Honey took the kids swimming at a water park and CT found $10 in the parking lot!
I know the excitement he felt. Once I was shopping with G'mother when we found a $50 bill on the floor folded in half. We jumped on it thinking we'd found a fortune. Nope, it was a stupid advertisement to work at home and earn extra cash. That was a mean trick. We wondered later if whoever put it there was standing somewhere watching all the suckers grab it. I have to admit it was sorta funny. I'm glad CT's worked out better than mine.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Oh my goodness. Where to start? I've been praying for so many things. One of them is for us to get to stay together. Our time here is drawing to a close. Next weekend we were to drive back. We've started talking over our "going back" plans and canceling CT's soccer schedule for August.
Minutes later Honey's phone rings. One of the soccer parents have offered to let us live with them! What a generous offer of hospitality! It was a very serious, please consider this, we really want to do it, type offer. They have a huge house and there are only 4 of them. They both come from large families.
It is hard to accept such a gracious offer. I mean its not like there are only a couple of us. There's eleven of us! And so many little ones! That makes it even sweeter.
I'm not sure exactly what we'll do yet. They've invited us over for breakfast in the morning before our tournament. I hope nobody spills anything.
So now I wonder..."am I done in AR except for loading the truck?" Am I ready for that? Does it matter? I miss home a lot right now. How can I want to be in two places at once so badly? What kind of weird behavior is that?? Honey called the realtor today and lowered the price of the house again. Everything is so new and scary. I miss my dog.
Minutes later Honey's phone rings. One of the soccer parents have offered to let us live with them! What a generous offer of hospitality! It was a very serious, please consider this, we really want to do it, type offer. They have a huge house and there are only 4 of them. They both come from large families.
It is hard to accept such a gracious offer. I mean its not like there are only a couple of us. There's eleven of us! And so many little ones! That makes it even sweeter.
I'm not sure exactly what we'll do yet. They've invited us over for breakfast in the morning before our tournament. I hope nobody spills anything.
So now I wonder..."am I done in AR except for loading the truck?" Am I ready for that? Does it matter? I miss home a lot right now. How can I want to be in two places at once so badly? What kind of weird behavior is that?? Honey called the realtor today and lowered the price of the house again. Everything is so new and scary. I miss my dog.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Wacky Wednesday at the library today. That is story time for 1-5th graders. For us that is LB and J-Man. So the story time guy has this long snake line of toilet paper on the floor. He starts to explain that the toilet paper is a time line of the earth. The beginning of the toilet paper is when the earth was created. The end of it is now.
So he asked the kids if anyone knew how old the earth was. At this point I'm sitting here wondering where this is going and hoping it'll be good. After all, he did use the word "created". A couple of kids raise their hand to guess and they were all wrong. "Nope", he says, "it is 500 billion years old". (Oh brother) LB's shoulders droop. She pulls her brother back and whispers in his ear.
Next he goes on to explain how the earth started as a fiery ball and finally cooled down enough to sustain life. He asked the kids to stand on the tp line at the point where they thought it was. LB withdraws and watches. She looks back at me with a roll of the eyes. She is quite talented at rolling those brown eyes when appropriate.
Then the guy says that life began as a single cell organism. Stand on the tp at that point. Bla, bla, bla. Next he gets their attention when he mentions dinosaurs. Where on the tp did dinosaurs appear? LB points to the beginning of the toilet paper. I smiled at her and told her she could go ahead. So she takes J-Man and they stand at the beginning of the toilet paper line! I'm sure the guy thought they weren't participating.
I was looking around at the other moms to see if anyone was thinking that this story time activity was unusual. They all seemed to be having a great time with it. When it was over, LB comes over to me looking at me out of the top of her eyes with the "can you believe that Mom?" look. HA!
Wacky Wednesday isn't for us.
So he asked the kids if anyone knew how old the earth was. At this point I'm sitting here wondering where this is going and hoping it'll be good. After all, he did use the word "created". A couple of kids raise their hand to guess and they were all wrong. "Nope", he says, "it is 500 billion years old". (Oh brother) LB's shoulders droop. She pulls her brother back and whispers in his ear.
Next he goes on to explain how the earth started as a fiery ball and finally cooled down enough to sustain life. He asked the kids to stand on the tp line at the point where they thought it was. LB withdraws and watches. She looks back at me with a roll of the eyes. She is quite talented at rolling those brown eyes when appropriate.
Then the guy says that life began as a single cell organism. Stand on the tp at that point. Bla, bla, bla. Next he gets their attention when he mentions dinosaurs. Where on the tp did dinosaurs appear? LB points to the beginning of the toilet paper. I smiled at her and told her she could go ahead. So she takes J-Man and they stand at the beginning of the toilet paper line! I'm sure the guy thought they weren't participating.
I was looking around at the other moms to see if anyone was thinking that this story time activity was unusual. They all seemed to be having a great time with it. When it was over, LB comes over to me looking at me out of the top of her eyes with the "can you believe that Mom?" look. HA!
Wacky Wednesday isn't for us.
Abraham
I like Abraham. We're reading about him right now in school. I like that God did not hide his short comings from us. Even though he messed up, he was still considered righteous, still called a friend of God.
Today we read the part about sacrificing Isaac. And even though Abraham did not understand and did not know how the promise could still be fulfilled, he followed through to obey in faith. I can relate. Looking at rental properties last night on the internet was sobering. It looks like renting a house will be about $500/mo more than our house payment in AR! Apart from a work of the Lord I do not see how it can be done. But, I've seen Him work lots of times before and I'm curious to see what will happen next.
New news. Honey's sister and her family are moving here too. That will sure be different. Now we will have family situations that we've never had before. An opportunity to grow and learn I guess. This ought to be an interesting year.
Today we read the part about sacrificing Isaac. And even though Abraham did not understand and did not know how the promise could still be fulfilled, he followed through to obey in faith. I can relate. Looking at rental properties last night on the internet was sobering. It looks like renting a house will be about $500/mo more than our house payment in AR! Apart from a work of the Lord I do not see how it can be done. But, I've seen Him work lots of times before and I'm curious to see what will happen next.
New news. Honey's sister and her family are moving here too. That will sure be different. Now we will have family situations that we've never had before. An opportunity to grow and learn I guess. This ought to be an interesting year.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Here is a list of the books I'm reading now and my bookmarks that go with them (once I get home to my bookmark collection that is).
My Bible. I recently finished the Old Testament....all 1,633 pages of it! I finished Matthew today and read Ch 1 of Mark. Bookmark: ribbon marker
Everyday Talk. For my trying-to-be-a-better-mother mood. Bookmark: one that one of my kids made.
Little Women. I started reading it b/c my girls wanted me to. Now I like it. Bookmark: a picture of my own 4 little women.
Living A Beautiful Life. For my foo foo mood. Bookmark: a pretty one with flowers that #1 made for me with her flower press when she was 9.
I took everyone to story time today. That was a bad idea. Bird is not so crazy about story time. It was her first time, and her last for awhile. 11 people is just too many to take out at the same time. No matter where we are we take up the whole space. I tried the self-checkout for the first time. It went ok. I thought. We were walking through the security thingy when the lights turn red and the bells sound. Augh! I was in the back of the family line so half the kids were already out the door when we all had to turn around and go back.
Soccer practice tonight. It'll be fun for everyone b/c its at a park. I've missed the 6pm practice nights. Those nights that I have to decide whether to feed everyone first or wait till we get home, or take dinner to the park. Tonight we'll eat first. Leftovers or cereal.
My Bible. I recently finished the Old Testament....all 1,633 pages of it! I finished Matthew today and read Ch 1 of Mark. Bookmark: ribbon marker
Everyday Talk. For my trying-to-be-a-better-mother mood. Bookmark: one that one of my kids made.
Little Women. I started reading it b/c my girls wanted me to. Now I like it. Bookmark: a picture of my own 4 little women.
Living A Beautiful Life. For my foo foo mood. Bookmark: a pretty one with flowers that #1 made for me with her flower press when she was 9.
I took everyone to story time today. That was a bad idea. Bird is not so crazy about story time. It was her first time, and her last for awhile. 11 people is just too many to take out at the same time. No matter where we are we take up the whole space. I tried the self-checkout for the first time. It went ok. I thought. We were walking through the security thingy when the lights turn red and the bells sound. Augh! I was in the back of the family line so half the kids were already out the door when we all had to turn around and go back.
Soccer practice tonight. It'll be fun for everyone b/c its at a park. I've missed the 6pm practice nights. Those nights that I have to decide whether to feed everyone first or wait till we get home, or take dinner to the park. Tonight we'll eat first. Leftovers or cereal.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Hiking Pictures
Setting out
Say Cheese!!
Goats can Swim!!
Mommy and Baby Goat
"Uh...Hi!"
Airborne!
Some Deer we found
Princess Bird snoozing
Sunday, July 15, 2007
I can't wait to post the pix of the hike yesterday. WOW!! Mountain goats walking right past us, a family of deer, freezing cold water to put your feet in, and an oh so heavy baby to carry in the wrap. (Yes, Honey we should've taken a stroller.) Definitely gotta upgrade the stroller situation around here. Pix will be later when Honey's done with them all.
Went to a cute little church today right around the corner. The sermon was just getting underway when... HUGE explosion in Froggy's diaper! Oh boy. Can you believe I didn't take wipes? What is wrong with me? I grab some papertowels from the kitchen and take him to the car to see what I could do. No chance. All the way through the clothes. I hate disposable diapers. I stuck him in the car and took him home. Like I said it was right around the corner. I did the clean up and made it back for the second half of the message.
He was talking about the same passage that we are studying in school. Timely.
So we get in the car and Honey talks about it some more and how it applies to us. He talked about how easy it is and how good it sounds to "go back to Egypt". Then he added.."Although Maeggy thinks that Egypt is the Promised Land." LOL! I can see her point. (I'm a tiny bit homesick.)
I like it here even though I miss the comforts of everyday life in AR. And my friends. And, yes, CO does have WM although I haven't found a very good one yet. I saw a Super Target but I don't remember how to get there. A bad sense of direction is a bothersome thing....something to teach my kiddos.
Went to a cute little church today right around the corner. The sermon was just getting underway when... HUGE explosion in Froggy's diaper! Oh boy. Can you believe I didn't take wipes? What is wrong with me? I grab some papertowels from the kitchen and take him to the car to see what I could do. No chance. All the way through the clothes. I hate disposable diapers. I stuck him in the car and took him home. Like I said it was right around the corner. I did the clean up and made it back for the second half of the message.
He was talking about the same passage that we are studying in school. Timely.
So we get in the car and Honey talks about it some more and how it applies to us. He talked about how easy it is and how good it sounds to "go back to Egypt". Then he added.."Although Maeggy thinks that Egypt is the Promised Land." LOL! I can see her point. (I'm a tiny bit homesick.)
I like it here even though I miss the comforts of everyday life in AR. And my friends. And, yes, CO does have WM although I haven't found a very good one yet. I saw a Super Target but I don't remember how to get there. A bad sense of direction is a bothersome thing....something to teach my kiddos.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friday!! I love Fridays!
No big weekend plans. Just being together is good. Maybe we can find a hiking trail to do. I'm eager to get closer to the mountains.
