Merry Christmas

(L to R- Matt, me, Mark, Mom Cramer, Josh, Lauren-on Josh's shoulders, Dad Cramer and Stephanie.)


Hope you all had a Merry Christmas...I'm still a bit loopy from all the busy-ness, but it was a wonderful weekend!

Blessings to you and yours,
Sue

My Girlfriendology Interview

Hello!

I did an interview with Debba from Girlfriendology a couple weeks ago. She is so sweet and we had a great conversation. Feel free to listen in, and by the way, Sam (the dog) makes a couple cameos in the interview. The little stinker was sitting next to me and every time I stopped petting her, she would yelp!

While you're there, sign up for their newsletter, they always have so much going on and you will love all the connections at Girlfriendology!!

Here is the interview: Sue Cramer at Girlfriendology

FYI- On the left, click on either RSS feed or Podcast feed to listen.

(By the way, our conference is now full with over 200 ladies coming!)

Also, I am over at the Internet Cafe' today.

You can read that here:

My article: ”I’m so glad that God is not like me!”

Note: Two shall become One ~ Tuesday will return next week!

My 300th post!!!

(To the girls who I had dinner with last night...thank you, I had a blast!!!)

I scooted right by my 200th post without noticing , so I thought I'd catch this one. Who knew I had so much to say....(my husband rolls his eyes and shakes his head).

So for my 300th post I thought I would start listing all the colors my hair has been.... ok, no that would take too long. I know, I'll sing for you....yeah, that's not working so great either.

Well, I'm plumb out of ideas, so I am going to once again, take a big risk and invite you to ask me questions like I did for my 100th post. I must say though...you were relentless! Feel free to ask me about my favorite flower if you like! :-)

Leave me a question in the comments and I'll answer in the comments.
Please be gentle. No anonymous questions! :)

And can I tell you that I have loved "meeting" you all. Blogging has been a blast for me, especially because I am normally sipping a cup of coffee while in my jammies reading your comments!
Thanks for being such an encouragment to me, you've gotten me through some rough times.

Hugs,
Sue

Don't forget to sign up below at the giveaway so I can bless YOU!

With God...All Things Are Possible!

Hello!
Thanks to all of you who prayed for me and sent me such sweet notes.
The surgery went really well, and my wrist is recovering nicely.

My husband did however take the opportunity to mess with me as I came out of the anesthesia. I was talking to him and he just kept looking at me saying that my mouth was moving but no words were coming out. He did this several times and I was just baffled because I knew I could hear myself but I thought that I must be delusional because of the meds. Finally as I was trying to slowly but loudly speak to him so that he could hear me, he burst out laughing!
What a guy! Hard to tell where my son (that does stand-up comedy) gets it!!!

So, I slept most of the weekend while Mark kept the little one busy...or is it the other way around??? Then we spent yesterday with family at the lake for a fish fry. It was so good to have all the kids together having fun.

I ran across this video and just had to share it with you. It's a golden oldie, but I love it just the same. It's words are timeless and the message so powerful!!
Listen again as if for the first time....



All things are possible with the Lord!!!

My surgery is today

Hey girls,
Just wanted to let you know that I am having carpal tunnel surgery done today on my right wrist. I am not sure how long this will keep me from my computer, so I'll talk to ya when I can!
Sue

Home from Tennessee

Hello!
We are back from 10 days at Lorretta Lynn's Ranch in Tennessee.
It is the home of the biggest amateur national race of the year.
We had so much fun and our Team Allegan boys did so good. Here are a couple of pictures of them.

Lance swept the title with 3- 1st place wins to become the fastest jr. rider in the nation!

I love this little guy!

This is my friend Kel's boy, Chase.

He won 4th place overall in the sr. class.

See that little face behind him??

Always in on the action.

My friend Karen's son, Clay, won 1st place overall in the sr. class. I was bawling my eyes out when this boy won, it was an amazing race!!

What would a post be without shots of Lauren?
This is she and my oldest Matt (in the hat) searching for crawfish in the river.

And the next one is her with a cheese stick!

It was a very HOT week! I don't know how ya'll do that heat and humidity like that, this Michigan girl just about melted!

We hung out with lots of friends and had such a great time.

Our life will be much less busy for a little while now, so I am looking forward to being home a little more.

Thanks so much to my sister-in-law Ali for keeping the posts that I set up going.

I am trying to catch up on email, comments and your blogs.

I love traveling, but it's always good to be home.

