10.21.2019
4.24.2014
Sometimes no nap is just too much.
I can't figure out the embedding for this video, but check out YouTube...
18 seconds of cute. :)
4.18.2014
4.17.2014
3.23.2014
Jericho said...
"I can't wait 'til I grow up!"
Another random kid questioned, "Why?"
Her answer? "Because then I can be a mommy!" :)
3.14.2014
Got water?
Well, we have water... just no hot water.
Earlier today Tim (who was home from work early for the day) headed into the utility room to remove an old fridge that was left there. He noticed a small puddle by the hot water heater. The water appeared to be coming from behind a panel high up on the unit. He took the panel off and water started POURING out of the unit. Suddenly, the puddle was anything but small, and spreading fast!
Tim quickly replaced the panel and turned off water to the unit, but water continued to stream from behind the panel. We grabbed the shop vac to get the water off the floor and he connected a hose to the drain on the water heater. Eventually the water stopped flowing.
We made some calls to area plumbers, but of course everyone was busy... and even if they hadn't been, it's the weekend so rates are time and a half. Ugh. (Can someone explain to me why these things always happen on the weekend!?) Mr. B, one of our new "neighbors" who was involved in getting us into this house in the first place, stopped by and took a look. He determined we needed to replace the water heater and offered to run and pick one up in the morning with his truck and then help Tim with the install. He's done several installs, and we were (are) grateful for the help!
(Mr. B asked if we would be okay without hot water until tomorrow - "Everyone had their baths?" Everyone but me! lol Ugh... I was really looking forward to a MUCH needed shower later tonight. I guess that will have to wait until tomorrow.)
Later, the unit started leaking again, so now the lines have been drained and we're ready for the new install in the morning.
The blessing in all of this is the fact Tim was home and happened to be in the utility room at just the right time. God is good!! The utility room in the one room in the house that has been least frequented since the move in. Had Tim not planned to take the fridge out today, or even if he'd worked a full day and got to the fridge later in the day, we would have had a much bigger mess to deal with!
Earlier today Tim (who was home from work early for the day) headed into the utility room to remove an old fridge that was left there. He noticed a small puddle by the hot water heater. The water appeared to be coming from behind a panel high up on the unit. He took the panel off and water started POURING out of the unit. Suddenly, the puddle was anything but small, and spreading fast!
Tim quickly replaced the panel and turned off water to the unit, but water continued to stream from behind the panel. We grabbed the shop vac to get the water off the floor and he connected a hose to the drain on the water heater. Eventually the water stopped flowing.
We made some calls to area plumbers, but of course everyone was busy... and even if they hadn't been, it's the weekend so rates are time and a half. Ugh. (Can someone explain to me why these things always happen on the weekend!?) Mr. B, one of our new "neighbors" who was involved in getting us into this house in the first place, stopped by and took a look. He determined we needed to replace the water heater and offered to run and pick one up in the morning with his truck and then help Tim with the install. He's done several installs, and we were (are) grateful for the help!
(Mr. B asked if we would be okay without hot water until tomorrow - "Everyone had their baths?" Everyone but me! lol Ugh... I was really looking forward to a MUCH needed shower later tonight. I guess that will have to wait until tomorrow.)
Later, the unit started leaking again, so now the lines have been drained and we're ready for the new install in the morning.
The blessing in all of this is the fact Tim was home and happened to be in the utility room at just the right time. God is good!! The utility room in the one room in the house that has been least frequented since the move in. Had Tim not planned to take the fridge out today, or even if he'd worked a full day and got to the fridge later in the day, we would have had a much bigger mess to deal with!
3.11.2014
We've Moved!
Okay, so you probably already knew that... I had such great ideas for posting about the move. Even had a cute idea for a photo. It was something that would have been a great keepsake to post on the wall of our home for years to come, and something we could have built on over time. Bummer on missing the boat on that one!
