Since my reality is not real fun right now...a me-me for you-you!! Tag to whoever wants to play along!!
I am a cuddler: I am 50/50. I love to cuddle, but sometimes I want to go a whole day without being touched by anyone-(that never happens!)
I am a morning person: NO-but I do have much better days if I get up before 8. It is a whole productivity thing. I can truly sleep until 11 (I never get to-EVER!)
I am a perfectionist: only in my head...reality takes over outside of my head
I am an only child: Three older sisters, Sue Ann (43 in Sept), Pam (42 in Aug), Linda (37 in Sept) and ME ( turned 34 in Feb) The spacing makes it very much like two different families. Plus my parents got divorced when I was 4 and my two oldest sisters grew up with my Dad, Linda and I did not.
I am currently in my pajamas: Yes, but it is only 8:49, I will go and shower and get dressed after this!!
I am addicted to my blog: Uh...yeah...that's an understatement. (And a few others)
I am shy around people at first: I am trying to stop laughing. I have never been shy.
I bite my nails: At last, a vice I don't have
I can be paranoid at times: I worry about things in my past and hubby's past resurfacing. I should trust God and my spouse more.
I currently regret something I've said: Long list!!
When I get mad I curse frequently: Only if hubby and I fight after the kids go to bed. Normally I am curse free.
I Like someone: A crush-heavens no. I am trying to pray the crush on my hubby back-it comes and goes!
I enjoy country music: I grew up listening to country music, not by choice. Some of those complete songs are still in my head. Hubby is often impressed when an obscure song comes on the radio and I know all the words. What a gift. I can't remember my to do list, just the words to "Nobody" by Sylvia. OR "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed" by Barbara Mandrell.
I enjoy jazz music: NO. Well maybe occassionally-just a song or two.
I enjoy smoothies: Yes
I enjoy talking on the phone: yes, especially people I would never get to chat with otherwise. I like to talk out my problems on the phone. They are numerous and require much talk!!
I have a lot to learn: I pretty much know it all. Doncha love my biting sarcasm!!
I have a pet: Dogs-Thunder and Buddy Cats-Cinder and Grey Grey(who omigosh-is preggers again!!)
I have a secret I'm ashamed to reveal: My past is a treasure trove. The skeletons are thick. I would share anything if I thought it would help someone feel better about their past or KNOW that God could certainly forgive them since he forgave me-but sharing just for fun invites hurt and criticism-I really don't want either.
I have all my grandparents: Not a one. I do love Erik's grandma though!! She is the sweetest most honest person I know. Upon first meeting me she said, "Oh, you're a big girl." For some oddball reason it made me love her!!
I have been called smart: Yeah, also BRAINY. I feel like I got kicked out of the brainy club when I did not finish college though.
I got higher than c's in school: Yeah, I love my A's!! I only got C's in the really tough honors classes I took-I think two teachers brought out the C's in me a couple of times. One of those teachers was a pop-quizzer, he loved them!! World Civ and American history, hated them both! Also GEOMETRY-I refused to learn those postulates and theorems! PROOFS- still scare me after all this time!!
I have broken a bone: Yes, I had to have surgery to correct a broken toe. LOTS of pins!
I have caller ID on my phone: Yeah, but seldom have the phone that has it on there!
I have bathed/showered with someone: yes, not as much fun as it sounded. Now it is just as a time saver.
I have changed a diaper: Oh yeah!! Oh yeah!!
I have changed over the past year: In every way!! Please God, let it be for the better!!
I have done something illegal: YES, you don't get to know.
I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color: I gave up covering the gray a year ago.
I have had surgery: I had Foot surgery and tubes are tied!!
I have killed another person: Wouldn't you like to know (insert evil laugh!!).
I have had my haircut in the last week: Needs it REAL bad!!
I have kissed someone I knew I shouldn't: Not in well over a decade!!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
My mom took all of my girls home tonight and Erik and I worked on cleaning out his Uncle's trailor. I could feel prayers the whole time and I thank you for them. It went well and we accomplished alot. There is still much to do but it won't be as much as I had thought.
Erik's Mom, Dad, Aunt and Uncle are all traveling to Florida to help with his other Uncle's arrangements. He will be cremated and his service will be Sat. Erik and I are not able to go because of his work but our heart is there.
Please keep Uncle Ted's wife, Fab, in your prayers, she is from Thailand and is my age with a four year old and almost 2 year old. This is all a shock to her-expected but not really. She has no money or life skills(can't even write a check). My father-in-law will be helping her while he is there. It will be very hard for her to adjust to this new life. Ted was extremely wealthy, but has three grown children as well as her two so I am not sure how everything will work out for her.
Whew I am so tired and my brain is just whirling.
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Erik's Mom, Dad, Aunt and Uncle are all traveling to Florida to help with his other Uncle's arrangements. He will be cremated and his service will be Sat. Erik and I are not able to go because of his work but our heart is there.
Please keep Uncle Ted's wife, Fab, in your prayers, she is from Thailand and is my age with a four year old and almost 2 year old. This is all a shock to her-expected but not really. She has no money or life skills(can't even write a check). My father-in-law will be helping her while he is there. It will be very hard for her to adjust to this new life. Ted was extremely wealthy, but has three grown children as well as her two so I am not sure how everything will work out for her.
Whew I am so tired and my brain is just whirling.
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
When it rains it pours.... Where does that phrase come from?? It is true though. It seems like sometimes a whole bunch of bad things happen all in a row and it does seem to be pouring. We went to the funeral home this morning at 10 for visitation and then had the graveside service at 1:30. After the service we all went to Erik's aunt's house to eat together and visit. While we were warming food, the phone rang. Erik's uncle from Florida, the one battling cancer, had not been able to wake up this morning and his wife had to call 911 and he was taken to the hospital. She was unable to get in touch with any of us because we were all at the funeral. She finally got through and wanted to know whether she should let them put him on life support. They did a cat scan on him and discovered cancer in all organs, especially liver and lungs. No one could help her with the decision, Wanda(Erik's aunt)just told her to remember-at some point the decision to remove life support would also have to be made. We all felt so helpless-here in KY-and all of this going on in Florida,17 hours away. The call came in just a few short hours later that he too had died-on the very day his baby brother had been buried. Erik's dad is the oldest and has lost both his brothers in just a few days. He still has all the business to take care of from Billy's death. My heart is heavy for him. My mom-in-law said someone asked what they could do and he said,"Get me an older brother to do all this stuff instead of me." He and Wanda are stressed to the max. They will take care of business and then it will be really hard for a good long time. They are just too young to be burying their younger siblings. Billy was only 49 and Ted was 60ish.
It is definitely pouring right now in this family.
It is definitely pouring right now in this family.
Jessica-I'm sorry it took so long but here is the recipe for sugar free sugar cookies (that is an oxymoron!!)
3 sticks of butter (softened-MUST be butter)
1 cup splenda
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups ALL PURPOSE flour (be sure to aerate your flour with a fork before measuring)
Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool. This is a crispy delicious cookie not a chewy one. To make them whole wheat substitute whole wheat flour and keep about 2 tbsp all purpose flour and also abour 3 tbsp of wheat gluten.
Jettybetty-you can always quote anything I say!! Glad to have said something worthwhile!!
Sandy-yeah, I feel a little guilty buying those beanie babies at yard sales for a quarter when it is a cute one my kids really want!! You know those people paid about $7 a pop when they were collecting them!
*****************************************************
Yesterday we worked and worked on all the things we had been putting off because we knew today would be wild(funeral). Most of this centered around getting our pool ready. We hauled the sand, got all our holes filled in and our spot level again. Then we went to get our pool out of our storage shed. We unrolled it onto the ground and discovered great chunks of it had been eaten by some sort of critter. Then we discovered the critter. It was the cutest little mouse with big ears and such a sweet little face. We watched it run around on the pool for probably a good 10-15 minutes. Erika begged to catch it-"No". Kayla wanted to get it a cage-"No". I said please, we can get it a little motorcycle-"No". Erik is so mean. We finally helped it find it's way off the pool and out into the world where it climbed the treehouse tree and the girls are hopeful to see it later. So now we have a pool with big holes. We debated patching but since it is one of the big pools we decided that would just be too much pressure on the holes to work. We got two full years of use out of it and thoroughly enjoyed it!! We got our money's worth. Now we have to decide if we bite the bullet and get another one or have a pool free summer. We're thinking on it. What we had is no longer sold, only smaller and larger. I just wanted to go ahead and get an above ground pool installed and then we would not have to go through this again-but hubby says "no!". He says that alot!
