Barb's Blog

Summer 2011

2011-07-01T12:42:00.004-05:00

I haven't been on my blog to update in 7 months...wow!! I almost forgot I had a blog!!

Let's see if I can update in a quick sort of way...Christen graduated from the 8th grade at Justus-Tiawah. It was rather an emotional time for me. I know she's ready for the next phase of her life as a high school student: a ZEBRA!! It was mighty fun planning and organizing the after party for graduation. I enjoyed all of her friends...and their parents. We are so blessed that our kids have wonderful friends with such supportive and caring parents. We enjoyed her 8th grade trip to Branson. Mr. Garroutte always makes it so special and fun for the kids.

Since school has been out...I've been tackling projects that got ignored when we moved in. I have been working on our front flowerbed. It's rather big...so not only does it take a ton of time...it's has taken quite a toll on my summer allowance. Another project that desperately needed my attention was our formal dining room. I've never had a formal dining room before...not sure that we should have devoted that space for dining...but whatever. That's exactly how it's furnished now. I finally have things on the walls in there...bought a rug to go under the furniture we bought when we moved in and got a baker's rack too. And the final thing that I am still in the process of doing is hanging pictures on the walls in our halls.

My sister-in-law and her kids were down this past week. We spent alot of time playing and spending time with them. Had a ton of fun!! It's always sad when they leave. But, we always look forward to the next visit!!

Now, it's time to get Ryan and Christen ready for Falls Creek. They are looking forward to having a vacation from Mom and Dad and sister!! I miss them like crazy when they are gone...but Kaylyn and I have fun doing little things during the days!!

Oh...the last piece of news....Ryan has a drivers license. That is huge news for him. We are a teeny bit scared and nervous. We need to buy another car. I am excited about that...cause it's a car for me!! Not excited about the wad of $$ it's going to cost to buy...but I like new stuff!! Well, it won't be brand new...we don't do "new"....

I'm teaching summer school the last 2 weeks of July!! I'm looking forward to that. We have a new leader...sad to see our last one leave. Change is a little hard for me...but I know it's just the way it's suppose to be.

I'm 3.8 pounds from making it to my lifetime weight goal with weight watchers. I've never been this close and I'm looking forward to getting there...it's just difficult with summer here and tons of food in my pantry/frig!! Lack of routine lunch times and sleeping in doesn't help either. OH WELL!!!!

Updates

2010-11-13T10:34:00.003-06:00

Well, it's been a while since I've updated my blog!! I kinda forget that I have a blog sometimes!! So, here are my latest updates:

*I started having some wierd things going on with me about 6 weeks ago. Things like tingling in my left arm and some chest discomfort. I put off going to the doctor...cause I hate going to the doctor. I went to my ob/gyn for starters and he freaked me out. He gave me a script for anxiety medication and I left in tears. Oh, and he also referred me to a cardiologist.
*So, I go to the cardiologist and she totally has been an answer to my prayers. Very knowledgeable and very sensitive. She had me go to the hospital for a complete heart exam...nuclear stress test, echocardiogram and heart scans. That was very stressful for me. But I wasn't finished til I had to wear a "Holter" monitor for 2 days. (The waiting thing is the hardest for me.)
*After a bunch of waiting around and lots of praying...I finally got to visit with my dr. for results to the tests....and here's the diagnosis.....I don't know how to spell it, so I'll do my phonetic way: bigeminy. Yep, that's it!!! It means I have a funky heartbeat and I have to take a little tiny pill every night. Plus, I have to drink V8 juice everyday, go for a daily walk, and get a good 8 hours of sleep every night!!!! How easy it that???

I'm so very relieved....but I'm also so very blessed for this news. My family and closest friends knew how very concerned I was...and I so appreciate their prayers and constant encouragement!!

I'm also so very grateful for the season of Thanksgiving. It seems that every year, God reminds me of His constant provision...not just in the way of food, shelter and clothing...but how He provides situations that make me rely on Him totally for His provision. I think my heart issue is a prime example. He has total control over my body!! I have lots to be thankful for every single day.

I'm looking forward to spending lots of time with our families in a couple of weeks. My sweet hubby has been working 60-70 hour weeks since the middle part of October and he so needs a break. I've been missing my sister-in-law in Indiana and can't wait for her to come down. My brother recently returned from a trip to the Holy Lands and he has a wonderful video presentation I can't wait to see. God is so good to give me all of these special blessings!!

My kiddos are so excited to decorate for Christmas...we always do this the day after Thanksgiving!! And I am too!! I'm looking forward to making some new memories in our new home for the holidays. I'd like to have some friends over for cookie baking time. We're having a progressive dinner for our SS class and I'm hosting one of the courses. It's such a beautiful sweet time of the year....and I'm making a commitment to not stress or get anxious for NOTHING!!!! I'm putting that old stuff aside and concentrating on loving the people that God has put in my life!!!!!

Home Sweet Home~

2010-09-24T21:15:00.003-05:00

Well, we've been in our home a month now. Last weekend we finally got that last little load of junk out of storage and I hauled a bunch of it to Goodwill!! We moved in on the hottest weekend of the whole entire year. We had great help...and I felt so bad that we were moving in that heat!!

It's just amazing how everything happened. I'm still shocked that we sold our house in Verdigris!! I know by now that I should be "used" to the changes...and I'm sure I will at some point. I do enjoy that it takes 3 minutes to get to school. I do enjoy that we have more yard to take care of. I do enjoy living in this neighborhood. I do enjoy having a little more space to store stuff. And I do enjoy that the girls each have their own room!!

I need to buy a few more pieces of furniture and put some more stuff on the walls and I still have a few windows left to treat. I am not going to hurry doing all that stuff. It will happen!! I do need to find all my fall decorations and get them out!!

Oh, and on a last note...Ryan is completely happy that he can ride the bus home instead of walking to the library everyday!!

Getting Close!!

2010-08-10T21:38:00.003-05:00

Well, 6 months ago seems like years ago!!! I almost can't remember what our house in Verdigris looked like...I really don't remember everything we have put into our mini storage unit....and I really really forgot what it was like to write a mortgage check every month!!!!! All of these things are soon going to come to an end.

In about 10 days all of these things will soon become a reality. Except for maybe still not totally able to remember our house in Verdigris. I loved that house so much!!!! But I am loving the thought of everyone having their own room, a pantry, and the ability to expand the upstairs whenever we feel like we need more space!! Oh, and I'm also loving the fact that I'm exactly 4 minutes from my driveway to school parking!! :)

I believe the kiddos are most excited!! They haven't had a normal summer with being to play with neighborhood kids, riding their bikes daily, and just all the stuff they were used to doing in Verdigris. They can't wait to get those scooters out...play some b-ball in the driveway....and spreading out a little.

I'm stressing just a tad just because of the timing of school starting and time we'll be needing to move. In a perfect world, we would already be moved in and settled....but not the case!! I know worrying and fretting isn't going to help matters at all....so I pray. Praying puts everything in perspective...God didn't bring us this far for nothing. His timing is perfect!!!!!

Blessings....

2010-08-04T23:43:00.004-05:00

I am blessed beyond measure. Anyone that knows Jesus and has asked Him into their hearts is blessed for sure!!! I often look around my world and just have to wonder how exactly do people function daily without a relationship with God.

I am so thankful that God always has a plan. And that He unfolds that plan each time I ask for guidance and for help in this crazy life. I know in my life that God's plans for me are perfect. They may not always be what I like at the time or what is popular in the world...but resting in Him is always a comfort and makes me so content.

I am thankful for the man God placed in my life to be my husband. He's not perfect...but he's perfect for me. When Kevin has had health issues, God placed doctors, medicines and peace with us to help us overcome those things. Kevin has been blessed with working at a place that values him and compensates him well. We're not rich....but we certainly have more time together than we had at his previous job.

I am so thankful for my 3 kiddos!! They are reflections of God's amazing grace daily!! I look into their eyes and see how awesomely He put some of me and some of Kevin inside of them...raising them has been a joy!! I have thoroughly enjoyed the different stages my kids have gone through and am already praying for their futures!!

Even though this has been a summer that we'll likely never forget....I am thankful that we have had lots of time with my dad. He's been a gracious host!! We're very blessed that he opened his home to 5 of us and allowed us to live with him and impose on him for 4 months!! We are ready to move and it's likely that will finally happen in a couple of weeks. What a journey this has been. Again, it was God's perfect timing that brought us to this outcome. We are looking forward to hosting our friends and family in our home as we get settled.

I am so very thankful for my close friends. I don't tell them enough just how much they mean to me....but they priceless. Knowing that they will and do pray for me when I have "freak out" moments is HUGE!! Cause I sometimes have more than one of those episodes in a 24 hour time period!! I am thankful and blessed that they can tell me what I need to hear.

And finally I am so very thankful that God hears me when I pray. I feel His touch daily....just looking outside I can see Him....looking into my children's eyes, I can see Him; seeing miracles like healing I can see Him. Knowing that my husband is faithful to just me is seeing the mercies of God. Resting in the fact that only He can turn bad into good is HUGE for me. Perhaps Thanksgiving isn't just for the month of November!! Count your many blessings see what God hath done!! LOVE that hymn!!!!

Countdown....:)

2010-07-28T21:31:00.003-05:00

Ok, the countdown can begin!! Our new house is withing a couple of weeks from being finished!! So, excitement is truly building around our household!! With the reality of our home being ready to move into...so is the reality of things like: landscaping? new furniture? arrangement of furniture? internet provider? (ATT doesn't service our new home!!) So, can you imagine how much stuff is rumbling through my head? My head is so "thick" with all the stuff rumbling around, that I've barely had enough room in it for school thoughts to enter. I've made myself work in my room this week and I'm happy to say that I plan to be finish with it by Friday!!

On another note....I've had to do some damage control. I will be the first to say that I enjoy facebook. I have really enjoyed re-connecting with lost classmates from high school and college. I've also enjoyed building on my friendships with colleagues, church friends, and my kids' friends' parents, etc. However with all of these connections comes a sort of "censoring" that I've had to impose on myself. I think it's very sad when people use facebook as a means of airing their dirty laundry and such. I'm not a fan of dirty words or initials of phrases that include dirty words. I'm also not a fan of naughty jokes or inuendos. So, tonight I had to delete some friends from my facebook account. I won't apologize for following my convictions... We live in such a grey sort of society with no real stance on what is wrong or unacceptable. So, I took a stand tonight to protect myself from having to see questionable content...and to also protect my friends from the ability to see the same.

That was a side bar of such.....

It's been a wonderful week so far. Looking forward to the weekend!! We're having a shin-dig at the Lane's on Saturday...hopefully the whole Lane clan will be attending along with many friends from the past. I love it when we're all together!! Next week is our VBS at church...(I'm not directing this year!! ) but I'm looking forward to seeing all the kiddos coming to learn more about Jesus!!

