Today was our first day back to school. We started out very slowly. A little history, some placement testing, some math, bible...not much really. The kids tested either at grade level, above grade level or improved a grade level or more on everything we tested. The kids were very productive. I was so proud of them all. It was nice to get back into the swing of things at least a little. I don't know when we will get up to full speed but at least we have started.
We had a nurse come in to do blood work and change J's dressings. We are adjusting to our schedule. I hope to get some pictures over the next few weeks as we get school going.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Flowers!!!!
9-6-08
Later that day J was surprised with these beautiful flowers from her "Lita and Lito" (my parents). She was thrilled.
Thanks Mom and Dad! What a beautiful bouquet. As you can see, she loved them!
Later that day J was surprised with these beautiful flowers from her "Lita and Lito" (my parents). She was thrilled.
Thanks Mom and Dad! What a beautiful bouquet. As you can see, she loved them!
A little bit of normal....Saturday
Those of you who frequent the blog know that a favorite summer past time for our family is going to our favorite creek on Sat. mornings with donuts in hand, ready to enjoy breakfast, wading, skipping rocks and just being together as a family. J was feeling so much better and we wanted to give her a little bit of normal so we headed out to the creek.
Skipping rocks is a favorite for all of us.
C is the Skip Rock Champion in our family with 13 skips with one rock!
J knew she couldn't get in the water but wanted to come anyway. She says she always writes better at the creek so she came prepared with notebook and pen in hand! She also did much of the photography.
R was not quite himself that morning.
We found out why a little later that morning. Everything he did was upsetting him. He loves the creek and "accidently" falling in is one of his favorite things to do. However, this time he fell in and burst into tears. He cried all the way to me.I was further down the creek quietly letting the tears flow as I decompressed from the past week. He was inconsolable. I talked with him but he could not stop sobbing.
I asked him if he wanted me to hold him and he said yes. He held on as though he never was going to let me go.
Too often little ones go through a tough family time and go with the flow because they really don't fully grasp the situation or don't know how to express themselves. R never showed that he was upset the entire week his sister was in the hospital and Mom was away. But Sat. it hit him all at once. I just sat and held him as he cried. It broke my heart. We knew he had to feel something or that he was dealing with things in his own way but we missed how deeply it hurt him. We are so thankful we did not miss this. Phillip took these pictures before he fully understood what was going on. I am glad. I am thankful the Lord gave us this opportunity to help him.
It was a great morning all around and the morning ended with much more smiles and a feeling of things definitely getting back to normal.
Skipping rocks is a favorite for all of us.
C is the Skip Rock Champion in our family with 13 skips with one rock!
J knew she couldn't get in the water but wanted to come anyway. She says she always writes better at the creek so she came prepared with notebook and pen in hand! She also did much of the photography.
R was not quite himself that morning.
We found out why a little later that morning. Everything he did was upsetting him. He loves the creek and "accidently" falling in is one of his favorite things to do. However, this time he fell in and burst into tears. He cried all the way to me.I was further down the creek quietly letting the tears flow as I decompressed from the past week. He was inconsolable. I talked with him but he could not stop sobbing.
I asked him if he wanted me to hold him and he said yes. He held on as though he never was going to let me go.
Too often little ones go through a tough family time and go with the flow because they really don't fully grasp the situation or don't know how to express themselves. R never showed that he was upset the entire week his sister was in the hospital and Mom was away. But Sat. it hit him all at once. I just sat and held him as he cried. It broke my heart. We knew he had to feel something or that he was dealing with things in his own way but we missed how deeply it hurt him. We are so thankful we did not miss this. Phillip took these pictures before he fully understood what was going on. I am glad. I am thankful the Lord gave us this opportunity to help him.
It was a great morning all around and the morning ended with much more smiles and a feeling of things definitely getting back to normal.
Rejoice in your sufferings...
