tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74743722310838189202023-11-16T10:51:17.559-08:00The Carr ShopAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-16414425699548860082013-09-10T22:54:00.001-07:002013-09-10T22:54:51.207-07:00Reality <br />
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***Disclaimer--I love my family, I love the Lord and most of the time I love my life, Mom please don't read this and panic about me, I am fine... it's just reality***<br />
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One of my co-workers suggested a reality show should be made of my family. Non-scripted, just good ole Carr life for people to watch and either laugh at or jump up and down screaming "Praise God that's not our life". Some days I think it would have to be the latter. <br />
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<u>The reality is that life is hard to navigate.</u> I cannot even begin to believe some of the things we squeeze into a day, week, month, hour, etc. We have kick back days, easy going times, but honestly, a lot of them end up leading to craziness. One of us will go to do just one little thing and that will lead to a Tsunami of issues. I can not ever figure out why the smallest of projects, the tiniest of ideas turn into huge complicated processes. I have never come to an answer for this quandary in life, but I have come to expect it. I expect but not accept this, because, really, who wants that??<br />
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You know the ole saying, two steps forward, one step back. I often think the reality of the situation is 2 steps forward 18 and a half steps back. <br />
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This song comes into my head all the time, "I get knocked down, but I get up again, ain't nothing gonna keep me down." <br />
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In reality, the song that should come into my head is this one, "I get down, HE lifts me up, I get down, HE lifts me up .... every time i'm down the Lord lifts me up". <br />
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I try not to complain all the time, I really do my best to have a good attitude about whatever comes our way. I am the optimist in the family and you have to have one. I call my husband the pessimist, but every time he just comes back and says, "No, I'm the realist. Someone has to be." <u>The reality i</u>s, we don't know what is going to come our way or how it is going to come into play in our lives. <br />
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Mike and I have been able to look back at the past three years. We have always been there for each other. There has been good, bad and pretty stinking ugly. But we have been there for each other. The situations that come into play aren't fun to deal with, aren't easy to accept, aren't situations that you want to ever think of yourself about being a part of, but hey it's a hurdle in our road of life that each time we have been able to overcome. <br />
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We have some big decisions that we would like to be making in the next little bit. Some hopes and dreams and ideas that we have. Some of them are major steps that to be honest with you, as exciting as they may be, as much as I can't even begin to fathom the good that can come from them... the reality of life hits me a bit. What if? What if our 2 steps forward is now 25 steps back? What if more failure comes our way? What if we experience more loss? What if, what if, what if??<br />
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A couple weeks ago I thought I <i>may</i> experience my first panic attack. I found this slightly amusing since everything else we have already been through in life hadn't caused one, then there should be no way that the thoughts and feelings happening at the time should make me feel the way I did. Looking back, I truly think that its the unknown. Everything else happened. It was real. There was no choice, well there were choices but <u>in reality</u>, the choice was to survive or give up. Make it or break it. <br />
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Taking unknown steps can be exciting, thrilling, eye opening and down right scary. I love a thrill ride, put me on a roller coaster or tower of terror any time... but I don't want those to be the theme of my life. If they are part of the theme I want to know the safety belts are working and there can be laughter among the screaming of the ride. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="150" src="http://www.simplelife101.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tower-terror-outside2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Adventures Tower of Terror Theme Park Ride. One of my favorites! </td></tr>
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I posed the question the other day about why stepping out in faith is such a hard thing to do? I know faith is about trusting God, leaning on Him. But if I know God is absolutely always with me and I have gotten through some amazingly high and low times in my 31 years on this Earth... why worry now? Why panic? Why be concerned with the "what if's" instead of they "why not's" or "what if we don't". <br />
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I don't have the answer to any of these things right now. I am praying that God continues to reveal His everlasting love and guidance to us and I ease up on my "having to know the answer right now" side of me. <br />
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I know that without God there is no way we would have overcome the past three years of waves crashing down on us but that darn human side of me just keeps getting in the way of seeing God's path for us right now. <br />
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<u>Reality is, God is in control. </u> Without Him we have nothing, with Him we cannot fail. We get "down" because of sin, being humans and because we try it our own way. "He lifts us up" because of His unconditional love and keeps putting us back in the right place. <br />
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<b><i>Lord, I don't want to do life on my own. Be my reality. Be the reality of my family, be our path, our guide. And please give me the patience to wait for you and the self-control to let go. Amen. </i></b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-55144483874146657392013-09-04T00:24:00.003-07:002013-09-04T00:26:53.439-07:00I want to be His Masterpiece! I know we all struggle with so many different things in life. Some of us struggle with small things (what to wear, what to do, who to text, how to cure boredom, etc), Some of us really struggle with who God has made us to be. <br />
