Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dancin' the Night Away...
Posted by Jessica at 11:24 AM 2 comments
"Big Boy" Underwear
Kaden has always been a fan of my big exercise ball. This is footage from Thanksgiving when he was playing up in my room. We had all been shopping in Mankato when Jason & Julia got Kaden his first 'big boy' underwear. When we got home he had them on for the first time & was loving it! In the middle of the video he sees himself in the mirror & gets a bit distracted - so hilarious! :D I've somehow managed to cut the video down to 3 min. 20 sec. from the original 9 minutes - not easy to do when he's SO CUTE! Enjoy!
Posted by Jessica at 10:29 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Entertainer
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=244704812179&ref=mf
The weekend before Thanksgiving, Kaden was enraptured by Aunt Jenny's piano playing all over the keyboard at (great) Grandma's house, so the following weekend over Thanksgiving at our house, he was very particular in playing each note and turning pages just as she had done. I never tire of watching my adorable nephew do anything! He is just too cute for words, so I end up taking a bunch of video & then have a hard time cutting it down to share, but I doubt everyone else wants to watch 10 - 15 straight minutes of my nephew playing the piano or doing whatever. Heehee! I have more that I need to condense and share so hopefully before the school rush becomes too much I can get those done. This is for you, Mrs. P! Enjoy! :)
Posted by Jessica at 2:11 AM 2 comments
Sunday, November 29, 2009
New Refrigerator, Ma'am
It's out with the old and in with the new. Mom finally made the decision to do some upgrading in our kitchen :) yay! Our old refrigerator was at least 23 yrs old - older than me! But it served us well - it was a little sad watching the men roll it away this afternoon. They were both Mexicans & the one guy that helped with the installation and testing of the appliance was the talker and quite funny! He was like, "We come from Meeneeapoliees so
we get up at 5:30 thees morning jus for you. Coood you understand my messeeg? I have pretty strong accent. I hoook up your water-line as long as you sign that it's okay. Eef your house flood, I pay for it and I'm not reech. Eef they call to survey our servees be sure to geev
us a fieeeve. Thank you, ma'am, and thank you young ma'am." heehee! Mom and I got a kick out of them - they were really nice to us two girls who couldn't figure out how to do the water line. Anyway, we have been thoroughly enjoying our new black sleek refrigerator and all that extra room to put all our food just in time for the holidays! Thanks for all your help picking it out, Jason! It's absolutely perfect and fits like a glove!
Posted by Jessica at 10:38 PM 4 comments
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy 3-month Birthday, Serena!
Posted by Jessica at 9:48 PM 1 comments
Friday, October 30, 2009
Boot Surprise!
Posted by Jessica at 12:14 PM 5 comments
Monday, October 26, 2009
Spring Break Opportunity
We made it on the front page of the local paper! heehee! :) FAIRMONT - In March, 10 local women will travel to eastern Guatemala equipped with the skill, desire and over-the-counter medications they need to serve the impoverished people inhabiting the area. The young women are third-year nursing students at Presentation College, and have signed on to give up their spring breaks to help people they have never met. Above: Presentation College nursing students lending their services in Guatemala, include, front row from left: Lana Howk, Katy Handevidt, Jessica Rabe and Courtney Baumann. Back row, from left: Rebekah Anderson, Alex Ristau, Kandra Miller and Stephanie Prentice. The students get no school credit for their service, although they can use the time there toward their volunteerism graduation requirement. Some have never left the US, but all are preparing for a life of serving others and see this trip as an extension of their dedication to nursing. "I have always had a very deep need to help the disadvantaged, and I know this trip will change every single person who is involved in this project," said trip organizer Kendra Miller. "A trip of this type was never a question for me, it was just a matter of how and when." The group has coordinated with Hearts-In-Motion, a non-profit service organization with extensive ties to Guatemala, to distribute food, medicine and knowledge about nutrition and general health care. Since they are not yet licensed as nurses, the women will practice exclusively non-invasive procedures. "Our first day we will be going to a dump to hand out food," Miller said. Outside of the help they will give, the students are looking forward to how they will be changed by real-life nursing experienced in the impoverished region. Lana Howk, one of the students going on the trip, said that in addition to refocusing her dedication to service after her time in school, she feels the experience will help her connect with some of her clients. "I think it will help us understand our minority clients," she said. Miller agreed, saying, "There is no way that we could come out of this not being better people, better nurses, knowing that we've done everything we could to help. The amount of help that the people of Guatemala need is unfathomable; by simply being there, we will be doing something to help them. They have nothing; no food, home, and very little access to medical attention." In addition to fundraising, the students are collecting over-the-counter medications, toothbrushes, toothpaste and small toys to leave with the people they meet. "We will be providing the people with food, healthcare and toys for the children," Miller said. "In order to prepare for this trip, we have been feverishly fundraising, and reaching out to the Fairmont community for their support in making this nursing trip possible." The women need to raise $20,000 to pay for airfare, lodging and guides. Since the only Spanish-language experience anyone on the trip has comes from high school language class, they will rely heavily on Hearts-in-Motion guides to translate during interactions with clients. And while the travelers are all students at Presentation College, the school is not sponsoring the trip. Presentation College director Traci Lardy said the students came to her and told her about the trip, but they are going on their own. "I think it shows the dedication we have of our nursing students to share their skills," she said. "It is a special group." Miller hopes to see more students participate in a trip of this kind in the years to come. After their trip, they will present a slide show and discussion with donors. *Donations are tax-deductible, and can be sent to: Presentation College, attn: Traci Lardy, 115 S. Park Street, #117, Fairmont, MN 56031.
