Home for Them

Some Mondays You Just Need To...

2011-12-05T09:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!

Too busy for Thanks?

2011-11-23T21:31:00.001-05:00

We were driving down the road today when Jack spotted a sign stating a business would be open on Thanksgiving. He couldn't believe it. "Mom, they should get to be home with their families." I noticed that several other places would be open for Thanksgiving too. I can't say that there is anything wrong with whatever choice you make for Thanksgiving. I have enjoyed meals from restaurants for Thanksgiving so I won't be judging. I do wonder though, if we're taking enough time for Thanks. It's an incredible thing really, to say "thank you". It's like a smile, there is something contagious about it. But I have to admit that the actual amount of time I spend saying "thanks" is so small. I shouldn't just make an effort on Thanksgiving but for Thanksgiving I hope I give it some extra effort.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kisses From Katie...Beauty from Monica

2011-10-15T11:42:00.000-04:00

I'm reading "Kisses from Katie" by Katie Davis this week and am vey near the end. Katie is a very young woman, living in Uganda, and doing her best to be who God has asked her to be. You can read more about her and the ministry she runs here and here.

Katie has me thinking because she's quite passionate and all passionate people make me think. She talks extensively about the needs in Uganda and the depth of poverty there. Her words make it seem obvious that she is both called and amazingly gifted to minister in this way.

I'm also reading this. This is Monica's blog. I've been reading her writings for years. She writes about all things beautiful and lovely. Monica's heart is beautiful. She makes the time to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. She also is obviously gifted and called and she blesses those around her who are uplifted by her ministry.

Katie is saving people from death. Monica is only making people smile. Only, I don't think God sees it that way. I think I made that up all by myself. I think Katie is doing exactly what she's supposed to be and Monica is doing exactly what she should and God doesn't see anything but daughters doing what He made them to do.

I hope I'm not alone in this "complex" of mine. I am forever deciding that even though I know this is exactly where God has put me (well, most days I do), it's not as important or even worse, it's not a real ministry. Let's not do that. If we weren't part of the plan, we wouldn't be here. God chose us because He loves us and He made a plan just for us and what we do matters. Nose wiping and all.

When Jesus sent them all out, He didn't say go save lives or make beauty. He did say, "Make disciples." Both ladies are using the gifts God has given them to, in their own way, do just that. I can do that too.

Things I liked this week...

2011-10-14T19:55:00.001-04:00

Let's see...

This post about bringing someone a meal meant a lot to me as I'm thinking not just about sharing meals but how to create community.

I need to make this scrub because dry winter skin is coming and the stuff in the stores bothers my sensitive skin. It couldn't be simpler and probably costs a lot less too.

I really like these words about dressing in style and comfort.

And this. This is where I'll be next week. Sigh. I love this place.

Things I liked this week...

2011-09-23T21:29:00.000-04:00

This love

Is it really over?

2011-09-12T07:42:00.000-04:00

Maybe just one more???

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T15:32:00.001-04:00

Have a Wonderful Day!

I got a new camera...

2011-08-23T15:50:00.000-04:00

We got off to a really rough start. I was determined to take it back but it was a gift from my hubby so I wanted to give it a fair shot. I won't mention that I'd been ~~bombing~~ dropping hints for ~~years~~ a little while and saying "no thank you" seemed ridiculous. I needed to buck up and figure this baby out! The picture in the middle says I have lots of learning to do but I think that we may be able to be ~~friends~~ co-workers.

Bump in the Road?

2011-07-23T12:39:00.000-04:00

"If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:10

Ava

2011-03-01T15:49:00.000-05:00

This is a completely unedited photo of Ava.

For a dog, she's pretty gorgeous!

Secrets

2011-02-11T17:28:00.000-05:00

Do you keep secrets? I do. I had to give one up today. I didn't like it.

I had to visit a new doctor's office today. While going over my medical history, I was asked a question about a particular medicine I take. "Why do you take this," she asked? Because a doctor told me to, wasn't going to suffice. "Do you take it for...or ...?" The heat is creeping into my face now flushed. "No," I said.

I glance over at my children hoping they aren't listening but the awkward silence, brief as it was, has peaked their interest. "It's for...," I say. Without missing a beat she moves on mercifully but I feel humiliated. The thing is, no one but me made me feel that way. Why am I ashamed? Why is it a secret?

Well, because it's not real. There is no medical test that can prove it so it's not real.

Because I just need to get my act together. If I had my act together this wouldn't be an issue.

Because Christians don't have these problems. Enough said.

Because I am not enough. I don't do enough. I don't rest enough. I don't pray enough. I don't have faith enough.

That last one is true. I am not enough but not for the reasons I listed. I am not enough because when I am weak He is strong and because His grace is absolutely perfect for my weakness.

There is my secret. It's not that I take a medication. It's not that I have an unprovable diagnosis. My secret is Him. My life looks like a train wreck without Him. And that is nothing to be ashamed of...

"Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret"

2011-01-25T05:11:00.001-05:00

I'm reading more than school books to my children this year and found this book in my library after it was recommended to me. I was amazed at the life of Mr. Taylor. His faith is just astounding to me. The book showed an extremely endearing man whose love for China compelled him forward through overwhelming opposition.

When I put the book down and picked my chin and Kleenex up off the floor, I found myself not just amazed by Mr. Taylor but the God he so assuredly wrote about. He did not feel it his own job to "save" China but it was God's. And not only to save China but to provide for the work God wanted done there. One of the principles Mr. Taylor lived by that was shown throughout the book was his desire to never ask money of anyone for the work he felt God was responsible for funding. Many times over as his story unfolds, I watched as God did fund the work Mr. Taylor was called to even when it seemed there was no way. A couple of times I even found myself thinking that surely he would give in to his circumstances this time because the need was so great and God did not seem to be delivering. Then with the turn of a page, there was God delivering Hudson Taylor and those who worked with him.

It is an incredible story of faith but more than that it is a beautiful picture of God's love and provision. His mercy and grace are portrayed all over the pages. I've read many books and forgotten most of them. This one will not soon be forgotten.

Technically Challenged Note: I got the cover of the book on the page but I haven't figured out how to make it so you can click on the picture to go to the site so if you know, help a girl out. :)

I keep a pretzel at my house.

2011-01-24T04:59:00.001-05:00

What do you keep at yours?

Don't tell the English...

2011-01-21T16:58:00.000-05:00

...But we have no idea how to "have tea" at my house!

Poop-O-Matic 5000 and Foam Flinging Fights

2010-12-22T09:50:00.000-05:00

Gift giving came early this year at our house since we will do some traveling during the holidays.

My girl decided that she wanted a baby that could eliminate the food and water she fed it. It was affectionately named the Poop-O-Matic 5000.

Diapers sold separately.

Jack has had foam flingers on the brain. So he got the ultimate foam flinging machine!

That face is priceless!

So I have one child that thinks poop is "AWESOME"! Yes, that's a quote. And another who, obviously from the look on his face, thinks he can indeed conquer the world with foam!

I adore my children and am so glad that they enjoyed their gifts. I also hope that we remember that Jesus was the best gift possible and Nerf guns and pooping babies just can't compare.

Our family wishes you a very Merry CHRISTmas!

Our time in Georgia...Weird? part 2

2010-09-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

Because I know you just couldn't get enough of our family weirdness...

This is what happens when we take them out...

We don't go out often...

You're welcome.

May your children make you laugh until it hurts today! :)

Our time in Georgia...Weird?

2010-09-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

I'm going to show you pictures of my family. You be the judge...

These are my very normal parents...

or not?

Wait! She's normal! Love you Mom!

Totally Normal! If you post comments otherwise, I will delete them immediately!

Now there's not normal and then there is WEIRD!!!!

It gets worse...

Six Flags part 2

2010-09-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

So girl wonder and I were on our own for most of the day due to her vertical challenges. Here's what we did:

Riding.

Smiling.

Waiting.

Sitting (2 seconds total)

~~Running.~~ Walking. (Running wasn't allowed.)

Seven year old with couple behind her in obvious need of a room. Were carousels always so "revealing"?

The boys were off doing their roller coaster thing and had a blast too. It was a great time for everyone. I wish I had done more research before our trip. I had no idea there was a water feature in the park now. Anna didn't seem to care but I would've brought her bathing suit if I had known because she wasn't able to do the cool slides in her regular clothes.

We arrived at my parents house later that night and more fun was had by all...

Six Flags

2010-09-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

So summer is over and I haven't posted a single picture of all our wild adventures! Jeff won four tickets to Six Flags because he has the fastest throwing arm (between him and another dad) this side of the Mississippi! Go Honey!

It was a VERY warm day but we had a blast!

"Mama, this is not my best side!"

"Mama, are we there yet?"
"No, Bugs Bunny, we aren't there yet."

The bunny phenomenon is spreading.

He looks calm now but wait 'til he sees the first roller coaster!

It was a 6 hour ride to the park and when we got there we had to split up because certain vertically challenged persons don't meet the height requirements for MOST of the roller coasters. I'll show you pictures of she and I hanging out tomorrow.

Losing my lostness

2010-09-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

When I was 7, I looked at my Daddy and told him that I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart. He joyfully guided me in a prayer and with the best feeling ever washing over me, that was that.

When I was 7, I had a sweet innocence about me and a desperate need to people please. My heart was usually in the right place and I wanted so much to do the right thing. I didn't have a saved from drugs and prostitution and crime and whatever else experience. I was just a child who knew she needed Jesus.

When I was 19, I was a mess. Still not a criminal mess, but a mess no less. I was drifting aimlessly. I had lost my lostness and I only had fire insurance. I didn't need people and God was the genie in my lamp.

When I was 22, my life was a mess. I had a sick child and my husband was gone for a one year deployment. God had allowed some things into my life that had brought me to my knees and he was no longer my genie. He was the One who kept me as I slogged through every day. I wasn't lost. I knew my need and I had again found my lostness and desperation for the One who found me.

