Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Hodge Podge
I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Did you eat a lot, travel and shop? We did only two of those this year and that was eat a lot and shop. We stayed here in town and enjoyed turkey day at my folks house. It was very low key and uneventful. We ate, looked at black Friday ads and watched some football. We arrived back at our home that evening, got the kids settled and browsed some great black Friday deals online. Let me just say, that is the way to shop! No getting up early, waiting in line for hours, just to find out the item you were after sold out 10 people before you. We found some steals in the comfort of our own home! Y'all should try it next year, you won't regret it.
Friday was a day that couldn't have been more lazy. We did absolutely nothing. While it was nice to rest, I fe
lt like such a bum. Productivity was zero. No dishes were washed, no laundry was folded...........(yawn)....whew, I'm getting sleepy just thinking about it.
Saturday was a big day here in Alabama. The Iron Bowl came to the loveliest village on the plains and we were there to see every last bit of it. Unfortunately, Alabama pulled out a win but revenge is sweet I guess. Disappointment was obvious to most Auburn fans as they started to clear the stadium with 9 minutes left in the game. We may have lost but I still love some Auburn football, and we were there until the end cheering for our Tigers. War Eagle! We can try again next year.
Some family came in town late Saturday night. I wish it was for better reasons. Aric and his sisters lost a sweet mentor they had known for a long time, so a funeral was the reason for the visit. It was, however, a nice visit. Everyone left Sunday after the funeral. The long Thanksgiving weekend came to an end and then Christmas started.
I just love the Christmas season. We will be moving and traveling this year, so it will be very busy but it still means that we get to celebrate Christ's birth, and that is just fun!
Switching gears and re-winding for a minute, Savannah turned 3 on November 20. We didn't have a party this year. We kept it simple yet fun. She had a special birthday breakfast of mini pancakes, at church, her class sang Happy Birthday, and later that day we, opened presents from Grammy and Gramps and had birthday cake. Our present to Savannah was a trip to Toys R Us where we let her pick out one gift. What did she choose? 3 $.99 containers of Play Doh! We got her a set that includeda little mini desk so she would have something to play on. All in all, it was a good fun day and Savannah was so very happy.
Well, that's all I've got for this morning. I would type more but trying to blog on my phone is hard. Go me for getting this far!
I hope y'all have a wonderful, happy day!
Blessings,
Emily
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Thanks
Well, we've been TERRIBLE about getting posts to the blog this year... Ever since we disconnected our Internet at the house, it's just so hard to think of getting on here and posting updates. PLEASE FORGIVE US!!!
We have had a BUSY, BUSY year! The new house in Prattville is nearly completed now - we're potentially going to be ready to close within the next week or so - WOW! We look forward to getting in and getting settled and then welcoming our family and friends into our new home. Please do NOT be shy about coming by to see us!
We have also been busy with the old house - we've had so many repairs done this year, we have actually enjoyed living in it in recent weeks and months! LOL!!! However, we did have one particularly fun go of things last week when the main water supply line from the city's meter to our house decided to rupture - and, of COURSE, that happened on a day that we had someone coming by to view the house!!! Well, we've got that replaced now, so (hopefully) someone will see that as another added benefit not typically found in older homes and will decide to snap it up! :) We are praying fervently to the Lord that He will bring another family into this home that He can bless in the same way that He has blessed us over the years that we've been here. Emily and I met, wed, and had two children while living in this house and we are TREMENDOUSLY thankful for the times we have shared together inside those walls. (However, we are definitely excited to see the day when those walls are occupied by somebody else and we can move on to the next chapter in our lives and to our new home!)
Savannah & Thomas are both just as precious as ever... Thomas is "cruising", but just hasn't quite gotten up the courage to take off and start walking yet - which is fine by me because he's SO busy and we know things are going to get even more "interesting" once he can run instead of crawling! Savannah is smart as all GET OUT and even more beautiful. I can't even begin to describe how proud we are of our two children.
