Another show and tell

I am pretty sure I start EVERY blog with "Seriously where does the time go?!"...but seriously where does the time go!!! It's already NOVEMBER! In two weeks it'll be our 3 year anniversary, which is hard to believe since the last year has just FLOWN by!!! And of course Thanksgiving as well and then it'll be December! It's just crazy....

Not much has changed with Tim's schedule, he's still continuing with office hours, visitation, confirmation, preaching, sunday school and the men's small group!

Work is going good...feel like I live there sometimes...but training is going well too! I am now licensed in the state of ND for aide and am studying to challenge the CNA course so instead of taking classes and taking the test I am learning on the job and studying on my own and then taking the test.

The puppies are doing ok...well I should reword that. Wini is doing good, Bear not so much. The last few days he hasn't been eating or drinking, but he spent the night, last night, at the vet for observation and now he's on some medicine. He has a little fever and nausea medicine so hopefully everything will turn around now!!!!

This weekend is the annual craft bazaar in Hazen at City Hall and the hospitals annual wreath auction as well! Here is the second wreath that I made!

Full View of the Wreath

Close up bottom left

Close up top right

Close up top left

Close up bottom right

The two wreaths I made and more than 20 other wreaths are going up for auction, right now they are on display at the hospital and a silent auction has started...and then Friday the will get moved to City Hall and a bunch more people will see and have the opportunity to bid. The proceeds go to The Giving Tree...I think...it sounds correct but its to buy Christmas presents for low income families living in the Hazen/Beulah area...

Below is one more photo of a Confirmation card I made for Tim and I to give to this years Confirmation class that "graduated" two weeks ago! I spent a Saturday afternoon while it was snowing, yes snowing making these...I LOVE em!

Blessings!

Busy Busy Busy Bumble Bee...

So it's been just a "little" busy since getting back from Denver! I don't know where the time goes anymore! The days use to take a huge list of things to do to get through it, now I am lucky if I can get through a to-do list that is 3 or 4 things long!

Tim has been keeping busy as well with the usual office hours, confirmation, text study, Sunday Services and Sunday School as well as getting a young men's small group started based on the Courageous movie! If you haven't ever seen Courageous I HIGHLY recommend it! It's such a great movie and it really makes you think about how you're living your life and if it's in line for what God wants you to do!!! Other than that, Tim has been working on his resume and cover letters for when the call search takes off full force!! Prayers are definitely still needed especially for this! This weekend Tim will be accompanying the Junior High students to Camp of the Cross for a youth lock-in Friday night! So that leaves me with quality bonding time with the puppies!

As for me, my work schedule has added hours due to CNA training and keeping up with the normal work hours! So that leaves little time for the domestic duties and my crafts, but  don't worry I still manage to get things done! Last week I actually finished a wreath for the wreath auction, which has seemed to take me forever...well not exactly forever but a good month and half, mainly due to procrastination and the little time I have! There are pictures of the wreath below! I have another wreath to show off but that will be later once I get good enough pictures of it hanging up in the hospital! After I am done with the wreaths I will be working on my Christmas cards for this year! I am SO excited to see how they turn out! I am pretty sure they will put the ones I made last year to shame, but that's okay there is ALWAYS room for improvement, no matter what the task!


Our puppies are doing great too! We actually had to buy Wini a coat to wear since its been significantly colder in the mornings here and she would just stand and shiver!! The coat is still a little big for her but she'll grow into it eventually! Bear is just his happy Bear self! He's been enjoying the fact that our apple tree has been shaken of its apples and likes to eat those every now and then! :)

The Spring theme's Wreath!

Close up of details!

Close up of details again...

and again...

and again!

Blessings!

LCMC Annual Gathering

Tim and I had the opportunity to go to Denver, CO earlier this week to attend the LCMC Annual Gathering! It was SO much fun and a lot of learning went on! Tim was CERTIFIED in the LCMC while we were there! Which is a BIG relief, yet opened a bunch of doors for decisions to be made! Tim can start looking for a call pretty much anytime now! Although he won't be able to start until after he completes his internship and graduates in May! As I am writing this I've realized some of you who read this probably don't know what LCMC stands for...well it stands for Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ. The LCMC is a Lutheran denomination that started about 10 or 11 years ago. The denomination has grown significantly since there was a split in the ELCA, which is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America...majority of those who left the ELCA became apart of the LCMC. It has 695 US Congregations, 102 Congregations World Wide and covers 11 Countries and it's continuing to grow, which is great!

