keyboard and start typing things like: akjsdhfklhjasdfkjhasdf;lhjasdf;lkjasdflkjasdflkj

Love you all!!!

Anna

Fall Leaves in OK

Hello Family!

 I like this return of the Tickle Bug! I'm excited to have Thanksgiving at your house! That will be fun. I've got some catching up to do with a Ms. Amy. I feel like I haven't seen that lady in a while. I'll be looking forward to seeing her and you and EVERYONE! Steph and I are both excited to be home for awhile.

Sounds like Grandma's house is full of surprises these days! We will have to play some Rook when we are all together for Thanksgiving! We will show them guys who they are dealing with! I hear you all got some snow up in IA?! Dad sent me a picture, it was real pretty! Down here, it was 73 ish that day it snowed for you guys... but since then it has cooled off quite a bit. I hear it is supposed to warm up this weekend again. Eek, I'm not ready for the cold. I'm a baby when it gets cold... hehe.

Grandma: It would depend on what specialty I chose within the title of 'nurse practitioner' on whether or not I would be on call. I'm still contemplating some different options so we shall see. I was thinking about going to grad school in the fall but... we are doing a financial peace type of bible study at church and tonight he was talking about the snowball effect and living wisely now so you can benefit from your wise choices in the future... and I was thinking 'maybe, I should pay off my OBU loans before I go take out a ton more for grad school'... so I don't know. I'll keep you updated.

We should take some fun family pics over Thanksgiving while everyone is together! And then even more over Christmas when Eric and Denice's family is in IA too! Woot woot!

 I hope your haircut went well Darla! It's always a nice feeling to get all trimmed up.
Momma, did you find any good buys will you were out shopping on your day off?

Love you all,
Sarina

 ^ Here is the reason for the title of this blog. We took some Roomie pictures yesterday while the leaves are still pretty.....kinda.

"Tickle Bug" strikes again!

It was so nice to see Aaron last week and get everyone under one roof at the same time! We had such a good time together during his very short visit. The weekend before that I babysat the two cutest kids in the entire world! We also had a good time together while mommy & daddy got some much needed R&R. The time changed that weekend and I still feel like I'm not quite adjusted. Today my husband and I both had our yearly physicals (fun, fun!). Looks like we're both okay but need to get more exercise (yuck!). I'm looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving at our house. I will be getting back to some of you about what you can bring. That day will be here in just 2 weeks - and then it's Christmas! Where does the time go?! I have a haircut this afternoon, so I better sign off for now. We'll see most of you real soon! The Tickle Bug (P.S. I am enjoying everyone's posts.)

Wow, it's been a while since I put anything on here - I forgot the password and all.  Oh well, good thing I kept the email Sarina sent.
We both have the day off today and have been running around with the little bit of snow that we received today.  Had a funeral in the big city of Marshalltown and then went to Jordan Creek for a bit of shopping.  Shawn always loves to go shopping.  He finds a sitting area and stays there while I shop and gets a nap in.   Pretty exciting huh?!?
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving with everyone home (except for Eric - which we are all anxiously waiting to see in December).
We had found a house here in Pleasant Hill that we put an offer in on and found out yesterday that it sold already.  Not having much luck finding a home in this area that really trips our trigger.  Probably too picky.  Patience, patience right?
We here from our renters in KC often and they are getting all settled in room by room and loving it so far.  We are very thankful for them and to have someone living in the house with winter approaching.
Have a great week all and I will try to do a better job of posting once in a while.  

Monday update from Grandma

Sarina,

It was so good to read from you this morning.  It seems everyone is forgetting about this blog, but, hopefully, people will get used to it before long.  A very good way to keep in touch with everyone, I think.

