As I stress about getting the MOPS craft and gab all prepped and ready, how to get laundry washed and packed for Disney, and what school stuff needs to be brought along for the 7 hour car ride (one way), I realize that my stresses in life are so small. It seems life around me is out of control. Not my life or even those super close to me, but people that I know. Just last week I learned that a mom of a 4 and 1 year old that I knew could take no more of life, so she took her own. I don't know what she was going through or why she could not drag herself out of a bad year, but I do know that her children will now grow up without her. Worse than that, they will someday find out that she made that choice for them. My heart breaks almost out loud for her and her family in the way that I hug my kids and kiss them one extra time for the day when I think of her.
If that is not enough to think about and put life into perspective, a friend's house burned down this weekend and I am told, she may have lost everything. No one was hurt, but in the mist of struggling with huge family problems, she now has lost her home.
My piles of laundry and junk mail just don't seem that important any more. I keep asking God why and I know He is not going to give me a reason. I know that bad things happen to everyone and that good things come from bad circumstances. I just feel like things are out of control today. I think I'm going to put dinner in the oven and sit in front of a book and try to unwind. Even though none of these things have happened to me, I still feel very stressed about them.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I miss the zoo!
Yes, that's what I said, I miss the zoo! Why, you ask? Well, we are homeschooling and so we went ahead and got a yearly pass again this year thinking, wow, think of all the chances we will get to go to the zoo! What a great field trip!
Yes, it's sad, but I have NOT been to the zoo since I got our new passes! Our gas situation is just still so out of control and still so unpredictable. Every couple of days, several gas stations that I pass on the road are actually out of gas. I am very thankful that it is starting to return to normal and that I am not waiting in 30+ minute lines for gas like last week. BUT, I think that it would be unwise to make the 45 minute trip with my kids just to go to the zoo. On top of the fact that gas is scarce, you add in the price factor of gas and we are no longer talking about a cheap trip up the road a piece. (that's how they say it down here in the south, LOL, I thought I'd give it a try)
So, my hope is that gas flow in the south will return to normal and maybe, just maybe, if gas goes below $3.50 a gallon, we may make it for our 1st zoo field trip of the year. I can pray anyways! I just hope it's not too cold by then. :)
Yes, it's sad, but I have NOT been to the zoo since I got our new passes! Our gas situation is just still so out of control and still so unpredictable. Every couple of days, several gas stations that I pass on the road are actually out of gas. I am very thankful that it is starting to return to normal and that I am not waiting in 30+ minute lines for gas like last week. BUT, I think that it would be unwise to make the 45 minute trip with my kids just to go to the zoo. On top of the fact that gas is scarce, you add in the price factor of gas and we are no longer talking about a cheap trip up the road a piece. (that's how they say it down here in the south, LOL, I thought I'd give it a try)
So, my hope is that gas flow in the south will return to normal and maybe, just maybe, if gas goes below $3.50 a gallon, we may make it for our 1st zoo field trip of the year. I can pray anyways! I just hope it's not too cold by then. :)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Did you miss us?
So last night, I packed my little overnight bag and headed out with the girls to the MOPS Steering Retreat. One night in a cabin, we had 17 ladies last night and 14 stayed overnight until a little after lunch today. It was awesome! We had a great time laughing, crying, and sharing some things close to our hearts. Less than 24 hours, and it was so much more. Fast forward to dinner with my sweet family tonight. My oldest sweet child missed me so much that she couldn't contain herself and kept talking, interrupting me, her dad, her sister, and she only had about 3 bites of her dinner. The little one startes to argue with her sister, and all I know is that I am starving and I want to eat my dinner. My sweet hubby looks at me and says "Didn't you miss us?"
No.
I can't really say that I missed anyone yet and the craziness that often accompanies mom coming home from a trip, makes me wish I was still at the un-air conditioned, old cabin with my best friends. Just one more night, mind you, I love my family. I just could have used a little bit of a longer break. :) I'll have to settle for steering meeting on Tuesday and wait one more month till Dallas.
No.
I can't really say that I missed anyone yet and the craziness that often accompanies mom coming home from a trip, makes me wish I was still at the un-air conditioned, old cabin with my best friends. Just one more night, mind you, I love my family. I just could have used a little bit of a longer break. :) I'll have to settle for steering meeting on Tuesday and wait one more month till Dallas.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Camping in 2008
What has this world come to??!!