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I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I have been in a funk. Really it isn't a small funk. I have been easily offended, crabby, unhappy about things that I am sure I should be content with, I've been comparing myself to others (good and bad) and been totally frustrated with my schedule, organization (mostly the lack there of), my abilities, my lack of abilities, my parenting skills, if I am doing enough as a wife, mom and friend, the fact that I have like no friends that I do anything with... I could go on and on and on but it's overwhelming writing it all down right now.<br />
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I have the best of intentions. I want to call people more, write people more, not get frustrated with my kids, do all kinds of special little things for my husband. I want to learn more about business so I am a better business owner. I want to have a ton of energy and pizzazz for my morning job. I want to have working out in my schedule and when I finally do get home each day I know if I just spent 15 minutes picking things up I would be so much less frustrated walking into the house the next day.<br />
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The truth is, the last month has been super tough on me. There are many reasons. There are reasons I have no problem admitting, reasons it makes me sad to admit and reasons that I really don't want to. You know those things we all have hidden in our dark corners (the self doubt, the fear, the uncertainty). <br />
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I have been working on the next three months of staff meetings for my morning job. In hearing things going on in people's lives, in having empathy for their struggles and times in life, I was taken back to a few of my favorite lessons that I have done some speaking on. There are two amazing guys. They are called <a href="http://skitguys.com/" target="_blank">"The Skit Guys" </a> . Please check them out, support them, use their video's and scripts, be encouraged and encourage others. Ok I have digressed. <br />
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I have realized that as I have been working on bringing together the next three months of meetings, that the messages I want to be sharing are messages I need to be encouraged by right now in my own life. I have been totally down on myself lately. I keep feeling super inadequate. I feel like no matter what I do, someone has to come and fix what I have done. I feel like as soon as I get something started, I have to move onto something else and I don't get to see a project to completion. I feel like no matter how hard I try, it isn't hard enough. No matter how much I give, I need to give more. No matter how I feel, I need to feel differently. There are so many "I's" involved with my feelings. I don't want to give too much away as I know some of the team I work with could be reading this, but we will be watching some skit guys in the next few months. As frustrated as I have been feeling, I know that one thing is true. I am God's Masterpiece. I am not junk. " I am God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus."<br />
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I want to leave you with a video from Youtube of a skit. Now these guys have some hilarious skits, some skits that make you feel "normal" and some that truly help you contemplate and understand God's work and purpose for your life. This is one of those. Be encouraged, be inspired, be challenged. I know I watched this again tonight and I am completely challenged to ask God to chisel away at the things hindering me. Sometimes asking for help and for something new and different is one of the hardest things to do. <br />
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<b>I am a Masterpiece. I am a Masterpiece. I am a Masterpiece. I am a Masterpiece. </b></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-60334063574037697352013-09-02T14:35:00.002-07:002013-09-02T14:36:41.957-07:00Produce, Produce, Produce! This Sunday, My daughter and I went to Denio's, which is a local flea market and farmers market! I made a menu out for the month of September. During the month we will have 8 to 12 crock pot meals. I did calculations, after I decided what meals we would do and went off to Denio's with our daughter! Our first stop was to buy a little cart to hold all of our produce. We have been to Denio's before and all end up carrying a bunch of bags and then have to figure out what to do with them when we stop someplace else throughout the day there. The cart will make it so much easier for all of our days to come at denio's, the beach (like we ever go there), the park, or any other farmers market. <br />
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Check out this picture of Miss A carting around our produce! This cart is FULL! We got so many different items. We went a little later in the day as well, we have found that the prices start to get cut at this point on a Sunday so the vendors don't have to take as much home. <br />
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We got onions, avocados, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, red potatoes, spaghetti squash, grapes, nectarines, bananas, tomatoes, oranges, kale, limes, broccoli, green beans, corn on the cob, ginger, and more. We got at least 1 pound of everything, many times more. We got 5 pounds of the oranges. All of this for $40 (and 5.50 of that was for local honey). I thought this was really a great price. All of the produce is fresh and we have realized how much tastier it is and how much longer it last than the produce we get at the store. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-87480551113847037072013-08-29T00:35:00.001-07:002013-08-29T00:37:33.157-07:00The New and Improved Open Kitchen Pantry <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7oEb1TGBoLNfPmUOIGKugkZyGiaenAEHxwmo7VJhD87GBu_nogOB8rJSVAyOUKf6LCr6pB99oP_ZUYhmATU9HjKHLsUD_MIC9yn-Ro7VuOCW0qawljKYqqHdt9ugIV3FRxatZnmaGEE/s1600/20130827+camera+upload+10109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7oEb1TGBoLNfPmUOIGKugkZyGiaenAEHxwmo7VJhD87GBu_nogOB8rJSVAyOUKf6LCr6pB99oP_ZUYhmATU9HjKHLsUD_MIC9yn-Ro7VuOCW0qawljKYqqHdt9ugIV3FRxatZnmaGEE/s1600/20130827+camera+upload+10109.jpg" /></a></div>
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Our Kitchen "pantry" was a disaster. I just had everything on the shelf in an area but there was no way to keep it there. (This is where I am kicking myself because I didn't take a before picture), I went to the Dollar Tree and bought these baskets. I couldn't decide if I liked it or not (I liked that it was about $10). The next morning I checked it out again and I really didn't like it at all. I decided it was time to put a little more money into this project. </div>
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I went to IKEA for several items and found these containers in the office organization area. These are supposed to be recycle bins, but I have used them as containers to organize the pantry. There were definetely more than I wanted to pay for them but compared to other options, I didn't mind. I love the different sizes available. I used the large one on the bottom for the extra Bulk bags from Winco that I use to refill other containers. The small containers on top hold spice packets and peanut butter. I think the small ones were $5.99, the Medium $6.99 and the Large one was $9.99. </div>