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost here.  When will you and Stephanie get to come home for Thanksgiving?  Can't wait to see you again.  Sarina, sounds like a good plan to be a Nurse Practitioner.  They don't have hospital calls and night calls, do they?  I was thinking the other day that working in a doctors office might not be too bad either.  At least there wouldn't be a lot of lifting - but,  Nurse Practioner would be much more down your line.  You are very good at what you do and concerned about your patients.  That's what we all like to see in our doctors.  

We had a pleasant surprise Saturday evening when Dan, Anna, Payton and Micah brought soup and all the trimmings and came to our house.  We didn't have to do anything.  I did bake a cake, which we worked on and then I froze the rest.  Micah is "on the go" most of the time, but, we sure wouldn't want him  any other way.  Payton is just the most well behaved, polite little girl I know.  She is really a sweet.

Last evening we were surprised again when Shawn & Delana came after church.  We played two games of Rook, and those men beat both of them!!  We girls have definitely lost "our touch", I'd say.  Oh, well, it is fun anyway.

This week looks pretty free of doctors appointments.  None on the calendar.  I got my cast off and my hand is healing and doing well.  That was a real relief.  Much easier to do things when it is off and I can put my hands in water, etc.

Let me hear from all of you sometime.  I look everyday to see if someone has written anything new.  I love this idea.  Thank you, Sarina and we love you.

 

Stephanie

How are you doing?  Did you have a nice week end?  I heard Ryan did actually get to come see you.  I believe that boy really likes you!!  I can sure see why.  You are so sweet and cute too.  We look forward to seeing you before too much longer.  Love you and Take Care!

Must get busy for now.

Love to all, Grandma/Mom

From Sarina

Grandma:
It sounds like Sally and I need to come up again and then we can all play Rook again together to help you brush up. Keep tabs on the guys' nonverbal cues... maybe they are using secret codes to tell each other what cards they have!! Just kidding. Only Steph and I are weasels and do that.
I hope all the doctor appointments go well this week. Sounds like it will be a busy few days. I loved the picture on Facebook of you and dad (Shawn) with your matching casts on!! It was so cute!

Anna:
It looks like you are getting some good mileage in these days! I was doing really with a running a few miles every other day at the beginning of this semester and I have apparentely lost my motivation cause I haven't went on a run in like four weeks! What is your secret to keep up the miles?
I try to be a weasel... and blame it on being busy... but from what I hear, life does not get any less busy as you get older so I better get some routine down now, hm?


I'm at work right now. I picked up an extra shift this week so I'm working till midnight tonight. It's been really slow with hardly any call lights going off from patients so I have been able to get some studying done and maybe a little FB creeping here and there... haha.

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away... and before we know it, the end of the semester will be here and then only one to go till graduation! I'm pretty psysched to finish the nursing program here! Graduation will feel really good. I have been seriously contemplating going to Nurse Practitioner school right after graduation. We will see what opportunities I come across. It would be nice to get on at a hospital, build some rapport and maybe they will pay for my further education. I'll definitely be checking into all of that over Christmas Break. Will keep you all updated :)

Love always,

Sarina

 

Monday Update from Grandma

Good morning, everyone!
It was good to read the blog from Sarina and Stephanie, so decided to respond.  Hopefully, it won't be long and other family members will "catch on" and write something too.  I know it is hard to remember, but, please do try.  It is fun to hear what has been going on your lives.

My wrist is healing nicely, I think.  Go Wednesday morning to get this cast off and I will be so happy to get it off.  Seems like 2 weeks were forever this time.  Dad has a dr. appointment with the arthritis guy on Wed. morning also, so have to be in Pella at 9:10, then be in West Des Moines a 11:45.  So that morning will be rather busy.  On Friday, Dad/grandpa goes back to the Dr. who ordered the bone scan and we're anxious to hear what he recommends.  Otherwise, we are doing just O.K.

The Youth Group came over to our house last night and raked leaves.  That was wonderful, but, I think it was the leader and 3 girls - and in the dark.  We told Jason where to turn the lights on and they have several bags sitting our by the trees, so we will take them to the dump later today.  It rained a little last night and things are still pretty wet, but, the sun is beginning to peek now, so should dry later.  Dad has mowed the leaves 3 times now and if he can do that one more time, I think we won't worry about the rest.  The trees have been absolutely beautiful.