Posted by Jessica at 4:16 PM 3 comments
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Walk PC
“Walk PC” is a program at my school "taking a tour" of Presentation College’s locations.
Eagle Butte-Aberdeen = 173 mi. by October 9, 2009 (PC Lanyard)
Aberdeen-Sioux Falls = 204 mi. by December 8, 2009 (PC Water Bottle)
Sioux Falls-Fairmont = 120 mi. by January 12, 2010 (PC T-Shirt)
Fairmont-Eagle Butte = 423 mi. by May 3, 2010 ($25 PC Bookstore gift certificate)
*A drawing will be held for all participants that complete “Walk PC” for the grand prize of a free massage at a day spa! oooo! :D An individual making the complete round trip will log 920 miles or 1,840,000 steps. If an individual is able to meet the 10,000 steps per day goal, the entire "trip" will have been made in 184 days.
Every semester Presentation pays for half of the membership fee at Martin County Fitness per semester, so between that and a busy life, I was able to complete the first leg of the challenge logging 370,734 steps which is about 182 miles. So I got the lanyard...but to my surprise, we also got a cute little shoe key chain which I like even better than the lanyard! heehee! ;) That's MY GREEN SHOE in the top pic! I love it! Heehee! :) The water bottle for the next leg is hardly a motivation, but the walking has been good for me and the possibility of a free spa massage at the end sounds like the perfect way to end our stressful junior year.
Posted by Jessica at 8:20 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Happy Birthday, Jordan!
Posted by Jessica at 8:57 PM 5 comments
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Argyle Sweater



Posted by Jessica at 10:25 PM 3 comments
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday Song
This passage never ceases to challenge and encourage:
Psalm 139
1O Lord, You have searched me, and known me. 2You know when I rise and when I fall; You understand my thoughts from afar. 3You encompass my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. 5You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain unto it. 7Where can I go from Your spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the remotest part of the sea; 10Even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me. 11If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,” 12Even the darkness is not dark to You; but the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are both alike to You. 13For You have possessed my reins: You covered me in my mother's womb. 14I give thanks unto You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works; and my soul knows it very well. 15My substance was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. 16Your eyes have seen my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Your book were written all the days that were ordained for me when as yet there were none of them. 17How precious also are Your thoughts unto me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxious thoughts; 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Posted by Jessica at 10:04 AM 0 comments
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Autumn Days Grow Shorter...
Posted by Jessica at 4:50 PM 5 comments
Friday, October 16, 2009
Shape-Up

Posted by Jessica at 12:22 AM 3 comments
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I Will Not Let Thee Go
Gen. 32:24 – 31 - 24And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 31And as he passed over Peniel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
"You see the anguish of my soul, You see the blessing still unclaimed, You see my Spirit nearly crushed beneath the load. In my darkest night I wrestle with the angel of the Lord and I boldly claim the promise of Thy Word: that my diligent pursuit Thou shalt reward.
And though Thou bidst me let Thee go, I will not be denied, and it delights Your heart to see me so. When You touch me in my weakness it is but to make me strong and though weeping may endure the whole night long. You have promised in the morning joy shall come.