We found the greatest library. Silly me, why didn't I think they would have more than one? #1 and I went and explored. They even let us have a card even though we don't have a permanent address. It's huge and has so much fun stuff. The gift shop is great with like-new books at g-sale prices. I got a beautiful 10 commandments book for the kids and I to work through while we're here. Lots of different story times and shows for the little boys. Guess where we're going to spend next week?
I can't find post cards. Don't people send post cards anymore? I finally got some at the post office and had to pick between Disney, Ronald Reagan, or Black Heritage Month. What ever happened to beautiful pictures of mountains and water falls?
Joey is depressed. According to my MIL he cried and whined for 2 days after we left. He's stopped that now but just lays around. He misses us. We miss him too. I wish he could've come.
Other than school, there isn't much to do sometimes. This place is small and doesn't require much upkeep time. We brought a couple of decks of cards and I'm amazed at how much fun they have been. The little boys are learning to play a couple of games and the big kids are learning to shuffle.
Update on Mom.....Her last surgery did not go so well and now they want to do a double mastectomy. I'm so disappointed for her to have to go through all of this. The good news is that she will not have to do chemo or radiation. Her spirits seem good and she's ready to get this over with.
No big weekend plans. Just being together is good. Maybe we can find a hiking trail to do. I'm eager to get closer to the mountains.
We found the greatest library. Silly me, why didn't I think they would have more than one? #1 and I went and explored. They even let us have a card even though we don't have a permanent address. It's huge and has so much fun stuff. The gift shop is great with like-new books at g-sale prices. I got a beautiful 10 commandments book for the kids and I to work through while we're here. Lots of different story times and shows for the little boys. Guess where we're going to spend next week?
I can't find post cards. Don't people send post cards anymore? I finally got some at the post office and had to pick between Disney, Ronald Reagan, or Black Heritage Month. What ever happened to beautiful pictures of mountains and water falls?
Joey is depressed. According to my MIL he cried and whined for 2 days after we left. He's stopped that now but just lays around. He misses us. We miss him too. I wish he could've come.
Other than school, there isn't much to do sometimes. This place is small and doesn't require much upkeep time. We brought a couple of decks of cards and I'm amazed at how much fun they have been. The little boys are learning to play a couple of games and the big kids are learning to shuffle.
Update on Mom.....Her last surgery did not go so well and now they want to do a double mastectomy. I'm so disappointed for her to have to go through all of this. The good news is that she will not have to do chemo or radiation. Her spirits seem good and she's ready to get this over with.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
I've been sleeping way too late. I like to be the first one up. I haven't been the first one up since we got here. Bird and Zekey being in the room with us doesn't help. The sun is up at 5:30 here. Not the gentle glow of day break light but up high in the sky up! That'll take some getting used to. But tomorrow I gotta have CT at the soccer field at 7:00 so that'll help me.
We went to a park today that is walking distance from our apartment. That's where I'm going to start walking in the mornings. We had a good time there for awhile and came back and got lunch ready for Honey to come home. Oh, how I love that! I really missed cooking for him.
The Lakewood library is closed!! Closed for the whole time we're here for remodeling! That's a bummer. I was counting on using it for history b/c we just finished the book we were working on and now we're at a really interesting part. Also #1 is out of books again, and I wanted to take the boys to story time. Awwww. Well, tomorrow I'm going to check out the CCU library and see what it has to offer.
Tonight CT has a scrimmage. We're looking forward to that. Maybe we can meet some soccer parents.
I'm reading a new book titled Everyday Talk. Its good. At least chapter 1 was good. Its on my book study list that I do with my friends. I'm also reading Little Women b/c the girls love that book and want me to read it so we can talk about it. I'm having trouble getting through it but my girls tell me to persevere b/c it gets better.
Time for tea.
We went to a park today that is walking distance from our apartment. That's where I'm going to start walking in the mornings. We had a good time there for awhile and came back and got lunch ready for Honey to come home. Oh, how I love that! I really missed cooking for him.
The Lakewood library is closed!! Closed for the whole time we're here for remodeling! That's a bummer. I was counting on using it for history b/c we just finished the book we were working on and now we're at a really interesting part. Also #1 is out of books again, and I wanted to take the boys to story time. Awwww. Well, tomorrow I'm going to check out the CCU library and see what it has to offer.
Tonight CT has a scrimmage. We're looking forward to that. Maybe we can meet some soccer parents.
I'm reading a new book titled Everyday Talk. Its good. At least chapter 1 was good. Its on my book study list that I do with my friends. I'm also reading Little Women b/c the girls love that book and want me to read it so we can talk about it. I'm having trouble getting through it but my girls tell me to persevere b/c it gets better.
Time for tea.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Colorado is nice! The weather is great. It got hot today but not enough to turn on the a/c. Our apartment has an attic fan and so far that is doing the job.
Loooong trip. So many stops to make! We pulled over 4 times special just to spank Bird's bottom. The car was crammed. I'm glad we don't have to do that again for 3 more weeks.
If it weren't for little kids that aren't travel friendly, I might enjoy the drive. There isn't much to look at in Kansas but there are neat looking tourist attractions. I'm a sucker for all of them. One sign says: See The World's Largest Prairie Dog! Another says: See A 5 Headed Steer! Oh yeah! That would be fun. There are also lots of those "points of interest next right" signs. I'm craning my neck to see what is so interesting but I guess you have to take the exit to see it.
I've been married to Honey long enough to know that we're not going to stop to see the big prairie dog or the cow with lots of heads. I guess that's a good thing. If I were driving we might not ever get here.
I found the Walmart today and made it back without getting lost. I'm looking forward to exploring the town and finding the library and parks. Looks like it'll be a fun 3 weeks.
Loooong trip. So many stops to make! We pulled over 4 times special just to spank Bird's bottom. The car was crammed. I'm glad we don't have to do that again for 3 more weeks.
If it weren't for little kids that aren't travel friendly, I might enjoy the drive. There isn't much to look at in Kansas but there are neat looking tourist attractions. I'm a sucker for all of them. One sign says: See The World's Largest Prairie Dog! Another says: See A 5 Headed Steer! Oh yeah! That would be fun. There are also lots of those "points of interest next right" signs. I'm craning my neck to see what is so interesting but I guess you have to take the exit to see it.
I've been married to Honey long enough to know that we're not going to stop to see the big prairie dog or the cow with lots of heads. I guess that's a good thing. If I were driving we might not ever get here.
I found the Walmart today and made it back without getting lost. I'm looking forward to exploring the town and finding the library and parks. Looks like it'll be a fun 3 weeks.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
A Good Day
How could it not be a good day with Honey HOME!!! Ahhhh........
So nice not to be in charge anymore. I'm a better indian than chief.
God is great. Garage door, 2 lawn mowers, and 2 vacuum cleaners all broken!! That's bad news. I lay in bed this morning praying over all of them. Well the garage door guy came out yesterday and fixed a loose connection in about 4 minutes flat. No charge. Today Honey was able to fix both lawn mowers AND both vacuum cleaners! Thank you Lord! No repair man fees. He's at the store now with a couple of kids picking up some things for the trip...including brownie mix that my sweet daughters are going to make for me on my b-day Friday at G'ma's. Yummmy....
I'm cleaning house and finishing up the packing. So much to take! I don't know how I ever could've traveled in the horse and buggy days. After all where would the bread machine ride? We leave in the morning to head to G'ma and PawPaw's and G'pa and Nana's. We leave from there to drop of Joey (poor guy) at the other G'ma and G'pa's. Then straight to CO!!
We're leaving the house ready to show and told the realtors to feel free to sell it while we're gone. I hope they do!
So nice not to be in charge anymore. I'm a better indian than chief.
God is great. Garage door, 2 lawn mowers, and 2 vacuum cleaners all broken!! That's bad news. I lay in bed this morning praying over all of them. Well the garage door guy came out yesterday and fixed a loose connection in about 4 minutes flat. No charge. Today Honey was able to fix both lawn mowers AND both vacuum cleaners! Thank you Lord! No repair man fees. He's at the store now with a couple of kids picking up some things for the trip...including brownie mix that my sweet daughters are going to make for me on my b-day Friday at G'ma's. Yummmy....
I'm cleaning house and finishing up the packing. So much to take! I don't know how I ever could've traveled in the horse and buggy days. After all where would the bread machine ride? We leave in the morning to head to G'ma and PawPaw's and G'pa and Nana's. We leave from there to drop of Joey (poor guy) at the other G'ma and G'pa's. Then straight to CO!!
We're leaving the house ready to show and told the realtors to feel free to sell it while we're gone. I hope they do!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Update on Mom
Mom has to have surgery again on Monday. They didn't get all of the tumor the first time. They did say that the cancer is not in her lymph nodes. That's great news.
I love you Mom.
I love you Mom.
Washed Upstream
There has been so much rain lately that there is water running on both sides of the street. I'm walking this morning when this LOBSTER reared up and set himself to attack! A LOBSTER!! He was all bent up backwards with his ugly pincher things pinching at me. Whoa. That stopped me in my tracks.
So my friend and I stood there and stared at him. We talked for the rest of the walk about how in the world a lobster could've gotten here. She actually wanted to save him. Whatever.
I walked back home excited to tell somebody so I called Honey. He was in the shower. My neighbor came out to go to work. Ah Ha! It didn't excite him like it did me. Instead he had this funny smirk on his face. "Umm, no" he said, "that would be a CRAWDAD."
A crawdad? Oh. Well, it *did* look like a lobster. At least my walking partner didn't know the difference either. I need to learn my crustaceans.
So my friend and I stood there and stared at him. We talked for the rest of the walk about how in the world a lobster could've gotten here. She actually wanted to save him. Whatever.
I walked back home excited to tell somebody so I called Honey. He was in the shower. My neighbor came out to go to work. Ah Ha! It didn't excite him like it did me. Instead he had this funny smirk on his face. "Umm, no" he said, "that would be a CRAWDAD."
A crawdad? Oh. Well, it *did* look like a lobster. At least my walking partner didn't know the difference either. I need to learn my crustaceans.
Call 'em by name
On the way to the cousins' this morning we decided to give our favorite servants names. You know, the microwave, bread machine, w/d, and dishwasher. Here's what we came up with...
microwave: Rosie (the Jetson's robot maid)
dishwasher: Herb (dad in the Robots movie)
bread machine: Aunt Bea (everyone knows that one)
washer and dryer: Spot and Fluffy
I forgot what we named the refrigerator. Gotta ask #1.
Silly but fun.
microwave: Rosie (the Jetson's robot maid)
dishwasher: Herb (dad in the Robots movie)
bread machine: Aunt Bea (everyone knows that one)
washer and dryer: Spot and Fluffy
I forgot what we named the refrigerator. Gotta ask #1.
Silly but fun.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Coughing Cutie
Poor Mayfee boy has a cough. It's getting better, but still sounds yucky sometimes. Last night he coughed so hard he threw up all over Bird's floor. Mess.
He was fine with it though and followed Lane to the bath while I cleaned up the floor. One of his sisters came by and asked him what happened. He said..."Well, I had a lot of spit and when I spit it was a BIG one. " I'll say.
