Saturday, December 25, 2010

Noel

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  It's Christmas morning!  We love all of you and are so thankful for our family and friends!  This is just a humble blog, but it's gonna be my platform to share a reminder regarding the birth of Jesus.  Jesus is our Savior.  I don't think we consider that enough.  Say it to your self a couple times "I have a Savior".  Then ask yourself.."Do I know him?"  The real gift this day and everyday is the hope of a Savior.  Without him, we have no hope.  We love you and hope you will take a minute to share this truth with others today and everyday!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

S is for 'SPARKLE'

and for SHOPPING for Christmas! 
Please hit the 'Sparkle' logo link on our page (to the right) and check out our friend Clare and her site on "ETSY" for encouragement totes...aka...hope totes.  These are hand made by our friend in Buena Vista and they are awesome.  It's a great Christmas gift.  Since they are hand made, please place your order no later than Dec 12th so she has time to make them.  After the 12th you'll be too late for Christmas, but sales after Christmas will still help our adoption.  She's partnered with us so 10% of each sale's proceeds that comes via our blog will send $$ to our adoption.  She and her family are also matching the funds that come through the sales of her totes. 

We are so blessed by the incredble support we've received from near and far!  Soooooo.......while your browsing...don't forget to check out the 'CritterMeds' link over there too.  That is another friend of ours in the pet supply business.  If your getting gifts for your furry family members, look at what they have.  Also...coffee makes a warm gift...there's still time to order coffee via 'Just love coffee'.  Again, please use the links via our blog.  That's the only way we can get the credit.  Thanks to everyone making coffee orders...Just Love Coffee has poured in almost $400 so far!

Please keep praying for us as we are pushing through the preplacement adoption process.  That means paperwork, conversations and even more prayer.  God is faithful!!

It's Pearl Harbor Day

Read this.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/12/07/2010-12-07_december_7_1941_pearl_harbor_attack_remembered_by_nyc_vets_who_lived_it.html

Friday, December 3, 2010

Thanksgiving, weddings and Decembbuurrr!

Good morning to all!  I can hardly believe how much has happened the past couple weeks.  It seems so short for all that's unfolded for us.  Lisa and CJ and I had a great post-Lisa b-day stretch right into Thanksgiving.  That included saying good-bye to the Steckman's who sadly are moving back to Virginia, but we've been so blessed by their friendship and time in BV.  We will miss them. 

Thanksgiving was awesome!  We went to warm(er) Denver and enjoyed great food and company with Mike & Crystal Delehoz and their daughter Mia Grace.  Mike and Crystal are former Ranch guides and good friends with roots in Ft Worth, but recently moved to Denver.  Mike volunteered for dawn patrol the day after Thanksgiving driving me to the airport at 4:30am. I caught a flight to Grand Rapids, MI to officiate the wedding of John Balmat and Christina Jagatic.  It was my first wedding to officiate and it was awesome. 

Honestly, I can think of no more honoring of a time than to be asked to officiate the wedding of a good friend.  John and Christina, if you read this, please know how HONORED I felt to have this role in your wedding and THANK YOU for asking me to serve in that way.  John & Christina had a beautiful wedding.

I also got some great time with the Michigan WR crew, which honestly I don't see enough of their happy and fun faces! 

Returning to BV was good, always great to hug and kiss Lisa and Campbell Jane.  The temps are dropping so winter is grabbing hold of us.  No big snow dumps yet, but it's coming.  Bought a new snow shovel...just need my shoulder to feel better...thankfully I don't need surgery.  Just physical therapy for an enflamed tendon in my rotator cuff. 

Lotsa love to you all!  Merry Christmas and have the best day in the Lord today!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Birthday for Lisa and that is good!

Man, was I moody last week.  It could have been because my shoulder has been killing me ever since a rather bumpy landing on a slippery boat dock in Malibu Canada at the managers meeting.  I did blame the time change several times...who would have thought an extra hour of sleep would be so tough to handle?  I did go Dwight Schrute on our baby stroller...that was really bad.  Some guy in Minnesota via Ebay got my 1st edition/1st printing "Band of Brothers" w/Ambrose autograph + signed by 4 Easy company vets to pay for a new stroller. 
But, here's what is good!  Lisa and I had the best time on Sunday night in Glenwood Springs!  We stayed at the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge for Lisa's birthday!  We both realized while sitting in the 104 degree hot springs pool, with the evening snow dumping on us, staring at the rising steam that we were having one of the best evenings we've had in a long time!  The lodge was great, the massage was relaxing and Lisa felt very celebrated! 
Her actual birthday is tomorrow so give her a call!  Like John Balmat said, Happy 26th birthday, Lisa!!
And I just want to say, much love to my sweet and wonderful wife!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

CARE Grant is great!

