The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.
No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven times.
Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.
You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.
Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty years of age or older.
The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.
The King of Hearts is the only king without a moustache.
American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first-class.
Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.
Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.
The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer.
So did the first "Marlboro Man."
Walt Disney was afraid of mice.
Pearls melt in vinegar.
The three most valuable brand names on earth are: Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.
It is possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs.
A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept six feet away from a toilet to
avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.
And last, but not least...
Turtles can breathe through their butt!!!
1.28.2006
1.26.2006
Keeping true to form...
I forgot another birthday!
Happy Belated Birthday Uncle Dennis!
I hope you had a great day and that this year is one of the best!!
Love you!!!
Happy Belated Birthday Uncle Dennis!
I hope you had a great day and that this year is one of the best!!
Love you!!!
Random thoughts...
I've been gently reminded by a few people that I'm falling behind on my blog updates, so here I am!! ;)
Things have been pretty busy around here. We started working on the music room. We bought the paint, Andy built shelves for his speakers and the next step is to actually do the painting. Once we get that done we can start hanging guitars on the wall and fun stuff like that. I will be sure to post a pic of it when it's done because if it turns out how we hope, it should be pretty cool!
I went to my first official day of work yesterday. I had a meeting wit Art and Rhonda to go over some things and then attended my first staff meeting. It was a little overwhelming, but great to finally get in and see just how things work. I came away with the realization that this is going to be a lot of hard work, but if I could invest my time and energy into anything, what better place to be at, right? I'm also really excited about the people I will be working with. A lot of fun and exciting personalities that I'm sure will keep things interesting! I hate to admit it but by the time I got home I was completely exhausted. I could hardly get off the couch. Of course Andy just laughed at me, but this is definitely going to take a little getting used to on my part.
On the way to school today Bella said to me, "if I cut my finger off I will be sad??" After verifying with her that she had said what I thought she did, I told her that yes, she would probably be sad if she cut her finger off. "Why?" she asked and I thougth for a minute and said, "well then you wouldn't be able to pick things up." Little did she know that the real reason I paused was because I had to think of an alternative answer to her question. The very first thing that popped into my head when she asked, "Why?" was, "because then you wouldn't be able to pick your nose!" I'm not sure where that came from, but I found it a little strange that the first thing I think about when loosing a finger is brought up is not being able to pick your nose....
I guess that's a good note to end on.
Till next time....
Things have been pretty busy around here. We started working on the music room. We bought the paint, Andy built shelves for his speakers and the next step is to actually do the painting. Once we get that done we can start hanging guitars on the wall and fun stuff like that. I will be sure to post a pic of it when it's done because if it turns out how we hope, it should be pretty cool!
I went to my first official day of work yesterday. I had a meeting wit Art and Rhonda to go over some things and then attended my first staff meeting. It was a little overwhelming, but great to finally get in and see just how things work. I came away with the realization that this is going to be a lot of hard work, but if I could invest my time and energy into anything, what better place to be at, right? I'm also really excited about the people I will be working with. A lot of fun and exciting personalities that I'm sure will keep things interesting! I hate to admit it but by the time I got home I was completely exhausted. I could hardly get off the couch. Of course Andy just laughed at me, but this is definitely going to take a little getting used to on my part.
On the way to school today Bella said to me, "if I cut my finger off I will be sad??" After verifying with her that she had said what I thought she did, I told her that yes, she would probably be sad if she cut her finger off. "Why?" she asked and I thougth for a minute and said, "well then you wouldn't be able to pick things up." Little did she know that the real reason I paused was because I had to think of an alternative answer to her question. The very first thing that popped into my head when she asked, "Why?" was, "because then you wouldn't be able to pick your nose!" I'm not sure where that came from, but I found it a little strange that the first thing I think about when loosing a finger is brought up is not being able to pick your nose....
I guess that's a good note to end on.
Till next time....
1.19.2006
Only at the McMinn residence...