We took our kids camping this weekend for the first time in 3 years. They are 4 and 6, so it might as well been the first time in their life since they don't remember our camping trips in WA. When you think of the adventure of camping, what comes to mind? To me, I think tent, fire, and marshmallows. I also think about sleeping bags, hiking, and being dirty most of the time (that's fine with me, I just really look forward to my own shower!) We went upstate SC to Oconne State Park so that we would be close to a couple waterfalls to see while we were on our adventure. We planned, we learned in our homeschool about being prepared, how to start a fire correctly. We made lists, shopped, got the necessary flashlights, camping coffee pot and all the great camping food that is a must: (I shouldn't have to tell, you but I will anyways, because I'm afraid you may not know!) hotdogs, marshmallows, eggs bacon, and trail mix. Then my master packer of a husband packed the car, now I will admit, we took alot of stuff. You tell a 4 and 6 year old to pick 2 toys to take for the weekend and the backpacks come flying out and they fill them with as much stuff (under the radar) and take them to dad at the car who thinks mom has approved all this and he finds a place for it all. Mom laid down the law when there were 6 stuffed animals all headed to the mountains with the 4 year old. We then drove, excited about our trip, the things we will do, the fish we will catch, and then we get there. This huge 100+ site park, full with mostly campers. Not, nothing against all you with campers, I am sure some of your kids really know what it's like to rough it, but when did camping become golf carts, fans and dish network with the tv? My 6 year old actually asked if we were poor since we didn't have a camper! Here I thought we were livin it up with our "3 room family sized tent and blow up mattress. :) I did really like the camp ground. We would go back, but now we know what sites look into the forest or the lake instead of your neighbors' tent or RV. We do know that on a holiday weekend, we will not go back. I hope that my kids grow up knowing that "camping" is about being in the outdoors and not taking all the comforts of home with you and that maybe someday we will be ambitious enough to camp somewhere that we have to walk in with nothing but the stuff that we can carry.
Disclaimer: we take the little fan for the tent, Kelly doesn't like to be hot at night. ;)
We took our kids camping this weekend for the first time in 3 years. They are 4 and 6, so it might as well been the first time in their life since they don't remember our camping trips in WA. When you think of the adventure of camping, what comes to mind? To me, I think tent, fire, and marshmallows. I also think about sleeping bags, hiking, and being dirty most of the time (that's fine with me, I just really look forward to my own shower!) We went upstate SC to Oconne State Park so that we would be close to a couple waterfalls to see while we were on our adventure. We planned, we learned in our homeschool about being prepared, how to start a fire correctly. We made lists, shopped, got the necessary flashlights, camping coffee pot and all the great camping food that is a must: (I shouldn't have to tell, you but I will anyways, because I'm afraid you may not know!) hotdogs, marshmallows, eggs bacon, and trail mix. Then my master packer of a husband packed the car, now I will admit, we took alot of stuff. You tell a 4 and 6 year old to pick 2 toys to take for the weekend and the backpacks come flying out and they fill them with as much stuff (under the radar) and take them to dad at the car who thinks mom has approved all this and he finds a place for it all. Mom laid down the law when there were 6 stuffed animals all headed to the mountains with the 4 year old. We then drove, excited about our trip, the things we will do, the fish we will catch, and then we get there. This huge 100+ site park, full with mostly campers. Not, nothing against all you with campers, I am sure some of your kids really know what it's like to rough it, but when did camping become golf carts, fans and dish network with the tv? My 6 year old actually asked if we were poor since we didn't have a camper! Here I thought we were livin it up with our "3 room family sized tent and blow up mattress. :) I did really like the camp ground. We would go back, but now we know what sites look into the forest or the lake instead of your neighbors' tent or RV. We do know that on a holiday weekend, we will not go back. I hope that my kids grow up knowing that "camping" is about being in the outdoors and not taking all the comforts of home with you and that maybe someday we will be ambitious enough to camp somewhere that we have to walk in with nothing but the stuff that we can carry.
Disclaimer: we take the little fan for the tent, Kelly doesn't like to be hot at night. ;)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Growing Deeper Still!
This weekend, 3 friends and I went to the Deeper Still Conference in Atlanta. We heard 3 great women teach, Priscilla Shirer, Kay Arthur, and Beth Moore. WOW! What a great time, great worship and great messages. One of my favorite moments of the weekend was the list that Priscilla gave of Jesus in every book of the Bible. She shares it on her website, it is from the song, "He Is". I hope you enjoy it!
In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel’s Guide
Joshua, He’s salvation's choice
Judges, He’s Israel’s Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit’s power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He’s our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He’s God and the trinity Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord
HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!
