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