Nuggey has taken to becoming Roobii’s “trainer.” It’s really the cutest thing ever. He’s always faux “trained” her, but he’s taken things to a new level lately. She follows him around like, you know, a puppy dog. Big Mac can swim in the nine foot part of the pool and even learned to dive! Flurry can now say, “Go!” and “Catch!” Those, plus “goat,” “ow,” “uh-oh,” and “here.” Those are his words right now, but this week he’s been having his little language explosion. Do you know the one?
Oh my word, oh my word! I was mentioning to someone on Facebook the other day that I knew Vibrams (the crazy five fingered shoes I’ve fallen in love with) were pricey and that the next time I came across a good deal, I’d be sure to share it. And sure enough.
Get yerself a pair of these awesome shoes starting at just $39 right here. Seriously.
Think they are ugly as all get out? I used to! Think they are pretty enough to wear to a ball? So did she!
I did a recumbent bicycle with moving arms at the gym. And I just did the arms. It was one of the only other ways I could think of to keep giving my knees needed rest besides swimming.
Our town has an interesting snow plow method. There were mountains of snow in the middle of the road on the main drag.
Life is hard. And good. My windshield got hit by a rock. Cracked it and put a hole in it. Challenges abound for us right now, actually. But in those challenges, unmaneuverable at times by me, there is left open only one real option: the one in which God shows up in a radical way and carries us through storms we couldn’t endure ourselves.
Decision making. This is a theme for me lately. And finding peace in my everyday life. And trusting God. And eating lots of protein.
Goodnight!
Thinking of you and praying. Life can be so challenging. I think God must be moving and working. I feel like we have had several challenges and stresses just since the beginning of the year. I’ve talked to several people and a couple friends that are also going through/facing hard stuff. I feel like it’s just above normal right now. 2012 certainly has started off with a bang.. Also, remember you don’t have to share every detail of your life.
I’ve seen that snow pile method in several other towns too! It is kinda strange…. but then I’ve seen them come by and shovel it into a truck and haul it away, so I guess it works pretty well! We’ve had almost no snow here this winter to speak of, my husband is very sad about it.
I want these shoes for my daughter. Crossing fingers that they have her size.
I totally get the aspect of struggle… it has been a constant for us for the past 5 years. Four kids to feed and love and protect and an economy eating us alive. That said, we have found new clarity and understand in better ways what really matters to us. Our focus on family, faith and education is unwavering as we struggle on. Grateful for God’s peace and direction throughout. Prayers for you today.
I feel similar…about 3 years ago some things were happening that made me decide we (my husband and myself, my family) were in a season of learning. We were facing tough times and I assumed we would “learn the lesson” and move on. While we have learned..ALOT, in fact…the learning season has never let up. I have come to accept (though not always love the fact) that if we are for God, we will always be in this season. It’s not easy, but it’s something I get, I do understand why it’s necessary. Don’t get me wrong…we have so many amazing blessings in our lives, I just realize that life isn’t easy, and never will be. We also have 4 kids, btw
WOW you have a lot of snow! I thought Duluth was supposed to be snow central….. I can still see green grass. Like actually GREEN. … Okay..like brownish green..
What a cute town, I love little towns! Can’t wait to take your photography class on Saturday morning!
Just an FYI, the bike shouldn’t be all that bad for your knees. It’s a non-weightbearing activity, so it’s almost as easy on your knees as swimming. All the weight is on your tush! I’m a physical therapist, and one of the surgeons who does knee surgery around here is adamant about getting his patients on a bike ASAP after surgery. That recumbent bike with the arms is actually a pretty good option, since you could pull/push more with your arms but still let your legs pedal a bit. Good luck!
I am having trouble leaving you comments-here and on your Facebook page. I hope I didn’t upset you with my comments last night regarding the “evil-disgusting-hate filled” bullies. I have followed your blog since you were pregnant with Stellan and care deeply about you and your family. I will continue to follow you and pray for you and I understand why you won’t allow my comments. I am just so damn sick of grown people that are so jealous of you and want to destroy you and your family. I love you. No hard feelings. I understand!
I highly doubt that any of the readers here are jealous of someone, who by her own admission, has a (bed)bug infested home, legal action pending, recently filed bankruptcy & struggling marriage.
And Kerri you know all of this how??? I don’t recall seeing she has a bed bug infestation…only a “bug” ifestation.. people who judge just suck in my book. I’ve had mice in my home, filed bankruptcy in the past, divorced after 31 years…and geesh even found a man who loved me and wanted to marry me!