And how about this??? Kevin and I will be married for 19 whole years on Monday, August 2~!!
I love him much more now than I ever could imagine!! God has truly blessed our marriage in so many ways....and I'm so thankful that my mom introduced us 20 years ago at her house at a summer time bbq!! He's my soul mate!!!!!

Thinking...

2010-07-16T08:10:00.004-05:00

I'm up and it's very quiet...so I'm thinking. I spent quite a bit time earlier praying. I've been praying quite a bit this week. Ryan and Christen are at Fall's Creek and it's their first time to go. I know I've heard alot about how Falls Creek has alot of faults now...more than it ever it used to...and that's probably why I was shy about sending Ryan a couple of years ago when he became old enough to go. But after seeing footage from there and being able to listen to the services each night online....other than the lights, sound and instruments....it's the same ole Falls Creek to me. Although it looks as if they have really added more activities for the kids to do!! Plus...and this is the biggie....the adults we had going with our youth are wonderful with the kids. I know (b/c we've known for a while) that Christen is going to come home and tell us that she has been called into missions. While I'm so proud of her for not being afraid of that call...I'm scared to death!! I know God protects those He calls....and I know He will have to do some major work in me so that I don't always this knot in my tummy when she actually goes to fulfill her call. Kevin seems to be handling it very well....but we'll see!!

As for Ryan...well....I had to force him to go. Kevin and I didn't see eye to eye on that...but I couldn't let up on him going. He has had a tough time feeling like he has a place in the youth group at church. He has friends there...but they aren't his close friends. He really likes his Sunday School teacher and enjoys his class...but outside of that, he doesn't involve himself in the fun stuff that goes on during the week. So, I thought if he would just go to Falls Creek, all the walls he has put up around him would come down. As I began to pack him up and pump him up that he was going to have an awesome time....I seriously started to wonder if I had made a mistake. As we watched him get on the bus, I started to crumble on the inside. I remember as a kid going to a sleepover and not wanting to be there and how I felt....and I began to think I'm doing this to him for a whole week!!!! After waiting a full 24 hours before calling any sponsor (b/c they couldn't take phones, ipods, etc)....I had enough and began to go down the list. Is it coincidence that nobody answered their phone? Or that only 1 phone went to voicemail? I did leave a message, however, it was one of Christen's sponsors. So, Christen calls me later on in the day and tells me she is having fun....but Ryan...well not so much. Praying again!! Long story short....I did get two text responses from Ryan's sponsors very late that night and one said "so far so good"....and the other that nearly brought tears to my eyes said "He says he wants to come back next year!!" Ryan never says things he doesn't mean....so, I think mission was accomplished. I knew that it has been no accident that my kids were at Falls Creek. I know I forced Ryan to go....but really...I gave him several opportunities to back out....and he didn't want to. So, I know that while God's plans for Ryan's future is probably in the form of public service...He is equipping him before my very eyes for that plan. I could be totally wrong....maybe he has been called to do something this week that's new, I don't know...but I can't wait to get them home to find out!!!!!!

So, today is their last day. I bet everyone there is feeling the affects of little sleep....and perhaps too much togetherness?? But I know the memories made this week will last a lifetime. I'm so looking forward to the Falls Creek service Sunday night!!

And crazy as I am....I'm actually looking forward to doing their stinky, smelly, gross laundry tomorrow!!!!

Stressing out a little....

2010-07-13T10:24:00.003-05:00

The older I get, the easier it seems to be for me to stress out . Of course, we're living in a sort of "Holding Tank" and have been for 3 months. I think the stress of that alone is wearing on me. I am missing having my own house....I am missing all the furniture we had to put in storage and finally, I'm just missing life as I used to know it. I am not trying to throw a pity party here...but just getting all these feelings into print is somewhat helpful.

I am so genuinely grateful that my dad offered for us to live at his house while we were building our new house. It has been financially a smart move for us...and so very convenient. I am equally as grateful for our builder. He is a wise and Godly man and I've enjoyed getting to know him and his wife throughout this process.

I think Kevin and I have become so much closer during these past few months. I know it's been said that building a house can destroy a marriage....and I was a little hesitant at first when we decided to go this route. However, we've gotten to enjoy picking things out and learning more about each other doing so!!

I am learning just how God paves the way, even when the way gets very long and when someone like me with acute ADD is involved!!

YAY!!

2010-07-09T20:23:00.003-05:00

Yay!! We've been to Florida and Sea World and now back again!! I love going on vacation...and it's nice being home again. We stayed 2 weeks and enjoyed every single minute!! We hunted and found sharks' teeth, cool looking shells, saw some dolphins and manatee playing in the ocean, swam, splashed, shopped, ate like pigs, and slept like babies!! So, it was AWESOME!!

Now that we are back, we are on the last leg of our house-building journey. We came home to the house being almost all bricked and the sheetrock in and textured!! This week since we've been back, lots of changes taking place...cabinets are being built into the house in the kitchen, baths, desk in the butler's area, and our master closet...oh, and laundry room too!! All of the interior doors are in the garage ready to be installed and the garage doors are installed!! We've got the flooring all picked out...we had it picked out...but had to tweak it b/c of the colors of cabinets and the paint colors that we picked out. The formal dining will be painted in "burning bush"...aka deep RED!!! That's bold for me. I'm more of a neutral wall color kind of girl...with lots of color accents...but we're going out on a limb here.

Next week, the kids are going to Fall's Creek. It'll be their first venture there. I had some reservations in the past about sending them....but I truly believe this will be a week with wonderful growth both spiritually and socially for both Ryan and Christen!! So, Kaylyn and I will be doing some fun stuff like see "Toy Story 3", eat at the Pink House, go swim at G-parents' house, and we'll start working in my classroom...probably do some other fun things too...like SHOP!!

Well, it's been action-packed...and I'm ready for things to settle down and for us to be in our new home. We're all ready!! Praying for the next few weeks to be productive, yet calm!! :)

Another Day!!

2010-06-11T11:10:00.003-05:00

It's another summer day!! None of our summer days are anything of the ordinary this summer. We have camps, vacation and building our house all going on while we're living here at my Dad's.

I believe our house will be finished sometime the middle part of August. Our builder is very busy but very much on top of things...so I'm trusting his words!!

Every single time I walk through our new house, I'm amazed!! The whole process has been a learning experience for me and I'm so excited that we've had the chance to do this!!

We're leaving to go to Florida next week and we haven't even started packing. Too much excitement is leaving me daydreaming rather than working on these tasks!! Anyway!! I better get busy!!

Long time, No Blog

2010-06-05T14:01:00.003-05:00

Well, it's been a while....let's see if I can remember where we left off:
We sold our house!! Our listing was just about to expire when a family decided to make us an offer. We were in a state of panic...cause we expected NOT to sell. So, after looking for like a week at everything that was on the market...we decided to talk with a builder and go that route. Which means...we had to find temporary housing!! My dad offered us to live at his house while we built. We are blessed!! It is a bit tight here and most of our things are in storage...but we're together and that's what counts!!

We closed on our house April 14. Our builder began the building process on May 1. Last weekend, we walked out on our foundation that had just been poured a few days before. This week it's being framed. That part goes really fast!! Probably they will have the roof on and windows installed by the end of next week. We got to pick out flooring, granite, carpet and tile this week. How fun!! I've never gotten to pick out EVERYTHING before. Our builder has a generous allowance on most items...so it's been exciting to pick out these things.

We are going on vacation in Florida in less than 2 weeks. I imagine by the time we get back the brick will be on our house and the inside will be sheet-rocked!! I'm learning all about the buiding process and feel like I'm pretty stinking smart. I know just enough to be dangerous and annoying to our builder. He has the patience of Job and always always answers his phone when I call!!

The kids are busy with camps, dance recitals, hanging with friends, working out and stuff. I love summer!! I love the free-ness I feel!! Sleeping in is nice....staying up late is nicer and not being tied down to a clock is the best!! I've started taking classes at the rec center following the brutal month of May in BOOTCAMP!!!! I went and I survived and I even lost 4 pounds and 3 inches!! So, to continue my "winning streak"...I'm sticking to working out and sort of sticking with that ridiculous bootcamp diet. I did Pilates last week and I'm sore. I'm sticking with it...but I'm going to have to incorporate some cardio to loosen up my muscles!!

We are heading to Seaworld in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to going there!! I've always wanted to visit there. We're staying in a very nice condo and then we'll make our way to the gulf side a few days later. I'm so hoping that the weather is gorgeous and the ocean is beautiful. No oil spill or red tide please!!!!

Well, I hope I update every so often....I'm using this as a personal journal while house building!!

Day Off!!

2010-03-30T12:30:00.003-05:00

I took a personal day today. I always end up usually taking a personal day in order to play "catch up" rather than doing something totally crazy or totally indulging!! Oh well!! The peace of mind and the feeling of being "caught up" is priceless!!!

We have only 2 more small things to cross off the Repair list given to us by the realtor representing the buyer. YAY!! And we have 17 days left to close. However, I think that date may be pushed up a couple of days.

On a different note....our new house is getting ready to break ground this week. The weather is gorgeous and I'm pumped!! Having something to dream about that is going to be reality in a couple of months is so fun!!

On yet another different note....I have sooooo neglected working out and even healthy eating!! It's nearly impossible to fit in a fitness routine when you are moving and having to prepare for temporary living quarters on top of it all. When we finish the closing, I will have quite a bit of time to devote to a healthier me. I just need to decide how I want to go about starting this new routine. I have a few thoughts in mind...I just to think about it a little bit more.

Whew!!

2010-03-18T15:19:00.003-05:00

Whew!! What a week!! I've had to endure some "ups" and "downs" this week. Yesterday was a roller coaster ride for me. And I'm still having the affects of it today!!

Our home inspection was Tuesday. So was the appraisal and the termite inspection. So, we had to take our little dog and leave for 3 hours. The inspection came with a report full of surprises. Mostly, it had to do with the roof. Anyway, after reviewing the report, I got a little nervous that maybe our buyers were going to back out. They didn't get to come to the inspection since they live out of town...so when my realtor called yesterday morning before 9:00 a.m. and said they were coming into town to look at the house again....I got nervous!!!! And that's an understatement.

After a very stressful day and much praying, we finally found out last night that the buyers just wanted us to fix 4 out of the 13 things found wrong on the inspection. YAY!!! More great news is this: the builder that is going to be building our house told us to call him if we needed anything fixed on our house. I had to take him up on that offer and he's already been here and he's planning to start working tomorrow!!!! God always provide....not just with money stuff either. He always provides people to help in sticky situations. He always gives us the friends and the support we need it. It's kind of funny...but as I was in my closet praying over all this yesterday morning, I asked God for some encouraging words during the day. And on my way home from town, a friend called me. She's not one that calls often...and mostly when she does it is to let me know of some plans between our daughters. But we go to church together and I love her sweet spirit. Anyway, she called and just started talking to me about our moving and etc. I explained to her the events that were happening yesterday and she promised me she was going to pray for me (cause i had a severe headache) and our house situation. I know she was praying!! Eventually, my head ache healed and although I had to wait for what seemed like forever about our inspection from the buyers....we finally had some resolve to a very stressful day!!!

