Angela's blog

1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current street name) ~ Ruby Fourth

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav icecream flavor,favorite cookie) ~ Chunky Monkey Rainbow Chip (um...not very flattering!)

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) ~ C. Atc

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) ~ Green Dog (maybe from a Dr. Seuss book)

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) ~ Rae Sioux City

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) ~ AtcCo

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The") ~ The Blue Ginger Ale

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) ~ Darrell Clyde

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume, favorite candy) ~ Ici chocolate

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother & father's middle name ) ~ Lynn Duane

Ha Ha. That was pretty fun! Hope you all try it!

Flashback- Halloween 1981

Sorry I missed the memo on the flashback, but here you go. (Jesse kept stealing my keyboard to use with his work laptop to work on reports at home- seriously, I think we have our priorites crossed! hee hee) Anyway this is my sisters and I Halloween 1981. I guess we were dolls or Raggedy Ann something or other... either way I guess people gave us candy so I don't think we cared.

Am I the only one that feels like costumes just aren't original like they were when we were little. Your choice was to wear a vinyl suit that was barely hanging on by the end of the night, with a plastic mask that had tiny slits for eyes and was extremely suffocating while running door to door! Or you could try and come up with your own costume (which I prefered, or my mom preferred because she wasn't going to waste money on junk! I've said that to Colton before-scary) and had to get really creative! Well here's to a safe and fun Halloween!

Highlights from our midwest trip

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

We had a whirl wind week! Between driving back and forth from my moms and my sister's houses (45 minutes apart) we packed in a lot of fun! The harvest party was saturday and lasted late into the night (with 22 people staying the night at their house!), sunday morning was the baptism and lunch. Monday was fun at Chuck E. cheese and then Tuesday was an awesome turkey dinner celebrating my mom's __ birthday!!! It was a busy, great time and I'm so glad we went!

Ashlee and Kacie's Baptism

Wondering why you haven't heard from me for a while? Well, Colton and I took an impromptu trip to the Midwest for my sister's Harvest Party and both of my nieces were baptized in their church! After a little coercing (Colton chasing Kacie around the back of the church) Kacie dipped her finger in the water and touched her forehead! Then Colton said, "But I thought I was gonna be baptized too." So the pastor "baptized" him also! (We plan on having him get a full water baptism when he really knows the impact of his decision-according to our beliefs) It was pretty crazy and cute! Never know what 4 year olds are going to do!!!

Saturday 80's flashback

Ok, so Jesse and I already know that we are dorks and we revel in the fact that we liked the 80's. Saturday night we got caught watching an 80's show on VH1 and it hooked us until almost 2:00 am. Why... I have no idea! But it was fun reminicsing (sp?) about the crazy music things we remember, and what we were doing at that time- he's 6 years older so his 80's experience was vastly different than mine! While he was rocking out to VanHalen and DefLeppard, I was watching Punky Brewster, having contests to see who could keep the beat to "We will rock you", and memorizing all the words to Bangles songs!!! Good Times!!! We both engaged in some form of horrid hairstyle and played Atari and computer games (we've actually been keeping our eyes open for an original version of Oregon Trail and Kings Quest-Ha!) I'm sure you all have great 80's memories and it is fun to go back to when life seemed a lot simpler. I just dread what Colton's teenage years will be like...Ugh

Flashback Friday- Sisters

For happy times shared through the years,
for the loyalty, love, the laughter and tears.
For the special things only you can do,
for all these things, I thank you!

Time and space may separate us,
but heartstrings know no end.
I'm proud to call you my sister, happier still to call you my friend.
Author Unknown
Picture: Me, Connie & Carrie 1999

Losing our Cool!

So we are doing great. Why is my title "losing our cool", you ask? Well we have to monitor our computer use due to the fact that our fan that cools the computer (um, very important), has broken and if you are anything like us, you know that half of my day revolves around the computer; blogging, email, printing out preschool papers or just connecting with the outside world!

We looked at laptops this weekend. Ugh! I really don't care how much Gig my harddrive has or this one has this much more Ram than the other one! I just want something I can plop myself in front of and have it do what I want it to! Jesse has concerns if he will be able to finally get World of Warcraft (another thing I can see both of us getting addicted to!). Part of me feels guilty that we have become so dependent on our computer! Besides, I really don't want to continue putting off our remodeling projects for goofy stuff that keeps breaking down! Our goal is to have the basement done before next April (baby due), which is very ambitious since it would include digging two egress windows and a lot of sheet rock! Anyway, I must monitor my computer use and start backing up all of my preschool and pictures!

