friesenfam.net

Friesen family blog

August 16, 2011
by janette
4 Comments

an update on why its been awhile…and why a little change is good.

So…haven’t blogged in awhile. The reason…hard drive failure. Sad Day! No, we didn’t lose any photos…we were smart enough to have those backed up. Hopefully, we haven’t lost anything else, as we are in the problem solving process.

So…there may not be anything new for awhile…until we get this thing figured out…unless i come up with another plan.

This is one post I had written a couple of weeks ago and have been sitting on. It’s soul bearing.

This is really out there for me. I feel like I’m sharing way too much.

I’m not sharing it to get a pat on the back. I’m not sharing it to proclaim “hey…look at me”. That isn’t like me. Perhaps why it’s so hard to share. One of my biggest pet peeves is people who lose weight and then suddenly become “better than everyone else”, or at least that’s their perception of themselves. For example, there is this girl that goes to the same gym i do. She started out a little bigger than myself and has lost an incredible amount of weight. But that’s not the only difference I’ve noticed in her. We used to chat while we were working out on machines next to each other. Now when I say Hi…she doesn’t. It’s interesting…and something I will never understand…how losing weight can make you lose part of your personality too.

I will never be that person. Am I proud of my accomplishments? Absolutely. Do I still have a long way to go? Absolutely. I am no better than anyone else on this journey…whether successful or not.

I’m sharing out of honesty. I’m sharing it hoping it will motivate me to keep going.

This is the picture that started it all…that made me want to make a change. I don’t know why it’s hard to share this picture with you…you’ve all seen me at that weight before. And you still accepted me. You still liked me. (at least i think you did.)

It still took me a year after this photo to start…

I made Nathan take this picture a couple of weeks ago…same clothing…two and a half years later.

We’re getting there.

And while we’re on the subject…i don’t think red is my color.

August 1, 2011
by janette
3 Comments

the 4th of july weekend

The fourth of July was really low key for us this year. Which I loved! I get a little stressed when it comes to holidays and trying to fit everything in. This year, we didn’t feel rushed, we didn’t have 20 places to go…it was just a nice relaxing weekend.

We took in the fireworks in Waterloo on Friday night of the weekend…mainly so we didn’t have to worry about seeing them on Monday night and then getting the kids to bed late when we’d have to get up for Ellie’s t-ball the next morning.

Sunday, we headed to my parents house, and then onward to feed the ducks in Charles City. It had been awhile since we’d done this – I think Evan was just born…

yep…there he is…at two months and one day old, “feeding” the ducks.

and there is Ellie…(such a little girl!)

So, it was time to make a return trip – one perhaps Evan will remember.

He loved it! He really got into the throwing part!

And all Ellie wanted was for a goose to take the bread out of her hand. One eventually did…and then she went back to throwing too…I think it may have scared her a little more than she’ll admit.

The next day was the 4th…and we spent the morning at the parade with my parents and grandparents.

Waiting for the parade when it’s 95+ degrees outside is one hot affair! Thank goodness for grandma and her 4 umbrellas!

You can see how the sharing of one was going…

But each with our own, mom and i were staying “nice and cool”. Well, it was better anyway.

By the time the parade started, the kids didn’t care anyway…they were up, in the street, getting candy, and greeting…Elmo? How hot would this guy have been? Woah.

And here is my favorite series of pictures from the morning…she sees Ronald…she calls out “hey, Ronald”. He waves like they’ve been friends forever…and then comes over. I love this guy. Something about him gets me thinking about french fries and strawberry lemonade (which, sadly, I’m addicted to!)

AND he brings his own picture frame!

Not to be left out of course!

What a great morning! Hot and all…I’ll still take it. We celebrated after the parade with lunch at my grandma and grandpa’s house. Followed by a nap. Now there is a holiday tradition I never miss…and one that never gives me stress in planning!

July 31, 2011
by janette
0 comments

planting pumpkins

Earlier this summer, we were able to visit my sister and her hubby on their farm near Des Moines. While we were there, they asked the kids if they wanted to plant their own pumpkins. What kid would say no to that? A chance to dig in the dirt and not get scolded by mom…

They made little flags with their names on them, chose the perfect spot on a little hill, dug a hole…

dropped in their seeds…

and covered them up.

We hear they’re doing well…and we can’t wait to see them in the fall!

Thanks Aunt Angie and Uncle Blaine for taking care of them for us!

July 30, 2011
by janette
1 Comment

the chase

Most of the time I despise summer…it’s hot, it’s sticky, it’s buggy…

But you can’t have an impromptu squirt gun fight in the middle of winter. Well, you could…but i don’t think it would turn out to be nearly as fun.

July 29, 2011
by janette
0 comments

the process

As you know by now…I get a little obsessive about birthday cakes. I can’t help it. I get excited. I’ve always loved birthdays…and I want my kids to get as excited about theirs as I get about mine!

They get to pick the theme…I get to do the rest. :)

Necessities for the process (this just happens to be the rainbow cake process):

a lot of similar sizes bowls…for measuring and coloring the cake batter

Some awesome food coloring…bought it at Walmart. It colors really well!

Yep…this is a necessity in my process too. :)

some awesome wilton cake pans…a gift for my birthday this year from my in-laws. They know me well…I squealed with delight when these babies showed up on my doorstep. Thank you amazon for your ship to recipient option!

Also…wax paper circles in the bottom of my pans…ensuring nothing is sticking to the top. It has always been my biggest issue…getting cakes out of the pan that is. This usually solves it. Just not on those crazy shaped pans…hmmm.

and plenty of counter space to set it all out.

Pouring the batter in the pan is probably my favorite part. I just love how it looks when it’s sitting there…all yummy in the pan just waiting to be baked.

and after it’s baked, the fun part begins…making it a one of a kind creation just for them. Needed for this: creativity and patience.

Last thing you need…one excited child. Okay, I lied…I think this is my favorite part.

Birthdays are so much fun!