Seeing God is hard for some. For me, I have learned to ask to see His hand in my life and in the life of my family and those around us. Over the summer I have been praying about my schedule and activities would could do in the upcoming school year. We were in a co-op for 7years and when I prayed about doing it this upcoming year, God said no. Since I was just getting my feet wet alongside my husband in our newly formed marriage ministry I figured that I would need that free time for ministry. I had the opportunity for an online co-op that I felt was very doable since we would not leave the house and I would only be committed to teaching 4-6 of 36 lessons. That was doable. But, once again I was thrown a curve. God said no. So we dropped the co-op. Once again I was trusting that God knew my future and He was not going to allow me to overwhelm myself. Then, we opened up a very successful marriage class and NO ONE signed up (well, one couple who was training for ministry did). This was very confusing. Now I had lots of free time on my hands. Since I thought the Lord was clearing my schedule for ministry and other circumstances that would take my time I had worked on getting my house in order and school planning through Jan. I am usually a "wing-it" kind of person so this was very unusual for me. So, now my house was in order, school planned, lots of free time but, no ministry, no outside committments, no....anything. But I did trust the Lord though I did ask Him if it was within His will to show me what He was doing. Well, He did. He know that I was going to have a very sick child that I would need to be home with for some time. What a joy to be allowed to see a small part of His plan for us. He knew what was coming and prepared me in as much as I was willing to be obedient to Him.
So what about the "Rejoice in your sufferings"? This is such a hard concept for people to grasp. It has taken many hospitalizations and hardaches for me to begin to grasp this concept. But God truly is good and knows what is best for us.
I have always prayed that my children would learn to know God deeply and intimately. I know that for me that has taken many physical hardships for me to grow in Him. When J was admitted to the hospital I began to pray that she would grow and mature in the Lord through this trial and that she would be able to experience God. I prayed that I would be able to help her see God's hand and presence throughout all she went through. It was a tough week. Time after time she was afraid. Time after time, she asked to pray. We listened to christian music on Godtube. We quoted scripture to help her reach out and trust God's hand. J went from a happy-go-lucky teen one day to a very sick, in pain, and frightened young lady the next. She was given very little notification for some pretty scary tests and surgery. No time to prepare, fearful of the unknown, tired, worn out and in pain. But, she trusted the experience God had given me over the years with hospitalizations and surgery. At every turn I knew her only hope for getting through this was focusing on Jesus. So at every turn I pointed her to Him. She showed such strength of character as she was so frightened but cried out to God. She sought prayer, comfort in songs that reminded her that God would never leave her or forsake her. She questioned God but never in disrespect, only in confusion with a willingness to accept His will.
There truly are very few ways to learn to lean on God except in those circumstances that test you physically, emotionally and spiritually.
I watched my daughter cling to the Lord and learn to trust in a way that only suffering can truly bring. It broke my heart to watch her go through this. But the Lord let my heart soar as she clung to Him.
Watching your child in pain and frightened and exhausted when you cannot do anything to stop it is more pain than I ever care to bear again. But, I can rejoice in my suffering as I saw her get one step closer to God. I pray that she will one day truly be able to rejoice through her struggles in life though I pray they are minimal.
There is so much in which I can rejoice. God was with her through this whole ordeal and showed us His fingerprints over and over again. His Spirit was prompting me from the beginning and we caught this early. I can't imagine what it would have been like had I ignored those promptings. I am thankful that I was listening because I don't always. But I was listening this time because He had been preparing me for over a year to listen more closely. His hand is everywhere if we are willing to look for it. Thank you Lord that you were patient enough to help me learn to see. Thank you that you are letting me see a glimpse of how you are working in J.
God truly is so good. All the Time!
So what about the "Rejoice in your sufferings"? This is such a hard concept for people to grasp. It has taken many hospitalizations and hardaches for me to begin to grasp this concept. But God truly is good and knows what is best for us.
I have always prayed that my children would learn to know God deeply and intimately. I know that for me that has taken many physical hardships for me to grow in Him. When J was admitted to the hospital I began to pray that she would grow and mature in the Lord through this trial and that she would be able to experience God. I prayed that I would be able to help her see God's hand and presence throughout all she went through. It was a tough week. Time after time she was afraid. Time after time, she asked to pray. We listened to christian music on Godtube. We quoted scripture to help her reach out and trust God's hand. J went from a happy-go-lucky teen one day to a very sick, in pain, and frightened young lady the next. She was given very little notification for some pretty scary tests and surgery. No time to prepare, fearful of the unknown, tired, worn out and in pain. But, she trusted the experience God had given me over the years with hospitalizations and surgery. At every turn I knew her only hope for getting through this was focusing on Jesus. So at every turn I pointed her to Him. She showed such strength of character as she was so frightened but cried out to God. She sought prayer, comfort in songs that reminded her that God would never leave her or forsake her. She questioned God but never in disrespect, only in confusion with a willingness to accept His will.