In other news, we will spend the day today with family starting at about 9:45. It will be a hard day, it always is when dealing with a non-christian. Erik's Dad says he believes he did get baptized once upon a time, but he did not stick with it. So there is just a big question mark as to the condition of his soul. Erik has gone to work to case his mail and then he will meet us at the funeral home. My husband is such a good hard worker!! He could have had the whole day off but he knows they are very shorthanded so he went above and beyond what he had too.
Keep Erik's family in your prayers please.
3 sticks of butter (softened-MUST be butter)
1 cup splenda
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups ALL PURPOSE flour (be sure to aerate your flour with a fork before measuring)
Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool. This is a crispy delicious cookie not a chewy one. To make them whole wheat substitute whole wheat flour and keep about 2 tbsp all purpose flour and also abour 3 tbsp of wheat gluten.
Jettybetty-you can always quote anything I say!! Glad to have said something worthwhile!!
Sandy-yeah, I feel a little guilty buying those beanie babies at yard sales for a quarter when it is a cute one my kids really want!! You know those people paid about $7 a pop when they were collecting them!
*****************************************************
Yesterday we worked and worked on all the things we had been putting off because we knew today would be wild(funeral). Most of this centered around getting our pool ready. We hauled the sand, got all our holes filled in and our spot level again. Then we went to get our pool out of our storage shed. We unrolled it onto the ground and discovered great chunks of it had been eaten by some sort of critter. Then we discovered the critter. It was the cutest little mouse with big ears and such a sweet little face. We watched it run around on the pool for probably a good 10-15 minutes. Erika begged to catch it-"No". Kayla wanted to get it a cage-"No". I said please, we can get it a little motorcycle-"No". Erik is so mean. We finally helped it find it's way off the pool and out into the world where it climbed the treehouse tree and the girls are hopeful to see it later. So now we have a pool with big holes. We debated patching but since it is one of the big pools we decided that would just be too much pressure on the holes to work. We got two full years of use out of it and thoroughly enjoyed it!! We got our money's worth. Now we have to decide if we bite the bullet and get another one or have a pool free summer. We're thinking on it. What we had is no longer sold, only smaller and larger. I just wanted to go ahead and get an above ground pool installed and then we would not have to go through this again-but hubby says "no!". He says that alot!
In other news, we will spend the day today with family starting at about 9:45. It will be a hard day, it always is when dealing with a non-christian. Erik's Dad says he believes he did get baptized once upon a time, but he did not stick with it. So there is just a big question mark as to the condition of his soul. Erik has gone to work to case his mail and then he will meet us at the funeral home. My husband is such a good hard worker!! He could have had the whole day off but he knows they are very shorthanded so he went above and beyond what he had too.
Keep Erik's family in your prayers please.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
We went to spend some time with Erik's parents tonight after church. Wow, what alot of burdens unexpected death brings. There are so many things to do, loose ends to tie up. Paperwork galore. I need to get our stuff in order a little better just in case someone had to come in and go through all of our crap. It also reminds me how unimportant all the "stuff" we have is. Most of it is just crap to everyone else!!
NOTE TO SELF: SELL ALOT OF CRAP ON EBAY!!
NOTE TO SELF: SELL ALOT OF CRAP ON EBAY!!
Our preacher really preached it to me today. All about loving our neighbors and not talking bad about people and showing Christ. I had to go up and repent and pray. I did not even have to think about it. It was like God had my number and he called directly through that sermon. I have been doing not so well at the love thing with lots of folks in my life and so it hit me like a ton o' bricks. I am so glad grace doesn't run out. His mercies are new every morning-HALLALUJAH!! I did not even mind it so much when I was the only one and there was the public prayer...someday, maybe, I won't be the only one who feels the need to go forward and pray. I have a dream that on days like today-everyone will go forward and pray together!! Lord you know we all need to love more and gossip less!!
My party went well Friday night, thanks ~d for asking. It wasn't a rip-roaring success in the sales department but it was a rip-roaring success in the having a good time with my friends (and one of my sisters) department. I actually prefer cozier gatherings. Most of my friends don't overlap(some of them are starting too!!YAY!!!) and so if a whole lot of people come, I am the only thing they have in common and that makes for a tough night. It was just right and I really enjoyed it. My nephews came with my sister and Erik and the kids stayed home(OUTSIDE). My nephews introduced my kids to the fabulousness of their woods. I knew they would discover it eventually, but all this time they have just stayed on the trail. I have not made them, they just have not ventured too far. Now they are begging to go exploring. I am still close enough to keep a good eye and the neighbors are right there too so it is all good!!
Erik had a gig far away last night and I was totally concerned when he called me about 8:30- he had been called by his Mom to be told that his uncle had a massive heart attack and they had to go identify the body. Erik has an older uncle that is battling cancer big time, but this was the baby brother. He is only eight years older than Erik and they kind of grew up together. Erik's dad really needs prayers!! The responsibility of this will fall mostly on him and Billy was sort of like a son(prodigal)to him. It makes me really sad because Billy did not know the Lord. I wish we had been in his life more but he sort of isolated himself AND WE LET HIM. My kids aren't sure who he is. It just makes me sad-a missed opportunity to share Christ and even more important, love. He kind of grew up to be the black sheep and then once he straightened up a little-just kept the title. It is going to be A HARD WEEK. Keep this family in your prayers.
I have done some of the trim work(just baseboards) in my living room and it looks awesome!! I went with a brownish taupe color on the walls (the color of hubby's coffee,heavy on the cream, which is what he requested and I bought at that yard sale not to long ago)with very white trim. It is indeed very white!! Dazzingly white. I hope I can finish it all this week. We'll see.
Already sold something on ebay. That was quick. I will be an ebay queen as I sort through all this stuff and post it!!
Gotta go, potluck tonight at church and we are going!! I am needing me some fellowship!!
My party went well Friday night, thanks ~d for asking. It wasn't a rip-roaring success in the sales department but it was a rip-roaring success in the having a good time with my friends (and one of my sisters) department. I actually prefer cozier gatherings. Most of my friends don't overlap(some of them are starting too!!YAY!!!) and so if a whole lot of people come, I am the only thing they have in common and that makes for a tough night. It was just right and I really enjoyed it. My nephews came with my sister and Erik and the kids stayed home(OUTSIDE). My nephews introduced my kids to the fabulousness of their woods. I knew they would discover it eventually, but all this time they have just stayed on the trail. I have not made them, they just have not ventured too far. Now they are begging to go exploring. I am still close enough to keep a good eye and the neighbors are right there too so it is all good!!
Erik had a gig far away last night and I was totally concerned when he called me about 8:30- he had been called by his Mom to be told that his uncle had a massive heart attack and they had to go identify the body. Erik has an older uncle that is battling cancer big time, but this was the baby brother. He is only eight years older than Erik and they kind of grew up together. Erik's dad really needs prayers!! The responsibility of this will fall mostly on him and Billy was sort of like a son(prodigal)to him. It makes me really sad because Billy did not know the Lord. I wish we had been in his life more but he sort of isolated himself AND WE LET HIM. My kids aren't sure who he is. It just makes me sad-a missed opportunity to share Christ and even more important, love. He kind of grew up to be the black sheep and then once he straightened up a little-just kept the title. It is going to be A HARD WEEK. Keep this family in your prayers.
I have done some of the trim work(just baseboards) in my living room and it looks awesome!! I went with a brownish taupe color on the walls (the color of hubby's coffee,heavy on the cream, which is what he requested and I bought at that yard sale not to long ago)with very white trim. It is indeed very white!! Dazzingly white. I hope I can finish it all this week. We'll see.
Already sold something on ebay. That was quick. I will be an ebay queen as I sort through all this stuff and post it!!
Gotta go, potluck tonight at church and we are going!! I am needing me some fellowship!!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Yard sale ain't happening tomorrow either. Garage work day will have to happen first. I think I may restart my ebay career instead!! Look out ebay, disgruntled homemaker coming to sell crap!!
Read this today and it made me feel better about being a mom. Lately I am consumed with wondering what on earth God was thinking when he made ME a mom. This almost made me cry and I am so glad I have been pooped on, peed on and have even dove to make a perfect vomit catch! (more than once!) I really do love being a mom and wife. If I say that 24 times a day I almost believe it!(LOL) I'm a very lucky girl...I'm a very lucky girl...I'm a very lucky girl...I'm a very lucky girl...
Before I was a Mom
Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.
Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot the words to lullabies.
Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of my mind
My thoughts
My body
And I slept all night and got plenty of rest.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew what love at first sight really meant.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonderment.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much
Before I was a Mom
Read this today and it made me feel better about being a mom. Lately I am consumed with wondering what on earth God was thinking when he made ME a mom. This almost made me cry and I am so glad I have been pooped on, peed on and have even dove to make a perfect vomit catch! (more than once!) I really do love being a mom and wife. If I say that 24 times a day I almost believe it!(LOL) I'm a very lucky girl...I'm a very lucky girl...I'm a very lucky girl...I'm a very lucky girl...
