we have had a sickness running through our house. it has gotten 4 of us and the other 4 are wondering who will get it next. its just a 24 hour stomach bug but none of the remaining survivors want it. it been kind of a lottery of sorts.
i was having a conversation with a friend about buying squirt some new jeans. she asked if she wanted designer jeans and i said oh no she doesn't care just as long as she has some jeans. well i was wrong. i took her down to our favorite resale shop and pulled several jeans off the rack and you should have heard her squeal when the lucky jeans fit and were in our price range. she was beside herself with joy. who knew. i have gotten spoiled because she has to wear a uniform to school and she has been growing so fast that i just don't buy her alot of normal clothes. so a word to the wise - teenage girls like designer clothes, who knew.
college is going good. i have finished my orientation course and i'm getting started on my first real class - basic college math. it seemed a pretty safe class to take first. the first chapter is whole numbers. how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. i think i can remember that but the second chapter is on fractions. it has been roughly 29 years since i have had junior high math. my 14 year old will be able to teach me the fraction part. she is actually chomping at the bit to teach me fractions. i know i'm sad. i'm almost 40 and can't remember fractions. i know just enough to double a recipe. so very very sad.
we have a sickness lottery winner. Dad is the lucky one. 5 down 3 to go.
my sister and oldest niece will be leaving in the next few days so my house will get back to normal....well as normal as it ever is.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
pray for mary
pray for my friend mary. tomorrow is her last day of work and she is very sad. she is the last one to leave from the forced layoff and she will need all the strength God can give her for tomorrow and the coming days. as she was leaving today she was having a hard time not crying and she already informed us she would probably cry all day tomorrow. so it will be a sad sad day. some of us are taking her out to lunch tomorrow so hopefully this will help.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
8 months
well close enough to 8 months....only 3 days early. my life is fixin to get real busy so i'm posting it now since the posts from now on maybe few and far between.
i officially start college today.....big gulp. i have to do an orientation course first and then my first offical class starts on dec 28th....double big gulp. i don't know if i'm ready for this but i have to try.
my sister has been approved for disability...which is a miracle. this also means the kids qualify for benefits so we will be getting a check every month to help with food, clothes, and all the hundreds of things growing kids need. Praise God!!!!
my sister will be here on monday and then we get to tell the kids the happy news that she will be moving to town. just pray this will work out. all the adults agree we will keep the kids indefinately. mark has put his foot down and told all parties involved that freddie will live with us until she graduates from high school. she graduates in 2009. she will not like this decision but she has been bounced around so much from place to place and school to school. she told me the other day that she has moved 25 times in the last 10 years. we will set up visitation with my sister so they will be getting to spend nights and weekends with her on a regular basis once she has a permanant address. for right now she will stay in a shelter until housing becomes available. not a perfect solution but workable. pray for us that we will continually have the mind of Christ with the raising of all our children.
i officially start college today.....big gulp. i have to do an orientation course first and then my first offical class starts on dec 28th....double big gulp. i don't know if i'm ready for this but i have to try.
my sister has been approved for disability...which is a miracle. this also means the kids qualify for benefits so we will be getting a check every month to help with food, clothes, and all the hundreds of things growing kids need. Praise God!!!!
my sister will be here on monday and then we get to tell the kids the happy news that she will be moving to town. just pray this will work out. all the adults agree we will keep the kids indefinately. mark has put his foot down and told all parties involved that freddie will live with us until she graduates from high school. she graduates in 2009. she will not like this decision but she has been bounced around so much from place to place and school to school. she told me the other day that she has moved 25 times in the last 10 years. we will set up visitation with my sister so they will be getting to spend nights and weekends with her on a regular basis once she has a permanant address. for right now she will stay in a shelter until housing becomes available. not a perfect solution but workable. pray for us that we will continually have the mind of Christ with the raising of all our children.
Friday, December 14, 2007
its a girl and a boy!!!!
we had our court date this morning and the kids are officially ours. the whole court thing was kinda scary, but it only took about 10 minutes so not too bad. this was by far the easiest birth experience i've ever had.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Friend, do what you have come for
Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, "Friend do what you have come for." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. Matthew 26:49-50
My morning devotional was on the above scripture. It just struck me that Jesus knew Judas would betray Him and He still loved him, He still welcomed him to the last supper and gave him the bread and the cup. His body and blood. He knew that Judas' betrayal would usher Him into His ultimate destiny. Death on a cross. A sinners death for a sinless man.
"We can't avoid getting hurt, but God can give us the grace to reevaluate the situation and realize that the person you thought was your enemy, was a friend in disguise. God will never permit His plans for us to be sabotaged by somebody else's actions. He'll only allow your Judas to go so far and no further. As a child of God His purposes govern how much damage others can do to you."