Work is still going strong - we're blessed to still have plenty of work to keep us busy, especially in an environment and a market where that is so very rare. God is so good to us and we give Him thanks for the blessing of stress and difficulty in trying to keep up with everything!
Our families are doing relatively well - Aric's parents ("Nana & Popsie") have gotten settled into their new home in Kentucky and have gone about remodeling the whole thing from the top-down. Mary Beth is still running 120mph, chasing after Lane & Lorilee who have just completely grown up ALL OF THE SUDDEN. Shari is enjoying a continuing "honeymoon period" with Wesley - can't believe they've already been married for TWO YEARS!!! And, NOW, Kristen has decided to take off for Nashville and is doing very well in this first chapter of her career as a nurse. We'll miss seeing everyone for Thanksgiving, but we can't wait to get together for Christmas this year!!! :)
Emily's parents ("Grammy & Gramps") are doing well, but are having a hard time dealing with the continued decline in the health of Emily's grandfather ("HaHa"). Katie is doing relatively well, and is now working at a big resort down there near the beach and says she really enjoys her job. She had a nasty spill a while back, but has recovered well and is still pounding the pavement when she can. We're HOPING we can host the Hoppers (and maybe Kristen too) for Thanksgiving this year, but we won't exactly be settled into the new house yet, so who knows...?
Anyway, that's about all from the land of the Lobensteins for now. We hope you are all doing well - please don't be strangers!!! Keep in touch and let us know how we can pray for you and your loved ones. 'Til then, may God's blessings be both abundant AND obvious in your lives.
We have had a BUSY, BUSY year! The new house in Prattville is nearly completed now - we're potentially going to be ready to close within the next week or so - WOW! We look forward to getting in and getting settled and then welcoming our family and friends into our new home. Please do NOT be shy about coming by to see us!
We have also been busy with the old house - we've had so many repairs done this year, we have actually enjoyed living in it in recent weeks and months! LOL!!! However, we did have one particularly fun go of things last week when the main water supply line from the city's meter to our house decided to rupture - and, of COURSE, that happened on a day that we had someone coming by to view the house!!! Well, we've got that replaced now, so (hopefully) someone will see that as another added benefit not typically found in older homes and will decide to snap it up! :) We are praying fervently to the Lord that He will bring another family into this home that He can bless in the same way that He has blessed us over the years that we've been here. Emily and I met, wed, and had two children while living in this house and we are TREMENDOUSLY thankful for the times we have shared together inside those walls. (However, we are definitely excited to see the day when those walls are occupied by somebody else and we can move on to the next chapter in our lives and to our new home!)
Savannah & Thomas are both just as precious as ever... Thomas is "cruising", but just hasn't quite gotten up the courage to take off and start walking yet - which is fine by me because he's SO busy and we know things are going to get even more "interesting" once he can run instead of crawling! Savannah is smart as all GET OUT and even more beautiful. I can't even begin to describe how proud we are of our two children.
Work is still going strong - we're blessed to still have plenty of work to keep us busy, especially in an environment and a market where that is so very rare. God is so good to us and we give Him thanks for the blessing of stress and difficulty in trying to keep up with everything!
Our families are doing relatively well - Aric's parents ("Nana & Popsie") have gotten settled into their new home in Kentucky and have gone about remodeling the whole thing from the top-down. Mary Beth is still running 120mph, chasing after Lane & Lorilee who have just completely grown up ALL OF THE SUDDEN. Shari is enjoying a continuing "honeymoon period" with Wesley - can't believe they've already been married for TWO YEARS!!! And, NOW, Kristen has decided to take off for Nashville and is doing very well in this first chapter of her career as a nurse. We'll miss seeing everyone for Thanksgiving, but we can't wait to get together for Christmas this year!!! :)
Emily's parents ("Grammy & Gramps") are doing well, but are having a hard time dealing with the continued decline in the health of Emily's grandfather ("HaHa"). Katie is doing relatively well, and is now working at a big resort down there near the beach and says she really enjoys her job. She had a nasty spill a while back, but has recovered well and is still pounding the pavement when she can. We're HOPING we can host the Hoppers (and maybe Kristen too) for Thanksgiving this year, but we won't exactly be settled into the new house yet, so who knows...?