Before I was a Mom
Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.
Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
Before I was a Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot the words to lullabies.
Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of my mind
My thoughts
My body
And I slept all night and got plenty of rest.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew what love at first sight really meant.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonderment.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much
Before I was a Mom
I have a new best friend...VINEGAR!!! Behold the power of vinegar!! It is a completely non-toxic way to clean and washing it down your drains is wonderful for them, send some baking soda down with it once a month(or week if 4 women live in your home) and keep your drains clear!!
I have been a cleaning freak and I don't have the headache I usually get when cleaning. IT IS AWESOME stuff!!
I just wish my house smelt less like...a pickle. Just kidding-it fades and smells more like...fresh paint. OR that could be some of my fresh paint.
I am going now to light candles. Pampered Chef party here tonight at 6:30. Come join the fun!! OR place an order at www.pamperedchef.biz/chefjanice .
REALLY!!
HAve an awesome weekend!
I have been a cleaning freak and I don't have the headache I usually get when cleaning. IT IS AWESOME stuff!!
I just wish my house smelt less like...a pickle. Just kidding-it fades and smells more like...fresh paint. OR that could be some of my fresh paint.
I am going now to light candles. Pampered Chef party here tonight at 6:30. Come join the fun!! OR place an order at www.pamperedchef.biz/chefjanice .
REALLY!!
HAve an awesome weekend!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
| You Are Big Bird |
 Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around. You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy. You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you. How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper." |
The week continues!! VBS is awesome and so is sewing camp. My kids are learning to use our sewing machine that Erik bought me many years ago(BC-which is, of course, before children). Perhaps someone will finally get some use out of it. My kids love to sew and all needlework of any kind. I find it tedious and it makes my neck hurt. I want it to look perfect and yet do not have the skills to do it perfectly. *sigh* I will be a perfect encourager for my girls. I even let Erika enter her knitting with some dropped stitches. She can be her own critic-I am so proud she taught herself to knit watching a DVD!!! It only got a white ribbon I think. However, her colored drawing of Strawberry Shortcake which was fantabulously awesome got a blue ribbon AND*****DRUMROLL****** A PURPLE GRAND CHAMPION RIBBON!!! I am so proud. Her other drawing got a red ribbon.
My sugar free cookies got a blue ribbon, my choc chip cookies got a blue ribbon, and my AWESOMELY fabulous sugar cookies only got a red ribbon. The best cookies of the three I took scored lowest...go figure. I don't care because I win $$$ and my daughter got a purple ribbon!! I am living vicariously. SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW, has a daughter that won a purple ribbon too.
Gotta go now, closets and drawers are on the docket today!! Get off the computer and do something why doncha!!
My sugar free cookies got a blue ribbon, my choc chip cookies got a blue ribbon, and my AWESOMELY fabulous sugar cookies only got a red ribbon. The best cookies of the three I took scored lowest...go figure. I don't care because I win $$$ and my daughter got a purple ribbon!! I am living vicariously. SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW, has a daughter that won a purple ribbon too.
Gotta go now, closets and drawers are on the docket today!! Get off the computer and do something why doncha!!
Monday, June 19, 2006
I did two loads of laundry (completely) and finished painting the bathroom and painted my living room. WOW!! This was my best weekend ever! I still have lots of trimmming to do, but I will do that a little at a time. It is way harder to trim than to paint. I still can't believe how much progress I made and we did Father's Day visits as well and went to a birthday party(not swim though-cause the rains came!!). It is probably because I am having a lustful affair with sugar again. I am back on track today but it was a "sweet" weekend. I really made up for the sugar I had missed in a week off. Now, I really feel it. Not feeling good, lack of energy, the cravings. I am going back on track but I am going to allow myself an occassional splurge so that I don't have week-long affairs with sugar. I was discussing carbs with a friend of mine doing a similar diet change and I have discovered that I am consuming huge amounts of carbs-like 3 days worth in one day. Part of that is because whole grains have so many carbs-the other part is that I did not even consider counting carbs and that maybe that has something to do with my sluggish weight loss. I am back on track-but still a little hung over from 3 fun size milky ways yesterday alone, Oh and glorious bithday cake.
Erika got to stay up a little late last night to finish her drawings. Then she was up at about 6AM "Mom, are we going to the fair to drop off my things?" "Honey, they won't even take them until 7:30-GO BACK TO BED!!!" She did not. I got up about seven and got my shower and took her fair entries to the fair(she entered a colored drawing, black and white drawing and a purse she knitted), returned tater sacks to the Girl Scout office, and dropped off a host packet to a Pampered Chef party haver. Then I dropped my kiddos off at VBS 5 minutes early which is about how long it takes to get my cards filled out. SANDY-let's invent that kid info stamp!! We'll be rich. Every mom with more than two children will want one. Anyway, then I came home and made my cookies for the fair and then drove back and dropped them off. I also sized up the competition. I had the only sugar free cookie entry as of 11:25, so I may have a shot of winning something. Next year we will definitely have more entries!! Last year we had none, baby steps. I am amazed at all the homeschoolers that enter. Without us there would be no fair. I can't wait to see how we do.
My big girls have sewing camp in about 30 minutes, so I guess I had better get off of here. Busy weeks make me more productive. Why is that? Or maybe it is the three hours of alone time that soothed my soul today!!
Have a super Monday!!
Erika got to stay up a little late last night to finish her drawings. Then she was up at about 6AM "Mom, are we going to the fair to drop off my things?" "Honey, they won't even take them until 7:30-GO BACK TO BED!!!" She did not. I got up about seven and got my shower and took her fair entries to the fair(she entered a colored drawing, black and white drawing and a purse she knitted), returned tater sacks to the Girl Scout office, and dropped off a host packet to a Pampered Chef party haver. Then I dropped my kiddos off at VBS 5 minutes early which is about how long it takes to get my cards filled out. SANDY-let's invent that kid info stamp!! We'll be rich. Every mom with more than two children will want one. Anyway, then I came home and made my cookies for the fair and then drove back and dropped them off. I also sized up the competition. I had the only sugar free cookie entry as of 11:25, so I may have a shot of winning something. Next year we will definitely have more entries!! Last year we had none, baby steps. I am amazed at all the homeschoolers that enter. Without us there would be no fair. I can't wait to see how we do.
My big girls have sewing camp in about 30 minutes, so I guess I had better get off of here. Busy weeks make me more productive. Why is that? Or maybe it is the three hours of alone time that soothed my soul today!!
Have a super Monday!!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
The yard is mowed. The garden somewhat hoed and tilled. Our ground is concrete right now. We need rain. I hope it does-but not till after the swim party we are going to tonight.
We went yard saling because our yard sale did not happen. The garage is a disaster zone right now. Next Saturday for sure!! We found lots of great buys today. We may just quit for the year since we got so many good things. You know me better than that!!
I am going to try to paint today-at least the bathroom-I only need to finish half of the room-a very tiny room. Perhaps it will happen!!
Enjoy your Saturday. Ann Coulter is on the Dennis Praeger show, gotta listen!! She is a hoot!! Conservative republicans rock!!
We went yard saling because our yard sale did not happen. The garage is a disaster zone right now. Next Saturday for sure!! We found lots of great buys today. We may just quit for the year since we got so many good things. You know me better than that!!
I am going to try to paint today-at least the bathroom-I only need to finish half of the room-a very tiny room. Perhaps it will happen!!
Enjoy your Saturday. Ann Coulter is on the Dennis Praeger show, gotta listen!! She is a hoot!! Conservative republicans rock!!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Today is a ketchup day-read that catch-up not catsup (cat soup) which is totally disgusting!! I have so many things that I could do, that need to be done, that it is a little overwhelming!! Just a short list includes: mowing the yard, finishing up some painting, laundry(Mt. Washmore is alive and well again for those of you who were worried), getting ready for a yard sale that may or may not happen, tilling and hoeing a weedy garden. Of course there are more things that did not make the list, those are just the high notes!! (Musical references by musically challenged people are sooo funny.)
Anyway since I have so much to, I have decided to waste a morning on blogging and reading blogs. HEE HEE!! Hubby loves me so much when I am good and behind on everything. He slaved over the van last night, cleaning and detailing and removing all traces of wife and children for his band guys to ride in on their out-of-town gig. He is not going to let us in it again until they return. We live in the van and it is not pretty. We are working really hard on keeping his jeep lookin' purty. He is kind of a neat freak about vehicles. I am not. Too much living goes on in that van!! (Meals, crafts from VBS, church, library trips, yard sales, boating, beach days) Three kids have alot of stuff to go with them and it collects somewhere, actually everywhere!
