Late Cottage Plumbing

Since starting my new job, I haven't had a half-day in the past two months to run up to the cottage.  Well, I finally got up to there last night to take care of the fall plumbing for winterizing.  Good news: the cottage wasn't flooded; bad news: the waterlines are frozen and broken.  More good news though: the pump and water tank were still thawed and I could drain those, and I think I saved the toilets and shower drain before they cracked.  More bad news: the water heaters were frozen and I was unable to drain them...I've got a plan to save them though...I just need to find and coordinate a little bit of time and a little bit of help.  All this means - we may be roughing it a little more at the cabin next year.

Other note: the lake has a thin sheet of ice on it.  Yes, I tested it, and no, it does not hold my weight!

Gratitude ~ I am grateful for the challenges and fun that comes with being almost too busy.

Happy Birthday to Me!

My mom called me old today...ha!!

It turned out to be a great birthday!  After our usual morning with Rae & Joeli's school activities, we had a birthday lunch with just the five of us.  This afternoon, we sold our Jeep...that's been sitting on our needs-to-get-done-list for a couple of months.  Then Mom came out to take care of all three kids so Jen and I could go out; what an awesome treat!  We had a great date - delivering the Jeep to her new owner, depositing the money in our bank, and going out to Ginger Rootz for dinner.  We highly recommend the restaurant; Jen had the Crystal Shrimp and I had Pad Thai - both were amazing.  Coming home to three happy kids was the perfect ending!

Gratitude ~ I am grateful for all the experiences of year 29 and all the possibilities of year 30.

A New Adventure

I have decided to go in a new direction as a massage therapist.  I am closing Bodywork Potentials, LLC and going to work for another company. 

I want to thank all of you who have supported me in numerous ways with my business.  I have greatly enjoyed my time being self employed!  I have learned more than I ever imagined and I have gained the confidence in knowing that I can be successful as an entrepreneur...something I will definitely pursue again in the future.

All gift certificates for Bodywork Potentials remain valid indefinitely.  Please contact me at the phone number for Bodywork Potentials, 920-216-0612 to schedule your appointment with a gift certificate.

My new employer is Spa BenMarNico's, located inside the Copper Leaf Hotel, downtown Appleton.  If you wish to purchase a massage, please call the spa at 920-968-3399 to schedule.  For more information visit http://www.spabenmarnicos.com/.

This transition happened very quickly and smoothly...the universe definitely had a plan laid out. This past summer and into this fall we have been very busy with our family, house, karate class, cottage and new commitments to groups like the Community Family Resource Center. All of this combined has imposed time constraints that have been making it increasingly difficult for me to dedicate the time needed to effectively run Bodywork Potentials' business operations and follow-up with clients on top of the massage sessions. Last week Monday I started to think about the possibility of working as a massage therapist for someone else and brought it up to Jen. She agreed that it sounded like a good option to look into and that evening I felt a calm understanding that it was what I should be doing right now. So, Tuesday I found a site online and applied to a couple of places. Wednesday, Spa BenMarNico's called me to set up an interview for Thursday. That went well, so on Friday I did an "interview massage"...the last step to see if they wanted to hire me. And by Saturday morning I was on the schedule seeing clients. It was definitely the fastest, easiest employment change I've ever experienced! 

Gratitude ~ I am grateful for the opportunities that are presented to me and how they enrich my life.

Busy Week Updates

We've been running around all week.  Last week Thursday we promoted a student to Blue Belt - Gary did a great job and we couldn't be more proud.  On the weekend we had our karate class up to the cottage for our annual training day.  It rained and drizzled on us all day Saturday for the workout, but everyone still managed to have a  good time.  This week has been lots of errands and recovering from minor surgery.  The girls have been going to school, which means I go to preschool with Jo too, and I got to chaperon a field trip with Rae's class to Apple Creek Orchards.  Now we're getting packed up to go to the cottage again this weekend...time to slow down for a couple of days and be together as a family for a bit.  I'll get some pics off the camera and posted by early next week.

Gratitude ~ I am grateful for the busy times, and the slow times, and how they all bring us closer as a family.

Jo's 3rd Birthday

Sunday was Jo's 3rd Birthday.  She has been excited about this one all summer, since Rae had her party in April.  She's been counting down the events - birthdays, holidays, Van being born, Rae starting school - and we finally made it to her day!  She is getting into such a fun age where she had to be completely involved with all the aspects of getting ready for her party...buying supplies, decorating, making the cake...  It was a very rewarding experience to watch her joy, not only at the party, but leading up to it!

We got her a small aquarium and a few little fish...two of which didn't make it through the first 48 hours. I guess we're on the fish-husbandry learning curve. Thank you to all the family that came out to the house to celebrate!  We had a great time with everyone around.  Jo got so many great presents, and both girls have been playing with all the new stuff since. 

Gratitude ~ I am grateful that our children have such a great interactive extended family to grow up with!

CFRC Board of Directors

I have been elected as the Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Community Family Resource Center.  It is the non-profit organization that runs the preschool program, along with other family orientated events, that I take the kids to.  I have been so happy with the program, seeing what it's done for Rae & Jo, that I was happy to support them more directly when I was asked to join the BOD.  So now I'll get to spend my all my "free time" helping to organize fundraising events and write for grants.  These, along with United Way contributions, are the organization's main source of revenue and allow the program prices to be incredibly low. 

Looking forward to another exciting chapter in this life experience!

Gratitude ~ I am grateful for all the learning opportunities I am presented with through CFRC BOD.

Van's First Week

Van is 1 week old today! He had a check-up at the doctor yesterday and everything looks healthy! He is up to 8 lbs 5 oz...what a good little eater he is. Here are some pics from the past week.