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I bought labels this past week that I am going to print and stick onto the front of the containers. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-6209868268687043922013-08-29T00:27:00.001-07:002013-08-29T00:39:07.547-07:00Coffee Filters Coffee Filters have the most incredible uses and they are so cheap! Looking for an easy way to save on time, money, effort, unnecessary dishes, etc. etc.<br />
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Mike bought Coffee Filters about a month ago. Here are some of the many uses we are getting from them:<br />
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<li>Spoon rest </li>
<li>A plate for breakfast items (toast, english muffins, waffles with jelly) </li>
<li>A small bowl to share popcorn with </li>
<li>Spill picker upper </li>
<li>Window washer </li>
<li>Peanut Shell Collector </li>
<li>Coaster </li>
<li>Pot/Pan Separator (put it in between pans so they don't mess up their finish) </li>
<li>Put one in between plates, any time of class or ceramic to keep them from banging together while transporting</li>
<li>Put over a bowl or plate while microwaving </li>
<li>portion control for snacks </li>
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As you can see the list can go on and on and on. Simple treasures, simple solutions, simply cheap and easy!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-79898963182031853472013-08-28T22:00:00.000-07:002013-08-29T00:40:33.926-07:00My Soapbox on Parenting This seemed to touch many other hearts and minds and so I wanted to share it again. I will preface this with even though this post came from an article I read in response to the "Miley Fiasco" I was truly applauding the author of the article about how they parent. I am not supporting or bashing Miley, I am simply saying, "step up", "be a parent", "raise God-fearing, respectful, kind, caring, compassionate Children." <br />
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I will also say, Mike and I don't have it all right. We mess up daily with parenting. I was a Junior High minister for years, but having your own, whew, that is a whole different story!! I will also preface this with a couple of facts. I am "Mom" to A and N, but I am also technically Step-mom. Our kids have dealt with their face share of cruddy situations when it comes to their upbringing, their hurdles they have had to overcome, their situations and their lack of key people in their lives at a young age. I will also tell you that we have never allowed this to be an excuse for disrespectful or bad behavior. <br />
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We will all parent different from one another, we will likely all judge each other at some point or another about our parenting choices, we will have our victory's, our major falls and our "thank God we just made it through the day" moments.<br />
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No matter what, I don't think there is an excuse for parents to not parent. <br />
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Here's what I wrote on 8/26/2013 about this<a href="http://roadkillgoldfish.com/2013/08/26/dear-daughter-let-miley-cyrus-be-a-lesson-to-you/" target="_blank"> article</a> entitled <u>Dear Daughter, Let Miley Cyrus Be A Lesson To You. </u><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">I didn't watch last night, I don't know what went down, I honestly don't care too much, but I love what this article has to say and I know that this article says a whole lot about how Mike </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">and I raise our children. People don't always understand and that is ok, but our job is to be there parent first, teaching them about respect and life and how to be a well respected citizen of their school, city, country. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">I watch far too many children from far to young of an age on think that they are entitled to anything and everything. It is not ok. It does not help our children, it hurts them. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Tonight I sat at a Boy Scout Court of Honor while many boys were recognized for some very prestigious awards. Three Scouts sat in the front row laughing, talking and even at one point "boo-ing" during this event. I left just feeling absolutely sick. I personally asked them 3 times to be respectful, all while their parents just say back and watched this happen. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Parents, WAKE UP! There is a time for everything. There are times to laugh and joke with your children, their are times to celebrate their accomplishments, but there are also times to teach and to discipline! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Jesus gave us rules to follow and obey, to help us have a full life and to teach us right and wrong. We have consequences, why give your child a false sense of reality? You are hurting them! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Our son called our daughter a bad name this afternoon. He had his brand new Kadama (he has waited for this for 6 months and just got it this weekend) taken away, his phone is in my possession, he didn't get video games or TV time, he also has to work on finding 3 special things to do for his sister and give her 5 genuine compliments. When he does those things he will get privileges back. He has been doing whatever he can and truly taking time to think about what he can do for his sister and how he can do special things for her that normally wouldn't happen. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">We have to stop laughing off things our kids do and we must teach them respect and show them respect. One of the ways my husband and I respect our kids and respect God for giving us our children is by teaching them, disciplining them and though we love them no matter what, we also let them know when we are not pleased with their choices. We don't do this to be mean, we do this so they can live! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">I know I am on a soapbox, and I know you may not agree with me, but I am truly at a point of disgust with some pre-teens and teens I am around on a regular basis, they aren't just going through their "awkward teenage stage", they are going through the "mommy and daddy don't ever tell them no, so they do what they want" stage.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-15509818452597561282013-08-14T12:36:00.003-07:002013-08-29T00:42:06.856-07:00Forgiven <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Before
I head off to bed tonight, I want to share with you the Picture that has become
the new favorite here at the Carr Household. This is called
"Forgiven" and it is by our favorite artist. Rodney Lough Jr.