Yesterday was totally awesome!! We went and took AR tests at the school we are doing a summer reading program at. The girls did well since it was non-fiction and the librarian says those tests are harder. Then we went to pick blueberries. We were late and they were very picked over so the guy GAVE us the bag of berries that we picked. Then some squash too!! Last night I made smoothies and they were yum yum-(strawberries, skim milk, non-fat plain yogurt, blueberries and splenda). The kids reminded me how the last smoothies I made were totally gross!! Blueberries are soooo good. These are kind of tart and tangy unlike the ones from the store which sort of taste perfumy. After that I went to see my friend Heather who lives near the blueberries and we were able to have a good visit despite 7 children(my 3, her 3 and the one she babysits). We hardly ever se each other so it was nice to visit a bit. Then we stopped at my friend Sherry's house to look at some furniture that will probably be Lilly's new furniture. We had a nice visit and she showed me all of the work they have done to their house and backyard-AWESOME!! Things were looking great. You would think that would inspire me to work around here more!!
After I took kiddos to VBS(No Jacinda, our church does not do Bible school any more, that is why I attend every VBS in the area-I justify it because our church doesn't have one. I would complain about it but that might set me up for organizing it and that scares me to death, frankly!!) my friend Crystal came over and we chatted while I finished my scrapbook pages for our homeschool yearbook. I finished right after she left and gave them to Sandy when I picked up kids from Bible school. Sandy-aren't you proud I made the deadline!!!! I was not sure I would. Then after baths and almost had the kids in bed, my friend Elaina came over. She got to help me tuck in and say prayers. Then we ate sugar free fat free ice cream (Erik had real ice cream and went to bed pretty quickly)and giggled into the wee hours of the morning. IT was a wonderful day. Now I am tired and lazy. I am going to go kickstart myself and finish painting the bathroom and work my way down my list I suppose.
I love a good work day, NOT!!!!!
Anyway since I have so much to, I have decided to waste a morning on blogging and reading blogs. HEE HEE!! Hubby loves me so much when I am good and behind on everything. He slaved over the van last night, cleaning and detailing and removing all traces of wife and children for his band guys to ride in on their out-of-town gig. He is not going to let us in it again until they return. We live in the van and it is not pretty. We are working really hard on keeping his jeep lookin' purty. He is kind of a neat freak about vehicles. I am not. Too much living goes on in that van!! (Meals, crafts from VBS, church, library trips, yard sales, boating, beach days) Three kids have alot of stuff to go with them and it collects somewhere, actually everywhere!
Yesterday was totally awesome!! We went and took AR tests at the school we are doing a summer reading program at. The girls did well since it was non-fiction and the librarian says those tests are harder. Then we went to pick blueberries. We were late and they were very picked over so the guy GAVE us the bag of berries that we picked. Then some squash too!! Last night I made smoothies and they were yum yum-(strawberries, skim milk, non-fat plain yogurt, blueberries and splenda). The kids reminded me how the last smoothies I made were totally gross!! Blueberries are soooo good. These are kind of tart and tangy unlike the ones from the store which sort of taste perfumy. After that I went to see my friend Heather who lives near the blueberries and we were able to have a good visit despite 7 children(my 3, her 3 and the one she babysits). We hardly ever se each other so it was nice to visit a bit. Then we stopped at my friend Sherry's house to look at some furniture that will probably be Lilly's new furniture. We had a nice visit and she showed me all of the work they have done to their house and backyard-AWESOME!! Things were looking great. You would think that would inspire me to work around here more!!
After I took kiddos to VBS(No Jacinda, our church does not do Bible school any more, that is why I attend every VBS in the area-I justify it because our church doesn't have one. I would complain about it but that might set me up for organizing it and that scares me to death, frankly!!) my friend Crystal came over and we chatted while I finished my scrapbook pages for our homeschool yearbook. I finished right after she left and gave them to Sandy when I picked up kids from Bible school. Sandy-aren't you proud I made the deadline!!!! I was not sure I would. Then after baths and almost had the kids in bed, my friend Elaina came over. She got to help me tuck in and say prayers. Then we ate sugar free fat free ice cream (Erik had real ice cream and went to bed pretty quickly)and giggled into the wee hours of the morning. IT was a wonderful day. Now I am tired and lazy. I am going to go kickstart myself and finish painting the bathroom and work my way down my list I suppose.
I love a good work day, NOT!!!!!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Why does this month have to be so stinking busy? At some point I may stop the world and get off!! "I'll stop the world and melt" - alone please. My kids are having lots of fun times but starting to think the world revolves around them a little-IT DOES NOT!! It revolves around me.
Being Mom is the hardest job I have ever had. Nothing has ever made me feel so successful at times that I hold my head high and just feel good OR reduced me to tears because I feel like the most ill-equipped person to do it, well ever. Thankfully most days hold both feelings and I am learning to not take either end of the spectrum to heart because they pass so quickly. Successes are just as fleeting as the failures. According to the Bible, having children saves us Mommies and I gotta concur on that one. If watching your bad behaviors mimiced by a toddler or 8 YO doesn't straighten you right up, nothing will. " MY Mom said your Mom lets you do anything you want and I should find a different kid to be friends with!" It hasn't happened lately, but it has happened!!
I am up before my darlings and I must say SILENCE IS GOLDEN. I need to go do something productive now!! BEFORE, we run like crazy again today. Give me strength, Lord, give me strength!
Being Mom is the hardest job I have ever had. Nothing has ever made me feel so successful at times that I hold my head high and just feel good OR reduced me to tears because I feel like the most ill-equipped person to do it, well ever. Thankfully most days hold both feelings and I am learning to not take either end of the spectrum to heart because they pass so quickly. Successes are just as fleeting as the failures. According to the Bible, having children saves us Mommies and I gotta concur on that one. If watching your bad behaviors mimiced by a toddler or 8 YO doesn't straighten you right up, nothing will. " MY Mom said your Mom lets you do anything you want and I should find a different kid to be friends with!" It hasn't happened lately, but it has happened!!
I am up before my darlings and I must say SILENCE IS GOLDEN. I need to go do something productive now!! BEFORE, we run like crazy again today. Give me strength, Lord, give me strength!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Well I am a big fat cheater cheater. I have cheated many times, but as my friend Julie said-I am still doing way better than I was. Once I cheated with the birthday cake at O'Charley's, it was all downhill from there. Oh and Holiday World? Nothing remotely whole grain or green there. I went with tacos which seemed to be the heathiest thing there.
This week the girls have been attending VBS at night with some friends. They are having a ball. I love Bible school. Next week it is daytime Bible school and that is totally the cat's meow!! What will I do!???!!!! Finish some books I think!!
Today we went to the $1 movie and then to the mall so Lilly could spend her birthday money. It was burning a hole in her pocket. She had a spree a Toys 'R Us and then all of the girls got new gauchos(I can't believe those things came back!!!) outfits, and then Lilly got some much needed new frocks from a sale at JCPENNEY. You would think with her being the third child, she would have plenty of clothes-but most of them are worn out and stained by the time they go through two girls. We had as much fun at the mall as a mom with 3 kids can have. We hardly EVER go there. I usually limit our shopping to yard sales. I was in Retail shock as we paid $71 for 3 new outfits. I could yard sale for a couple of months on that!!!
Gotta go, Erik and I will attend church tonight...just us. He will be in the sound booth though so I won't really see him at all while we are there. Anyhoo, it will still be nice not to ref during church.
Go see my friend Sarah at www.mathenymom.blogspot.com she is sooo cool!!
Have a great Wednesday
This week the girls have been attending VBS at night with some friends. They are having a ball. I love Bible school. Next week it is daytime Bible school and that is totally the cat's meow!! What will I do!???!!!! Finish some books I think!!
Today we went to the $1 movie and then to the mall so Lilly could spend her birthday money. It was burning a hole in her pocket. She had a spree a Toys 'R Us and then all of the girls got new gauchos(I can't believe those things came back!!!) outfits, and then Lilly got some much needed new frocks from a sale at JCPENNEY. You would think with her being the third child, she would have plenty of clothes-but most of them are worn out and stained by the time they go through two girls. We had as much fun at the mall as a mom with 3 kids can have. We hardly EVER go there. I usually limit our shopping to yard sales. I was in Retail shock as we paid $71 for 3 new outfits. I could yard sale for a couple of months on that!!!
Gotta go, Erik and I will attend church tonight...just us. He will be in the sound booth though so I won't really see him at all while we are there. Anyhoo, it will still be nice not to ref during church.
Go see my friend Sarah at www.mathenymom.blogspot.com she is sooo cool!!
Have a great Wednesday
Monday, June 12, 2006
OK, Lilly is down for a much needed nap and the older two are playing-together-not fighting...I may have just jinxed it!! We got up Saturday morning early and got down to our free hot breakfast...I love the Drury Inn...any hotel really but a hot breakfast buffet for free for a family of five is a nice treat. Free booze and a snack is nothing to sneeze at either..hee hee. After breakfast we came back up to our room and got all packed up and dressed for the day, bathing suits under our clothes because YAY!...Holiday World has a water park.
