This is what I put up with all day!

Welcome to my World.

Summer Time!

So it’s pretty safe to say that the Kuhn’s are bad at blogging. In a pathetic attempt to catch up…here’s what we’ve been up to:

We took a trip to Michigan in June for a couple weeks. Marin and I went up for a week before Daniel joined us. My mom and I both decided it was time to get some food storage together. We got ahold of a canner and we canned a ton of stuff over the week. I was amazed at how relatively inexpensive and easy it was to do. We’re far from self-reliant, we I think we made a great start this summer. The only question I have is where on earth am I going to put it?! Over the two weeks in Michigan we went to the Green Field Museum in Detroit, took Marin swimming, went to the temple and did a little work around my parents house. Marin got spoiled by her aunt and grandparents and loved every minute of it.

She spent most of the time playing in grandpa’s gardens and jumping on the trampoline.

Daniel and I left Marin with her Aunt Erin and Grandma for an afternoon and came home to find this! "While the parents are away...monkey's get buried?" Her daddy is so proud. Maybe its in her blood.


We had a great trip!! We were sad it flew by so quickly.

Over July we made two beach trips. One was a day trip where were able to meet up with some friends from D.C. It’s was too short, but we enjoyed catching up with them a bit. The other trip involved camping on the beach…which ended up a bit frustrating, but I guess I’m just getting old. We were in the middle of a drunken’ brawl and a few all night parties on the beach. Not so sure we’ll ever go back there again.

Our car has been in and out of the fix-it shop several times this summer. We have sunk a small fortune into the car and pray over it daily, in hopes it will hold out a bit longer. Hopefully we have solved the big problems for now.

Other than that, Daniel seems to be working more and Marin and I always seem to be running around like crazy… doing what I can never figure out. Who ever said that summers are relaxing? We’re hoping that August slows down a bit more. We have had a great summer so far though.

Happy Easter!

Hello, If you're not in the mood for a Marin-athon, Go somewhere else. This one's for Katie as she is not able to be in town for Easter and she is missing her kid (not the thirty-one year old one) more than she can say.
Here was a little bit of our day.
Most of these picture where taken as we strolled around Duke Campus.

Is it me or is she growing up way too fast?

So, does this look like a child that has not even reached the 2.5 year mark yet. I feel like I'm taking Crazy Pills.

James Mitchell's Full Obituary

James “Jim” Seymour Mitchell, Jr., age 41, loving husband and father, of Middletown, DE passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Jim died following a courageous 28 year battle with a chronic disease.

Jim was born to Catherine and James S. Mitchell, Sr. on February 21, 1968 in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from Rowan University where he received his degree in Marketing. Jim was a shining example of hard work and determination as he worked and paid for his entire education while simultaneously receiving it. Soon after, he began work with MBNA Corporation and spent the last 13 years with them. He was so proud of what he had professionally achieved when he eventually became a Marketing Manager.

Jim had so many things in his life that he so greatly enjoyed. His unwavering devotion to the Philadelphia Eagles made for countless parties with good food and great friends. Those that knew and loved him will always remember him donned in his team’s jersey. Jim also found so much joy in the volunteer work that he did as a little league T-ball coach for the 98.6ERS. He cared so much for the kids of his team as he strived to teach them to do their best. Of all things that brought Jim the most joy, none could come close to the way that he felt about his family. Everything that Jim worked for in his life was intended for the well being of his family. He was so grateful to his “nagging” wife for her tireless support and occasional shove to keep him on the straight and narrow. Together, they are united in the purpose of becoming an eternal family. He loved and adored each of his children endlessly. Each one of them meant more to him than they could ever know. Their greatness is the reward for his, all too short, life.

Jim is survived by his wife of ten years and true best friend, Chris Kuhn Mitchell of Middletown, DE; his five children: Stone Greyson, Phoenix Nicole, Avery Raine, Zion James and Cy Renee; mother Catherine Mitchell of Middletown, DE; brother, Jarrett Scott Mitchell and his wife Myra of New Jersey; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. Jim is predeceased by his father, James S. Mitchell, Sr.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009 from the Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 500 W. Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, DE. Bishop Gordon Rich will conduct the service. There are no services planned for burial at this time.

Friends may call at the church two hours prior from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jim’s memory for the future education of his children to: The Mitchell Children’s Fund, in care of Jermaine Hatton, Wachovia Bank, 310 Dove Run Center Blvd., Middletown, DE 19709.

James Mitchell's Service

Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009 from the Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 500 W. Chestnut Hill Road, Newark, DE. There are no services planned for burial at this time.

Friends may call at the church two hours prior from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to: The Mitchell Children’s Fund, in care of Jermaine Hatton, Wachovia Bank, 310 Dove Run Center Blvd., Middletown, DE 19709.

To send condolences visit www.rtfoard.com.

What is This Thing Called Death?