(be sure to scroll down...there are a few more new posts including Rae starting school!)

Gratitude ~ I am grateful to have such a loving family. It is really special to be able to raise our children in an environment so completely filled with love!

Snapping Turtle

Zoe spotted this turtle making its way across our yard toward the pond. We grabbed the kids and camera and ran out to take a look. He took a few bites at me when I went to pick him up, and WOW, he is fast with that head and has quite a reach with his neck.

Grattitude ~ I am grateful to have such a variety of wildlife in our backyard. It is a great experience for our children to interact with!

Sprinkler Fun

Grandma and Grandpa brought the girls a new squiggle sprinkler. A couple of days last week it was very hot and they made good use of it!

Grattitude ~ I am grateful for the simple pleasures in life, like a sprinkler on a hot day, and how much joy they can bring.

Rae Takes the Bus

Rae started 4K yesterday. She has been so excited all summer to ride the bus and go to a school that is just for 4 year olds! Jen and I were a little anxious - hoping that she had a good first day experience. Rae REALLY likes riding the bus; it zooms very fast she says. Her teachers are very nice and there are so many fun things to do at school. She spent the rest of the day telling us about all her fun adventures.

First Day of 4K

Second Day of 4K

Grattitude ~ I am grateful that Rae is strong, beautiful, and confident.

Van Owen Lutsey

Born August 26, 2010, at 3:59 AM.

8 lbs 1 oz

20.25 inches

Contractions started last night at 9:30 PM...just after we got into bed for the night. We got up and ready for the hospital. Rae and Jo were sleeping downstairs with Auntie Zoe - all three looked so peaceful that we just let them sleep and left a note upstairs. By 10:15 we were on our way to the hospital; by midnight Jen was set up in an exam room, and by 1:15 AM we were settled in our inpatient room.

Jen was AMAZING with this labor and birth, as she was with the last two. The first hour or so, we walked laps around the unit, with Jen talking and laughing with the nurses (to their amazement) in the hallways between contractions. Within a couple more hours we were holding baby Van - healthy, alert, and calm. He took to nursing right away, and has been very content and peaceful.

Jen is a true warrior. She followed through with her wish to have another natural, medication-free birth experience. It was awe-inspiring to be there and witness. The doctor and nurses were all equally excited to watch Van twist his way out, actively helping in his own birth!

Today is completely filled with gratitude. To add a strong, healthy boy to our family. To our doctor and nurses, who wonderfully supported and followed all of our wishes and requests. To all our family and friends who have done so much to support us throughout this pregnancy. Thank You!

Quick Updates

Internet troubles lately...so, it's been a while since I've posted on here. Our connection is working tonight though!

I took Jo to Larissa's (Zak & Carrie's daughter) one-year birthday party today. It was nice to see our Green Bay group of friends and their kids. Jo was a little shy for a while, but warmed up by the time cake came out. Rae got sick last night, so Jen stayed home with her.

Shopko was having a huge sale that ended today, and Jen saw a kitchen table set that she really liked...and it was way over half off! So, Mother's Day came early to our house, and I spent a couple hours putting together a new table and chairs. Very nice looking and can seat twice as many as our last table!

Rae turns 4 tomorrow! With her being sick, we postponed her party, but we'll still have fun with just us, and do a bigger family get together later next week.

My computer screen is flashing light and dark at me now...pretty sure it's on its last leg... I'll see if I can get it to do pictures soon. ~Namaste~

Grattitude - I am grateful for the renewing & refreshing energy of Spring. Each breath is full of life!

School!

The girls started school today! Seymour school district has a preschool program for parents with their kids for 2 hours a day, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Seymour, and Wednesdays and Fridays in Black Creek. A mom at the library's story-time was impressed with how well behaved Rae & Jo were and recommended the preschool program. So I took the girls this morning and they had so much fun. It looks like it'll be a good way for them to get more socialization before they official school starts. And its cheap!...only $35 for both girls to go up to 4 times per week through the end of May!! The teacher is great and so are the other parents and kids. They keep it fun and get to work on all their preschool skills.

We also signed Rae up today for 4K. We're excited that Seymour has this local through 4 of the daycare locations in town...funded by the public schools. So, next fall Rae will get to ride the bus into town and go to school all on her own. I think Jen and I are more freaked out by it than her...she's just excited!

Side note: Our computer or Internet service (not sure which) is giving us a hard time lately, so pictures are on a little delay until we get that straightened out. Hopefully we'll get some up soon.

Gratitude - I am grateful for all the wonderful programing available to our kids. Seymour is proving to be a great community!

We're Going to Have Another Baby!

Jen saw the doctor last week, and we can now officially say that she is pregnant! Due date is set for August 19th.

Back Again!

It's bee a long time since our last post. Life has been full of lots of new things for us...lots of blessings and lots of stress. With being busy though, we tend to loose touch with many of you and this blog is a great and efficient way for us to do that, so we'll once again be posting on a more regular basis.

Rae & Joeli are doing wonderful! They have such great individual personalities already and make us smile and laugh every day. We received information for Seymour's 4K program and have a meeting in a couple of weeks to sign Rae up for school next year...we can't believe that she'll be riding a bus and going off on her own already!! Jen has a couple of great career advancement opportunities coming up, so we're looking forward to seeing which one turns out to be the best for our lifestyle. I've been focusing most of my time lately on learning about marketing and preparing to launch my business on a serious level. I'm definitely a beginner with this marketing stuff, but it feels great to be challenged and it's all starting to make more sense. Our border collie, Molly, is a great addition to the family and keeps us active as she needs a couple hours of activity/exercise daily.

I'll get some pictures up soon!

Namaste ~
Dan