No one else shows any sign of catching it. I have him sleeping upstairs tonight so I can hear him better. He is still his same crazy self and is not slowed down a bit. And since being sick means extra juice, I think he may even enjoy it a little.
He was fine with it though and followed Lane to the bath while I cleaned up the floor. One of his sisters came by and asked him what happened. He said..."Well, I had a lot of spit and when I spit it was a BIG one. " I'll say.
No one else shows any sign of catching it. I have him sleeping upstairs tonight so I can hear him better. He is still his same crazy self and is not slowed down a bit. And since being sick means extra juice, I think he may even enjoy it a little.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Granddaddy
Granddaddy called me yesterday. He is not a man of many words and doesn't call often. It was good to hear from him. It made my day.
We talked about CO. I used to go there with him and Nanny on vacation in the summers. He told me about a time when I was little and we climbed up to Seven Falls and wrote a song together. How I wish I remembered that! I do remember climbing down a mountain to see a wrecked bus and almost not making it back up. We laughed a while about that memory!
We used to fish a lot in CO. I would get my line all tangled up and he would give me his pole while he fixed mine. By the time he was done, I would have tangled up his pole and we'd have to switch again. I don't know how Granddaddy ever caught any fish at all!
I have so many good memories with Nanny and Granddaddy. Mom and I used to go out to eat with them on Fridays and I would usually spend the night. Granddaddy and I would eat olives out of the jar on his bed and watch Gunsmoke. He let me drink the last little bit of his coffee in his cup when he was done. Life was good.
Now I don't live close to him anymore. I send him cards and letters occasionally as well as our family newsletter. He calls me now and then. Now I'm moving even farther away. I told him to visit me in CO and this time I'd take *him* fishing!
We talked about CO. I used to go there with him and Nanny on vacation in the summers. He told me about a time when I was little and we climbed up to Seven Falls and wrote a song together. How I wish I remembered that! I do remember climbing down a mountain to see a wrecked bus and almost not making it back up. We laughed a while about that memory!
We used to fish a lot in CO. I would get my line all tangled up and he would give me his pole while he fixed mine. By the time he was done, I would have tangled up his pole and we'd have to switch again. I don't know how Granddaddy ever caught any fish at all!
I have so many good memories with Nanny and Granddaddy. Mom and I used to go out to eat with them on Fridays and I would usually spend the night. Granddaddy and I would eat olives out of the jar on his bed and watch Gunsmoke. He let me drink the last little bit of his coffee in his cup when he was done. Life was good.
Now I don't live close to him anymore. I send him cards and letters occasionally as well as our family newsletter. He calls me now and then. Now I'm moving even farther away. I told him to visit me in CO and this time I'd take *him* fishing!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Draw A Card Please
My new 30 minutes job idea is going well. This week we've sort of gotten behind though so the big kids and I stayed up tonight and caught up.
This is how we do it. I wrote out different jobs on cards. Each job takes about 30 minutes. On the card is also the instructions on just how to do that job so it also serves as a check list. In the morning I pick out several different job cards that need to be done. I fan them out, game style, and everyone chooses one without looking. I also put fun cards in there like "Congratulations...You're off!" and "Pick a Scripture and work on memorizing and spelling it" . #1 is sure she'll never pick those. She always seems to get the hard ones...sorry Sweetie.
This has been good because everyone gets different things to do. CT has never had to iron before b/c his sisters do it for him. Guess who got the ironing card? With a little coaching, he did a good job. The little boys don't draw a card yet. Instead, I wait to see who has what and assign them as a helper according to their abilities.
My original plan was to use this time to work with COW on whichever job they got, to train them in the finer points of cleaning. So far, that hasn't worked out yet. It's still my goal to shoot for though.....maybe tomorrow.
5 more sleeps!!
This is how we do it. I wrote out different jobs on cards. Each job takes about 30 minutes. On the card is also the instructions on just how to do that job so it also serves as a check list. In the morning I pick out several different job cards that need to be done. I fan them out, game style, and everyone chooses one without looking. I also put fun cards in there like "Congratulations...You're off!" and "Pick a Scripture and work on memorizing and spelling it" . #1 is sure she'll never pick those. She always seems to get the hard ones...sorry Sweetie.
This has been good because everyone gets different things to do. CT has never had to iron before b/c his sisters do it for him. Guess who got the ironing card? With a little coaching, he did a good job. The little boys don't draw a card yet. Instead, I wait to see who has what and assign them as a helper according to their abilities.
My original plan was to use this time to work with COW on whichever job they got, to train them in the finer points of cleaning. So far, that hasn't worked out yet. It's still my goal to shoot for though.....maybe tomorrow.
5 more sleeps!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Update on Mom
Mom had her lumpectomy today and is doing well. PTL!
6 more sleeps until Honey comes HOME!
6 more sleeps until Honey comes HOME!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Yuck
What is up with all the flies? There were like 20 of them on my garage door. I'm killing flies every single night in the house. I especially hate those big ones that buzz. Also those ones that you kill and then they come back to life. How do they do that? I must say that I'm having trouble thinking up something to be thankful for about flies.
Thankfulness
Man, yesterday was horrible. All this waiting, all this hoping, all this being separated was weighing on me in every way. Know what? Today I got word that the kids and I are spending the month of July in CO!! We're staying in the student housing...actually the exact same unit that we stayed in before! God is so good to send this gift when I was feeling so down. It really is a gift too. You see, all we have to pay for is utilities. I can't wait! We leave the 9th and will be gone for the rest of the month. Ahhhh........
I watched a sermon yesterday that lifted my spirits so much. Today I read about thankfulness. Between the sermon and the article, I realized how unthankful I can be sometimes. I set the tone in my home and so much of the time I am a big grouch. How can I expect my kids to be any different? I have to say though, that my kids are usually the ones to lift me up. They usually smile and are cheerful to each other. I want to show (and tell) them how thankful I am for each one of them. I want to show it in my tone and in my actions and words. Most of all though, I want genuine thankfulness in my heart since from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
I have SOOOO much to be thankful for. My home is not here in AR or there in CO it is in Heaven. In a mansion that the Lord is preparing for me. I will get to spend eternity there with my God who loves me so and also with my sweet ones that are here. Thank you Lord!
I watched a sermon yesterday that lifted my spirits so much. Today I read about thankfulness. Between the sermon and the article, I realized how unthankful I can be sometimes. I set the tone in my home and so much of the time I am a big grouch. How can I expect my kids to be any different? I have to say though, that my kids are usually the ones to lift me up. They usually smile and are cheerful to each other. I want to show (and tell) them how thankful I am for each one of them. I want to show it in my tone and in my actions and words. Most of all though, I want genuine thankfulness in my heart since from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
I have SOOOO much to be thankful for. My home is not here in AR or there in CO it is in Heaven. In a mansion that the Lord is preparing for me. I will get to spend eternity there with my God who loves me so and also with my sweet ones that are here. Thank you Lord!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Squash Fritters
Here's a great way to use up extra squash from your garden. We are a non-squash eating family b/c I've never found a healthy recipe that we like. A friend gave me the squash and the recipe. I made it for my crew and all 8 kids liked it. WOW.
Squash Fritters
6T olive oil
3 eggs beaten
1 2/3 C. milk
1 1/2 C. corn meal
3 C. grated squash or zucchini packed
6 T. sour cream
6 T. Parmesan cheese
1 1/2t. salt
3/4 t. pepper
Combine all into a pancake-like batter. If too runny add a bit more corn meal, or additional milk if too thick.
Heat a little more oil in a skillet. Pour 1/4 C. batter into skillet and cook as you would pancakes, flipping once.
We had these with beans and salad. Some kids liked salsa with it, some liked ketchup.
Squash Fritters
6T olive oil
3 eggs beaten
1 2/3 C. milk
1 1/2 C. corn meal
3 C. grated squash or zucchini packed
6 T. sour cream
6 T. Parmesan cheese
1 1/2t. salt
3/4 t. pepper
Combine all into a pancake-like batter. If too runny add a bit more corn meal, or additional milk if too thick.
Heat a little more oil in a skillet. Pour 1/4 C. batter into skillet and cook as you would pancakes, flipping once.
We had these with beans and salad. Some kids liked salsa with it, some liked ketchup.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
More Treasures
I've gotten a few compliments on my new wreath. I had fun fixing it up. It looks good on the front door. I admit that at first it looked like an old lady funeral type flower thing. I had my neighbor come over and help me tweak it. I like it now.
Walking this morning and I found more good stuff. Why do my neighbors get rid of these things? It's not even trash day yet but they had this pile of junk by the street. My next door neighbor was jealous of my wooden crate from last week. He told me he had had his eye on it the night before. He saw the pile this morning but I told him to stay away...that was *my* trash pile!
I got like seven big flower pots. Big, nice, heavy flower pots. I had my oldest son go over and help me carry them home. Since Honey and I just bought new pots for our house I knew how much they cost new. They'll look great in my new house. They also had a bike in the trash. We don't need a bike but the next thing I knew my son was headed back over there with a couple of wrenches! He wanted the seat for his bike. HA! He wasn't able to unscrew it though. Too bad.
So tonight I went walking again and I notice that all the junk is gone. Gone! Where did it go? Trash day isn't until tomorrow. So that leaves a big question mark in my mind. Was it really trash or were they just stacking it there for some other purpose? I hope I didn't just *steal* their flower pots!
Walking this morning and I found more good stuff. Why do my neighbors get rid of these things? It's not even trash day yet but they had this pile of junk by the street. My next door neighbor was jealous of my wooden crate from last week. He told me he had had his eye on it the night before. He saw the pile this morning but I told him to stay away...that was *my* trash pile!
I got like seven big flower pots. Big, nice, heavy flower pots. I had my oldest son go over and help me carry them home. Since Honey and I just bought new pots for our house I knew how much they cost new. They'll look great in my new house. They also had a bike in the trash. We don't need a bike but the next thing I knew my son was headed back over there with a couple of wrenches! He wanted the seat for his bike. HA! He wasn't able to unscrew it though. Too bad.
So tonight I went walking again and I notice that all the junk is gone. Gone! Where did it go? Trash day isn't until tomorrow. So that leaves a big question mark in my mind. Was it really trash or were they just stacking it there for some other purpose? I hope I didn't just *steal* their flower pots!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
I remember when my 4 big kids were all little at the same time. That was hard. Now they are all getting big at the same time. This is harder. Yes, teenagers are much harder than little kids. Everything is so emotional. It is not so black and white anymore. I'm always left wondering if I handled it right or not. Who knows? I just pray for the wisdom of Solomon...yes I need *that* much!
It is also harder b/c I am running out of time. The clock is ticking and soon they will be gone. There is much less room for error. Yesterday I followed my 4yo around the house busting his bottom all day long! He had a very bad day of disobedience. I was discouraged at the day's end and welcomed the fact that it was bed time. As tiring as that was, I can take comfort in the fact that he's only 4. We still have time.
My neighbor warned me that it would be like this. Now she tells me that it's not any easier when they are adults. No wonder my parents only had one.
What work could ever be better than this though? Shaping these minds and growing these bodies for God? It is a good work that God has begun and I pray that He carries it on to completion in Christ. I love these little people.