For 10 years I have continued in this pattern of forgetting how lost I am and then realizing afresh every ounce of my lostness. I have been a woman of great strength, who needed no one and I have been so broken and lost no one but God could help. A pit dweller and sky scraper all rolled into one.

The common denominator in it all is that I keep losing my lostness. I move through life forgetting that no matter how strong I feel or think I am, how capable I seem or incapable He proves me, I am forever lost without Him. You see once we're saved, it isn't about being lost to hell. Its about not forgetting how lost we still are without God. The knowledge that I cannot move forward in my own strength for long before He has to save me from myself.

The constant struggle to not lose sight of my lostness.

"I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." John Newton

Yes, I believe I am saved but so often, my blind eyes have to rediscover my lostness. So my challenge is to not lose sight of my lostness.

It happens in homeschools too...

2010-08-06T06:00:00.002-04:00

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a LOT... something along the lines of a parent wishing they could get their kids out of public school because all would be right with the world then.

Well, if you live in that bubble, I am here to show you the ~~stupidity~~ error of your thinking.
1. Bullying happens in homeschools.
2. Fights happen in homeschools.

3. Detention happens in homeschools. The good news is, it doesn't have to wait until the end of the school day to be served.

All bullies (aka husbands, fathers, school principals, biggest kid of all) have had their identifiable faces withheld in order to protect the INSTIGATOR!

I have a bad feeling that this may be the year of revealing homeschooling myths to you. Despite the smile on the detained child's face above, homeschooling is very serious business and it is never any fun. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

Thank you. That is all. The teacher.

Beautiful Feet

2010-08-04T17:01:00.000-04:00

Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "your God reigns!"

Wishing you all some beautiful feet today!

Too much salt?

2010-07-23T01:00:00.004-04:00

Do you have too much sodium in your diet? Need a fail proof scientific method for finding out? Follow these simple steps to know:

1. Go outside when it's at least 100 degrees.
2. Attempt to exercise.
3. Continue until you reach the dripping sweat phase.
4. Upon reaching this phase, allow some sweat to drip into your eyes (because it's coming so fast you couldn't stop it anyway).
5. Take note of your eyeball response. If it signals your brain to run around screaming, "IT BURNS, IT BURNS!", it is possible that you have consumed a little too much salt. If it's only slightly uncomfortable, you might be okay.

Please contact your physician before trying this test to be sure that you're physically fit enough to handle the vigor of this type of experiment. Only eyeballs were harmed in the making of this blog post. Arm pits, pinky toes, and shoelaces were not consulted during this study. The eyeballs that we're tortured would like to thank my unwaxed eyebrows for their attempt at protection.

Thank you very much!

Thankful

2010-07-22T13:44:00.000-04:00

11. Honesty
12. Too many tomatoes
13. Soft blankets
14. Sweet sounds of nature
15. Kittens
16. Real books
17. Homemade scones
18. Beautiful pictures
19. Peppers still warm from the sun
20. Monopoly
21. Cancellations
22. A surprise lunch
23. Soft places to land
24. Sufficient grace
25. Tea

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thankful

2010-07-15T21:33:00.000-04:00

1. Friends to go to the pool with
2. Friends you used to go to the pool with
3. Prayers given and received
4. Freebies
5. Happy, tired children
6. Grapes
7. Those that spur you on
8. Quiet rest
9. Breaks in the clouds
10. Ground-soaking rain

Random stuff

2010-07-12T21:59:00.000-04:00

Let's see...I have a couple of minutes...what are a few random things I can tell you that will change your life forever? Hold on. I need to really think about this...

Okay, I got it!

Nope I lost it. Hang on I'll find it.

Never mind this is too much work.

We recently took the kids to see "Despicable Me". I loved Gru! Gru and I are one. He's cranky, has amazingly creative illegal ideas, and despises annoying sounds. Yes, Gru and I were obviously separated at birth. I really enjoyed this movie. Gru finds himself the guardian of 3 girls and he is genuinely rotten early on but begins to soften as the movie goes on. It's a story of how people come into our lives to change our hearts. I think about how God put my kids and husband in my life to change me. And even with all their annoying sounds, I am forever changed for the better because of them.

By the end of the movie, Gru in all his crabbiness, is reading bedtime stories and giving hugs and goodnight kisses. He doesn't say "I love you", he shows it. In all my crabbiness, I say it too often and don't show it nearly enough. Tonight, it was as simple as a game of Uno.

Never mind that, no kidding, my hubs just said, "wanna go to a ball game" and I shot him down before he could get it all out. My kids would love that and feel loved that we did that with them but my knee jerk reaction was "no, we don't have time for that". The moral of the story here is do what I say, not what I do. Just kidding! I'll fix it in just a minute and we'll go to a ball game. Making time to show it and not just say it needs to make it's way further up my priority list.

Everyone point in my direction and say, "work in progress". Thank you very much!

Sunday rest...

2010-06-13T08:12:00.000-04:00

"So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters." Galatians 6:9 NLT

I'm on vacation...for real

2010-06-11T21:53:00.000-04:00

Funny how vacation is the only time I'm blogging right now. I'm loving every minute of it. Summer is a great thing! Pools, lazy mornings, cold drink afternoons,and flip flop tans. I have a stack of books and magazines that need to be read and I'm ready to enjoy every last one. My Internet is in and out right now but I'll try to hop on when I can.

There is a lot happening at my house right now. My garden is growing, new flooring is being installed, I still need to show you the landscape work I did. Pictures, must take more pictures!

Normally I would have our summer list of things we want to do made up by now but since we started the summer on vacation that didn't get done...yet. I love our summer lists. I always hate that feeling at the end of summer that we didn't get anything done or do anything fun. So every year we make a list. It includes everything from the simple (a library day) to the "probably not" (Disney). I let the kids put whatever they want on the list and I make some suggestions too. We post it in the kitchen and mark things off as we go. When we can't figure out what to do, the list always has an extra idea left.

I'll post our list when we're done but until then, what are you doing this summer? Whatever it is I hope you have a great one!

Quick update

2010-04-19T21:15:00.000-04:00

Hi there! My house and routine are different than normal these days as we continue to wait for my hubby. My blogging has been off again because of it. We got lost in the anticipation of it all and now that the time for him to be here has come and gone... well, we're just kind of lost all together. :)

Maybe in a good way though. I don't think I'd know what to think of myself, if I could just continue on like normal when such a big event passed us by without the normal celebration. So we're here and waiting... mostly happily.

We have had a few new things come our way. We've started in our new curriculum for the upcoming year. Yes, we're way off but the other stuff we were using had long ago lost its warm and fuzzy. We had fished that sucker and it was past time to cut bait. "I love Sonlight" is really all I have to say about the whole thing.

Jack is in his first baseball season ever. The first game wasn't pretty but don't tell him I told you. Some team was 14 and the other team was 1 and then the umpire mercifully called the game in the THIRD inning. He wasn't feeling so good about it but I think he's ready for his second game, which is this week.

Speaking of baseball, today I jumped into the deep end of the pool and went bat-buying. Jack had a bat. It got stolen. Hubs isn't here. Guess who is learning how to buy bats? That's right! Me. I knew that the coaches son had a $300 bat. I didn't know that Dick's Sporting Goods would not carry a bat for my son under $100. WOW! Bats and golf clubs, who knew there were so many technological advances to be made! And to think, a round object and stick shaped thing used to suffice. What kind of neanderthals were we?

I have pictures to share if I ever get on here long enough to upload them. And my front and back yard landscaping is something I really want to show you just as soon as someone cuts all my weeds! Until then, have a great day!

A girl and her bike

2010-03-31T10:53:00.000-04:00

This is my girl. Isn't she cute.

This is my girl on her brand new bike. Doesn't she look happy?

This is my girl's brand new bike in the rain. I didn't pay $300 for it but that is about how much it retails for.

Imagine me. Do I look happy?

Creating Community

2010-03-26T18:31:00.000-04:00

I am the absolute last person in the world who has any business talking about this because I'm horrible at it but maybe I'll learn something and somehow get better at it by talking about it.

I found myself recently in a situation where I was asked by a mother I had never met before to take her child that I had never met before to an event on a regular basis. I was floored that this was happening. I assumed that she must be a single mother and was in a desperate situation and agreed to take the child where she asked. I have since found out that she isn't single at all and that there are actually two other adults living in the home with her. I don't know all the details of the situation but it appears that there isn't a reason why either of these adults couldn't have taken the child.

Is that the point though?

I had asked God recently to deal with me in this particular area and it is with no small fit that I have handled this situation. While I have agreed to what the mother asked, I have been very indignant about it to anyone who would listen and have even questioned this mother's ability to use good common sense in turning her child over to a complete stranger.

Isn't the point that I am very able to help and so I should? Aren't I attempting to create a better community by trying to help someone else out?

I was on post the other day and saw a group in formation on a run. Lagging way behind were two guys. One of them was obviously in great shape. The other guy...not so much. My hubs used to do runs like this. Everyone had to run because one person needed "encouragement" to pass a PT test. If you were the test flunky that got everyone else an extra run, you were surely "that" guy for a good while.

All of this makes me think of getting hen pecked. You know how all of the chickens will gang up on one? Am I creating community or hen pecking? If I'm going to try to create community, will I choose a good attitude? Will I happily help the mother? If I was part of the group running, would I really encourage my peer or would I make my displeasure known to them?

I have made many a move and this was the first place that I had ever experienced anything that resembled community. A lady just up and decided that she'd be friends with me (the hermit) even if it was going to kill her (and it probably about did). It's a life lesson that I can't imagine ever forgetting.

So I'm wondering, do you try to create community where you are? What has worked for you? Do you find yourself in my position with people you don't know asking you for help or kids showing up at your door for years whose parents you still (5 years later) don't know?

How to handle a low grade fever.