Check out his website<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://rodneyloughjr.com/">here</a>. He has an absolutely amazing
gallery in San Francisco near Pier 39. Mike and I stumbled across the
gallery on our 2nd wedding anniversary. We had to go to the bay area to
be at an intense City Council Meeting. We were the Noise Consultants on a
controversial Car Wash. There are so many things to say about that
statement but none the less, it helps put food on the table and quite honestly,
noise affects us hugely, so there was a lot to be said about this car wash.
(It didn't pass and it wasn't because of a noise issue, though that is
the easiest to blame). I have digressed.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">It wasn't the ideal way to spend
our anniversary. Our dinner was spent with Mike prepping for the meeting
and then listening to people get upset over something that was a non-issue.
We started driving, just wanted to see what was still open and if there
was anything to go do. We walked in the gallery and spent the rest of our
evening there. We fell in love with the photography and the beauty that lies in
each photo. There is a very special process, special film, special
camera, and special paper.... on and on... these are one of a kind. As
you brighten or dim a light, the photo changes and pulls you in, makes you feel
like you are right there.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">That night at the gallery, we
closed the place down. <i>If you know our story, Mike and I have a way of
doing this.</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> Dana, our
consultant/salesman, truly loves the art and knows so much about it. We
ended up getting to know Him and he found out it was our anniversary.
Shortly after we were served wonderful glasses of wine as we browsed the
gallery and view truly amazing pieces of art in special viewing rooms. I
will never forget our evening as we fell in love with God's amazing creation
over and over again through the eyes, talent and wisdom of this artist.<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Our new favorite is "Forgiven". We<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>LOVE</u><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>this picture, but we know that behind
every picture is a story to go with it. Let me share with you what Rodney
wrote up about this Photo,<span style="background: white;"> <u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #cccccc;"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“I awoke the
other day questioning my faith wondering which was the greater of these:forgive
or be forgiven. Many of us have experienced both. For me the greater is most
definitely ‘forgive’, but I’m not so sure I’ve truly been able to do it. Ever. So
for now I’ll have to just be satisfied with being ‘Forgiven’.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">As I finish this post, I just
wanted to share this piece with you, the thought that goes along with it and
the peace that comes in my heart after seeing this picture and hearing that I
am FORGIVEN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve really needed to be
reminded of that a lot lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-89650997401000118372013-08-14T00:21:00.001-07:002013-08-14T00:21:12.448-07:00Pinterest Craziness!!So, I have finally been able to do some easy, low cost projects I have found on the website, Pinterest. Pinterest has a way of making some people feel inadequate. I used to feel that way, so I stayed away from it. I have now realized that the people on Pinterest that make you feel that way, they can't possibly be real and they can't possibly have a life outside of their computer. <br />
<br />
I have accepted that my means are what they are. Most everything I am doing right now are from supplies I have found at The Dollar Tree. Making meals is something I despise. I hate getting dinner ready. I hate the frustration it has with it and that I am not a great cook. Because of this, I have decided to bite the bullet and start prepping crock pot meals. <br />
<br />
I am going to blog some of my journey. Keep in mine, I do have a real life. I work 2 jobs, raise 2 kids, have 2 great Danes, and value getting to spend time with my love. My kids have activities and the house doesn't clean itself. <br />
<br />
Our blog is called "The Carr Shop" because sometimes we need to take our Car's in for maintenance and for repair work. The "Carr's" are in definite need of going to the shop. We need to refocus, get reorganized and prepare ourselves for what is to come. <br />
<br />
If you would like to find fun and easy things to do around your house, healthy crock pot meals or hear a story that will make you say, "Thank God for my life, because the Carr's life is just crazy" then this is the place for you. Follow us, subscribe or check back often to get updates! <br />
<br />
Can't wait to start sharing easy ways to take your family, house, meals, or self to the "Shop".<br />
<br />
Lots of love,<br />
Melissa<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-86375998799787381612013-01-06T00:46:00.003-08:002013-01-06T00:46:36.226-08:002013 I realize the insane amount of time it has been since I have posted anything on this blog. I quite frankly don't know how to fit it into our crazy chaotic lives most of the time. I truly want to have a wonderful year and I really want to get our house really cleaned up and organized along with our time and finances and everything that decided blogging is something I want to be able to add to my schedule. I like to write and I like to have a place I can put feelings out about my family and life and joys struggles and such. <br />
<br />