It is also harder b/c I am running out of time. The clock is ticking and soon they will be gone. There is much less room for error. Yesterday I followed my 4yo around the house busting his bottom all day long! He had a very bad day of disobedience. I was discouraged at the day's end and welcomed the fact that it was bed time. As tiring as that was, I can take comfort in the fact that he's only 4. We still have time.
My neighbor warned me that it would be like this. Now she tells me that it's not any easier when they are adults. No wonder my parents only had one.
What work could ever be better than this though? Shaping these minds and growing these bodies for God? It is a good work that God has begun and I pray that He carries it on to completion in Christ. I love these little people.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Fun Last Night
We went to friends' house last night and had the greatest time. It was their weekly family wiffle ball night and we were invited. We made the teams a lot bigger! Everyone played except Bird and Zekey. It was a good time of togetherness, sloppy joes, homemade ice cream, and baseball. What could be better? Maybe soccer???? Just kidding!
The kids still haven't stopped talking about it. So I told them that that is what we can have someday if they don't all move off! Oh, how I hope it's really like that. Lots of little grandkids running all over the yard with Honey and me wearing great big smiles.
The kids still haven't stopped talking about it. So I told them that that is what we can have someday if they don't all move off! Oh, how I hope it's really like that. Lots of little grandkids running all over the yard with Honey and me wearing great big smiles.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Yay for Maeggy!
Some friends at church are giving her a CAR!! It's a 1978 big sort of car. He described it as "reliable and virtually indestructible". That's just what she needs to learn with. She went wild with excitement. CT knew which car he was talking about and was telling her how cool it is. He said it's "crayon blue". She likes that color. Really it wouldn't matter though, it could be puke green and she'd still be thrilled. Me too.
Update on Mom
This is good news we think. Mom has a MRI on Monday. The docs all think it will be good. If so, she'll have a lumpectomy (day surgery!) on Wed. Then radiation for 6 weeks and that's it. Possibly no chemo! I'm so happy with this news. Please continue to pray. More after Monday....
Trashy Treasures
I was walking along this morning listening to my Christmas music and not paying any attention to where I was going. I look down to see that I'm 1/2 a step away from a disgusting dead squirrel! Gasp! I swing right and come toe-to-beak with a flattened dead bird! Hello? I need a street sweeper here!!
It's trash day in my neighborhood. I walk along and find something great. In my elderly neighbor's yard is his discarded wreath from his front door. Actually two of them. True, it had seen better days but with a little TLC it can be spiffy again. I picked out the best one and carried it home. I considered both of them, but after all I only have one front door.
I walk around to my old neighborhood and found something else. Someone had thrown away a perfectly good wooden crate thingy. It would be great for magazines or books. 2 of the planks on the bottom are broken but I think I can fix it. One side of the wood is a little worn, but I'll put that side toward the wall. I carried it home and put it on the porch beside my new wreath. I need to walk on trash day more often!
What's on my agenda today? I think a trip to Hobby Lobby is in order.
It's trash day in my neighborhood. I walk along and find something great. In my elderly neighbor's yard is his discarded wreath from his front door. Actually two of them. True, it had seen better days but with a little TLC it can be spiffy again. I picked out the best one and carried it home. I considered both of them, but after all I only have one front door.
I walk around to my old neighborhood and found something else. Someone had thrown away a perfectly good wooden crate thingy. It would be great for magazines or books. 2 of the planks on the bottom are broken but I think I can fix it. One side of the wood is a little worn, but I'll put that side toward the wall. I carried it home and put it on the porch beside my new wreath. I need to walk on trash day more often!
What's on my agenda today? I think a trip to Hobby Lobby is in order.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
This week I bought myself a big hat to wear at the soccer games. No more sun burns for me. I remember when I was little that my mom had a big hat that she wore on the boat. I thought it was funny and ugly.
I put on my hat to model for the kids and heard comments like..."Why did you buy *that* one? Was it the only one they had?" Hey! I thought it looked pretty good.
Oh well, I told them to go ahead and laugh. I guess it served me right. Like mother like daughter I suppose.
I put on my hat to model for the kids and heard comments like..."Why did you buy *that* one? Was it the only one they had?" Hey! I thought it looked pretty good.
Oh well, I told them to go ahead and laugh. I guess it served me right. Like mother like daughter I suppose.
We're HOME!!
Oh it's good!! Such a looooong drive but it went well up until the end. Bird lost it about an hour away from the house. Screaming at the top of her lungs!! I know a good mom would've pulled the car over to spank her. She needed it. However, I was unwilling to alter our ETA set by the navigation system. We made good time, but 14 hours is still a long way. Finally she gave up and rode quietly the rest of the way. My sweet MIL was so sad for her.
FUN fun trip. We looked at 6 houses with the realtor. I met 2 soccer families that were super nice. Great soccer. Good family time. Beautiful place. I'm eager to call it home.
My mom meets with doctors today and tomorrow. Please pray for her. More news later when I hear back from her....
FUN fun trip. We looked at 6 houses with the realtor. I met 2 soccer families that were super nice. Great soccer. Good family time. Beautiful place. I'm eager to call it home.
My mom meets with doctors today and tomorrow. Please pray for her. More news later when I hear back from her....
Sunday, June 10, 2007
So Zekey and I were the ones under the umbrellas yesterday and we're the ones that are sunburned. Since he is too young for sunscreen I don't know what we could've done differently. His little face is red. Not too bad...but still! I feel like such a bad mom. I'm keeping him home today. I hate missing the championship game though.
Honey has his first photo gig in CO! They asked him to take the team photos. It's a freebie, but that's ok.
Our hotel plans fell through when we were about half way up here. BUT...the school is letting us stay in the student housing for FREE!! This place is fantastic. It has 2 bdrms upstairs, 1 downstairs, 2 baths, 6 beds, w/d, full kitchen. Best of all, NO TV! It's just right. This was truly a blessing from the Lord.
It's beautiful here. We're farther from the mountains than I would like. But yesterday we drove to Boulder for the games and we were much closer. It was so pretty. So the good thing is that the mountain drive is very close. I hope to drive around and see more later today.
Oh yes, CT's team is just what we had hoped for! The whole team is good, the whole team is talented...not just a select few. There is a lot of room for growth for him here.
His coach is nice. They played a team from Hawaii yesterday...imagine coming from Hawaii to play in a tournament! We were beating them pretty badly when Coach Dan told the boys to stop scoring on them. Just play and let them have fun. He reminded them of how they feel when they travel and get beat and how it's not that much fun. We want these guys to have fun too. I appreciate that good sportsmanship example. At the end of the game, the Hawaiian boys gave all of our boys a bag of nuts from Hawaii.
Except for the sunburns, it was a wonderful day.
Honey has his first photo gig in CO! They asked him to take the team photos. It's a freebie, but that's ok.
Our hotel plans fell through when we were about half way up here. BUT...the school is letting us stay in the student housing for FREE!! This place is fantastic. It has 2 bdrms upstairs, 1 downstairs, 2 baths, 6 beds, w/d, full kitchen. Best of all, NO TV! It's just right. This was truly a blessing from the Lord.
It's beautiful here. We're farther from the mountains than I would like. But yesterday we drove to Boulder for the games and we were much closer. It was so pretty. So the good thing is that the mountain drive is very close. I hope to drive around and see more later today.
Oh yes, CT's team is just what we had hoped for! The whole team is good, the whole team is talented...not just a select few. There is a lot of room for growth for him here.
His coach is nice. They played a team from Hawaii yesterday...imagine coming from Hawaii to play in a tournament! We were beating them pretty badly when Coach Dan told the boys to stop scoring on them. Just play and let them have fun. He reminded them of how they feel when they travel and get beat and how it's not that much fun. We want these guys to have fun too. I appreciate that good sportsmanship example. At the end of the game, the Hawaiian boys gave all of our boys a bag of nuts from Hawaii.
Except for the sunburns, it was a wonderful day.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
1st soccer game in CO
Undefeated! Championship tomorrow. I'm sunburned even though I was under the umbrella all day. How could that happen?
More news on Mom next week.
More news on Mom next week.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Gone to CO til Wed!
Driving with Halmony, MIL, and 9 kids. We need a Daddy fix! We'll also get to meet CT's new team and watch him play this weekend. Ahhhhh.......
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Hospitality
My good MIL comes tomorrow and is bringing Halmony. It'll be a good time. I'm also looking forward to the break from school.
I wish I had the gift of hospitality, but I don't. It's a good thing that my family isn't shy b/c they might die of thirst before I would think to offer them something to drink. It's not b/c I don't want to, it's b/c it doesn't occur to me. I guess I am so selfish that it is hard for me to think of others. Isn't that SAD?!
I realized this a couple of years ago and I've been on a quest to learn the art of hospitality ever since. I've read a couple of books but have never found one to be of much help. I've learned better by watching others. My next door neighbor is the queen of hospitality. Whenever I pop over unannounced, she answers the door and steps to the side fully expecting me to come in. I noticed that that was different from the way that I answer the door. Meaning I just stand there and visit with you until you leave. After you're gone, then it hits me! Why didn't I invite them in?? AHHHH.
My parents are also hospitable. My dad and step mom's house has a little guest house that is just right for us. When we visited over Christmas, it was stocked with all sorts of foods that they knew we liked. Before then, they just had a guest room. When I stayed with them there, the guest room was so comfy with candles and things that were convenient. I felt like I was in a bed and breakfast. Sweet.
My mom has everything that any guest would ever need. She is prepared for anything. It doesn't even matter how many come, she can be ready. She has every drink you can think of and tons of food. I don't even have an extra pillow for my guests!
Every visitor is a new chance for me to grow. So when we know that G'ma is coming, the kids and I have a meeting to discuss what we can do to make G'ma's visit good. LB thought of a great one.....keep dixie cups in the bathroom for Great G'ma b/c she always needs a drink at night. Isn't that thoughtful? I would've never thought of that. She also likes paper towels in the bathroom so we bought a paper towel holder.
Tomorrow I'm going to unpack the coffee pot and make apple muffins. They are Halmony's favorite. I'm looking forward to having them...the company, not the muffins.
I wish I had the gift of hospitality, but I don't. It's a good thing that my family isn't shy b/c they might die of thirst before I would think to offer them something to drink. It's not b/c I don't want to, it's b/c it doesn't occur to me. I guess I am so selfish that it is hard for me to think of others. Isn't that SAD?!
I realized this a couple of years ago and I've been on a quest to learn the art of hospitality ever since. I've read a couple of books but have never found one to be of much help. I've learned better by watching others. My next door neighbor is the queen of hospitality. Whenever I pop over unannounced, she answers the door and steps to the side fully expecting me to come in. I noticed that that was different from the way that I answer the door. Meaning I just stand there and visit with you until you leave. After you're gone, then it hits me! Why didn't I invite them in?? AHHHH.
My parents are also hospitable. My dad and step mom's house has a little guest house that is just right for us. When we visited over Christmas, it was stocked with all sorts of foods that they knew we liked. Before then, they just had a guest room. When I stayed with them there, the guest room was so comfy with candles and things that were convenient. I felt like I was in a bed and breakfast. Sweet.
My mom has everything that any guest would ever need. She is prepared for anything. It doesn't even matter how many come, she can be ready. She has every drink you can think of and tons of food. I don't even have an extra pillow for my guests!