2010-03-15T16:08:00.000-04:00

How to handle a low grade fever. By: Me (candidate for mother of the year)

If your child is found to have a low grade fever, you should give the child an appropriate amount of Motrin. Then, send the child outside to sweat that sucker out. If that doesn't work, threaten to get the nasty medicine and you will find the fever gone within 24 hours.

Oh yeah! I could surely right an awesome "how to" column. Have a great day everyone!

P.S. If you're actually considering taking any of the above seriously (other than the Motrin part), your child needs a doctor.

In the quiet.

2010-03-12T07:00:00.004-05:00

For a week and a half, I have been alone with my Ava. It will never be enough to say with words "thank you" to my parents for the gift this time has been.

The kids were barely out the door when I knew that I was being called to quiet. I have gone and played and enjoyed friends but when I am within my own home, it has been quiet. Music may have played softly in the background but mostly the quiet was only disturbed by Ava's loud panting and an occasional phone call.

I find it hard to hear the One who whispers when there is so much joyful noise and blessed chaos. I love my children and have missed them dearly at times but in the quiet I have had loving words spoken directly to my heart by my Friend. I have tried desperately to hold Him extra close this year but it has been quiet enough in the last week that I knew He was near to me. It wasn't just a verse in the Bible.

My heart has rested at peace. My fears have been wiped away. My insecurities dealt with. My hope restored. He never left me or forsook me but in the silence He has ministered to all my broken places. I have loved this and this while I have been quiet.

For most of us, shipping our children off for a week and a half isn't the best option or even a feasible one. So I'm wondering with children living here 24/7, how will I continue to have quiet. Maybe the answer isn't even in having the quiet as much as intentionally setting my heart not to rush through my quiet with Him. Instead of checking the box, "yes, I did my Bible study and said prayers"maybe its really about slowing down enough seek the love, peace, hope, and joy I need.

I'm a list-making, box-checking, anal-retentive, type A perfectionist. But when my man wants to spend time with me he doesn't care to be treated like an item on my to do list. I have a feeling my God doesn't either.

So, do you have a super-amazing sure fire way that you connect with God? I'd love to hear about it. If you're floundering like me, tell me what you're studying or using for a devotional. I'm currently doing Kelly Minter's "Ruth".

Here comes the evil laugh!

2010-03-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

If a picture is worth a thousand words...then I need not say more.

For the record.

2010-03-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

For the record, this has NEVER happened at my house! WHAT!?!?!?! You think this looks like a room in my house? Well, it's not! (Please remember to give at least one day's notice before you come. Thank you.)

Ode to my flower

2010-03-09T07:33:00.000-05:00

I promise I'll try to leave you alone about my flower after this but it's just so stinkin' gorgeous!

Okay, I feel much better now.

Confessin' time

2010-02-27T10:52:00.000-05:00

Okay, all two of you who read this, it's confession time. Does anybody besides me do this?

In the not too distant past, I might have attempted to divorce my husband via e-mail THREE times in TWENTY-FOUR hours.

Tell me I am not alone here. You know, it's that time in the deployment where you are so done you're prepared to throw the baby (or hubs, as the case may be) out with the bath water. You've just had enough and despite the love of hubs, God, and country, you're just through with all this mess. You want a "normal" life in a "normal" city of your choosing with "normal" people that you hand pick to live close to you and raise your kids with.

If you're me (thank the good Lord you're not and y'all don't act like this), it turns into this horrific pity party complete with tears and snot! Everyone loves a party when the "ugly" comes out. Eventually, all good things, especially pity parties, must come to an end. Apologies are handed out like party favors at the door. "Thank you for coming! Wasn't it fun? Let's do it again REAL soon!"And "normalcy" resumes like nothing ever happened. Back to bill paying, grocery shopping, and nearly single parenting.

Its not always pretty. Sometimes its down right U-G-L-Y. But as the tag line on Jon and Kate plus 8 went, "It might be a crazy life but its our life"... oh... wait... that was a bad example, huh? :)

Have a great weekend Everybody!

Some things in life are worth going for.

2010-02-24T07:00:00.003-05:00

I'm ready for Spring.

2010-02-22T21:10:00.000-05:00

Since its in no hurry to come this year, this beauty is gracing my kitchen.

What we've been up to.

2009-12-09T09:42:00.000-05:00

Let's see... since my last post, my parents have been out here, we've been to Georgia, Jeff got promoted, we found out we won't be allowed to PCS after his deployment, and who knows how many other things. We've had several disappointments and lots of smiles. I've laughed hysterically with friends and cried on the phone to my husband. I've nearly completed another Beth Moore Bible Study and have started reading Christmas books to my kids. Just life in general with all its ups and downs, ins and outs.

We're looking forward to some big stuff on the horizon. Jeff will be home for R&R in a few days. My Dad is retiring in a couple of weeks. School is going to stop and we will head to Great Wolf Lodge for a welcome vacation.

Our Christmas gifts are bought and I'm realizing with great shock that we are about to close out another year. In some ways, I couldn't be more excited because it's been such a difficult year. In other moments, I wonder where the time went and did I learn anything from all those difficult moments this year.

What about you? Are you ready for Christmas? Has it occurred to you yet that this year is almost over?

Is your husband coming in from a deployment soon?

2009-11-16T19:52:00.000-05:00

These can be purchased at Old Navy. I'm not condoning the use of these sleep masks. I'm only informing my readers of where you can get one... if you were to need it... for sleeping... :)

Mr. Fix-It

2009-11-12T07:15:00.000-05:00

Ummm.... Hey y'all!!! There's a leak over here!!!

I got it! Could somebody get the third one over there?

The Rock Star.

2009-11-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

When you take a child to an indoor water park, they will believe...

They are a rock star.

The Silence.

2009-11-10T08:08:00.002-05:00

It's my first post in more than three months. We've been through a lot and I don't think we're done yet. Our lives have completely revolved around things that aren't appropriate to share at this time on such a public forum, which has made for a whole lot of silence.

I've learned some things.

God is still God in the overwhelming silence.

You can't tell squat about a person's life by looking at them. Don't be hasty to judge anyone.

I had no idea how little I really valued caring for and about other people vs. how much God desires for me to.

Our "pain" tolerances are all different. A crisis in someone else's life may seem like an inconvenience in mine but I have no right to look at them with any less compassion.

Friends are seriously undervalued.

When people offer to help, say YES. You aren't letting them serve in their God-given capacity if you don't. And yes, this is a public apology.

Pride goeth before saying no to a helpful friend! :)

Simplicity is best.

Love is the best band-aid.

Have a great day everyone!

Children and MY bed.

2009-08-01T05:26:00.002-04:00

Here's the breakdown on the night so far:

10:00 p.m. Anna shows up and can't sleep. "Mommy, can I sleep with you?" She's not scared or hurting. She just wants to. I manage to get her back to bed. She's the chief parent beater if she manages to get in bed with you. You can count on Anna to leave a bruise for no less than a week if she's sleeping with you.

Some later hour. "Ouch!" What is she doing in my.... Oh wait! It's not her, it's him. Him! What is He doing in my bed and why is he kneeing me? Am I broken or just bruised? Must. get. more. sle...

Another later hour. Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. More sniffing. Lots of sniffing. This is never going to end sniffing. "Mom my nose..." Patience Amy. You know you have some. "Go Blow". "Mom, my nose is bleeding." No patience left.

Flip on lights. AHHHHH!!!! Some nose has been murdered right on my bed! Sheets have to come off and go in the washer. The bloody nose shows up to apologize for bleeding and I see that my first born has somehow missed the fact that he's covered in blood from the tip of his forehead all the way down his torso and both arms. This proves the fact that men really are oblivious sometimes.

Note to self: "He's not pretending to overlook the fact that the dishes need doing. In his world, they aren't even there. "

At this point, I could attempt to get back in the bed and hope for more sleep after boarding up the door and some minor sound-proofing modifications. Is Lowe's open yet? Let's build something together. :)

Weird thoughts about marriage

2009-07-29T11:29:00.002-04:00

I heard it said that Elizabeth Edwards didn't leave her husband of 30 years over his recent affair because it was a single mistake in what has been many years of a happy life together. She referenced the fact that he'd been through so much with her that it just didn't seem right to throw it all away over a single indiscretion. That has had me thinking about what is worth throwing a marriage away for.

I see lots of marriages ending over simple disagreements that get blown out of proportion. Sometimes its the silliest of things and then the next thing you know, you're sure you've disliked him or her for the entire time you've been married. Have you ever felt that way? I'm sad to admit that I have. I've disagreed with my sweet husband over little things and then the next thing I knew, he wasn't that great of a guy after all and I wasn't sure why I married him to begin with. We are so temperamental sometimes. The grass is always greener on the other side mentality isn't a good one to have when you're married.

I'm not knocking those who are in a marital situation that NEEDS to end or people who are already divorced. This isn't about trying to change the past or living in an unhealthy situation when God has given you the go ahead to get out.

Have you ever wondered though, if 50% of marriages end in divorce, that must mean there are a lot of really unhealthy people out there who are so toxic to others that they can't be in a relationship. I wonder what it takes to heal all those wounded hearts.

Have you learned anything interesting from being married?

Here are my top 3:

1) It's not easy but I don't think God intended for it to be easy.

2)It is worth it.

3) It makes you a better person (refer to #1).

Feet for Supper?!?!?!?!?

2009-07-08T07:00:00.001-04:00

While we were in Georgia, my Mom wanted to share this yummy chicken she had found at a local grocery store with us. I forget what the chicken is called but I think it had spinach and cheese and as you can see, it's wrapped in pastry. I baked it like she said and the house smelled wonderful. I was nervous about the kids because it was new and when it comes to food my family prefers old not new. Not much sense of adventure in the food department for our household. They get it from their Dad who is adventuresome about EVERYTHING but food.

But I digress, the kids thought it smelled really great and were very willing to try it. I pulled it out of the oven and my very anxious and youngest foodie took one look and said, "Mommy, it looks like feet!" To which, of course, someone had to point out that it had six toes!