While we were in Denver we had the opportunity to meet new people and catch up with some old friends that we haven't seen for a while! During the conference we attended breakout sessions that taught both of us a lot. Tim went to sessions that pertained to the call process, pensions & benefits and one for seminarians. I went to a session that talked about Women of the Word, which is what women in the LCMC are referred to and gave wonderful ideas on how to get groups started, maintained and resources to which you could start a group. The next session was conflict and resolution which talked about how to resolve conflict with in a church or even just in every day life. The speaker for that session was really interesting, he has his own company that comes into situations to resolve the conflict and he also did some training with the FBI for hostage negotiating which I think tells you how gifted he is! The last and final session I went to was taking your church to the next level, it was based off a book with the same title and you'll have to forgive me as I can't remember the author is at the moment, but the session was really informative on the stages of a church life and what is needed to keep the church growing and how to take it to the next level.

Below are some pictures of the trip, mainly scenic views of North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado...I have only ONE picture of the hotel we stayed at and it's actually a part of the lobby. Before I show these photos there is one thing I am going to ask from those who read this and that is, we would greatly appreciate any and all prayers for us over the next seven and a half months as we finish internship and try to discern where God is calling us to serve. And I think this is also a good time to thank those of you who have been praying for us, we couldn't do it without your support and encouragement!

The hotel lobby waterfall! LOVED THIS!

This is either very southern ND or very northern SD...

This is SD between Belle Foruche and Spearfish...

This is entering WY from Spearfish SD...

Wyoming between Douglas and Cheyenne! There WAS snow!!!

Colorado somewhere between WY boarder and Denver

Hot Air Balloon we saw a few of these outside of Denver!

A suburb of Denver! BEAUTIFUL! 

Thanks for looking and many blessings!

October's here...it's hard to believe!!!

WOW! September has come and gone already!!! It really only feels like a few weeks have passed since we came home from our vacation at the end of August! Let me try and recap September...

Tim started teaching Confirmation on Wednesday afternoons and added Sunday School to his list of duties as well! He's been out and about visiting members of the congregations and gave his first Anniversary speech for a couple of the church! He's been preparing for the LCMC Annual Gathering this next week in Denver. Here he will have his certification interview, which is the start of his call process for obtaining a position in a church upon completion of his internship and graduation! Wow...did that sound formal or what?! It's a big step towards our future, where ever it will take us!

I've been keeping busy working and when I'm not working I've been relaxing making cards and working on wreaths for the hospital's annual wreath auction! As well as quilting with a few ladies of the church for Lutheran World Relief care packages! Since I've started with the wonderful ladies at the church we've completed over 72 quilts! It's been a pleasure helping provide a warm blanket for those who don't have one! I've also added teaching Sunday School on Sunday's as well! AND this week at work I am starting training to become a CNA!

Both puppies are doing great! Bear and Wini have learned to play nice with each other! Wini seems to enjoy trying to get Bear to chase her around the house and then when he gets to close she darts under the coffee table or dining room table where Bear can't get her! It's also a laugh of a time when they play tug-o-war since Bear has no issue with lifting Wini, who is attached to the other side of the toy, up onto the couch with him! Wini is also sleeping through the entire night! Which is great for Tim, no more getting up at 2 AM!


Below is a picture of a card I made last weekend at my stamping get-a-way! I didn't share it in the last blog because I made it for a card swap that I participated in and I didn't want to show it off until I sent the cards out for the meeting tonight and tomorrow! Our theme this month was "Do It With The Big Shot!" If you're not familiar with the Big Shot, it is a die cutting machine that is part of the Stampin' Up products. If anyone is interested in learning more about it I'd be glad to tell you more about how it works! But anyway, back to the card, with the Big Shot I cut out the leaves and the labeled hole and I used the Big Shot to emboss the leaves with the patterns, it may be hard to see the patterns tho... Hope you enjoy the card!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

A weekend in New England...North Dakota!

So this weekend I was able to go to a stamping weekend in New England, ND! It was a lot of fun and VERY productive! I made 72 cards to have on hand! Don't worry it wasn't 72 individual cards but 5 different cards!  Here are two of the five cards I made, these aren't my original idea but I switched up a few things from the cards I made at my up-line through Stampin' Up, Kay Card Buffet!

Halloween Card!

Thank You Card

Here is a photo I took of the view from the porch at the Bed & Breakfast we stayed at for the weekend! The house was just beautiful and the view was pretty too! Overall great weekend!

  

Tim was a wonderful husband and stayed home hanging out with the doggies! He went golfing and hung out with my aunt and uncle! 

This last picture is of a little adventure we took on the way home...this is supposed to be of White Butte, the highest natural point in North Dakota...but it turns out this wasn't the correct butte, BUT we did find it just didn't have enough time to get out my camera as we drove by! 

Later Sunday Tim and I went The Odd Life of Timothy Green, which I thought was a good movie!! Unfortunately the theater closed it doors for good last night after the showings...it's been having trouble since there wasn't enough support from the community to make it work AND since the movies will be going digital, not the reels anymore, the upgrades for the two theaters were to expensive with the limited support. So now we will have to go to Bismarck for movies or wait until they come out on DVD or on Netflix...