We had to make a quick stop at Walmart for sunscreen, especially since I was still sporting a severe sunburn from Field Day!! (Later we found out Holiday World has free sunscreen in the water park along with unlimited free soft drinks in both parks). Then we made our way from Evansville to Holiday World. We drove through country roads that reminded me of where I grew up-big farms, school bus farms, roads that are out in the middle of nowhere but Holiday World signs here and there so you knew you were on the right path. We finally arrived at this big park in the middle of nowhere and there were lots of cars in the parking lot-coming from both directions and people helping you park just like at Disney. There was a tram to ride up to the park, just like Disney. People were mostly white and spoke English just like-not at all like Disney. Hee Hee, that part doesn't matter a bit to me but it was interesting that everyone there looked just like us. I prefer my kids get exposed to more cultures than just ours, it is just really hard to do that in our neck of the woods-not exactly a melting pot here!! I digress, as always.
As we were walking into the park, total strangers walked over and asked us if we had already bought our tickets, I thought GREAT SCAMMERS!, but no "Here take this free ticket, my wife wasn't able to come to our company picnic-you can have her ticket." I bet I said Thank You five times. $36.95 saved!! PLUS, you know me, we had a coupon for some money off admission. I had to search a long time but I found one. It was a great beginning to what became a very wonderful day!
As you walk in, the first thing you notice is how spotlessly clean everything is!! And everyone is very nice. We looked at the map for a while and then just decided not to micromanage the day-just to go and ride rides. The first thing we rode was Paul Revere's Midnight Ride which in Noble Park(A park that used to be in Paducah that I grew up going to) terms is the Spider. It looks like a spider and you go up and down and spin around. It was so fun. Then onto the Liberty launch where you are launched straight up and then free fall intermittently back down. Looked scarier than it was, no one would ride but me and Erik so we took turns. It was a hopelessly cloudy day all day and it looked like it would rain anytime. Perfect Park weather in my mind-no need to keep sunscreening every five minutes like on hot sunny days. We made our way to The Voyage after that, the biggest, fastest wooden roller coaster in the world. That may not be true but it sure seemed like it!! IT was totally INTENSE. I screamed the whole ride, which I rode alone because Erik rode with Erika and Kayla refused and Lilly wasn't tall enough. You climbed an enormous hill and then it dropped you straight down and did not even slow down until it was over. There were lots of underground tunnels and times where the curves had you completely sideways. WHEW!!! What a ride!! By the way, Erika would have no part of riding again-that is when we knew Kayla should not ride. Lilly cried because she wasn't tall enough for any roller coaster. Kayla cried because she was and I made her ride one. She screamed "What did I do to deserve this?" "Why do you hate me!" "What did I do that was so wrong!" "I want off!!!" It made for a fun ride, the last roller coaster ride of the day for Kayla, the reluctant rider.
All of the rides were great and at about 3:30ish we went to the water park. I did not want to. I thought it was a dumb idea because water parks are so exhausting-to have that in the middle of an already tiring day seemed silly to me. HOWEVER, I was wrong wrong wrong!! It is a perfect pick me up!! It is such a nice waterpark and we had so much fun doing all the water stuff. It started to rain and came a pretty good downpour-but no lightning and we were in a water park sooooo we made do. It stopped and cleared off and was kind of cool the rest of the day. We got our second wind. Then when we were tired of being wet, we went back to the regular park, got something to eat, rode a few more rides and then got ready to leave. We also walked through the antique toy display-so it would be educational you know!!
I highly recommend HOLIDAY WORLD. It is fabulous!! It wasn't better than Disney, but it was closer to home-about 2 1/2 hours-and comparable to Disney, not to mention much much cheaper. We think this will be a yearly event for us. UNLIKE Disney which was probably a once in a lifetime.
We were all very exhausted on the way home. All the kids fell asleep and Erik had to pull over to let me drive. I was praying all the way home and singing with my WOW! HITS CD because I was tired too. I started praying God would refresh me and make me alert and a safe driver. He is soo awesomely faithful. About 5 miles later, I was wide awake and enjoying my worship time. When I got home and all the kids were tucked in bed, I finished my latest book and then went to bed.
Today-I am right back to mount washmore-but I think 4 loads is gonna do it!! MOMENTUM BABY!! Have a great Monday!!
We had to make a quick stop at Walmart for sunscreen, especially since I was still sporting a severe sunburn from Field Day!! (Later we found out Holiday World has free sunscreen in the water park along with unlimited free soft drinks in both parks). Then we made our way from Evansville to Holiday World. We drove through country roads that reminded me of where I grew up-big farms, school bus farms, roads that are out in the middle of nowhere but Holiday World signs here and there so you knew you were on the right path. We finally arrived at this big park in the middle of nowhere and there were lots of cars in the parking lot-coming from both directions and people helping you park just like at Disney. There was a tram to ride up to the park, just like Disney. People were mostly white and spoke English just like-not at all like Disney. Hee Hee, that part doesn't matter a bit to me but it was interesting that everyone there looked just like us. I prefer my kids get exposed to more cultures than just ours, it is just really hard to do that in our neck of the woods-not exactly a melting pot here!! I digress, as always.
As we were walking into the park, total strangers walked over and asked us if we had already bought our tickets, I thought GREAT SCAMMERS!, but no "Here take this free ticket, my wife wasn't able to come to our company picnic-you can have her ticket." I bet I said Thank You five times. $36.95 saved!! PLUS, you know me, we had a coupon for some money off admission. I had to search a long time but I found one. It was a great beginning to what became a very wonderful day!
As you walk in, the first thing you notice is how spotlessly clean everything is!! And everyone is very nice. We looked at the map for a while and then just decided not to micromanage the day-just to go and ride rides. The first thing we rode was Paul Revere's Midnight Ride which in Noble Park(A park that used to be in Paducah that I grew up going to) terms is the Spider. It looks like a spider and you go up and down and spin around. It was so fun. Then onto the Liberty launch where you are launched straight up and then free fall intermittently back down. Looked scarier than it was, no one would ride but me and Erik so we took turns. It was a hopelessly cloudy day all day and it looked like it would rain anytime. Perfect Park weather in my mind-no need to keep sunscreening every five minutes like on hot sunny days. We made our way to The Voyage after that, the biggest, fastest wooden roller coaster in the world. That may not be true but it sure seemed like it!! IT was totally INTENSE. I screamed the whole ride, which I rode alone because Erik rode with Erika and Kayla refused and Lilly wasn't tall enough. You climbed an enormous hill and then it dropped you straight down and did not even slow down until it was over. There were lots of underground tunnels and times where the curves had you completely sideways. WHEW!!! What a ride!! By the way, Erika would have no part of riding again-that is when we knew Kayla should not ride. Lilly cried because she wasn't tall enough for any roller coaster. Kayla cried because she was and I made her ride one. She screamed "What did I do to deserve this?" "Why do you hate me!" "What did I do that was so wrong!" "I want off!!!" It made for a fun ride, the last roller coaster ride of the day for Kayla, the reluctant rider.
All of the rides were great and at about 3:30ish we went to the water park. I did not want to. I thought it was a dumb idea because water parks are so exhausting-to have that in the middle of an already tiring day seemed silly to me. HOWEVER, I was wrong wrong wrong!! It is a perfect pick me up!! It is such a nice waterpark and we had so much fun doing all the water stuff. It started to rain and came a pretty good downpour-but no lightning and we were in a water park sooooo we made do. It stopped and cleared off and was kind of cool the rest of the day. We got our second wind. Then when we were tired of being wet, we went back to the regular park, got something to eat, rode a few more rides and then got ready to leave. We also walked through the antique toy display-so it would be educational you know!!
I highly recommend HOLIDAY WORLD. It is fabulous!! It wasn't better than Disney, but it was closer to home-about 2 1/2 hours-and comparable to Disney, not to mention much much cheaper. We think this will be a yearly event for us. UNLIKE Disney which was probably a once in a lifetime.
We were all very exhausted on the way home. All the kids fell asleep and Erik had to pull over to let me drive. I was praying all the way home and singing with my WOW! HITS CD because I was tired too. I started praying God would refresh me and make me alert and a safe driver. He is soo awesomely faithful. About 5 miles later, I was wide awake and enjoying my worship time. When I got home and all the kids were tucked in bed, I finished my latest book and then went to bed.
Today-I am right back to mount washmore-but I think 4 loads is gonna do it!! MOMENTUM BABY!! Have a great Monday!!