I was so glad we were at my parent's house. We surely did cut off all his toes, ate every one, and devoured the whole foot! It goes without saying that my crew doesn't go to dinner parties. EVER!

More Georgia Pics

2009-07-07T20:58:00.005-04:00

Okay so I know I said that we wouldn't go to Ben and Jerry's if anybody got soaked but I was weak. This would be my kiddos very impatiently drying out so that we can go get the ice cream that shames all other ice creams.

It is a beautiful sign...SIGHHHH. I LOVE YOU BEN AND JERRY'S!!!!!!

And it appears my kids do too. I don't think you can see it in this picture but Anna's face was coated with chocolate goodness before she could get her cone finished. Jack was slightly less messy but he didn't leave anything for the ants to find either.
Some people say that it's not the stuff you give or do for your kids that they'll remember but the memories that you make with them. I'm beginning to believe it.

I wish you all great memories with your loved ones too.

Some Georgia Photos

2009-07-03T21:41:00.003-04:00

We went to Georgia several weeks ago and had a great time as soon as we got rid of the stomach bug. :) It was a much needed trip and I have some very interesting photos from it.

I've mentioned before that in downtown Chattanooga, which is technically Tennessee and not Georgia, they have a water area for kids to play in and mine love it! We go every time its warm weather and we're in town. The only rule was don't get drenched because a Ben and Jerry's sits across the street and we all wanted to go but we feared a less than warm reception if anyone was dripping wet so...

guess who fell in?

Yeah, ummm... I'm not going to lie. My pre-pubescent off spring thinks the internet is awesome... but he won't tomorrow when he wakes up and sees this! I'll take it down.... someday!

Don't worry, I never let my girl stick her tongue out at me. It's so incredibly rude and undermines my parental authority. She's actually sticking her tongue out at you!!! :)

Happy Independence Day everyone! I hope you're having a great holiday weekend.

Anybody got an excuse?

2009-07-02T20:01:00.003-04:00

Ummm... I need to borrow a good excuse for why I haven't blogged in nearly 2 months. The truth seems long and drawn out. I say we skip the excuses and just forge ahead.

That's a beast in and of itself though as I'm not sure what to forge ahead with. While I'm thinking about that, here's a very deep and meaningful piece of art for you.

I call it: "Keep a dog around and you won't have time to cry over spilt milk." Coming soon to a museum near you!

Beautiful Gifts

2009-05-13T19:07:00.005-04:00

I have a friend who is determined to make me cry in public. At first, she did it on accident but after today I know the truth! :)

My friend C who moved to TN and left me here with all the neighborhood children by myself (I'm not bitter) gave me the beautiful angel on the left. I work with my friend Nicole on our homeschool group's leadership team. She was the fearless leader and I was the Enrichment Activities Director. Well, technically we still are for 15 more days. After I finished my first semester of Enrichment Day and weeks after C gave me my first angel, Nicole gave me the angel on the right. It was days before C was moving across the country and I loved the gift because Nicole had no idea that I had an angel already.

Then, there was today. It was the end of another semester and I had already received a gift once. Not to mention that I had gotten half a dozen roses the night before for serving so a gift was the furthest thing from my mind. Did I tell you Nicole is trying to get me to cry in public? I was given the beautiful bright pink Gerber Daisies below. She had seen my story about Jeff giving me Gerber's before he left and remembered they were my favorite. I don't care if I did almost cry in public, I love that girl!!!
My brand new Gerbers are already in the ground next to the one Jeff gave me and they are just gorgeous. Y'all pretend like there's beautiful mulch all around. I'm still working on that part. I plan to take care of it when Lowe's has their military discount on Memorial Day.

Poor Jeff had to listen to me tell him about digging up all the plants and taking them with us if we move. Nearly everything in my front bed is a gift or starter from a dear friend and I'm not sure that I plan to part with any of them.

Thank you Nicole! It's a wonderful gift. Your leadership has taught me so much this year and I value you both for that and your friendship. I've truly enjoyed making the journey with you.

Swine Flu??? No Worries.

2009-05-05T18:45:00.005-04:00

Before there was Swine Flu, there was this...

Anna dared and then we read her that...
and as I recall she vigorously wiped her hands on her pants.

Hand Sanitizer, anyone?

Congratulations to my Man!

2009-04-27T20:59:00.002-04:00

I'm interrupting the craziness for a moment of celebration! My man made the promotion list and we are seriously proud, happy, and excited. Thank you honey for all the hard work you do to take care of our family. I know you are unable to spend all that hard earned cash right now, but I know if you were here, exactly what you'd do with it. So please, allow me.

First there's this because my midlife crisis seems to be hitting early.

Then there's that because "C" and I could run a B&B out of it.

And last but not least, I'll need to lose the stress of having a mid-life crisis and a B&B so that would land me here.

Or we could all just go there. :)

Congratulations Honey! I love you and couldn't be more proud!

UNBELIEVABLE!

2009-04-27T20:32:00.004-04:00

This would be Jack taking a breathing treatment.

You have got to be kidding me!

SEVEN YEARS with no signs or symptoms. And talk about timing!

But there's something meaningful about this moment too. While I am very unhappy that he is not well, I am reminded of just how much it took to get him here and keep him here. And my love for him is raw and deep and fierce. And while thoughts of his health and what we went through those first years disturb me, it really matters not. I am his mother. He is my first born...the gift from God that I was sure would never come. There are so many miracles in Jack's story that I can't imagine I've told them all to any one person. He is truly an amazing child.

Well, I meant to get on here and write a whiny, complaining post. :) I don't think it turned out that way though. That's one of the many things about Jack. It's hard to be whiny and complaining when he is around.

Jumping up and down.

2009-04-27T08:45:00.005-04:00

The A/C man is coming today!

I did it!! I survived with only electricity, modern appliances, and indoor plumbing. Just like the pioneer women did back in the day when their husbands disappeared in the woods for long periods of time. :)

I'm done with roughing it though and the A/C man will be here before noon...I hope.

While you're waiting to celebrate that with me, here are some vacation pictures for you.

Since you're such smart people and you all paid attention in your history classes, I'm sure you recognize this fine woman as Martha Washington. Colonial Williamsburg is full of interpretive people and they do a wonderful job of staying in character while answering your questions. We really enjoyed this trip. It's anything but your average museum. We will absolutely be going back.

This is a maze at Colonial Williamsburg. It doesn't look so big from the camera angle because the picture was taken from above but those shrubs are quite tall and the kids squealed as Daddy chased them through it. They never quite new which corner he would jump from behind next.

I have some more pictures of our time there that I'll show you later. Right now I'm off to close our windows because it's warming up outside. Hurry Mr. A/C man!!!

Let it begin! Let it begin!

2009-04-25T20:05:00.002-04:00

Have you seen Bolt? If not, you should. Rhino the hamster and Jack are one. Jack can do a really good Rhino impression and I knew the first time he did it that Rhino was Jack's long lost twin by another mother. :)

Anyway, that phrase "let it begin", has me thinking about how anxious you get near the beginning of a deployment for the powers that be to just "let it begin" and hurry up about it please. You've said everything you know to say and now you're just staring at each other waiting for the inevitable date and hour to arrive when he will depart and "IT" will indeed begin.

I was ready this time. Eager even. Several times it was said around my house, "the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over with."

Yeah, about that. I'm through with that thought process now and ummm.... this whole thing is overrated and how the pioneer women ever made it when their husbands disappeared into the wilderness and they had to handle it all just baffles me.

All that garbage I fed you about this being my third time around the block and that makes it easier...I'd like to apologize for that.

Are you wondering what's brought on this sudden turn of events? "C" knows all to well from the last time we did this together. It'll bring a southern woman to her knees begging for mercy....

I'll squash the black widow! Bandage the bleeding child! Bravely face the time without my husband!

...but please Lord, not the AIR CONDITIONER!!! Yep! It's 90 degrees in my city and I don't have to step outside my house to know it. My poor woolly mammoth of a German Shepherd wants to know why the big guy left and now everything has gone to pot? Jeff and I considered moving the kids and I to GA while he is gone. We decided against it but obviously we were W-R-O-N-G!

The new theme around my house? "Let it end! Let it end!" There's only like THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY, TWENTY FOUR HOUR days left. :) Have a great night Everyone!

Favorite things

2009-04-23T07:44:00.005-04:00

This is the nightstand beside my bed. I am not normally a sentimental person but there's something about Coke bottles and Gerber Daisies that I just adore. So here are the stories behind this particular Coke bottle and Gerber Daisy.

While our family was in GA, my parents offered to keep the kids so that Jeff and I could go away over night and they also recommended a wonderful restaurant. I can't remember the name of it for the life of me now. :) Anyway, we had really yummy food there and when Jeff ordered his traditional diet Coke, they brought it out in this cute little bottle. I have no idea why I love Coke in a bottle but I about had a fit over it. I think I might have embarrassed Jeff when I told him I was leaving with the bottle but I just love the darn thing! Okay, ummm..... actually, he drank two Cokes and I have both bottles. I know. I'm pitiful. So for those of you still reading this is Jeff's Coke bottle from our very last date before he left. My stomach is starting to churn that sounds so sappy.

Now about that gigantic daisy. Jeff had a friend who didn't want to hang out by himself the last day they were in country so Jeff spent the day with him and the kids and I had a great day at Chuck E. Cheese and the movies. Anna used one of her tokens to make a picture of herself at Chuck E. Cheese. I knew where Jeff's truck was at the time so we snuck over and stuck the pic in his window. He in return sent me a picture a couple of hours later of this gigantic Gerber Daisy plant sitting on my kitchen table. We had seen it the day before together and he decided to surprise me with it. Next to tulips, these flowers are my absolute favorite. So this is the first flower I cut from my plant.

So there you go folks. Gerber Daisies and coke in a bottle. I am on high maintenance girl. Jeff's okay with that. He says I'm worth it! Have a great day everyone.