Unfortunately, I had no internet, satellite tv or phone service!! It was like we were in a black hole! :)

I really missed ya'll!

Love,

Sue

Two shall become One

I need to start with a personal note here and thank you all so much for the prayers and sweet words of encouragment. I have great news...after 2 nights of wearing the wrist support- the pain is GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so thankful!!!!
Our God is faithful!!!!

I have been thinking alot about how easy it is to get in the rut of just plugging through our days and not taking the time to do the extra special things that make our husbands and family feel loved.

This week is going to be real simple, let's do something special for our husband and each member of our family this week to let them know that they are important to us.

Maybe it's a certain meal or dessert, maybe it's just setting the table like company is coming over- just for the family!
It may be a "thing" that you get or a "thing" that you do, but let's take a little time out of our busy-hectic schedule to love on our family members this week.

I would love to hear your ideas and "reports" on what you do and how your family responded!

Ephesians 5:15-21
15 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise,
16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
NIV

Have a wonderful week ladies!
I'm praying for our marriages,
Sue

My Diagosis...

Well, it was a rough weekend girls!

I been in a lot of pain in my hands and arms, especially at night. There's nothing like walking around the race track at 3AM because I can't get feeling in my hands and the pain was so great that I thought I would pass out. If we had not been so far from home, I would have gone onto emergency for sure.

I ended up going into the doctor this morning and he believes I have carpal tunnel. I can't believe I overlooked all the obvious symptoms, but a couple months ago I asked our family doctor if I could have it and he didn't think so. Therefore I never looked into it.
Now that I have looked it up, the symptoms are classic.

So, I will keep up on the Two shall become One~ Tuesday posts and the monthly giveaways, but will otherwise be taking a bit of a break. I am typing this now with splints on and it is not easy-but you're worth it! :)

Thanks for all the prayers, I am relieved with the answer as my mind (and the enemy) was having a hay-day with my concern about the symptoms. My heart goes out to those with chronic pain.

My hope is in Him!
Sue

Friday Fluff and other random happenings...

I had the pleasure of meeting a blog friend yesterday!

Karen Hossink of Surviving Motherhood was speaking at a MOPS meeting in my area so I met her there and then we went to lunch.

I had such a nice time. Karen is just a doll and as you can see, she's the cutest little thing!

We had some awesome "girl time" and talked all about our kids, family and faith while having lots of laughs in the process!

I hope we get to meet up again sometime, she's the real deal and if you get a chance, go meet her at her blog and get her book while you're there! Her message to the MOPS group was so honest and encouraging.

Her book called "Confessions of an Irritable Mother."

It is a must read for anyone with young ones in the home!!

***************************************************************

Speaking of young ones in the home...

Here are some pictures that Lauren's big sister took of her while Mom was gone!

Can you see the love on Macy's face?!

(Disclaimer: No animals or children were hurt in the taking of these pictures.)

Riding her "motorcycle."

She "cased" it on a jump in the garage!

Being silly!!!

Oh my joy! She keeps life fun!

As Karen and I talked about yesterday, we have to enjoy these days...they go by so quickly!

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

Sue

I Want to Talk About Me

Not really, but you keep bugging me about it! :-P

I have been sent several meme’s and always give empty promises to do them but never have. Although you must give me some credit for my 100th Post. I let you all ask me questions and you were ruthless! You asked, deep meaningful-thinking kind of questions.

Well, here’s some of the 411 on me….

1. Pets?
Yes, 1 dog (indoor) and 2 outdoor cats (I’m allergic).

2. Jobs besides being a stay at home Mom:
When I turned 16, I started working right away at Little Caesars so I could get some money for new clothes. I worked there for over 2 years and became an asst. manager.

Then I worked for my parents small Christian bookstore then I worked at a couple different health clubs teaching aerobics (it was the 80’s after all- leg warmers and all).

I worked at a bus company doing reception and office work.
(I got in trouble one day for abbreviating the word associate incorrectly.)

Then I worked at a Hallmark store in a mall until my son was born.
Since then I have not been paid for my work.

3. Favorite food:
Hands down, chips and salsa, I could live on them.
More of a salt person than a sweet, but have an undying love for milk chocolate.

4. Favorite drink:
Silly question.

5. Favorite TV shows:
Foxnews, anything- even the market reports and I'm very interested in politics, but I won't talk about it much here.
Although, let me add a disclaimer to this:
I have Foxnews on a lot, but I don’t SIT and watch it often. It is mostly background noise as I am working around the house or playing with Lauren.

