Where did June go?

I am long overdue for a new post, so this is going to have a lot in it catching up so to speak. Maybe I’ll have to start updating on the week of pregnancy that I am in, just to get something on here more than once a month.. that’s a good idea!

First, I read this post this morning and couldn’t agree more with what MckMama says. I am sure that we’d have an odd sort of friendship, if we knew each other in real life. HAHA

So I had to retrieve pictures off my camera recently, so that we could send it.. once again.. to Canon. (A little back-story) This would be the third time in a little more than two years that we would have sent this camera to Canon for the SAME problem.. Only this time we are sending it to a customer relation’s person, and she is going to REPLACE it. YEPEE!

All that to say that as I was getting pictures off the camera, I realized that I need to get them up here.

So... The second week in June brought VBS. Unfortunately for Megan she was too young (by one year), but Faith had an absolute fabulous time so here are a few pictures.

And if you would like to hear some of the songs from VBS, like the Theme Song, and Faith's favorites, I'm Gonna Follow and Working on my Serve


At the end of that week, I went with a few (60-70) other women from church to Pittsburgh to see this woman at Living Proof Live!
Oh my, what a FABULOUS time with God it was! There was a first for the LPL family, see. And even Beth said it was a good weekend. I could go on and on about what Beth Talked about (the ‘perfect storm’ –not the movie, but it was referenced, but overcoming the storms in our lives) or how it spoke straight to my heart, but that was supposed to be another post. Oh well!

And the music was just awesome!!

So what do you do after having such a great time listening to God speak through one of your favorite Bible Study writers? Well I had an ultrasound! This is the ‘extra’ one I had asked for, and was SO happy to be able to get it. The technician that did the U/S was very nice and reassuring that this baby looks great and doesn’t look to have any problems. YEPEE!

I also decided to take a picture of my ever-expanding tummy.
This is the same point where I took the picture last Aug before Corine miscarried. I look just about as big. 15 weeks and counting :)

After that was Father’s Day. I had in the back of my mind to get a particular gift for Steve for a few months. When we finally did get the gift, I had to hide it so that the surprise was not spoiled. In hiding the gift I forgot about having to wrap it, so early that Sunday morning the girls and I quickly wrapped the gift and signed cards. We finished only shortly before Steve woke up, then we had to get ready to get to church.


Here is the gift, a grill! Smaller then the one we had before, but since that one is still in AZ (with hopes to retrieve it someday) I thought we could use something besides George Foreman. It’s an OK appliance, but just doesn’t give that same taste. Steve is happy with the new grill, and we have grilled quite a few times, and it has been wonderful!

Faith being silly with the box for the grill, while Daddy puts it together.

I got this picture the other day from Brooke

As Beck said, “Isn’t he so cute?!” Nancy should be in Uganda right now, and I am just thrilled that she could go see Landon, and Brooke and Wills.

Speaking of Brooke and Wills, in a round about way.. I think that I need to amend what I said in my previous post about Michael (my brother).. or I may have his girlfriend to deal with. LOL The thing is that we have seen Wills in real life all of one time and know what Brooke and others say about him, and he is a wonderful man! My brother lived with Steve and I for a time and this was the point in Michael’s life when he seemed to go off the deep end (from our (and other’s) perspective). Because of Michael’s actions during this time, it has taken a lot of time for our trust to be restored in the boy. We are still working on it, but I believe that my brother is growing up (finally). We do love you Michael, Morgan too. And we miss you (but not your smell – unless you have actually quit..)

I am seriously thinking of driving up to CT next weekend for my cousin’s bridal shower. That’s a 7 hour drive according to Google, and you would have to add time into that for eating, and for little girls and pregnant mommy’s to go potty, and it becomes an all day trip there (and back). At that point I think we would have to make a couple of days out of the whole thing just so that the afore mentioned pregnant mommy doesn’t pinch another nerve (which is what happened after the weekend to Pittsburgh).

All I can say is where did June go?! That month went way to quickly!!

Been a while...

So, I haven't posted anything in a while and thought I'd put up a few pictures of what the four of us have been up to in the last few weeks.

First things... I became an aunt! While she isn't exactly my sister, I did grow up with her family and Steve says that her hubby is a better brother-in-law than my brother. haha ...I am still very happy for Brooke and Wills and their new addition... and can't wait to actually meet the little guy (yes, Brooke, I know it may be a few years :))

Mom and son, Landon, so precious!

One sunny day before Faith was out of school we decided to go to the park. Lots of fun!

On the slide together

On the tire swing

One day I decided to get some pictures of the beautiful flowers that are blooming around the outside of the house. And of course the girls decided to get in in the fun too. I love them (the girls)!

We also have some ducks constantly wandering around the neighborhood. I have never seen ducks out of water like these two have been. I think it's funny :)

Last week we got an email that there was going to be a Children of the World choir at the church where our MOPS group meets. We went to see them once a couple of years back and absolutely loved it! So we decided to go again. As an added bonus a majority of the choir that we saw were from Uganda :) which holds a special place in all out hearts (cause we love and miss you Aunt Brooke!).

They are hard to see, but so much fun to watch!

When I got home from work on Saturday, the girls wanted to blow bubbles... why not! so here's a short slide show of the fun that was had :)
Make a Smilebox slideshow


This morning the girls were dancing, and it was just so cute not to picture, but my camera battery died after just a couple of pictures, so here's one

Finally... I think I'm ready to say this out loud...