The above statement just clicked with me. There is someone who i have struggled forgiving. My own personal Judas. I will walk in forgiveness for years and then something will happen and i find myself struggling again with those old feelings of anger and unforgiveness. But this morning something just clicked. This situation is a part of my life to make me lean more heavily on the Lord and to make me stronger. My enemy is really my friend.
So friend, do what you have come for.
Monday, December 10, 2007
someday...
...i'll learn how to play the drums
...my house will be quiet and i will be sad.
...i will have a college degree.
...my hair will do what i want it to do.
...i will be a size 5. hahahahahahahahahahaha. ok i feel better now.
...i will sit for hours and read my bible and pray.
...i will have a craft room where all my stuff can be spread out and i never have to put anything away.
...i will have a maid to clean my bathrooms and floors and whatever else i don't want to do. ok she will clean everything.
...she will also do my laundry.
...and wash my car.
...i will be able to travel whenever i want to wherever i want.
...or stay home if thats what i want to do.
someday
today...
...i must go to work everyday, even when i don't want to.
...i feel lucky if i get to go the bathroom without a child with me.
...i must clean my bathroom, my floor, and the whole house.
...and do my laundry
...and wash the car.
...i have to put away all my stuff when i'm done.
...i struggle to read a few verses everyday.
...i am a long way from a size 5. as a matter of fact i'm a size 10 but the 14 fits so good i buy a 16.
...my hair has a mind all its own.
...i'm starting to get scared i can't handle a full time family, a full time job and college courses.
...my house is anything but quiet, and i am happy.
...i will continue to play air drums whenever the mood hits. and dance crazy in the aisle of the grocery store just to embarass the kids. and make up words to songs when i can't understand what the heck they are saying.
today.
...my house will be quiet and i will be sad.
...i will have a college degree.
...my hair will do what i want it to do.
...i will be a size 5. hahahahahahahahahahaha. ok i feel better now.
...i will sit for hours and read my bible and pray.
...i will have a craft room where all my stuff can be spread out and i never have to put anything away.
...i will have a maid to clean my bathrooms and floors and whatever else i don't want to do. ok she will clean everything.
...she will also do my laundry.
...and wash my car.
...i will be able to travel whenever i want to wherever i want.
...or stay home if thats what i want to do.
someday
today...
...i must go to work everyday, even when i don't want to.
...i feel lucky if i get to go the bathroom without a child with me.
...i must clean my bathroom, my floor, and the whole house.
...and do my laundry
...and wash the car.
...i have to put away all my stuff when i'm done.
...i struggle to read a few verses everyday.
...i am a long way from a size 5. as a matter of fact i'm a size 10 but the 14 fits so good i buy a 16.
...my hair has a mind all its own.
...i'm starting to get scared i can't handle a full time family, a full time job and college courses.
...my house is anything but quiet, and i am happy.
...i will continue to play air drums whenever the mood hits. and dance crazy in the aisle of the grocery store just to embarass the kids. and make up words to songs when i can't understand what the heck they are saying.
today.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
christmas tag
y'all know i'm sentimental so this could be very long
1. Paper wrapping or gift bags.
combination - i like all the gifts under the tree to be wrapped but will use gift bags for gifts given before christmas.
2. Real tree or artificial.
when i was little we always had real. but now we have to have fake due to squirts allergies.
3. When do you put the tree up?
the day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Jan 2nd.
5. Do you like eggnog?
love, love, love, love it.
6. Favorite gift received.
my most favorite was the year my very best friend gave me about $200 in restaurant gift certificates. at the time i was a single mother, squirt was about 4 years old and i had been saved for about 1 year. my greatest need was christian fellowship and everyone would go out to eat after church but i could never go due to financial reasons. so this sweet sweet friend gave me the gift of fellowship for christmas.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
i have a small one at work but have never broke down and bought one for my home. i look at them every year but never want to spend the money.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
my mother-in-law
9. Easiest person to buy for?
the girls
10. Worst gift I have received.
squirts dad bought me car accesories one year. yuck. no wonder i dumped that loser.
11. Favorite ornament
everything squirt has ever made me.
12. Favorite Christmas movie
its a wonderful life and a christmas story. i watch both of these everytime they come on.
13. When do you start Christmas shopping?
usually sometime after thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift?
i can't remember. i don't think so.
15. What is your favorite Christmas food?
homemade cranberry relish and hot rolls
16. Clear lights or colored?
clear
17. Favorite Christmas song
o come immanuel and the little drummer boy.
i can still remember being little and watching all the christmas programs on tv. when i watched the little drummer boy on tv i can remember crying when he played his drum for jesus. it still makes me cry. plus the words are so awesome.