Do you open the front door to find these footprints in the snow...
And a close-up...
Evidentally it was a little too much work for Andy to put on his shoes when he took out the trash last night!
Judging from his reaction once he made it back into the house I'm pretty sure that was the last time he will venture out into the snow barefoot! :P
And a close-up...
Evidentally it was a little too much work for Andy to put on his shoes when he took out the trash last night!
Judging from his reaction once he made it back into the house I'm pretty sure that was the last time he will venture out into the snow barefoot! :P
1.16.2006
The Chronicles of Narnia
We went to see The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe yesterday and it was awesome! We had tried to go on New Year's Day and it was sold out at all 4 theaters in town! Yesterday we got tickets but ended up only finding 2 seats (with the help of an usher) for the 3 of us, it obviously still a pretty popular movie!
Anyways, we thought it was so great! The story was incredible, the CGI was amazing, the actors were great...it was a very well done movie in my opinion.
Bella sat through the entire thing mesmerized by it all. Afterwards she said that the fighting was a little scary, which it was, but last night she told us she wanted to go see it again! It might be a little intense for younger kids, but for those of you who know Bella, you know she does really well with movies like that (I think we may have damaged her or something, but that's another post for another day! ;) ).
If you haven't seen it I would highly recommend finding a time and going to the movies. It's awesome on the big screen and I'm pretty confident you won't be dissapointed!
Anyways, we thought it was so great! The story was incredible, the CGI was amazing, the actors were great...it was a very well done movie in my opinion.
Bella sat through the entire thing mesmerized by it all. Afterwards she said that the fighting was a little scary, which it was, but last night she told us she wanted to go see it again! It might be a little intense for younger kids, but for those of you who know Bella, you know she does really well with movies like that (I think we may have damaged her or something, but that's another post for another day! ;) ).
If you haven't seen it I would highly recommend finding a time and going to the movies. It's awesome on the big screen and I'm pretty confident you won't be dissapointed!
1.14.2006
The Effect Radio
Check it out...
http://www.effectradio.com/
You can listen online by clicking on the box (top right of page) that says, "Click here for our streaming webcast". ;)
Andy and I have been listening to it for a while now and we really like it. It's commercial free which is great too!
You can also tune in on the radio. Find a station in your area by clicking on the "Stations" link at the top of the page.
Okay, that's my plug for the day! Let me know what you think if you get a chance to listen to it!
http://www.effectradio.com/
You can listen online by clicking on the box (top right of page) that says, "Click here for our streaming webcast". ;)
Andy and I have been listening to it for a while now and we really like it. It's commercial free which is great too!
You can also tune in on the radio. Find a station in your area by clicking on the "Stations" link at the top of the page.
Okay, that's my plug for the day! Let me know what you think if you get a chance to listen to it!
The other side...
Of me, that is...you know, the not so nice one that a few of you have seen on occasion!! Okay, here I go.
I'm reading random stuff online this morning and come across something where a woman is talking about being pregnant with her 5th child. She tells how her and her husband went back and forth on "should we, shouldn't we?" and how they finally decided to go ahead and see what happens. She ovulates, they have sex and boom she pregnant. So guess what..."if I got pregnant so easily it's obvious that God intended us to have this child". This is a place where other people can comment and everyone agrees that if she got pregnant so easily it must have been God telling them that they were meant to have another child. One comment in particular said, "I agree with you, if you got pregnant so easily, God must have it in his plans for you to have one more!!"
So, here's where I get a little snarky. While they had NO intention of being anything but supportive to this particular person, what does that say to those of us who don't just get pregnant with the snap of a finger??? Does it mean that God doesn't intend for us to have more children? I realize I'm being a bit sensitive here, but it really pissed me off when I read that. I almost left a comment of my own, but decided against bursting someone else's balloon, especially someone I don't even know! ;)
Okay, I'm done now.
And I feel much better!!!