Yesterday at noon we went to the Mustang Diner.  It is always good food.  I had a chef salad in a taco shell with honey mustard dressing.  Yummy, Yum!!  Couldn't eat all the shell, but, it was good too. Grandpa had a chicken fried steak with potatoes and gravy.  He said it was really good.  The dr. told him to cut back on his "American Goulash" since he has gained weight.  I can't say a word because I'm having a struggle too.  We both need to "cut back" on our intake.  Will be working on that, but, with holidays coming, it isn't a real easy time to it.  Looks like I'm running out of space.  Could that be???  I really enjoyed the picture of Sarina and Stephanie having dinner together.  Looking forward to seeing everyone at Thanksgiving time, then again at Christmas.  Guess I'm not running out of space afterall.

We enjoyed having Jerry & Linda over after church last night.  We played Rook, and the guys beat 2 of 3.  We ladies just can't seem to beat the guys any more.  No matter who we're playing with!!  Have to "brush up" I guess, ha, ha.

Well, I guess I'd better try to get something done.  Take care everyone.  Love to all, Grandma/Mom

Fall Festivities

Hello Family!!

Stephanie came over for din din the other night. We made her favorite which is a chicken, green beans and rice dish. It was wonderful. I doubled the recipe so I would have left overs for the rest of this week! The life of a college student.... leftovers are the best!

I got a little tired of my long hair last week so I go home from work one night and asked my roommate, Michelle, if she would attempt to cut it for me. She gave me a really strange look and said "um sure..". She has never cut anyone's hair before but I used to cut her hair my freshmen year so I told her its okay if you mess up, I can go get it done somewhere but you may  be wonderful and save me twenty bucks! And it turns out she is wonderful!! She trimmed off two (ish) inches and then I framed it around my face and layered it and I really like it! Now my other roommate, Sally, wants me to cut her hair. We shall see. Who said I was only going to school to get a degree in nursing... haha just kidding.

We had a surprise fall festival for the kids at my church last week. The pastors wife and I set it all up the night before with fun little carnival games like throwing darts and popping balloons, ring the bottle, mini golf, human tic tac toe etc. The kids were super excited and we all had a lot of fun.

There was a womens leadership conference on campus this weekend. Me and two of my roommates went to it. And I was asked to wrap up one of the lectures of the main speaker and give a few applications to life and pray at the end. And I was surprised that I wasn't nervous at all. I didn't prepare for it at all, cause obviously I didn't know what she was going to talk about. So I just listened and thought about how I could apply her principles to life and shared with the ladies about that and prayed. It was really good. I have given three presentations this semester in nursing classes and I think I'm getting better at speaking in front of people. For the first one.... oh my lanta... I was sweating like a CRAZY person, I was sooo nervous!! Like literally, my upper lip was sweating like I had just run a marathon! haha. And the second presentation was a bit better, and the third one was a lot better and then my little tid bid last night at the leadership conference was a piece of cake. Maybe being a nursing professor is up my alley. I guess I should probably focusing on passing the NCLEX and getting my RN first, hm?

Grandma, how's your arm and everything? Is Grandpa being sweet and doing the dishes for you and whatnot? I told dad that once he has his surgery, you two could have a cast party together! You should definitely snap a picture! PS what happened you and grandpas camera?

Anything new with you other ladies??
Denice, are you all still coming down for Thanksgiving? Or is that Christmas?

Love you all!!