Day one...

2009-04-22T15:14:00.002-04:00

My great friend "C" wants to know how our first day went. I won't tell you what I told her because I believe in family friendliness here. And while "C" does too, she'll forgive me. :) Okay, maybe it wasn't THAT bad.

I had a run in with a black widow but I won. Anna is standing there screaming something at me while I try to turn on the water hose and finally I realize there is a spider at the end of my hose. Anna doesn't like spiders. Not just any spider though, turns out to be a black widow. Normally I would capture the thing and the kids and I would watch it in a glass jar to see what we could learn. Not today. Today that poor little thing met Jesus for no good reason other than she was at the end of my watering hose.

I'm guessing that was not the right move because my favorite sweat pants almost met Jesus about an hour later. I tore them up on my Mother's Day present. I'll show y'all pictures (of my present) soon but in the mean time I have three small holes in my favorite comfort pants that Jeff literally has tried to find me 10 more pairs of and we haven't turned up one.

It was not a good day and by the end of it I wanted to sleep so bad and it just wouldn't come. I was in good company though because a couple of rooms down Jack was having the same problem. It was all good though...

...Interrupted by screaming Anna who ditched her bike in the driveway. What was all good? Anna is fine by the way.

OH yeah! It was all good though, because the first phone call came at 6:00 this morning. Now if you don't know, first phone calls are important. First phone calls are what you hold your breath for. Sometimes they take days other times weeks. For whatever reason, when that first one comes there is a huge sense of relief and overwhelming fatigue...

The adrenaline build up going into a year long separation is huge in my house. No one sleeps well for days or even weeks before the big day. This has really been the case this time around. Jack and I both are very exhausted and as far as I'm concerned, bed time can't come soon enough today. I made it through another Enrichment Day which is an interesting story in and of itself and I surely think, hope, and pray that rest will come more easily tonight for everyone in our house. So here's to hoping your household sleeps well tonight too, whether your in the states or abroad, may God watch over us all.

And the two became one...half? Again?

2009-04-21T07:05:00.003-04:00

It's interesting when once you've been married for a while, how if you try to separate from your significant other you became a half and not a whole. You may feel like a hole but you are not a whole. (I'm clever this morning. :)) Jeff and I are officially separated and not in the legal kind with lawyers and legally binding documents. I mean the military kind with tears and promises of returning and waiting.

This is my third time around this particular block and while it isn't even a little easy, the fact that I know what to expect makes it better. I know there will be tears, scary days, lonely nights, accidents, screw ups, arguments, and the ever-looming-but never-spoken-allowed prayer, "God please don't let there be a strange car in my driveway".

There's also unity amongst the ranks - a constant knowing that we're in this together. We have video chats to look forward to. Whether it's your first time or third time, reunions are an amazing high like no other. And agree or disagree with the government, there is satisfaction in knowing that my family is laying it all on the line for our country.

It's not all bad. It's not all hard. It has it's moments. And my family is determined to make it through all of them. Together.

Still on vacation!!!

2009-04-08T16:56:00.002-04:00

We are still on vacation happily in GA. The wedding is only days away. So far on our little road trip we've been to Williamsburg, VA, Clarksville, TN, and Ringgold, GA. I have pictures but I haven't gotten any of them downloaded yet.

Virginia was our family vacation and it was really wonderful. I've never seen so many tulips in my life! I love tulips and am more determined than ever to get them in my flower beds soon. Anna and I did a brief overnight stay back in Fayetteville and then packed ourselves back up to head to GA. We spent two nights in GA and then headed up to Clarksville to see "C" and her family. There are three places in the world I feel really and truly at home... my house, my parents house, and "C's" house. Our stay there was way too short but I loved every minute of it. We returned to GA where we met back up with the guys and now we're visiting local friends and family while waiting to have a wedding!

Oh yeah! And Jeff and I are going here tomorrow. Have a great day everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

2009-03-29T05:13:00.003-04:00

It's my momma's birthday and I love her so Happy Birthday!

It's also 5:14 a.m. and we are heading out for our vacation. I'll update you soon.

It can't rain.

2009-03-24T20:18:00.002-04:00

So our vacation starts this weekend and it's threatening to rain the day we're supposed to be at Busch Gardens. Jack is really looking forward to this part of our trip and I can't believe that it might rain us out.

We're also on the countdown to Jeff's big vacation. Wahooo!

Okay, really no one is looking forward to it and let me tell you, having the kids get older doesn't help the dealing with it part. Jack really understands more this time around and boy is it ever showing. I'll be glad for this weekend to get here to get all our minds off the ticking clock.

Crazy...insane things we did today....
Spent $47 to have my dog bathed and shaved (just her feet).
Tortured my whole family for 3 hours while trying to choose a cell phone.
Paid $13 for a headband for Anna.

IF we make it through another "vacation" we're going to really need therapy! :)

Hope y'all had a good day!

We're getting excited!

2009-03-16T15:44:00.002-04:00

We're on the countdown. It's less than two weeks until our vacation starts!!! You can tell when the thought of vacation crosses mine or Jeff's minds. Our wrinkled foreheads suddenly smooth out and a look of relaxed contentment crosses our face. Except for the weekend he got the flu, Jeff hasn't had an entire weekend off work in a month or so. The crazy schedule has been tiring for both of us.

We're almost there, though. And here is what's in store for us:

We'll start our trip at Busch Gardens and Jack couldn't be more excited. We'll stay in a hotel that provides passes into Colonial Williamsburg and for two days we'll pretend that there really are no cell phones or internet in our world.

We'll then travel back to our house, wash our clothes, pack them back up, and Anna and I will head out for GA. The boys are having their own special time and trip without us girls for a few days. Anna and I will spend the night at my mom and dad's after an exhausting day shopping at IKEA in Atlanta.

The next morning, we'll get up and drive to C's. I am soooooo excited about this. I haven't seen C since our heart breaking "divorce" last year when she left me for her husband. I can't wait to see her new house and hang out. We'll spend a couple of days and nights with her and then drive back to my parent's for wedding week!!!

I really think he's gonna do it y'all. My baby brother is going to get married. I'm so excited! It's going to be a great week of seeing friends and family and really enjoying my own family. After all that we'll head back home.

I'm starting to wonder if it really looks like a vacation at all. It's surely not slow and relaxing but I think it's going to be a great time.

Anna isn't wondering anymore.

2009-03-10T17:13:00.002-04:00

In yesterday's post, I noted that Anna wasn't real sure what we were all whining about. Then at 4:30 this morning, I hear the call that strikes fear in every mother's heart... "Moooooommyyyy!" And you run from the bed, half shoving your husband out of his side, to her room, noting the sounds and debating if you can carry her to the bathroom in time. (I think that falls under TMI.) Nope we weren't going to make it.

Just so y'all know the real hard core, gonna get through this, family member has been my washing machine.

So Anna has it now and Jack is sporting the new high fever record (well, for this illness anyway) at over 104 degrees. And what his prize? An ICE BATH, if he does it again! :)

Jeff had to go back to work today. It's his last opportunity to get a flight in for the next couple of months. I love that man dearly but he was so full of energy after all the sleeping that he's done that I needed him to go to work. We'll all get early bed times and hope and pray that tomorrow finds us closer to recovery.

Man Down! Man Down!

2009-03-09T11:30:00.002-04:00

Jeff...the one the Army inoculates against the flu every year...brought home the flu this weekend. Jeff hits day three today and had a fever of just over 103 last night. Jack has hit the wall this morning and he's now just over 103. Anna is trooping along wondering what all the rest of us are whining about. :) We are a sad sight and my whole house wreaks of illness. I'm so thankful for the nice weather as we are airing out the germs this morning. I'm also glad Jeff is here and can help with caring for everyone. The dog is sure we're all dying and comes to sniff us every so often so she knows how sick we are at any given moment. Gotta run. Jeff looks like he might fall over any minute.

Here's hoping you're all well.

For my parents

2009-03-06T08:37:00.002-05:00

My parents love Ted's Montana Grill and so today's post is just for them. There is free food to be had there. I personally love a good burger but even better is a free good burger. So there it is mom and dad. My gift to you. Well, maybe it's Ted's gift to you.

Here it comes in my best announcer voice....
"But wait! That's not all!"

Ted's would also like to give you free desert on your birthday and anniversary. Who is the BEST daughter EVER?????

And for those of you who are waiting with baited breath to know our plans for the day...we're going to the zoo. Jack and I had a rough night last night and while one of us wants to sleep half the day the other is bouncing off the walls so Jeff recommended I take everyone out for the day to avoid injury to those of us who are in the cross hairs of the pouncing one. If you know what happened on our last trip to the zoo, feel free to say a prayer for us today. :)

Romantic Interruption

2009-03-05T19:34:00.002-05:00

Jeff came home late from work tonight and we were having our usual daily debrief. I tell him about our day and then he tells me about his. We were thinking about having a romantic moment when Jack appears in the doorway. Jack says what he needs to say and then thinking that he would exit stage right, Jeff asks him to close the door. Jack being a very obedient child, closed the door...AFTER he stepped inside of it. There we are, just the three of us. I burst out laughing and poof there went our moment.

I love that boy!

How the days fly by...

2009-03-05T17:46:00.002-05:00

I tend to look back at a week and think, "What in the world did I do this week?" I am proud to say that I know EXACTLY what I did this week and I'm sure that y'all can totally relate. So here it is:
Monday- I spent almost the entire day in front of the computer getting ready for Enrichment Day this week.
Tuesday- Spent the entire day out of town and most of that at a doctor's appointment for Jack.
Wednesday- Spent another day totally away from the house, half of that for Enrichment Day, the other half for had to do errands.
Today- Spent the first half of the day recovering from the first three days of the week. Spent the other half playing with the kids and making Mammoth Cheddar burgers. Yummy!
Tomorrow- Trying to convince myself to take the kids to the zoo... want to stay home and do some more "recovering" from the first half of the week... have to make several phone calls and check a few things off my list.

