Max & Lori & 6 kids....

2011-05-22T01:07:00.005-07:00

Tawni graduated with her Bachelors in Graphic Design in March. Now our eldest is in Europe as I type this enjoying one last "hoorah" before the real world of adulthood.

Tori just graduated from High School this past Wednesday. Hard to believe my Baby Doll is growing up. She has four months to enjoy before she heads off to Basic Training in the Air Force in September.

Date Night

2010-03-27T22:36:00.004-07:00

Date Night is wonderful, especially when it is a spontaneous decision on a Saturday afternoon. We are blessed to be able to clean up, share the news with the kids and leave. No more making calls, is anyone available (and more importantly - willing) to come babysit 5 kiddos on short notice. Now with their ages at 16 (17 in 3 weeks), 14 1/2 (x2), 11 & 10 they are responsible enough to stay home alone for a few hours.

Our entire date was spontaneous, from where we ate dinner: Panda Buffett in Peoria (Lake Pleasant Pkwy & 99th Avenue) to "Crazy Heart" for a movie. Looking forward to seeing "Date Night" in a few months when it comes out - though glad that was not my Date Night.

Computers

2009-12-09T21:59:00.002-07:00

How do you feel about computers? I believe that I am like most of us, "We love them and we hate them". Love them when they work and make our life simpler and hate them when they do not do today, what they did last week. Today has been one of those days, actually it has been a half a year like that.

Ink and printers are....

well I am not even going to go down that path.

Signing off for now.

Wish I had the gift...

2009-11-17T17:49:00.003-07:00

I wish I had the gift of so many things: the gift of teaching, of painting, of baking, of writing. I am not really all that interested in reading my own blog but I would like it to be interesting enough for others to read. I started the blog because I was looking for an alternative to the stress and pressure of a Christmas letter, what did we do if anything and if we did do something not brag about it =-)

Mysterious Ways

2009-04-24T03:01:00.002-07:00

If you don't believe in God quit reading right now; otherwise sit back and get ready for a chuckle at "His Mysterious Ways".

So, it was quiet in my house today; all my children are in lock down (aka grounded). And because it is so quiet I can think and remember a few things. Only a few mind you, I put a load of laundry in the washer and forgot about until I was getting ready for bed.

Which was actually a few hours ago, but I could not sleep so I decided to get up and be productive =-)

Back to my story; about 1:30 in the afternoon I go in and get dinner started, gonna show my sweet hubby just how much I love him. Cut up the meat, brown the meat, chop the vegetables, throw everything into the crock pot. Clean up the kitchen and pat myself on the back, "What a wonderful wife and mother I am".

Then I go and work on my real estate renewal hours (I did 9 hours and am really proud of myself, because I was able to stay focused and complete them, even with Facebook sending out it's siren call).

At 4:30 I go into the kitchen to check on my wonderful dinner, only to discover that when my sweet hubby was helping in the kitchen last night he unplugged the crock-pot. I had checked the tempature but not whether or not it was plugged in. After all why put it away just to take it back out again (kinda like making the bed). So now my sweet hubby is home and needs to leave in 1 hour to go on an appointment. Panic, what do I do, what do I do???? I have to surprise him with the wonderful home cooked meal. Think, think, think.

Pressure Cooker!!! Thank you my dearest mother in law for giving that to me. Dump everything from the crock-pot into the cooker. Set it up and go visit with my man while he is changing for his appointment and catch up on the day. And thank him for his contribution to this funny story!

25 minutes later he needs to eat and head out the door. Let's check.....it is done!!!! Yippee!!!

What you may be thinking does that have to do with "His mysterious ways"? Well I was reminded at the perfect time of a quick, no fast, way to make dinner. Most importantly with summer upon us in Arizona, without heating up the kitchen :)

So that is my story. Hope that you enjoyed it. My family really enjoyed the meal.

Facebook Anyone???

2009-03-29T19:21:00.004-07:00

Do you Facebook? I have to say that I really enjoy getting to take a peek at the everyday nuances in my family & friends lives. Completing all the questions and quizzes and such can keep me from all of my daily responsibilities. I have been trying really hard to use Facebook as a means of being a light to the world. I am waiting impatiently for them [Facebook] to begin to allow us to change our background color and fonts and so personalize it for ourselves.

