If this is the first time you have read this blog, then WELCOME!  It’s my birthday today and I am working on my new blog…it still has needs some tweaking…but it’s going good so far!   I love birthdays…always have since I was a little girl…and prayerfully, always will!!  So, it’s my birthday, and I am having a great, sunny day.  My big boy, Boo, got off the bus and gave me big hugs…he can’t wait till we have cake tonight!   Little boy, Peanut, is still asleep, and I am reveling in that fact.  Sweet hubby will be home soon and that, my friends, is the sweetest time of the day.  So, here’s my new blog, Mom in the Fishbowl…if it’s your first time, please feel free to read the previous posts from my old blog…I have been away about 9 months…so much has taken place, my boys have grown up so much, and my marriage and life in the ministry gets sweeter and sweeter.  Enjoy the Journey!

–Karen–

Close-up cutie

Hee hee hee…I got the boys on tape…

Peanut “talking” and Boo narrating!!

Honoring Michael G. Montesi

Michael Montesi, 39 years old, from Highland Mills, NY, was meant to be a firefighter! He spent 13 years with the Fire Department and was a member of Rescue Company 1 in Manhattan. At age 5, he already owned a fire helmet and waited for years for the call from the Fire Department that sent him to a ladder company in 1988. His sister said “It was in his blood.” As a firefighter on duty, he met his wife Nancy, who had stopped by the firehouse to ask for directions. They had three children, Matthew, Ian and Ryan who adored their father. The oldest two were involved in learning to play hockey and Michael was their assistant coach. In fact, he was set to leave work early on Sept 11th…the boys had a game and he promised to be there.

On the day of Michael’s memorial service, they remembered a man who strived for excellence and the way he lifted and energized those around him. Many distant relatives honored Michael on the Legacy site. Their words spoke volumes about the kind of man, husband, father, and firefighter that he was.

To Michael’s family – Oh I pray that you would find that your son, husband, and father has been honored in the most loving way on this day; the five year anniversary. It is only by God’s divine way that I was set to honor Michael. I had prayed for a firefighter to honor, since my father-in-law is a retired firefighter. I have prayed and thought much about your family over the past 2 months, ever since receiving his name. I pray that the peace that only God can give settles over you today and every day after. May his legacy live on in the lives of his children. I would have been honored to know such a man as Michael. I won’t forget. We MUST never forget. May God Bless You all!

In Christ-

Karen

I know you all are just dying to know what I did since Thursday, right?? HA! I did enjoy some good Mexican food on my birthday, so need I say more…you know I love Mexican, so it’s no big surprise we ended up there. hee hee. I did get to sleep in a little on Friday, okay, not really, but it felt like I did. Jeremy was working on Friday, and Boo was trying out his “potential” new school, and so I was off for some girl time. I enjoyed a massage at the best spa place in Atl, and followed that up with some shopping. Now, I must preface to say the shopping was not for me, although I did try on some stuff, but only because my mom made me. :0 Oh, yes, she joined me after the spa treatment and we did lunch together at J.Alexanders. Fabulous place, and my mom says it’s her new favorite place. Rock on! The waitress even gave us the recipe for the Orzo and Wild Rice (served cold), although she can’t share the amounts, she still told us the ingredients. After that, we endured more shopping, mainly not for me, and walked away with everything we needed from Target. I was satisfied.
I went home, did a few extra things and then picked Boo up from the new “potential” school. He told me how much fun he had and he went potty in the potty TWICE! WOO HOO! He didn’t nap though…guess too much excitement! When Jeremy got home, we all went and ate some chicago-style pizza, had ice cream, and then came home. It was great!!!
The next day proved to be packed with three parties, and I managed to hit them all…come on, aren’t you impressed???? Two parties is like my maximum!!! We had the twins birthday party, which was absolutely fun and nice to catch up with Michelle and John and see my friend Jae’s kids…her hubby brought them since she was out of town. The ultimate catch-up party was my second event, a wedding shower for my friend Debbie. I haven’t seen that girl and most of my single friends, and most of my friends from FBA in sooooo long!!! It was so enjoyable! I had a great time catching up and honoring Debbie. The last party was with my Sunday School care group and it was fun too! We got to chat while the kids played and I think Boo and I were exhausted!! He hadn’t really had a nap in two days and the effects were starting to take place. Jeremy was working on my mom’s house all day, and I was sad not to spend the day with him, but when he helps my mom, it ultimately helps us. When he got home, we got caught up on our day and then Sunday, well, it’s Sunday…so off to church we go! It’s been awesome the last two weeks, since we changed to one Sunday School and the blended worship service. My face is warm when I leave there from visiting the Lord and the people we call family.
It was a great birthday weekend. Thank you Lord!

