"Walking in a Winder Wonderland"

Today was perfect.

After church we bundled up and took to the outdoors.  As you can see we strapped on our snowshoes and went hiking in the woods.  Minus a few "how far away is the van" questions we enjoyed our day.  We even got in some snuggling and  hot chocolate when we got home. 

Too bad tomorrow is Monday again!

What we are reading..................

I just finished "Choosing to See" and passed it on to a dear friend.  Remarkable story of sorrow, faith, loss and a mother's love.  Grab a tissue (or 100) this book WILL make you cry.  It will also enrich your faith and cause you to want to hug your kids every moment you can. The day I finished Mary Beth Chapman's book my next read arrived  in the mail.  "Her Mother's Hope" is another great read by one of my favorite authors, Francine Rivers.  I am about half done and excited to read the next book in this new series.



I am training to walk a half marathon with my lovely mom this May.  This guide is a great resource for any questions that I have had along the way!



Paul is reading this:

Must be good cause my tired, overworked husband has been reading most nights before he goes to bed!



The boys continue to be interested in any book that has sharks, snakes, trucks or dinosaurs!  Definitely boys I tell you.  I don't mind though it give me plenty of cuddle time every night.



-24, You don't SCARE us!!

Yahoo, Praise God, the Korbel Klan is healthy again.  Amazing how often we take our health for granted.   Two rounds of the stomach flu, a case of laryngitis and a lumbar sprain later, we are counting our blessings. 

2011 may have not have started out as we had planned, but things are looking up for sure. 

We took advantage of the -24 degree weather this weekend and ventured over to Rochester to stock up at  Trader Joe's (yes, there is finally one less than an hour from our home).  From there, we headed to the north side of town and spent two glorious (and free) hours discovering at the Quarry Hill Nature Center: http://qhnc.org/about.html .  If you have never explored there, I HIGHLY recommend checking it out.  Best of all it is completely free entertainment.  It kept my BUSY boys entertained and begging to stay when we announced it was time to go.  Had the weather been above ZERO, we may have considered a little snow shoeing.

Here are a few highlights from our day:

I am finding it to be difficult to keep two boys occupied during these long, dark, cold winter days.  Places like Quarry Hill (which did I mention is FREE) is just what the doctor ordered.

In addition to traveling, we are finding some entertainment right here in our very own house.  I call it "Extreme Dining Room Bowling".  Owen got the coolest gift from his Uncle (and Godfather) Mark's family for his birthday.   A bowling set.  The ball and pins are made to size and plastic (thank-you) so there is less room for damages.  We have been incorporating this event into our nightly routine and the boys think its a hoot (mommy and daddy are having fun too).  All we do is push aside our dining room table and PRESTO Korbel Klan Lanes is open for business.  Both boys have managed to throw a strike or two (sometimes standing a foot away!).  It's entertainment and I am still laughing as nothing or no one has been broken yet.

Saturday Owen completed his third session of archery (A post will soon follow if I ever remember to bring ALL my camera equipment).  He is loving it and and is asking daily for a bow&arrow.  We told him to direct this question to Papa (haha).  It amazes me how much he has learned and improved in three short weeks.  He is becoming more disciplined and accurate with each shot.  In fact, he showed off a little and nailed all 5 of his last arrows in the kill spot on the goose target this past Saturday.  I think he was showing off for mom a little.  I was pretty proud.  I always imagined myself at dance recitals and gymnastic meets, but am finding this "MOM of boys" thing is pretty COOL.


To keep the "girlyness" in my life, I took up another craft. 

I have been making these applique shirts as gifts and hope to do a post on them soon.  I was pretty shocked to see other people were interested in them too and decided to take orders.  If you are looking for a unique gift email me at lisa_marie_t@hotmail.com . I am selling them for $10-15 depending on size and fabric.  Lots of ideas brewing in my head!!!!


As you can see we are doing our best to get through these frigid winter days.  Stay tuned to next week as we got new snowshoes and are excited to try them out.  Pray for no doctor visits to follow!!!

