Elmo loves Blogs

Elmo loves birthdays

2007-03-19T14:33:00.000-05:00

Only 4 days until my birthday. I expect lots of presents and comments. If you need to know where to send them, you know how to reach me. I hope you know I'm kidding well to a point. Hope you are all well. I will be 29. ugh, getting up there!

Elmo loves weddings

2007-03-09T10:25:00.000-06:00

One of our friends recently got married last weekend in duluth, mn during one of the worst snow storms in years. 35W was closed much of thursday and friday. Fortunately it was open when we left. Christian bonded with family while John and I had a little vacation. Since there were so many cancellations, we were upgraded to a whirlpool suite for free! How cool was that. It was fun. And there was a heated pool on the roof which was fun. It was way warm.

The wedding was fun and beautiful. It was for little John for those that know him.
We are doing well. Working on finding jobs in the cities for we are hopefully moving there soon.

Love ya all!

Elmo loves surgeries

2007-01-29T11:05:00.000-06:00

Hello all who read this. We have just been chilling. Nothing really exciting. I am working at Kmart part time along with the YMCA a little bit when they give me hours. I mostly just get a free membership though. How cool is that.

Christian recently had surgery for tubes, and getting tonsils and adenoids out. It toke a little bit but he is doing much better now. Back to old energetic self. Christian is really into drawing right now. I think he will follow in father's footsteps. John is working on scanning his artwork into the computer.

John and I have a hot date tonight for a mystery shop. We're way excited. Please drop me a line folks and let me know how's it going! The 2 pictures on the left are at camp snoopy, the top right is when Christian met elmo and the bottom one you can figure out for your self.

Elmo loves Time

2006-12-06T22:33:00.000-06:00

I realized today after showing a friend my blog that I haven't written a blog in like 4 months. I see most don't care since I have no comments from my last blog. For those that do, here is a little new info.

Christian is now 2 1/2 yrs old. He has been diagnosed with a mild form of autism. He is in sensory, developmental, speech, and occupational therapy. He is wonderful though. So full of life and energy and love. We get lots of kisses and hugs.

Christian also recently won a costume contest. John came up with the idea of him being a toilet and you know he won. He got 4 tickets to Sesame Street live, a limo ride and free dinner with Elmo and Cookie Monster. He had a blast. Attached is a picture of the toilet. God had used us here in East Dubuque. We have been able to witness to many kids and 1 family in particuliar where we have seen God use us and challenge us alot.

I have started working overnights at Kmart a few nights a week. It's nothing glamorous but a few extra bucks. After 2 weeks I was training. That should say a lot. I also still do the mystery shopping and also started do a trainer position at the YMCA. In January I'm going to be able to help with the weight loss program doing diets and such. I am excited to get back in to Nutrition again.

Love you all and Trust in Jesus. There are some pictures on my Myspace account. www.myspace.com/fustawitness

Elmo loves Jesus

2006-08-10T22:14:00.000-05:00

Hey all! Thought I would write a blog on the new park ministry that John and I started. We have met 3 times and it is going well. Tonight we had 6 kids show up. They ran up to our car when we showed up and they told us they had been waiting an 1 1/2 for us. We were like huh? Why would people be waiting for us. We played some games with them and they were so excited to have people to play with it seemed.

We told them the story from the Bible about the Armor of God. We handed out some tracts and 1 kid toke a Bible which was awesome to see how excited he was. The kids were responsive and listened better than we thought they would. Please pray for these kids and their home life especially. We're pretty sure these kids don't know the Lord.

Thanks all

Elmo loves talking

2006-07-13T12:31:00.000-05:00

Hey all. Long time since last post. I'm convinced no one really reads this so I don't post that much. If you want to prove me wrong leave me a comment. We haven't been too busy here. I have taken up a cycling class at the Y which I enjoy. I have lost around 13 pounds but have a lot to go. I have my high school reunion coming up in a few weeks. Although I didn't have a lot of friends in high school, I'm actually looking forward to it. We'll also be able to see some friends from the cities. We have a baby shower this weekend for a friend from college. They haven't been married that long, but God is bigger heh.