In Christ-
Karen

Tags: Birthday, Family

“I’m so excited! I’m so excited” said the boo bear this morning…why? He had a fruit bar and a pancake! Each on a different plate and all at the table they sat. The boo bear is too funny. The fact that he got excited over breakfast makes Jeremy and I laugh till we cry. I think he gets that from his Papaw. hee hee. My dad always loved breakfast when I was growing up. He still makes killer pork tenderloin and biscuits and, on Christmas, eggs benedict. Dad, are you coming up this year for Christmas???
I hope everyone has a great day. It’s muggy and very cloudy today, and I have no gel for my hair, which means frizz central. Although, my hair is long enough now to pin up, so I have a cute little do today.

–Karen

It’s my birthday week! It’s my birthday week! (Picture dancing and raising hands in the air. Got the image? Okay! )
We celebrated Jeremy’s birthday this past weekend…pretty much all weekend. I mean, you only turn 30 once ya know! hee hee. Friday night we went to a Japanese Steak House with his parents. David enjoyed the guy cooking in front of us and even scarfed his tempura chicken! I was in amazement. We headed to the mall after that and shopped a little, and a good time was had by all, I must say. David was all about Nana and Papa and insisted on holding both their hands while walking in the mall. It was adorable.
Saturday we headed to a local favorite in Cumming, called the Biscuit Barn. It’s a fabulous place for breakfast and I hear their lunch isnt’ bad either. My female boss…her niece owns the place, and I gotta say, the biscuits are the best! Jeremy then enjoyed a little fun at the PGA Superstore with his friend Anthony and then we had dinner with some friends at Up the Creek, where you get a free meal on your birthday! WOO HOO! He said he had a great weekend and I believe it. Sunday was a busy one, with the church moving to one Sunday School hour and adding a service at 8:30, plus Discipleship classes started and that means work work work for Jeremy. He still enjoyed the day with some friends and our class was great that night. So, the birthday weekend is over for Jeremy…and NOW, it’s All About Me! Wha? It’s not all about me? No, seriously, it really isn’t all about me…it’s about the Lord. You know what? My dad called to wish Jeremy a happy birthday and didn’t even want to chat with me. What is that all about?? Just teasing (dad, really, I am teasing!)…he can call me on my my actual day.
Hey, does anyone know what I am going to write about for my Thursday Thirteen this week? Um, I’ll give you 3 guesses and the first two don’t count. HA!
August is slowly coming to an end, and I gotta say, I am kind of glad. This month was packed with things, a great deal of them happening this week and next, and I will be glad when September hits. Although, at my staff meeting this morning, my boss proceeded to tell us about 14 jobs we are going to bid between now and October 10th. huh? My eyes glazed over. I don’t do the bidding, but none the less, it’s the paperwork. That’s all good though. Bidding jobs mean we normally get a percentage of those jobs, which equals money in the bank and hopefully money in my bank account/pocket.
So, what’s new with all y’all???

In Him-
Karen

Tags: Birthday, Thursday Thirteen, Work

Today was David’s first day in his new class! It wasn’t a typical first day of school, so to speak, but he was really excited to see his new class and his old friends. Two of his friends moved up to the 2 year old class a few months back, so he was excited to move up to be with them all the time. I think he really likes his school!
So, is the summer over? Not really, but I thought it would be nice to post some summer pics. We had a lot happen since the beginning of June…
David got a BIG BOY Haircut! I will state on the record that I was not pleased, however, it’s growing out, so it’s growing on me.

He honestly looks like he’s 3 to me!
Next, he got a BIG BOY Bed!

Since he loves Bob the Builder, he had to help put it together! We got the bed from IKEA and he has some special sheets on it from his favorite Train.

Next, we took Swim Lessons! Two weeks, Monday through Thursday in the evening. It was a blast and he was so excited! He did a great job! Jeremy went a few times and I went the rest. The last day we got to go outside to the big wave pool and slide! He LOVED IT!

His teacher was Miss Denise and at first he wasn’t too sure about swimming with her, but by the end, he would go to her and show her all his moves. She gave out his certificate at the end and he gave her the biggest smoochie I have ever seen! He knocked her over on her bottom! It was hilarious.

David’s Papaw bought him a doo-rag! A Harley doo-rag at that. He was unsure of it at first, but then put it on for a few pictures. With less hair, he looks so cuteness!

And last, but not least, David found that taking the Lego bucket and putting it on his head was sometimes more fun than playing with the Legos. Jeremy and I have probably built more Bob cities than we ever thought we would this summer…

That’s our summer in a nut shell.
David had a great one and we celebrated our 5 year Anniversary and will celebrate Birthdays in a few weeks!
Hope the Lord has blessed you this summer and given you an opportunity to know Him more.

In Love-
Karen

Tags: Summer