I'm reading random stuff online this morning and come across something where a woman is talking about being pregnant with her 5th child. She tells how her and her husband went back and forth on "should we, shouldn't we?" and how they finally decided to go ahead and see what happens. She ovulates, they have sex and boom she pregnant. So guess what..."if I got pregnant so easily it's obvious that God intended us to have this child". This is a place where other people can comment and everyone agrees that if she got pregnant so easily it must have been God telling them that they were meant to have another child. One comment in particular said, "I agree with you, if you got pregnant so easily, God must have it in his plans for you to have one more!!"
So, here's where I get a little snarky. While they had NO intention of being anything but supportive to this particular person, what does that say to those of us who don't just get pregnant with the snap of a finger??? Does it mean that God doesn't intend for us to have more children? I realize I'm being a bit sensitive here, but it really pissed me off when I read that. I almost left a comment of my own, but decided against bursting someone else's balloon, especially someone I don't even know! ;)
Okay, I'm done now.
And I feel much better!!!
1.13.2006
B-E-L-L-A
Bella has started to write her name and of course we just think it's the coolest thing!! ;) I noticed that she had written her name on a paper she was coloring yesterday at school and so I asked her to write it on her Magna Doodle when we got home yesterday. Sure enough, she is getting the basics down. She has a hard time remembering the 'e' but other than that does great. It's the strangest thing to see her actually writing letters! Anyways, the proud mom I am, I snapped a picture of her Magna Doodle after she had written her name on it. Here it is...
1.12.2006
Magic Eraser!
Does anyone else use these? They have to be the most incredible cleaning product ever invented. I don't know what is in them (and don't care to find out), but they clean like, dare I say...magic!! ;)
If you haven't tried them, definitely pick up a box next time you are at the store! The first time I got them I walked around the house looking for things to clean I was so amazed at how well they worked!
If you haven't tried them, definitely pick up a box next time you are at the store! The first time I got them I walked around the house looking for things to clean I was so amazed at how well they worked!
1.11.2006
Happy Birthday Jessica!!!
We hope you have a great day and that Dan and Kendra do something extra special for you!! This is going to be an exciting year for you and we hope that it's one of the best so far!!
Love,
Andy, Donielle and Bella :)
Love,
Andy, Donielle and Bella :)
1.10.2006
God is good!!
No wait, He's amazing!!!!
I was asked to come on staff as the Marriage and Family Life Coordinator (or at least I think that's what it's called...I can't remember exactly ;) ) at our church yesterday. Andy and I went to meet with Art and Rhonda thinking we would be discussing an upcoming class they asked us to teach, but were very much surprised to hear they had something else to talk about. I will be developing specific family and marriage related ministries in the church and doing the premarital, couples and individual (women only) counseling, among various other things.
For those of you who know me well, you know that there couldn't be a job more perfectly suited for me. I am honored and humbled that God and The Rock Church would give me such an incredible opportunity. The position is part time and will allow me to continue my main focus as Andy's wife and Bella's mom, while also pursuing a great passion of mine.
What an incredible journey I am about to embark on....
I was asked to come on staff as the Marriage and Family Life Coordinator (or at least I think that's what it's called...I can't remember exactly ;) ) at our church yesterday. Andy and I went to meet with Art and Rhonda thinking we would be discussing an upcoming class they asked us to teach, but were very much surprised to hear they had something else to talk about. I will be developing specific family and marriage related ministries in the church and doing the premarital, couples and individual (women only) counseling, among various other things.
For those of you who know me well, you know that there couldn't be a job more perfectly suited for me. I am honored and humbled that God and The Rock Church would give me such an incredible opportunity. The position is part time and will allow me to continue my main focus as Andy's wife and Bella's mom, while also pursuing a great passion of mine.
What an incredible journey I am about to embark on....
1.06.2006
She's only three!!