What's your thought???

Forget what lies behind???

2009-02-21T14:11:00.004-07:00

Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. Phil 3:13b

This was the theme from our speaker this morning. It made me ponder; how do I feel about 'forgetting what lies behind'. I only want to remember my past to continue to learn from my mistakes and to share how awesome God is. While we were yet sinners He loved us, sent His Son to die on a cross for us. I am so thankful to I am saved by grace and not by works. While many of the energy and organization to 'Do it all' I am not one of them.

Thank you Heavenly Father for loving me and growing me, for using me to witness to my family and those I do not even realize are watching. May we all be used for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen

Six More Weeks of Winter - Yippee!!!

2009-02-08T18:55:00.010-07:00

Well the groundhog saw his shadow and we will have six more weeks of winter. I for one am very excited about it. Of course living in Arizona that means that my cold days are in the 50's and today it was in the mid 60's.

The picture is of the boys playing "boat" in the backyard. They played with Cassie & Rissy all day, it was one of those magical days where everyone got along and Max & I enjoyed that our children love each other. We now that is a wonderful blessing.

Our girls are hams for the camera =)

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

2008-12-14T01:03:00.005-07:00

I just finished designing our Christmas card and said for everyone to come here to check out the latest news and updates on the Christiansen Clan. So now the pressure is on. Do I have anything to say that you are interested in knowing. I was informed earlier this year that some people really do not want to receive Christmas letters. Just your name on card, I quess that means that they only want to know that we thought of them and are still alive. Personally I love hearing how everyone is doing. I am really hoping to having some conversations here on the blog. I can set up different categories for different discussions; anyone want to talk about homeschooling? About the latest book that you have read? Seen any good movies lately? Child training tip?

Please leave me your comments. God Bless! Lori

Christmas Peace or Frenzy?

2008-12-10T01:17:00.003-07:00

Do you have peace or frenzy? While I have not spent enough time just cozying around the fire reading good ole Christmas stories with the kiddos I am not frantic. (I am writing thisin the middle of the night simply because I have let my sleep cycles change). I am grateful for this, in years past I was so busy running around trying to be "Perfect Suzy Homemaker" that I often did not sit down and enjoy the day or the lights or .....

This year we have decided to take things a little simpler and try to keep our focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Being Thankful that Christ Jesus came to live here on earth as a man, have you pondered on that? Subject to the aches and pains of this human body, suffering from heat, cold, exhaustion and the list goes on. Then to die an excruciating death on a cross? Unfathomable, I am deeply grateful for the gift of salvation and forgiveness for my sins.

I encourage you to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Next to Christian Alternative Rock, we like Country!

2008-10-18T20:10:00.002-07:00

2006 & 2007 Christmas Letter

2008-10-18T00:05:00.011-07:00

Okay, this is only for those who are interested, but here is our combined

2006 - 2007 Christmas Letter

If you double click on each page it will open up to full screen so that you can read it. Page 1
Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

What do I want to accomplish with this blog?

2008-10-17T23:23:00.012-07:00

Well lets see, really, truly and honestly I want to get out the 2007 Christmas letter that I never got out. So I am go to see if I can put it in archives :) otherwise I will simply post it has it is. My other thing is to get pictures on here to share with family that is too far away to see just how fast these blessings of ours are growing. Erich is as tall as I am and Will is only half an inch behind. Rissy is not much shorter than Cassie, but she has always been our peanut. They are both really enjoying their gymnastics. Tori is having a blast as a Sophmore in High School; she is on the swim team and is doing really well. Tawni is a Junior in college and has a boyfriend named Josh.

2008-10-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am excited that I have finally found a place to share thoughts and photos with our family and friends. I have really been wanting to do this.

It will make my annual Christmas letter - that disappeared a few years ago (okay, they are written and stored on my computer, 2007 is actually printed and sitting in a pile on the floor of my office, just never stuffed in envelopes, pertinent personal messages never written, addressed and mailed =( ) so much easier.