Sarina 

Friday Update from Mom/Grandma

Good Morning, everyone! I am a little handicapped with my left hand out of commission, but I'll try to do the best I can. Wednesday afternoon, of course, I had the carpal tunnal surgery. It went very well. Didn't feel a thing this time. It was so nice!! Yesterday Grandpa had a bone scan, but, haven't heard back from that yet. They all have asked if he fell sometime and hurt his hip, and he certainly has, so don't know what all that will mean. Will update when we find out. It is sunny here today, but, still chilly. Was frosty this morning, but, supposed to warm up a little today. I think one of my flowers froze last night. That is alright because I'm getting tired of going out to water them all the time. Aren't I lazy???? We certainly enjoyed having Sarina and her friend, Sally, with us last week for a few days. Was awful quiet when they were gone again on Sunday. The leaves are soooo beautiful right now and I asked Grandpa if he would take a picture for me, but, haven't seen one yet. Guess he needs a camera to do it tho, doesn't he????Just hate to think of all the leaves that have to fall on the ground, and be picked up again. Sounds like work to me!! Out neighbor is pretty good about picking them up with his mower, so hopefully he will do it again this year. Must close for now. Have a good week everyone!! Love to all, Grandma

From Denice

Hello everyone! I am finally able to get on this blog deally bop and tell you all my life story. This is a wonderful way for me to communicate with my princess trainees. I can post advise and lessons right here.......on a daily basis! This is going to be soooooo much fun. But enough about princess stuff..... It is Saturday afternoon and the love pups are sleeping here in the kitchen while I type this important information. Rich is working today. Meagan is off babysitting today. And Jamie is in Flagstaff for the weekend with Kendra and her family. I have the entire house to myself. I love when that happens. I am waiting for the Directv guy to call and tell me he is on his way to install our new boxes. We are adding DVR to our package. I think we will really like it once we have it. There are always shows I would like to record and now I can do that. I'm going to bake a Devil's food chocolate cake for small group tonight. I was going to buy dessert but changed my mind when I saw that I had the cake mix in my cupboard. The Directv guy just showed up. That's cool. He's busy doing his thing now so I will finish typing here. I don't have a whole lot to tell other than we are all good and so happy to finally have cooler weather. The morning and evening are just awesome. I usually sit out in the back yard with the dogs an hour in the morning and about an hour again at night. When it really gets cold in the evenings we will fire up our little mini fire pit and roast marshmallows and have S'mores. Are your mouths watering yet?? I'm going to go for now and will post more later since I know how to do this now. Love to all, Denice

Friday morning update!

It is a chilly, sunny morning. Was 38 degrees earlier, but, warming up as the day goes on. We have been enjoying Sarina & Sally being here with us since Wednesday. We had several of the family here last night for dinner (supper) and that was a good time. Served 2 chicken casseroles, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, cole slaw, applesauce, rolls and cookies and oreo fluff. It was all very good tasting and much of it was finished off. Glad for that. Have some of one casserole left, which we will have for lunch today. We are doing quite well, even tho busy running to doctors to try to get some help for Donald. We are really thinking it is a "fruitless mission" but, the doctors seem to think they might be able to help somehow. Time will tell. I plan to have my left hand operated on for carpal tunnel next Wednesday (23rd). Hope it works as good as the first one did. Must go. Will talk later.

News from the "Tickle Bug"

We will see how this goes! I have today off as I usually do on Wednesdays, but it is a dreary day. Boo-hoo! I will probably have to run to town to pick up tires for my husband to put on a vehicle he is working on. He also mentioned that I could come out and install a thermostat on a vehicle, but I haven't decided yet whether I am qualified. I am looking forward to seeing my nieces tomorrow night. I hope everyone arrives safely! Too bad you girls couldn't come home at the same time. I've never heard of a college having a fall break before. Of interest, I was on a local "Radiothon" for Breast Cancer Awareness Month last week Tuesday. They asked me to share my story and then promote mammograms and early detection. This is the 2nd time I have done this for them. It's always a little nerve racking but I tend to settle in and feel more comfortable once I get started talking. It's weird to know that hundreds of people could be listening to you but you can't see them! Our whole family is doing well right now as far as I know. I need to get busy with other things now, but hope to see several of you tomorrow night! Love, The Tickle Bug (you know who I am)