I have gotten very emotionally attached to the idea of building. I am overflowing with excitement about the floor plan and the tweeking that Kevin and I will get to do with certain features. This has always been a dream that we've shared...to build a house together and design it without having to cut corners on things. I knew in my heart that I wanted to be able to share this home with my family and friends before the next round of holidays in the fall/winter months. I'm blessed beyond measure!! Truly!!!!

Spring "Break"?

2010-03-15T17:11:00.003-05:00

Well, for all practical reasons it is spring....and I'm supposed to be on break. Ironic!! Cause I'm not!! It's been over a week since we signed a contract with a buyer for our house. Now comes all the "stuff" that has to be done to ensure the sale to be complete!! Tomorrow is the home inspection and the appraisal. To be completely honest, I was a basket case yesterday. I even asked God to please calm me and just let me know that it's all going to be OK. So, today I'm sitting at the eye doctor waiting for Ryan and I get another call from my realtor. This call I know was God's little way of calming me. She told me that both inspector and appraisal guy were going to be here at the same time. Furthermore, she said that mostly the timing doesn't happen simulataneously. I asked her if that was a good thing, she said it meant that the buyer's lender is moving forth on the loan!! Isn't God so sweet?

So, here's our plan!!
We are going to live at my dad's house for the next 3 or 4 months after we sell our house. And we've found a perfect spot to put a home. It just so happens, that a builder is getting ready to start a couple of houses in this sub-division and he has let us pick out a 4 bdrm floor plan that has lots of neat surprises!! One neat surprise is an unfinished 700 sq. ft space above the garage. Another neat gift is a butler's pantry and built in desk. Yet another is a HUGE master closet!! There's more...but I would have post pictures for one to appreciate!!

Here's another bonus!! Because my dad is letting us live at his house rent free...we're going to be able to save a bunch of $$!! That's always a great bonus!!!

Amazing!!

2010-03-07T18:45:00.003-06:00

I haven't blogged lately because there have been a whirlwind of thoughts and ideas running through my mind these past few months. Kevin and I put our home on the market in September. At the time, we had picked out something that I had truly fallen in love with and I was dead-set that we were meant to have that house. I was smitten!! I had a time-frame in my head as to when our house would probably sell and how long it would be before we took on this "dream home"!! (I'm a planner...so that's why I had this imaginary calendar going on!!) Anyway, I began realizing that maybe I was taking more control in this issue than I should!! Just maybe I should be consulting with God and even my husband as to these ideas. When I was praying, I was telling God what and how and when things should take place and hoping He agreed and then move right along. Instead of the way things should have played out. Anyway to make an incredibly long story semi short....it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I finally gave in to myself and gave it all to God. I am slow to learn. I realized that God needed to have my undivided attention and I needed to let it all go!! I began to realize maybe it wasn't His plan for our house to sell...maybe He wanted us to stay put...maybe He wanted us to build on a room...or maybe not. And I began to tell my husband that perhaps we needed to stay here because just maybe God was happy with our life here. In turn, I began to accept this and actually tell others and truly was content in that. I even was looking forward to our house NOT selling. Crazy huh? I have cried like a baby because I wasn't getting MY way...I have tossed and turned dreaming about a home that I didn't own...and I was even angry that we were so deep into this house being on the market and nobody looking at it. So the emotions have been very strong these past few months.

I got a phone call Friday afternoon at Walmart while shopping for groceries that a realtor wanted to show our house the next day (yesterday) at 10 a.m. I called this lady back and said we needed to push it back to the afternoon...b/c we all wanted to sleep in!!! Crazy!!!! She consented. I had this feeling all day long that this person was probably going to like our house. Don't really know why...but I did!! After not hearing anything fairly quickly on the feedback, I resolved to the fact that we really were never going to sell our house. Then, I get a phone call at 6:30 p.m. from our realtor saying that she needed to present us an offer. I should have been happy...but honestly, Kevin and I both were in total shock. What in the world is God doing????

The offer came in a little low, we countered, they countered and now we're officially under contract. So, unless our house fails inspections...we're closing April 16. Guess what???? We have absolutely NO clue where we are going to live!!! Now I'm scared. I'm a little scared for another reason too...this means we're going to buy something that is bigger and more expensive....I don't do well with spending more money for long periods of time!! It scares the crud out of me!!!! I guess this is where I need some reassurance from people I trust. I firmly believe that God places people in our lives and then speaks to us through them.

Anyway, it helps to write this blog...getting everything out and seeing it in front of me is helping already. I'm praying for clarity, direction and some much needed sleep tonight!! I need that peace!! God really is in control...and His timing is really perfect...I am truly trusting Him for taking care of all of this for us!! Thank you God that You are in control. Thank you God for being so in love with me that You always care for my needs even before I knew there was a need for another HOME!!! I love you!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T12:26:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!
I've been taking the facebook challenge of posting daily something that I'm thankful for...so I've been celebrating Thanksgiving for a while now. I don't want to stop once Thanksgiving is over...

I love this time of year...more than any other. I love the crisp weather...colorful leaves....the coziness of curling up with a blanket, candles, and a sweet romantic movie!! I love that it gets dark early...meaning that all my children come in earlier from playing outside. Of course in a couple of months...I'll change my tune and decide that spring is my favorite time of year...I'm fickle!! :)

I'm looking forward to seeing my sister-in-law and her kiddos. They are on their way home from Indiana. They won't be here for Christmas...so we have to do this holiday up good!! Maybe a movie tonight...yummy meal tomorrow...perhaps a little shopping and of course we have to celebrate Christmas on Saturday with them.

Holidays are wonderful....having family to celebrate with is PERFECT!!

Kinda Bummed

2009-11-07T20:02:00.003-06:00

Well, today was our Open House. I spent most of my Friday night tightening up the loose ends of getting the house spic/span. Since Kevin got hit with the Hiny flu this past weekend, and had to miss work...it was his turn to work today. So, I really didn't have a whole lot of help from him. Which was a little frustrating...but couldn't be helped. Anyway, when Kevin woke up this morning at 5:30...I did too. He went to work and I began all of the last minute chores.

I was very optimistic all day long, til I heard from our realtor at 3:00. She called and said there were no lookers. Then she called a few minutes later and said that as she was leaving...someone came to look, so she stayed and let them look. So, I'm a little bummed. I know God has the perfect buyer for our house and I know everything works out according to His timing. So, we sit and we wait.

I wonder if I've ever mentioned that I'm not a very good "waiter". Patience is definitely not one of my strong points. Now, Kevin on the other hand, reminds me frequently that we are NOT in a hurry to sell. And I say "I know"....but then I am secretly shooting daggers....I don't like hearing him say this!!!! :)

Well....even though I'm kinda bummed....I've still got hope. I know once the right buyer likes what they see....we'll be so pleased and awed at God's perfect timing!!!!

Another Sick Day

2009-10-28T13:16:00.004-05:00

Yep, we're home again today!! I guess I spoke too soon yesterday about the girls feeling better. Last night, they began running another fever and having killer headaches. This flu is stupid.

I haven't done a whole lot today...b/c I have a headache. I can't stand the thought of wasting a day at home...but I do believe I'm entitled every so often to just kinda be lazy.

I have alot of things floating around in my head. Maybe that's why I have a headache. I sometimes wish I wasn't a "thinker" all the time. Here's why: I overanalyze anything that anyone tells me....I tend to make more out of observations that I have.....I notice quite a bit...in general...I'm the kind of person that goes to Braum's and watches people. I have always wondered why big people order a banana split and then a diet drink to go with it. Seriously...what's the point. Just go ahead and order the hard stuff....you've already decided to intake over 1000 calories...what's 200 more??

Here's another thing floating in my head....FAT. The idea of the fat is floating in my head...but the reality is seeing it overhang on the sides of me. YUCKY....so now I have to do Weight Watchers again and I need to work out.

Well....I suppose I should do something that makes me feel productive today...

H1N1

2009-10-27T09:08:00.003-05:00

The nasty H1N1 has made it's visit to our house. I shouldn't be surprised because it's going around like crazy right now. But....since the "buzz" started in March about the swine flu, I've prayed diligently that God would put a hedge of protection around us so that we would be spared. I had the flu a couple of years ago....and I shall never forget just how awful I felt!!!! So, I was a little paranoid at first. However, after the doctor visit yesterday, I'm feeling a little more confident about all of this. You see, it took the full 10 or 15 minutes for the test to come up positive...and even then the doctor said it was a "weak +". ( I wanted to say...is that like sorta having a positive pregnancy test?) So, I've concluded that although God didn't keep us completely away from this flu...He has not given us more than we can handle here.....and I know He healing is at hand.

I'm so very blessed to have many people in my life that truly care about me and my family. It is a great comfort when my kiddos are sick or something is going on. There is one person right now though that I'm really struggling with my attitude towards. This person I've known for a long time. I'm hoping that God will give me the grace to deal with this person and I'm praying for wisdom concerning all the details as to why I'm not happy!! So, a little update will sure to follow!!

Well...I am home today with the girls....so I better get busy disinfecting our germy home!!

I'm pooped...

2009-10-16T15:07:00.003-05:00

I'm pooped!! We are scheduled to have an open house in about 3 weeks....so I've been doing some "deep" cleaning this fall break. I'm tired already of going through stuff and we don't even have a contract on our house yet!! Not good at all!!

I do have some great help though....My kiddos have really helped out!! Yay for free child labor!! I feed them pretty good and they will work happily for full tummies!! So far I can cross the following off my "to do" list: painted front bathroom, changed over my closet from spring/summer to fall/winter, purging some closet stuff, kitchen drawers and cabinets cleaned out, and my frig is clean too!!! I haven't yet attempted to do any of the outside chores yet. I suppose we can do that tomorrow!!

I am really wishing that we would have some lookers at our house. I keep anticipating to get a phone call...but I haven't!! Oh well...I suppose that is more time for us to get the house in tip-top shape!!!!

Fall Breaking...

2009-10-15T07:05:00.002-05:00

It's fall break time!! I have quite the "to do" list for this break. Most of the time I like to use fall break to do a little cleaning/organizing/purging....and switching over the closet from spring/summer to fall/winter!! However, I'm going to attempt some projects on my own that otherwise require the help of my guy. I'm going to paint our front bathroom, do some landscaping in the front and some garage cleaning. I'm anticipating that we'll have an open house soon. That makes me kind of nervous!! I'm a perfectionist...so having people milling in/out of our home and making comments that would undoubtedly get back to me makes me a little crazy. Cause I want everyone to like to everything they see!!!!