Every visitor is a new chance for me to grow. So when we know that G'ma is coming, the kids and I have a meeting to discuss what we can do to make G'ma's visit good. LB thought of a great one.....keep dixie cups in the bathroom for Great G'ma b/c she always needs a drink at night. Isn't that thoughtful? I would've never thought of that. She also likes paper towels in the bathroom so we bought a paper towel holder.
Tomorrow I'm going to unpack the coffee pot and make apple muffins. They are Halmony's favorite. I'm looking forward to having them...the company, not the muffins.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Cute picture of Froggy. Check out those cheeks!
http://thetaggs.smugmug.com/gallery/2950782#159448642
http://thetaggs.smugmug.com/gallery/2950782#159448642
Sunday, June 03, 2007
No More Open Houses
This was quite a day. Actually it never got better from yesterday.
Yesterday #1 messed up the lawn mower by putting in the wrong oil. My neighbor came over to help. It never started. My daughter felt terrible. We have another mower so she planned to finish it this morning.
Know what? That one broke too. Open house today and the back yard needs mowing. I couldn't think of what to do. I cried. At Honey's suggestion, I called a different neighbor that doesn't go to church and asked to borrow his. Even better, he came over and fixed it. Thank you Lord.
I got in a huge fight with Honey and screamed at him over the phone. Times are stressful, tempers are flaring. I apologized later but still didn't want to talk to him.
Open house today and two people came. Two. Oh well, it only takes one right?
Yesterday #1 messed up the lawn mower by putting in the wrong oil. My neighbor came over to help. It never started. My daughter felt terrible. We have another mower so she planned to finish it this morning.
Know what? That one broke too. Open house today and the back yard needs mowing. I couldn't think of what to do. I cried. At Honey's suggestion, I called a different neighbor that doesn't go to church and asked to borrow his. Even better, he came over and fixed it. Thank you Lord.
I got in a huge fight with Honey and screamed at him over the phone. Times are stressful, tempers are flaring. I apologized later but still didn't want to talk to him.
Open house today and two people came. Two. Oh well, it only takes one right?
Saturday, June 02, 2007
House Cleaning Blues
We cleaned house today. I started the day with grand plans of cleaning the kitchen myself, made list for everyone else, had jobs for the little ones, and planned shifts with the babies. This usually works ok. Today, not so much. Things were not moving very smoothly, babies were everywhere it seemed, my bed never got made.
By lunch time I was frustrated, tired, and still had a messy house. On top of that I was feeling irritated with my babies for being so needy when I had "important" things to do. How wrong is that!?
Time to change my strategy. No more blitzing it all in one day. Now I'm going to pass out 30 minute jobs everyday to each person in addition to daily chores. If all goes according to plan, by Friday we'll have put in a lot of accumulated hours of cleaning.
It was sort of important to have the house clean today because.......OPEN HOUSE tomorrow!! YIPEE!! Oh, I pray the Lord will send just the right one to my open house. I hope it doesn't rain.
So we all have to be gone tomorrow from 2-4pm, even Joey. That is smack dab in the middle of nap time. My plan is to go have snowcones, then hang out at the Circle Park.
Gotta go finish cleaning.....
By lunch time I was frustrated, tired, and still had a messy house. On top of that I was feeling irritated with my babies for being so needy when I had "important" things to do. How wrong is that!?
Time to change my strategy. No more blitzing it all in one day. Now I'm going to pass out 30 minute jobs everyday to each person in addition to daily chores. If all goes according to plan, by Friday we'll have put in a lot of accumulated hours of cleaning.
It was sort of important to have the house clean today because.......OPEN HOUSE tomorrow!! YIPEE!! Oh, I pray the Lord will send just the right one to my open house. I hope it doesn't rain.
So we all have to be gone tomorrow from 2-4pm, even Joey. That is smack dab in the middle of nap time. My plan is to go have snowcones, then hang out at the Circle Park.
Gotta go finish cleaning.....
Friday, June 01, 2007
Shop Til Ya Drop
Lots of fun with #1 this afternoon. We got the babies down for naps and hit the stores. First we stopped and got icees then hit the resale shop. She found 5 shirts and 2 pair of pants. I got 2 shirts for her sister. On the way back we stopped into the new antique shop. Cute place. Stuff in every corner. #1 got some stationery for $1 and a gift for a friend. After that, we poked around in Thrift Town and found a couple of other outfits. She got 2 more shirts, I got a pair of pants for $1 (yes, a $1!), 3 shirts, and a new book. I think we spent about $50 in all for everything. Not bad for so many new clothes. #1 was excited to have so many new things. I had a great afternoon with my daughter. Tonight I'm looking forward to digging into my new book. It's something about making your house pretty. Since I'm getting a new house soon I'm sure to learn something.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Yesterday and Today
Honey had a bad day yesterday. It was all going well until he found out that his mom was planning to leave CO today. That means that CT would have to go too. He thought he would have him through the weekend. It made the day sad and put him in a very bad mood. Remember how I said that we seem to alternate the bad days and other one is able to be the balance? Not yesterday. True, I was having a good day, but was totally unable to turn him around.
CT did fantastic in his tryouts. Honey got the call this morning with his placement. They called while he was driving his mom and CT to the airport to leave. Welllll....now CT has practice next week and a tournament the following weekend. Guess who missed the plane home? Guess who is in a MUCH better mood!!
Separation is no good. But God is. CT's new coach is a christian and Honey has enjoyed e-mailing him. He also has a son that is 6yo's age and in the same soccer club. That means when 6yo gets there that their practices will line up....just like they did here!! He also has found a church that appears to have a worship dance team. How wonderful for LB. Over and over I see the hand of the Lord providing these little things to make it better.
CT did fantastic in his tryouts. Honey got the call this morning with his placement. They called while he was driving his mom and CT to the airport to leave. Welllll....now CT has practice next week and a tournament the following weekend. Guess who missed the plane home? Guess who is in a MUCH better mood!!
Separation is no good. But God is. CT's new coach is a christian and Honey has enjoyed e-mailing him. He also has a son that is 6yo's age and in the same soccer club. That means when 6yo gets there that their practices will line up....just like they did here!! He also has found a church that appears to have a worship dance team. How wonderful for LB. Over and over I see the hand of the Lord providing these little things to make it better.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Kitchen stuff
I have had the same potholders since I got married. They are homemade ones that Mom made me. After 19 years they are pretty yucky. I can't believe they even made it this long. I had a whole drawer of them and I threw them all out. Know what I got? Those fancy silicone kind! My family got them for me for Mother's Day. They are so nifty. It doesn't even look like they should work but they do. They take up a lot less space in the drawer too.
Now I'm going through my silverware. I've had this silverware longer than my potholders. In fact, it's the silverware that I had when I was a kid!! Actually it's pieces from many many sets. And there is a *lot* of it. It won't all fit in the silverware holder so I've had the extras in a big bag in the cabinet in case we ever run out of clean ones. I think it's time to simplify. It's sort of hard to choose which ones to keep. I kinda like the ones that look like they came from the King Arthur books. My daughter likes the ones that have flower designs on the handles. She calls them the "princess forks". 4yo like the puppy dog one. Decisions decisions....One thing is for sure, the ones that have been chewed up in the disposal are the first to go. Why did I even keep those anyway?
Now I'm going through my silverware. I've had this silverware longer than my potholders. In fact, it's the silverware that I had when I was a kid!! Actually it's pieces from many many sets. And there is a *lot* of it. It won't all fit in the silverware holder so I've had the extras in a big bag in the cabinet in case we ever run out of clean ones. I think it's time to simplify. It's sort of hard to choose which ones to keep. I kinda like the ones that look like they came from the King Arthur books. My daughter likes the ones that have flower designs on the handles. She calls them the "princess forks". 4yo like the puppy dog one. Decisions decisions....One thing is for sure, the ones that have been chewed up in the disposal are the first to go. Why did I even keep those anyway?
Boy Notes
My precious 4yo is just that...precious. But he's driving me crazy!! I'm going round and round with this guy over the same things! Man, I hope he gets it soon. When he's sweet, he's SOOO sweet. And he hates getting in trouble. You'd think he'd catch on.
#1 keeps talking about how boys make everything fun....brothers that is. She's right. We've all been noticing how less exciting, or "boringer" in the vernacular of the 15yo, it is without CT here. It's amazing how things change when even one family member is away. The family dynamics is thrown off. I don't know when he's coming home but I'm looking forward to having all the chicks back in the nest.
#1 keeps talking about how boys make everything fun....brothers that is. She's right. We've all been noticing how less exciting, or "boringer" in the vernacular of the 15yo, it is without CT here. It's amazing how things change when even one family member is away. The family dynamics is thrown off. I don't know when he's coming home but I'm looking forward to having all the chicks back in the nest.
Monday, May 28, 2007
New Book
This is a paragraph from Honey's new book he bought for $1.oo
The apostle Paul said, "he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Gal 6:8).
A farmer is helpless to grow grain; all he can do is to provide the right conditions for the growing of grain. He puts the seed in the ground where the natural forces take over and up comes the grain. That is the way with the spiritual disciplines - they are a way of sowing to the Spirit. The disciplines are God's way of getting us into the ground; they put us where He can work within us and transform us. By themselves the spiritual disciplines can do nothing; they only get us to the place where something can be done. They are God's means of grace. The inner righteousness we seek is not something that is poured on our heads. God has ordained the disciplines of the spiritual life as the means by which we are placed where He can bless us.
Taken from the book "Celebration of discipline"
The apostle Paul said, "he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Gal 6:8).
A farmer is helpless to grow grain; all he can do is to provide the right conditions for the growing of grain. He puts the seed in the ground where the natural forces take over and up comes the grain. That is the way with the spiritual disciplines - they are a way of sowing to the Spirit. The disciplines are God's way of getting us into the ground; they put us where He can work within us and transform us. By themselves the spiritual disciplines can do nothing; they only get us to the place where something can be done. They are God's means of grace. The inner righteousness we seek is not something that is poured on our heads. God has ordained the disciplines of the spiritual life as the means by which we are placed where He can bless us.
Taken from the book "Celebration of discipline"
Another one gone!!
I wish I were an 11 yo soccer stud! The soccer club that we're trying to get CT into has tryouts this week. My good mother-in-law flew in from TX to pick him up and fly with him to CO. It's 5:30am now and I just dropped them off at the airport.
He gets to see Dad!! He's thrilled. I'm jealous....not really, I'm glad for him. Honey is so excited to see at least one family member. CT also gets to fly on a plane and spend some time with his g'ma. Sweet deal.
His sisters got up this morning to see him off. When we were talking about the tryouts last night, they had their own "tips" to give him. He has a *lot* of coaches!
He gets to see Dad!! He's thrilled. I'm jealous....not really, I'm glad for him. Honey is so excited to see at least one family member. CT also gets to fly on a plane and spend some time with his g'ma. Sweet deal.
His sisters got up this morning to see him off. When we were talking about the tryouts last night, they had their own "tips" to give him. He has a *lot* of coaches!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Friendships
Honey has a friend that is a true brother to him. They've been friends for many years now and can tell each other anything. Their friendship is sweet and one of those that will endure to eternity. This is a recent e-mail that blessed me so much I wanted to share it (with permission). It is also a good update on his life in CO. The first one is Honey's. The next is his friend's response.
