FINALLY

Tracy and I got phone calls at 5:30 tonight offering us 8:00 tickets to Jeff Dunham in Hutchinson, KS at the Fox Theater (80 miles away). We took the tickets and the boys and went. IT was awesome. Achmed performed Jingle Bombs and everything! He even did an encore with Bubba J. We had a ball. The only bad thing was that Jeff doesn’t sign autographs or do meet and greets, bummer. Anyway, if you have a chance, go see Jeff Dunham. WE had a blast!! I’ll try to add some pics later of the boys at the theater. We weren’t allowed cameras inside but I did get some camera phone pics of the stage and the puppets afterward. Thanks for a great night Jeff. We still have tickets to his performance in Fort Collins at the Lincoln Center in March if we decide we need a second dose of Jeff and the gang. I highly recommend this wonderful act to you all and it looks like he’s gonna win the favorite comedian on Comedy Central. GO Jeff!!

 

It is Done

The laundry room is clean. What a relief. I hate cleaning that room. It has become a dumping ground in our house and cleaning it is a long arduous task. The problem is, it seems, when that room is in chaos so is every other room. It’s like a hub. If it’s in shambles then the rest of the house will easily fall apart. Fortunately it’s done and now I can move one to my computer desk. The other dumping ground. They walk in the house and they dump everything on my desk. My next big job is to find a way to stop them once I get it clean again. So, the garage is done, as is the house. Unfortunately, my family will not let it stay so for long and I will be doing this all over in a week. I believe they say the definition of insanity is doing things the same way over and over and expecting a different outcome. So, what i have to decide is how to get the rest of the family to do things differently so that mom doesn’t have to spend another day in the laundry room slaving away. I can dream, can’t I? Meanwhile, insanity it is.

 

Life: Hectic and Precious

Well, my spring cleaning (in January, I KNOW) is just about complete. The laundry room is all I really have left but that room is storage and laundry and pantry etc. so, as you can imagine, it’s a major job. I’m not looking forward to it but I am looking forward to being able to say ‘I’m done’. I always feel better when that room is in order even though no one else ever sees it. I think it is because when that room is clean, being it is also where all the storage shelves are, then everything has a place again. This room tends to become a catch all if I don’t stay on top of the troops.

My sister in law called last night. For some time we’ve known our 25 year old niece, Cassie, has MS. Up until lately she’s lived fairly normally. She has 3 daughters and a fiancee.
Cassie went into the doctor’s office yesterday because she was going downhill. She now has aggressive MS. She has more than 100 lesions on her brain and liver/kidney damage. They are performing tests on her liver and kidneys today. I can’t tell you how much I wish we were in Washington to help out. She has her mom and two aunts but I just wish we were there.

 

Think Again

Well, the boys are off to school. They seem to be adjusting to the fact that our trip to see Jeff Dunham is postponed until March. I’m re-adjusting to the fact that we aren’t going to be in Colorado. The road trip was much needed and now it is postponed until March. There’s plenty to do here, as always, though.
It has been bitterly cold here but I am hoping to get back to doing some walking outside instead of being cooped up here with the elliptical. Sometimes you just need to mix it up or risk getting bored and quiting. It would help if the scenery here in Kansas was a little more pleasant though. It’s brown, it’s cold and it’s flat. In spite of that fact, I’m hoping the mercury will rise just a little so I can enjoy a brisk outdoor walk.

I have a lot of paperwork to do to return to college and I’m throwing around different options for earning some extra money while I attend school. The eBay store idea keeps coming up. There was an eBay drop-off store in town but I’ve been told the person running it decided it was too much. The fact that he had too much business makes me more optimistic that this might be a good way to make extra money while attending classes. There is a lot to consider before just jumping in though. Also, convincing the hubby that this is feasible will be of utmost importance.

I think Marty was glad to see us come home last night even though he felt sorry for the boys. He seemed truly relieved to have us home. He said it was too quiet. The boys had so looked forward to the performance. Marcus was just crushed. He’s adjusting to the fact that we will still be going only later. We may have to do something special this weekend. He has movie money and that might be a good distraction. The Sunday Matinee would be a good idea since Saturday he has basketball practice.

The tooth fairy visited Kristopher last night and the boys switched back into school mode with just a little push. Barring anymore unforeseen incidents, life in the Nolde household looks like business as usual.

 

UPDATE

The Jeff Dunham performance in Ft. Collins has been rescheduled for the week of the 22nd of March. We have been informed the performance will be on a Friday meaning the kids will actually get to go see the clydesdales at Budweiser like we originally had hoped. This was not going to happen due to Budweiser being closed Monday through Wednesday so there is some silver lining. Now we just have to pray for good weather. We are all very disappointed about the cancellation of our trip though. Luckily, we had only made it 60 miles out of town when we were informed that Jeff was ill with laryngitis. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope things go better in March. Meanwhile, I have a few very disappointed boys.

The tragic loss of Heath Ledger was announced this afternoon just before we left on our ill fated trip. I enjoyed his work very much. Most notably I loved A Knight’s Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You. I think we have lost a rare talent. I am mostly saddened for his little girl Matilda. It is very sad that she will not have her daddy around as she grows up.