The weather has been so fall like around here. The cloudiness and cool weather (ok, cold) is a little fun!! But it has this way of making me really sleepy at all times of the day!! But I like it!!

Kevin just found out his "outage" schedule yesterday. It's kind of a bittersweet thing...because the money is always appreciated!!! But IF for some reason someone buys our house say like in the next 2 weeks and we have to close in 30 days....most of the packing will rest on my shoulders. I'm a good cleaner, purger, give away kind of gal....packing is not my forte. I do fine for about 3 boxes or tubs...then I get impatient and start pulling out the garbage bags. Cause seriously...we're not moving 700 miles away....we're just moving across town.

Well...I will do my next post when I make some progress on the "to do" list!! I like the before...but I LOVE the after!!!!

Beautiful fall!!

2009-10-12T22:04:00.003-05:00

I love this time of year....actually I love every single season and I am always ready for the new season to come when it's time for it to come!! This fall is particularly nice. I like the crisp temps, the pretty colors of the mums and seeing the pumpkins being displayed!!

I have tried not to be so busy that I can't appreciate the beauty of it all!! But it's hard!!! We've got our house up for sale. So, I'm consumed with doing all the fine tuning to keep our house sharp for the right family to buy!!! Speaking of that....(come on...you knew I was going to find a way to write about that!!) I've been a little discouraged lately that we haven't had many lookers. And it's kind of funny...cause every time I get that discouraging feeling...I get a phone call from our realtor or have a conversation with Kevin or a friend that encourages me!! Hmmm....I suppose I can take some strength from that!! :)

I'm pretty pumped that we are out of school on Thursday and Friday!! I have my "to do" list all made out and ready to go!!!! It's a long list and it consists of some stuff like....painting our front bathroom all by myself!!!....completely re-organizing and purging all kitchen and laundry room cabinets....and of course changing over my closet from spring/summer to fall/winter.

Since my last few posts, I've become very much at peace with our decision to sell our house and to move. I have been pointed to several scriptures in my Bible and spent countless hours in prayer. Kevin and I have talked and deliberated about this from all angles. Things fell together rather quickly....like finding the house we have fallen in love with, the financing, and choosing our realtor. We've looked at several houses and have crossed many off the list...except for the 2nd one we looked at!!!! In case you don't know this about me....I tend to obsess about things like this...imagine the patience my husband has had to exercise!!!!

Anyway...I'm expectantly waiting for the next chapter to begin in this little saga.....

Hmmm....

2009-09-29T10:17:00.003-05:00

Hmmm....I still have lots going through my tired little brain!! We are deep into this real estate stuff. I forgot how much time and energy it takes to sell/buy houses. Anyway....we haven't had any more lookers on our house yet. I'm confident though that we are going to make it through this process better than we were when we started it. Whether we buy the house we have all fallen in love with or something different....God is bringing us closer as a family in a sweet way.

One thing also that I forgot about the whole selling process is how impeccably clean one must leave their house every morning when going to work. You just never know when your house will be shown...so every bed has to be made, every towel hung up, every laundry basket needs to look sparse, every dish must be in the dishwasher or put away, pillows fluffed, crumbs swept....you get the picture. So, there is no time for lolly-gagging in the mornings. I'll have to remember this is really not a huge stretch of inconvenience...just a little extra time. So, when we move, maybe I could keep up this trend?? Nah, probably not!!

I'm taking a sick day today because Kaylyn got sick last night and it was rather nasty. Here's the deal...we are not a good throw-uppy famiy. When one of us has just one huge yack, we're down for the next 14 hours. I don't understand how a person can do a throwup so violently and then turn around the next day and be normal. My insides hurt like crazy. So, anyone out there that doesn't understand why one round of yackiness causes me to call in and take a sick day...just don't judge....just nod and know that thought it doesn't happen often...when it does, I'll be the first to call in and take a day of rest!!

Have a great day....I know I'll be disinfecting, cleaning out a drawer or cabinet or something and enjoying a little extra quiet today!!

How do you know??

2009-09-25T15:00:00.003-05:00

We put our house on the market this week. It's already been shown once too. I'm having some anxiety issues with this too. I need some advice...some good sound Bible-based advice...wisdom. The older I get, the harder it seems for me to become at peace with decisions that are major ones to make. I mull things over and over like beating it with a dead fish or something. To the point that I know it gets on Kevin's nerves....and probably most likely the nerves of my friends too.

How do you truly know that going out on a limb to sell your house is the right move to make? How do you know that anytime making any kind of a huge purchase is the right thing to do? I'm great at giving advice to others...even when they didn't ask for it...I feel like it's my right to interject what I think others should do. But, it's a teeny bit different when it is yourself. I know God will put up the stops if He sees us doing something that is detrimental to our family's well-being. I know he puts people in our paths to guide us....I know all of this. But, I don't know if what we're doing is what God is truly desiring us to do. I've prayed and prayed and prayed. Sometimes I think I "will" things into motion and then convince myself that God has paved the way. I don't know if that makes sense....but I really need some feedback here. And here's something else that keeps floating around in my mind.... Am I wanting too much in wanting a 4 bdrm house?? Am I spoiled?? Will buying this dream house in my head lead me to contentment? Seriously....all I ever really wanted in wanting a 4 bdrm house was more in the future: when all our children are grown, I want them to come to our house and feel like they have a place here...a bit of privacy while being altogether at the same time. A home. I want our home to be their safe place from this cruel world - their haven!! I think about the last 7 years that the girls have shared their bedroom and in reflecting, I have watched a beautiful relationship get so tight that they can truly say that they are best friends. Will that be lost if we move into a bigger home?

Kevin and I have made some huge blunders in our married life when it came to making decisions. We've also reaped the blessings over and over for the wise ones we've made too. I don't like regrets. So, if you are reading this and feel inspired to respond...I'll gladly take whatever thoughts you have into consideration!!

A Month In...

2009-09-19T08:08:00.003-05:00

It's been a long while since I last updated my blog!! Not that anyone has probably noticed, cause I doubt anyone reads it...but....it's good to put my thoughts on here, helps me to reflect later on.

Last time I updated, I was so excited that the architect was going to draw us some plans to add onto our house. Well, sad to say that it was a "no-go"...and now we're going to look at a house tomorrow after church to see if moving is what we want to do. Everyone in the family is all for it, except Big Daddy!! He's the one that makes the most and works the longest hours...so his opinion is crucial!!! But over the past month, Kevin has gone from NO I don't want to move, to well let's see what this house looks like...to even coming home the other day telling me what all we must do to get our house ready to list!! WOW!!! :)

School has been in session for over a month now with kids and almost 2 months for me counting all the hours the I put into moving into my room and getting it ready for kiddos. What a relaxing year it has been too. I have 19 kiddos....and nobody has any big issues. Learning or behavioral-wise. It's been kind of nice also to be in a different hallway. I get to greet the kids as they come off the bus and that's fun for me.

I'm learning FINALLY the art of keeping my mouth shut. My mouth gets me into all sorts of trouble and I've prayed about my mouth and when I hear God say....STOP...I've been walking away and that's been good for me. I want to live out Psalm 119:1 in my life.

I had my yearly checkup this week...that's always so much fun for me. Everything went fine, except when the doctor said for me to keep up with my blood pressure for a couple of weeks. It was a little high in his office...DUH...I hate going to the dr.!!!!! So, the commitment to working hard on the treadmill or going for walks will have to be REAL!!! I refuse to have to resort to blood pressure medication!!!! I stopped drinking pop on a regular basis a long time ago...I already drink at least 32 ounces of water while I'm at school daily.....and I stick to a pretty good diet at school with brining lunches and eating a healthy breakfast...plus I don't use table salt for anything unless baking. So.....I guess it comes down to working out and getting enough sleep!!!!

I'll post later on all of these updates.....

The Verdict is In!!

2009-08-04T07:05:00.003-05:00

Well after almost 7 years of living in our home and dreaming of oneday adding on some more living space to make it perfect...we decided to get an architect's professional opinion on the matter. And he did. And it's not what I wanted to hear. He came to our house and drew things on graph paper and measured...he listened to Kevin and I describe to him the perfect new master suite...I felt like we were on an HGTV show!! Then a month later, after he had time to research covenants, easement lines, utility lines, planning commission bumble jumble....it won't work. At first I was ok with all of this. "At least we know" is the phrase that kept coming to mind....but now the realization of that dream never coming to life has made me very heartbroken. I love our house....most of the time. You see, I want a home that has 4 bedrooms. I want my girls to have their own space...because that's what they really want. And when looking ahead to the future...I want them to be excited to come home when they are in college, etc. I suppose the logical thing to do is to sell our house and find the perfect home....and I have. It's actually in our neighborhood a couple of streets over and it's empty!! However, I am afraid by the time I convince Kevin we should sell...someone will already have snatched it!! Moving is alot of work....I've done it quite a bit since we've been married. But everytime we've moved, it's been a cleansing process. We've purged junk, thrown away stuff that needed to be thrown, had garage sales, and taken stuff to Goodwill by the truckloads. That's the work part of moving...but after the move has taken place and the last box unpacked, there's always this sense of everything being clean and fresh!!!! That's the best feeling after moving!!!
I feel this sense of urgency that we need to do something soon like today. I think that's called an anxiety disorder...and that's where Kevin gets completely out of sorts with me. He is so laid back and relaxed and I'm so NOT!!! Perhaps, God is continueing to do a work in me....and I know He has his hands full with me!!
Anyway, I know this story isn't finished yet. Kevin and I have alot to think about and alot to talk about. We seem to process at different speeds....which is kind of frustrating....but good in the longterm. So, as we continue this new little journey called the future....I'll keep praying for God's wisdom!!

