Putting the Pieces Together

Do you ever wonder how your friendships start? Where is the line drawn between acquaintance to friend to good friend to family?

I think it must be moments. Little things that add up to something much bigger. I believe it becomes about vulnerability and honesty. It is about getting rid of the fear that someone may actually know you. And I mean, know. The good stuff and the bad stuff.

The more time you spend with people, the more pieces of the puzzle are put together. Before you know it, something beautiful has been created. Friendship.


This is a little something we put together with our friends the Farquaads. You know you gotta be good friends if you can sit around a table for 5 hours putting the itty-bitty pieces of a puzzle together. Don't forget to add great food and good music, it always helps set the mood.....

The Power Is In Your Hands

Spielburg is a genius.

I have always been a big fan of his movies but now I am a fan of his video game. Boom Blox

As a family we have never been huge video game people but last year we purchased our Wii. We have been loving it. It is a fun, active way to spend time together as family.

Over the holiday break we rented this little game at Madi's request. It totally ROCKS!! So, we bought it, of course. We have now spent endless hours improving our bomb throwing, jenga pulling, and baseball pitching. It is a great multi-player game, which is fun to play with friends. Creating more addiction in other households. Ask Ted (and our friends the Farquaads) just how many nights they have spent doing just "one more level" past 1 am.

If you are out and about, run into GameStop and grab your family a copy. You will love it.

Deliverance and A Revelation

Have you ever had one of those eerie, scary movie moments in your life?

On a recent date night, we were going with some friends to a Third Day concert. Our friend Jacque took the girls for the night, Ted came home early from work and we headed out to meet up with Curtis, Robin and Adam. All of us piled in the mini-van by a little after 4pm and we were on the road. The concert was in Asheville, so we had about a 2-2 1/2 hour drive in really cruddy weather.

The trip was moving along great. Adam was surviving the intense crash from the energy drink he had ingested during the first 10 min of the drive. We stopped at a BK for potty breaks and burgers. A very intense red shirted lady was irate at our slow movement at the soda fountain, then we all waited another 15 minutes for our food. Nothing like hurry up and wait. On the road again, we googled the Civic Center address and plugged the info into Jill (the Garmin so affectionately named).

No reason not to trust Jill, she knows where to go. Well, she knows where we told her to go. Things are good until our left turn becomes a right and we are in a suburbanite neighborhood. No worries, Jill knows. Another left, right, around a bend, now things are looking a little rural. Seriously. Maybe she knows the back way, we will get great parking. It is only 7:02, we are just missing the beginning of Brandon Heath, no worries.

Now, there is something that in all of Jill's great functions that she is missing. Instinct. Like when Curtis pulls up the road and sees it turn to gravel and without hesitations has us completely turned around....where, out of know where is a pick up truck with it's head lights blaring straight at us (can you hear the banjos playing)...now, at the same time Robin gets a phone call from an unavailable number, some crazy Southern preacher talking about whores in East Tennessee and going to Hell. It was so totally time to get out of there, regardless of Jill's opinion on the matter.

With some panicked urgency we found the real address to the Civic Center and made our way to the concert. After the insane traffic we should have been battling 30 minutes earlier, we made it in time to see Brandon play his last couple of songs. Didn't miss a minute of Third Day. (Can I get an Witness?!)

It was a great night. Our Deliverance moment makes a great story. It is nice to get out and listen to great music that glorifies our Father. I have seen Third Day six times now and would go again tomorrow.

For your listening pleasure:

Third Day: Revelation

Set Apart

On November 30th we were honored to support our friend Zach as he accepted the Lord’s call to serve and be Ordained. Zach (now Pastor Zach) and his family are a blessing to Canvas Fellowship… and to our family. We are all proud of his accomplishment, but we know it’s not in Zach’s character to think any of this is about him. Zach serves the Lord… and we know everything he does is meant to glorify God.

Thank You Pastor Zach! You honor God as well as so many friends and family with your service.

A Royal Feast

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love getting together with friends and sharing good food. This year was especially wonderful. There is so much to be thankful for. We were honored to accept the invitation to Lord Farquaads for a royal feast prepared by Mama Franqui.

The Boys (Marcus, Ted, Xac, Daniel and Geoff) BTW: they are not watching the game, they are watching cartoon videos of forest animals being slaughtered. Gotta love the Internet.

Caty and Madi had a good time playing Outdoor Challenge on the Wii.

Misty is planning her Black Friday attack. Or maybe she is seeing if anyone starts their sales at 2pm...

Zoie and Ellie. The two best looking at the festivities.

The Stolpe's and Grandma Joanne that flew from Oregon to visit with us this Thanksgiving.

The Stolpe's with Zoie because she was happy and said she would smile with us...Ellie was being a grump.