Go figure. My children still love me, I can still write a check, I have a full time job, developed colon cancer this year, have great insurance but still ended up owing 4 grand out of my own pocket, managed to make payment arrangements and to be real honest….if you want to judge me go right ahead….just remember when you point fingers you have three pointing back at YOU! Jennifer your followers are behind you…live YOUR life how you want, blog about it and be happy….. just sayin…..
In Kerrie’s defense, she just said she wouldn’t be jealous of those things, not that she would judge you for them. Hearing what you have been through, I would not think worse of you, but I surely wouldn’t wish for it either. Also, for some reason you did seem frustrated with Kerrie for assuming it was bedbugs, but Jennifer did officially say it was bedbugs when the issues with her landlord surfaced, so that was not an assumption on Kerrie’s part if she had seen that information. I can understand you not liking negative comments about someone you like, but I am not sure yours was particularly fair either.
No, I actually never did say it was bedbugs.
Really? On the forms you submitted to the court I could have sworn you wrote bedbugs.
What form?
I think Sam is referring to the Rent Escrow form you submitted where you wrote “House is infested with bed bugs”.
The Affidavit of Rent Escrow, in your handwriting, that you filed on January 9th, 2012.
Jennifer do you really not know “what form”? Really? It’s public record. The form you sent to the courts has “house is infested with bed bugs” right on the front. The form that YOU signed. And now you claim you never said it was bed bugs? Wow.
The “Affidavit of Rent Escrow” filed on Jan. 9, 2012 is a form you filled out, correct? That form states you have a bedbug infestation, correct?
This, Jennifer, is where some people become so frustrated with you.
On the 20th, in a comment about “the biggest loser” on facebook, you spoke about your issues with the landlord. You said that the bugs were being tested, as it wasn’t clear if they were bed or bat bugs.
However on the Rent Escrow Affidavit, you places Bedbugs as the issue and the damage to a bed and couch. You also stated the issues with your toilet.
This is when people begin to get “upset”. Are they justified? Not really, but when you do ask such “silly” questions when it’s obvious from a comment what a person is referring to…people start to “wonder”.
While this shouldn’t be anyone’s business, you do talk about it. You do bring it up. You facebook and twitter about it. People, rightfully or not, are going to look “into it” it’s what some people do.
It is far easier, and far more responsible for you to respond to those kind of questions by being, what people–for some reason-label “honest.”
I think your honest, but I also think you want to not discuss things. This is your right. But…when you discuss it on facebook and the documents are made public, and those documents are very clear I does make you look….”dodgey” when you claim ignorance such as “what form”.
You can easily “come off” as the better person you are by either answering “what form” questions directly. You can say something like “I know what form you are speaking of but will not discuss it.” Saying that is clear, direct and closes the issue. You no longer need to let comments through.
I filled out the rent escrow paperwork before we had the bugs sent away to be identified and before I even knew that could be done or that it needed to be done because it apparently wasn’t 100% sure what they were! In each situation, I shared what was true or what I knew to be true at the time. No deception or foul play here.
Why is my comment from Jan. 27, 5:37 PM, STILL awaiting moderation???? Post it….IT is the truth, and it would be nice if you would reply. Why are you implying that you don’t have bedbugs? I don’t get it….
We thought that’s what they were at first, but that was before we knew they might not be and before we sent the bugs away to be tested.
I wasn’t judging anyone, merely stating that I doubt anyone would have been jealous of the events occurring in Jennifer’s life.
I have no reason to judge you and am sorry you have experienced so many difficulties in your life. Cancer is a terrible, terrible disease and I am very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Sadder still that insurance is such that you end up with debts. I will hope for a positive outcome for you & wish you and your family well.
In response to the question “What form?”, my guess is that the form Sam is referring to is the Rent Escrow Affadavit that Jennifer filed on January 9th, 2012. The form is signed by Jennifer McKinney and under section 4 it states, “house is infested with bed bugs”.
Given it is a legal document lodged with a court I am expecting the information contained within it to be true.