In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel’s Guide
Joshua, He’s salvation's choice
Judges, He’s Israel’s Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He’s the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He’s Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit’s power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He’s our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT’S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT
In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
Colossians, He’s God and the trinity Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride
AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it’s all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior
He is Jesus Christ the Lord
HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!
Monday, May 5, 2008
I'm tired
Right now there are dirty dishes in the sink and on the stove top, laundry in 2 laundry baskets and on the couch that needs to be folded and put away. The grass and weeds are a foot high and there is no gas for the lawn mower (not that I want to mow the lawn), there are 4 bags of mulch to be layed, the desktop computer is broken and I don't know how to hook up the game systems to the new big tv (it's nice, but it's Kelly's, whatever!). My living room has stuffed animals all over and next week I have a last fun night with my best friends or MOPS and I don't have a babysitter. Life sucks today. It's not always this bad, but today it is. It's almost been 4 months since Kelly left. And please don't tell me that he will be home soon, or I am on the home stretch, I may snap. It's not close and it's not soon, because after a day like this, 70 or so more like this almost makes me want to crawl in bed and not get up for 2 months. Bedtime for the kids is in 10 minutes, I might make it another day. I just wish the cleaning fairy would come to my house while I'm sleeping tonight
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Teaching
Who knew that when I gave up on a teaching degree back in 98 to get married that I would someday come back into the education world? No me! No, I went on to be married, divorced and married again. Mother of 2 and just hanging on at times. You could say I have been teaching for the past 2 years with scrapbooking. Holding classes once even twice a month. But, this is not really what I think of when we talk about education. I'm talking about kids, my kids, actually. Believe it or not, I have been considering homeschooling for a couple months now and I am 95% sure that we will be homeschooling next year. Alexie will be in 1st grade and Emma will be 4.
This is not a lifetime decision I am making. I plan on evaluation our school plans every year and based on each child individually. I think the traditional classroom is great, I LOVED school when I was a kid. Right now, it's just not working for Lexi. She is not being challenged and there is too much negativity going on and it is greatly effecting her.
So! Homeschooling, here I come! I am looking forward to it, I'm excited, and I pray that I can still say that this time next spring! :)
This is not a lifetime decision I am making. I plan on evaluation our school plans every year and based on each child individually. I think the traditional classroom is great, I LOVED school when I was a kid. Right now, it's just not working for Lexi. She is not being challenged and there is too much negativity going on and it is greatly effecting her.
So! Homeschooling, here I come! I am looking forward to it, I'm excited, and I pray that I can still say that this time next spring! :)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Two books you have gotta read!!!
So, I finished these 2 great books over the past couple weeks that I think EVERYONE should read. The 1st is a nonfiction that completely changed my view of God, in a great way! I can't hardly say much about it and not spoil the book, but it addresses the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and it helps us see just how important a relationship is with God, not just the weekend rituals of church. The book is called The Shack by William Young. Go out, buy it, read it, I think you'll be happy you did. BTW...you may want to buy a box of tissues along with the book. :)
Okay, 2nd GREAT book is Email to the Front, by Alesia Holliday. It is a book a Navy wife wrote with her emails back and forth to her husband during deployment. For me(since Kelly is gone right now), I can completely relate to almost everything she writes about. I laughed so hard that I was crying. If you don't even think you would like the book, just stop in the library and ready the lawn mower chapter, I promise you'll end up taking it home and reading the rest of the book. The greatest thing about the book though is this: it lets all the wives whose DH have to go away for work (military and non-military) know that they are not alone. And for all you "civilians" it gives you a wonderful insight to what most have no clue is going on. All over the world, our military is risking their lives for us, and all over the country, spouses are pulling out their hair trying to keep the kids happy and the laundry done, all while counting the days till their loved one comes home.
Happy reading!
Okay, 2nd GREAT book is Email to the Front, by Alesia Holliday. It is a book a Navy wife wrote with her emails back and forth to her husband during deployment. For me(since Kelly is gone right now), I can completely relate to almost everything she writes about. I laughed so hard that I was crying. If you don't even think you would like the book, just stop in the library and ready the lawn mower chapter, I promise you'll end up taking it home and reading the rest of the book. The greatest thing about the book though is this: it lets all the wives whose DH have to go away for work (military and non-military) know that they are not alone. And for all you "civilians" it gives you a wonderful insight to what most have no clue is going on. All over the world, our military is risking their lives for us, and all over the country, spouses are pulling out their hair trying to keep the kids happy and the laundry done, all while counting the days till their loved one comes home.
Happy reading!
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