So this week is a pretty relaxed week...I work Tuesday and Friday and have wreaths to work on and domestic duties to do on my days off. Tim doesn't have much to do this week other than his office hours and confirmation on Wednesday since the youth of the church will be doing the service on Sunday and we have a guest speaker for the sermon! So Tim and Pastor get to sit in the pew this week! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Show & Tell

So today is a lazy Sunday afternoon. This morning we had church, Tim preached and then we both had our separate Sunday School class to teach. Which both went great! After church Tim was invited to watch football at the youth directors house, so of course he went! I stayed home and took a nap with Wini and watched part of some movies, mainly sleeping through them!

Work is still going well! Not much to update on that, other than I've been recruited to be crafty! The hospitals Relay For Life team does a wreath auction at the city craft fair in the fall and each department is asked to make a few wreaths for it. So yesterday Tim and I went to Bismarck to pick up some crafting supplies for the wreaths I'm making! (I also got some stuff for other projects as well!) I can honestly say I never in my life thought I'd be excited to go to Bismarck for an afternoon, but I was! Small towns have that effect on people! :) But anyway we had a great afternoon shopping, we also had lunch at Space Aliens, which was delicious! Tim was excited to get a video game, NHL '13, and a movie from Best Buy!

Last night we had the opportunity to celebrate with a couple for their 50th wedding anniversary! They had cake and a dance party at city hall and Tim was asked to say something! He did SUCH a great job!

So I'm not sure who all who reads this blog knows that I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, which I LOVE! The main reason I became a demonstrator was to get my supplies and stamps at cost and be a hobby-stamper! Well a while back, well mainly when I started making baby shower invites for my oldest sister I thought to try to start the business and make custom invites, thank you's, and any other sort of occasion you'd need or want a card for! I haven't had any customers other than my sister, but I thought I'd show the finished products and let everyone know if they need multiple thank-you cards, invites or any kind of card and want something with that home-made touch to let me know and we can talk about it! I will try to start making a habit of showing off the cards I make in my free time more as well!

( All Images are (C) 2012 Stampin' Up)

Brandy's Baby Shower Invitation

Brandy's baby shower Thank You Card (front)

Thank you again second front view

Thank You Again (inside view)

Baby Announcement (front)

Baby Announcement (inside)

Another View of card (picture of baby Mara was inserted in the card)

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

The New Addition

So now that the routine has settled a little I've made some time to update this!!!

Work for myself is going good. I'm all by myself now, training is done yet I am still learning which is ALWAYS good! The work days tend to get long and the days off tend to be short! Overall I like it!

Tim is now even busier that school has started and he now teaches confirmation on Wednesdays and Sunday School on Sundays on top of all his office hours, visits and preaching! Every time he preaches he gets compliments how his sermon was better than the last one! He is enjoying it!

On our recent vacation back to the cities we added an addition to our family! Her name is Wini and she's a mini long-haired dachshund!

The day we bought her!

The day we bought her!

Tim and Wini taking a nap! This was the day after the first rough night!

The day we left the cities Wini and Greta (Tim's parents new mini dachshund) we're trying to enjoy some Sweet Martha's Cookies :)

On the ride back to Hazen! She did such a great job! Slept pretty much the whole drive!

Sorry this update is a little short! But quick and to the point is my kind of blog today :) 

Blessings!

QUICK update

Soooooooooo....this will be a VERY quick update as I have a lot to do and VERY little time to complete it!

I recently, a week ago today, started my new job! It's REALLY nice for me to get out of the house as much as I have but with being at work for 10 hour shifts a lot of other things get pushed to the side...like this blog! BUT I am working at planning afterwork activities out a little better...I still don't think I am use to having to be up so early again...those few months of sleeping in probably wasn't such a good idea, but boy did I enjoy it! Another nice thing about the job is once I go to my regular shift it'll be two days a week...sometimes three, but that will only be for vacations and last resort kind of thing! Just please hang in here with me over the next couple of weeks as the updates will be few and definitely not, but trying for, often like once a week.

Tim has been doing good as well in his work! He got to do another service by himself again, as Pastor Wolff was on vacation this time! Tim did a VERY good job again...definitely more relaxed than last solo service...although this time I didn't do the children's message! He's been kept busy with monthly church meetings and writing sermons and reading!!! He has also taken over watering the flowers and garden for me...he seems to enjoy that part!

Well this weekend we have some more house guests coming to visit!!! This time some from my side :) SO excited for them to be here!!! But off to finish some crafts that need to get done so they can get out in a timely manner for my very reliable "customer" (my sister Brandy!)...I made her baby shower invites as well as the thank you cards for her shower and now the baby announcements for baby Mara!!! Once she get the announcements and gets them mailed out I will post pictures of all three for everyone to see!!!