We spent the last part of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 with family. One of my biggest issues the past year is how far away we are from my family and friends and how much I wish we had that support system here. If I had a job opportunity in Missouri we would be gone so fast! I pray that this year brings us that type of support system out here in some way. I think that after the turmoil the last couple of years has been for us, we were exactly where we needed to be as we rang in the new year! <br />
<br />
The kids and I have had the last 2 weeks off of school/work and Mike has been able to be with us most of the time as well. We really have been able to just be. Friday was the first day I looked at anything school related. Thursday we hit the ground running with our business. We were given very short notice that the man we rent office space from was going to be moving our business and wanted to be out in 15 days. Though we believed he was crazy (and still do) we started looking for what could be our next office. Three offices later we found the one we will be moving into this week. <br />
<br />
Today we spent the day at Ikea buying office furniture and spent the evening doing lesson plans and putting Mikes man space (the garage) back together. <br />
<br />
I am seriously mourning the end of break, but trying to keep the excitement of what is to come in the forefront of my mind to lead me through the back to school blues! <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-5404130315027518602011-10-28T15:32:00.000-07:002011-10-28T15:32:41.421-07:00who needs a candle holder when you have an ear?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH7YELx17N0NWWnJQXTDkdVe6w371cu1n8vcfVdBqGxaKusJgH6kumruFqukjwNP5FrObHQD-FiXJaN-aA4KUiel5_6ICEorb3Y6XtdekzycP1Di0s943PctEzzB88ERmZ5Sm2Y5HEVA/s1600/ear+candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH7YELx17N0NWWnJQXTDkdVe6w371cu1n8vcfVdBqGxaKusJgH6kumruFqukjwNP5FrObHQD-FiXJaN-aA4KUiel5_6ICEorb3Y6XtdekzycP1Di0s943PctEzzB88ERmZ5Sm2Y5HEVA/s1600/ear+candle.jpg" /><a name='more'></a></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike trying to solve his "ear issues" by lighting a candle and sticking it in his ear... well kind of like that.. :) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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So Mike has been having issues with his ear the past couple of days. We are pretty sure it is infected by trying our hardest for home remedies to solve the problem since going to the doctor is such an expensive process for us. We had his ear feeling pretty good last night and today but it wasn't 100% so we decided that we needed to do what we could to get it gone so he could move on with a couple of big projects he had going on. Many people suggested an ear candle. Off to the Natural foods store I went and came home with this "candle". <br />
<br />
We YouTubed how to go abou the process. At first I thought it pulled an insane amount of wax out of my husband's ear but it turns out that it was just the wax from the candle itself. It ended up doing more damage than good. I went over to a friends house right after the candle incident and found my hubby in a large amount of pain. The ear Candle did not work. I went back through the warm peroxide cycle and ended up with a husband in a whole lot less pain! <br />
<br />
Ear candles... probably not going to be happening much for us but hey we tried it. In the mean time... I just LOVE this picture! :) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-61348182114117463432011-10-27T23:16:00.001-07:002011-10-27T23:16:53.443-07:00Worst CookLast year my family was into the show "Worst Cooks". I assured them
that though I am not amazing in the kitchen that I am not "one of
them". Well after several issues with dinners in the past couple of
months, I think I should see if they are auditioning. Last week I made
some Turkey sausage concoction with noodles and red sauce. I was
thinking that I was hot stuff making something I don't usually make. The
noodles are ready and I strain them and as I do the strainer falls over
and 3/4 of my noodles go down the drain. I wash them away and start
the disposal and it isn't sounding so great... water starts rising. Oh
geez... well I have to get dinner on the table so I let that go and I
finish up. I am proud to sever up this dinner. I made the carrots
right that I had been messing up and life was good. The tukey sausage
smells good and I changed the way I made them from last time to this
time. We sit down at the table and cut into the meat and guess what.
It ended up being another 10 minutes until we started eating again. The
meet was not cooked all the way (again). After Mike having to fix
another one of my meals we then had to "plunge" the sink. Yes, plunge
it. It took about 30 minutes and taking the pipes apart under the sink
and emptying them of my noodle mess before I was putting everything
away.<br />
<br />
I can't make pizza right either. Every time we
get a pizza from winco or papa murphy's I take it out and tell the
family it's dinner time and before I know it I see the pizza going right
back by my face and back into the over. I don't ever cook it long
enough although to me I don't understand what is wrong with it.<br />
<br />
Chewy
Chicken. One of my favorite dishes that I make is a cashew chicken
dish. Apparently instead of under cooking it, I am good at overcooking
it. Chewy Chicken is often a phrase said to me at dinner when I ask how
everyone is enjoying it. It will go something like this, "well it's
not chewy chicken." <br />
<br />
Someday when we aren't poor, I
think I shall give myself the gift of cooking lessons so I don't watch
my family eat dinner every night in fear that I screwed it up AGAIN!<br />
<br />
I
do occasionally make a great meal. It's just that I usually do
something wrong on some part of the dish or forget to season and such.