Come they told me,
A new born King to see,
Our finest gifts we bring,
To lay before the King,
So to honor Him,
When we come.
Little Baby,
I am a poor boy too,
I have no gift to bring,
That's fit to give the King,
Shall I play for you,
On my drum?
Mary nodded,
The ox and lamb kept time,
I played my drum for Him,
I played my best for Him,
Then He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.
now that'll preach
18. Traveling or staying home?
stay home, we always go to mark's sister who lives down the street.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
dasher, dancer, prancer, vixon, comet, cupid, donner and blitzen. rudolph
20. Angel or star on the top of the tree?
we now have a bow, but have had a mixture of all three over the years.
21. When do you open the gifts?
one on christmas eve and the rest on christmas morning. stockings on christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about the Christmas season?
the rush of the crowds. i would like to just slow down and enjoy it all.
23. Does Santa always wrap the gifts?
this has been a point of controversy in my home. my husband wants to wrap everything and i like to leave the big present unwrapped. so we compromise. if the present is awkward like a bike we don't wrap, but if its in a box we wrap.
24. Did you ever leave cookies for Santa?
yes, duh and a note and he would always write me a note back.
25. What is your favorite Christmas memory?
my mom would always cook like a mad women for days before christmas and my older brother would take great pleasure in picking at her while she was busy cooking. well when my mom got mad she would pick up whatever was handy and throw it at you. i know that sounds bad but it was really all in fun. so anyways my brother was picking on my mom the day before christmas and she was up to her armpits in stuffing and she started throwing celery at him and we honestly thought we got it all cleaned up. well the day after christmas when my dad came to pick us up my stepmom was admiring our tree and commenting on all our pretty and unique christmas decorations. we were all saying thank you and she reaches into the tree and pulls out a limp stalk of celery. we still laugh about this.
i tag meems and no iffer
1. Paper wrapping or gift bags.
combination - i like all the gifts under the tree to be wrapped but will use gift bags for gifts given before christmas.
2. Real tree or artificial.
when i was little we always had real. but now we have to have fake due to squirts allergies.
3. When do you put the tree up?
the day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Jan 2nd.
5. Do you like eggnog?
love, love, love, love it.
6. Favorite gift received.
my most favorite was the year my very best friend gave me about $200 in restaurant gift certificates. at the time i was a single mother, squirt was about 4 years old and i had been saved for about 1 year. my greatest need was christian fellowship and everyone would go out to eat after church but i could never go due to financial reasons. so this sweet sweet friend gave me the gift of fellowship for christmas.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
i have a small one at work but have never broke down and bought one for my home. i look at them every year but never want to spend the money.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
my mother-in-law
9. Easiest person to buy for?
the girls
10. Worst gift I have received.
squirts dad bought me car accesories one year. yuck. no wonder i dumped that loser.
11. Favorite ornament
everything squirt has ever made me.
12. Favorite Christmas movie
its a wonderful life and a christmas story. i watch both of these everytime they come on.
13. When do you start Christmas shopping?
usually sometime after thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift?
i can't remember. i don't think so.
15. What is your favorite Christmas food?
homemade cranberry relish and hot rolls
16. Clear lights or colored?
clear
17. Favorite Christmas song
o come immanuel and the little drummer boy.
i can still remember being little and watching all the christmas programs on tv. when i watched the little drummer boy on tv i can remember crying when he played his drum for jesus. it still makes me cry. plus the words are so awesome.
Come they told me,
A new born King to see,
Our finest gifts we bring,
To lay before the King,
So to honor Him,
When we come.
Little Baby,
I am a poor boy too,
I have no gift to bring,
That's fit to give the King,
Shall I play for you,
On my drum?
Mary nodded,
The ox and lamb kept time,
I played my drum for Him,
I played my best for Him,
Then He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.
now that'll preach
18. Traveling or staying home?
stay home, we always go to mark's sister who lives down the street.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
dasher, dancer, prancer, vixon, comet, cupid, donner and blitzen. rudolph
20. Angel or star on the top of the tree?
we now have a bow, but have had a mixture of all three over the years.
21. When do you open the gifts?
one on christmas eve and the rest on christmas morning. stockings on christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about the Christmas season?
the rush of the crowds. i would like to just slow down and enjoy it all.
23. Does Santa always wrap the gifts?
this has been a point of controversy in my home. my husband wants to wrap everything and i like to leave the big present unwrapped. so we compromise. if the present is awkward like a bike we don't wrap, but if its in a box we wrap.
24. Did you ever leave cookies for Santa?
yes, duh and a note and he would always write me a note back.