Yes, I am pregnant again! This is an ultrasound picture from April 17, I was about 6 week then. I am just at the end of the first trimester now. I look to be due (officially, according to the Dr) Dec 12... but knowing me and my history, we could have a baby round about Thanksgiving! Anyone wanna come visit then? haha
I seem to be doing fine, I am just extremely tired. We heard the heart beat just a few weeks ago via the Doppler, beating away at 172 beets per min. My next Dr appointment is next week and I am going to ask for an ultrasound, just to give me the reassurance that we don't have the same problem that we did last year.

I think that's about it from the Rankin's for right now. Hope everyone is well.

Much love,

Happy Mother's Day!

I couldn't ask for two more precious children (even though they do push the wrong buttons most days :))! I am so thankful that they have made me a mommy!

I have had a wonderful Mother's day! We did most of the Mother's Day things yesterday, as we knew that today would be... not as good due to church and Steve's work schedule. So yesterday after I got off work, as I was taking a shower, Steve and the girls set up some gifts at the table for me. I got some 'Food Saver' bags (YES, I wanted them!) and a beautiful T-shirt that says 'The sweetest place to be is in a Mother's loving Heart' with flowers in the shape of a heart. I love it and decided to wear it to church this morning. I also got some beautiful flowers from Steve, he gave them to me on Friday night, though cause that's when he was out and about with out me and didn't want them to die before this morning :) I got about an hour of nap this afternoon, and didn't have kids running a muck (they were napping too :)). I seem to have a head cold that wants to move into my chest, and I seem to have lost my voice because of it. Despite that though, all in all it's been a good Mother's Day!

So I would like to wish anyone reading this who is a mommy, a Happy Mother's Day!

AND tho those of you who might read this and not have any children yet and/or who have lost a little one, my heart really goes out to you today. This is a hard day. Believe me I know, I have been there... it took us two years for our first miracle (pictured above on the top), and we have two blessings waiting for us in Heaven. So, blessings to you today too!

Not Me Monday

Here I go for only the second time ever, not telling you what we've been up to around here.


As I eluded to before, Faith and I did not go to visit a possible kindergarten for her. She was definitely not impressed. And definitely not looking forward to the fall so that she can go to said preschool!! Not us! As a side note... it's a private Christian school and we would LOVE to not send her there next year, so if any of you are feeling like you are in a giving mood, we are not taking donations for this :)

I did not eat cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner one day this week... I know better. And along those same lines, I did not lounge on the couch all day (the same day as the cereal) instead of getting out and walking like I know I need to do. Not me!

My daughter did not take the trash out this week, much to my surprise! She would not ask such things and I definitely would let her if she asked, if I thought she were tall enough :) Not her!

My other daughter did not put her pants on backwards one day, that would just be too funny for words!

I did not go to my fabulous makeover that I won from Mary Kay, and if I had, I would not have gone all by myself. Not Me! If anyone wants to go with me for my follow-up makeover, you are not invited!

The before and after pictures are more like after and after I washed, but you get the idea!


I did not let my kids stay up an hour past their bedtime many times this week. I am a better mom than that! And on that same note, I did not start dinner too late so that bed time had to be pushed back a couple of time either. Nope, not me!

We have not been to three different churches in as many weeks looking for a new one. We have not made fun of something about every one we have visited. And we are definitely not thinking we would love to go back to our church from Flagstaff, right about now (sigh).

We will probably not attend a new church next Sunday as well, and not find something odd about it. But we could not be surprised.


I did not order a really expensive dress so that I can be in my cousin's wedding this Sept. It is most certainly not different from all the other Bridesmaids dresses (and not approved by the bride). Not me! And I've not been asked if my kiddos would like to be flower girls in said wedding! That would be way too cool and exciting (... shh, they don't really know yet, as I think they would be more excited than I am about it... and they do not get to wear the 'fancy' Christmas dresses I made for them)

Steve and I did not watch "Marley & Me" and did not cry like babies at the end.

I have not been thinking of applying for a different job since Faith's birthday. I do not dislike my very part time job, and do not get frustrated just about every time I am in that place. Not me!

I most certainly do not have the most wonderful family in the whole world!!!

That's not our little update from the past few weeks. And I will not try to be better at posting (that's for our family that is NOT way too far away, but we love and miss you anyway)!

Oh My... I NEVER win anything!!!

I was flabbergasted this evening when I got a call that I had won a free makeover for me and my bridal party!


WHOA.... rewind... my bridal party?!?

As this very nice sounding lady is explaining what I've won, I'm thinking, what did I enter and when, to get this? and then she asks "how does all this sound?"

I had to reply "It would be fabulous if I were the bride!"

So, I still am racking my brain as to where I entered for this, but me and five of my friends still get a free makeover, and hand treatment by Mary Kay (or... gals who sell it...)! ...On the thinking side of this... I AM in my cousin Rachel's wedding come September and have been looking at online bride sights at bridesmaid dresses and have gone to a couple of places in town to actually try on dresses... but this doesn't sound like it's from either of those...

Can we say WOW!!! COOL!!!

Anyone wanna be one of my "new best friends" LOL, Seriously... I am going to have to find (local) people to have such a fun night with!!!