For those who would like to know our new address:
We've managed to unpack and organize a large majority of our belongings. There are still boxes in the garage (we did get enough moved into the house so one stall is available for our van to be parked in the garage), but most of those are items we boxed up long ago when we first listed the house. We figured if we survived that long without whatever is in those boxes, we can make it a bit longer. ;) It will be nice to have all the more "essential" items find a place before bringing in less essential things...
There were a few small projects that needed to be tackled early on -- a squeaky bathroom fan, a "sticky" door, broken vertical blind slats -- that have been remedied. The cabinet knobs have been replaced in two bathrooms. One larger project currently in process is the relocation of the large "built-in" unit from the living room upstairs to the family room downstairs. We couldn't fit the entire unit together because of the location of light switches, outlets, and other items, but the two end pieces have been fit together in our school area and will work wonderfully for storing our books and other educational supplies.
As a result of moving the built-in, we now need to paint two walls in the living room. In trying to find just the right color that will blend with what's already on the walls we discovered the two walls are already two different colors -- what we previously thought was just light/shadow was actually paint differences! I am excited to get the living room put together completely, so hopefully the painting can be done soon. Organizing all our school books and supplies will certainly be welcome as well!
In other news, the snow has melted significantly over the last three or four days. It's wonderful to see (and feel) the hints of spring! Every day I've commented on how much our yard is "shrinking" -- in height that is! ;) When we moved in just over a week and a half ago the snow was about 3 feet deep across the entire yard. Since we didn't live here all winter there were no tracks packed down by kids. I have a few kids who would have gotten lost if I'd sent them out in the yard! LOL I'd guess it's maybe down to about 18 inches of snow now. I cannot wait until we see grass!
So, there's the update... We are looking forward to entertaining more now that we have the space -- both indoor and outdoor space! If you'd like to come for a visit, just give us a call! We'd be happy to give a tour and spend some time in fellowship with our friends and family. :)
For those who would like to know our new address:
Loucks Family
(Tim, Kristin, Alex, Chase, Victory Joy, Levi, Shiloh, Jericho, Phoenix, Tiberius, and Temperance)
2802 Island View Drive
Saint Cloud, MN 56301-5923
There were a few small projects that needed to be tackled early on -- a squeaky bathroom fan, a "sticky" door, broken vertical blind slats -- that have been remedied. The cabinet knobs have been replaced in two bathrooms. One larger project currently in process is the relocation of the large "built-in" unit from the living room upstairs to the family room downstairs. We couldn't fit the entire unit together because of the location of light switches, outlets, and other items, but the two end pieces have been fit together in our school area and will work wonderfully for storing our books and other educational supplies.
As a result of moving the built-in, we now need to paint two walls in the living room. In trying to find just the right color that will blend with what's already on the walls we discovered the two walls are already two different colors -- what we previously thought was just light/shadow was actually paint differences! I am excited to get the living room put together completely, so hopefully the painting can be done soon. Organizing all our school books and supplies will certainly be welcome as well!
In other news, the snow has melted significantly over the last three or four days. It's wonderful to see (and feel) the hints of spring! Every day I've commented on how much our yard is "shrinking" -- in height that is! ;) When we moved in just over a week and a half ago the snow was about 3 feet deep across the entire yard. Since we didn't live here all winter there were no tracks packed down by kids. I have a few kids who would have gotten lost if I'd sent them out in the yard! LOL I'd guess it's maybe down to about 18 inches of snow now. I cannot wait until we see grass!
So, there's the update... We are looking forward to entertaining more now that we have the space -- both indoor and outdoor space! If you'd like to come for a visit, just give us a call! We'd be happy to give a tour and spend some time in fellowship with our friends and family. :)
3.06.2014
Deodorant
In case you ever have need of this knowledge... deodorant is non-toxic to toddlers. :/ May cause tummy upset or vomiting, but no serious side-effects. Sure makes their breath smell interesting! A special thank you to Tiberius for the lesson of the day.