Blessings!
 <3 T&G

Basement Tour!!

So as I mentioned in the last blog I completely forgot to show you the basement of the house!!! This past weekend was more of a do nothing kind of weekend!

Friday Tim and I hit the golf course...this time we got a cart since it was warmer and we never play a full 9 holes when we carry the clubs! Then Friday nothing really happened other than watching some TV and relaxing! We were planning on watching the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics but we got caught up in the show we were watching...Dog The Bounty Hunter!!!

Saturday was another lazy day...we slept in and just hung out around the house. I worked on some crafts and Tim read some books and started to prepare for his sermon this week. Saturday night however we went over to my Aunt and Uncle's house and "crashed" their employee picnic...we had a good time there! Tim and Uncle Jeff went undefeated in the bean bag toss game... so I had to poke Tim's head to let all the hot air out so he could fit in the car when we left!!! lol

Sunday was a good day! The youth of the church did the service so both Tim and Pastor got to sit out in the pews and relax! It was kind of weird having Tim sit by me! Then after church we went out to brunch with a few members of the church...Sunday Brunch is always a good time! Then we came home and relaxed. Tim did some cleaning and I did some crafts and watched some of the Olympics.

Overall good weekend!!

Now onto the basement tour!!

Our 2nd kitchen which is used for storing serving dishes and extras from Sam's Club!

Downstairs living room area, which you can see our old table since we got a new one!!!

Our movie shelves! 

View of the living room from the other side!

Our HOCKEY wall!!! 

Spare bedroom!! Yes its VERY pink, but we did get permission to paint just haven't made an effort yet!

Another view of the spare bedroom!

Downstairs bathroom!

Laundry room/ cleaning supplies storage area!!

Tim's office!

Another view of Tim's Office!

Our new table!!! I LOVE IT! It was a present to use from me for getting a job!!!

Hope you've enjoyed the (actual) final picture tour!!! 

Blessings!

The Balfanz's!!!

A weekend with family!

So this past weekend was a really nice weekend for us! Tim's parents stopped by on their way to Big Sky, Montana! We got to spend two days with them!

Saturday evening they arrived and we had a very nice family dinner around our new kitchen table!!! Sunday we went to church and Tim's parents got to hear Tim preach for the first time as an intern!!! After church we went out for brunch and then we headed to Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, which is about 30 minutes east of Hazen. We got to learn a little more about Lewis & Clarks travel and what they brought with them and some of the dangers they encountered. Then we went to see a replica of Fort Mandan which was pretty cool! We found out that the original Fort Mandan was about 10 miles upstream of the Missouri River, from the replicas location, and underwater! After that we came back home and had dinner and then Tim's dad, Tim and myself went to see The Dark Night Rises! Tim and I had already went to the midnight showing, but it was so good we'd thought we'd see it with Tim's dad!!!

Monday we took a tour of the coal mining facility that my uncle works at in Beulah! We all enjoyed that! It was really cool to see all the machines and trucks and how HUGE they all are! They make monster trucks look small! If anyone ever comes to western ND be sure to see if you can take a tour!!! VERY cool! After our tour we grabbed some lunch and then headed on our way up to Garrison, ND to show Tim's parents a fun store we like called Fezziwigs and the Ye Old Malt Shoppe! Once we made it back into Hazen we had dinner and then Tim's mom and myself went to a Stampin' Up! party! It's always a good time at those events!

Overall we had a great weekend spending it with parents!!!

Some more exciting news if you haven't seen my Facebook posts but I got a job to supply my crafting habit, pending my background check and drug screening, which shouldn't be an issue! So this is my last full week of enjoying being unemployed! Although the job is only 20 hours a week so I will still be able to enjoy my crafting time and church groups!

As I was writing this I realized that I never put up pictures of the basement of the house! So once I get this posted I will be heading downstairs to take pictures for the next blog!

Blessings!
T&G

Inside Tour Part 3

Yup! It's official writing out my to-do list is a MUST!!! Keeps me on track!

So this week so far has been again productive for both Tim and I...he's kept busy writing his sermon for this Sunday and keeping up with his office hours and visitations! It has pretty much been the same rotation for me keeping up with domestic duties and errands and craft time. I finished the baby quilt I was working on for my niece! My oldest sister gave birth on Friday evening to a beautiful healthy baby girl, Mara Tayte! Now we have the same number of nieces and nephews on both sides! We can't wait to see her in person when we visit in August!

Onto the final picture tour! Today is my craft room and I've included pictures of the quilt as well!

View from the door

View from my desk...and there is still LOTS of room to fill up!

View from the far wall!

Mara's Quilt

Close up of the pattern

Close up of the personalization

Blessings!

T & G