Jelly Belly Bliss

So normally we don't get Jelly Belly beans, but we were at Shopko last night (yes, that is what we do with our Friday nights) and there was a small display of Jelly Bellys. Colton being unusually cooperative at 9:00 while Jesse and I were browsing random things, I thought he earned a little treat. It took me back quite a ways since I have had some Jelly Bellys and the excrutiating decisions of colors, flavors and the exact combinations that will delight the senses. While checking out their website for a pic to add to my blog, I found out that they were the favorite candy of Ronald Reagan (and were a staple in the Oval Office and Air Force One), he had even inspired Blueberry flavor so he could have red, white and blue at his inaugural party! Funny! They were the first jellybeans in space in 1983 when they were a presidential surprise for the the spaceshuttle Challenger and 1st female in space, Sally Ride! Just a little fun weekend info for you! Yummy!

Check, Check, 1,2,3

Sorry I don't know if anybody else is having problems viewing my blog, but I am. So this is a test to see what's up with my blog.

Naps are God's gift to Moms (and Dads)

I truly believe that naptime is a gift from God. He has instilled in our children the need for rest halfway through the day and I believe that this is the reason many parents don't go insane! I love my child and my daycare kids but it is so nice to be able to have a little time for me to clean (ha!), blog, do devotionals, paint toenails, nap!, etc. God in his infinite wisdom said "Here, you tired, weary-laden parent, this is my gift to you; naptime! This is totally my opinion and if your child doesn't take naps, that is absolutely your decision and that's cool. But I will make them lay down for 2 hours everyday until they go to kindergarten! I am blessed with a child that desperately NEEDS naps or he just gets absolutely irrational at about 6:00. It is a time for refreshing for both of us and it makes me a better mom! Welp, that's really all I wanted to say, selfish little me and my coveted naptime!!!

Prayers go up, Blessings come down

As many of you know we've been trying to expand our family and we've had an answer to our prayers. God has blessed us with a baby! It's still pretty early and we have our first appointment on the 19th. We should be able to hear the heartbeat, so about 10-12 weeks along. We're praying that everything goes well and the baby will be safe. I know it's not good luck to announce anything too early, but this is what's going on in our lives and I wanted to share the good news!



In the meantime we are still battling the flu bug, but on Saturday afternoon we got a little cabin fever and cured it with a game of mini-golf. It was a really fun time and was really nice to get out of the stuffy house! We didn't keep score and but we celebrated with a piece of laffy taffy!

Where'd the week go?

So sorry to all of you blog ladies! I have no idea where an entire week went! Within this past week each of my daycare kids have thrown up (thankfully at their own homes! *guilty grin*) Except that our family is exhibiting the same signs as them (Jesse took two sick days), so I have a sneaking feeling that this weekend is going to be filled with videos, blankets and barf buckets! (is that too much info?). Anyway, just wanted to apologize for the slacker that I have been!

In the meantime, here is a picture of me and Colton almost exactly 3 years ago! This was our little family picture taken for Christmas cards (which reminds me it's that time again for Christmas card pictures!) Eventhough we were going through a rough spot, God was watching over and taking care of us!

Flashback Friday

This is my sister Connie and I on a kayaking trip on the Blackfoot River in 2002. She could see what was ahead of me before I could. We really got close when we moved to a small town north of Sioux City, IA right before highschool. There were many trials that we went through, but the stuff that I remember more are the simple memories. Like when we would hide in eachothers' room and scare the crap out of the other, or making up words to songs on our long trip to school(45-60 minutes each way), and the long nights of staying up late playing double solitare and talking about what was going on in our highschool lives! She knows me like very few on this planet do and always thinks of others feelings above her own. She is amazing and loving, and her support has got me through some of my toughest times! Love you so much Connie!

CellPhone Fiasco

So for everyone that has tried to call me in the past month, sorry I couldn't let you know what was going on by changing my voicemail, like, Jackie, Jess K, AmyT.... But my cellphone was lost somewhere between here and Oregon City, OR where we stayed on our way home from N.Cal. Well we tracked it down by the calls the other person was making (yes, they were roaming) and it pointed to the maid that cleaned our room. So there was an investigation and I didn't want to let them know we were on to them. *mission impossible music playing in the background* Well, the hotel has been extremely cooperative and are paying for a new phone and all the charges the lady incurred! The charges only came to about $40, but my phone would've been a minimum of $140 to replace with the cheapest phone available. (Get insurance on your phone...it is worth it!) Here is my plug for the Rivershore Hotel and Kathy, the manager, whom I will thank personally when we stay there next time we travel that way! This entire resolution was such a blessing from God, because we had already chalked it up to our own foolishness and she did not have to take the financial responsiblity for the ladys theft. In the meantime, all of my phone numbers that are in that phone are completely lost, so to save me calling 411 or looking on the internet for everyone I know, if you could shoot me an email to cortneyatchley@gmail.com
Thanks! Looks like Jesse's not the only investigator in the family!