What is this thing that men call death?
This quiet passing in the night?
‘Tis not the end but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light

O God, touch Thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.

There is no death, but only change
With recompense for vict’ry won
The gift of Him who loved all men
The Son of God, the Holy One.

~President Gordon B. Hinckley

It Snowed!!

Well, hell must have froze over...again! First Nevada and now North Carolina. We couldn't believe it actually snowed here. Usually the temperature doesn't dip below 40 degrees during the winter. It was fun for the one day it lasted. The entire state shut down for 3 inches of snow (for several days). Marin and I went out and played in it before it melted. Here are some pictures of our winter wonderland.



Its suppose to be 60 tomorrow. So we'll be heading out to the park in a jacket.

Here's to the New Year

Hey Folks,
Thanks for still checking in on us from time to time. 2008 was a chaotic year for us to say the least. One thing after the next and never seeming to catch a break in between, and lately it seems difficult to to find the + side of much of anything. This simply means that we've yet to learn the lessons that we are supposed to and we should get on it before we let life drag us down that much more. So, having said that, this is how we wrapped up our last year.
On Dec. 23rd, we decided to throw caution to the wind and be all wild and crazy with a surprise trip to Michigan. With about 24 hours prep time we packed our entire Christmas into the trunk of our broke down Civic and hit the road as soon as I finished work that evening 5-6PM. We took a lovely two hour rest in the fast lane of interstate 77 as we and half the state of Virginia waited for an accident to be cleared. We took advantage of the time by watching the awesome movie, Iron Man - an early Christmas gift from Santa. Eventually we started moving again. Slowly for about the first 45 minutes, but then it was clear sailing through the rest of the state and West Virginia as well. It was such a blessing to spend the unexpected time with the family. Marin almost didn't even mind being strapped into the car seat the whole time.
The rain started somewhere around the WV / Ohio border. I slowed appropriately so that we wouldn't get to Michigan too quickly. Driving in the rain can be so soothing to the nerves.
It was right around 2 AM as we were passing through New Philadelphia that the fun really started. Well, suddenly it was as if we were transported from out of our little civ and right onto some fantastic new roller coaster that only did circular doughnuts, probably about 5-6 of them. When our little adventure finally slid to a stop, I realized just how lucky we where. We had just encountered the fabled "black ice" that bad drivers seem to blame everything on (Jason). What a treat to see it firsthand. Additionally we were so luck in that it only took Marin 10 Min to stop screaming. (We really are blessed here as, literally, the only damage to any of us or the car was the memory that we will take with us... not even a scratch on the car.) I used the cell phone to call for help and it only took a police officer 45 minutes to show up. Coincidentally, that is also about the same number of yards that we had slid down an embankment from the road. We found out that it's been a busy night for all towing companies and that it would be about 3 hours before anyone could come out to help us. Marin was a champ and probably would have been just fine to wait but instead we talked the police officer into letting her have her first trip in the back seat of his police cruiser. Did any of you know that car seats do not fit in the back of police cars? So Marin was happy to simply rest on her mom's lap as we are escorted to the closest hotel on the road that we totally didn't just about die on. After not sleeping at all, I climbed out of bed at around 6 AM on Christmas Eve (two hours after checking into the room) and called AAA again to get the process rolling. They told me that they would have a tow truck out to me in about 45 minutes so naturally it took them 3 hours. At 9AM I climbed into the cab of the tow truck and went back to the car where in the daylight I could see that if we had slid a few more yards we would have finished in some random lake... Never to be seen or heard from again. What an adventure. Since the tow truck charges per ft. that they have to tow you back to the road, the bill only came to a couple of hundred dollars. I'm not sure exactly what it came to though because AAA gets that bill. I'm a card carrying member.
We get back on the road after a delicious continental breakfast and arrive safe and sound in Saline, MI. around 2PM on Christmas Eve, the first of my two days off. I was scheduled to catch a flight late Christmas day so that I could make it home in time for work on the 26th. I HAD to be back! Christmas morning, I checked my flight and realized that the first leg of my flight was delayed but the second leg was on time. This would cause me to miss the last leg out of Baltimore and effectively make it impossible for me to get to work the next day. Southwest was so wonderful to rebook my flight to one that would depart in 60 Minutes from the time that I hung up the phone with them.
I threw everything of mine into my luggage and jumped into the car where Craig sped us lickidy split the 45 min. to the Detroit Airport. I made my flight and returned home with almost no sleep and a brand new work day scheduled to start in about 10 hours time.
Katie and Marin drove safely home escorted by Craig (a million thanks) just before New Years Eve.
Both Katie and I feel horrible that her dad had to make that drive and then fly back the very next morning. Sorry, but again - thank you so much.
We had a great time and are glad that we did it but never want to repeat that in a million years.

The Super best part of this is that, within the last two months, this wasn't even the low point. This was the way back up.