Subject: Good morning
How are you this morning?
Well, I am really struggling with letting go and lettin' God. Remember when I would tell you about giving up waiting on interviews to the Lord and things happening that very day. That was a major lesson in my life. You would think that since it is so fresh and the rewards so recent, it would be easy to sit back and let God sell my house in His perfect timing and work out bringing my family here in His perfect time. But, I can't seem to. I am so anxious that I jump at my phone each time it rings hoping it's Sandy telling me we've received an offer. I think I've learned something new...that learning something and applying it to daily life are not necessarily a one-two punch. What I've experienced and know to be true, I can't seem to apply. But, that doesn't mean I don't know and believe it.
One of the many resources here on campus is access to it's library. They had a book burning, I mean sale earlier in the month. Since, there's been some time and still lots of books some are marked free and some 1.00. I picked up the Experiencing God book for free and paid a buck for a book called celebration of Discipline. It's a book on how to punish your kids. ;-) actually, it has nothing to do with kids. It has to do with disciplines of scripture and applying it to your life. I'm on page3 and it's already convicting me. I may take it back to the library and get my dollar back.
Yesterday, we had chapel services then lunch. Basically, a church service in one of the large classrooms with all the faculty and staff.There was worship music and a lesson. The lesson was from one of the professors and he stated that he wasn't a speaker and he was just going to give us a day in the life of one of his classes. It was a sermon on Peter...that was one of classes!! How cool is that. Followed by a free lunch. They will have a couple more of these through the summer. After the service I met one of the professors. He's about to go to England(Oxford) to debate a famous atheist (Atkins) on June 14. It was interesting talking to him.
I just had a thought, I hope you don't think I am trying to tell you these things to brag or hope you covet. Just sharing some things that I am going through and being introduced to that are new and interesting. I realize that you already know that, but I wanted to say it anyway. Although I do wish you were here to share in it.
Subject: RE: Good morning
Oh, I guess I'm okay. Got a bunch of chigger bites buggin me.
Man, my heart aches for you. And your family.
I want to wave my hand and make it better. I'm sorry for the hardship. All I could offer is how I've come to understand lately a different aspect of faith; what it means to "have faith in God" when things aren't changing. And that is the knowledge and meditation on He is good; He is sovereign;He loves me; He loves them; He is worthy of my trust; He is worthy of my efforts to choose His ways over mine. Yes, He has a purpose in all things.
Brother, I admire and respect you. I consider you a beloved brother and true friend to me. Father, please bring things to pass to reunite Mike's family with him in Colorado, because they love You, and for Your glory.Through it all, please grow his capacity to praise and worship You. Amen.
Funny on taking your book back. Haven't you learned anything from me...just never pick it up to begin with! And hey, if you think something you share might make me covet and envy,go on and let it fly. I'll rejoice in Him that you get to experience it.It is really, really so neat to hear. I am happy for you. I've seen Atkins on TV: made me want to convert to Islam so I could doan explosive I-slam on him. Boy, he tests my belief that God loves us all. Here's from Wikipedia: Atkins, who is an atheist, has also written and spoken on issues of humanism, atheism, and what he sees as the incompatibility between science and religion. In a 2006 documentary "The Trouble with Atheism",by Rod Liddle he described Scientists who believed in God as being only"half-Scientists really." However, Rod Liddle considered Peter to be one of Britain's fundamentalist atheists. He is the Senior Member for theOxford Secular Society and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society. Go professor! Go Jesus!
Subject: Good morning
How are you this morning?
Well, I am really struggling with letting go and lettin' God. Remember when I would tell you about giving up waiting on interviews to the Lord and things happening that very day. That was a major lesson in my life. You would think that since it is so fresh and the rewards so recent, it would be easy to sit back and let God sell my house in His perfect timing and work out bringing my family here in His perfect time. But, I can't seem to. I am so anxious that I jump at my phone each time it rings hoping it's Sandy telling me we've received an offer. I think I've learned something new...that learning something and applying it to daily life are not necessarily a one-two punch. What I've experienced and know to be true, I can't seem to apply. But, that doesn't mean I don't know and believe it.
One of the many resources here on campus is access to it's library. They had a book burning, I mean sale earlier in the month. Since, there's been some time and still lots of books some are marked free and some 1.00. I picked up the Experiencing God book for free and paid a buck for a book called celebration of Discipline. It's a book on how to punish your kids. ;-) actually, it has nothing to do with kids. It has to do with disciplines of scripture and applying it to your life. I'm on page3 and it's already convicting me. I may take it back to the library and get my dollar back.
Yesterday, we had chapel services then lunch. Basically, a church service in one of the large classrooms with all the faculty and staff.There was worship music and a lesson. The lesson was from one of the professors and he stated that he wasn't a speaker and he was just going to give us a day in the life of one of his classes. It was a sermon on Peter...that was one of classes!! How cool is that. Followed by a free lunch. They will have a couple more of these through the summer. After the service I met one of the professors. He's about to go to England(Oxford) to debate a famous atheist (Atkins) on June 14. It was interesting talking to him.
I just had a thought, I hope you don't think I am trying to tell you these things to brag or hope you covet. Just sharing some things that I am going through and being introduced to that are new and interesting. I realize that you already know that, but I wanted to say it anyway. Although I do wish you were here to share in it.
Subject: RE: Good morning
Oh, I guess I'm okay. Got a bunch of chigger bites buggin me.
Man, my heart aches for you. And your family.
I want to wave my hand and make it better. I'm sorry for the hardship. All I could offer is how I've come to understand lately a different aspect of faith; what it means to "have faith in God" when things aren't changing. And that is the knowledge and meditation on He is good; He is sovereign;He loves me; He loves them; He is worthy of my trust; He is worthy of my efforts to choose His ways over mine. Yes, He has a purpose in all things.
Brother, I admire and respect you. I consider you a beloved brother and true friend to me. Father, please bring things to pass to reunite Mike's family with him in Colorado, because they love You, and for Your glory.Through it all, please grow his capacity to praise and worship You. Amen.
Funny on taking your book back. Haven't you learned anything from me...just never pick it up to begin with! And hey, if you think something you share might make me covet and envy,go on and let it fly. I'll rejoice in Him that you get to experience it.It is really, really so neat to hear. I am happy for you. I've seen Atkins on TV: made me want to convert to Islam so I could doan explosive I-slam on him. Boy, he tests my belief that God loves us all. Here's from Wikipedia: Atkins, who is an atheist, has also written and spoken on issues of humanism, atheism, and what he sees as the incompatibility between science and religion. In a 2006 documentary "The Trouble with Atheism",by Rod Liddle he described Scientists who believed in God as being only"half-Scientists really." However, Rod Liddle considered Peter to be one of Britain's fundamentalist atheists. He is the Senior Member for theOxford Secular Society and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society. Go professor! Go Jesus!
New Recipe
We had this for dinner tonight and it was yummy. It's from my latest cookbook.
Chick Pea and Red Pepper Dip
Process all in blender until smooth...
1 can of chick peas drained
1 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers drained
2 garlic cloves
1 cup sour cream
s/p to taste
Refrigerate 1 hour.
This is a great dipping sauce for anything. We had it with tuna and crackers tonight. Even my little kids liked it and kept going back for more. It's an instant favorite.
Chick Pea and Red Pepper Dip
Process all in blender until smooth...
1 can of chick peas drained
1 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers drained
2 garlic cloves
1 cup sour cream
s/p to taste
Refrigerate 1 hour.
This is a great dipping sauce for anything. We had it with tuna and crackers tonight. Even my little kids liked it and kept going back for more. It's an instant favorite.
Funny Dog
It's drizzly and Joey wants in. I open the door and he goes to his spot in the laundry room. The problem is there are too many laundry baskets and no place for him. So I go in and clean it up a bit while he waits. Then, knowing he won't lie down on the tile floor, I go into the garage to bring in his bed. His bed is filthy. I don't want it in the house until I wash it. So I dig through the dirty clothes and find him a dirty towel to lie on. It's a little kitchen towel.
Yeah right, big dog on a little towel..... he just stands there looking at me. I say "Lie down" and motion to his new spot. Reluctantly he walks over there, tiptoes all his legs together and spins around on the towel before carefully lying down trying to get as much of him off the floor as possible. It was so funny! He looked like Ballerina Dog. The towel was so small that by the time he was finally on the floor you couldn't even see the towel under him.
Yeah right, big dog on a little towel..... he just stands there looking at me. I say "Lie down" and motion to his new spot. Reluctantly he walks over there, tiptoes all his legs together and spins around on the towel before carefully lying down trying to get as much of him off the floor as possible. It was so funny! He looked like Ballerina Dog. The towel was so small that by the time he was finally on the floor you couldn't even see the towel under him.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Menuing
For years I have had the hardest time planning out menus. It seems like it should be so easy but it's not. Not for me. What a great time saver to have all your meals planned out in advance. I love saving time.
Finally after years of failure in this area of homemaking, I think I've finally figured out the cause of my mental block. In the past I'd go to the store and buy the stuff I usually buy. Then I'd make various menus and print them to be used again. But when I pulled it out to use it again it would not work that week b/c I didn't have the right ingredients. See, the whole thing was messed up.
I was doing it backwards! I was planning my menus around what I already had thinking I was saving money b/c I wouldn't have to buy so much at the store. That's not how you do it. You plan the menu first THEN go shopping! I'm such a goof.
tomorrow's meals...
Breakfast- leftover oatmeal and chocolate chip cranberry bread
Lunch - Super shaggy sandwiches
Tea - spinach artichoke dip and crackers
Dinner- pizza
Ordering more cloth diapers tonight. I'm looking forward to it.
Finally after years of failure in this area of homemaking, I think I've finally figured out the cause of my mental block. In the past I'd go to the store and buy the stuff I usually buy. Then I'd make various menus and print them to be used again. But when I pulled it out to use it again it would not work that week b/c I didn't have the right ingredients. See, the whole thing was messed up.
I was doing it backwards! I was planning my menus around what I already had thinking I was saving money b/c I wouldn't have to buy so much at the store. That's not how you do it. You plan the menu first THEN go shopping! I'm such a goof.
tomorrow's meals...
Breakfast- leftover oatmeal and chocolate chip cranberry bread
Lunch - Super shaggy sandwiches
Tea - spinach artichoke dip and crackers
Dinner- pizza
Ordering more cloth diapers tonight. I'm looking forward to it.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Getting It All Done (Not)
The fun is more fun when the work is all done. There's some fun stuff I want to do but I can't seem to get my work done so I can do it. I want to sew and I want to scrapbook. However, I know that if I pulled out that stuff I would not enjoy it knowing what else I was neglecting. Lately I have a hard time recognizing and remembering what I need to do. It seems I can't get all the plates to spin at the same time. When I think I've had a productive day (meaning I did a lot of work on my list) I realize that I forgot something important....like its 5pm and I forgot to plan dinner! I know it is just a short season but it sure is frustrating. I've decided I need to re-prioritize.
One thing that needs to change is my computer time. I have stopped my computer time until the kids are napping or bedtime. That'll help I think.