Ten on Tuesday(monday because tommorrow I just won't have time!)

1. What do you get when you cross a 4 year old and a roll of green crepe paper:


Colton's version of the Incredible Hulk (with a green sword)

2. Frosted Flakes turn into concrete if you don't rinse out the bowl immediately after eating.

3. No matter how many times you ask or make them go, if try to go somewhere with a van full of kids, someone will have to "go" as soon as you pull out of the driveway!

4. I will no longer buy my son white underwear...use your imagination.


5. Making meatloaf is fun no matter how old you are!

6. I wish SpongeBob was educational because it is just way too funny. In the meantime we have Little Einsteins!

7. A couple of nickels can go a long way at the Big Springs Fish Hatchery.






8. No matter how many times I look through Colton's baby book, I still cry!

9. Special treat for myself: Fun new socks.



10. Good friends may come and go, but the time spent together is priceless.


Bonus:
Amber's lil' sister up on stage with Apologetix at the DownPour Festival!

School Transitions

Hello all! Just a quick note today because I have two extra little ones! As the school year starts, though Colton doesn't start til next year, my two that I am watching/teaching are. :( Sad. But that also means that I get new little ones and God provides! Today I am watching 4 year old and 3 year old brothers of a recently single dad who is starting college full time next week. If you all know my story, of my ex and I, it is eerily the same, except that the mom has removed herself from the picture. Prayers are needed! Anyway on a lighter note, I get the priviledge of watching and teaching these two cuties! I will also start watching another 4 year old boy on a half-day basis. Yup, you heard it, add it up...4 boys! I pray they don't call a mutiny and Jesse will find me tied up with them dancing around me like Lord of the Flies!!! Hee Hee!

Also my sister, Connie, found out yesterday that they are having a boy!!! (Due in January) With all the talk of babies, Colton has informed me that he wants to grow small so that he can fit in my belly and crawl out again! Funny! (Just so I didn't pique your curiosity, we're not preggo yet!) :( Soon hopefully!

Vacation Highlights

Here are some highlights from our Northern California trip! We had a great time and really got to spend some quality time with family!

Thanks LB for www.slide.com :)

New use for treadmills!

If you are getting bored with your treadmill workout, check this out! Ha!
You tube: Here it goes again

Why I like capris/gauchos

Sorry everyone, I'm still in vacation mode and yes I still have a partially full suitcase. Eventually the clothes will cycle through being worn, then washed, then into the closet, so really I am saving time by not putting them away. Um...even I'm not buying that logic! Anyway I am in the process of getting the pics uploaded, which really means I haven't done that yet either! So here's a blog that really has nothing to do with anything.

Why I like capris/gauchos:
1. I only have to shave up to my knees.
2. They look cute with flip flops or sassy shoes
3. I can change the look of an outfit from casual to sassy in the change of shoes (see #2)
4. I can pretend that it is still summer eventhough it's getting chilly at night!
5. I feel somewhat trendy (please don't let leggings come back into style)
6. I can relate to a pair of pants that really doesn't have an identity- are shorts, are they pants, they really don't know!!!
Yes, I do realize that my blog wasn't very clever, but I think I am funny!*chuckle at myself*

Vacation Blog

Sorry it has been so long since I have blogged! Vacation has been great! We are in Northern California (not hot, sunny beaches-think chilly, cloudy redwoods and cold beaches)! It has been very refreshing to get away from home. I have been taking care of Jesse's grandma while his parents took a much-needed getaway for 5 days. His grandma suffered a stroke almost a year ago and loss control of her left side and speech. (Picture from summer 2005, Helena, Montana a month before her stroke). We celebrated her 79th birthday August 1. Prayers are always welcome!

Anyway, Jesse and I got to sneak away by ourselves to Trinidad for a walk on the pier, fresh fish & chips and clam chowder! Jesse also fixed a delicious crab dinner with a crab scrabmbled eggs the next morning with the leftovers! Yummy! We also spent an afternoon on the beach "agate hunting" and burying eachother in the chilly sand(pictures when I get them uploaded). Today we are going to the beach again to do surf fishing and play in the sand again! Being from the midwest I really haven't experienced much of the "ocean stuff". More to post as soon as I can!