First Fish

We all went Ice Fishing for the first time today. Neil had some coworkers invite us up to Schofield Lake to fish through the two foot ice that is up there.... Can I just say, it was SOO COLD! I thought I prepared enough with the four shirts and three pants...but that was not enough! Now keep in mind, I grew up in a family that were not our doors people. We moved and traveled so much, that there was no time for the hunting, fishing, hiking...you get the idea. So, this was my first time fishing EVER!! Why did the first time have to be on top of an iced over lake? Not my idea of fun.

Anyway, Paige was miserable the entire time but Jacob was a sport. It took him a while to understand that fish just do not appear on the hook, that it takes time and patience. We are proud to say that Jacob caught his FIRST FISH, actually he caught three! He was so excited. It was fun to see the joy in his eyes.

After the first two were gutted, he was protective of the third and did not want it to be hurt. I think he thought the thing was still alive. He was also worried about the fish’s friends that he was leaving behind...that’s my boy!! Always animal conscious. Jacob was a trooper and is ready for his next trip...I do not think that will be until spring!!

T-Pain Ft. Flo Rida - Low

Fergie-Clumsy(Cool Video)-LYRICS

So, I have something to admit...my five year old loves these songs!! Should I be concerned that he likes hip hop or rap? Is that what you call it? I am so out of touch I do not even know? He asks me to turn these songs on whenever we are in the car, like I have them on CD or something. Fortunetly, I think he likes the beat and the corus the best...but why can he not stay liking the wiggles "Fruit Salad" or "Hot Potato" song? Oh, these kids are growing up faster and faster I swear!!

BIG BROTHER 9

I am soo excited for the new season of Big Brother!! I have been a dedicated fan in the seasons past. With all the new twists this season.... I hope it does not go ronchie.

Apartment Update!!

It has really been a long and frustrating week. We have spent almost every waking moment down at that apartment working to get it ready to rent. Neil also decided it would be best to take two days off of work to get things moving. Of course, things NEVER go according to plan, but I am very VERY glad to say that despite a few minor set backs…we are DONE!!!! The painting and patch work took two days longer then expected. Of course, the holes were more extensive then we originally thought. It seems that whenever we turned around there was another one that showed up. We also had to replace almost all the doors, because they came with holes too. We got carpet installed on Thursday and doors, sinks, and lights installed on Friday. I also decided that I was not going to break my back cleaning that nasty horrid place myself, so I called a sweet lady we have used before to come and clean. I think she was confused as to why there were remains of a charcoal fire in the stove, and potatoes that had sprouted and were growing in the cabinets.

We went down there Sat. morning to do the light finish work and to get a contract signed!! Yes, I also have a tenant. They moved in on Sat. so I am officially done with the place.

It is hard to look at the benefits of things when you are sitting in the middle of a trial like this. You ask yourself why the Lord has put this trial in your lives. What have we done to deserve this? For us, a trial like this could be financially devastating. We are still new in this Landlord business. Although, we have had apartments for about 7 years, as many of you know they are not quick money makers. It takes years to get to a good cash flow status. When we have an apartment go vacant, especially when we have one that leaves us with huge repair work, it can be disastrous. We can look back and see the blessings that have come from this. This lady was not a tenant we would have chosen. She lived there when we bought the place and we knew that it would be bad when she moved out. We were not expecting this bad, but at least she is out. Now, we are just waiting for the next tenant to call us with a bomb to drop.

I was not able to take a lot of pictures. It seems that there was always some one somewhere or some mess that still needed to be cleaned up...but I will get more posted.