You’re right, the true readers and the ‘so called readers’ of this blog probably are not jealous. I’ve watched the nitpicking and the daily microscopic inspection of her life for some time by the ‘so called readers.’ (It actually is rather funny how they profess to not liking her yet follow her every little move, blog, facebook and comments and then speculate!) There is absolutely no reason for it, none whatsoever!! Jennifer has admitted to many problems. Now tell me who hasn’t had problems. If anyone would put the lives of the so called readers, and mine, under that same microscope, you’d see plenty of very unpleasant stuff. Life is way too short and hard enough without scrutinizing, digging, posting every document you can find and analyzing someone to death!
Obsessed is a much better word.
I think I have reasonable right to be somewhat critical of Jennifer. When Stellan was very ill, I supported her family both on her blog and financially. I was a sole parent at the time and worked two jobs (around 85 hours/week) to pay my mortgage, bills, medical insurance, carpayment and provide for me and my daughter.
There wasn’t a lot left over but I was able to save a small nest egg and afford a trip once a year for us. It was hard, really hard at times but I did it because I had to. My daughter was not going to miss out because of the choices I had made.
The bracelets I ordered never arrived. Things get lost in the mail, I understand that, but that there was no response to the 6 emails I sent enquiring as to whether they had even been posted I started to wonder. My daughter was also folowing Stellan’s story and the bracelets were for her and her friends. I also sent giftcards. I don’t regret supporting them when they needed it. I also did not expect thanks, it was an altruistic gift.
However, it infuriates me now to hear that the McKinneys have lost multiple homes, had cars reposessed, owe taxes and hundreds of thousands in bills. That they are filing bankruptcy to absolve them of their debts. These people had a good life and should have been able to set themselves up well for the rest of their lives.
I am appalled that I, even in a small way, enabled that to happen.
Kerrie I had no idea you ordered bracelets and they didn’t come! I’m so sorry. Quite some time ago when the issue of people claiming to have paid for but never received bracelets came up, I asked people to email me (at my MckMama address) so I could look into it for them. No one ever did. Please, please allow me to look up your order and payment. Could you email me the specifics (PayPal name/email should be sufficient). I feel awful that it happened. Thanks.
Dear Jennifer, trusting God — we do so along with you. xx
For some reason I just cannot get over the look of those shoes…I see people wearing them and think they are so hideous! But, I do hear people say they are very comfy! I have given up heels, but I can’t do these yet
They have socks in the style of those shoes and the idea of all that material between my toes just bothers me — but I shouldn’t just assume that without trying them first, right? They wouldn’t stay in business for long if people didn’t buy them, and people wouldn’t buy them if they didn’t like them…so I must be missing something! LOL
Keep trusting God.
Keep hanging onto His promises.
Keep eating protein.
Keep squashing bugs (I hope they are gone from your house by now…)
We feel like we’re in a season of testing, molding, trial whatever you want to call it. It’s been hard but we know that God’s got a master plan and He’s making us more like Him hard as that is. We look forward to the end of this chapter. The pastor who married us always says, “embrace the process”. Mostly I just want the process to be over so I can embrace the end. Praying for peace as you endure the storm and make decisions.
Your link for the shoes brings me to moosejaw.com, but the shoes are still $80, do I need to do something else to get the $39 price?
It says $39 on the women’s if you search it, but then when you click to buy it is goes to $64. Just wanted to let you know, $39 is not really the price I guess unless you have a code or something I am supposed to put in.
I checked your shoe link, but not one pair that I found was even close to $39 (I clicked all sizes and colors too). I think this post is a bit misleading, and I was pretty disappointed.
There were a ton of the $39 Vibrams left when I first posted, but I think those all sold out.
Sorry!
Ah, that would make sense. No worries, I was just kind of confused when I clicked on the link. Definitely bummed, I’m so intrigued by these shoes
Love watching language develop….it is just so fun and every child is so unique!
Way to go with the working out & eating right & overall healthy lifestyle…God give us this one body only, right? Well, at least while were here on Earth anyhow. Anyhoo…just thought I’d mention after you said, “And eating lots of protein” that I lost 80 pounds a few years ago (took me about a year….), but that was the key. I cut out all processed foods (nothing white, nothing from a box & so on). Got all carbs ONLY from veggies & salad. Cut out all dairy except cheese & some yogurt. Basically NO SUGAR. NONE. It works. Keep at it…you’re doing it. It’s a good feeling, isn’t it? Congrats. (Another bonus worth mentioning is that eating this way will turn off your hunger switch. Really helpful!) Hoping you will keep the pictorial updates coming of your transformation! Those are SO fun!!!