Stay tuned to see what ends up happening... :)

My friend Shannon called me today to tell me that her week has been about tummy bugs and frequent laundry. What have the rest of you been up to this week? Has anybody out there had a seriously fun week?

Nearly a week...

2009-02-26T07:01:00.003-05:00

Wow! Nearly a week went by and no post. Can you tell this is the week that Enrichment Day was launched for its Spring semester? I have another meeting this morning and desperatley need a LOT of sleep but hopefully I can get back to story telling soon. In the mean time, have a gander at my soon to be flower girl who is excited for her uncle's wedding...

Now to find the shoes!!!!

Umm...It's Saturday Anna!

2009-02-21T08:54:00.002-05:00

So this morning I needed to clean out a couple of peanut butter jars so Jack could have them for a Science class he's taking. What better way to do that than make peanut butter cookies! Anna sees what I'm doing and says, "Mommy if I help you make cookies can that be my school for today?" Knowing good and well we weren't doing school today, I seize the opportunity to have my favorite helper join me in the kitchen and say, "Absolutely that can be your school." And then of course, she turns to her brother and says, "Jack if we help Mommy, that can be our school today." He being the older and wiser replies, "Anna, it's Saturday. There's no school today."

My evil plan is foiled again!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!

Peace

2009-02-20T07:34:00.004-05:00

I've noticed in life that I don't seem to have a whole lot of Peace until I REALLY need It. Or maybe I have It with me but I don't notice how much of an overwhelming presence It is until I have to have It. Either way, it's one of those times where I gotta have It and a lot of It. And each time It comes, I am always amazed and overwhelmed and so grateful.

I am naturally a type A personality. Jeff refers to me as a top spinning out of control and he makes this zinging noise to let me know I'm a little over the edge. I've been working between 4 and 8 hour days the last several weeks for my volunteer job. It's a lot when you're homeschooling and trying to run a household too. Jeff just picked up a schedule at work that has him at work from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00a.m. and so he is actively involved with us for less than three hours a day. We're also getting ready for him to go on a long trip. Its a lot going on. And it can be very stressful when I think about it.

But then there is Peace. These are the times, when in my little world it looks like things are out of control, that He comes with great Peace. If I'll just look to God, He'll subdue my tendency to stress about the things and people I can't control. He gives strength and energy to get through the really long days of working, homeschooling, and household running. Most importantly though, He remains really close to my heart giving the Peace I need to know I can make it through another long absence of my closest friend.

It's not easy. And sometimes I find myself so tired that I can't think straight. But then there's Peace. Sweet Peace. Waiting for me to come and rest.

ETA: And then five minutes after posting, your almost 10 year old openly mocks you for the first time EVER and your peace seems to go out the window, which is exactly where you want to send your almost 10 year old too. :)

Keepin' it real...

2009-02-18T07:30:00.002-05:00

I'm a stiff. I can make you laugh but I will not compromise my good manners and proper upbringing to do it. And I will certainly not humiliate myself in the process!

However, last night I made a horrible exception for which my mother will forever wonder "where did I go wrong" and my baby brother will be very proud. My husband will appear very proud but secretly will thank the good Lord that only 5 people read this blog, including him!

Hubby had not made it home yet, and I did that thing that all mothers do when daddy isn't home on time to entertain the children, I turned on the $500 a month digital cable package so we could watch PBS in HD with peace and quiet. When Caillou talking in his high-pitched squeaky voice became peace and quiet, I'll never know but my two were quiet and that was good for me until...

Caillou played a contest where you try to make the other person laugh and whoever laughs first loses. My children decided that this would be great fun and we should do it. I thought I liked the peace and quiet but they're persistent and I relented to play. Of course I won, but Anna proved a tough nut to crack and Jack kept getting better and better. So I was reduced to VERY desperate measures.

They were staring at me waiting to see what I'd do next and I was out of funny faces so (don't look mom) I grabbed on to the kitchen sink, hiked my leg and made a noise with my mouth that rivaled the best whoopi cushion. Oh! The shame! The kids however, thought it was HYSTERICAL! And that folks is how you win the "don't laugh contest". Have a great day! And DON'T LAUGH! :)

What I got for Valentine's Day!

2009-02-16T21:07:00.002-05:00

My honey has been married to me long enough to know EXACTLY what I want for Valentine's Day and he really came through for me this year. I got TWO brand new DOORS! Isn't that sooo romantic? And not just any doors... I got a dog door and a glass door so now my crazy, need-to-run-in-and-out all the time dog can do just that, and when she's tired of that, she can watch out the glass door in case any cats are in the hood!

Okay seriously though, I love my new doors. And I love my honey for giving me new doors. I didn't love that my daughter was climbing in and out the dog door in her pajamas at 7:00 this morning. She's homeschooled ya know. :)

I hope y'all had a great Valentine's Day!

The Lodge part 3

2009-02-11T20:33:00.010-05:00

Okay, I'm warning y'all now. These are lousy pictures. I was much too busy playing to get even decent shots. That's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it.

"Mommy, Mommy, can we go in the water Mommy? Huh, huh can we mommy? Can we huh?

"I didn't sleep last night but I'm rarin' and ready! Where's the first slide?"

This is a horrible picture of the wave pool. The kids loved it. Jeff and I floated around in tubes while the kids tried to show the waves who was boss. :)

This was picture worthy! The boys felt the need to try knee boarding. It actually never escalated to that and was only body boarding. Poor Jack! He's having a blast but...

He has so little body weight that he literally could not stay down on the water so it shot him right back up to the top.

Second try. It ended the same as the first. maybe we should try...

just regular swimming. Go my little tadpoles!

This would be the overwhelming fatigue by the end of our stay.

This one didn't make it to the car before trying to go to sleep. I kid you not, they're both still catching up on sleep.

It was a wonderful time! Jeff injured a toe, Jack had a very bloody nose, and my nose had a pretty rough run in with Jeff's knee. We didn't really care though. It was not an inexpensive trip but we felt it was well worth every penny we paid for it. It was also our very first family vacation with just the four of us. What a great memory we made for our first time around.

We're hoping and praying a trip to Busch Gardens and Colonial Willimasburg is in our near future. Maybe I'll make better pictures??? But probably not. :)

The Lodge part 2

2009-02-10T12:08:00.009-05:00

I've told you about our first day already but here are some pictures from the ride up and what we did the next morning.

This is Anna showing off her new Crocs and talking on the phone to a family member. Don't remember which one. She talked to a bunch of them that day since it was her birthday!

Here's the sign as you enter VA. Since Anna and I had never been we tried to get Jeff to go back so I could get a better picture but he was a motivated man at that point and wanted to get where we were going.

This is the James River.

Jeff is a history buff so we paid a visit to The American Civil War Center while we were in Richmond. It helped the kids only ask a thousand times if we could go the lodge yet. :) Tredegar was a very neat place to visit and you can learn more about it's significance in Civil War history here.

I have no idea why but this screamed "Hansel and Gretel" at me. It is massive! Not good for a bed time story.

This is Jack educating Jeff.

This is Jeff re-educating Jack. :)

I love history so much that I don't have a clue what this is or what it was used for but I took its picture because I thought it looked cool. Jeff will not be proud when he reads this. And I would like to apologize to my high school history teachers Mr. Self and .... ummmm... the other guy.

Hooray! The educating was over and we could focus on more important things like... if there are 50 people in line for the water slide in front of you and each raft can hold up to 4 people, how long will it take you to get to the front of the line?:)

We're home!

2009-02-09T19:33:00.002-05:00

We're home! There are pictures, injures to laugh about, and fun things to share. However, I am not turning on my computer until tomorrow because I am afraid of my inbox. :) I also have lots of catching up to do, two meetings, and a trip to Raleigh to pick up a dress this week. I will put up pictures as I can.

Right now, I'm going to make my to-do list and get my week organized. I love a trip. It somehow motivates me to organize and get stuff done. Does that happen to y'all? Wonder if I'll crash and burn tomorrow like I usually do because I always expect way too much to go EXACTLY as I plan it in my imaginative perfect world???

Look out laundry! Here comes SUPERMOM! :)

The Lodge part 1

2009-02-08T08:28:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone!It's technically day 2 of our trip and this is my version of almost live blogging. :) Jeff and I had a really rough week and were honestly so fed up with it all, that we decided to escape early. Saturday morning he rolled over looked at me and said, "Do you wanna get outta here?" I couldn't have been happier if he'd said we were getting an extra day at the lodge. We boarded the dog and got the heck out of dodge. Of course, that meant that we forgot important things like a hairbrush for Anna and I (we look like the 80's are back) and my frugal food plans went out the window.

I don't have pictures to share yet but it's mine and Anna's first time in VA. We decided before we left that we'd head to Richmond and then go on to the lodge as planned today. We had grand plans to see some museums here but instead we stopped at the outlets in Smithfield and shopped at a Crocs outlet for way too long. The kids love their new shoes and Jeff and I looked at Harleys and Buells.

We arrived at our hotel around 4:00, unloaded our stuff, and headed out for a bite to eat. We found an Uno's. If you've never been to Uno's, you really need to try it. My Dad discovered it for our family and we've gone every opportunity since. The kids got to make their own pizzas last night and really enjoyed it. All the ingredients were brought right to the table and they assembled their pies the way they wanted.

Before we left the hotel, we noticed that we would not be receiving a free breakfast so we hit a Target for quick breakfasts and a couple of other things we forgot. Since our hotel had an indoor pool, the kids were really anxious to get back and take a swim. We did and they had not so much fun taking a few minutes of swim lessons with mom and dad. Jeff and I then discovered the hot tub and left the kids to splash in peace.

Today we're heading out to hit a museum and then up to the lodge where we're all looking forward to partying. I'm off to help Jeff pack back up. Hope y'all are having a fun weekend too. I'll try to post another update later.

Out of the mouth of Anna!