 

Conservative First

I am a conservative FIRST and foremost so when John McCain wins a caucus I have to wonder where does a conservative go for representation? We used to go to the republicans. John McCain is no conservative. Huckabee is no conservative. Romney is conservative, mostly. Fred is definitely a conservative and our dearly departed Duncan Hunter was conservative. Who is voting in these caucuses? Certainly not conservatives.

WANTED: Conservative Republican candidate. Must be ready to lower taxes. Decrease the size of the federal government. Win the war by letting the troops do their jobs without PC standards. Kick out every illegal alien and fix the anchor baby law retroactive 20 years. Punish anyone who harbors an illegal or employs an illegal. Exonerate the border patrol agents from any wrong doing. Build the wall and fortify it with troops. Must be willing to stand up to presidents of other countries and put America first. They should want to turn the power back over to the states. Must believe that the people’s money belongs to them and they are the best judge of where it should be used. Must know and uphold the constitution as it was meant to be. They will appoint judges that will not legislate from the bench. Must realize that the separation of church and state was to keep the government out of church NOT the church out of government. Must push to get the US out of the UN. Must not care what other countries think as long as we are still the great country we once were.

 

Oh What Fun It Is To Ride

Two little boys get the Christmas present they’ve been dreaming of. Marcus & Kristopher got four wheelers for Christmas and they have been a huge hit. It is so much fun watching them out on those things. Kristopher is a bit of a speed demon and will make that turn a little too sharp at times. They love when mom goes with them because they get to go on the road and not just in the field. Marcus’ is blue and silver and Kristopher’s is black and silver. They are really fun, believe me, mom rides them too. They use very premium fuel so it can get to be an expensive hobby but the boys are just having the time of their lives.
There has been snow on the ground since Christmas and they haven’t had a chance to ride them without the mud and slush. We’re really excited for summer. The boys should have so much fun. They scare mommy at times when they get a little daring and that is with the governor on. Can you imagine if there were not governors on these? Anyway, of all the Christmas presents they’ve ever received these were worth every penny.

In other news, Kristopher is toothless. First graders, as we all know, are notorious for having big gaping holes in their smiles. Kristopher may have to return to eating pureed bananas. Poor thing looks like a redneck. That’s a little blood on his cheek from him extracting the newest loose tooth. How about those eyes?

Well It’s Tuesday and we’re off to the Lincoln Center in Ft. Collins Colorado to see Jeff Dunham. Me, Tracy and my two youngest are so excited to get on the road and go see Jeff. If you’ve never seen Jeff you have to check him out on comedy central or youtube or at jeffdunham.com. It’s a road trip, something we don’t get to do often. We’re not allowed to take cameras in so I don’t know how many pictures I’ll get but I’ll get some of the boys on the trip. We are a little disappointed that the Budweiser brewery is closed Monday through Wednesday. We would have liked to have taken the boys to see the Clydesdales. It’s around 500 miles each way so wish us luck. We leave this afternoon and will return tomorrow night after the matinee.

 

The Noldes

The joys of raising three boys, who can explain it? It’s exciting, mystifying and, yes, sometimes exhausting but one thing we always find, albeit sometimes days later, is great joy. I find them to be wonderful beings with a unique grasp of life. I learn as much from them as they do from me, I HOPE.

Somewhere along the line my blog was lost and I’m having to start over. It’s depressing but it’s manageable. Let me introduce the Noldes.
We have Marty, my husband of almost 12 years. He turned 40 this year. He grew up in Kansas where we now live (if you call living in Kansas ‘living’). He is part owner of a custom harvesting company with his father. He grew up one of seven. That’s a lot to me being one of two. His father also has 3 others. Marty and I met in Washington and moved here when we decided to marry. Marty is just a little older than me but the fact that he is prematurely grey (actually, he’s now white) makes everyone think the difference in our ages is much more vast. Marty grew up here in Larned.
Kristopher, aka Kritter, is our six year old son. He’s the baby. Look at those blue eyes. He is ALL boy. He has been dubbed the ‘frogadile hunter’ by friends and family alike. He loves bugs and frogs and all things slimy, creepy ad crawly. He’s hard headed and loving. He’s self assured and happy. He’s everything many of us strive to be. He may be the youngest but he’s no baby. We were told a few weeks ago he needs his tonsils and adenoids out. The Dr. would like to wait until summer so he doesn’t miss school but he’s missed just as much school with the problems caused by the tonsils. He says he’s ready and I have a tendency to agree with him. He amazes me on a regular basis with his stories and ‘kritterisms‘. He is so much fun. He finds school fairly effortless and is earning straight A’s.
Then there is Marcus. Marcus is nine and a third grader. He is an avid NASCAR and football fan. He loves to play baseball, basketball and football. This year he was on the Purple Panthers team (the traveling city team) in baseball. He really grew this summer in his skills. Marcus and his little brother have been involved in AWANAS for years. Marcus is almost always a straight A student. He stutters but deals with it in a very mature manner. Marcus has worn glasses since he was 3 years of age. He is legally blind in his left eye and in spite of that he has excelled in everything he’s set his mind to. Marcus is a sensitive, sweet and loving soul but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a stubborn streak. It just means when it shows itself it’s a little shocking. Although born in Kansas, Marcus has dubbed himself a Washingtonian. He loves everything about Washington and would love to convince dad to move there. GO MARCUS!! I’m right behind him. Marcus and Kristopher’s newest hobby is 4 wheeling on their new 4-wheelers they acquired for Christmas.