2.26.2014
Last Night
While we won't close and move into the new house until Friday, tonight (Wednesday) will be our last night sleeping in the 22nd Street house. Over the last few weeks we've taken several loads to the garage of the new house. Tomorrow, reinforcements arrive to move all the large items (beds, dressers, piano...). We plan to have the old house vacated and cleaned by tomorrow night so there's no last second rush on closing day. Tim and I, along with Alex, Chase, Levi, and Tempe, will crash at the church on Thursday night. Then on Friday, first night in the new house!
2.23.2014
Packing
We're packing... and packing, and packing, and packing. Who would have thought you could accumulate so much stuff in such a small house!? Next Friday, the 28th, is our official moving day, though we'll spend the coming week moving everything to the garage at the new house. Several loads have made there way over already. The new garage is about 1/4 full at this point, but I'm sure it will be packed rims to rafters by the time we're done. ;) Exciting and anxiety inducing all in one!
2.19.2014
2.18.2014
Sweatshirts
It's sweatshirt weather out there today! I almost feel bad for the kids since they still have to be all bundled to play in the snow. That sun is toasty! LOL So glad we're seeing a nice shift in the weather. The ultra cold temps can stay far away!! I do NOT miss this...
Greens
This crazy 20 month old skipped the potatoes and battered cod and just kept sucking down the steamed broccoli. 
2.16.2014
Life Lessons
These two are learning cooperation and kindness. Conflict between them is daily - sometimes minute-ly. It's not going well... they did manage to make it through supper (good thing one is left-handed!), but the conflict increased immediately after. They don't know it yet, but the lesson will continue tomorrow morning after breakfast. School might present an interesting challenge. Think they'll improve by lunchtime?
2.02.2014
2.01.2014
Today I am thankful for... (#29, #30, #31)
#29) I am thankful for the creativity of my children. Here is Victory's recent art: a picture of Jesus.
#31) I am thankful for God's provision in our lives. He has given us so many blessings. We have loving family and friends. We have a roof over our heads and food to eat. We have clothes to wear. And while we may not have much in the worlds eyes (financial wealth), we are truly rich. For proof, look back over the posts of the last month...
#30) I am thankful for this sign... a sign of new things to come! :)
#31) I am thankful for God's provision in our lives. He has given us so many blessings. We have loving family and friends. We have a roof over our heads and food to eat. We have clothes to wear. And while we may not have much in the worlds eyes (financial wealth), we are truly rich. For proof, look back over the posts of the last month...
1.28.2014
Today I am thankful for... (#27 & #28)
#27) Yesterday we got a call for a showing. When I let our realtor know he informed me we already had a purchase agreement to review...
#28) The showing didn't produce anything. Today we signed back a counter-offer to the purchase agreement. It was accepted!! Our closing date is February 28. So very excited!! Praising God for His goodness in providing just what we need... in HIS time.
1.26.2014
Tim
For a long time I've intended to blog about Tim's weigh loss journey. Tim pointed out on Sunday (we began this post nearly 3 weeks ago...) that January 6 was the two year anniversary of the medical physical that started it all. We planned to sit down Monday (while he had a paid snow day because of the extreme cold here) and get this done, but somehow the day (and the next 3 weeks!) got away from us.
Here are some pictures from past years. People who went to school with us, or knew us before we moved to St. Cloud, will remember Tim like this. Everyone who has met us since we moved to St. Cloud remembers Tim like this. Even I still think of him like this sometimes... until I look at him. ;) (Story continues below...)
At the beginning of January in 2012 Tim went in for his first medical physical in years. One thing that prompted him to go was his weight. He knew something needed to give. Over the years he had tried adjusting his eating habits, he was very active in his job, but no matter what he did the weight seemed to stick (or even increase).
There were physical issues that were beginning to crop up. One in particular was symptoms similar to those of a diabetic when glucose levels run low. He would get very pale, often feeling like he was going to pass out, and would need to rest and eat something sugary before he would start feeling better. Constant heartburn was the bane of his existence. He was going through antacids like crazy. He had also been diagnosed with sleep apnea and used a CPAP while sleeping. Prior to the diagnosis and use of the machine he would snore horribly and I would hear him stop breathing for short periods of time. NOT a pleasant experience! He was run down, tired, no matter how much he slept.