Little susie homemaker is apparently NOT my name.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-3448016924133148402011-10-24T23:00:00.000-07:002011-10-24T23:00:39.740-07:00MAJOR REPAIRSWell hello family and friends. The Carr's have been in the Shop for major repairs. We have obviously been gone from the blogging world for a while. Mainly because, well what we have been going through--I'm not actually sure if anyone would believe the amount of things we have been through in the last couple of months and in the last year. What a wild ride. Honestly lately if feels like our engine is going out. We badly need repairs done, but I guess sometimes it feels like we are that "Car" that is so challenging to repair and the parts have to come in from so many different places and you have to take this and that out to get to the repair spot that its just going to be a long haul. <br />
<br />
Our family needs prayers like crazy. We have a lot going on and we are running so so low on gas and oil. As we are willing to share information with others I will post a blog here and there to explain our life. But for now, as we are being taken apart and repaired, we ask for your prayers and we thank you for you love.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-9232361837663235772011-08-10T00:58:00.000-07:002011-08-10T00:58:04.004-07:00working 9-5, just trying make a living...As I contemplated what I would write about going back to work, Working 9-5 by Dolly Parton came into my mind. Awesome, that should be stuck in my head for days. Yay.<br />
<br />
Going back to work has been an adjustment for me. I am really enjoying my new job and so thankful for it. I am really excited to continue to get the classroom ready. For those of you who don't know, I am now the Kindergarten Teacher Assistant at Destiny Christian Preschool. For the past two weeks I have been working with Brandy (the Teacher) on getting the room and projects ready along with working with the students in the summer program mainly in the afternoon care. <br />
<br />
It has been a rude of wakening figuring out how to get laundry, dishes, chores, family time, time for Extant and time with Mike all figured out. I do understand that most families deal with this, and we will figure it out, however right now it is an adjustment for us. I have been trying to do as much laundry as I can on the weekends and trying to be really good about filling the dishwasher as we use the dishes. We will get there.<br />
<br />
Extant (Our business) has really been growing just in the past week or two even. We are really seeing how God is starting to pull us out of the pit we have been in. Oh Thank You Lord!!! Mike and I were up late last night talking about the potential for Extant and the exciting places it could take us as a family and in the mission we would love to serve with it--helping smaller churches achieve their audio/visual wants and needs. I can't tell you the amount of phone calls and emails Mike has told me about the past couple of weeks when I get home. Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement and Thank You our dear Lord for providing these opportunities, please keep praying for us as a family, in our business and for the needs that we still have. Though we have had a lot of contact as a business and some contracts signed, these jobs have to continue and our reputation has to continue to grow. I can't even begin to tell you how impressed I am with Mike and the God given talents and abilities he has been gifted with to make this business happen and to do his job with such excellence and integrity.<br />
<br />
I have more to say. But I promised myself I was going to start going to bed earlier. It's almost 1AM and unfortunately this is earlier than I have been going to bed!<br />
<br />
Good night friends. May you be thankful for all the precious moments you have and trust that the not so precious ones are just part of the story, but not the ending! <br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-34969503188944655202011-07-28T13:06:00.000-07:002011-07-28T13:06:18.182-07:00It's a Bird, It's a Plane. No wait, it's really a Bird!So as stated and talked about previously, My mother in Law, Eileen, has taken our kids on a vacation for a week! They are having an Absolute blast and I hope they bring back some fabulous pictures to put up on the blog! So while they are out, Mike and I are taking care of her Animals. This only seems fair since she has our animals, I mean kids, with her. She is always so gracious to take care of our two kids and our two Great Danes when we leave town, I am thankful we can return the favor.<br />
<br />
I don't know that many of you know this but as an 8th grade graduation gift, Mike was given a bird. Because birds are kind of fiinicky and need certain kinds of care and light and such Bo has lived with grandma for a number of years. Instead of going back and forth to the house every day we brought Roxie (she gets her own blog post after her shinanigans today) and BO to our house while my brother in law has been feeding the cat. <br />
<br />
Bo has been living in our family room, he makes just enough noise to let you know that the house really isn't quiet just when you think it is! :) He loves Mike but Bo and I have a mutual "I don't know if I care for you" relationship with each other. <br />
<br />
Brutus could care less about BO but our Great Dane puppy, Gus. Well that's a whole different story. Gus has figured out that Bo's cage sits in front of a window that goes to the back yard, so Gus has tried more than ones to get in through that window to "play" with BO. Gus still doesn't understand his size so many times, he is trying to stiff him our or get a little closer to Bo and he is going to end up knocking the cage over. Let's just say when I am home without Mike I keep Gus outside, Bo inside and try to be a peacemaker. :) <br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-JID1llIJiHY5DuBM5RSxfYIHHMLrlTMK5JJvLDQiW9a-K68A6g1X5YuwYEbsK2yHF1JzHz0BkUSPJRCWjLlAdgEOJGsd5GdWI28kgza87btQNLdpt6kXEVORMIDQTeQfbUUTrj5elU/s1600/BO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-JID1llIJiHY5DuBM5RSxfYIHHMLrlTMK5JJvLDQiW9a-K68A6g1X5YuwYEbsK2yHF1JzHz0BkUSPJRCWjLlAdgEOJGsd5GdWI28kgza87btQNLdpt6kXEVORMIDQTeQfbUUTrj5elU/s320/BO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bo Bo Wants a Cracker... And a strawberry too! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-4051291959866004402011-07-26T00:29:00.000-07:002011-07-26T00:29:35.683-07:00Just another Manic MondayOk so there was really nothing Manic about our Monday. I was just simply trying to make us sound far more interesting than we actually are. There were some super exciting things that happened in our days however. Let's back up a bit though. <br />
<br />
This weekend was one of the rarest weekends ever. Mike and one of his best friends hung out on Friday after we dropped the kids off to Grandma for them to spend a week in LA with Aunt Tess and Uncle Jim! I think they are having a blast already and Mike and I are a bit jealous of our kids. They went to American Girl yesterday and Lanie got her hair done (thank goodness it was a mess) and today they went to a water park. They don't know it yet but they also have tickets to go to Lego Land this week! These two are being crazy spoiled by Grandma and Aunt and Uncle. So anyway back to us not being manic or exciting. Friday night I took my Kindle to Panda Express and sat there and finished a book an bought cleaning supplies at Walmart at the same shopping center and came home and cleaned. WOW. Ha ha. <br />