Yesterday when I picked Bella up from preschool her teacher told me that a little boy named Jacob in her class has been telling everyone that Bella is his girlfriend. He evidentally told his mom and his mom was telling Ms. Starla about it. According to Ms. Starla Jacob's mom said, "I guess if he's going to have a girlfriend at least he's got good taste!" Not just good taste...impeccable taste!! ;)
On another note...I was telling my mom yesterday that Bella wore her dress that she bought her while visiting and how we received compliments on how cute it was. All of a sudden Bella chimed in from the other room, "they say I'm ADORABLE!!"
So, she thinks she's adorable and she's spoken for...what are we going to do????
On another note...I was telling my mom yesterday that Bella wore her dress that she bought her while visiting and how we received compliments on how cute it was. All of a sudden Bella chimed in from the other room, "they say I'm ADORABLE!!"
So, she thinks she's adorable and she's spoken for...what are we going to do????
1.04.2006
Maybe it's Maybelline...
Cause evidentally I ain't born with it!!! :P
I thought I would share this because everyone should get a good laugh out of it...
Since our plans to the hot springs were canceled due to weather on New Years Eve Terri and I decided to go hang out at the Atlantis pool and spa area for a few hours. We arrived fully dressed with our hair and makeup done, signed in, changed our clothes and enjoyed several hours relaxing in the jacuzzi and hanging out by the pool. We went downstairs for lunch and then decided we were done for the day so went back to fetch our stuff. We had to drop our locker keys off at the front desk before leaving and the same guy who checked us in was there. I handed him my key and he stopped for a second, looked at me and said, "Did you have a full face of makeup on when you came in?" (I now had little or no makeup on, was in sweats and my hair was in a ponytail). I said, "yes", to which he emphatically replied, "WOW! I would have never recognized you!!!" I stood there in shock, not sure what to say. I looked at Terri and she had the same shocked look on her face. He must have realized was he said because he quickly started in with, "not that you look bad or anything, I just, I just..." Yeah, you just what??? I should have stood there and waited as he tried to dig himself out, but instead we just shook our heads and walked out.
At least I know that the time I spend each morning putting my make up on is time well spent!! ;)
I thought I would share this because everyone should get a good laugh out of it...
Since our plans to the hot springs were canceled due to weather on New Years Eve Terri and I decided to go hang out at the Atlantis pool and spa area for a few hours. We arrived fully dressed with our hair and makeup done, signed in, changed our clothes and enjoyed several hours relaxing in the jacuzzi and hanging out by the pool. We went downstairs for lunch and then decided we were done for the day so went back to fetch our stuff. We had to drop our locker keys off at the front desk before leaving and the same guy who checked us in was there. I handed him my key and he stopped for a second, looked at me and said, "Did you have a full face of makeup on when you came in?" (I now had little or no makeup on, was in sweats and my hair was in a ponytail). I said, "yes", to which he emphatically replied, "WOW! I would have never recognized you!!!" I stood there in shock, not sure what to say. I looked at Terri and she had the same shocked look on her face. He must have realized was he said because he quickly started in with, "not that you look bad or anything, I just, I just..." Yeah, you just what??? I should have stood there and waited as he tried to dig himself out, but instead we just shook our heads and walked out.
At least I know that the time I spend each morning putting my make up on is time well spent!! ;)
1.03.2006
She's a natural!!
And I'm worried! ;)
Bella tried out her new snowboard this morning. Our front yard is at enough of a slope that she could get going down it and it ended up being the perfect beginners "run" for her. Here she is strapping in...
She started off with help from daddy...
But was soon doing just fine on her own...
Taking the lift up the hill...
And a few more runs to finish up with...
She had so much fun that she cried when we told her it was time to come inside. Of course you can imagine how happy that made Andy!! After this morning I think he just might have found himself a life long snowboarding buddy!!
Bella tried out her new snowboard this morning. Our front yard is at enough of a slope that she could get going down it and it ended up being the perfect beginners "run" for her. Here she is strapping in...
She started off with help from daddy...