We discussed all these issues with the doctor and he let her know he really wanted to work at losing weight. She suggested an app he could use with his iPhone called LoseIt!. LoseIt! can be used online as well. To begin she wanted him to simply eat as he had been, while logging everything on the app for the first week or two. It only took about 2 days of logging to discover the major issue... Even though he'd been cutting back portion sizes for a while, his calorie consumption was MUCH too high.
After seeing those results he immediately cut back further. The app allows you to set a goal and then gives you a calorie limit for the day in order to reach that goal. That goal can be adjusted if necessary (for instance, I used it while pregnant and simply added 300 calories to my daily goal to provide for the baby's needs). He was hungry for about 6 weeks, but stuck with it. At this point he hadn't weighed in since the physical (292 lb.) because he was afraid he wouldn't lose anything and would get discouraged and quit.
The first time he stepped on the scale - about the 6 week mark - he was down nearly 20 pounds! If he was beginning to lose motivation to continue, that took care of it. After that he did weekly weigh-ins and was consistently losing 3-5 pounds a week. (Side note: It really stinks that guys can shed weight so much more quickly - in general - than women can. Yes, I hated on him a little. LOL) His current weight hovers between 175-180 pounds.
Along with the reduction of calories, Tim took up cycling. It began with the thought that he would get a bike so he could commute to work when the weather was nice. It very quickly became an obsession, erm... a passion. ;) He cycled to work as often as the weather allowed, and began taking 10-15 mile rides once or twice a week. Now his "fun rides" are 18-45 miles long (I'm not kidding, he thinks 45 miles on a bike is FUN! Ugh -- and check out the caption on the final picture of this post!). He purchased studded tires for what has become his commute bike, bought cold weather gear, and until the recent spat of sub-zero temps was commuting to work every day - even when it was zero. Again, ugh! His second (newer, better) bike spends the winter in the basement on the trainer. He would LOVE to ride more often, but manages a couple 45 minute "rides" each week.
So there you have it... it really IS diet and exercise. Sorry. No short cuts. ;)
The "before" picture here is from the church staff pictures taken about 5 years ago. The "after" was taken in April '13 right after he shaved off his beard. :)
Tim said when he looks at the photo above he thinks, "Huh, some random guy ended up in that picture."
Here are some pictures from past years. People who went to school with us, or knew us before we moved to St. Cloud, will remember Tim like this. Everyone who has met us since we moved to St. Cloud remembers Tim like this. Even I still think of him like this sometimes... until I look at him. ;) (Story continues below...)
.jpg) |
| April 2006 |
.jpg) |
| Easter 2006 |
.jpg) |
| June 2006 (with Levi) |
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| May 2009 |
 |
| December 2010 |
 |
| 13 year class reunion 2007 |
At the beginning of January in 2012 Tim went in for his first medical physical in years. One thing that prompted him to go was his weight. He knew something needed to give. Over the years he had tried adjusting his eating habits, he was very active in his job, but no matter what he did the weight seemed to stick (or even increase).
There were physical issues that were beginning to crop up. One in particular was symptoms similar to those of a diabetic when glucose levels run low. He would get very pale, often feeling like he was going to pass out, and would need to rest and eat something sugary before he would start feeling better. Constant heartburn was the bane of his existence. He was going through antacids like crazy. He had also been diagnosed with sleep apnea and used a CPAP while sleeping. Prior to the diagnosis and use of the machine he would snore horribly and I would hear him stop breathing for short periods of time. NOT a pleasant experience! He was run down, tired, no matter how much he slept.
We discussed all these issues with the doctor and he let her know he really wanted to work at losing weight. She suggested an app he could use with his iPhone called LoseIt!. LoseIt! can be used online as well. To begin she wanted him to simply eat as he had been, while logging everything on the app for the first week or two. It only took about 2 days of logging to discover the major issue... Even though he'd been cutting back portion sizes for a while, his calorie consumption was MUCH too high.