Anyway, that's about all from the land of the Lobensteins for now. We hope you are all doing well - please don't be strangers!!! Keep in touch and let us know how we can pray for you and your loved ones. 'Til then, may God's blessings be both abundant AND obvious in your lives.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Update
Hello family and friends!
I'm sorry we've been so absent from our blogging in recent months... We started doing some renovation projects to our house to get it ready to market for sale and those took longer than expected and we wound up disconnecting our Internet connection altogether. Then, since we only have a few months until the new house will be completed, we've just never bothered to reconnect the Internet or hook the computer back up. As it turns out, that was a really cool move because we've converted our office into a play room where Savannah and Thomas can keep their toys and play together. We have a BLAST in there together!
Regarding the new house, things are progressing nicely... We've got all the framing completed, the roof is on, all the rough plumbing and electrical is done, and the bath tubs & shower are all in place. It's looking good and we're really getting excited as we see it all coming together! This week, we should be getting brick and sheetrock, and then we'll follow that with paint, cabinets, and floor coverings. We're really seeing a light at the end of the tunnel a LOT faster than we expected to!!! (Now if we could just hold still long enough to get the rest of the checklist items completed on the old house so we could go ahead and get it listed on the market!!!)
Savannah and Thomas are both doing great. Savannah is learning at exponential speeds and constantly surprises me with all the new things she knows and does. Thomas is a doggone monkey and loves to climb on everything. I can't believe that he will be a YEAR old in less than a week! And then, Savannah will be THREE years old in less than three months!!! Where did the time go???
Anyway, just wanted to check in and let everyone know we haven't fallen off the face of the planet. We hope you are all well and that God's blessings are as abundant in your lives as He has been in ours lately.
I'm sorry we've been so absent from our blogging in recent months... We started doing some renovation projects to our house to get it ready to market for sale and those took longer than expected and we wound up disconnecting our Internet connection altogether. Then, since we only have a few months until the new house will be completed, we've just never bothered to reconnect the Internet or hook the computer back up. As it turns out, that was a really cool move because we've converted our office into a play room where Savannah and Thomas can keep their toys and play together. We have a BLAST in there together!
Regarding the new house, things are progressing nicely... We've got all the framing completed, the roof is on, all the rough plumbing and electrical is done, and the bath tubs & shower are all in place. It's looking good and we're really getting excited as we see it all coming together! This week, we should be getting brick and sheetrock, and then we'll follow that with paint, cabinets, and floor coverings. We're really seeing a light at the end of the tunnel a LOT faster than we expected to!!! (Now if we could just hold still long enough to get the rest of the checklist items completed on the old house so we could go ahead and get it listed on the market!!!)
Savannah and Thomas are both doing great. Savannah is learning at exponential speeds and constantly surprises me with all the new things she knows and does. Thomas is a doggone monkey and loves to climb on everything. I can't believe that he will be a YEAR old in less than a week! And then, Savannah will be THREE years old in less than three months!!! Where did the time go???
Anyway, just wanted to check in and let everyone know we haven't fallen off the face of the planet. We hope you are all well and that God's blessings are as abundant in your lives as He has been in ours lately.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Taking a sabbatical
Hey y'all!
We have started some major home improvements over the past few weeks so we had to disconnect our home computer in order to move our "office" to storage.
Sorry for the delay in blogging but it may be awhile longer before we have everything up and running.
Right now, I am using the computer lab at our wonderful library in downtown Montgomery. I have Thomas with me so this will be short and sweet.
Please stay tuned! My blogging days are not over!
Have a wonderful day and remember..... "This is the day the Lord has made." Psalm 118:24
We have started some major home improvements over the past few weeks so we had to disconnect our home computer in order to move our "office" to storage.
Sorry for the delay in blogging but it may be awhile longer before we have everything up and running.
Right now, I am using the computer lab at our wonderful library in downtown Montgomery. I have Thomas with me so this will be short and sweet.