Oh what a weekend we have had!! We got up Saturday morning(Happy Birthday, LILLY!!!!) to get our bags packed and head to Henderson, KY for the W.C.Handy festival that was featuring Lew Jetton & 61 South (my husband's now only band-I think). As soon as Erik pulled in the driveway we were all packed up and ready to go and we took off. The festival was great, Henderson is a neat town. Lew sang "Happy Birthday" to Lilly which made her cry. Too many people looking, afternoon tired girl. You just never know what you are going to get with her. One minute she wants everyone looking at her, the next she is crying because everyone is looking at her.
After the birthday song, we walked around town (festivals are hard to sit through with three fidgety girls and one fidgety grown up), went to a three story furniture store and planned our new furniture and enjoyed the air conditioning. Then we went to the little park to play and then at last Erik was done and ready to go. Henderson has an water park right on the river with all of these little fountains that the kids play in. We stopped there on our way to Evansville and let the kids get completely soaked. They had a ball. Kayla took forever to finally get wet, but Erika and Lilly hopped right in there and were soaked immediately. Kayla really has to be pushed hard to get in there and have fun. She is such a literal child and worries about what people will think and all sorts of other things kids should not worry about. Other times though, she doesn't think at all and pesters the snot out of people. These kids sure do keep my prayer life active!!
Back in the car and away to Evansville to spend the night. We had a great drive and not too much bickering. Evansville is a neat town but we had no time to explore really. I wish we could have seen their riverfront but we were hungry and tired and the kids were soaking wet from Henderson so we trucked on to our hotel. We unloaded, went to our room and put on dry things and went downstairs for our free happy hour drinks and snacks. Now I am not a drinking woman but the allure of 3 free drinks overtook me. There are not many sugar free drinks out there, so I had to try new things. I was in such a better mood thank goodness when we walked next door to O'Charleys(where kids DO NOT eat free in Evansville). We had supper and celebrated Lilly's birthday with a free birthday cake. I was weak from liquor and cheated heartily with the birthday cake which was delish!! I did not cheat in any other way that night though-did not eat the bun from my burger or the croutons in my salad. As soon as we were done we walked back to our room, changed into bathing suits and swam much. It was a perfect end to a perfect day for Lilly. We also decided our activity for the next day-we had kind of been thinking the zoo-would be HOLIDAY WORLD!! I will post more on that later because I have been on here forever. Stay tuned for more cheating and great jolly fun that was funny!
After the birthday song, we walked around town (festivals are hard to sit through with three fidgety girls and one fidgety grown up), went to a three story furniture store and planned our new furniture and enjoyed the air conditioning. Then we went to the little park to play and then at last Erik was done and ready to go. Henderson has an water park right on the river with all of these little fountains that the kids play in. We stopped there on our way to Evansville and let the kids get completely soaked. They had a ball. Kayla took forever to finally get wet, but Erika and Lilly hopped right in there and were soaked immediately. Kayla really has to be pushed hard to get in there and have fun. She is such a literal child and worries about what people will think and all sorts of other things kids should not worry about. Other times though, she doesn't think at all and pesters the snot out of people. These kids sure do keep my prayer life active!!
Back in the car and away to Evansville to spend the night. We had a great drive and not too much bickering. Evansville is a neat town but we had no time to explore really. I wish we could have seen their riverfront but we were hungry and tired and the kids were soaking wet from Henderson so we trucked on to our hotel. We unloaded, went to our room and put on dry things and went downstairs for our free happy hour drinks and snacks. Now I am not a drinking woman but the allure of 3 free drinks overtook me. There are not many sugar free drinks out there, so I had to try new things. I was in such a better mood thank goodness when we walked next door to O'Charleys(where kids DO NOT eat free in Evansville). We had supper and celebrated Lilly's birthday with a free birthday cake. I was weak from liquor and cheated heartily with the birthday cake which was delish!! I did not cheat in any other way that night though-did not eat the bun from my burger or the croutons in my salad. As soon as we were done we walked back to our room, changed into bathing suits and swam much. It was a perfect end to a perfect day for Lilly. We also decided our activity for the next day-we had kind of been thinking the zoo-would be HOLIDAY WORLD!! I will post more on that later because I have been on here forever. Stay tuned for more cheating and great jolly fun that was funny!
Friday, June 09, 2006
Mount Washmore is a tiny tiny mound of not even enough to lump all together and do one load. Not that I would ever do something like that (evil grin).
Birthday cake sits in my fridge untouched by yours truly...and it is good looking chocolate with the whipped creme frosting. I'm sure it is lovely but it will not touch these lips of mine. I did lick the spoon again though while making the mini-cakes for polly pocket skirts. I just can't seem to get it to the sink before it makes it to my mouth. I am not counting that against me though. I just wish the weight were coming off faster. Sometimes it seems like I am giving up soooooo much for soooooo little and that is frustrating.
The birthday party was fun. We went the backyard party route and served pizza. The girls poked polly pockets into the little cakes I made with my pampered chef prep bowls(feel free to contact me if you need to order some) and then decorated them...some were good, some not so good. The boys were supposed to do dirt hills with army guys but they were kind of busy playing. Mostly they just wanted to play in the yard and go see the puppies next door. So we went with it.
Lilly mostly got money for presents, but the two presents she did get were dearly loved!! Five year olds really like presents! She took the purse/cell phone present and snuck over and got all her money out of her cards plus Nathanael and proceeded into the house before she was busted. I don't know what their plans were, but you can't be too trusting of the 5 year olds. Lilly was very torn between Bethany, her cousin(and best friend forever) and Nathanael(I'm gonna marry him mom). Nathanael won in the end though because he fears nothing and Bethany is a little scared of alot of things. Since Lilly has no fear and they were outside, it was a predictable thing. I hope you had a nap Sandy!! He is your daredevil, isn't he!
Field Day was today and it went very well in my opinion. We sort of lost the structure after lunch, but that was okay for me. We tried to keep it on track and then I just decided we should let it go and end early. Most people were pleased with the day and after working so hard all morning, Christina and I declared it a success. I was a little bummed about it untill I read the flipflopmamma's post today. I believe this was a message from God for me today!! (her blog is www.flipflopmamma.blogspot.com ).
People can be unreasonable,
illogical, and self centered;
Love them anyway.
if you do good
some will accuse you of selfish motives;
Do good anyway.
If you succeed, you may win
false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable;
Be honest anyway.
What takes year to build
may be destroyed overnight;
Build well anyway.
Sinners don't always want to hear the gospel;
Witness lovingly anyway.
Against all odds go serve today,
This is the Lord's command;
Behind the lines or in the fray,
In His own strength you stand.-Hess
The world crowns success,
but God crowns faithfulness.
I am always so nervous when planning things. I worry that people won't like it. I feel bad when I organize something like today and everyone is thanking me, but it took all of us to pull it off. I don't like that praise, my motives are selfish-I wanted a field day for my kids. I don't ever mind stepping up and organizing an activity. It really isn't as hard as people make it out and so it feels wrong to accept that praise. It also makes other people bristle, there are people whose claws come out as soon as someone receives a kind word. They can't wait to slam the project because they don't like me or whoever helped pull it together.
Anyway, all that to say, I needed these words today. Thank you flip flop momma! I may live to plan again. Actually, I know I will. I believe God has given me a skill that I am happy to use for him. And that is what my test said too ( :
Birthday cake sits in my fridge untouched by yours truly...and it is good looking chocolate with the whipped creme frosting. I'm sure it is lovely but it will not touch these lips of mine. I did lick the spoon again though while making the mini-cakes for polly pocket skirts. I just can't seem to get it to the sink before it makes it to my mouth. I am not counting that against me though. I just wish the weight were coming off faster. Sometimes it seems like I am giving up soooooo much for soooooo little and that is frustrating.
The birthday party was fun. We went the backyard party route and served pizza. The girls poked polly pockets into the little cakes I made with my pampered chef prep bowls(feel free to contact me if you need to order some) and then decorated them...some were good, some not so good. The boys were supposed to do dirt hills with army guys but they were kind of busy playing. Mostly they just wanted to play in the yard and go see the puppies next door. So we went with it.
Lilly mostly got money for presents, but the two presents she did get were dearly loved!! Five year olds really like presents! She took the purse/cell phone present and snuck over and got all her money out of her cards plus Nathanael and proceeded into the house before she was busted. I don't know what their plans were, but you can't be too trusting of the 5 year olds. Lilly was very torn between Bethany, her cousin(and best friend forever) and Nathanael(I'm gonna marry him mom). Nathanael won in the end though because he fears nothing and Bethany is a little scared of alot of things. Since Lilly has no fear and they were outside, it was a predictable thing. I hope you had a nap Sandy!! He is your daredevil, isn't he!
