Recent Roundup

One of the many water works on Bahram's property

Seth and Josh having fun on the job!

Posts following the curve of the land

Terry Jenson working hard

The back of Bahram's new house

The front of Bahram's new house

Once again I failed to take pictures of another big event. This weekend Seth and I were in the cities where he has been working for quite a while now to attend the Bahram Akradi roundup. Bahram is the man that Seth has been working for. He is the owner of Lifetime Fitness and is quite an important guy. Bahram has been very impressed and pleased with the work the guys have been doing, and it sounds like Bahram has big plans for them. He has pretty much assured the guys that they definitely will not be finished for a while. Seth has been very excited about this opportunity and it has been a big plus for the business. Having a well-known millionaire like Bahram recognize your talents and abilities looks great on the resume. Anyway, we stayed in a hotel for one night (where, like the forgetful person I am, I left our swimming suits hanging on the bathroom door - grr!) and then went to the roundup the next day. He had it hosted in his very extravagent barn, and had everything from pony rides to an ice cream truck. Basically, anything you wanted was there. It was nice to meet all of the people Seth has been working along side of (the gardener, the horsetrainer, the tile layer, the Mexicans, the housekeeper, the secretary, etc. - not to mention Bahram and his brother Bijon [sp?]) as well as to see the beautiful grounds he has been fencing. It really is an impressive fence! It was fun to hear and see people commenting on such a nice fence that isn't like anything they've seen before. Little did they know that Seth, who was standing no more than a few feet away, was the one that built it. Another plus!!! From the way things have been turning out it sounds like we will be staying in a four bedroom town house with Josh and Randi for a little while by the generosity of... I think he's the floor guy - George. He offered it to Seth when he found out that they have been driving back and forth every day. All he asks for payment is that we keep it clean for him. What an answer to prayer. We will still pay him for it, but it is so nice to know that there are no terms or conditions on how long we have to stay in order to rent or any other silly details. Basicallly, it is ours for the using when we need it. PTL! Bahram also offered for us to stay in his half million dollar guest house. A nice thought, but maybe we'll wait on that. Everyone there has been so helpful to us! Truly the Lord has been so good to us. This experience has taught me a lot about prayer and dependence on my Father. There are still many details about this opportunity that we must greatly depend on His leading and direction for.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Amen.

Tummy Tally

getting bigger

Baby Bargains II

Randi and I went garage saling on Saturday and I found this swing for a dollar! I was doubtful that it would actually work, so I asked the lady there if it works. She didn't know so her husband went inside and got batteries to try it out. It works!!!

Interesting Inquiries

I have just been "tagged" by Jennifer Horak. Supposedly I am to post eight facts about myself and then tag eight other friends. Well, I probably won't tag anyone else, but I will try and post some facts about me. If you would like to join in on the fun, feel free! 1. As I have been setting up my home I'm finding that I really love the old Victorian style of decorating. Anything flowery or elegant. 2. One of my favorite things to do is to take a long walk on a dimly lit road at night when it's foggy outside. (Not a recommended activity all alone, but with a friend it is so fun!) 3. My favorite meal is chicken alfredo. Yummy! 4. It takes a lot to scare me or make me jump. Seth is getting good at it, but most people have a very hard time startling me. 5. I have been to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Canada, Rhode Island, Connecticut, not to mention Minnesota, and I think that might be all of them - maybe Vermont too, I don't remember. 6. I love garage sales and thrift stores, but really don't care for grocery shopping. 7. When I was little I always thought that it would be so cool to be an artist, or else to own my own little craft store or coffee shop or something quaint like that. 8. Seth and I have been married for four and a half months, and I am four months pregnant! I hope that you enjoyed reading those eight little facts about me. It actually takes some deep thought to find things out about yourself worth telling. Kinda strange. Oh well, it was a fun little exercise.

Silly Shopping

Aunt Darlene, Christa, Charise, and I went to town Monday evening to get a few things. Here we are in the face wash aisle trying to decide which one to get. I thought it was funny that they decided to park it on the floor, but as Charise would say, "Whatever blows your skirt up!" The smiley face guy was Charise's and my creation on the way there. The product of idle minds.

Memorial Day Mementos

Our Memorial Day picnic was so fun. We also had fun celebrating my parents 23rd wedding anniversery.

Best Buds!

There is nothing quite like the connection that can be shared between sisters! What a blessing to have such dear friends. It was so good to see them again.

Sweet Snacks

Seth took this picture. He always enjoys his snack before bed. Last night it was chocolate cake with ice cream, hot fudge, and strawberries. Usually anything with strawberries is his favorite. I must say, I was surprised that he took a picture of it though. He told me that I should be proud of him for giving me more to blog about. Ususally I'm bad at remembering to take pictures of anything, so... I guess chocolate cake will work!

Coaster Crochet

Just a fun project I started. Now I just have to decide how many to make!

Tummy Tally

On Sunday I think it was the first time that people started to comment on how my tummy is starting to show. Yep, sure enough. Little Baby Streblow is getting bigger.

