Winter Wonderland or Warm Tropical Vacation?

Our first Christmas in Kentucky.

Although it is not officially December yet, Shawn, Evie and I are well on our way decorating for Christmas. Last night Evelyn wanted to hang the outside lights on our house. Shawn came home from class and saw what a wonderful job we did. After a little adjusting of the garland on the front porch we turned on the lights and headed around the neighborhood to look at all the other displays. Shawn, Evie and I have gone around to look at lights before, but never like this. We walked around our own neighborhood, I was barefoot and wearing my "thin" work scrubs. Shawn was wearing a shortsleeved shirt, shorts and sandles. It was a beautiful evening to spend together. Evelyn says we need one more thing outside. She wants a white cross with white lights. What an insightful little girl.

I'm sure this won't be the weather all the way to Christmas. We are expecting rain/snow and 30 degree weather for the end of this week and start of next week. We'll enjoy it while it lasts.

While Shawn was sleeping.

This is another set of pictures taken through the eyes of Evie. One day while Shawn was "watching" Evie she found the digital camera and took a tour of the house.

Happy Birthday Shawn (September 3rd)

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Daddy, Happy Birthday to you.

There was nothing sweeter than hearing our little 3-year-old sing so proudly to her Daddy on his Birthday.

Incidentally the melody of "Happy Birthday to You" was written by American sisters Patty and Mildred Hill in 1893 when they were school teachers in Louisville, Kentucky.

Evelyn helped me pick out the candles and carefully place them in the "Derby Pie" or as they are legally bound to call it a "Bluegrass Pie" because of a copy right. We spent most of Shawn's birthday hunting and calling around town for a pumpkin pie. This birthday tradition of Shawn's had met it's match here in Kentucky. We got most of the same responses as when we were asking around for a giant moose picture to place over our fireplace.

We finished the evening off with a trip to Corky's for what they claimed to be "The Best BBQ in the South". It wasn't. But, we had a great time anyway. Evie generated laughs from other customers. Each time we made a trip to the bathroom she would sing loudly with great enthusiasm "Naked, Naked, Naked!!!

Magee's Bakery

I thought you might like to take a tour of the Bakery from Evelyn's point of view. The hand that you see making Danish is Shawn's. He loves this picture. You can also see the carrot cupcakes and the other picture of is rows of white cupcakes with Magee's awesome buttercream frosting on them. We are very blessed with Shawn's employment there and Shawn has some very positive experiences. He said that his favorite thing about working at this bakery is that he gets to see people in the store enjoying the product that he helps put out. This is something that he has not been able to experience at quite a scale at his previous bakery jobs. The people that purchase food at Magee's are able to sit down right at the bakery and enjoy.

Highbridge Homecoming Festival

We were able to go to the 2nd annual Highbridge Homecoming Festival. This festival is found only a few minutes out of town in an even smaller town than ours. I think all it has is a church and a very picturesque view of the Highbridge railroad trussel and the Kentucky River below. It is very beautiful

We went to the festival two nights in a row. The first night they were having a dessert auction. It was pretty funny listening to this old man auction off the blackberry cobbler. He was talking it up pretty good. I'm sure whoever made it was very proud of her creation. It was all I could do to stop Shawn from trying to bid. You may know how much he loves to try new things.

The second day we were going to go earlier and see some of the lineup of acts they had instore. It was raining pretty well here and we didn't want to chance if there was a place out of the rain for us to go. So, we went up after the rain cleared and was able to see the Cloggers and a Bluegrass band. Both were very good. After awhile Evie couldn't stand it anymore and got up right in front of the cloggers and started imitating them. Being the proud mama I am, I was very impressed that she was imitating them so well. (we later signed her up for a ballet/tap class) I am contemplating taking clogging lessons. They are only $45 for 10 weeks. I don't think that is bad. How cool would it be if I came back to Minnesota with an accent and the ability to clog. I'm also interested in joining a gun club or shooting range while down here. Just to finish off my stereotyping. Although we don't own a gun or really don't have a desire to, but it would be fun to have that skill. I wonder if they borrow/rent guns?






Evie dancing with the cloggers.















The Bluegrass band Pickin' Time was a delight to watch. They sounded great! They are our 1st official Bluegrass band we watched here in Kentucky.







The night finished off with a dance. Evie was big into finding dance partners. Anyone but Mom and Dad that is. She found this boy to dance with. Oh, dear we're in trouble. We ended the night when this dance was done. We didn't want it to get too serious.