The other "New Year"

2009-07-29T07:31:00.003-05:00

Every January 1 is the ultimate in New Year's Resolutions!! But when you are a student OR a teacher there is another "new year" and it starts in August when school starts!!! Everyone thinks that kids are only ones with new expectations for their new grade level and they are the only ones that need school clothes and supplies and they are the only ones that need haircuts!! Excuse me...but I'm a school teacher and I'm the oversized student!! I love to go and find a few new outfits, maybe a pair of shoes, get my hair cut/colored the week before inservice, go to mardels and buy lots of stuff for my classroom and finally I absolutely LOVE getting my room ready for the 1st day!!!! I have done this now for 36 years...it started when I was 5!! So, this is my New Year's!! So, since you have to make resolutions for the Jan. 1 new year....I also revisit those resolutions when August hits. I have actually done a terrible job of keeping my last resolutions....I did great til April....and then haven't given them a thought til now. Oh well!!! So, I suppose since I have a new start and new schedule and all...I should at least attempt to pull off some of those resolutions. I have no idea how this schedule will unfold. I'm taking Ryan to High School....:( every morning, he will be dropped off to me in the afternoons by a sweet friend, and then we'll be coming home. This is where things get a little fuzzy....should I then drop the kids off at home and then go to the rec center to work out? Or...should I find a nice little routine that involves walking around my 'hood and biking too? That would be the cheaper fix....but I have found that if I pay for gym memberships, then I go and workout. Something about paying!! Anyway...the eating right thing falls into place when school starts...b/c I take my lunch. I take the normal turkey sandwich, fat free pringles, weight watcher yogurt and some purple grapes!! I'll be shedding a good 3 pounds the first couple of weeks.....
Oh well...I'm looking forward to an awesome school year!! Ryan will have lots to talk about daily!! Christen will be in the 7th grade with all her peeps and Kaylyn will be at the south campus. Lots of changes...but God is good and He is my strength always!!

Thinking in Print

2009-07-22T07:09:00.003-05:00

I've always heard of people "thinking out loud"...so instead of rambling audibly, I am choosing to "think in print".
I've done a lousy, and I truly mean LOUSY, job of watching my weight this summer. Actually my weight really hasn't gone up...rather what is unacceptable is that all the work I did to tone up all last year, has disappeared. I have been hit/miss to the gym and more miss than hit. I've given in to cravings and such in the food area too. I always tell my family that "tomorrow" I'm going to start that new workout routine and such....hasn't happened all summer.
I really want to get my classroom all together so I can feel like I'm a little more free. I have some little chores that I'd like to get done before school starts. Things like getting my carpets cleaned and going through my closet!!
The architect came a couple of weeks ago to tell us what we can or can't do in the way of building onto our house. We've talked and talked about building on to our house...but never what are options were. He hasn't called us back yet....he said it would be a little while longer...he's rather busy. So, as we patiently wait for him to show us what he's drawn, Kevin and I have talked about time frames of when to begin, etc. Of course the kids are also anxious...this means the girls won't have to share their bedroom anymore....which makes me a little sad. I know they each deserve their own space and they are truly excited about re-decorating their "new" rooms...but they have many memories of sharing their room. I was talking to my brother about all of this and his advice was not to build on...I asked him why and he said because the bigger the house, the more it hinders closeness in the family. I've thought alot about that lately. Do we want bigger houses to have more space away from the ones we love the most? because we're out to show off? or to adequately accomodate all members?? I really never thought that a big house would hinder our tightness I enjoy so much as a family.
I think my brain in now empty....
If you have any insights or comments...I want to read them!!!!

Cool Deal!!

2009-07-21T16:50:00.003-05:00

I have been faithfully working on my NEW classroom lately. I really enjoy being in my classroom and trying to figure out where to put furniture, where to put all of my wall decor, and just trying to figure out how I see my year unfolding. It's really really fun!! It's also a little expensive...because I like to buy stuff for my room every July! This July has been no different. Last year, I think I figured I spent well over $600 in July just for my classroom...and it was my 19th year to teach. That was a little over the top...but Ineeded things: desk chair that wasn't embarrassing, new blinds for my windows...and I splurged on the faux wood kind, instead of the cheapo deapo kind, a nice big plushy red rug, and a table/lamp combo to sit with my rocker. Anyway, I wanted to stay more reasonable this summer and I think I have....to date I think I've spent about half of what I spent last summer. But the deal that I got today at Walmart was a cool deal....it's called 2 saucer chairs for my reading area for $38...together!!! I had been looking online for about a week now for seating. I was going back and forth on the bean bags vs. something from Lakeshore (which is very pricey). And when I saw these saucer chairs, it was just meant to be!! I can't wait to place them in their places tomorrow when I return to try to finish my masterpiece of a classroom!!

Vacation is over...

2009-07-08T16:54:00.003-05:00

Our family vacation has come and gone already!! We did something completely different this year...we didn't go to the beach. We went to Michigan. Why?? Well...we thought doing something different and going back to the country where Kevin and his family are from would be a great thing for the kids. The weather there was cooler than the weather here..which was good. But...can I say it??? It wasn't the BEACH!!! We are beach-lovers...always have been and always will be!!! We had fun in Michigan...but it was a different kind of fun. It was the kind of fun that was family fun. My sister-in-law and 2 of her kiddos came along as well as Kevin's folks. We enjoyed being together as a family. We ate meals together, shopped together, and enjoyed some sights together. That was fun!!

Kevin now thinks that we should go to Colorado for our next family vacation....so I have exactly 11 months to try to convince him that the rest of us would really really really enjoy another BEACH vacation!!!!

What in the world???

2009-07-02T07:20:00.003-05:00

Every 6 months I enjoy the privilege of taking my 3 kiddos to the dentist for their checkups. And every 6 months I get to read the literature provided by the office while I wait for 1 hour for all 3 to cycle through!! Well, this week was the week to do that again. So, I picked up I think 2 or 3 different People magazines and was sickened as to the content. There was a little survey in one of them about the Hollywood Star's view of Gay marriages....and all 5 or 6 that were surveyed were in complete agreement on how if 2 people love each other and are committed to each other than the fact that they may be a same sex couple shouldn't be an issue. Judge not lest you be judged sort of thinking. These stars have shows that my kids like to watch on Disney. Miley Cyrus was one that really popped...can't remember the others cause I didn't know them. Anyway...what in the world is going on??? I would rather not go into ALL the many reasons why being a homosexual is against God's Word...His word speaks for itself!!!!! What in the world are people thinking??? Why am I being completely bombarded with this nastiness?? It's on every single primetime show it seems, every single soap opera now has a story with a gay couple, and now in print. I'm seriously appalled...and I just wonder if anyone else feels the same way? Why is it not politically correct to oppose homosexuality? Why are straight people shunned for feeling that gayness is wrong??? And why is it that you automatically know when you either see someone or hear someone talk that they are gay?? Why do gay guys want to look like women and gay women want to look like guys?? Does anyone else see this as very odd?? And if you'd like to stretch your brain a little....it's not even natural to be gay. I'm talking about the act here. How can 2 people of the same sex enjoy the act when the parts don't exactly match up?? Gross!!!!!!!
I love that God created us for HIS purpose. HIS ways are always right and pure!!!!! And there are alot of rewards to this life when we follow HIS plan for our lives. I'm learning that for my sake and the sake of my children, that I'm going to have to be alot more conscious of the viewing decisions we make concerning TV. It's a shame that a company like Disney does so much to support the gay/lesbian community. I'm afraid that God's disgust and utter anger towards the way our country has leaned to make the gay community more accepted is not going to be pretty. And one more thing....has there ever been a homosexual that has "woke up and smelled the coffee" that what they were doing was totally wrong in God's eyes and then changed because they were convicted to change?? You never hear about those stories...however, there has to be at least one.....sure would like to hear that story.

Staying Afloat

2009-06-28T13:36:00.003-05:00

This may truly sound funny...but I can't seem to swim underwater!!! What's up with that? The more I think I'm swimming underwater, the loves of my life in the pool with me, remind me that I'm just floating!! How on earth does that happen? I used to know how to swim underwater, even though it was never my favorite way to swim....I could do it "once up a time"!! Oh well...I suppose I'll do what I tell my own kids to do....keep practicing!! All three of our kiddos are excellent swimmers...Kevin is also an excellent swimmer....now I just need to join in the clique!!! I got a mask yesterday and it is helping me with the water up the nose issue. I'll post later when I've mastered the skill of swimming underwater!!!!

God's Mercies

2009-06-24T06:46:00.003-05:00

I have a little "situation". It's called "I opened up my big fat mouth syndrome". I'm just reminded through this deal that my tongue is a sharp object that really needs some more taming. I thought I was wise and mature...and I truly think I am....but yesterday I was not. So, after apologizing to my sweet sweet friend, I had to drop and pray. Isn't it amazing how forgiving God is? And isn't it also amazing how He brings Christian friends in our paths that are also able to forgive?? True forgiveness and true love comes from Christ. How wonderfully comforting is that?? I am experiencing His mercies today!!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2009-06-12T17:16:00.003-05:00

Man...I've really neglected this blog thing!! I've been really busy lately. It's amazing too...cause with school being out...I should have some extra time on my hands. Ryan graduated from Justus on May 15 and that began a whirlwind month!!!! Following that was our last week of school and that just is a crazy week no matter what. But...I'd like to take a minute and do a little bragging: Ryan was awarded the Wildcat Pride award!! It goes to an 8th grade boy and girl that exhibits characteristics of what it means to be a Wildcat and voted on by the teachers in the district. What an honor!!!!!! Then we went on the 8th grade trip to Branson. That was a really neat time...very organized and fun!!!!!!!! After we got back from that, the girls had dance recital. I love watching them dance.... After that fun time....we packed up and went to church camp. (Just the girls and I). And finally this week....I went to Great Expectations. Yes, it's been busy...but it's been memorable and that's the sweetest thing!!
Now, I have a couple of weeks to do some things I have needed to get done for a while: yard work, closet cleaning, etc. Then the first part of July, we leave for vacation: going to Michigan this year. It will be lots of fun....but I'm secretly going to miss my beach retreat at Casey Key, Florida!!!! But, we'll have that to look forward to next year.
This is my birthday weekend...so my wonderful friends are hosting an eat out night and movie time tonight!!! I'm looking forward to spending some time with my peeps. We always start out talking about important stuff: kids, husbands, pet peeves, funny things that happened during the week, and ultimately we end up talking about school. When we retire and get wrinkly....will we still talk about school???

Mother's Day

2009-05-09T18:55:00.003-05:00

This is Mother's Day weekend. This blog is dedicated to just that...I love my mother so much. Growing up, I never doubted her love for me....and I always dreamed of being the kind of mom she was to me to my own children. She came to all the school parties and functions. She got excited about events happening to me as I grew. I remember one time being initiated into the FHA...and she knew about it...and kept it a secret from me. When the girls came knocking and running in my room at 5:30 a.m. to get me up for school...she was right behind them taking pictures!! We used to make "wacky cake" on Sunday afternoons. She used to sit outside for hours in summer watching my brother and I play. She was the mom that took my friends and I to walmart, to VBS, to the pool in town, or simply go pick them to bring them back to our house to play. As I grew, we were close. She would write letters to me when I went to college. She and I would talk for hours on the phone when I got my first real job as a teacher in Gentry, AR. Then after Kevin and I got married, we still spent time talking on the phone...daily!!! She came to the hospital in the middle of the night when I went in to have Ryan. Big deal, cause we lived in Gentry...she in Claremore. That's about a 2 1/2 hour drive.....at 1 a.m. She came and stayed for a few days after I got home from the hospital with Ryan. When we moved back to Claremore...we still stayed close. I suppose since we've lived here...I've taken the closeness for granted....b/c we don't talk everyday now. As I ponder Mother's Day from the perspective of the child...I need to make a better effort to keep the closeness real for me and for her.