Happiness!

When mommy is on the "injured list"!

As a mom I find my resume to posses a great deal of qualifications.  Those of you out there who have been blessed with little ones know what I mean.  In addition to being called mommies and wives we are: cooks, maids, rule enforcers, presidents, nurses, artists, beauticians, leaders and menders.  We prepare meals, clean-up toys, stop sibling rivalries, make rules, kiss boo-boos, paint with our fingers, comb hair and well....the list goes on.  So what happens when mommy gets hurt? 

This.......

Unwashed dishes, toys on the floor, frozen dinners and fighting children.  I am embarrassed to admit I haven't vacuumed, dusted or put a roll of toilet paper on the holder for almost two weeks. 

The stomach flu was shared amongst our small Klan New Years weekend,  my back decided to go on vacation last weekend and the flu again made an appearance in our cozy little house as of last Friday. 

Today I can truly state progress has been made, as I could reach down and pick up the towels off the bathroom floor.  It's the little things I tell you.

Paul lays fast asleep on the couch and Easton is snuggled up in his crib and they are the latest victims of the crud.  It smells like Lysol in here and I find myself spraying everything and everyone with it.  The window is cracked open to let some fresh air in, resulting in the constant running of the furnace.  I don't care what my fuel costs this week ....well maybe I do, but I really want my family healthy again. 

My stomach is making some unusual nosies as I type and I am praying it is because of the increased Ibuprofen in my diet the last few days.  I honestly don't think I have the time or patience to feel ill.  My schedule can just not accommodate it.

Wonder if there is a "second string" I could call in to do my job!!???

The Women Behind This Momma!

Michelle- The "Work" Friend. 

Michelle is sweet and kind and I truly missed her when she moved to Wisconsin two years ago.  Lucky for me, and our office, her "husband to be" was transferred back to Owatonna and she resumed her position in our office and lives.  She is simply the best lunch date and "pew" buddy at church.  She has this ability to make me laugh like no one else and remains one of the most unselfish, giving people I know.

Becky- The "High School" Friend. 

Becky and I have know each other since Jr. High  (15 years = half our lives). We share wonderful memories of growing up, broken hearts, joys, sadness, and adventures.  We both experienced our second pregnancies together and gave birth to baby boys just weeks apart.  She stood up as my maid of honor and continues to stand by me in life.  She is compassionate, strong and has an inner beauty as goreous as her outer.

Mom- The "Life-long" friend. 

My mom is a beautiful woman and quite possibly the best mother and grandmother in the world.  She has wiped my tears, shared in my successes, picked me up when I have fallen and celebrated my happiness. She is organized, loving and patient.  As I have grown into a woman and became a wife and mother I often find myself turning to her for advice and guidance. She has taught me so many things and for that I am grateful and simply blessed.

  Amy- The "Newest" Friend.
 I have know Amy for a few years through a past employee, but we didn't really connect until most recently.  From the time she announced she was pregnant with twin boys, I felt this incredible push from God.  It was as if he was telling me we needed each other.  Little did I know he was carefully crafting what I believe will be a life-long friendship.  Her thankfulness and grace is encouraging.  She is an amazing mom and a supportive friend.  She is strong in faith and big in heart. 


I am thankful God blessed me and put these beautiful women in my life. 



"A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart". ~Attributed to Heather Pryor

And my heart has been touched indeed!

Happy Birthday Owen Robert

Jan 4, 2005

Jan 4, 2011

‎6 years ago today I became a mom for the first time. God gave us a tiny blessing we named Owen.  At 4'3" he isn't so tiny anymore, but he continues to fill our hearts daily.  I can still remember the overwhelming feeling of love the first time they placed him upon my chest.  He seeks to amaze me daily with his humor, generosity and pre-mature wisdom.  From his big blue eyes to his kind soul I am sure he will one day impact many lives.  I am simply blessed to be his mommy.  We sure love you Owen Robert.  Happy Birthday.