The Circus

Shawn, Evie, and I went to the Barnum and Bailey Circus when it came to Lexington this past August. We arrived early and were able to go down to the main floor and be up close and personal with the performers.

Here is Evelyn with a clown friend she had made.

Evie tried on a Ring Master's jacket.

Our cheap seats put us at the "end" of the arena. We did get to see the front of the Animals from time to time.

Mom and Evie pose with the Elephants.

Daddy and Evie pose with the Tigers.

We had a great time. Shawn and Evelyn even got to see a Cebu.

In the September issue of Parenting Magazine is an article that beautifully describes the circus trip (it could almost be our circus trip). It is on page 197 and is entitled A Trip to the circus by Pete Nelson. I tried to link it, but the article is not online at this time.

Fun with Evie...need I say more?

Who is it going to be next?

We have been so blessed with the amount of visitors in such a small time.

It started with Norma and Darrell. They were able to come down for Evie's Birthday in July.



and then Phyllis came toward the end of July. We visited High Bridge and went to Pleasant Hill in Shaker Town.

and most recently Mom and Denise in August. We also went to High Bridge and then Mom, Denise, and I went horseback riding at Whispering Woods Riding Stable.

Make your reservations soon for the Mickschl Inn. We'll be glad to have you.

You're doing what?

This is what Shawn said to me as he was drilling a hole through the wall. So what if I was ripping up the carpet from the floor. Not that big a deal...right. Right. The hardwood floors are beautiful. For some reason the previous owners finished the floor around the parameter of the room and left the middle as original. They must have had one big rug.

After a call to my mother Shawn determined that I have inherited her destruction gene. Now that I have my own house I'm not as afraid to lets say..rip things apart. I also hold blame to Rebekah. :-) She's my do it yourselfer partner in crime.

The floor with carpet

Here is Evie helping pull staples out of the floor.

Here is the floor that needs to be refinished

First Day on the Job

Today, Monday, July 31st was my first day of work at UK. It went really well. They showed me my new office. I have 4 walls and a door! I'm so excited. Dr. Shinn said I could start bringing in pictures and personal stuff tomorrow. Everyone at my new job is very nice and I learned a lot about the ear today and the tests that they run. I asked to have some performed on me. You know, to see what its like.

One great thing about starting today is that Shawn, Evie and myself get covered by insurance tomorrow, Tuesday, August 1st. If I had started August 1st we wouldn't be covered until September 1st.

I started looking into taking my 18 free credits of classes at UK last night about 12am. Shawn said that I should talk to a counselor to see how to do it before I go and start applying. What does he know? ;-) I think perhaps I'll start working on my undergraduate degree. In what I haven't figured out yet.

Anybody want an Employee?

Not everyone can come to Kentucky with a job waiting for them. I've had to wait patiently and go on a few interviews. Shawn says that I am having a really hard time with being "unemployed". He doesn't really count me as being unemployed since I do get to stay home and play all day. Like he used to do. HaHaHa. Anyone that knows Evelyn knows that she is a full-time job and then some.

I applied everywhere. Well almost everywhere, except Best Buy and the movie theater. Lowes has not called me back yet and neither has the chiropractor. I even applied at the Central Kentucky Blood Center after I finished my blood donation and Shawn was giving platelets.


I have been offered a job with the University of Kentucky in the Communicative Disorders Department. This job will be Monday through Friday 8am-4pm. I am told no weekends, evenings, and I'm pretty sure holidays. I was offered $1.50 more an hour than we needed to make to live here in Kentucky. God is faithful! I was interviewed on Wednesday, July 19th and was told they would call me Friday either way. They called me back on Thursday and offered me the job. Now all I have to do is pass the drug test and background check...I'm on pins and needles about both of those. My expected start date is August 7th. This gives me lots of time to spend with Evie and Shawn. We are really enjoying our naps that we take in the afternoons.

Baker Stud returns again

Shawn is currently working at Magee's Bakery in the Antique District of Lexington. Just blocks away from the Henry Clay Estate who was a cousin of Cassious Clay (not the boxer). I was right when I originally guessed that Henry Clay was related...kinda.

Shawn is enjoying working in a scratch bakery with the finest bakery ingredients. They are enjoying Shawn's ability as a baker.

Every day Shawn comes home and Evie runs out of the house screaming....Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! She then gives him a great big hug and inhales deeply and states what he smells like for the day. "You smell like donuts!" she often states.