After seeing those results he immediately cut back further. The app allows you to set a goal and then gives you a calorie limit for the day in order to reach that goal. That goal can be adjusted if necessary (for instance, I used it while pregnant and simply added 300 calories to my daily goal to provide for the baby's needs). He was hungry for about 6 weeks, but stuck with it. At this point he hadn't weighed in since the physical (292 lb.) because he was afraid he wouldn't lose anything and would get discouraged and quit.
The first time he stepped on the scale - about the 6 week mark - he was down nearly 20 pounds! If he was beginning to lose motivation to continue, that took care of it. After that he did weekly weigh-ins and was consistently losing 3-5 pounds a week. (Side note: It really stinks that guys can shed weight so much more quickly - in general - than women can. Yes, I hated on him a little. LOL) His current weight hovers between 175-180 pounds.
Along with the reduction of calories, Tim took up cycling. It began with the thought that he would get a bike so he could commute to work when the weather was nice. It very quickly became an obsession, erm... a passion. ;) He cycled to work as often as the weather allowed, and began taking 10-15 mile rides once or twice a week. Now his "fun rides" are 18-45 miles long (I'm not kidding, he thinks 45 miles on a bike is FUN! Ugh -- and check out the caption on the final picture of this post!). He purchased studded tires for what has become his commute bike, bought cold weather gear, and until the recent spat of sub-zero temps was commuting to work every day - even when it was zero. Again, ugh! His second (newer, better) bike spends the winter in the basement on the trainer. He would LOVE to ride more often, but manages a couple 45 minute "rides" each week.
So there you have it... it really IS diet and exercise. Sorry. No short cuts. ;)
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| Sept '12 |
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| Oct '12 |
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| May '13 |
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| Oct. '10 On the North Shore |
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| May '13 On the North Shore |
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| Aug '13 Feeling great after a SEVENTY-ONE MILE RIDE!! He rode from our home in St. Cloud all the way to Pillager. |
Today I am thankful for... (#24, #25, #26)
#24) I am thankful for the God-given ability to provide all the nourishment my babies need. I have had the blessed experience of doing this 9 times, with each child nursing anywhere from 8 months up to well over a year. I even had one "baby" (over 24 months old) who stopped for a while and then started again for a few months after a new baby arrived.
#25) I am thankful for the unique experience of delivering 4 of my babies in our home. It's one of the things that makes leaving this little house bittersweet. I wouldn't change that for the world!
#26) I am thankful that Tim had an idea he had wondered about for a while which actually worked when put into practice... After church today we stopped to pick up pizza. On our home Tim stepped on the brakes for a red light and the van began to slide. There was a mini-van already stopped ahead of us. Knowing we'd never stop before hitting them, Tim threw the van in reverse and hit the gas. The tires spun crazily and eventually stopped our forward momentum... about an inch from the mini-van's bumper. I'm fairly certain the occupants of the other vehicle were blissfully unaware of what almost happened. I told Tim I was glad that the first time he tried it, it worked! ;) Now, let's hope we never have to use that particular method again!!
#25) I am thankful for the unique experience of delivering 4 of my babies in our home. It's one of the things that makes leaving this little house bittersweet. I wouldn't change that for the world!
#26) I am thankful that Tim had an idea he had wondered about for a while which actually worked when put into practice... After church today we stopped to pick up pizza. On our home Tim stepped on the brakes for a red light and the van began to slide. There was a mini-van already stopped ahead of us. Knowing we'd never stop before hitting them, Tim threw the van in reverse and hit the gas. The tires spun crazily and eventually stopped our forward momentum... about an inch from the mini-van's bumper. I'm fairly certain the occupants of the other vehicle were blissfully unaware of what almost happened. I told Tim I was glad that the first time he tried it, it worked! ;) Now, let's hope we never have to use that particular method again!!
1.25.2014
Today I am thankful for... (#23)
I know, I'm a few days behind. Sigh. Story of my life. ;)
I'm thankful I live in a world that contains "pony bear" and "quackopus". Small children make life fun with their interpretations. These are Phoenix's words for polar bears and platypuses.
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| "Quackopus" |
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