With all due respect to Cary Grant (accomplished Hollywood star) I'm much more excited to be associated with CARE Grant (Christian Adoption Resources and Encouragement).  This group out of Pagosa Springs has blessed us with a $2500 grant towards our upcoming adoption!  This rapidly accelerates our adoption journey!  Prior to this we had a completed/accepted application for adoption on file, but now we can green light the pre-placement services such as the home study.  Please keep praying for us as we really need prayers now.  The birth mom may already be pregnant with the little baby we are praying will join our family.  We trust so whole heartedly that God already has chosen the specific special little baby for our family.  There is still further financial hurdles ahead...but this is a fantastic start!
Please spread the word about the CARE Grant.  Here is there contact info:
CARE, Inc.
PO Box 3543
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
(970)731-9505
God is Good!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Costumes, camping,& Ismert Fun (107 photos), by Lisa Ismert


I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Monday, November 1, 2010

Colby Teeth

well, when the Rangers won game 3 of the World Series (with Colby Lewis pitching) I thought I'd find a picture of Colby gritting his teeth in intense pitching focus and illustrate how the Giants got chewed up in the teeth of great pitching...and it would sorta sound like Toby Keith.   Well I couldn't find a picture of Colby's Teeth and who wants to see another picture of Toby Keith, and the Rangers lost games 4 and 5 so it is all irrelevant.
Anyhow, it was a lot more fun getting ready for Halloween!!  Campell was a lion and she can do a real respectable 'ROAR'!  We had a blast doing halloween with everyone!!  We had quite the collection of princesses, monkeys, lions, sheriff/police, cowboys and indians, and one guy in a Mexican style wrestling mask.  Super cute and fun and lotsa candy.
Which reminds me, we've had fun with Lisa's mom in town...it's a great time to be in BV, good weather, the football team is going to the playoffs and we're still there.  Our house is for sale still, and we are still moving forward with adoption stuff.  It's a rather slow pace right now, but THANK YOU to all of you for your prayers, your support in so many ways.  We feel very encouraged and right where God wants us to be and trust that it all will be in his perfect timing!

party at the ismerts!

cj's 1st trick or treat

roar!!!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Wings and Stitches and Houston Texas baby!

hey hey from hot H-town! We have confirmed that Houston is far!  But worth the drive.  Our fun here started late Sat night as we rolled in got some shut eye and hit Sunday hard.   The guys watched the Texans game on the big screen at Wings-n-more (and they won!) then it was some Halo (thanks David).  The girls had to cram for an Anthropologie final but they survived.  We all met up at Bethany and David's new house for dinner and Ismert family time. 

Everyone was very impressed to see Campbell's stitches.  We are working on getting some pics on the blog, but be prepared, the pics are a little much for folks with sensitive stomachs.  (CJ looks like a cage fighter!).  You see, Campbell got off balance on a little chair she was sitting in and tumbled into the corner of the fireplace.  That resulted in a quick trip to the medical clinic in BV, 3 stitches in her forehead and a new experience in parenting for me and Lisa.  I'm sure we'll never forget that morning, although it seems that Campbell has already forgot all about it. She'll get a sure reminder today as we have an appt. to get her stitches out this afternoon in Houston. 

be safe out there!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Promises Promises

well, Lisa and I and Campbell Jane are loading up for another trip.  Heading to Texas and all points in between! Lisa made me promise that we'd go to Schlotzsky's at least once and I counter-promised to her that we'd go to Whataburger at least once.  Now that's good marital communications. 

But more than just planning our fast food future, there's been some great encouragement on our family future!  We received our first check from 'Just Love Coffee' and for the month of September, and enough people purchased coffee that we received a $221.00 check to go towards our adoption!!  Thank you everyone who purchased coffee from the site.  I've often said that if the gov't ever made caffeine illegal Wilderness Ranch wouldn't operate, but I guess if that ever does happen then...well I don't even want to think about it.

Also, we are one of two families that are applying for a grant from 'CARES'.  This is a Colorado agency that distributes funds twice a year for adoptive families. The grant is for between $100 and $4,000.  Please keep praying for favor with this grant.

And, in addition to Just Love Coffee, another business "Critter Meds" is also contributing to our adoption a percentage of their sales.  Please note their logo on the right.  If you need pet medicines and other pet related goodies...please check out the site.  It is a small business started by some good friends of ours in Ft Worth.  Jay & Mandy are great folks with a sweet family and they really care about animals and you'll know that if you get to talking to them.

Finally, keep checking out the blog.  There is another business we have heard from that is getting set up to partner with our adoption funding.  It isn't finalized yet, but keep back often, especially as we near the Christmas season, as great gifts can be found on this companies website.

