Halfway to the Half

We're approaching the halfway mark. So it's time for an update!

Can I just tell you...

I LOVE RUNNING!!!

It has become an addiction. Derek told me last night about turning a corner in running. We have both turned our first corner. One day 3 miles about killed me. Couple days later I run 4 miles and was tempted to rerun the loop!

This Sunday I will run my first 6 miles ever!

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Sometimes I think I'm going bipolar when I run. I'll look at the loooong shade-less road ahead and think "oh man, there's no way," while in basically the same thought... "Bring it on!" I'll barely be able to breath because of the humidity and long to quit and smile because I LOVE it all at the same time!

It's weird what this running does to me.

I LOVE IT!!!

I've only had one major disappointment... After more than 2 months of training I not only haven't lost a single pound, I've gained 2-4lbs! When is the muscle going to start burning the fat??? Grrr.

Anyway, check out some of my favorite things...

Running with my neighbor and amazing friend:

My gear:

(Running shoes the husband got on ebay for $20!!)
(Belt to hold water and my phone)
(My mini computer, aka iPhone and headphones)

Sunsets:

And of course a long stretch of road! (Picture to come?)

The Half-Marathon is at the Nappanee Apple Festival on September 17th. There are two ways for you to support us on this endeavor. Choose one or both. Both is my favorite.

COME! Make a sign, stand on the side of the road, and cheer us on!!!
DONATE! Go to The Crossing website and donate any amount of money. The money will go to support The Crossing!!!

8 Years

Awhile back we went to the Warren Dunes with The Crossing students and staff. It was freezing! But we had a great time!

It was just a few days before our 8th anniversary.

8 years ago on July 13th, Derek asked me to be his girlfriend (and ultimately his wife!) at the top of the Dunes.

The conversation went something like this:

Derek: So I was wondering if you would be my girlfriend.
Lindsay: (long pause) It's not like you're asking me for forever.
Derek: Well, actually, I am.
Lindsay: (long pause) Okay.

Then we sprinted down the dunes and I told all my friends!

It was a good day :)

I took a couple pics of pictures of that day...

It was a Sunday. This was taken after Sunday School (when it was at EBCS!)

This is the clan at an ice cream place on the way home!

This was before the days of the digital camera (at least in my life). But I'm so glad we captured a couple shots!

Here's some of the fun we had 8 years later with The Crossing:

Marie hiked up to the top with us! She did amazing!

Just behind us is the very spot it all began :)

 

Yeah we never went in the water :) It was freeeeeezing!

I love my man.

Hours of Operation (+ a pronunciation lesson)

Everyone seems to have trouble pronouncing DandLs DangLs. And I know that can be annoying. So the husband recorded himself pronouncing it correctly. Click the link, listen and learn...

http://db.tt/ZaGx3bA

Now you know :)

It's long past time to set hours for DandLs DangLs. Obviously being a stay-at-home mom, these hours will be incredibly flexible. But they will also help me decide when to work on jewelry or clean house or play with the babies or... and not feel guilty about my decision!

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Post Office run, 9-11pm
Wednesday: 1-3pm, 9-11pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 1-3pm
Saturday: 10-11:30am, 1-3pm
Sunday: Closed

I will be checking my email daily and will do some marketing outside of the hours. The hours will mostly be spent creating, taking pictures, and listing.

So you can easily get ahold of me just about any time.

Except for maybe during my working hours as I'll be busy working... :)

Turkey Joes

Just about all of the recipes I share are staples in our home. I don't like to cook so when I come across something that we all love and is super EASY then I add it to our usual recipes.

So here is a definite favorite. I came across this recipe somewhere online when I was looking for something healthy (and of course delicious!) to do with ground turkey. It's a winner!!

Turkey Joes (4 sandwiches)

1lb ground turkey
Half an onion diced
3/4 C ketchup
2T mustard (spicy mustard works too!)
2T Worcestershire sauce
2T apple cider vinegar

1. Brown the ground turkey and onion
2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and let simmer until thickened slightly
3. Spoon onto bun
4. Enjoy!

Tips:
It actually tastes even better the next day.
Don't waste this deliciousness on a cheapo bun!
Only use ground turkey.
Adding some peppers would probably be fantastic.
And of course I always add cheese :)

Baby Girl Drops

Revision: I cannot officially sell these as children's jewelry. The regulations are way too high for me to ever be able to afford. So I'm going to sell them simply as "Drops." Use them for your children at your own discretion! Otherwise these are excellent jewelry for ladies or girls (over the age of 12!) who prefer small and simple jewelry! 


So in short, there will be no "Baby Girl Line." :( But my Baby Girl will still be wearing adorable drops :)

My daughter always gets all sorts of compliments on her earrings. It's an excellent opportunity to pass out a business card! But I've realized that I don't really have much for little girls. I finally set out to change that.

Introducing the Baby Girl Line.

So far I have a small handful of options:

One of the greatest things about these is I can make them in just about any color you desire! Plenty of options to match all your baby girl's adorable outfits.

Another greatest things about these is they're only $4 each!