25. What is your favorite Christmas memory?
my mom would always cook like a mad women for days before christmas and my older brother would take great pleasure in picking at her while she was busy cooking. well when my mom got mad she would pick up whatever was handy and throw it at you. i know that sounds bad but it was really all in fun. so anyways my brother was picking on my mom the day before christmas and she was up to her armpits in stuffing and she started throwing celery at him and we honestly thought we got it all cleaned up. well the day after christmas when my dad came to pick us up my stepmom was admiring our tree and commenting on all our pretty and unique christmas decorations. we were all saying thank you and she reaches into the tree and pulls out a limp stalk of celery. we still laugh about this.
i tag meems and no iffer
Thursday, December 6, 2007
hockey update
well the boys are back and they did very good at their hockey tournament. the freshman boys (bubba) came home with 1st place. the peewee and midget boys (moe) came home with 5th and 6th place. moe is playing goalie and loving it. he has never gotten to play any sports and is enjoying the manly bonding time.
so the season of stinky jerseys and hockey gear is here. bubba's team is currently undefeated so guess what that means. we can't wash his practice jersey. oh well anything for the team.
go jesters!!!!!!
so the season of stinky jerseys and hockey gear is here. bubba's team is currently undefeated so guess what that means. we can't wash his practice jersey. oh well anything for the team.
go jesters!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
funny memories
today at lunch we were talking about funny things our kids have done and it got me to thinking of the funny things squirt did when she was little. so here is a small list of some of the funnier things she has said or done.
- when she was about 18 months old i found her sticking christmas lights in her nose. she looked a little like rudolph.
- i had a very hard time keeping things out of her mouth. every diaper change was an adventure. here is a small sampling of the things i have found in her diaper. money (dimes, pennies, nickels, and quarters), nuts and bolts, a bologna string, a mop string (ewww-gross), buttons and i have had to call poison control twice because of things she swallowed or put in her mouth.
- she would strip down to nothing whenever i wasn't looking. caught her several times heading for the back door naked or in the backyard naked. nature girl.
- in the first grade she got so upset with me because i didn't get her teacher a candle for christmas. she came home wailing "i've never been so embarrassed why did you get my teacher noodles and rags". i made the mistake of getting her teacher a christmas dish towel and christmas pasta in a pretty canister.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
on a lighter note
my husband is no longer allowed to answer the house phone. every time he answers the phone we get some crazy thing in the mail or if its a tele-marketer he hands it to me and says "its for you". just say no thank you and hang up, that's what i do.
so the other day i get this cookbook in the mail that i didn't order. i show it to him and ask him if he ordered it and he said well someone called the other day but i didn't order it. well they wouldn't send it to you if you didn't order it. so all of his phone privileges have been revoked.
so the other day i get this cookbook in the mail that i didn't order. i show it to him and ask him if he ordered it and he said well someone called the other day but i didn't order it. well they wouldn't send it to you if you didn't order it. so all of his phone privileges have been revoked.
my sisters keeper
over the last few weeks i have realized that i am my sisters keeper. not in a physical way but in a loving way. this is not a responsibility i have asked for but sometimes when you love someone God asks you to take responsibility for them. i have made a promise to her that i will not allow her to hide her illness. for the sake of her children and soon to be grandchild her hiding days are over. as hard as it is i will always be that person who will be in her face making sure she is taking care of her mental health. i will ask the hard questions and i won't let her off the hook with a half way answer. i have also realized that with her suicide attempt 7 months ago i will never have my old sister back. i can no longer be fooled into thinking she's ok. i will always be on guard and watching for the signs. i know this may sound harsh but this was not her 1st attempt. her 1st attempt was at the age of 11 and she has made several attempts since then. the last one being the closest she has come to succeeding. until recently i was not aware of several of the attempts. we have always lived several hours away from each other and the few times we would visit she would put on her happy face. she has always been able to hide or lie to herself and everyone around her about the true state of things. it has amazed me over the last months how God shows me things that i need to know. if her or the kids are trying to hide something from mark or me God brings out the truth. every time. i will be needing lots of prayer and lots of God's truth over the next few months. my sister is finally on a medication that seems to be working. she has not had a suicidal thought in about 2 months. which is wonderful news. she will be coming at the end of the month to spend a week with us for christmas. at the end of that week she will stay in town at a homeless shelter until she can find a job and get a place of her own. even though she will be living in town we will still have the kids. i don't know if she will ever be able to handle the stress of raising them and if she can't then they will always have a place here with us. when she moves to town it will be very hard on freddie. the thought of her mom being here but still not being able to be with her everyday will be a challenge for her and i don't think she realizes that this is her moms choice. her mom wants the kids to stay with us even when she gets on her feet. a very hard pill to swallow especially for a mommas girl like freddie. so lots of prayer is needed for the whole family.
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