My own children remind me daily of how much they love me. The hugs, kisses, gestures of love keep me so filled of the Mother's Day spirit. It's alive everyday...not just one day out of the year that is on the calendar. I thank God daily that I am a Mom. There is so much joy, contentment, and Love in being a mother. I'm truly blessed!!!

What a week!!

2009-05-08T21:01:00.003-05:00

What a week it's been!! Lots of rain fell this week and also last week!! This has created a terrible thing...INSIDE recess. With school getting close to being out...the last thing a teacher or student likes is yucky inside recess. Rain leads to other problems too...an increase on the volume of children's voices and high blood pressure...b/c of nerve damage due to the close proximity of children in a classroom....BUT there is good news...and it is called 10 days!!! That's how many school days we have til the last day....but here's how I do the math: 1 personal day next Friday + 1 Fun Day + 1 Awards assembly day +1 AR goal party day =4...so 10 - 4 =6....I can do anything for 6 days...gee....I can do most anything for 10 days too!!!!

I always tend to reflect on the school year as it gets closer to being over....b/c sometimes that's when the full circle comes together and you finally see the "big picture". I think the big picture for me is still a little foggy and unclear. I really have enjoyed this year. I have enjoyed teaching 2nd grade and the looping thing has been totally awesome for me. There are so many ideas floating around in my head for next year. I have learned so much this year and I can't wait to build on it next year. There are some things that I'm going to change next year too. But I'm so totally excited about moving into a new classroom that's bigger, has more storage and finally has way more outlets!!!! YIPPEE!!!!

Change is hard for me. If you know me at all....you know that it takes quite a bit to get me to change to some stuff and for some stuff I welcome change. One thing that I'm dealing with is my children getting older. They are changing....and I'm so happy that they are embarking into new seasons of their lives...it's natural and normal and exciting!! I just don't want them to change too fast!!! I need time to process a.k.a. enjoying their seasons....everything MUST slow down in order for me to accomplish that goal.

I suppose that is all for now...I know I'll have more to post as we experience our oldest child graduating from the 8th grade next week. What a week this will be for me!!!

3 weeks...

2009-04-24T17:41:00.003-05:00

3 weeks til our son graduates from the 8th grade. It's a big deal at our school....especially since Ryan has gone to JT since PK. Honestly, that time flew by and left me with my head spinning. It's not a small fee to graduate from the 8th grade. Let's see....we've laid down more than $400 for the class trip...(b/c we're all 5 going!!), another $150 on a tux, and then there will be some to pay towards the after party. Oh...and I have to get a new dress!!! I'm just wondering how much I'll have shell out for senior graduation....and that'll be the year that Kaylyn graduates from the 8th grade too!!!! Gee Whiz!!!!

This is totally random but my intern was doing a lesson today on the planets......here's what I heard...."Did you guys know that Ur-anus is the gassiest planet in our solar system?" Oh my goodness....I laughed so hard (away from the innocent children of course). Oh and then I hear this as they are doing their planet mobile from a child: "What color is Ur-anus?" I think that's rather private...don't you think??? Again, I'm laughing hysterically!!!! Teaching is such a fun job and I get much exercise from laughing daily!!!!

Oh my....

2009-04-23T17:22:00.004-05:00

I didn't realize that's it's been over a month since I've last updated my blog!! Well...let's see if I can remember to include all the things that have touched my life these past few weeks... For starters, I lost a colleague to lung cancer. She was truly a lovely person...passionate about anything that had to do with books. She enjoyed children and stretching their brains. She loved her family dearly and I came to realize in the past few months of her life that she was a Christian. I know where she is now...but it doesn't make the void she left behind any less sad. She is missed....Dear Teresa....I'm walking in Relay for Life next week for you sweetie!!!

I've had to enroll our son in high school this week. CHS has changed alot in the last 22 years. Courses have changed...the campus has changed and the teachers have changed. But one thing remains....they still have a nutty mascot: Zebras!!! I do feel a little old now. Why the crap do parents have sign this piece of paper that gives the school permission to teach my child about STD's and AIDs? Why have we let our society get to the point where schools have to teach those things because it isn't taught at home?? Why must we be politically correct when talking about sin? Why can't sin just be called sin because it is sin instead of sugar coating it and making excuses for it? (Can't believe I just got off on that tangent in the second paragraph!!)

Kevin and I have forever been talking about building onto our house. We'll talk about it and then table the discussion because we're both scared about the extra financial part of the equation. But...we've opened up the discussion again. This time we're going to have an architect come and let us know how we can add on and what our options are....then I suppose we'll look at the options and figure out if it's something we want to dive into. I know our home is a blessing from God and we are so blessed to have a place to call home.

I guess I'll finish this up and write more later!!!!

Rambling...

2009-03-20T15:30:00.003-05:00

Apparently I erased the "spring break" entry. I have no idea how...but I think I said some pretty earth shattering things in that entry and now I have no idea what earth shattering things I said. Oh well!! Maybe it happened for a reason?!

I'm pretty good at rambling...so here goes. I'm loving this working out stuff. I think I've discovered that variety is key for me. By variety, I mean taking some classes outside my comfort zone. I like routine. If anyone knows me at all...they would probably all agree that I'm the MOST predictable person they know. I thrive on routine and to some extent that is good, I suppose. But...I've really enjoyed "spicing" things up with going to these work out classes. I love spin class. I love my Triple Whammy class. And I really love the total toning class too!! When school is out, I'm going to try Pilates. So, those of you that know me best...watch it...I'm stepping outside my box.

Doing all this working out has been good for me in other ways too. The girls enjoy going to swim when I'm being "studious". I finally feel confident that they can swim without me there in the pool area and they like the "responsible feeling" too. I've enjoyed getting to know all the different instructors. And inviting friends to come along is fun too. Especially when they come and they like it, so they end up getting a membership. That's the best!!!!

Ryan and Kevin spend more time together when us girls are at the rec center. I'm secretly going to brainwash them and see if they will join us!! Of course, we have to wait til the outage is over and Kevin recovers from all the OT.

I got quite a bit accomplished this week. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and conducive to working!! I love it when I can cross things off of my mental and written "to do" list. I need to tie up some loose ends like giving my house a quick tidy up, grade some papers (ugh), iron clothes for next week and make up a few things ahead for dinners next week. I love it when that stuff is all done!!!!

One more thing...I'm directing VBS again this year. I took last year off since we went to Florida and times didn't work out....but I'm really looking forward to this year. I like getting to know the people of our church in a more deeper way...the way you get to know them when you work closely with them for a stretch of time. You know...I tell my kids this all the time....You can NEVER EVER have too many friends. That is exactly true!!! Making friends and then enjoying the friendship is something wonderful. I love my best friend to pieces!!! I love the phone conversations we have, the school email dialogue that we send back and forth, and the many other commonalities we share. I also love the many other friends that God has given to me. Each one has a very special place in my heart and each one God placed in my life for a reason. I don't think I do enough or say enough about how I feel about my friends. I'm sure that if you are reading this and stuck with this entry this long....then you are a true friend...and I need you to know that I treasure you!!!

Spring Break

2009-03-17T14:40:00.004-05:00

Been a While

2009-03-10T16:07:00.003-05:00

It's been a long while since I've last blogged. I've got spring fever!! I'm ready for spring break. I have a lot on my to-do list!! I want to clean out closets from top to bottom, clean out drawers and cabinets, clean out my garage, and do a total detail on my car. I'd also like to work in my classroom just a teeny bit to get things a little spiffy for the last bit of the year we have left. I'm so excited that I have an intern for the next 8 weeks. She is a sweet person with a beautiful smile!! My kiddos love her and can't wait for her to start teaching!! I love watching people teach. I learn so much from their style and their art of teaching!!

It's outage time again. What that means to a wife of a guy that works at PSO is that I'm a single mom for about 6 weeks. It's OK. I don't really mind it....and here's the reason: I prayed for nearly 3 years that my husband would somehow find a job that was something he enjoyed, closer to home and with a good amount of job security. What I didn't realize is just how amazing and precise God is. He answered that prayer so beautifully AFTER Kevin went through a series of tests on his liver and we found out that he has this condition called Hemochromotosis (too much iron.) and his previous insurance had paid those big bills. I guess the reason that I find it so precise is that His timing on when Kevin was offered that job was when Kevin seemed to be at his lowest at his previous job. God brought us out of some financial debt in order for Kevin to be able to take a job that paid a little less than what he had been making. How awesome was that??!! Well...I'lll tell you....he actually made more that year than he'd made in the previous few years!!!!!! God is good and so very faithful when we ask and when we are obedient. I'm OK with outage time...two years ago at this time Kevin was offered this job and he's never looked back, except with amazement. I know so many people are being affected by this economy and things do look bleak....but the beauty of being a child of the King is that I don't worry too much that I'm going to go without....if God takes care of the birds....I certainly can be assured that HE'll take care of me and my family!!!! I say thank you every single day that He's given me exactly what I need!!!!

The trouble with blogging for me is that I start chatting about one thing and end up on a totally different thing by the end of this...if you've been patient enough to read this....then God Bless You!!!!

Stuff

2009-02-20T10:30:00.003-06:00

Well...I'm home today because 2 of my kiddos are sickly feeling. I know lots of "stuff" is going around. Tummy stuff, sore throat stuff, and allergy stuff are hindering lots of folks from taking care of their daily business. I guess it's hit our house.
I haven't blogged in a while cause I've been really distracted. I can't say that I've been busy...cause I seem to find time to do what I enjoy doing. I can't seem to stay focused on something for longer than a minute. That's not my nature either. Maybe I need a small vacation? Who knows. I thought last week when I visited my favorite Claremore place called Cato's that it would help me regain focus. Sometimes if I do some retail therapy it helps me in so many areas of my life....this time it didn't. What I think (actually what I know) is that I need to spend more time focusing on Christ and less time focusing on me. When my quiet times are right, my prayer time consistent my focus shifts to Him and I begin to lose the "it's all about me" focus. So, I do know what's going on. I do know that I need to lay everything down and I need to do what is going to bring glory to God and here's the best the part....the outcome will be more than satisfying it will be sweet. Maybe in doing this a sweet wonderful friend will reap the benefit of my obedience in her struggles too. It's amazing that when we pray for our family and friends (especially when they aren't aware of our praying for them) how God is turned loose to do mighty things in their lives as well. It's brings tears to my eyes that God is so BIG. So, my faithful friend that reads my blog and loves to quote things I say here....Keep your faith alive. God is bigger than we are. If we are obedient in our thoughts, actions and speech....He will protect us!! You are such an inspiration to me. Just remember Esther 4:14. In fact...I think I will read that chapter again in a little bit.