I just finished Haggai. Short book. 2 chapters, 38 verses. I noticed a reoccurring message. God says "Give careful thought to your ways" or "consider...." five times in that short book. That's me. I need to give careful thought to my ways!
Tomorrow my girls are spending the day at a friend's house. I'm glad for them. The boys and I will drop them off and see the animals and then come home. I've planned the meals and I'm planning to have all indoor chores done before we leave in the morning so the boys and I can spend some time outside.
Tomorrow's menu...
Breakfast-oatmeal with blueberries
Lunch-pb&j
Dinner-taco soup and corn bread
Tea- a new apple dip recipe.
One thing that needs to change is my computer time. I have stopped my computer time until the kids are napping or bedtime. That'll help I think.
I just finished Haggai. Short book. 2 chapters, 38 verses. I noticed a reoccurring message. God says "Give careful thought to your ways" or "consider...." five times in that short book. That's me. I need to give careful thought to my ways!
Tomorrow my girls are spending the day at a friend's house. I'm glad for them. The boys and I will drop them off and see the animals and then come home. I've planned the meals and I'm planning to have all indoor chores done before we leave in the morning so the boys and I can spend some time outside.
Tomorrow's menu...
Breakfast-oatmeal with blueberries
Lunch-pb&j
Dinner-taco soup and corn bread
Tea- a new apple dip recipe.
Baby Z
I know that all moms think that their baby is the cutest. But that's because they haven't seen mine! He really *is* the cutest!! He's smiling now and its so pretty.
He's getting nice and round too. His nickname is Froggy. #1 called him "fat frog" yesterday in a loving sort of way. He's only been here for 5 weeks but I don't know what we ever did without him. Well, one thing is that I didn't have to change my clothes so often.....
I do regret selling my cloth diapers. They were much more absorbent at this liquid stage. I miss cloth diapering. Maybe I'll have time to look online today.....
He's getting nice and round too. His nickname is Froggy. #1 called him "fat frog" yesterday in a loving sort of way. He's only been here for 5 weeks but I don't know what we ever did without him. Well, one thing is that I didn't have to change my clothes so often.....
I do regret selling my cloth diapers. They were much more absorbent at this liquid stage. I miss cloth diapering. Maybe I'll have time to look online today.....
Monday, May 21, 2007
Grumpy Baby
Baby girl has not been very friendly around others lately. She's such a sweet baby at home but around non family members she's not much fun. She will not even smile at people she sees often. Mr Walker tries to give her oreos and juice boxes and she just looks at him out of the top of her eyes with her bottom lip out. She will have nothing to do with friends. Hmmm......???? Since my other kids are all so friendly, I will have some new kind of work to do with her. My kids are all a rainbow of different personalities. Once I think I've figured out one thing a new thing emerges! I'm always learning. If anyone has any ideas of handling an unfriendly one year old, please let me know!
I forgot
I had my first scary moment last night. The kids had stayed up late and were just getting to bed around 9:30. By 9:45 the house was perfectly quiet and it was just me upstairs. The silence was broken by DING DONG!! Oh my goodness it seemed so loud! Not only that but it rang 3 times b/c it tends to stick. I wasn't sure what to do. Who would ring my door bell so late? Should I answer it? Should I pretend I wasn't home? I was glad that I had turned on the porch light earlier. I could look through the peep hole to see who it was.
It was Mr. Walker! He came over to tell me that it was too late to have my garage door open and that I need to shut it. Whew!! I told you we were safer with him around.
Honey, I promise that was the first time that I forgot! ;)
It was Mr. Walker! He came over to tell me that it was too late to have my garage door open and that I need to shut it. Whew!! I told you we were safer with him around.
Honey, I promise that was the first time that I forgot! ;)
Strength
I have come to understand the verses that talk about the Lord being our strength a lot better lately. I miss Honey so much. I would never choose to be a single parent! He isn't here but the days go on without him. The kid issues still happen that have to be taken care of daily. In all the days with all the issues I can only think of 2 that I did not feel capable of handling on my own. That is so surprising to me. Not that I felt like I had it all figured out fine, but that I could pray about it and act accordingly. The Lord is my strength.
I do not enjoy things that do not go my way. Living in this house with Honey in CO is never what I would pick. So for these weeks of separation I have been, well less than joyful. The last few days, though, I have felt the Lord's hand of correction in my attitude. I need to be content in whatever circumstance, joyful in all things, thankful always. I can not do that on my own. I'd rather cry and feel sorry for myself. I've had to ask the Lord to help me. Yesterday when a neighbor asked how the house selling was going, I was able to answer hopefully without the song of self pity! I can not tell you what a victory that was! I still have much to learn about surrendering but I DO want to learn it. The Lord is my strength.
I have not been scared at night since Honey's been gone. I haven't felt the need to sleep downstairs. Since I tend to be a big chicken, I have to say that it is the Lord's grace. The Lord is my strength.
I do not enjoy things that do not go my way. Living in this house with Honey in CO is never what I would pick. So for these weeks of separation I have been, well less than joyful. The last few days, though, I have felt the Lord's hand of correction in my attitude. I need to be content in whatever circumstance, joyful in all things, thankful always. I can not do that on my own. I'd rather cry and feel sorry for myself. I've had to ask the Lord to help me. Yesterday when a neighbor asked how the house selling was going, I was able to answer hopefully without the song of self pity! I can not tell you what a victory that was! I still have much to learn about surrendering but I DO want to learn it. The Lord is my strength.
I have not been scared at night since Honey's been gone. I haven't felt the need to sleep downstairs. Since I tend to be a big chicken, I have to say that it is the Lord's grace. The Lord is my strength.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Saturday
These days go by so fast. It seems like I just woke up and now its time for bed. I hope I got something done today. I hope I didn't neglect anybody. It seems like I wouldn't have time to miss Honey. But oh! I miss him so much. Whenever I get an offer on this house I'm taking it no matter what it is!
4yo got up this morning and barged into my bathroom even though the door was closed. He didn't knock, he just busted in and looked around . With a confused look, he asked "Where's Dad?"
Me- Where's Dad? Dad's in Colorado. It's just me.
4yo- I heard him snort. (what?)
Me- Nope. It's just me up here.
4yo- but I heard him.
It took me a minute to convince him. He walked off disappointed and went back to bed. Poor guy.
On the plus side, we're almost done with the packing. I find myself saying "where's the.....? Rats, I wish I hadn't packed *that*" I made a rule that what is packed is packed. Meaning NO unpacking. I guess that goes for me too. I sure wish I hadn't packed the batteries though. My MP3 is dead.
Baby Z is smiling!! AWWWWW.....he's cute! (Honey, I'll take some pics for ya) I took him around the block in the wrap today. He likes for his legs to stick out now and his head to not be tucked in. It puts him to sleep so fast. He's a yummy guy.
4yo got up this morning and barged into my bathroom even though the door was closed. He didn't knock, he just busted in and looked around . With a confused look, he asked "Where's Dad?"
Me- Where's Dad? Dad's in Colorado. It's just me.
4yo- I heard him snort. (what?)
Me- Nope. It's just me up here.
4yo- but I heard him.
It took me a minute to convince him. He walked off disappointed and went back to bed. Poor guy.
On the plus side, we're almost done with the packing. I find myself saying "where's the.....? Rats, I wish I hadn't packed *that*" I made a rule that what is packed is packed. Meaning NO unpacking. I guess that goes for me too. I sure wish I hadn't packed the batteries though. My MP3 is dead.
Baby Z is smiling!! AWWWWW.....he's cute! (Honey, I'll take some pics for ya) I took him around the block in the wrap today. He likes for his legs to stick out now and his head to not be tucked in. It puts him to sleep so fast. He's a yummy guy.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Mr. Walker
Mr. Walker is my neighbor. Everyone needs a Mr. Walker. He is not a nosey neighbor, but I would say he is an "interested" neighbor. He is retired and home most of the day. He knows just about all there is to know about what is going on in the neighborhood. If he doesn't know about it, he's not afraid to ask.
He kisses my kids and tells them he loves them. He always remembers their b-days (impressive!). He's quick to pull up a lawn chair for you and grab you a drink out of the fridge in the garage. He loves to visit and share his opinion on *everything*.
We are safer with Mr. Walker around. Nothing gets by him. I will definitely miss him a lot! Honey looked at a house this week that has a neighborhood that is similar to ours. It also had a "Mr. Walker". This guy came out to talk to Honey and tell him all he knew about the house even though he'd never seen him before. That in itself makes me want to buy it!!
He kisses my kids and tells them he loves them. He always remembers their b-days (impressive!). He's quick to pull up a lawn chair for you and grab you a drink out of the fridge in the garage. He loves to visit and share his opinion on *everything*.
We are safer with Mr. Walker around. Nothing gets by him. I will definitely miss him a lot! Honey looked at a house this week that has a neighborhood that is similar to ours. It also had a "Mr. Walker". This guy came out to talk to Honey and tell him all he knew about the house even though he'd never seen him before. That in itself makes me want to buy it!!
A Messy Night
11:00 pm--Baby Z's last feeding and off to bed for both of us.
2:45am --Time for breakfast. I'm nursing and hear a big noise. HUGE diaper blowout!! Up the back, down the leg, out the diaper, all over Momma and the sheets. This guy has taken it upon himself to make sure I keep these sheets clean! So I turn on the light, get out the wipes, and clean up everything. We both really need a bath but I'm too tired. Everything is cleaned up and time to go back to sleep. Baby does not agree. He's up. No amount of jiggling, patting, rocking, or singing will get him back to sleep.
4:00am--Finally I decided he might just need to cry a few minutes. I put him down and prepare for a concert. Not another noise...he went right to sleep! I guess I was the one keeping him up.
5:30am--Time for second breakfast. I reach around his back to pick him up and felt a gooey mess. Not again!! Yes, again. I turn on the light and start round 2 of using up all the wipes in the house. Thankfully this time he did not want to stay up and visit! He laid on my chest and we slept another 2 hours.
To Do List Today....
baths and nap
2:45am --Time for breakfast. I'm nursing and hear a big noise. HUGE diaper blowout!! Up the back, down the leg, out the diaper, all over Momma and the sheets. This guy has taken it upon himself to make sure I keep these sheets clean! So I turn on the light, get out the wipes, and clean up everything. We both really need a bath but I'm too tired. Everything is cleaned up and time to go back to sleep. Baby does not agree. He's up. No amount of jiggling, patting, rocking, or singing will get him back to sleep.
4:00am--Finally I decided he might just need to cry a few minutes. I put him down and prepare for a concert. Not another noise...he went right to sleep! I guess I was the one keeping him up.
5:30am--Time for second breakfast. I reach around his back to pick him up and felt a gooey mess. Not again!! Yes, again. I turn on the light and start round 2 of using up all the wipes in the house. Thankfully this time he did not want to stay up and visit! He laid on my chest and we slept another 2 hours.
To Do List Today....
baths and nap
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Girlfriends
I spent the day with a friend of mine today. It felt so good to get away and spend the day at someone else's house and visit with a kindred spirit. She is my best friend besides Honey. I cry when I think of leaving and not getting to spend as much time together with her.