We had a great day. We are truly blessed by the great people that are in our lives. Thank you for the wonderful food and great friendship.

For Me To Poop On

Marcus really had no idea that we had trained the girls' stuffed animals to retaliate when messed with......

Hope that cleaned up for you alright Marcus.

Weekend Update

Time just keeps moving, doesn't it? Last week was long with Ted out of town on business. We stayed busy with a girl scout meeting, small group and the beginning of basketball season for Madi.
Friday after I picked Madi up from school we decided to go see a movie. The girls and I hit the cheap theatre, $4 for a movie popcorn and soda; only 12 bucks for all three of us. We saw Journey to the Center of the Earth with Brendan Fraser. It was good family fun for the afternoon. A text from Ted let me know he was running two hours late due to flight delays in Atlanta so I decided to join the Farquaads and Dukes for Shrimp Pasta and adult interaction. I was desperate for some conversation with people over 9 yrs of age. It was wonderful company. We played Scattegories and Guesstures. I love board games, brings out my competitive spirit. Before I knew it, I had gotten another text from Ted saying he should be in around 1am. Yeah......

Okay, this is where I official win a bad wife of the week award. I assumed Ted meant that he would be landing in Knox around 1am....so, I called him around then and he says, "I am walking in the door, where are you and the girls?!!" Oh, yeah, I suck. Poor guy has been away from home for an entire week and I was off playing board games with friends when he finally gets home. I immediately pack myself and the girls up and head home in the pouring down rain where no one on the interstate can move faster than 40 because of the rain and fog. No worries, Ted isn't mad at me and most definitely didn't make me sleep on the couch. I just feel a little like a looser....

Saturday was great. We slept in until 10am. Wow, haven't done that in a while. Because of the nasty weather, we did our run on the dreadmill in the gym and did some good muscle exhausting on the weight circuit. We went grocery shopping and I made some amazing homemade chicken noodle soup with perfect biscuits. It was great, the perfect food for a comfy day.

Sunday was another good day. We spent the first part of the day at our church. We then went over to hang with the Wiedemeiers and watch the Green Bay/Chicago game. Ted worked up some great Braughtburgers on the grill, Brandy made her killer dip and chili. Yummy!! Packers kicked some serious tushy and that always makes for a good day. Then we watched the NASCAR championship. Took Madi to basketball practice. She picked her jersey, number 23. The coach says to her "that is an awesome number, that is Michael Jordans number." She stares at him with that, okay whatever, I don't know who that is look on her face. Oh my gosh, she doesn't know who Jordan is. I am a bad mother....

Gridiron Gumbo

Tailgating Stolpe Style at the 2nd Annual Canvas Fall Fest. We entered our Gridiron Gumbo in the Chili Contest.

The Pastoral Staff at Canvas: Pastor Nick and Farah made a show of Republican pride for their American Chili. The Farquaads (I think Xac says this is his underwear model pose) won for most unique chili. It was good, full of pineappley goodness.

Much to my proud honor Robin and I entered the pie eating contest. Downing an entire apple pie.


Are they even making an effort? Curtis looks ill. Are they using utensils?

We Rock!!

In case you aren't sure: this is what defeat looks like.

We are such a great example that we even got the kids gorging themselves on pie. All the dads giving a helping hand with the hair. Nice. Looking good Rachael and Hannah.


It was a fall festival after all. So, after the kids finished spitting in this bucket trying to get apples, the adults joined in. Here is Ted and Curtis going for it. Ted won. Robin and Ted were the quickest draw. Ted claims a head butt in the competition between them but I think Robin had him on the hair flip....

Here we are in all our glory. Winning Best Overall Presentation. You know you all want to tailgate with us.....

GO PACK GO!!

November 1st/November 2nd

2008

For anyone that has known me for any length of time it is common knowledge that I am a Green Bay Packer fan. Now, I am not one of those fly by night, when the team is good kind of fans. I know the players by name and I passionately watch the games with joy and disappointment. My blood pressure rises, my heart races and even the occasional obscenity will fly out of my mouth while watching a game. I cried at the disappointment of our playoff loss last year, at Brett Favre's retirement and when I found out he was going to play for the Jets.

Back in April when they posted the 08-09 NFL schedule, I jumped for joy with the prospect of being able to go to the Green Bay/Tennessee game and immediately asked my favorite Packer fan Brian to come out for a visit and join us for the game. Ted got the tickets for me as a gift for my birthday (Have I mentioned that my husband totally ROCKS!!).

As you can imagine the anticipation for my first Packers game has been building for 6 months. Oh, My, Gosh I couldn't believe I was really going to go.