Please stay tuned! My blogging days are not over!
Have a wonderful day and remember..... "This is the day the Lord has made." Psalm 118:24
Monday, March 14, 2011
Changing the World
Hello All -
This is Aric, making a very rare appearance on the Blog... I just wanted to send out a quick note to let everyone know that Emily and the Leaders have arrived successfully in Wiggins, MS and have begun their work. World Changers is the organization they are working with and they are doing several construction and renovation projects to a home that was beaten and battered by Hurricane Katrina. Yes, there are still a LOT of people in the greater Gulf Coast region that are trying to recover from that massive storm all those many years ago! Anyway, they got down there last night; got settled into the church where they are staying; and had some devotional time with the other groups that are participating in this mission trip over Spring Break.
I am sure Emily will post an update with more details about the goings-on and the work they do this week once she gets back, but I at least wanted everyone to know they are there and are working hard. Please pray for this group as they attempt to help change the world, one small piece at a time, through a demonstration of Christ's love for others and through the spreading of the Good News with those that they encounter. May God bless those that the Leaders are helping and may this experience be a blessing for the Leaders as well! And, may God bless each and every one of our family and friends who are reading this. We love you all and hope you are well!
This is Aric, making a very rare appearance on the Blog... I just wanted to send out a quick note to let everyone know that Emily and the Leaders have arrived successfully in Wiggins, MS and have begun their work. World Changers is the organization they are working with and they are doing several construction and renovation projects to a home that was beaten and battered by Hurricane Katrina. Yes, there are still a LOT of people in the greater Gulf Coast region that are trying to recover from that massive storm all those many years ago! Anyway, they got down there last night; got settled into the church where they are staying; and had some devotional time with the other groups that are participating in this mission trip over Spring Break.
I am sure Emily will post an update with more details about the goings-on and the work they do this week once she gets back, but I at least wanted everyone to know they are there and are working hard. Please pray for this group as they attempt to help change the world, one small piece at a time, through a demonstration of Christ's love for others and through the spreading of the Good News with those that they encounter. May God bless those that the Leaders are helping and may this experience be a blessing for the Leaders as well! And, may God bless each and every one of our family and friends who are reading this. We love you all and hope you are well!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Katie...update
Last week, I went down to Fairhope to help out my sister. She was literally, helpless. I felt so bad for her but kept her spirits high while I was there. I went down on Monday and came back Wednesday night. She had a doctors appointment Tuesday morning and it went very well. The doctor was hopeful that she will be running again and as for right now, no more surgeries in the future! She will have to be on crutches, however, for about 6-12 weeks and it is going to be at least 6 months before she can do any type of exercise. And when she does get to that point, it will have to be low impact, like water aerobics, cycling, etc.
She is doing a little bit more every day. When I first arrived, she couldn't even get dressed without help, now, she can SLOWLY do it herself.
For my sister, this is a very hard thing. She has lived on her own now for 5+ years and is not used to really relying on people for things. It is VERY HARD for her to ask for help. She is getting used to the fact that she is going to need help and it is OK to ask for help.
I am going to brag on her running club for a minute. These people are AWESOME! They have been taking her to her doctor appointments, bringing food, going to the grocery store, walking her dog....need I go on. And the best thing is, they do it with a joyful heart. Katie is very lucky to have such sweet friends. Of course, I am not forgetting about my parents, they have been a huge help too, but I was just amazed at how her friends have really stepped up to help out. With me not getting down there to visit very often, I don't get to meet a lot of her friends but this past week, I had the pleasure of meeting a few of them.
Moving right along, once I got home Wednesday night, I was POOPED! Taking care of an adult, a toddler, an infant and yourself is not an easy task. I totally have MUCH more respect for single parents out there. Especially single parents of 2 or more kids. I don't know how they do it! All of that being said, I was glad to help out. I wish I could have stayed longer but I sure did miss the husband. I might actually make another trip depending on her progress. Katie will go back to the doctor in 2 weeks for another check up on things she will also have some PT. We will just see how things go and move from there.