But was soon doing just fine on her own...
Taking the lift up the hill...
And a few more runs to finish up with...
She had so much fun that she cried when we told her it was time to come inside. Of course you can imagine how happy that made Andy!! After this morning I think he just might have found himself a life long snowboarding buddy!!
1.01.2006
Friends...
Bella sure was happy to see her friend Kendra. She had been waiting and talking about her arrival for days before she got here and it was so sweet to see them pick up right were they left off!
Here they are enjoying a movie together...
Here they are enjoying a movie together...
Back to everyday life!
Wow! What a busy and fun past few weeks we have had! The holidays were great this year...spent with both friends and family, we sure are blessed to have so many wonderful people in our life. Here is a picture of how we spent most of Christmas day, playing a domino game called Mexican Train with our friends ...
Dan, Jessica and Kendra arrived Monday evening and we enjoyed a few hours of another round of Mexican Train, watching the girls open their presents and just generally enjoying eachothers company. Unfortunately the fun was short lived when I started feeling a little sick and Andy and I ended up spending the next 2 days with a *severe* stomach virus. Neither of us have been that sick in years and it was not a pleasant experience. We were pretty bummed that we were so sick when our friends were here, but there wasn't much we could do. We said goodbye on Thursday morning and they headed up to Dan's parents for their family Christmas.
Thursday night my mom and Anna arrived for a weekend visit which was really nice. We had fun shopping and on Saturday we had built in babysitters and were able to hang out with Kyle and Terri all day to celebrate the New Year. The guys had made special plans to take us to the hot springs for the day and then to Tahoe for the evening. Unfortunately our plans quickly changed when we received a call early in the morning saying they were closing due to the weather conditions. We were all a little dissapointed but still managed to have a really nice day!
Here we are just before going to dinner...
We were home before midnight, but we still had a great time ringing in the New Year!
Today we were up early again. Visited a little with my mom and Anna and then said goodbye to them as they headed home. We went to church, had lunch and then came home and crashed. We all slept for a good 3 hours and I'm sure will not have a problem sleeping well tonight too. Like I said, it's been fun, but now that it's all over, we are tired!!
Thank you to all our friends and family for making this holiday season such a special time for us. We love you all and feel blessed to have each and everyone of you as a part of our lives!
Dan, Jessica and Kendra arrived Monday evening and we enjoyed a few hours of another round of Mexican Train, watching the girls open their presents and just generally enjoying eachothers company. Unfortunately the fun was short lived when I started feeling a little sick and Andy and I ended up spending the next 2 days with a *severe* stomach virus. Neither of us have been that sick in years and it was not a pleasant experience. We were pretty bummed that we were so sick when our friends were here, but there wasn't much we could do. We said goodbye on Thursday morning and they headed up to Dan's parents for their family Christmas.
Thursday night my mom and Anna arrived for a weekend visit which was really nice. We had fun shopping and on Saturday we had built in babysitters and were able to hang out with Kyle and Terri all day to celebrate the New Year. The guys had made special plans to take us to the hot springs for the day and then to Tahoe for the evening. Unfortunately our plans quickly changed when we received a call early in the morning saying they were closing due to the weather conditions. We were all a little dissapointed but still managed to have a really nice day!
Here we are just before going to dinner...
We were home before midnight, but we still had a great time ringing in the New Year!
Today we were up early again. Visited a little with my mom and Anna and then said goodbye to them as they headed home. We went to church, had lunch and then came home and crashed. We all slept for a good 3 hours and I'm sure will not have a problem sleeping well tonight too. Like I said, it's been fun, but now that it's all over, we are tired!!
Thank you to all our friends and family for making this holiday season such a special time for us. We love you all and feel blessed to have each and everyone of you as a part of our lives!
12.31.2005
12.29.2005
Happy Birthday Grandpa (and Dad)!!
A day late...
We hope your day was wonderful and that this year brings with it sunshine and happy days!