But the very greatest thing of all? I get to take more pics of my Baby Girl. She makes me forget about my horrible photography skills :)

Love her.

I will be adding more Baby Girl jewelry soon!

**Disclaimer: Baby Girl Jewelry is not recommended for children under the age of 3 as it can pose as a choking hazard.

The Story of Us (Part 1)

Today we're celebrating 8 years since Derek asked me to be his girlfriend. In honor of one of the best days of my life, I'm reminiscing about our story...

It was the mid-1980's when boy met girl.

It was the late-1980's when boy left girl.

We were four. He doesn't remember those early years.

But I do.

Our backyards were neighbors.

I remember playing with Tonka trucks in his room.
I remember his blond bowl cut and dark tan.
I remember his runny nose.
I remember him chasing me around my house, trying to kiss me.
I remember bigwheels.
I remember the day his family up and moved (ultimately to PA).

That day was in 1989.

There was a time or two in the years following that his family visited the area.

I remember him and the neighbor, Joe, shooting "that girl" with play shot guns.
I remember running in my house to "freshen up." I was like... 6. What kinda 6yr old does that?
I remember when I came back out, he and Joe were gone. I didn't see him again until...

To be continued...

Strawberry Jam

For as long as I can remember, my family has eaten homemade strawberry jam. My Maw-Maw used to make seedless jam. Those were the days. The past couple of years I made my own jam. This year, since we're in Indiana, I went over to my parents house where we (and by "we" I mean my mom) whipped up some jam!

I'm telling you, this is the best jam ever.

All you have to do is get this:

 

Read the instructions. Follow the instructions. And you have jam!

My mom bought LOTS of delicious strawberries.

Yours Truly cut all the tops off. 


Then we rinsed them, blended them, prepared the Sure Jell, mixed in the Sure Jell and sugar, and poured the jam into jars!

And make sure you have an adorable little helper. She won't be as adorable as my little helper, but that's to be expected :)

Dear Marie Love

So much has happened in this past year of your life. And not always easy things.

And you have changed. Wow, have you grown! I need you to stop that.

You are a true Jacobs and a true Johnson all at once. You are strong (in every aspect of the word!), athletic, loving, polite, beautiful, and so incredibly smart.

You love your family.

And can't resist hanging out with "kids." You make friends so quickly.

You are a tough girl. But you are a girly girl, too. You love princesses and dolls and being a "mommy."

Almost daily, your dad and I are struck by how much you've grown. You pick up on things instantly.

Some of your favorite things to do are sing, dance, swing, and play with your friends.

It's amazing what you do (and have done!) to your dad. You bring out the best in him. He adores you in a special way that only daddies can adore their baby girls. You are blessed.

I can't believe that it's been 3 whole years. We've survived and thrived through so much and I know we will continue to. You bring joy and laughter to this family at the most necessary times. Your laugh attacks even get Jack giggling uncontrollably.

When you tell Jesus about your day every night, my heart completely melts. I'm so excited for you to know Him personally and live your life glorifying Him.

You turned our world upside down, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you, my Goober, more than I will ever be able to express. Happy 3rd Birthday!!

Dear Jack Edward

When we first found out about you, I wasn't sure how it was possible to love your dad and your sister so much and still have enough love left for another being. But I found my heart growing daily as you grew daily inside of me.

The moment I saw your sweet, chunky face, I fell head over heals twice over. I still get tears in my eyes thinking of that moment when my heart burst with love for your slimy self.

I'm continually overwhelmed with love for you.

When you were ten days old, we packed up our world and moved it halfway across the country. You and your sis were troopers! Then we survived 6 horrible months in the cockroach house.

The first couple of months there you cried... constantly. Marie and I just got used to it.

We still have no idea why, but one day you turned back into the sweet, content, very happy baby you were when you were first born.

I never wavered in my love for you. Not for even one second.

We often talked about how crazy (and awesome!) it was that we could just set you down on the floor and you'd contentedly sit and watch us. People who didn't experience your early months of crying still don't believe it ever happened.

You were always so content that you didn't even bother attempting to crawl until you were 9 months old. Now you are one and are too busy to bother with walking. I love how hard you play and how happy you are!

Today you are 1 year old...

{speechless}

To me you are still 4 months old.

When are you and your sister going to listen and obey and STOP growing up???

You have your momma wrapped around your chunky little pinky. Your bright, blue eyes melt my heart every single day.

You are such a boy, loving balls and hitting everything. You complete this family like no one else could.

I pray daily that you will be sensitive to the Spirit and give your heart to the Lord as soon as you're old enough to understand. I pray that you spend every day of your life glorifying your Savior. I don't pray for your future wife as often as I should... I guess I just have trouble imagining you ever leaving me! But I'll work on that. I promise.

I love you, sweet Schmackidy. I love your silly faces. I love your ready-to-give smiles. I love your captivating eyes. I love your sweet spirit. I love your love for your sister. I love your rolls. I love your fearlessness. I love that you reach for your daddy and clap excitedly when he gets home. I love that you look like your dad and act like him, too. I love that you're a momma's boy. I love watching you learn and grow.

I love you, JackJack, to the moon and back.