I don't know if I have mentioned this before but I am going on a mission trip in just a few days! I am going with the Leaders Club down to Wiggins, MS to help out with World Changers. I will be going down with 11 of our teenagers with Leaders Club and 2 other adults. The fun thing about this particular trip is that it is not only my first mission trip, I am also leading it! God is giving me an opportunity of a lifetime here! Once we get to Wiggins, MS, we will be staying at FBC of Wiggins and will be working on a house that was hit by Katrina. Please pray for our group as enter this mission field. We will be leaving this Sunday around 9AM and coming back Wednesday afternoon. For more info, go to www.world-changers.net.
Thomas had his 6 month well check up earlier this week. Is now 14lbs 6.5oz and 26 inches long. He is sitting up by himself, rolling over, grabbing EVERYTHING (including my hair...ouch!) He has the sweetest little laugh and is doing very well on baby food. We started stage 2 last night! Sleeping through the night is still a struggle but with the problems we have had with Savannah, this is nothing new for us.
Tomorrow we are having some men from our small group from church coming over to help Aric on the house. We are trying to get itfixed up fixed to sell. We are VERY fortunate to know these people that are coming help and hopefully the work they help us with will help get our house looking better.
I apologize that this blog entry is late and a little scatttered. I actually started typing this last week when I got back from Fairhope. Our week has just been so busy!
I will post some more about the mission trip when I get back. I can't wait to share what God has done!
Happy Friday y'all!
Emily
She is doing a little bit more every day. When I first arrived, she couldn't even get dressed without help, now, she can SLOWLY do it herself.
For my sister, this is a very hard thing. She has lived on her own now for 5+ years and is not used to really relying on people for things. It is VERY HARD for her to ask for help. She is getting used to the fact that she is going to need help and it is OK to ask for help.
I am going to brag on her running club for a minute. These people are AWESOME! They have been taking her to her doctor appointments, bringing food, going to the grocery store, walking her dog....need I go on. And the best thing is, they do it with a joyful heart. Katie is very lucky to have such sweet friends. Of course, I am not forgetting about my parents, they have been a huge help too, but I was just amazed at how her friends have really stepped up to help out. With me not getting down there to visit very often, I don't get to meet a lot of her friends but this past week, I had the pleasure of meeting a few of them.
Moving right along, once I got home Wednesday night, I was POOPED! Taking care of an adult, a toddler, an infant and yourself is not an easy task. I totally have MUCH more respect for single parents out there. Especially single parents of 2 or more kids. I don't know how they do it! All of that being said, I was glad to help out. I wish I could have stayed longer but I sure did miss the husband. I might actually make another trip depending on her progress. Katie will go back to the doctor in 2 weeks for another check up on things she will also have some PT. We will just see how things go and move from there.
I don't know if I have mentioned this before but I am going on a mission trip in just a few days! I am going with the Leaders Club down to Wiggins, MS to help out with World Changers. I will be going down with 11 of our teenagers with Leaders Club and 2 other adults. The fun thing about this particular trip is that it is not only my first mission trip, I am also leading it! God is giving me an opportunity of a lifetime here! Once we get to Wiggins, MS, we will be staying at FBC of Wiggins and will be working on a house that was hit by Katrina. Please pray for our group as enter this mission field. We will be leaving this Sunday around 9AM and coming back Wednesday afternoon. For more info, go to www.world-changers.net.
Thomas had his 6 month well check up earlier this week. Is now 14lbs 6.5oz and 26 inches long. He is sitting up by himself, rolling over, grabbing EVERYTHING (including my hair...ouch!) He has the sweetest little laugh and is doing very well on baby food. We started stage 2 last night! Sleeping through the night is still a struggle but with the problems we have had with Savannah, this is nothing new for us.
Tomorrow we are having some men from our small group from church coming over to help Aric on the house. We are trying to get it
I apologize that this blog entry is late and a little scatttered. I actually started typing this last week when I got back from Fairhope. Our week has just been so busy!