2009-02-04T10:20:00.002-05:00

My baby will be 6 this weekend and I am not happy about it. She has decided that her whole life is changing as a result of being six. She is soooooo grown up now because 6 is such a BIG number!

Yesterday morning as we're all still digging the crusties from our eyes... (that's not a pretty visual, is it?)... Anna informs me that she'll need her "sexual clothes" now.

"You'll need WHAT?!?!?!?!?"

"I'll need some sexual clothes now because I'm going to be six."

"HUH!?!?!?!?"

Anna is looking a little nervous at this point, probably because my eyes are coming out of their sockets and decides to re-think what she is saying because obviously she's done something wrong and doesn't have a clue what that wrong thing is.

Then it occurs to me that she needs her "SIX YEAR OLD clothes".

I laughed so hard. And then promptly thanked the good Lord for my daughter's innocence and prayed for my hearing all at the same time. When I told Jeff what had happened, I think he wanted to make me an appointment to have my hearing tested. Somehow I don't think it was nearly so funny to him. He loves his girl and as far as he is concerned that word need not be in her vocabulary for a very long time.

Next week in our homeschool we will be working on E-NUN-CI-A-TING and good listening skills. :) Have a great day y'all!

WAHHHHOOOOOOOO!

2009-02-03T13:18:00.002-05:00

OH MY GOSH!!!!! Look where Jeff is taking us this weekend!!!!!

Ummm...I am speechless. :)

I don't love busy.

2009-02-02T18:29:00.002-05:00

I am not the kind of person that loves busy. The lapse in my blog entries though, certainly tells of my crazy schedule. So to catch you up in the last week or so we have...

Ordered a flower girl dress at a specialty store more than an hour away
Celebrated a birthday
Taken a field trip
Started piecing together next years homeschool curriculum
Spent hours and hours on a volunteer position that has a quickly approaching deadline
Prepared to take a short trip
Filed taxes...and bye-the-way, if the IRS is watching, where's my rebate? :)
Had a sick child
Considered getting another German Shepherd (what was I thinking!?!?!)
And on and on I could go...

What have I not done...
Cleaned my house (YUCK!)
Cooked healthy meals...this doesn't help the sick child
Really loved on my family like I want to

Now somebody tell me how it is that the stuff I always "say" is important to me gets crowded out by all that other stuff. I gotta work on that.

A five star restaurant at home

2009-01-22T19:48:00.005-05:00

Here is how you do it ladies. First watch Rachael Ray and find out "what's for dinner tonight". Then go here to pick up the recipe. Tell the kids that you're making a Rachael Ray recipe for dinner and take them to Wal-Mart to get the needed beef stock. When the kids insist on Rachael Ray beef stock...BUY IT because then they'll so this.....

OH YEAH! They set the table and helped cook the meal. Do you see the place cards? It was too cute. Just in case you're wondering what's so five star about casserole and peas....

It's this beautiful little girl right here. This dinner was evidently so special that she had to go put on her brand new spring dress complete with jewelry before she could eat.

It was a great dinner and obviously it's not so much about what you make as it is that you make it all special. Have a great day everyone!

The lonely snow covered yard.

2009-01-21T15:24:00.004-05:00

We still miss our friends Riley and John Thomas a LOT! Their yard looked really lonely with all its fresh snow yesterday so we joined a couple of other neighborhood kids and "kiddied" it all up. And when they were done and everybody thought it looked better.... we still missed them but felt much better about it all! :)

Winter Wonderland

2009-01-20T18:52:00.003-05:00

We're obviously southerners who don't understand snow. They weren't out there 60 seconds before both of them were laid out in the snow making snow angels. If it weren't so cold they'd have been soaked! Instead they were froze. You can't starch clothes that stiff! :)

My four legged baby.

2009-01-20T18:48:00.003-05:00

Eat your heart out you elitist dog shows that won't let my long-haired baby in! :) She'd rather play in snow anyway!

There's an easier way I tell you!

2009-01-19T18:26:00.002-05:00

Heads up ladies! This right here is an important discovery for women everywhere! Your lives will be so much simpler and you will thank me for sharing this discovery FOREVER!

How to mop your kitchen according to my 5 year old.
"First you take the mopper and you put some stuff in the sink and then put the mopper in the sink. Then, you take it out. You twist your little handle. Then you let go of it and start mopping the floor. And then you're done."

I know that this has revolutionized your relationship with your "mopper". I would say that we'd take donations for this little tidbit of information but with genius like this in the house we won't need college funds.

Y'all love your moppers today and have a great day!

Cool Kids Museum

2009-01-15T21:16:00.002-05:00

I have always been a little disappointed in the area we live in because it just isn't overly kid friendly. I might be eating those words after today. We discovered a new museum in Raleigh today. If you are in the eastern half of NC, it's worth the ride. It's called Marbles Kids Museum. The entry prices are reasonable in my opinion and they offer a military discount. My kids could have stayed there all day and that's saying a lot since we have an almost four year gap between my guys and their interests are so different. We each learned something new and there were activities for both my age groups.

We even splurged for IMAX tickets today. I have always felt that these films and all the hype surrounding them was probably a waste. This would be where I open my mouth and insert both feet. WOW! It was really awesome. I love beautiful landscapes and nature in general although it doesn't really agree with me. So I was really shocked at how gorgeous the picture was. It's always a treat too seeing my kids reach out and try to touch something with their 3-D glasses on.

We had an awesome time and are even talking about a membership. We are all tired though. It is a little bit of a ride for us and we did cram a couple other things in while we were there. I think we might have to have fun at home tomorrow. :)

Christians just wanna have fun

2009-01-15T09:13:00.003-05:00

Serving my homeschool group has put me in touch with some really amazing ladies this year. I was at a meeting recently with a wonderful homeschooling mom and she shared an interesting personal tidbit with me. Her family has a car that looks just like a police cruiser. On date nights she and her husband drive around our nice town flashing their hi-beams at innocent drivers, "warning" them to slow down.

I can hear your collective gasps. At first I was just like you, totally appalled that an upstanding woman of faith would do such a thing. :) After all, I look up to her and not just because she's taller than me! She's a homeschooler and everyone knows that we wear skirts and put our hair in buns while our kids walk in a straight line from their bedrooms to the kitchen table so I can call roll.

But then I really considered what she was doing and have decided that she and her husband are really blessing our great city because really can anybody afford a speeding ticket right now? Or an increase in their insurance premiums?

In all seriousness though, I was so touched that some Christian out there still knows how to have fun. I really don't like it that we become Christians and somehow that means that our fun is over. So my goal this weekend is to have some fun with my family. It's a four day weekend for us and I'm going to find ways to enjoy it with the people I love. And my family would like to thank my taller-than-me homeschooling friend for the inspiration.

ETA: No innocent (or not so innocent) people have ever been interrogated or harmed in the making of this fun!

Beyond Belief

2009-01-13T16:08:00.002-05:00

My family has become baseball fans in the last year. We've been to a few Durham Bulls games and last year my Dad treated the kids and I to some seriously sweet, suite seats at an Atlanta Braves game. I surely don't know the players or even most of the teams but I do know the name Josh Hamilton. I've loved his story since the first time I heard it.

For Christmas, I bought hubby his book, "Beyond Belief". I had hoped we'd read it together but Jeff got started one night and hasn't stopped. And that's saying something for a man whose bookshelves are covered in historical non-fiction. It is well-known in my house that I am a book devourer so true to form I started it last night and finished it today. It is such an amazing story!

The really great part is that you don't have to have Josh's past issues to get some important messages from his book. He talks about love and forgiveness but he also mentions the little things like taking one day at a time and appreciating accountability for what it is instead of bucking it. It's definitely worth reading.

Educating the common butter bar

2009-01-06T07:49:00.003-05:00

For you non-military types, a butter bar is a new lieutenant in the Army. His rank insignia looks like a bar of butter. And bless his soul, he knows as much about handling spouses as a bar of butter too.

So last night Jeff is putting me to bed when he realizes that he's gotten a voice mail. His phone is so loud that I can hear his lieutenant on the voice mail letting Jeff know of a meeting that is "mandatory for spouses".

Folks, I've been in the Army as a spouse for over a decade and let me tell you, there is no such thing as "mandatory for spouses" anything. EVER! They might "own" my husband but I can't be ordered to do squat! Asked nicely? Yes! Encouraged strongly? Sure. Forced? HA! HA! Dream on my un-educated butter bar!

As a result of this slight indiscretion, my poor husband is at work right now giving this lieutenant the "what for" because Jeff had it good. For years I have attended these meetings in his behalf because they can make him go and I felt sorry for him trudging off to a meeting for spouses that if I didn't go, he had to. "No more," I say! I will not be ordered around by an Army newbie.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Army for raising up this lieutenant who has unsuspectingly freed me from the burdens of meeting tyranny. It's a new day people! And Jeff is sooooo excited about it! :)

A new year already?!?!

2009-01-04T20:07:00.002-05:00

I wasn't ready. The end of 2008 just flew by. We got bad and good news. We said goodbye to dear friends. My parents came out for Christmas. My kids left with them for a week in GA. So much has been going on here that I haven't even taken the time to write. I have really missed it too.

The new year holds many a promise for our family and we're all looking forward to seeing what God has for us. I have a quote on my desk that I think arrived just in time for this year. It says, "If nothing ever changed...There would be no butterflies." There is no love-loss between me and change but this little quote reminds me that sometimes change makes the most beautiful things.

Hope you have a great day!

No we didn't die on day three...

2008-11-13T10:42:00.002-05:00

My computer did. We made it through the weekend with only minor injuries although the blood on the floor suggested otherwise. Never mind that though. We made it! Hurray!

So yep, I have no computer. I borrowed one from "C" to get this post up. I'm guessing it will be a couple of weeks before I am able to blog again. I'm not real happy about that but I guess it means more time to do my holiday baking which I will then not share and instead wear on my bum for months after the festivities. I love the holidays!