There is just something about having a close friend. She and I can laugh together and cry together and pray together. Today we laughed and cried at the same time over one story! A close friend is that comfortable relationship that you can just be yourself in and they will love you anyway. It is that one person that can tell you that you're unreasonable or being selfish or that you did just the right thing. I am blessed that I have 2 of those kind of friends besides Honey.
This is the friend that I run away to when I'm coming undone. What will I do in CO without her? I don't know. I do know this...that she loves me enough to cry when she talks about me leaving yet she prays that I'll get to leave soon. She wants to share her garden veggies with me but hopes that I'm not still here when they ripen.
I'm ready to go but I'm not ready to leave my friends. Lord, please let us go soon and please give us some friends in CO.
There is just something about having a close friend. She and I can laugh together and cry together and pray together. Today we laughed and cried at the same time over one story! A close friend is that comfortable relationship that you can just be yourself in and they will love you anyway. It is that one person that can tell you that you're unreasonable or being selfish or that you did just the right thing. I am blessed that I have 2 of those kind of friends besides Honey.
This is the friend that I run away to when I'm coming undone. What will I do in CO without her? I don't know. I do know this...that she loves me enough to cry when she talks about me leaving yet she prays that I'll get to leave soon. She wants to share her garden veggies with me but hopes that I'm not still here when they ripen.
I'm ready to go but I'm not ready to leave my friends. Lord, please let us go soon and please give us some friends in CO.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Tuesday
Honey is gone. Flying home right now. It's funny to say that he's the one going home! Prayerfully it'll be our home soon too. We had a great weekend. It was hard to say good bye.
Tomorrow is back to work and back to school. That's a good thing. Here's what is on our plate....
~School. I have some new preschool ideas to try out! Cleaning out the school room inspired me.
~Buy more newsprint end rolls.
~Move boxes.
~Deliver a gift to a friend.
~Write out 2 thank you cards.
~Clean out and pack the junk drawer and bathroom cabinets.
~Finish filling the pool.
~Make bread and bread sticks.
~Work on new memory verse with kids...Ecc 9:10
Breakfast...oatmeal
Lunch...whatever
Dinner...ravioli, salad, and bread sticks
Tea...oatmeal cookies (new recipe) and tea
Baby Z pooped all over me twice today! The liquid diet goes right through him *and* his diaper! At least this time I saved the sheets. Wanna see some cute bathtub pics? Check him out here....http://www.thetaggs.smugmug.com/gallery/2850256#152807879
On a different note...why does it seem that there is so much divorce these days? In the last year it seems that every time I turn around someone else I know is getting divorced. There are always kids involved and it makes me sad. What in the world is going on? It's time to pray for marriage!
Tomorrow is back to work and back to school. That's a good thing. Here's what is on our plate....
~School. I have some new preschool ideas to try out! Cleaning out the school room inspired me.
~Buy more newsprint end rolls.
~Move boxes.
~Deliver a gift to a friend.
~Write out 2 thank you cards.
~Clean out and pack the junk drawer and bathroom cabinets.
~Finish filling the pool.
~Make bread and bread sticks.
~Work on new memory verse with kids...Ecc 9:10
Breakfast...oatmeal
Lunch...whatever
Dinner...ravioli, salad, and bread sticks
Tea...oatmeal cookies (new recipe) and tea
Baby Z pooped all over me twice today! The liquid diet goes right through him *and* his diaper! At least this time I saved the sheets. Wanna see some cute bathtub pics? Check him out here....http://www.thetaggs.smugmug.com/gallery/2850256#152807879
On a different note...why does it seem that there is so much divorce these days? In the last year it seems that every time I turn around someone else I know is getting divorced. There are always kids involved and it makes me sad. What in the world is going on? It's time to pray for marriage!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Good News Bad News Great News
Good News...
Honey is HOME!!
We got a lot of packing done.
We're setting up the swimming pool.
We got plenty of boxes.
My mom is coming this week.
My sheets will be clean tonight (see below).
Our pantry is full.
Bad News...
Our A/C is broken.
Our new home warranty the realtor talked us into only covers a/c work for the buyer, not seller. We bought it with the understanding that it would serve us now until the house sells. It does for most things, just not a/c work.
Soccer, piano, and dance are done.
Great News...
We're healthy, happy, and glad to be together again.
God is the God of all...good, bad, and great!
Honey is HOME!!
We got a lot of packing done.
We're setting up the swimming pool.
We got plenty of boxes.
My mom is coming this week.
My sheets will be clean tonight (see below).
Our pantry is full.
Bad News...
Our A/C is broken.
Our new home warranty the realtor talked us into only covers a/c work for the buyer, not seller. We bought it with the understanding that it would serve us now until the house sells. It does for most things, just not a/c work.
Soccer, piano, and dance are done.
Baby Z pooped all over me and the sheets I just washed 2 days ago.
Honey leaves tomorrow.Great News...
We're healthy, happy, and glad to be together again.
God is the God of all...good, bad, and great!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Something to look forward to...
Oh yes, Honey is coming home this weekend!! 2 more sleeps!
I prayed today that somebody's wife would invite him over for dinner. I think if I knew someone in Honey's situation that I would invite them over for dinner since he wouldn't have a family dinner of his own. He called before leaving work and I asked him what he was going to do tonight. He said his cousin and cousin's girlfriend invited him to dinner. I'm so glad. Thank you Lord.
This has been such an interesting week and 1/2. Good days and hard days. We seem to alternate the hard days between us and the other one is a good balance. Yesterday was a hard day for me. Honey called with a discouraging housing report. That always rattles my cage. I also had not had much sleep the night before. At that point I was ready to call off the whole idea and have him come back home. I vented it all in an e-mail.
Later I laid it all out before the Lord with many tears. He showed me how I was acting just like the Israelites. Yes, I know how unhappy Honey was at Golden Ventures yet I was ready to go back to Egypt! Instead of crying "there's no food!", I cry "there's no house!" Instead of keeping our goal in sight and keeping my eyes on Jesus, my eyes are on outward circumstances.
Well that's where the balance comes in. On his hard days, Honey has also entertained that idea. So I apologized to him for my discouraging e-mail. I certainly don't want to drag him down too. His answer? "My shoulders are big enough to carry both of our burdens and our God is even bigger." He is just what I need.
Anyway, I know there are lots of lessons that will be learned through this move. I don't want to forget them. I'm thankful for this blog to have a place to ramble these thoughts.
Baby Z slept great last night and I woke up feeling like a new person. All those thoughts are gone and I'm looking foward to CO once again.
I prayed today that somebody's wife would invite him over for dinner. I think if I knew someone in Honey's situation that I would invite them over for dinner since he wouldn't have a family dinner of his own. He called before leaving work and I asked him what he was going to do tonight. He said his cousin and cousin's girlfriend invited him to dinner. I'm so glad. Thank you Lord.
This has been such an interesting week and 1/2. Good days and hard days. We seem to alternate the hard days between us and the other one is a good balance. Yesterday was a hard day for me. Honey called with a discouraging housing report. That always rattles my cage. I also had not had much sleep the night before. At that point I was ready to call off the whole idea and have him come back home. I vented it all in an e-mail.
Later I laid it all out before the Lord with many tears. He showed me how I was acting just like the Israelites. Yes, I know how unhappy Honey was at Golden Ventures yet I was ready to go back to Egypt! Instead of crying "there's no food!", I cry "there's no house!" Instead of keeping our goal in sight and keeping my eyes on Jesus, my eyes are on outward circumstances.
Well that's where the balance comes in. On his hard days, Honey has also entertained that idea. So I apologized to him for my discouraging e-mail. I certainly don't want to drag him down too. His answer? "My shoulders are big enough to carry both of our burdens and our God is even bigger." He is just what I need.
Anyway, I know there are lots of lessons that will be learned through this move. I don't want to forget them. I'm thankful for this blog to have a place to ramble these thoughts.
Baby Z slept great last night and I woke up feeling like a new person. All those thoughts are gone and I'm looking foward to CO once again.
Ps 149:4
"For the Lord takes delight in his people." Ps 149:4
I was changing Baby Z's diaper tonight and singing the diaper song to him. It goes like this:
I love you
And I love changing your diaper
I love taking care of you
Because I love you
(Baby's name)
Ok, so I'm not a song writer but all of my babies have liked it. I'm telling him that if I'm just his mom and I love caring for him imagine how much his Heavenly Father loves taking care of him!
Earlier I was flipping through my Bible looking for something. It was still open on my bed where I was changing his diaper. After the diaper was changed, I grabbed my Bible to put it away and it was open to Ps 149. A verse that I had underlined grabbed my attention. I couldn't believe it!
"For the Lord takes delight in his people." Ps 149:4
I don't remember ever underlining that or what I was thinking at the time. I've had this Bible for many years. But it was so fitting to read to my little baby tonight.
I was changing Baby Z's diaper tonight and singing the diaper song to him. It goes like this:
I love you
And I love changing your diaper
I love taking care of you
Because I love you
(Baby's name)
Ok, so I'm not a song writer but all of my babies have liked it. I'm telling him that if I'm just his mom and I love caring for him imagine how much his Heavenly Father loves taking care of him!
Earlier I was flipping through my Bible looking for something. It was still open on my bed where I was changing his diaper. After the diaper was changed, I grabbed my Bible to put it away and it was open to Ps 149. A verse that I had underlined grabbed my attention. I couldn't believe it!
"For the Lord takes delight in his people." Ps 149:4
I don't remember ever underlining that or what I was thinking at the time. I've had this Bible for many years. But it was so fitting to read to my little baby tonight.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
A Disagreeable Dog
Joey and I are not getting along. I absolutely LOVE this dog but right now I don't like him very much.
My son comes to me and says there is water in the basement. WHAT?!! Please Lord let it not be true! I tell you I've never been so thankful for dog pee in my whole life. It wasn't a leak! However, that did not help Joey's case much.
It rained all day and he just moped around the house whining. I tried to put him out several times and he just stood there. When I did force him out he stood in the rain and cried.
Not that I care if he cries except that he's huge with a huge voice. If he really gets going, the whole neighborhood will hear his lament. I locked him in his crate but he stunk up the whole room and it smelled like wet dog. I had to show the house today so that would not do.
The laundry room is his other spot. I tried to settle him in there but it is laundry day and he's scared to death of the washer and dryer.
Now the house showing is over he can go to his crate. He'll be lucky if I ever let him out!!
My son comes to me and says there is water in the basement. WHAT?!! Please Lord let it not be true! I tell you I've never been so thankful for dog pee in my whole life. It wasn't a leak! However, that did not help Joey's case much.
It rained all day and he just moped around the house whining. I tried to put him out several times and he just stood there. When I did force him out he stood in the rain and cried.
Not that I care if he cries except that he's huge with a huge voice. If he really gets going, the whole neighborhood will hear his lament. I locked him in his crate but he stunk up the whole room and it smelled like wet dog. I had to show the house today so that would not do.
The laundry room is his other spot. I tried to settle him in there but it is laundry day and he's scared to death of the washer and dryer.
Now the house showing is over he can go to his crate. He'll be lucky if I ever let him out!!
Monday, May 07, 2007
House
There is someone interested in my house!! Plus one in CO that looks promising too! We should know more this afternoon. Please pray...we need a good offer!
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