Christian saw a speech therapist today and will be seeing one for at least a little bit to get his vocab on the map. He is the cutest talker though. His favorite toy is a toy spatula. He is sure becoming a big boy though. He went poop on the potty the other day for the second time ever and he is doing well with the potty.

We continue to pray for God's guidance in this world and for Him to lead and direct us in His paths. We are seeking ways to help in our new community. We're hopefully going to be volunteers at the local youth center. We're anxious to see what happens there.

Elmo loves Birthdays and Anniversaries

2006-06-05T16:52:00.000-05:00

Christian recently turned 2 yesterday. We had a big birthday bash on SAturday which was very fun. Christian also was able to go to a friends birthday party on his birthday so he incense had 2 parties. We also toke him to Choo Choo Charlies yesterday where they sang to him and gave him a free sundae. He had so much fun and especially enjoyed playing skeeball and other related games.

John and I also had our anniversary last Thursday. Year number 4. My sister and mom were here so they watched Christian for us. We went mini golfing, had a nice dinner at Red Robin, and went to a sports bar to watch the Finalssss. I was a good time, but a bummer to see the Suns lose.

Well it's not letting me put pictures up right now so you can check out my myspace account if you want more recent ones. www.myspace.com/fustawitness otherwise take care all and drop me a note!

Elmo loves May

2006-04-18T15:07:00.000-05:00

Hello all!!! It is almost May again so John and I are making what has become our annual move. We are very happy to be moving to a house this time. We will be renting a house in East Dubuque, IL which is about 5 minutes from where we are now. So for all of those Iowa bashers technically we have gotten out of Iowa. But will still be doing most of our stuff there considering we're just right over the border.

Our house is 2 stories, big kitchen, 1 ba, dining room, living room, screened in porch, basement, back yard, garage and best of all C/A!!! We will be moving in over the next 2 weeks but officially May 1st.

Christian has been doing great on the potty at home. He tells us he has to go all the time now. It is great!!!

Hope you are all well!!!

Here is Christian's easter bunny picture

Elmo loves E's

2006-03-19T23:22:00.000-06:00

I have 2 E's to describe this weekend. Exercise and Embarressment. We got a membership to the YMCA this weekend which I was really excited about. I decided to use it today and yesterday. Today I swam laps and I noticed when I got out of the pool that these girls kept laughing at me. I was like what is going on. Well I get in the locker room and realized that I had a big hole in the back of the swimsuit. How embarressing. Needless to say I went and bought a new swimsuit. I was just mad no one told me. I would tell you I think. Let's take a poll.
Who would tell and who wouldn't??? Let me know your comments. Other than that you can be in prayer for my husband who has a few resumes out this week, pray for God's will in that.

Also the most important day of the year is this week.
MY BIRTHDAY. ALL GIFTS ARE WELCOMED!!!

Elmo loves more sexy pictures

2006-03-10T23:38:00.000-06:00

Here are some more!

Elmo loves sexy pictures

2006-03-10T23:33:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone. Here are some new pictures of Christian. Most of them are with his new haircut so if you haven't seen him since then here's a preview.

elmo loves pictures

2006-03-06T13:26:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture of Kristine and I and some of the pooper

Elmo loves Soap Operas

2006-03-06T13:01:00.000-06:00

And Stuen if you're wondering this is John and Christian in unison saying ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!
I'm not sure if Elmo really does, but need to keep the theme going. Watching days of our lives and man how dumb and repetitive can they get. And also, for all those who have kids, do you spend that much time apart from them??? I never see belle and phillip with that baby. Do you??? They are out to dinner like every night which is so not realistic. I know it's just a soap opera but man does anyone else think that is soooo not realistic. Maybe i'm the only one who spends almost everyday completely with my child. Any feedback is welcomed.

On other news, Christian is doing a lot better with the potty training and is getting so smart. He sings almost all the verses to wheels on the bus now, and is learning itsy bitsy spider. It's so cute to watch. We have definetely found out in the past couple of weeks how stubborn he really is. He pulls us everywhere. But when it's time for us to pull him, the fit begins, so that's been our newest struggle.