Field Day was today and it went very well in my opinion. We sort of lost the structure after lunch, but that was okay for me. We tried to keep it on track and then I just decided we should let it go and end early. Most people were pleased with the day and after working so hard all morning, Christina and I declared it a success. I was a little bummed about it untill I read the flipflopmamma's post today. I believe this was a message from God for me today!! (her blog is www.flipflopmamma.blogspot.com ).
People can be unreasonable,
illogical, and self centered;
Love them anyway.
if you do good
some will accuse you of selfish motives;
Do good anyway.
If you succeed, you may win
false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable;
Be honest anyway.
What takes year to build
may be destroyed overnight;
Build well anyway.
Sinners don't always want to hear the gospel;
Witness lovingly anyway.
Against all odds go serve today,
This is the Lord's command;
Behind the lines or in the fray,
In His own strength you stand.-Hess
The world crowns success,
but God crowns faithfulness.
I am always so nervous when planning things. I worry that people won't like it. I feel bad when I organize something like today and everyone is thanking me, but it took all of us to pull it off. I don't like that praise, my motives are selfish-I wanted a field day for my kids. I don't ever mind stepping up and organizing an activity. It really isn't as hard as people make it out and so it feels wrong to accept that praise. It also makes other people bristle, there are people whose claws come out as soon as someone receives a kind word. They can't wait to slam the project because they don't like me or whoever helped pull it together.
Anyway, all that to say, I needed these words today. Thank you flip flop momma! I may live to plan again. Actually, I know I will. I believe God has given me a skill that I am happy to use for him. And that is what my test said too ( :
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Right now, as I type, I am kicking Mount Washmore's butt!! I have about 17 more loads and I am done...hee hee-really about 5 I think because I got pretty behind and I have to do sheets because it has been too too long!
Lilly's birthday party is Thursday night and the homeschool field day is on Friday. I am a busy beaver but that is good, it keeps me focused. I may not be a faithful blogger for a few days, PLEASE, if you can, pray I am not mean and irritable with my family! I am pretty bad to do that when I have alot going on. OH YEAH, and making birthday sugar goods will be a challenge. It has been relatively easy for me to abstain as I have not had sugar in the house. Cake in the house will be a true test!! I have alot of "clean" time in and I don't want to blow it!
Have an awesome week!
Lilly's birthday party is Thursday night and the homeschool field day is on Friday. I am a busy beaver but that is good, it keeps me focused. I may not be a faithful blogger for a few days, PLEASE, if you can, pray I am not mean and irritable with my family! I am pretty bad to do that when I have alot going on. OH YEAH, and making birthday sugar goods will be a challenge. It has been relatively easy for me to abstain as I have not had sugar in the house. Cake in the house will be a true test!! I have alot of "clean" time in and I don't want to blow it!
Have an awesome week!
Monday, June 05, 2006
What a busy couple of days we have had!! Sat morning, the girls and I went yard-saling and found many good bargains. We shopped all day with $10 in quarters and still came home with money. YS are the ONLY way to shop!! We got home and I started mowing the yard, as soon as Erik got home from work, he hopped on mower #2 and we knocked it out pretty quick. Then we hopped in the van for a quick trip to the lake with the boat. We only got to be on the water for about an hour, but it was fun and worth it. Erika was the first kid to jump in the water this year...she is the brave one. Erik was the first one to jump in though! He is the brave one too.
This morning at church I participated in a new class which is all about taking inventory of where you are spiritually and then making a map of where you want to go. I think it will be a very helpful and interesting class. We also had a worship service that was different. Everyone went up for communion at a table with our elders hosting. It was an interesting change. I am sure there were probably people that did not like it as with anything different, but I think it is good to take things which become rote if we are not careful and keep them varied. We had wonderful worship time as well because all of the songs really flowed today in a way they have not before(at least not that I have noticed). I like it when one song just goes right into the next one...even us non-singer types can't help but get more actively singing. I did not make it to the altar though, mostly because we don't have one. I think that is a Church of Christ rule-no altars allowed. This is a rulesy religion I married into-I am glad the church we attend believes in bending!!
Today we went to the lake again right after church. We had the boat all hooked up waiting for us. When we left here it was cloudy and rainy. We knew we were stopping for lunch for a bit and we had faith the weather would improve(and a good clue from weather.com). By the time we came out of Gattiland it was a gorgeous day. We let Erika and Lilly innertube and we just lazed around in a bay and swam. It was really nice. I am exhausted though! I can't believe I am still up! After we got home, got baths, fed and the kiddos off to bed, I had to go to the grocery. This no sugar thing is a little more expensive and a pain in the butt with all the fresh veggies and stuff. It has however allowed me to lose 7 pounds, total of 11 so far. Of course I will have to lose about 30 for anyone to be able to tell. The joy of being plump.
Lilly conversation of the day:
"I wish Dad was like us. Why do boys have to have ____? I think Dad should have a ____ like us"
"Because that's how God made him." I say. Erik is grinning very much.
"Why are you asking about this Lilly? " I say.
"Because, I just wish Dad was like us.", she says.
"It takes a boy and a girl being different to make a baby. If Dad wasn't different, you wouldn't be here. If we were all created the same we would have all died along time ago." I always try to capture the teaching moments when they come-while Erik snickers.
A pause.
"I told my class (I am petrified of what is coming now-Erik no longer grinning)we were going boating today(whew...all able to breathe again).
"That is nice. Please don't ever talk about any of the boy girl stuff in your class okay? Save those questions for Mommy."
"Okay."
Four is such a fun age.
This morning at church I participated in a new class which is all about taking inventory of where you are spiritually and then making a map of where you want to go. I think it will be a very helpful and interesting class. We also had a worship service that was different. Everyone went up for communion at a table with our elders hosting. It was an interesting change. I am sure there were probably people that did not like it as with anything different, but I think it is good to take things which become rote if we are not careful and keep them varied. We had wonderful worship time as well because all of the songs really flowed today in a way they have not before(at least not that I have noticed). I like it when one song just goes right into the next one...even us non-singer types can't help but get more actively singing. I did not make it to the altar though, mostly because we don't have one. I think that is a Church of Christ rule-no altars allowed. This is a rulesy religion I married into-I am glad the church we attend believes in bending!!
Today we went to the lake again right after church. We had the boat all hooked up waiting for us. When we left here it was cloudy and rainy. We knew we were stopping for lunch for a bit and we had faith the weather would improve(and a good clue from weather.com). By the time we came out of Gattiland it was a gorgeous day. We let Erika and Lilly innertube and we just lazed around in a bay and swam. It was really nice. I am exhausted though! I can't believe I am still up! After we got home, got baths, fed and the kiddos off to bed, I had to go to the grocery. This no sugar thing is a little more expensive and a pain in the butt with all the fresh veggies and stuff. It has however allowed me to lose 7 pounds, total of 11 so far. Of course I will have to lose about 30 for anyone to be able to tell. The joy of being plump.
Lilly conversation of the day:
"I wish Dad was like us. Why do boys have to have ____? I think Dad should have a ____ like us"
"Because that's how God made him." I say. Erik is grinning very much.
"Why are you asking about this Lilly? " I say.
"Because, I just wish Dad was like us.", she says.
"It takes a boy and a girl being different to make a baby. If Dad wasn't different, you wouldn't be here. If we were all created the same we would have all died along time ago." I always try to capture the teaching moments when they come-while Erik snickers.
A pause.
"I told my class (I am petrified of what is coming now-Erik no longer grinning)we were going boating today(whew...all able to breathe again).
"That is nice. Please don't ever talk about any of the boy girl stuff in your class okay? Save those questions for Mommy."
"Okay."
Four is such a fun age.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Friday, June 02, 2006
The curriculum fair was great! I had such great jolly fun. Made some new friends, got a few bargains, but only spent $7. Made around $30 but I was able to get rid of alot of books that were cluttering our life and my sanity. When it was over, my friend Sandy was gracious enough to offer going to the library to donate any unwanted books to the book drop(donated books are sold in a big Book sale later). So thanks to her, I am not putting alot of things back on the shelf today and those books will bless someone else. Thanks Sandy( :
We were all cleaned up and ready to leave by 9:30 so there was plenty of time for parking lot fellowship. And there was plenty of parking lot fellowship. I love my fellow homeschool moms. We fully realize that we encourage one another always and for the most part, are a very complimentary bunch. People truly appreciate any work done for the group and show it with nice words. There are exceptions of course,but for the most part, it is a blessing just to be in their presence for a few hours and work together. I have had nothing but good feedback and I think everyone found it to be a good source of a few new things and a good way to be rid of few unneeded things. I love to organize things for a group and know that when it is over, there will be help. Lots of it. Oh and during, there will be fellowship. And later, parking lot fellowship. Lots of it...hee hee.
The following is a rant about my church and realtionship with God. I will be talking in circles and making no sense probably so be patient as I sort through my brain today.