Here's a special birthday kiss from Bella...
We love you!
Andy, Donielle and Bella :)
We hope your day was wonderful and that this year brings with it sunshine and happy days!
Here's a special birthday kiss from Bella...
We love you!
Andy, Donielle and Bella :)
12.25.2005
Thank You Santa!
It's 9:30 a.m. and the gift opening festivities have ended. We had so much fun watching Bella's excitement as she opened her gifts! She was thrilled with every one of her presents, with the exception of the Princess Stories DVD that daddy got for her. She opened it up, looked at it and said, "Another Princess Movie???" The look on her face and the tone in her voice was too much and Andy and I just about died laughing. Here is a picture I snapped that gives you an idea of her reaction..
Mommy and Daddy also received some great gifts. Bella and I put together a Supertones Shadowbox for Andy to hang in his music room. Keeping with the Supertones theme he also got a checkered tie and the Grand Incredible CD (a CD that the lead singer and one other member of the Supertones made). Bella picked out a Disney coffee cup and beanie hat for her daddy which he really liked, as a thank you for being so handy around the house I got him a drill and screwdriver bit set that should last him forever. He also recieved a Chris Tomlin music book so he can learn some of his songs on the guitar. As for me, well I was spoiled by my sweet hubby! Not only did he get me my Christmas jammies, I also got a Pyrex set, a new kitchen utensil set (so I don't scratch up my new pots and pans), a teapot and the 2 CD's I wanted (Third Day and Faith Hill). I'm one lucky girl!!
Well that's about all for now. I hope everyones morning has been as fun as ours! Merry Christmas again and enjoy the day!
After we explained to her that this was a different movie than the one she already has, she was a bit more pleased with her gift but her initial reaction was priceless!!
She has been asking for a Princess Guitar and baby doll from Santa and believe it or not, the old guy came through for her. She had a doll sitting under the tree to which she exclaimed, "Santa got me a doll!" and the last gift she opened was her princess guitar. At first she didn't know what it was, but once she realized it was her guitar she said, "this is just what I wanted!" Here are a few pics of her and her new guitar...
And last but not least, much to both Bella and mommy's surprise there was a very special gift waiting for her under the tree...
The pictures say it all...
Mommy and Daddy also received some great gifts. Bella and I put together a Supertones Shadowbox for Andy to hang in his music room. Keeping with the Supertones theme he also got a checkered tie and the Grand Incredible CD (a CD that the lead singer and one other member of the Supertones made). Bella picked out a Disney coffee cup and beanie hat for her daddy which he really liked, as a thank you for being so handy around the house I got him a drill and screwdriver bit set that should last him forever. He also recieved a Chris Tomlin music book so he can learn some of his songs on the guitar. As for me, well I was spoiled by my sweet hubby! Not only did he get me my Christmas jammies, I also got a Pyrex set, a new kitchen utensil set (so I don't scratch up my new pots and pans), a teapot and the 2 CD's I wanted (Third Day and Faith Hill). I'm one lucky girl!!
Well that's about all for now. I hope everyones morning has been as fun as ours! Merry Christmas again and enjoy the day!
12.24.2005
Merry Christmas!
To our family and friends,
We hope today is filled with joy as you share Christmas with your loved ones. Please don't forget to take a few minutes to reflect on the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ and what His gift means in your life. We will be thinking of all of you today and sending our love from good ol' Reno! Stay tuned for pictures as I'm sure we will have plenty to share.
Merry Christmas and we hope Santa was good to you!! ;)
All our love,
Andy, Donielle and Bella :)
We hope today is filled with joy as you share Christmas with your loved ones. Please don't forget to take a few minutes to reflect on the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ and what His gift means in your life. We will be thinking of all of you today and sending our love from good ol' Reno! Stay tuned for pictures as I'm sure we will have plenty to share.
Merry Christmas and we hope Santa was good to you!! ;)
All our love,
Andy, Donielle and Bella :)
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