<br />
Mike worked at Cache Creek on Saturday. He worked for 16 hours plus 3 driving hours. He got home at 3AM on Sunday and I didn't hear a peep out of him until after 3PM Sunday, Poor guy. We did get to hang out with our friends Chris and Alyssa for a couple hours Sunday evening so that was nice and the first time I got to see my husband since our kid free week began. Such is life. <br />
<br />
Some great news from the weekend is that Friday I found out for sure that I got a job!!! YES! Let the celebration begin! :) I am now working at Destiny Christian Pre-School as the Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant. I am super excited! I am working with wonderful people and I had my first day today! I am just worked three hours a day for the next two weeks and then around Mid August I will start working the full days. <br />
<br />
Some great news for today is that Extant (Our Acoustical Consulting business) has been getting a lot of interest lately and Mike had an absolutely WONDERFUL meeting today with a huge construction company! They signed a contract today at a meeting and it looks like Extant will have a good amount of business from this company in the future. Extant has a job this Thursday as well and had many other people interested along with a job that will be starting soon hopefully that will involve us working with a company on an ongoing basis. This is SUCH GOOD NEWS! We just hope and pray this company continues to grow, continues to bless others and for our family to be able to have a living. We pray that Extant will let us be servants of the gifts and talents we have been given as we try to reach out to churches that have Audio and Visual issues and help them solve them for a discounted rate. I just know God has a plan! <br />
<br />
Well, I don't know that I can sit in this office much longer. For those of you who know my father, let's just say Mike is in major competition with him tonight. It's time for a breath of fresh air. This Carr is heading out of the shop!<br />
<br />
Much love.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-85446345610281950252011-07-19T00:02:00.000-07:002011-07-19T00:02:46.255-07:00Your Carr Report!It seems like it should be Wednesday or Thursday already. We had a good weekend. The new weekend norm around here is Mike working at Cache Creek Casino in the entertainment department for their summer concert series. He usually leaves somewhere around 9 and gets home at about 2AM. This Weekend Aliyah helped lead worship in 5 services at Bayside where she was attending a sports camp this past week. Nathan got home from Boy Scout Camp this Saturday as well. He earned 4 merit badges, has now completed Tenderfoot and has several items signed off on 2nd class and a few on 1st class. He is starting to get the hang of everything with the scouting program. I felt like he came home all grown up it was so strange. <div><br />
</div><div>This Sunday we tried out another church. Well we have all been to it before but it was good to go again. We went to Bayside where Aliyah was singing and dancing and leading worship. I really like the feel of the church. I enjoyed how it is laid back but serious about having a relationship with Christ. Bayside is truly reaching out to the community and we have been so blessed by them lately. We are really struggling financially and they provided a scholarship for Nathan to go to boy scout camp (his troop is sponsored by the church) and we also applied for a scholarship for Aliyah and received it for her to go to Breakaway Games. I hope in the years to come we can help others out in the ways they have helped us. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Brutus went to the "Carr Shop" tonight. We had to do minor Surgery on his ears tonight. That was fun. I was crying a little he was crying a little, Mike was being strong for all of us. He was given lots of treats and a helping on benedryl to help with the allergies and knock him out a bit. He was a brave boy. He got pockets of blood and serum in his ears from allergies and shaking his head to hard. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Well it's off to bed for me. I have an interview tomorrow and a 31 party on Wednesday and Thursday. It's quite the busy week for all of us actually. It feels good to have something to do each day! </div><div><br />
</div><div>This Carr is letting her battery recharge! </div><div><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-19121035446938258902011-07-13T23:23:00.000-07:002011-07-13T23:23:45.525-07:00Oh Happy DayToday was a day for the Car shop Literally. Well the Smog Shop anyway. We sold our jeep about a month ago and forgot to put that lovely "as-is" clause on the bill of sale. Though the man Mike sold the Jeep to was told about a few issues the Jeep has, he was insisting we fix it in order for it to pass smog. The man had taken it to be smogged and said it didn't pass and it was going to need $850 in work done to it. Mike knew the guy was being taken and offered to take it to be smogged. Wouldn't you know, it passed the first time. While Mike was doing that Aliyah and I went to Ikea that was only a few minutes down the road. <div><br />
</div><div>I guess it was a girls day at the "Carr Shop" as well. Her and I have needed to spend some quality time together for a while but usually whenever we have alone time together... well it doesn't go well. She gets mad at me, I start counting down the seconds until Mike gets home and the attitude will be gone. We had a good day. She wasn't as interested in being in Ikea as I thought she would be but we got along. I took her a treat and we went to In and Out. We don't normally eat out and if we do it is off a dollar menu but i felt it was important to show her that good behavior and respect gets her respect back. </div><div><br />
</div><div>We all did some housework when we got back and I had a great phone conversation but details on that will have to wait for a few days. Aliyah went to Breakaway Games up at Bayside. She is doing Cheer and loving it. We watch cheer moves and listen to cheers a lot these days. It is great for her to gain the esteem and self respect during events like these. I am really excited to see the growth that has been happening in her this summer. Here's to praying that it sticks and also continues!! </div><div><br />
</div><div>We have been going for a lot of family walks lately. So when we got back from Breakaway, we got the dogs ready and went for a two mile walk. It felt so great and its been a great habit for us to get into as a family activity. It's maintenance for us Carr's and boy do we need it. </div><div><br />