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

We went to S.S. & Church this morning.  Pastor Jeriah had a good sermon too.  He preached from Psalm 1 and tonight he will be doing Acts 2, I think.  That is if he got finished with Acts 1 last week.  We weren't there then.
I'd sure like to see something from other family members.  You will get really sick of just me on here all the time.
The weather again is just beautiful.  We mowed the lawn yesterday and it looks like springtime.  Green as can be.  Thankful for the rains we have been getting.  Now, the acorns from our neighbors tree are falling on our driveway.  He (the neighbor) pretty well cleaned them off yesterday, but, can't tell it today.  Some little girls came and each  took a half trashbag home with them.  Bet their mothers were thrilled with that!!Maybe they will return later, who knows??  At least the squirrels are having lots of fun burying them for the winter.  I don't know how they remember where they planted them, but, they sure do.  Pretty smart little creatures.
We are doing fine.  Time to read my book for a while, then a nap.  Good bye for now.  Grandma/Mom

We had a busy day running to the doctor again!!  Dad went to see Dr. Matthes about his hips hurting and they want him to have an MRI to see for sure what is going on.  It is scheduled for Monday, the 14th and goes back to see the doctor on Friday, the 18th.  We'll see what that shows, but, they were pretty sure he didn't need hip replacement - yet.
I went to see Dr. Hon about doing my left hand carpal tunnel.  It is scheduled for the 23rd.  I told him I could feel it last time and he said he would make sure I didn't feel a thing this time.  We'll see about that!!  Hope he is right!  I have to have my pre-op physical and I'm going to see Diane here in Monroe for that, next Tuesday.  The rest of next week looks pretty open.
Anna, I was so sorry to hear the children were sick.  I surely hope they are feeling better and trust you and the family can come see us some other time before long.  We sure enjoyed Micah's birthday party.  He is such a cutie!!  And Payton is growing up soooooo fast.  School has certainly made her blossom.
Haven't seen too many new blogs on here.  I look every day to see what's new, so better get started real soon everyone.  Looking forward to seeing Sarina and Stephanie next week sometime.  Bye for now!

I HAVE THE DAY OFF TODAY!!  I thought I would write something before Matt and I leave to go to my favorite shopping place here - Jordan Creek.
We actually have good news on the horizon - we have another interested party in our house.  So hopefully soon through either renting or buying we will have some relief there.  This only means that we get to make a trip down and unload the rest of the house which is still quite a bit - actually there is probably still enough stuff there to actually furnish a small home for someone - just no food.  We will be going down on the 21st through the 22nd and getting hopefully everything else out if anyone wants to join us please speak now.
I have been wondering where everybody elses news pieces are at?  Takes a while to get used to it I guess.  We are looking forward to the girls and one of their friends coming home next week for fall break and also Eric called me at 4:30 on tuesday morning and is at Mount Fuji still and will be going to Tokyo on the 13th for some free time - he is excited about that.  Will be leaving over there on December 8th and wants us to drive his camaro out to North Carolina to be there when he gets back from this deployment.  We are considering that and then flying back home possibly with him.  We will all be glad to see him again - seems like it has been short of forever.  He is getting the opportunity to see places he may never see on his own.  Well, better get ready for some SHOPPING!
Hope everyone is doing well - Love you, Delana

Good Morning, everyone!

Thought I'd try to get on here by myself again this morning, and, guess what?????  I finally succeeded.  Thought I was going to have to call Delana again, but, determination finally won out!!  Hurray!!  I'm doing some laundry and baking some bars to take to Bible Study tonight.  I volunteered the first night and hopefully have it done for a while.  Our group just keeps growing.  Praise the Lord for that!  Could have as many as 20 come if they would all come at once.  I'm planning for that many anyway.  Have a good day.  Mom/Grandma  P.S.  This is sooooo much fun.  Thank you Sarina, for thinking of this.