So sweet the Nuggey is training Roobii. That makes me smile. Sorry about the windshield
that stinks.
Praying that things go better for you all!
I don’t comment often, so random comments on recent stuff.
Thanks for the weight loss posts and putting it out there for us. I have been going to the gym everyday at 5 and you have been part of that motivation (as well as a high school friend – Mark- who is currently on this season of Biggest Loser.
Also with your landlord/bug issues. I know quite a few years ago, living in Texas, we had probs with a landlord and there was actually some kind of (state?) program that protects the rights of renters and was available for us to consult with our rental issues.
Keep on keeping on. One foot in front of the other. It is the only way to get through life, with Jesus leading the way. One of my favorite quotes right now is by CS Lewis. “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” Also read this morning in Jesus Calling devotional….”When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway. I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way.” A great thought provoking devotional if you don’t have it.
Shannon is so right in recommending “Jesus Calling.” It has encouraged me like nothing else to a greater appreciation of the power of God and His desire to give me peace. Praying for you . . .
Do you write down their cute sayings or new words? I have a whole page on my blog about L’s milestones and cute things he said, and the other day we laughed so hard when we reread them. I think L gets a kick out of the fact that he thought of all those funny things as a little kid.
Hope things will get easier. It seems to just pile on sometimes, right? But that is going to change again.
Honestly, Don doesn’t have work right now and we don’t know when he will next. And he’s getting over food poisoning, so he is moping around the house even more. But I know something will come up and things will get better. It’s just hard to keep that in mind sometimes when you are in the middle of a tough time. Liebe Grusse.
Peace is my word for 2012 im also searching for peace in everyday life
That pile of snow reminds me of my home town in a different part of the Frozen Tundra! Ah, childhood memories. Sometimes that pile would get close to 10 feet high!
God will definitely bring you through these challenges you face. When you are weak, He is strong!
I am glad you like those shoes. Because they freak me out so badly! It makes me feel like a monkey.
Aahh the language explosion. One of my favorites was when my daughter starting saying “hi, sunshine” to everyone she would see. Little did she know how many people needed to hear that at that given moment. Love your small town photo. Looks very similar to my little town. Nothing like it!
Good luck in the decision making! Remembering to trust God. That is MY theme lately. And eating lots of protein as well.
God Bless!
Snow piles in the middle of main street or piles placed in the middle of the highway that runs through my home town looks similar to the one above. Except only they like to keep it growing all winter long till its 9 feet tall. Very annoying when your walking and cannot cross in the middle of the street.
OMG my town does that too and it drives me crazy!! I have lived here for about 13 yrs and still it bothers me! I grew up in a pretty big city and to come to a small town that does this…Thats not just in MN its in ND too!!
Just an FYI but I have heard that if you find Vibrams for really cheap they probably aren’t real Vibrams. I have no idea how to tell, though.
Our jeep got hit by 2 rocks and put 2 holes in our windshield.
Amy
Gotta love small town Minnesota, especially in the winter, eh?
for $39 I might be able to justify giving them a try – thanks for the heads up!
We live in Minnesota and they pile the snow in the middle of the road too. Then they bring the snow vacuum thing and pile it into a truck to haul out to the dump site. The kids in town love it! Oh and my hubby where vibrams. He finished his first half marathon in them!
Good luck with all the decision making, and GREAT JOB with all the working out
Life seems to be full of challenges. Some seasons more than others! Hopefully your decision making will be blessed!
Look at that snow and that small town! Gives me a warm and comfortable feeling inside! Good luck with your “decisions”!
I love it when they have a language explosion. My Darling Daughter is into saying, “I Love You,” to everyone right now and it is so cute!
I’m sorry you’re having a challenging time right now. I’ve been going through that myself, and it can be good. Trust in yourSELF and God and you will find your way.
Haha, the snow has to go somewhere, right?!
I actually think the shoes look pretty cool, but with a prosthesis (thus a foot without separate toes) I could not wear them. They look ergonomic and comfy, though.
How fun that Flurry is starting to say new words!
I can’t comment for some reason? I am going thru my own nightmare. My husband died-we have 3 kids and are losing our home
Oh my goodness Marlene. I will be praying for you and your children; praying for peace, comfort and a light at the end of the tunnel. God bless.
Thank you Urma. I’m so scared
Praying for you. You will make it through. I’m so sorry.
That is terrible, Marlene. I am lifting up your family in prayer.