Back to School

2009-01-30T17:11:00.004-06:00

That should be a post in August....not in January!! Oh well...after being off for 3 days, we went back to school today. Sometime during this little weather break I developed a head cold. So I went back all congested and nasally sounding. YUCK.

It's wierd to go to school on a Monday and come back on a Friday. What in the world do I do with all those beautiful lesson plans that I worked so fervently on last week?? Well...I figured things out quickly today. I don't think it was a lost day. I taught some 2 digit subtraction with borrowing. I think my kids actually have that all figured out now!! YIPPEE!!!!

All in all...I was glad to get back to our normal routine. It's amazing how I crave routine...I love a day off during the week once in a while....but too much of a good thing is too much!!! I'm also so very excited to be going to my in-laws for dinner tonight. I do not like planning meals on Friday nights. I'm usually wiped out and brain dead....so tonight's treat is going to be very nice!!

Soups and such...

2009-01-27T16:09:00.003-06:00

Since we've been "iced in" today...I decided it was a soup day. I only know how to make a couple of different kinds from scratch...so I decided to broaden my horizon of soup making. I made this "to die for" baked potato soup. For some reason I was craving that and lucky for me...I did an excellent job of satisfying my craving. So...since no school tomorrow...I know what's for lunch here!! I also made chicken and dumplings. I didn't taste that cause I was a teeny bit full from lunch...but that also looked very yummy as well. Soups are the ultimate in comfort food. Especially on a cloudy, cold and icy day as today.

Snow Day

2009-01-27T08:35:00.003-06:00

Today is a snow day. Everything in NE Oklahoma is pretty much closed...except for where my husband works. He works at AEP in Oolagah and of course he has to go to work...to make sure we can all have power!! As long as everyone I know and love are safe/sound...then I will enjoy this day.

My agenda for the day is really not exciting for most. But that's ok. I will enjoy this day by relaxing and watching a movie later on, getting all housework/laundry caught up, and maybe making something really yummy to eat. Then, of course, tonight is "Biggest Loser" night.

What is exciting to me is all relative. I'm the kind of a person that enjoys the occassional sick day or snow day or personal day. I always a have a running list in my head or on the back of a store receipt of things that need to be done...so when I can utilize some of this "free" time to get those things done...it's exciting. Time is precious to me. The lack of time causes me to freak out.

I'm so relieved that Kevin made it to work safely and I'm so relieved my parents are at their homes safe and sound as well. My in-laws are right down the road at home too. God truly answers prayers. Thank you God for taking care of the ones that I love the most!!

Future Plans

2009-01-23T20:20:00.004-06:00

Thoughts of the future keep coming into my mind lately. Thoughts about ambition or goals, whatever you want to call it. I've really never thought about getting my Master's degree or going through the National Board Certification process at all. I think these are my reasons....I really love a no stress approach to my life. At least the kind of self-inflicted stress that going to school causes me. I'm 40. I think I'd rather leave goal setting for other things. I don't feel like I'm saying "I'm done with learning"...seriously...I'm a teacher so I don't believe that for a minute. I think what I'm saying is that I'm so very content with where I've gone with academics. I don't think I have to prove anything to anyone. And so much of what I've learned hasn't been taught to me in a classroom. It's been the real world experiences that God has allowed me to learn so much. I'm a pretty laid person about some stuff...but when I have to adhere to deadlines and such, I can turn into a "Piglet" in a flash. I truly admire my friends that have decided to go back to school or become nationally board certified. I think that it's a wonderful learning process that they will always cherish. However, I just don't share that desire. Maybe I will later on....right now though...I've got my mind set on losing 8 pounds. That's just about all the goal-setting I can do at this point!!

Sick Day #2

2009-01-14T09:43:00.003-06:00

What a week this has turned out to be!! Monday, Ryan was sick...Kevin is off on Mondays, so he stayed home with his dad!! Yesterday, Ryan was still not feeling great...so it was my turn. As it turned out, I got 2 phone calls from school telling me that the girls were sick. I picked up Kaylyn at 1:00 and then an hour later I got another call that Christen was sick. What a day!! Kaylyn and Ryan are back to school today. Christen has finally gone about 6 hours since throwing up, so perhaps we're almost back to feeling good??

I do enjoy the calmness of an occasional sick day. It's like a little gift of time that I rarely get. Some don't look at it that way...but if you think about it....if you are anal about getting things crossed off of the never ending list...you may understand where I coming from. You see, I spend a good portion of my Saturdays doing the things to catch up and get ready for the next week. Laundry, shopping, cleaning house, etc. So....if I get this rare gift of time somewhere during my normal week...I can get almost "giddy" about it. Granted, errand running isn't something that I do on sick days...but that other stuff gets done and it's awesome!!

Well...enough said about sick days. Maybe sometime in the next couple of weeks we could get another kind of day called a snow day?? That will be worthy of another post.

Sick days and such

2009-01-13T09:31:00.003-06:00

Today I'm taking a sick day. My only son, Ryan, woke up with a fever yesterday and wouldn't you know it...Kevin was off so I could go to work and get on with the day. I guess the guys fared pretty good yesterday. The girls and I had to go to Oaks, OK for a basketball game right after school. Man...Oaks is pretty darn close to Arkansas!!! Good thing we only do that trip once a season!! Christen played hard the 2nd and 3rd quarters. I love watching her play. Anyway...when I got home last night, I found out that G-pa Lane (aka Dr. Lane :) diagnosed Ryan with some sort of something that requires antibiotics. So, like a responsible mom, I decided to take a sick day today because as all moms know...children MUST be on antibiotics for at least 24 hours before returning to school. So here I am....

Let's review the past 2 weeks: Last week when I was thrown into the whole routine of going to school, working out, going to b-ball games nearly every night, trying to keep up my tidy house and feeding my family healthy home-cooked meals....I pretty much wore myself thin. I crashed hard on Friday night!!! My successes were obvious....I did work out 5 out of 7 days (2 of those workouts happened at 4:45 a.m.) and our budget wasn't completely blown by eating out. This week...well it's only Tuesday and I'm feeling pretty proud again. I did go to the gym yesterday and today at the early hour of 4:45 a.m.

Taking care of sick teens is a bit different than taking care of sick babies. I miss the days of holding my babies and rocking them to sleep. I miss that part of "the old days". I do enjoy them being able to tell me what hurts and how they feel. That's so much more relieving than guessing what it is that's hurting a sick baby. My children will always be my babies...no matter how old they get or how independent they think they are. I miss their babyhood....but I truly cherish every phase of their growing up years. I love listening to them talk like a grown-up, I love listening to the girls when they play with each other, and I love "eaves-dropping" on their conversations with their friends...not just because I'm a nosy mom....but it brings back memories of my own childhood and the conversations I had with my friends.

I have no idea how far I got into left field with this post...I suppose it should be titled "Rambling". Any-who....I do love my children....sometimes I wish I could have one more baby and sometimes I wish I could re-live some of my favorite parts of being a mommy. But...I guess the best part is truly to come.....you think?? I have to wonder sometimes...how could it get any better??

Huge Work-out

2008-12-29T18:53:00.003-06:00

Today I could sing the theme song to "Biggest Loser" and truly mean it!! I did something to make myself feel proud. I joined up at the gym AGAIN!!! I had a blast working out with my friend Deanna!! We also took the kids bowling with their cousins, aunt and Grandma. That's always fun too!! Then because the weather was so gorgeous, I took the girls on a huge long bike ride. I sure hope I can get out of bed in the morning. Also...because our January calendar already looks scary with basketball 3 nights every week, academic practices, dance and just normal stuff...I'm actually entertaining the thought of getting out of bed at 4:30 on two mornings a week to get my work-outs in and stay on track. Remember the key word was "entertaining". We'll see....I know I want to lose 5 pounds by the end of January....so it's going to take more than just entertaining thoughts!!!!

Facebook

2008-12-22T10:22:00.003-06:00

I was recently introduced to Facebook courtesy of one of my roommates from college. I did not know how many people do that facebook thing. It's been kind of fun getting back in touch with my college friends. It's been very interesting in hearing what all everyone has been doing in the last 19 years. Isn't it amazing where everyone has ended up living?? We all started out in a tiny town of Siloam Springs, AR and have ended up in all parts of the US. Anyway....that's been a new and interesting addition to my cyberworld adventures!!

Snow Days!!

2008-12-16T14:22:00.004-06:00

It's been a wonderful pre-Christmas treat to have 2 days off this week. Housework has stayed caught up...including laundry!! :) I actually have successfully completed something on my "I wish I had time to do" list. Making Christmas goodies for my friends and wrapping them was something fun that the kids and I took time to do this morning!! I hope everyone likes their treats!!

Missing 2 days in a row in December makes me a little nervous....what if we have more snow days in January and February?? I definitely don't want to go to school in June!!! That would stink!! Remember, I have a pool that I get to use this summer and so summer should come early.

Speaking of the pool...that reminds me of working out. Which reminds me of how much I haven't worked out since Fall Break. I'm thinking that for the next 2 weeks I am not going to beat myself up for indulging in the Christmas yummies. I know on Dec. 26, I'll be hauling my hiney to the gym and joining again and practicing all of those things I learned at Weight Watchers last year.

For now...I'm enjoying this beautiful time of the year. I love everything about Christmas. I love the spirit of the season more than anything though. I love how people hug more during the holidays. I also love how when I leave school on Friday the 19th, everyone will make it a point to say Merry Christmas and truly mean it. I love listening to Mix 96....and how it drives the rest of my family nuts between t-giving and Christmas!! (They are only playing Christmas music!!) And I love dragging my husband with me to Christmas shop. He really isn't a scrooge...and he can be the more generous one and enjoy it!! Anyway....snow days are awesome. And it's much better when you have electricity!!

Thanksgiving thoughts

2008-11-25T23:20:00.003-06:00

This has been a strange November for me. It feels like we just had fall break in a way. Lots of things have happened this month. And it's funny...at the beginning of the month I was all wrapped up in the crappy election junk, trying to understand the world of school sports, and finding out a dear co-worker has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The latter has put everything into perspective once again for me.

I am so very blessed. God has blessed me with a loving husband that provides for our family and loves me unconditionally. He has blessed our marriage with 3 beautiful healthy children that are growing into loving, caring ,sensitive people. God has blessed us with a home and all the things that make living convenient. Food is never something we have to search for and clothing...well...the laundry room keeps the fear of nakedness away from our family. Health. We take it for granted far too often. Just in the last 5 years, I've spent countless hours on my knees asking for God's intervention on behalf of my husband and other family members. Whenever those prayers are answered, I always stand amazed at God's miraculous healing power. It's not difficult for Him, I know....but knowing that He listens to me and cares enough for me to do miracles...well....that's just awesome. So, I am eternally grateful that God has healed us and continues healing. Family....He has blessed me with wonderful parents, in-laws, and friends that are truly part of our family. Jobs...well....I mean mission fields. He truly has found favor with both Kevin and me in giving us our jobs that truly suit our lives. Our mission fields, aka jobs/career, is the life work that God chose for us and how He wanted us to provide for our family. And...it was so very thoughtful of Him to include vacation time and holiday time....cause we all need a break!!!!

