Well hello ladies! I see that I still know several of you here even after at least a year or two being off the board. I was recently contacted by Kim (Elvis has left the building) who happened to find me via my username (jlpaints) on e-Bay of all places! She asked me to check in here (as did Bubbles following a mass e-mail to change our contact info)...so here I am.

We are currently building a house just outside of the town in CO where we moved two and a half years ago. I have a private practice in Christian Counseling and see about 80% kids ages 7-18 and a lot of families and several individuals. I have also been doing some educational speaking at the local hospital and will be offering a class on stress management next month to physicians. DH and I are still wildly in love and the DKs are growing too fast to keep up. I have very little time on the computer because of all of this, so I can't do much more than check in. If you go to this link, you can see recent pictures of the kids. http://share.shutterfly.com/os.jsp?i=EeAtXLlu4atXGg&open=1

I am so glad this is still up and running and supporting moms. I have referred back to my days at M2M many times in sessions with frazzled parents and have required many clients to read 1-2-3 Magic (thank you Trina)! I hope each of you have a blessed holiday season!

By Amy~moderator on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 04:29 am:

Laura, I just posted to you on the Santa post! Glad to *see* you! It *has* been awhile, hasn't it? I'll have to tell my mom (Bubbels) that you posted!

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 07:51 am:

Laura! GLAD to see you! Sounds like you're quite busy. We've missed you! Check in when you can.

By Janet on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 09:18 am:

Hi there! Good to see you again! (Just goes to show, there's no hiding on the Internet, LOL)

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 09:24 am:

Laura, it is great to see you!!! The kids have grown so much! We HAVE missed you. I hope you can find some time soon to check in and give a more detailed update. I'd love an email whenever you have the time.

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 09:27 am:

I have one question - do you still have your LONG hair????

By Kim on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 09:37 am:

LOL, Karen, you can see her braid in one of the pictures!

OH MY GAWSH D and H have gotten SO BIG! The growth of children never ceases to amaze me! When we moved from IL the kids' friends suddenly remained that age forever. So when I see them in gangly teen bodies I cannot believe it! Anyway, your family looks healthy and happy Laura and it sounds like you are doing really well! I miss you too!

By Melanie on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 10:45 am:

It's great to *see* you again!! I hope you can check in from time to time!

By Bea on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 11:24 am:

We've missed you Laura. It's so good to hear that life seems to be treating you well. Please come by for a visit once in a while.

By Colette on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 11:29 am:

Nice to hear from you again. Hope you check in more often.

By Cat on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 12:32 pm:

Hey, Girl!!! We're still in Colorado (east of the Springs). Dh retires next year and we'll probably stay. Good to hear from you!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 01:35 pm:

Rah Rah, Laura!!! LOL Will never forget the pictures of you in your cheer leading uniform.. You all look great!! ( Elvis, LOL ) You need to drop in more often. You know how we are, bunch of mother hens. LOL So glad to hear from you and SOOOO glad you all are doing so well....... Great to hear from you... Don't be a stranger....

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 04:08 pm:

Kim, I'm sitting here red-faced. I didn't realize THAT was her hair in the pic!!!!! Call me blind.

By Jlpaints on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 07:54 pm:

Yup...still have the hair. I will be downloading some pictures tonight of the progress on the house. I can't remember who we shared with so long ago when they were building...but it was fun to see all the stages.

I am actually major stressed right now because the buyers for our house in town backed out two hours before closing and we had already moved out to a rental. So for two months we have been paying twice as much for housing and it is really getting tight. When I am stressed, however, I find that I tend to veg-out in front of the computer a great deal. So I imagine I will be posting from time to time. I would really appreciate your prayers for my house to sell.

Thanks,
Laura

By Bea on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 09:57 pm:

I'll be praying and Laura, you might consider this.....

By Truestori on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 10:58 pm:

Laura,

So glad to hear that all is well with you and your family. I can recall all of the posts of you in your farm wife days. LOL Beautiful chidren BTW!! Take care

By Jlpaints on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 12:39 am:

Are you Catholic Bea?...I had to chuckle when I clicked on your link because in my mind I thought to myself "I wonder if this is something about St. Joseph?" My neighbor in TX came over when I was doing all that chicken farming by myself waiting for the farm to sell, and buried St. Joseph in my front flower bed. She is Mormon, but I think she was raised Catholic. I do have to say that it wasn't long after that we sold! Thanks for the advice, I know God has a buyer for us...perhaps this is another lesson in patience (not that I need one, just because I want everything to happen MY way on MY time schedule when it is convenient for ME ME ME!)

By Claire on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 09:37 am:

Hey Laura! I have missed you!

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 09:54 am:

Laura, we are all guilty of that *instant gratification* thing sometimes, aren't we? LOL

By Pamt on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 01:39 pm:

Hi Laura!! Nice to *see* you again!