I will post some more about the mission trip when I get back. I can't wait to share what God has done!
Happy Friday y'all!
Emily
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Katie
My sister had an accident Tuesday night while with her running group. She fell and dislocated her hip. For those of you who don't know her she is an avid runner. She recently completed her first marathon in under 4 hours! Holy Cow that is awesome!
She has been a runner now for a while and loves it. Most people have kids, or craft hobbies or something they really enjoy, well, running is IT for her. Not saying that is all she does but she really enjoys it and is REALLY good at it. Anywho, my sweet sister lives in Fairhope and has a sweet boyfriend, pictured here
Darin has been helping her since the accident but he is a civilian contractor and has been in Afghanistan for over a year now, he has to return home this weekend so he can go back to Afghanistan.
So, to the grimy details. After she fell, her running group called 911 and she got rushed to the hospital. First of all, let me just PRAISE GOD that she was with some people. Katie runs by herself often and had she been by herself, I don't even want to know what would have happened.
They tried to put her hip back in place but it just wasn't happening. They did a surgery to try and repair it and while in surgery they found that some bone had been broken off when her hip dislocated. While that surgery helped a little, she had to then see a specialist to see if further surgery will be needed and they concluded that more surgery would be the answer. That was decided today. She will have surgery in the AM at USA in Mobile.
My mom just had cateract surgery today and will be going to help my sister out after her follow up appointment on her eyes tomorrow morning.
Once my sister is released from the hospital, which will probably be Sunday, I will pack up the kids and head down there to help out.
Please say a prayer for Katie. I realize it could have been a lot worse but she is really shaken up over this whole thing. She is worried that she may never be able to run again and if she can run, that she won't be able to run fast.
Also if you could pray for me as I journey with my two kids to help out. Aric will have to work so I will be traveling by my lonesome.
Katie, if you are reading this, we love you. Hang in there. God knows the plans He has for you. No matter what happens, remember to praise Him and give Him glory. He will never leave you or forsake you.
Unfortunately this is the most recent pic I could find of me and the sister. I guess I need to do a better job of taking pictures!
Katie finishing at "Make it to the line" 4 mile run at the Flora-Bama
She has been a runner now for a while and loves it. Most people have kids, or craft hobbies or something they really enjoy, well, running is IT for her. Not saying that is all she does but she really enjoys it and is REALLY good at it. Anywho, my sweet sister lives in Fairhope and has a sweet boyfriend, pictured here
Darin has been helping her since the accident but he is a civilian contractor and has been in Afghanistan for over a year now, he has to return home this weekend so he can go back to Afghanistan.
So, to the grimy details. After she fell, her running group called 911 and she got rushed to the hospital. First of all, let me just PRAISE GOD that she was with some people. Katie runs by herself often and had she been by herself, I don't even want to know what would have happened.
They tried to put her hip back in place but it just wasn't happening. They did a surgery to try and repair it and while in surgery they found that some bone had been broken off when her hip dislocated. While that surgery helped a little, she had to then see a specialist to see if further surgery will be needed and they concluded that more surgery would be the answer. That was decided today. She will have surgery in the AM at USA in Mobile.
My mom just had cateract surgery today and will be going to help my sister out after her follow up appointment on her eyes tomorrow morning.
Once my sister is released from the hospital, which will probably be Sunday, I will pack up the kids and head down there to help out.
Please say a prayer for Katie. I realize it could have been a lot worse but she is really shaken up over this whole thing. She is worried that she may never be able to run again and if she can run, that she won't be able to run fast.
Also if you could pray for me as I journey with my two kids to help out. Aric will have to work so I will be traveling by my lonesome.
Katie, if you are reading this, we love you. Hang in there. God knows the plans He has for you. No matter what happens, remember to praise Him and give Him glory. He will never leave you or forsake you.
Unfortunately this is the most recent pic I could find of me and the sister. I guess I need to do a better job of taking pictures!
Katie finishing at "Make it to the line" 4 mile run at the Flora-Bama
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