2008, we will miss you.
2009, bring it on...



Enjoy some Pix.








Disclaimer - Katie will proof me some time later. For now, you'll have to excuse my many typo's and many staughterings of the english language. I'm going to bed. It's already been a long year.

The Kuhn's Got Ran Over by Reindeer

I know its been awhile since we last posted, but Reindeer are the only excuse I could come up with. Let's just say that absolutely nothing has been going our way over the last couple months. We are just praying we get through this holiday in one piece. I won't even bother to fill you in on all the depression around here, but we are looking forward to a little reprieve. On a lighter note, Daniel's long awaited scooter finally arrived. Yeah!! That means no more driving Daniel to and from work anymore (Marin and I may just throw ourselves a little party!) I'll be sure to post a picture later with Daniel and his "hog."

Other than that, Marin is talking and singing up a storm. She also likes to point at everything and ask "What's that?" Most the time I think she's doing it to test me. She is however, officially a terrible two and Daniel and I are learning some new lessons in patience. Its a dang good thing she is as cute as she is.



Even on the hard days though, we still love her to pieces and are so grateful that she is happy and healthy.

I unfortunately will not be sending out Christmas cards this year, so don't feel like we forgot you! So I hope that this will suffice.

Happy Holidays!
Love, The Kuhn's

Happy Birthday Marin!

Trip to Monkey Joe's $ 5.00


Balloons $ 2.50


Happy Meal $ 3.00


Cake Mix $ 2.00


Play Tent from IKEA $ 7.00


Watching Marin open presents from grandparents $0



Knowing your 2 yr. old has no clue how cheap her parents are: PRICELESS!

Happy Birthday Marin! We can't believe you're a 2 yr. old! Daniel and I feel like you have always been with us and at the same time we're amazed that two years have flown by so fast. We love you so much Marin! We hope you had a great day.

Trip to the Zoo

The temperature finally dropped down to the 70's, so we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather. We loaded up our neighbors and took a trip to the N.C. Zoo. It was a lot of fun. Besides the great fall weather we were able to see a ton of animals. The zoo is set up like a park reserve, which often means you don't see anything but bushes, rocks and trees. Fortunately the animals came out of hiding for their cameos. Marin was really excited about all the monkeys. She actually spent most of her time people watching, which is also great fun at the North Carolina Zoo. Other highlights included the ice cream cone after lunch and the carousel ride.


Ok- I guess she would have had just as much fun at the mall. But it was nice to get outside and get some fresh air. We had a great day!

Setting the Record Straight

It would be strange if someone that was way too young, but still a legal adult, came into the funeral home to prearrange his own funeral – twice. It would be even stranger if that person ended up needing a funeral directors services shortly there after due to the actions of a group of delinquent thugs. It would be even stranger still if the parents of the kid came to that same funeral director for funeral plans even when they had no idea that their son had already prearranged for the same thing. Could you imagine the funeral directors surprise if he made the connection from identifying the kid off of an obituary photo? Any reasonably sane individual would be nothing short of flabbergasted. When that reasonably sane individual made the connection, he would certainly pass the information on to the proper authorities.
Plot Twist-
How crazy would it be if our reasonably sane individual received a phone call from the kid that he had made the prearrangement with after the cremation had taken place? Suppose that he knew this because he positively recognized the voice and the young kid recognized his as well. Obviously our sane individual had made a rather large mistake when he thought that he had recognized this kid. He would probably no longer think of himself as being sane at all. In his defense, there were probably some extremely unique and distinctive characteristics (physical as well as behavioral) that would set both of these individuals apart from the average (very very extremely large) group. Our sane person would briefly even consider the identical twin theory, but not for long. The simple truth would be that he was flat out wrong.
Another Plot Twist-
How ridiculously crazy would it be if these two kids that our now questionably sane individual had mistaken for being the same person, actually turned out to know each other!!! The questionably sane individual would find this out because the remaining young kid would begin asking him questions about the body of his friend!
Our questionably sane individual would now have gone straight to insane and not passed “Go” or collected his $200. That would be absolute ridiculousness. There is no way that there could be that much coincidence. It’s simply way too bazaar. I guess that I’ll have to come up with another idea for my book because that one is way too unbelievable. I couldn’t sell it if I tried.
The good news is that our insane person would not be in any trouble and frankly would have nothing to do with much of anything at all regarding these most unfortunate kids.

I think that I need this.




If it's too difficult to see what exactly this is, check it out here.

Amendment

Just for the sake of avoiding any confusion, I am nowhere near directly involved in the ongoing investigation that I mentioned in the last post. It’s like I’m connected through three completely random means to one horrific event. So I’m something like three times removed, but three times connected as well. It’s strange, but nothing to worry about. The strangeness was the reason for my mental break on the day of the previous post.

I really don’t think that I clarified anything there. Sorry.