Can't wait to put the snowmen out!!  Grandpa will be thrilled to pieces when they reappear.  Well, I've learned how to something new.  So proud of myself!!  Grandma

I have been very frustrated trying to get this blog right.  Delana and Shawn came and she got me all set up, so now "be prepared for the news of your life!!"  Not right now because we are going to go eat dinner.  Hope you are all having a good week end.  Delana forgot about a meeting, so they did not go to kc.  Mom/Grandma/ Great Grandma

Hello everyone - we are getting ready to make a trip to kc and do a little cleaning up at the house to get  ready for a family to rent the house.  More news later.

My Life in a Nutshell

Hey Family!

        How are you all doing? Is this blog thing a great idea on Sarina's part or what? I hope you are all doing well. Thought I would post a little update on my life. Sophomore year is going well thus far...for the most part. Hahaha classes, as was expected, are getting much harder. However, I am trucking through. Have no fear, fall break is near! I will be home in two short weeks and I cant wait!
 
       So, I assume word has got out about Mr. Ryan. Well, he is just peachy these days. He is still adjusting to the life of a cool college kid but he is slowly but surely getting the hang of it. He seems to be enjoying his time at the University of Iowa more and more as the semester goes so that's definitely a plus! I am getting pretty excited to see him again over fall break as well as some of you!

      Anyway, I cant wait to see all of your lovely posts and hear about everything going on in your lives. Thinking about you all a lot lately as fall break approaches and I will hopefully get to see some of you. Love and miss you all. Hope you have a great weekend!

-Stephanie Renee

2/3rds of the Barr Family Together!

Here is the picture from Stephanie's Birthday Party on Saturday!
Hope all is well with everyone!

It looks like mom had success in posting.
Let me know if anyone has any troubles seeing the blog or posting.
 

-SB

This is a test to see if I know how to do this or not.  I am trying to get some cookies baked for our wednesday night activities so need to get going, but will post more later.  So anxious to see if this really works.
Hope this brief note finds everybody doing well.

Mom & Dad visit OK

Hey Family,

Here is our new BLOG! So we can stay in touch better since we are all spread across the nation..... well... that might be an exaggeration I suppose. You can check this whenever you like and you can post on here whenever and whatever (updates, pics etc) you like.

So here is the first post from me. Can't wait to hear from you!

This past weekend... Mom and Dad came down and visited Steph and I in Oklahoma!
It was a SUPER fun weekend. We were sure to go to Mom's favorite OK store, called Ross, and us ladies enjoyed some shopping there while Dad 'explored' around Shawnee. We went swimming at the hotel pool a few times, ordered pizza and of course watched the Series Finale of Breaking Bad (Dad's only request during the weekend). It was a nice relaxing weekend with part of the family together.

On Saturday night, we threw a surprise birthday party for the birthday girl! It was CandyLand Theme so everyone wore bright colors and her friends AND family were able to celebrate with her in Oklahoma! We had Grandma & Grandpa on skype so they can be in on the surprise as well. And might I say Grandpa was looking pretty classy in a striped gray shirt and grandma in a pink shirt! Steph enjoyed her party and got silly stringed multiple times by her friends!!

Here is a picture of the birthday girl and me from a few weeks ago at a Talent Show, called Biggie, at OBU. She were matching with the color schemes, hm? Sister intuition I guess. (I have a picture from when Mom and Dad visited but don't have access to it now so I will upload it later).

Mom and Dad are back in Iowa doing their thing. And reality has set back in for Steph and I. She has had a lot of chemistry and biology lab work so far this week. She is trooper with the workload she has this semester! My exams and papers set in next week so I'm trying to prep this week. I'm writing a paper over Women's Submission in Marriage so if you all have any thoughts.. I'm all ears!! :)

Anywho... I'm excited about this blog and keeping up to date with you all a little better!

Can't wait to hear from you all!

Love Sarina