WOW!! God has really been working on me this week. I have had such a busy week but lots of major faith questioning as well. I am really questioning what is going on with my family and what are we teaching our children. Do we have a faith that is being passed down, or are we just going through the motions? Is my husband unable to be the spiritual leader because I fill that role? Is it possible to alter myself and fix that, or is it something he has to fix or something that God has to fix? I don't want to be teaching my children that God is a routine we have. He is so awesome and powerful and present to me, but can they see that?? I don't know. I am just not sure how "christian" I come across. Especially the way they see me-uncensored and unaware lots of times! We are the only christians they REALLY SEE(as in uncensored) right now and is it an image that truly reflects my saviour? NOOO!! At least not usually!! I have some moments when I am a good person-when the Christ within me shines through, but not as often as he should.
Erika turns ten in August. She and Kayla have both been wanting to get baptized forever, at least 3 years and I just have not felt like it was time. I am starting to really second guess myself about whether I can make that call. I worry because they don't hear a sermon and do the altar call thing. I did not ask anyone when I was their age, I knew God was tugging my heartstrings and after 2-3 weeks of not answering, I went forward. Unlike some people, I do not really remember my age or the date. I knew it was important and my life was forever different, I just did not have the people in my life impressing on me to remember the date! I would guess I was somewhere between 9 and 11. No one studied with me before then but they certainly did after.
My biggest worry with my kids is church. I wish I could crawl inside their brains and look around to see what is going on. What are they thinking about church? Is God real to them? My biggest concern about church (ANY CHURCH) is the pomp and circumstance. It just seems so showy. Prayers are the same prayers you have always heard (not ALWAYS-but usually), singing is polished and perfect(not ALWAYS-but usually), order carefully constructed. Emotions are there but carefully checked.
When I was in high school, I went to an Assembly of God church and every Sunday, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, I could go forward and bury my face in the altar and have a good cry about both what I had done wrong and right that week/day/hour. It was a source of spiritual renewal. It was actually why I came to church-the rest was nice but I wanted to be with God at the altar. I was sixteen-18 and it was really my faith. I did not attend with my parents but with friends from school. I drove myself, quite a ways, to get there. My parents had no faith to inherit. (They did have church though!) Sometimes I prayed about "stuff", but mostly it was just me getting close to God (I was in good company though-30 other people up there as well). The church home we have now-which I love with all of my heart-doesn't do altar call, not that way, and it is really wearing on me for some reason lately. People basically only come forward if they wish to get baptized or if they have a huge issue/sin/sickness they are struggling with. I know I could go up there anytime and I have. I just know that makes people think we have big monster sins in our life and I don't know if I can be "oh it is just Janice up there again, she always goes up". I can get on my face and pray to God anywhere, anytime-but I just learned early that the altar is where you take your burdens. I have to either buck the system at my church and get up there to that altar(front pew) or find another "place" for myself. I have some things I need to leave there. It is the publicness that I need-it is sort of a confession in a way, confessing him before others, knowing he is there, answering the call, feeling the tug. I don't, however, want the attention that comes with the altar call at my church-the explanation why I responded, the churchwide prayer out loud for me, people coming up to hug me after church-I guess I just want to be surrounded by 30 other people on their face crying at the altar too so it is just not a big deal.
Pray for me friends. My veneer is breaking-I have prayed to God that he needs to do whatever it takes in my life right now and it is causing me to inspect carefully everything in my life and there is much there that doesn't meet up with his plans or mine for my life. I am holding on and trusting but fear the change that is coming.
We were all cleaned up and ready to leave by 9:30 so there was plenty of time for parking lot fellowship. And there was plenty of parking lot fellowship. I love my fellow homeschool moms. We fully realize that we encourage one another always and for the most part, are a very complimentary bunch. People truly appreciate any work done for the group and show it with nice words. There are exceptions of course,but for the most part, it is a blessing just to be in their presence for a few hours and work together. I have had nothing but good feedback and I think everyone found it to be a good source of a few new things and a good way to be rid of few unneeded things. I love to organize things for a group and know that when it is over, there will be help. Lots of it. Oh and during, there will be fellowship. And later, parking lot fellowship. Lots of it...hee hee.
The following is a rant about my church and realtionship with God. I will be talking in circles and making no sense probably so be patient as I sort through my brain today.
WOW!! God has really been working on me this week. I have had such a busy week but lots of major faith questioning as well. I am really questioning what is going on with my family and what are we teaching our children. Do we have a faith that is being passed down, or are we just going through the motions? Is my husband unable to be the spiritual leader because I fill that role? Is it possible to alter myself and fix that, or is it something he has to fix or something that God has to fix? I don't want to be teaching my children that God is a routine we have. He is so awesome and powerful and present to me, but can they see that?? I don't know. I am just not sure how "christian" I come across. Especially the way they see me-uncensored and unaware lots of times! We are the only christians they REALLY SEE(as in uncensored) right now and is it an image that truly reflects my saviour? NOOO!! At least not usually!! I have some moments when I am a good person-when the Christ within me shines through, but not as often as he should.
Erika turns ten in August. She and Kayla have both been wanting to get baptized forever, at least 3 years and I just have not felt like it was time. I am starting to really second guess myself about whether I can make that call. I worry because they don't hear a sermon and do the altar call thing. I did not ask anyone when I was their age, I knew God was tugging my heartstrings and after 2-3 weeks of not answering, I went forward. Unlike some people, I do not really remember my age or the date. I knew it was important and my life was forever different, I just did not have the people in my life impressing on me to remember the date! I would guess I was somewhere between 9 and 11. No one studied with me before then but they certainly did after.
My biggest worry with my kids is church. I wish I could crawl inside their brains and look around to see what is going on. What are they thinking about church? Is God real to them? My biggest concern about church (ANY CHURCH) is the pomp and circumstance. It just seems so showy. Prayers are the same prayers you have always heard (not ALWAYS-but usually), singing is polished and perfect(not ALWAYS-but usually), order carefully constructed. Emotions are there but carefully checked.
When I was in high school, I went to an Assembly of God church and every Sunday, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, I could go forward and bury my face in the altar and have a good cry about both what I had done wrong and right that week/day/hour. It was a source of spiritual renewal. It was actually why I came to church-the rest was nice but I wanted to be with God at the altar. I was sixteen-18 and it was really my faith. I did not attend with my parents but with friends from school. I drove myself, quite a ways, to get there. My parents had no faith to inherit. (They did have church though!) Sometimes I prayed about "stuff", but mostly it was just me getting close to God (I was in good company though-30 other people up there as well). The church home we have now-which I love with all of my heart-doesn't do altar call, not that way, and it is really wearing on me for some reason lately. People basically only come forward if they wish to get baptized or if they have a huge issue/sin/sickness they are struggling with. I know I could go up there anytime and I have. I just know that makes people think we have big monster sins in our life and I don't know if I can be "oh it is just Janice up there again, she always goes up". I can get on my face and pray to God anywhere, anytime-but I just learned early that the altar is where you take your burdens. I have to either buck the system at my church and get up there to that altar(front pew) or find another "place" for myself. I have some things I need to leave there. It is the publicness that I need-it is sort of a confession in a way, confessing him before others, knowing he is there, answering the call, feeling the tug. I don't, however, want the attention that comes with the altar call at my church-the explanation why I responded, the churchwide prayer out loud for me, people coming up to hug me after church-I guess I just want to be surrounded by 30 other people on their face crying at the altar too so it is just not a big deal.
Pray for me friends. My veneer is breaking-I have prayed to God that he needs to do whatever it takes in my life right now and it is causing me to inspect carefully everything in my life and there is much there that doesn't meet up with his plans or mine for my life. I am holding on and trusting but fear the change that is coming.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Tonight my homeschool group is having a curriculum sale. I am so excited!! I hope that I can find some of the things I need for next year. My friend Jennifer and I got it all set up last night and then we talked for hours.
Now we will be tired for the sale tonight! It will still be fun though. We are bargain hunters to the bone.
I have a million things to do and blogging was not figured in.
I bet you have been expecting pictures or something. I will have to find my digital, get it some fresh batteries and then try to remember the steps. It will probably be a while.
Summer-I really miss hearing from you. I am glad you are commenting. I always pray for you when you don't post often. It is so hard when the kiddos are very small. It gets easier I promise!!
Have a great day today!
Now we will be tired for the sale tonight! It will still be fun though. We are bargain hunters to the bone.
I have a million things to do and blogging was not figured in.
I bet you have been expecting pictures or something. I will have to find my digital, get it some fresh batteries and then try to remember the steps. It will probably be a while.
Summer-I really miss hearing from you. I am glad you are commenting. I always pray for you when you don't post often. It is so hard when the kiddos are very small. It gets easier I promise!!
Have a great day today!
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