So, wow.  Lisa and CJ and I are so overwhelmed it's almost unspeakable.  God is so good.  Just to have people be so generous and supportive.  Why are finances such a step of faith every time we venture outside of the so-called realities of our checkbook when it comes to things the Lord is leading in?  I know how excited Lisa and I get when we can fund others in ministry and in times of need.  We love it!  I try to keep that in mind as folks talk to us about money.  We have folks in our lives who are sincerely thrilled to give where the Lord directs them. As humbling as it is for me to be on the receiving end..I know this is God's hand and plan for us and for our future child and Campbell's future little brother or sister.  THANK YOU!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

get on down the road

hey hey!  We are back in BV and better than ever!  We demolished that 10 day road trip and really had a blast.  It's time to shout out to my sister Carolyn for a fantastic time in Chicago!  And also Sarah & Benji in Findlay, OH and Johnny Nichols and Midge  (of course we want to include Dance and Acie).  WOW...we had an excellent time...everyday packed with fun and laughter.  We had a great return home getting some great time with Wilderness Ranch friends in Indianapolis and St. Louis.

I am heading down to WR tomorrow to meet with the guys who are installing two new pumps for the water system.  The guy I am meeting was part of the crew that installed them 30 years ago!! 

We got our life book back from snapfish (or shutterfly..) anyway, it looks great and I know it won't be long until we get to hand that book off to the adoption agency for birth moms to look at. 

Did I mention that BV football is rolling!  Way to go!!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

love to the 10th degree

So, the Ismert fam is trucking on along...blogging from the romantic and exotic upper Mid-West...Findlay Ohio!  Today is the 10 year anniversary of when Lisa and I got hitched...holla if you were there!!!  Ridglea United Methodist Church, Fort Worth TX 9/30/2000!  When we got to the wedding reception, the marquee sign said "Congratulations Imserts!"  and Lisa laughingly said "hey Izzy, they misspelled your name", and I remarked, "no sweetie, they misspelled your name!"  It was a good party....

So, we are taking our 10 year anniversary trip with Campbell and a 15 year old suburban and seeing the heartland!  We had a fantastic stay with Carolyn (my sister) in Chicago...and now are with  Sarah (Lisa's sister) and her hubby and kiddos in Findlay.  We did catch a Cubs game at Wrigley...they lost.  The Cubs are such total losers and so are all their fans!  (except for you Jonny West :) if your reading)

Quick adoption update!  Our grant application has been received by the CARE agency in Pagosa Springs.  We should know their decision regarding grant money sometime in October.  And folks are still buying coffee so THANK YOU!!  Please keep checking the blog as a couple other small businesses are going to be featured as they are sharing revenues from purchases and supporting our adoption finances.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Colorado Springs?

I realize I might have put the cart before the horse a little bit talking about selling our house without really explaining why.  So...we have received permission to move to Colorado Springs and to move the Wilderness Ranch winter office and manage the WR off-season from the Springs!  So, that's why our house is for sale.  This is going to be a great move for the Ismerts and for Wilderness Ranch!

We are going to wait until our house sells before we make the move, so for now we are still in BV and I am still officing at Frontier Ranch...

that's the scoop!

Lisa publishes books, Izzy pours concrete

Lisa finished our life book (it's like a photo album on steriods) that birth moms look at when they are working on their adoption plan.  It's a big help for prospective parents like us to show what kind of people and family would be caring for and raising the baby being considered for adoption.

Way to go Lisa...the book looks great!!  We also mailed off yesterday our grant application with a group in Pagosa Springs.  It's called "CARE". 

Meanwhile, I set some posts and poured concrete to hold them as the big fence repair project is finally starting to approach being finished.  I really prefer dragging out home projects for many months...over a year is really good!  This fence fell down (thanks Gabe Temple) last November. 

So, dear friends and family...please spread the word about our blog, share any advice or suggestions,
thanks for reading!!  God Bless You!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

house for sale, car for sale, adoption # 2, it'd be a shame to have a boring life

Hi everyone...it's the Ismert blog....entry # 1.

Well, the title pretty much says it all.  If you haven't got the message, we are starting the adoption process again.  We've emailed everyone about the coffee company that helps raise $$ for adoptions.  But just in case, here's the info again.
"We have waited patiently for God to give us the go ahead and we trust that the time is now.  We are back in the adoption process! It is a bit overwhelming knowing and not knowing what is ahead of us. We are asking for all of you to please pray for us in this journey.  Your prayers are much needed.
 
 Most of you know that adoption is a huge financial undertaking.  We have decided to partner with JustLove Coffee in an effort to fund-raise.  If anyone shops using this link
http://www.justlovecoffee.com/theismerts , JustLove will give us $5 per bag of coffee, towards our adoption.  I think everyone we know drinks coffee (especially our Wilderness Ranch Friends), so we are asking that you would consider purchasing it through this link. We will be partnered with JustLove during the entire process so all proceeds during the next 6 months or so will go towards our adoption. 
 Thank you for loving us so well!!!
 Please pass this on to your friends and family!"
 
Oh yeah, our house is for sale...do you want to live in BV?  Talk to us...
And our Subaru is for sale...wanna get around for cheap?  Talk to us...
hey, just talk to us...we wanna keep in touch and hear from everyone!