Tyson is 18 and recently entered the delayed entry program for the United States Air Force. Tyson is my only child from my first marriage. He spends summers with his father in Washington but this summer he went on harvest with Marty. Tyson is a senior at Larned High School. He plays electric guitar, has played basketball in past years and has been very active in choir. Last year he worked at the grocery store after school. Since returning from harvest and a trip to Washington he’s been job hunting.

Then there is me, Dawn. I’m a native Washingtonian. I grew up in a logging town just outside of Mt. Rainier National Park. I have one brother, Doug. I am the oldest. My parents divorced when I was 29 and VERY pregnant with baby number 2. I am married to a native Kansan. Marty is a custom harvester and is gone almost half of the year. I’ve given birth to 3 sons in three decades, 2 centuries and 2 millennia. That would be Tyson in 1989, Marcus in 1998 and Kristopher in 2001. My college studies were in nursing. I am actually hoping to go back this year and get my masters at Kansas Wesleyan University. I want my nurse practitioner’s license. I really dislike Kansas and I want to go home but at the present time it’s not happening. I attend Grace Community Church, an evangelical free church 25 miles from home. It’s the church I spent 5 years trying to find. The 25 miles is a small price to pay for a good church. I live in a testosterone rich environment but most of the time I thrive in that mix. I am mom 12 months out of the year and both mom and dad 6. I’ve battled depression most of my life and even at my low points I still think I’ve got the upper hand. This blog is just another tool to aid me in getting the upper hand as well as a way of sharing my family with friends and family that are so far away. I hope you enjoy reading about these antics as much as I’ve enjoyed telling about them.

 

Not A Good Time

Ok heading out on a trip is not a good time to diet and exercise so we’re on sabbatical.  I do want everyone to go sign the petition to keep Chad and Shana together.  Email it to your friends.

I’ve been doing a bit of ebay trying to find a way to stay home instead of going out to work.  I heard the business in town that was an ebay drop point has closed due to too much work WOW.  It’s a thought.  I’m very much considering it.

We are heading to Ft Collins Colorado to see Jeff Dunham perform.  My friend Tracy and my two youngest sons and I will be leaving Tuesday night to head to Denver.  The performance is a matinee on Wednesday in Ft Collins.  Looks like two late nights of traveling.  I hope he’s as good in person as he is in his specials.  The boys are too excited and we hope we might get a chance to meet him.

 

Keep Shana And Chad Together

I am going to do something out of the ordinary. I hope my readers will appreciate the problems in the foster care system and how, by helping one case at a time, we might be able to better the life of the children wrapped up in this system. The problems are hitting me close to home and I want to submit an email i have sent out to my friends and family and I hope you will all read it and sign the petition to help these children.

The email reads:

Many of you from Larned will know Tommy and Tracy Beckwith and many of the others I am sending this to will not. 3 years ago Tommy and Tracy Adopted Chad at birth. I started babysitting Chad when he was about 4 months old. Chad(3) has two biological siblings. One is in the foster care system, Shana(4). One is with HIS biological father in Wichita, Braydon(2). Braydon and Chad have been able to get to know each other as Tom and Tracy were his foster parents while his dad worked out the details to get custody of him. His father still works hard with the Beckwiths to ensure that the boys have a relationship. Since adopting Chad, Tracy and Tommy have attempted to make sure that Shana has the chance to have a relationship with her other siblings. Originally they tried to adopt her but the foster care agency gave adoption rights to her foster family. The foster family eventually backed out and instead of contacting Tommy and Tracy, the agency placed Shana elsewhere. Tommy and Tracy have repeatedly tried to establish contact with the other family to attempt to establish a relationship for Chad, Braydon and Shana but with no luck. Tommy and Tracy have the blessings of the birth mother and her family that they adopt Shana and do whatever is in their power to keep lines of communication open for the siblings. Their attempts have fallen on deaf ears. They have enlisted a lawyer because Chad has kinship rights that are being ignored. They have also listed a petition on the site below. Please sign the petition and urge St. Francis (the foster agency) to allow these children to be together. This agency has made many questionable decisions in this case and each one has caused Shana undue hardship. This is a good Christian family that has the resources and love this little girl needs ,not to mention the ability to give her at least one blood relative, her brother and a relationship with her other brother. Tracy stays home and does daycare and Tommy works for the USPS. They both come from families that are very involved in the lives of the children. Please sign the petition below and keep these siblings together……

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/398999539

Thank You