Time for lunch! Y'all have a great week or weeks, if I don't talk to you again.

Stop the Insanity Part 2

2008-11-09T06:23:00.004-05:00

Here's how day 2 went of my 4 day and 3 night journey with 4 kids:

3:53 a.m. Prank call.

5:48 a.m. All children are awake.

5:49a.m. Maybe I was supposed to spin around upside down and backwards 14 times?

7:30 Stopped at three newspaper stands on the way to church trying to find a Sunday paper. No success.

8:00 This is when church starts.

8:?? This is when we arrived at church. :)

9:45 Heading home from church and finally find a newspaper.

10:08 Fixing lunch. Leftovers.

10:10 Lunch is ready. Realize it's too early for lunch. Feed kids anyway.

11:30 John Thomas unhappily down for nap, big kids watching movie, I am on the couch with a blanket headed for a much needed nap.

12:00 Finally going to get a nap after much settling and re-settling of the kids.

12:15 Doorbell.

12:30 Doorbell. Resign self to no nap.

The afternoon was spent in general merry making with all the rest of the neighborhood kids who I have decided don't have homes during the day.

5:00 Dinner didn't magically appear in my kitchen. Just so you know it is very important to keep family traditions going when children are separated from their parents. Riley and John Thomas's family tradition is to eat at KFC after church every Sunday. Seeing as dinner didn't magically appear and it was WAY after church it seemed only logical to give them a homey feeling by keeping this tradition of theirs. Tradition...that was my motive...really...

6:00 We're headed back home. A new friend of mine was a great sport and went with us. She was a huge help and we didn't get kicked out of KFC.

6:47 Baths get done and teeth get brushed. The floor of the play room wasn't visible so it got cleaned up for the kids who were going to "camp out" in there.

6:50 "C" calls. "Is everything okay?" Me: "Yeah it's great." All the while, searching frantically for a passy. It has been a while since I have known the wrath of a 3 year old without a passy and yet I still feel the shivers as my mind visualizes the impending doom about to overcome me.

7:08 Passy found. HALLELUJAH! I will live to see another day.

7:22 I'm doing laundry. The kids watch a movie.

7:30 One down. Three to go.

8:04 The first one to go down is still awake, this is not a good sign.

8:14 Give up on the first one going to sleep. Put two more down.

8:32 All kids down. 3 of the 4 are O-U-T!

Another day down. Okay, so it's not a breeze but "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." :)

Stop the Insanity Part 1

2008-11-09T06:01:00.002-05:00

Some of the first words out of my mouth after my friend told me she was moving were, "I'll watch the kids while you and hubby go look for a house." BIG GULP! At the time, I was sure my gulping was from the tears I was fighting back. Now I realize it was an automatic reflex to the thought of having 4 children on my own for 4 days and 3 nights. John and Kate Plus 8, here I come! Well, almost.

Day 1
12:02 Riley and John Thomas are supposed to be here but they're not and no one is home. I call "C" in a panic because I obviously don't know where I am supposed to be. "C" laughs at me as she finishes the rest of her Taco Bell and says I'm not supposed to have the kids until 12:30.

12:30 Let's party!

1:00 The party is growing as more children show up and so we move it outside. What is it about a mom's growing "I can handle this" confidence that makes more children come running so that you can be responsible for their safety too? :)

2:30 We head inside for snacks before we leave for a birthday party.

2:45 Door bell rings as we're getting on shoes to leave. The "herd" charge the door to answer it. More friends want to play.

3:01 Pulling out of driveway for party that starts at 3:00. Ooops!

3:05 Party wasn't a long drive and we're there to be greeted by another herd.

6:00 We're partied out. My friend Shannon throws great birthday parties so all the kids leave with a stepping stone that they made, a goody bag, and I'm packing a huge hunk of cookie cake.

6:01-6:29 Thanks again for those whoopee cushions Shannon!

6:30 All kids in baths. Teeth brushing and last drinks.

7:08 John Thomas in bed.

7:09 "C" calls. "Are you still alive?" John Thomas and Riley tell her good night.

7:28 Girls are trying to put themselves to bed. "This is a breeze!" "Good night girls!"

8:00 Jack to bed. Girls still awake.

8:30 Girls still awake.

9:00 Snoring all around. Success! This isn't so hard. Knock on wood. Spin around backwards and upside down 13 times.

Stay tuned...

November's Menu

2008-11-04T18:35:00.003-05:00

In no particular order, here is what we're eating in November:

Soup and Sandwich
Stromboli
Mac-N-Cheese
Spaghetti
Loaded Potatoes
Breakfast
Roasted Chicken
Au Gratin Potatoes
French Toast
Lasagna
Quesedillas
Chicken and Dumplings
Pizza Pasta
Spaghetti with Bolognese
Hashbrown Casserole
BBQ
Pizza
Bean and Rice Burritos
Hot Dogs
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Nuggets
Hamburgers
Meatballs

This is not a particularly healthy menu but we're on the "it's better than eating out"plan right now. We're trying to make good side choices on the nights when the main dish isn't a really healthy choice. It's most important right now that things just be kept simple. So if it's quick and easy, that's what I'm cooking.

Before you ask, "Hey, where's the turkey for the big day," let me throw in that we're still figuring Thanksgiving out for this year. It may actually be that we spare a some innocent Turkey his date with doom this year but don't hold your breath! :)

I intended to make you a whole bunch of pictures when I cooked over the weekend but I made one measly picture and then got caught up in the cooking. Sorry about that. Here is the rundown for you: I cooked one Boston Butt for BBQ, cooked 4 lbs. of meatballs, browned 2 lbs. of ground bison and 4 lbs. of sausage, boiled and chopped a few pounds of chicken breasts, roasted a chicken, and pattied some burgers. That was all the meat that needed to be prepped for the whole month, if Tom Turkey is spared.

I did some baking too but that's not done yet so I'll tell you about that in another post. I can't believe that I'm already thinking about Christmas baking!!! And Christmas presents! I'll tell you my goal for this year a little later.

Shhh! Don't wake the kids!

2008-11-01T06:46:00.002-04:00

I'm here bright and early hoping to have a few minutes before the kids get up. Things have been too busy here lately and I'm really feeling like re-visiting all my own "Simple Saturday" posts. A virus finally caught up with me at the end of this week and I have been down the last couple of days. It is so sad to say but being sick and having a hubby who makes you stay in bed is sometimes the best thing that can happen to a girl.

We get so caught up in our busy-ness that we stress over not getting it all done but have you ever noticed that when you lie in bed for a couple of days the world still goes on without us. All that stressing over things that have to get done as we run around like chickens with our heads cut off and then you stop for whatever reason and "Hey, what do you know, none of the planets collide in your absence!" Hmmmm...

So anyway, today I am going to be doing a month's worth of freezer cooking. AHHHHH!!!! No, actually, I love getting it done. I know that I have healthier choices in my freezer for less money than fast food. It's a great thing! I don't have to think about what's for dinner either. I can just pull it straight from the freezer and with a little more work it's done. It's a great time saver to have all your prep work already done.

It also saves us plenty of money. I know there is food at home that's either ready or mostly ready so it's much easier to stay home and eat. Let me tell you, with the time crunch in this house, that's been really hard lately. We have sent a LOT of money packing for a quick, not so healthy fast food meal recently.

Have you ever cooked for a month? It's not as hard as you might think. I'll make pictures today and show you.

Uh-oh, Anna's up. I'm busted. Have a great day everyone!

Flat Sophie

2008-10-16T08:06:00.005-04:00

I recently read the book Flat Stanley to Anna because we were participating in a flat person project which I thought was really cool. Evidently, your child draws a picture of them self and sends it off to a friend, that friend takes your flat child on an adventure and then reports back on what happened.

This is our friend flat Sophie. Our real Sophie lives in Tennessee. She decided to come on adventure with us and where do you think we took her?
To see a helicopter of course! Here are my children piloting. Notice how they made flat Sophie ride in the way front? I wonder if they sensed some impending doom knowing they had no stick-wiggling training.

Fear not flat Sophie! We can't figure out how to get it off the ground! Everybody just cheese at the camera and then we'll convince mom and dad to take us out to eat!

I'm happy to report that flat Sophie ate free and it wasn't even kid's night! Have a great day everyone.

Ecouragement to be a good friend

2008-10-09T17:42:00.007-04:00

Hi Everyone! I want to encourage you to be a good friend today. I will share an example from my own life so that you can see what I mean. I found out today that my dearest girl friend in all of North Carolina is moving half way around the world to MY favorite state... Tennessee. Well, okay, Georgia is my very favorite state but whatever it's still halfway around the world. So, since I am such a good friend and she had to go out of town right after finding out she was moving, I decided to help her out. Here is a picture:

Doesn't she have a lovely home? But wait! There are signs on her front door. Let's take a closer look.
Oh look! I AM truly the best friend she's ever had! I'm helping her sell her house. Now folks, this is an example of true friendship right here.
Oh! Hmmmm... I wonder how that got there?

Flower or fungus?

2008-10-08T07:21:00.003-04:00

As many of you have noticed, this is a highly intellectual blog where we discuss cutting edge science. HA! So here is the question of the day...Is it a flower or a fungus (meaning mushroom for you non-science buffs)?

I say it's the prettiest fungus I've ever seen. Especially since there is some mutated, tumor-growing marshmallow looking fungal thing currently in my back yard. It's for your own good that I don't have pictures of that. I'm seriously thinking about taking the kids out back and dissecting that thing for science! Have a great day everybody!

Dinner is served!

2008-10-06T12:11:00.001-04:00

Look out Rachael Ray! Anna is in the kitchen now!

Irony...

2008-10-01T21:52:00.002-04:00

So I'm driving down the street today and just as I am able to make out the bumper sticker that says, "Tree Hugging, Dirt Worshiper", out flies a cigarette butt. I wanted to post a sign on the road that said, "No Composting On The Road".

Have a great day everybody! :)