</div><div>That's what I know I personally need to concentrate on these days the "maintenance" part of my life. Right now the Maintenance needs to be a tune up, oil change, tire rotation, new spark plugs, gasoline and so much more but daily taking care of these areas... well it will become maintenance! </div><div><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-23219947314792422412011-07-12T22:10:00.000-07:002011-07-12T22:10:08.252-07:00Down a KidThis week Nathan is attending Summer Camp for Boy Scouts for the first time. He has been to camps before but I think Boy Scout Camp is going to be a new experience for him. There isn't cell phone service there so I suppose if he gets homesick he is just going to have to deal. Apparently a phone of any kind is not easily accessible just a satellite phone or something like that. I was a bit of a "mom" about him going away. I was making sure he understood what each dollar we sent with him was for and telling him to make sure he showers and brushes his teeth and talks to the other boys and has fun and works on merit badges and here are your clothes for each day and blah blah blah. He was probably so ready for me to just drop him off and let him be. So he is off at camp and hopefully earning his first merit badges and maybe making a rank or two... next court of honor should be exciting. <br />
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It has been funny to me to see what a difference a kid makes. Our house is so quiet (and Aliyah is the loud one). I am not spending the majority of my day breaking up fights, I am not feeling stressed throughout the whole day and when Aliyah goes to her "Breakaway Games" camp in the evenings this week. Well let me tell you, I just about get bored. Mike and I were sitting here tonight thinking,<br />
<blockquote> "wow--so what would we be like without kids?" </blockquote> Not that we would wish our kids away but it is very rare that we get time away from the hustle and bustle of kids to just be... I am sure this is something that we should work on. Even when we go on business trips or home to Missouri we aren't actually getting away because there is always another agenda... oh how we need a cruise again, Wait. I have digressed. <br />
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It blows me away the difference that one person makes. I guess we can sit back and really look at that in so many different ways. One person changes the dynamics of a group. One person can make life amazing or rotten for another person. One person can be a stresser or an encourager. One person can make life loud or quiet. What are you? I love my kids and I love my husband, but I won't lie, the hours of 5:30 to 8:30PM this week are very nice. It's quiet, it's calm. There is not yelling, no fighting. I think God knew we needed some hours of peace this week. I mean tonight I got to take a bubble bath, fold laundry and make dinner without being interrupted a gazillion times. Tomorrow Mike and I are going to go on a walk and get to have adult conversation. So I guess this week it's Mike and I going into the Carr Shop. One kid down and one half gone, it's time for us to get tuned up and enjoy the ride.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-5120631535283528912011-07-12T21:25:00.000-07:002011-07-12T21:25:08.503-07:00The Climb--A story about a walk I went on about a month ago.<div class="MsoNormal">I don’t even know where to begin but I know that this afternoon brought me some clarity, rejuvenation and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been struggling with a lot lately but besides the whole we don’t have money and we both need to find jobs part… the biggest thing I have struggled with is my weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not new news to anyone it is just a part of me at this point, but I am seriously tired of it being a part of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave up soda when I came back from St. Louis and I haven’t really missed it too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am addicted to unsweetened iced tea now but I think that is a step in the right direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I felt cute in what I wore to church (it’s the little things) and when I got back I decided my puppy and I needed some quality time together and we went for a walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to challenge myself a little bit and walk up this HUGE hill that you just keep climbing and climbing… It seems so much smaller when you drive it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was hiking up this hill I keep telling myself and Gus… just a little bit further, a little further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would get to the spot that I thought was the top of the hill and it was just a little bit further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hill seemed to never ever end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we got to the top, I decided to walk to the corner (it was flat ground for a while).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I got to the top I loved the relief of the breeze and just not climbing any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I turned around and started to head back and oh my goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view was beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rocklin was beautiful. You could see the beauty, you could see the mountains and it was absolutely lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized at that moment that this right here is life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The climb, the view, the pain, the relief the breeze, the storm clouds I saw, it was all LIFE. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Our family is climbing a hill right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems to get steeper and steeper the more we climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like we are coming to the top of that hill, oh Lord I pray we are coming to the top of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are I know that we will have an amazing view soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That view is amazing as you start to head down the hill but I also know that when we get to the bottom of the hill you can’t see that same view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will have another hill to climb, we will have another battle to overcome, we will have the joy of knowing what the view is and the courage to keep pressing on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7474372231083818920.post-73280256455658773862011-07-12T21:19:00.000-07:002011-07-12T21:19:55.633-07:00The Carr ShopI have had 3 blogs and I really just want to have a place where I can write about my family, about my ups and downs, about our families joys and struggles and just let loose. I will be serious, silly, uplifting, depressing... who knows... but this is what I know...<br />
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The Carr needs to go to the shop. "Car's" need Maintenence and so do "The Carr's". Our life has been ever changing... Being newly weds isn't always easy, being a blended family has its ups and downs and being a unit trying to work together, be together, have fun and love one another while together and make it through the different terrain's of life. WHEW. <br />
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So Here it is. The Carr Shop. Laugh with us, cry with us, Thank God you aren't us... whatever it is... just enjoy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08458392359631573396noreply@blogger.com0