Everyone who asks receives and those who seek will find and all who keep on knocking enter in. Through each test of perseverance as we stand on sacred sod, soon we travel where victorious saints have trod. Let us triumph as a prince prevails with God.
I will not let Thee go until You bless me. I’ll wrestle with my God until the break of dawn. I cannot be content without the victory. Until the battle’s won, I simply can’t go on. With my soul in great travail, I know I shall prevail with Thee. Until the answer comes for me – no matter what the cost may be – I will not let Thee go."
Matt. 7:7 -8 - 7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Posted by Jessica at 7:56 PM 3 comments
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Jungle Gym Kade-man
Posted by Jessica at 10:07 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Fall Break Project
Yesterday I dedicated most of my time to my school work. Today I definitely fit school into my schedule as well, but I also used the afternoon to get a few miscellaneous projects done that have been hanging over my head. Cleaning out Josie's barn was one of them - the last time it's been cleaned out would have been sometime when Julie was home...maybe even before she ever went to college? Wow! I thought it was a perfect time because the birds would be gone, the wasps would be gone, the mice would be hiding to stay warm, and the spiders would be gone. Well, all was true except for the spider part. (actually, I'll confess that I did think there were mice hanging out somewhere cause I kept hearing little squeaks, but then I realized it was my boots as I was shuffling with the broom - just like the cartoons! haha!) There were nasty spiders galore (and mice droppings everywhere - bleh!) But I toughed it out and got her little home in tip top shape and I even thought to take before and after pictures so you could see how hard I worked, how brave I was, and what a nice job I did ;) Heehee! The picture of Josie in the grass cracks me up! She sat there like that the whole time. She was so nervous about what I was doing, poor thing!
Doesn't it look SO nice and cozy now!? I put in the new hay from the Brochman's and shook out her blanket so she's all ready for the winter cold! She looks like she's enjoying it. Yes, I posed her on the bale...she wanted so badly to come over to me while I was trying to take her picture. I could only get her to obey the command "STAY" for about 2 seconds, so I told her to play dead: "BANG" - that worked. She didn't actually play dead, but she finally laid down and stayed long enough for me to snap the picture. heehee! Notice the shelf in the left-hand corner is clean! I don't know how many years I've wanted to clean that off but can never get myself to do it. It used to have an open wooden box up there w/hay in it from when we had cats. And there are spider webs all over it! I'm not quite tall enough to see in there unless I pull myself up on my tiptoes, so every winter I wonder to myself if there's some creature living in there. It took so much for me to grab that box and RUN to the shed with it where I deposited it in it's new home. My sudden display of urgency as I ran from her house with this big gross wooden box held at arms length didn't help Josie feel any less nervous about what was going on...but she's all happy and cozy in her house now :D HaHa!
Posted by Jessica at 7:01 PM 3 comments
Monday, October 12, 2009
Pictures with Josie
Posted by Jessica at 5:15 PM 7 comments
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Welcome to the World!
Posted by Jessica at 8:43 PM 2 comments
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Anticipation
Thursday, July 23rd was the official due date for Jennifer of my on-the-way niece. That date passed quickly & uneventfully ...so this weekend Mom, Jules and I headed down to West Des Moines to visit our expecting Jennifer.
Posted by Jessica at 12:40 AM 6 comments
Monday, April 13, 2009
O Wondrous Love!
Posted by Jessica at 10:40 PM 3 comments
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
It Makes Me Laugh!
While everyone was home for the holidays, we girls hit the mall for the after-Christmas sales. One of my favorite stops was shopping for Jenny at the Motherhood store. (I'm so pumped about being an auntie AGAIN!)
They had FAKE preggo bellies hanging in the dressing room, so Jules joined Jenny in giving us a little fashion show. In the first picture they're doing the proud mommy pose, which is when we noticed Jenny's belly was a little warped and looked very unreal while Julie's looked picture perfect. We were all laughing...except for Jenny - which made for my favorite picture from the holidays. Every time I see it, it makes me laugh! :) Definitely a memory for the books. You girls crack me up! haha! I have the best sisters in the world - LOVE YOU! :D
Posted by Jessica at 10:04 PM 9 comments
Monday, January 19, 2009
Cut & Color



Posted by Jessica at 6:18 PM 11 comments
300th Post!
Posted by Jessica at 4:59 PM 3 comments