Last weekend I was able to go to a Woman's retreat which was awesome. Talked a lot about realizing the sins in your life and confessing them to Christ. Very powerful. Sandra if you read this the lady was from your old church Elmbrook. Rhea briscoe i think. We told her we'd visit next time in Waukesha.

Here are some new pictures of Christian
Take Care all

Elmo loves John

2006-02-10T23:31:00.000-06:00

It appears I've become slower than John at posting new blogs so I better post one. My toast is done be back . . . . . . Ok, yumm Peanut Butter. Not a lot new. I'm thinking about writing a book. Seriously. It's going to be called, Who tied my shoe? It will be sort of an autobiography, and how God has changed my life. The reason the title, is b/c I went to change my shoelaces the other day and one of them had already been done, and not by me or John. So it's very weird and we think it was God. So the book will be about that, and about our long weekend in MN last weekend, and the trials God puts you through.

Christian is doing better at potty training, but has been pooping in the tub a lot lately. I know gross!!! He is very active, and vocal. Getting stubborn at using his sign language so we've been working on that again. Hope to be in Menomonie, WI next weekend for a baby shower.

Love ya

Elmo loves Unemployment

2006-01-20T22:15:00.000-06:00

Well I appreciate all and any prayers, but I didn't get my job. I've been very sad about it, so any jokes or words of encouragement would be nice. I treated myself to MGD and DQ and nachos. They were all yummy. We gave Christian is first haircut today. He looks adorable. Pictures to be put on later. Have a good one!

Elmo loves Storytime

2006-01-17T14:07:00.000-06:00

Today storytime started up again at the library and boy was Christian excited. He peed in the potty twice before we left, and was really good during the time. His favorite song is Wheels on the Bus, and he does almost all the actions. He also rowed the boat on row row row your boat. So cute. Since he was good, he got mcdonalds too. He was more fascinated in the HIC then the playland I think. Hope everyone is doing well. Continue to pray for the job opportunities. Still waiting to hear. Thank you.

Elmo l oves POOP

2006-01-12T14:20:00.000-06:00

It is an exciting day in the mindiola household. Christian has been on the potty twice and went both times, and even went poop once. YEAH. Thanks any and all for the prayers about the job. I heard from the lady today, and she said I would know by Monday, so i'll keep you posted.

Have a good day!

Elmo loves MOPS

2006-01-11T13:07:00.000-06:00

Today was a fun morning. I got to sleep until almost 9 and go to MOPS and watch the 2 year olds I haven't seen in a while. These are some of the most amazing kids. This one kid, Josiah, Is so smart. He was wearing a cookie monster sweatshirt and I said who's that, and he say "cookie monster, he's a funny guy". The kid just cracks me up. And another boy wasn't talking a few weeks ago, but now is talking a lot. It's so precious to see these children and how much they love you, and make me look forward to when Christian is like that.

We have been trying to potty train. Any advice is appreciated. Christian has been watching potty videos, and got a new elmo potty book. He loves it. He has gone on the potty a few times. The funniest is when he pees on the carpet or floor, he goes by it and wipes it up. It's hilarious. Yesterday he went into the closet grabbed the broom and dustpan and started sweeping the kitchen floor. He's our little cleaner.

On another note, another depressing day on Days of our Lives. Dragging out another scene longer than needed. Claire is getting Zacks liver, and Sammi is making love with Lucas b/c they both think they're with someone else. So unrealistic. Have a good day!

The picture posted here is Christian at about 9 months. He's so beautiful. More recent photos to come in future posts, I promise!

Elmo loves Prayer

2006-01-11T12:45:00.000-06:00

Hey all. I have a job that I have been going for that I am waiting to hear back, so if you could please pray that would be great. Thanks so much

Elmo loves you

2006-01-10T22:51:00.000-06:00

Hi all. This is my first blog. My husband told me this was cool. So we'll see if anyone reads it. My name is Traci Mindiola, and currentyl reside in Dubuque, Iowa. I'm married of 3 1/2 years and have a wonderful 19 month old son.

I graduated a few years ago from UW Stout with a degree in Dietetics and currently am a stay at home mom. I like going to MOPS and hanging out with people, and most of all sharing the love of Christ with others.

Have a great day!