Yet...why do I take this all for granted? I know I do...everytime I long for a bigger house, nicer car, more clothes, or just extra cash in my bank account. I hope that those times of longing get fewer and further between my thoughts of how blessed I am. I guess my prayer is this....please let me truly be content with where I am in my life and let me be a source of love, hope and encouragement to everyone that I come in contact with in this life. And that in my speech and actions that I always point them to my God!!! God truly is amazing.

So...these are my Thanksgiving thoughts. It really shouldn't be a "once a year" thing. Maybe I need to make it a "many-times-of-the-day thing."

Esther 4:14

2008-11-10T19:50:00.004-06:00

This verse has been an anchor for me lately. In order to fully understand this verse, you kind of need to read the whole book of Esther. It's very interesting and I just found myself not being able to stop reading til I finished it all. If you've never read this small but very awesome book...take the time to do it. But my all-time favorite verse is found in Chapter 4:14. If you have girls...share this with them especially!!! I shared this with Christen this past week as she was kind of having a tough week, learning life lessons. I think she found great strength....and I did too!!!!

My Fan Club

2008-11-08T07:25:00.005-06:00

This blogging is really new to me and I'm undecided at this point if I'm committed enough to keep doing it. This is kind of a funny thing. As I was checking my blog the other day...I noticed I had some comments from people named Ricki, Desi, and Lori. I thought to myself "Isn't that funny??" Those are names of my friends....what is the chance that 3 people with those names would leave comments on my blog? Come to find out they ARE my friends, Ricki, Desiree and Lori. I hadn't told anyone that I was blogging yet. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret. But since this started my life has been crazy busy!! And honestly, when I slow down in the evening, this was the last thing on my mind.

To Ricki....You are the best!! You are the most committed person I know!! When you say you are going to do something....you see it through to the bitter end. You see things as "black/white". Some may fault you on that....but that is a trait that I admire most in you. I wish I could speak in confidence the way you can. You are the one I go to when I need perspective on things. I get really bent out of shape sometimes (like this week!!) easily and you always help me to see all the sides of issues!!! You and I share quite a bit ... from family matters to church to school...and beyond!! Thank you for your deep, committed,and loyal friendship!! Oh...and on those National Boards....you are going to make it!!! You are an inspiration to me!!

To Lori....You have added much to my life!! I like the fact that no matter what....every morning you have a smile on your face. You genuinely love your kids and you get personally involved in their lives as they become your students. How many ideas have I "stolen" from you and you never seem to mind!! Thank you for introducing me to the world of "Cato". You've helped me in the way of wardrobe among other things!!! Thank you for always being willing to drop everything to help or listen!!

To Desiree....Can you believe it's been 10+ years now that we've been friends?? I know you've been through alot in those years...and at times you are still dealing with that stuff....but I've seen you change. Change is good too!! I never thought you would leave PK and move on up....but I told you whenever you were ready....you'd never look back....and you haven't!!! You truly know how to empathisize with others. What a great quality!! You stick up for your friends and you are always there to support them. You can be very self-Less and I do appreciate that about you.

You guys are great!! Though all of our paths have crossed at Justus-Tiawah....we've been through lots of stuff....and we're still working together....I think we've proved that we are not just "school friends"....we're FOREVER friends. Those are the BEST kind EVER!!!! I always remember to thank God everyday that HE brought you to me!! So, thanks for being in my fan club!!!

Red Ribbon Week

2008-10-29T18:50:00.004-05:00

This has been a crazy week. My principal has been gone for 3 days...personal stuff. I have a high needs child in my class that has completely lost all self control and of course I have to take him to "Big Guy". "Big Guy" is my school daddy. He's one person that totally has my utmost respect. He's sarcastic to a fault...but truly has a heart for our tiny school. If he ever knew that I was writing about him...he'd probably flip out. Oh well....Here goes....Yesterday, since my principal was absent, I had to take this kid to see "BG". It's probably been 3 years since I've taken a behavior issue to him...so I was reminded quickly what I'd been missing. He's yelling, slamming his fist on the desk, etc...called the parent and told this kid "your mama wants to talk to you." This kiddo doesn't speak when he's handed the phone....and so I mouthed to him "Say Hello." This kid finally said "Beep....you may start talking now" to his mom. I thought "BG" was going to climb over the desk and get this kid....and all I could do was look away because I was laughing (on the inside of course).

Anyway...that is just one of many incidents that has happened this week...and it's only Wednesday. I found out that this one teacher that teaches Special Ed in the afternoons/ PK in the a.m. is dropping the Sped and only teaching half days now in the morning. It doesn't really affect me, except most of the kids she has in her p.m. class are in my class. That was "rocking my world" yesterday.

Always on Red Ribbon Week we get to have theme dress days. So...guess what?? That's our ticket to wear JEANS!!! It doesn't matter if it's cowboy day, twin day, inside out day...everyday is JEANS day. And guess what?? Nobody says anything!!! I think it's kinda funny that something as trivial as attire really puts a teacher in a fun mood!! Seriously....does it really matter if I wear Nikes or Mary Jane's?? Does it impact the learning of the child to any degree if I wear something comfy or something dressy? Sure, I like to dress up...but I'd really rather do it when I feel like it rather than only on Fridays!!!!

Well...tomorrow night is another Basketball game....so until later!!!

Working Out

2008-10-24T20:00:00.003-05:00

In the last 3 years, I've grown very fond of working out. It's a little bit addictive, very hard to sometimes work into an already busy day, but very much a way to relieve some school stress!! I thought I was tough enough to do the Tulsa Run (which by the way is tomorrow). I began training right after my 40th birthday in June. I ran my heart out. But something very strange happened to me on my 17th wedding anniversary on August 2. It was a Saturday and unfortunately Kevin had to work all day long. My nephews were here from Illinois and it was stinking HOT!! So, being the awesome aunt and mom that I am, I loaded up all 6 kids and took them to a water park all day long!!! Man, we had loads of fun. But the fun kind of came to stand-still when I got home and received the mail. I had a mammogram done in July right after we got back from our vacation. And at that very moment when I opened up the envelope from the hospital I began crying like I had never cried before. The letter read that there was an abnormality and I needed to have further testing done. Of course I get this on a Saturday...no way of talking to a doctor til Monday. I was scared. In the midst of all of this, I crumbled. I thought I was a strong person. In some ways those feelings of being invincible came crashing in. I called the doctor's office first thing Monday morning...only to find out my doctor was on a 2 week vacation. However, there was someone availabe for me to talk to and assured me that whatever the abnormality was, it certainly didn't appear to be anything worth worrying about. That should have made me feel better, but I was still scared. So, at the end of that week, I went back to the hospital and I'm telling you...I got the boob smashing of a lifetime. I let them squeeze down hard until it was as flat as a pancake. And guess what?? It ended up being nothing. That "nothing" was something for me. I lost 4 pounds in 6 days....got about a few hours of sleep for a week's time....and spent much time in God's word looking for an answer, a Word from Him. He held me close to Him while I was being re-examined and that felt so good!! I guess it helped me to put some things in perspective that were kind of out of whack. The working out and running addiction that I had taken on so seriously suddenly didn't seem like a huge deal anymore. I kind of stopped the working out thing. I got back into it last month and it feels good again....If you are in your 30's, please get your first mammogram now!! Don't wait til you are 40. And take it from me....if you happen to get a nasty gram about the results....I learned through that whole process that apparently it happens quite a bit. But get the follow-up done quickly and being very diligent about those routine exams.

Rainy Day

2008-10-22T14:43:00.003-05:00

It's a rainy day here!! I love rainy days...but I love them better when I'm at home in my jammies watching a fun movie on TV or reading a great magazine. I love to light my candles (best when lit in a clean house) and just stay home. I'm not a big fan of getting out on dark dreary days!! This is making me look forward to that very first snow day. My friend Tammy told me that we are going to have more snow than usual with colder temps than usual....know where she got her information?? Not from the squirrels gathering nuts like crazy...but from the farmer's almanac!!!

Random thoughts

2008-10-20T20:43:00.000-05:00

Everyone is doing something...Kevin is in his library. Kaylyn is sound asleep almost upside down on the couch. Christen is cleaning...she loves those Clorox wipes!! Ryan is taking his 2nd shower for the day. So, I'm by myself. Now I can share....

We have a wonderful family that mostly lives in Claremore. I have a brother and Kevin's sister live out of town. My inlaws are awesome. So many girls talk about their in-laws in negative ways...but I truly love mine. I love that they've always been willing to drop anything to help us in moments of crises. I can't count how many times they've lovingly taken care of our kids when they were sick and both Kevin and I just couldn't miss work. My dad-in-law is a dr. so that has been awesome to have him counsel us concerning health concerns, prescribing meds when needed, and talking on our behalf to other doctors when Kevin was going through crap with his tummy, etc. But here's something truly exciting....when we got back from Florida in July...my dad-in-law hired a pool company to come in and build an inground pool....a fun gunite salt water pool. I've always wanted a pool. Now, I get the next best thing....I get to be the pool girl next summer for the Lane's!!! And it doesn't cost me a dime!!!! I'm hoping to get rock solid abs and a leaner core.

Thanks Mindy for coaxing me into doing this....it is very theraputic. (sp)

My First Post

2008-10-20T20:33:00.000-05:00

I've never had a blog before...I've had a diary that only I read....but this is all new to me. First of all, let me just tell you that I'm the big 4-0. That sounds so daunting to me. Like maybe I should stop saying "one of these days I'm going to...." and just do it!! I've learned alot about myself these past few months....at the end of my "thirties".

My son is going to be 14 tomorrow. This day 14 years ago I had a very surprising conversation with my Grandpa. The only one I ever knew and the only great that my children never knew. He was at the beginning of alzheimer's when he called me 14 years ago. He told me I better have those bags packed and ready cause you never know when that baby will be born....I told him I had a good month left!!! How did he know that I was going to be in the hospital just a few hours from then?? My water broke at midnight....my wonderful husband thought I had wet the bed!!! Whatever!!! 18 hours and many drugs later, I gave birth to Ryan!! What an amazing joy to give birth....but how very special it is the first time around. Until next time.....

Ready. Set. Blog!

2008-10-20T20:19:00.000-05:00

I know you have some great things to talk about...so start blogging! :) I can't wait to read it.