Here's a shout-out to you, Lu!!
I hope that you've had a wonderful day...

Happy Thanksgiving from the Cosmopolitan!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Happy thankgiving!!
from us to you!

Vermont

This is where we will be staying in Vermont. This house was built in the 1800's, it has five bedrooms! The only thing that wasn't listed in the ad is whether it is haunted of not. The high is only 30 degrees with snow showers. It will definitely be a cozy Holiday. Of course, I will be missing all of you! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I will try to post some more, but no promises. Love you all . Janna, Mike, and Emmet

THANKFUL

I had an epiphany in the shower this morning (sorry.. too much information?).......
Thinking about how I came into this world with an inborn affinity for extremes....
It's got to be either hot or cold - NEVER lukewarm...
Tea: HOT Showers: HOT & COLD Relationships: INTENSE
I have never had any patience for bland food, "casual" conversation, factory-born
jewelry, depth-less books, or the mind-numbing noise of the world...
Why would I expect my life to be anything but bipolar?
I find myself here, THIS morning, PROFOUNDLY grateful for the challenges that I have been given, the trials, hardships, loss, and even pain beautifully woven into my life...
because of it I have been able to experience all of the warmth the universe has to offer.. great JOY and learning and discovery and adventure, and most importantly, the love of my amazing family. I am truly, infinitely blessed, and I KNOW that I would not have wanted it any other way!
So here's a toast to craziness....

I love you all

Beirut

For this first installment of my little music column, I'd like to begin with a guy who's got a pretty good life story for being only 22.  This is Zach Condon.  He dropped out of high school at the age of 16 to travel across Europe, where he gained an appreciation for balkan gypsy music.

He eventually came back to the states, and started recording under the name Beirut, and released two successful albums.  Oh, and:  when he last played in LA, he sold out a venue 5 nights in a row, netting him more than $100,000.  Makes me feel a little lazy, honestly.

Click here to download a sampler from his first and second albums.

Also, let me know if you guys have any questions.

Unleavened Bread

My friend Kelli had this picture on her blog accompanied by this story: She has a little boy about Emmet's age and they went to her in-laws house where this picture is hanging on the wall. Her little boy said, "Look Mom, Jesus is eating quesadillas." I don't know why it made me laugh so hard. It really does look like quesadillas. Hey, now that I think of it Brandon and I do cook quesadillas every single Sunday after church. Anyway, I told Andrea the story and we were cracking up so I told her I'd put the picture up. Enjoy.

Today

We went for a walk and then I gave Mom a haircut. I trimmed it up and then we decided it would be fun if I styled it as well. We think it turned out great but of course Mom said it looked like she just rolled out of bed and didn't do her hair. I love it though.


I had to show this one off because I have about 6 chins!
Babe time...
And on Saturday...

Janna, get well! Are you doing any better? Hope you are well for work.

music

hey guys,

i've been thinking about doing a sort of bi-weekly music column here to introduce some new music that i think everyone could appreciate. does this sound like something you would be interested in? i can't decide if i should post music by specific artists, or if i should make little playlists... i might wind up doing both, actually.

leave me some comments, let me know what you think

Lately

This picture cracks me up because it's truly Halloween scary. Janna looks like a vampire, Emmet looks transformed and transfixed, and mike... well... he's a nun with a mustache.

Charlie and Lola doing what they do best: Being hyper and crazy and cute!

Janna's first shift at Haven. Purrrrr.

And, now that we've seen what everyone else is up to here is a glimpse of my view for the past week. Yep, just staring at my leg elevated above my heart. Mom has been taking such dang good care of me. Cooking, babysitting, making sure I take my antibiotics and painkillers on schedule. What a babe our Mom is! I love you Mom! Thanks!

Cara...Holla! Get well soon!!!

Bloom Where You are Planted

I was reading through some old journals of mine and found something that inspired me. I remember this sort of used to me my motto. "Bloom where you are planted". I don't remember where I heard it, or if I made it up. But, I remember it always makes me feel better. And I think it is so true!

"Hey Cara,
How are you? First of all, I am sooooo sorry about Alex. I had a crush on him in third grade. You know how he always walked with his feet pointed out well I thought that was cool and started to immitate him unfortunately one of my feet kept doing it. I know that is a strange memory but a memory non the less."

Jenette Stehmeier sent this message to me on FaceBook. I wanted to share it with you guys.

ANDREA'S NEW JOB ATTIRE

Andrea, news does travel this fast in our family. Congrats on your new job! For those of you who haven't heard Andrea is officially employed at Snow Valley as a ski instructor. You are going to have some very jealous sisters and even mom and sons. Good work!

JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY!

Michael Phelps

A friend of mine on facebook posted this. So Funny!

Halloween