Revered Ranger

This is thy guys' beloved Ranger. They traded their four wheeler (sad, very sad... ahem) for this very handy dandy machine. Truly, it is still fun to ride in - especially since you can fit more than two people. It has been a tremendous help to the guys while they have been on these big acreage horse farm places for running back and forth to bring things to and from where they are working and where their stuff is stationed. The other day while we were at the shop Seth hosed it down and then the sun came out just enough to make Seth dote on "the ranger in all of its glory" all over again! I can't imagine what they will be like if they get a tool cat in a couple weeks.

Baby Bargains

$10.00 car seat

$10.00 highchair Gotta love those garage sales! On Friday Mom and the girls (and Luke and Levi - poor guys) took me garage saling with them. I, being probably more pessimistic than I should be, was convinced that this would be another one of those times when I wouldn't find a thing. But to my surprise, the first one we stopped at had a high chair sitting on the driveway unnoticed by the other customers. Nice! That'll work. Then, a few garage sales later, we made it to our last one and Mom pointed out the Eddie Bower car seat. After packing all of our findings (which included the debated foosball/air hockey table) we made our way to the grocery store with a very, very,... very full van.

EMT Events

This is where Seth goes when he is on call for the ambulance. There is a little room to the right of the garage where they have their meetings and where Seth stays during his shifts. On this specific occassion he took me with him so he could wash his truck. How handy to have a free car wash bay.

Picnic part II

Seth took me for a picnic on Saturday. We went to Subway and got sandwiches (the girl making them really dumped on the mayo & mustard - ew!) and then we went to a park by the river and sat under an elm tree. It was such a nice day for a picnic.

Provoking Proverb

"Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?" Proverbs 15:11 This verse made me stop and read it a few times. There is nothing hid from my Father. He knows my heart!

Dazzling Decorating

While Katie was here we put up these lights and roses as a border in Seth's & my bedroom. The roses are some of the first ones that Seth gave me. He felt pretty special for helping decorate the bedroom;o) It is so cozy and inviting.

We even were brave and put the mirror on the wall too!

Thank you for your help Katie!

Hard-working Handi-men

What a handsome cowboy on the left!!!

This is a small glimpse of the beautiful property in the cities that the guys have been commissioned to put up fence on. They have been doing very well, and the owner is very, very pleased with their work (which is a blessing because he is very peticular!). Way-to-go guys!

Pretty, Pleasant, Picnic Party!

Katie was here for almost a whole week while our men went to work in the cities. We would get up at 5:00 a.m. to make their lunchbox so they could leave at 5:30, and they would get home around 8:30 p.m. We had a wonderful time doing fun projects together, cooking, dishes, going for a walk, visiting the neighbors, going on a picnic, and decorating my bedroom. Anne of Green Gables was a nice touch too! We had lots of fun! It was so nice to have the extra company during the long days that the guys were working. What an encouragement it was to Seth to have Caleb's help on the job too! Friends are such a blessing.

Adoration

"Almighty One! I bend in dust before Thee; Even so veiled cherubs bend; In calm and still devotion I adore Thee, All-wise, all-present Friend! Thou to the earth its emerald robes hast given, Or curtained it in snow; And the bright sun, and the soft moon in Heaven, Before Thy presence bow. Thou Power sublime! whose throne is firmly seated On stars and glowing suns; O, could I praise Thee, -could my soul, elated, Waft Thee seraphic tones, - Had I the lyres of angels, -could I bring Thee An offering worthy Thee, - In what bright notes of glory would I sing Thee, Blest notes of ecstasy! Eternity! Eternity! how solemn, How terrible the sound! Here, leaning on thy promises, -a column Of strength, -may I be found, O, let my heart be ever Thine, while beating, As when 'twill cease to beat! Be Thou my portion, till that awful meeting When I my God shall greet!" -Sir John Bowring, 1792-1872

It is to laugh!

Every time I look at this ugly bird I have to laugh. It just has that strange personality that says I'm crazy and you comprehend my feelings exactly! Okay Charity, it's just a pen. Charise gave me this pen for my highschool graduation. I think it was my favorite gift (aside from the amazing one that Seth gave me;). Sometimes it's the little things every day that can give a person the biggest perk. Thank you, Lord, for the simple things.

Old time photo shoot

As I was going through some things, I came across these pictures again. When I was at Pillsbury I was asked to be in an "old-fashioned" photo shoot for one of Tim Mielke's (he was our wedding photographer) photography assignments. We had a lot of fun doing it. In the first picture from left to right is Heath Rippentroff [(sp?) Dan's friend], Nancy Mielke (Tim's wife), and Dan Mielke (Tim's brother... and Christa's special someone;), and of course me sitting on the bench. Unfortunately I was just a little bit too tall for everyone else. The pictures would have looked strange with me standing so I sat in most of them. There were many interesting poses considering it was getting late and the style of poses just called for humor. Fun times! Nancy and I had a lot of fun going through the prop room trying to find the right outfits to wear. We could have come up with some very hilarious combinations! Posing for those pictures brought back memories of Voices of Praise posing for Kasee, and then the chainsaws going off in the tunnels! Hee, it makes me smile just thinking about all of those good memories.

Morning glory

This morning as I looked out my kitchen window I saw such a pretty picture. The sun was shining, the horses were grazing in the pasture, and the dew was still sparkling. What a beautiful place to call home.