I do believe that Shawn is enjoying being the bread winner and maker once again.

July 6, 2006

Central air is installed....enough said

$2.95!?!

At the Celebration of the Fourth they sold hot dogs for $0.15 cents. Shawn went to get us some lunch and returned about a half an hour later with his wares. 3 hot dogs, 2 giant pieces of watermelon and 3 bottled waters for $2.95. We watched the home town crowd present the local fire department with the trophy for winning the 4th of July softball tournament and one of the local pastors present books to all of the police officers.

The Jessamine County band played many tunes and finished the day with a patriotic ensemble.

Shawn met the mayor - Harold Rainwater. Shawn told him that we just moved here from Minnesota and the mayor replied that this celebration was just for us. ;-) Shawn says...typical politician.

The following pictures are of the snow cones that we enjoyed. They were made by the local Lions Club and only cost 50 cents.

This is my kind of celebration.





We ended the day with a private fireworks display that some random guy on the end of our block was shooting off. He happened to be someone that did this for a job. So they were real fireworks. Evelyn did not see any of the fireworks that night. She was way too tired from the days events.

I would have to say that our first day in Kentucky was filled with many things that will last in our memory. A great celebration to kick off our new adventure here in Kentucky. Maybe the celebration was.... just for us.

First Day In Kentucky

Our first full day in Kentucky was the 4th of July. What a beautiful day it was. A bit toasty since we didn't have air conditioning, but fun none-the-less. We started the day by trying to empty the van. Then off to the parade. They call it the Celebration of the 4th.






The Sheriff started off the parade.












Lawn mower Brigade was a hoot.











Tractors on Parade










Can't forget man's best friend.





It was a great home town parade with a lot of home town pride. I was happy to count myself among them. Evie showed her great ability to collect ALL of the candy that was thrown at us. No one was being stingy at this parade. We just so happened to meet some of our next door neighbors that day when Shawn offered them some of Evie's loot. After the parade we walked the mile to the campground to continue the Celebration of the 4th.

The Trip to Kentucky

We started our journey at the place we should have. River Hills United Methodist Church (http://www.riverhillsumc.org/) 9am service followed by a reception and an 11am service. We were able to thank the congregation for their support and were prayed for. What an awesome thing to know that there are people praying for us and support what God has in-store for our family.

After a tearful good-bye to our family and friends at church. Shawn, Evie and I left to pick up Jazzy and Butch from Aunt Sheryl. Although the dogs were excited to go for a car ride (what dog isn't) they will certainly miss one of the most important humans in their life.

Here are a few pictures from our journey to Kentucky.

Here is the van loaded. To think we already brought a 26 foot truck to Kentucky. Luckily Shawn's parents and Aunt Phyllis will be coming in the next few weeks to bring what didn't fit. My bowling ball didn't make it in the first load. ;-(

We stayed overnight with Rebekah and Graig in Wisconsin. As you can tell from the photo, Rebekah was very welcoming. It was such a blessing to spend some time with them.

Here is Evie and Butch at one of our gas stops

Evelyn took this picture of us at a rest stop in Kentucky. I'd say she has some talent from her mother. Maybe a little more since she isn't even 3 yet!

Moving Day

It was 5:50am and I was up before the alarm. Evie was up shortly after and Shawn continued to sleep soundly on our air mattress. The light was peaking in through the blinds and the world was telling us it was a new day. A new day for our new adventure.

Today is the day we MOVE to Kentucky.

We have been staying with Shawn't parents for 4 years to the day and am thankful for their support and encouragement. God does so many things for us and we don't even realize it.

Thank you to all of our friends and family that have helped nurture, prepare and support us for this day. It is so hard to say good-bye so see-you-later is my adopted terminology. God bless you all!

Our journey today will take us to Oostburg Wisconsin and then early Monday we continue on to our new home and life in Wilmore, Kentucky. We look forward to the 4th of July celebration that is waiting for us - $0.15 hot dogs and ice cream. How is that for a welcome home party!

We won't have internet access at home, but we will try to update as soon as we can.


Here is the reading from a daily bible study The Upper Room. It is from Saturday, July 1st. For some reason the e-mail for the 2nd has not posted to our account. Strange? or not.

Matthew 6:25-34 (NRSV)
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these

The Beginning

Welcome to our house!

Evelyn, Tammy, and Shawn on the front porch

Terry on the front steps