The Apprentice- LOVE it! My affection is for “people watching” and insight into team dynamics- not for “The Donald”- but he’s funny too!

And Reba, I love reruns of her show. Oh that Van!

Yes, I’m a complex individual.

6. My middle name is Kay.

7. Siblings? One brother 2 years younger than I.

8. Perfume: J'adour
Lotion: Vanilla whatever

9. A pet peeve:
Radio jockeys that think I want to listen to them talk, play the music please!

10. I drive a gas-guzzling, 3 miles per gallon-diesel Excursion (the color’s not even green sorry!)

11. Favorite flower
Hydrangea

12. I met my husband at the car accident that killed his grandfather.

13. I talk back to my TV on a regular basis.
The TV never answers. But my kids tell me to stop.

14. I get horrible headaches if I eat/drink anything with artificial sweeteners.

15. My 17 year old son has Type 1 diabetes, he was diagnosed at 13 years of age when my husband happened to be in Israel. No fun! Spent almost a week in ICU with him and couldn’t talk to Mark until we were about to go home. Definitely one of the scariest times of my life. I remember calling my girl friend and trying to tell her as I was rushing him to the hospital and she just kept saying…"hunny I can’t understand you" as I bawled my eyes out.

16. I graduated from a Catholic High School.

17. I grew up in the city and we moved out to the country 9 years ago and I would never go back! I love to visit, but would not want to live there again.

18. I love Chicago though! Been there shopping several times and would love to go to New York City shopping!

19. Favorite restaurants:
A little hole in the wall Mexican place and a very fancy restaurant in Nashville that I can’t remember the name of!

20. Oh yeah, I sing too. I have done lots of weddings and led worship.

That’s all I can think of right now!
There you have it, me in a big nutshell.

Hope that satisfies enquiring minds, sorry I never did the meme's you sent me, hope this makes up for it and you still love me!

Edited to add: Susan reminded me...I was going to ask any of you to throw in your answers to these things too!!!!

Hugs,
Sue

Don’t forget to enter the January drawing!
Click HERE to enter the January drawing!

Christmas Day 2007

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
We have been with family and friends for the past 4 days and just loving every minute.

I finally got my camera back so here's some pictures from today.

Lauren waiting patiently for the kids to get up so she can open presents.

This is her first year handing out the gifts- FORE!

(Yes, it IS hurling through the air across the room to her brother.)

Daddy got a mug with the kid's picture on it.

Lauren was thrilled to get her own pink motorcycle helmet and goggles,

she wore them most of the day.

AND a two wheel bike! Good thing she had that helmet.

She had to make sure I saw the smile,

so she lifted the helmet for me.

Making dinner.

My sons with their precious little 3 year old sister!

Now she's shy?!

Grandma gave Lauren her own apron.

Getting ready for dinner.




My hallway is now a race track.



A long day of partying makes a girl (and her Daddy) awfully tired!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Sue

PS: Another giveaway starting January 1st!!

Merry Christmas From My House!

As part of Boomama’s Tour of Homes, here's mine:

First let me apologize, my camera was left at a friends house by the daughter and I had to use another one, sorry about the blurriness and poor quality- makes me crazy! But I had a deadline.

Welcome to my home,

so glad you're finally here for coffee!

Twelve hours after this, I had a half foot of snow on the walk! :)



As we sit and sip our coffee with Nestle's French Vanilla Cream (or hot cocoa if you prefer), you would see this on top of my cupboards, one of my favorite things-my violin (that I did not play but picked up at an estate sale!)

Please help yourself to a cookie- I promise they taste better than the picture looks!!! I had to pull these out of the freezer where they are hidden so the family doesn't eat them all in one day!
(Recipe at the end of post).


This is made from a few of last years Christmas cards:

This is our family room (note the wild 3 year old in the second picture!) :)



This is from the dining room, looking into the living room, catching the dog sleeping on the couch! "Get down from there Macy!" (Who am I fooling- she's there all the time!)

And the tree!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!

Thank you Boomama for hosting this!

Sugar Cookie Recipe:

Cream together:
1 cup butter & 2 cups sugar

Mix:
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Add to above.

Add:
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
3 1/2 cups flour
Mix all together and refridgerate for 2 hours.

Roll out and cut into shapes.
Bakc at 350* for 8-10 minutes.

Cool, top with icing and sprinkles.



Icing:
1 box powdered sugar
2-3 Tbls. melted butter
1 tsp ALMOND flavoring
Dash of salt
A little milk til you get the right texture.