The week of the game had finally arrived and it seemed like everything was going to be against us. My original hope for a sitter for the girls fell through. The guy we were getting tickets from decided to keep them for himself, apparently he was surprised the Titans were undefeated. So, we made the mad dash to find tickets, the week of the game, I really don't recommend doing this. Next, Brian missed his flight, seriously!! A lot of patience and a 3 hour wait and he made the next flight. We then had issues with kennelling our dog and the hotel. Seriously, it was getting a bit ridiculous. But, we are not people that give up easily. Luckily, Zack and Misty saved the day by keeping the girls for us. Jacque stepped in and helped with Buddy, thank God.

We finally made it to Nashville around 7 or so and then had to switch hotels because of "broken pipes" or what we call overbooking. Once we finally got settled; we took the not "free" shuttle back downtown and had a lot of fun. Full disclosure here: this is the first time in many, many years we have closed down a bar. Yep, we were out until 2:30 am. We had a great time. I think I hugged more strangers in those few hours than I have my entire life. Almost everyone was decked out in Packers gear and giving love to all who sport the Green and Yellow. I am officially a part of the real Packer family now. :~D

The game was beautiful. The stadium was open and the sun beat down on us all day. It took me almost to the half before I could take a full breath and realize I was really there, in that moment, watching my team play on the field. Even though I was in the nose bleeds, I know (in my heart) they could hear me. I will keep my criticism of Rodgers to a minimum. It was bigger then a win or loss for me. This is a moment that can not be repeated. My two favorite football fans beside me; the only two guys who understand my compulsion towards football.

My joy is overwhelming. Even now and for as long as my memory holds I will have a special place for this game. A moment in life that comes once. Thank you Brian for coming out and being a part of this experience with me. Love you!!

Next stop: Lambeau Field

Send You Back To Arkansas

Week 7, yep we are seven weeks into our crazy adventure. 4 months and 17 days until the big race....

Things are good and moving along. Ted and I did our first 5 mile on Saturday and it went really well. We ran over to the high school and did a few of our miles on the track. Wow, running a track is completely different. First, it is flat and that is nice. Second, it is easy to keep track of distance and that is nice. Third, it feels like it never ends and that sucks. Fourth, you aren't going anywhere and that sucks. So, it is an okay way to do a part of our Saturday run but I don't really care for it. I would rather struggle up a hill than go in circles.

For week 6 the total mileage was 21, that includes 4 on the elliptical machine. This week should run about the same but more running than walking. I am hoping to run a consistent 3 miles on Thursday morning. We will see, those hills are going to have my foot prints pound into them by the time this training is over....(hopefully).

My weigh in on Monday was not great, I gained two pounds. It is my own fault, I entered a pie eating contest on Saturday and ate half an apple pie to myself (pictures to come soon). Robin ate the other half and we totally kicked everyone's butt so it was completely worth it ;~D

Alright, this weeks playlist song is just a classic. I like it because my runs are getting longer and it makes me wanna move and keep moving. The video is lame but it was the only one with the same song version I have on my Ipod...

Ray Charles: What'd I Say

Weekend Update

We had an amazing weekend. But, I can't get it all in one post yet. So, I am working on it. Pics and everything. I will say that it was seriously awesome to have Brian here with me when I went to my first Packers game....more info coming soon....

Weekend Update

This is actually an update that includes part of Madi's fall break. For some insane reason they start school at the beginning of Aug. Because they start so early, they take a week off in October?!! I know...strange...

So, we had a great week. Tuesday, Madi had her friends Savannah and Carson over to play. Wednesday, I met her new friend Hannah that just moved here from Texas. Hannah went to small group with us and stayed the night. Thursday morning we decided to pack up a picnic and headed to the mountains. We finally had a cold snap, so the leaves started to change. We had a great day. Jackie, Edwardo and Grayson joined us for the picnic.





Friday we met up with Jill and Rachael. We went to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. It was a lot of fun. Mellow for a Friday morning and the girls had the gym to play around in to themselves. Jill and I even got in on the fun and attempted a few back passes and free throws...amazingly no pictures of our attempts. We headed to Olive Garden for lunch then back to their place to "play" for a while.



Friday night me and the girls helped Ted set up the RV for tailgating at the Vols game on Saturday. I once again got lost in downtown. Even with TomTom I can't find my way around here. It is kinda sad. Madi and Ellie think it is part of our downtown adventures.....

Bill, Daren, Mark, Scott and Ted started the tailgating about 6 hours before the game on Saturday. I wasn't there so you would have to ask Ted what exactly they did. I do know that they didn't stay at the game through half-time.

Ted made it home Sunday morning in time to go to church with the girls and I. We had a mellow day. Ted cleaned out the RV (I didn't even go in it). Then took a nap :)

I took the girls up to the park to play on the swings for a bit. Our girls are not really a good mix with nap time.....