There truly are very few ways to learn to lean on God except in those circumstances that test you physically, emotionally and spiritually.
I watched my daughter cling to the Lord and learn to trust in a way that only suffering can truly bring. It broke my heart to watch her go through this. But the Lord let my heart soar as she clung to Him.
Watching your child in pain and frightened and exhausted when you cannot do anything to stop it is more pain than I ever care to bear again. But, I can rejoice in my suffering as I saw her get one step closer to God. I pray that she will one day truly be able to rejoice through her struggles in life though I pray they are minimal.
There is so much in which I can rejoice. God was with her through this whole ordeal and showed us His fingerprints over and over again. His Spirit was prompting me from the beginning and we caught this early. I can't imagine what it would have been like had I ignored those promptings. I am thankful that I was listening because I don't always. But I was listening this time because He had been preparing me for over a year to listen more closely. His hand is everywhere if we are willing to look for it. Thank you Lord that you were patient enough to help me learn to see. Thank you that you are letting me see a glimpse of how you are working in J.
God truly is so good. All the Time!
Homecoming 9-5-08
We were able to come home Friday morning. We finished up planning our home health care and her last dose of antibiotics to time our antibiotics at home and off we went. Here she is being greeted by her siblings and TACO!
Everyone was so excited to see her. We moved a bed downstairs so we could administer her meds in the night without waking anyone else.
It is so nice to be home and have all my kiddos under one roof again!
Everyone was so excited to see her. We moved a bed downstairs so we could administer her meds in the night without waking anyone else.
It is so nice to be home and have all my kiddos under one roof again!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
A Week in the Hospital
9/4/08
What a week we have had. J has been in the hospital since Sat. She was one sick young lady. After many tests,x-rays, blood tests and confused doctors, we have figured out that she has osteomyelitis. This is an infection of the bone. The collar bone in J to be more specific. She also has an infection in the skin, muscles and facia (layer between the skin and muscle) surrounding the bone. She has had 2 surgeries to help clean out this infection and has been on pretty high dose IV antibiotics.
How did she get this infection? We have no idea. The doctors were stumped and said it was very rare to get an infection in the collar bone. She was the object of much discussion in the hospital.
We were blessed with fabulous doctors, nurses and staff in all areas of the hospital.
The good news is "WE ARE GOING HOME!!!!!" We have 2 more doses of antibiotics and then we will go home and change to home health care. J will continue to receive IV antibiotics for the next 10 days and then hopefully we can switch to oral meds.
It has been a long, hard week. She has gone from being so sick and in pain that our main concern was finding a way to get her some relief. Her fevers were so high we had to ice her down and she was isolated because of the infection. But she is now back to her smiling, laughing self. We are both almost giddy at getting to go home tomorrow. Here are some pictures of her and her Dad goofing around after finding out we were going home. It is so good to see this smile again.
Thank you to everyone who prayed continuously for her healing. We have been so blessed by your prayers, visits, phone calls, gifts, encouragements etc. etc.
We praise God for His care and provision for us this past week. We thank God that we will be back together with Phillip and the kids. We were blessed with a perfect peace as we endured this trial. We serve an awesome God. Thank you to everyone who was "Jesus with skin on" to us this past week. We still have a long road ahead of us but the worst is over.
What a week we have had. J has been in the hospital since Sat. She was one sick young lady. After many tests,x-rays, blood tests and confused doctors, we have figured out that she has osteomyelitis. This is an infection of the bone. The collar bone in J to be more specific. She also has an infection in the skin, muscles and facia (layer between the skin and muscle) surrounding the bone. She has had 2 surgeries to help clean out this infection and has been on pretty high dose IV antibiotics.
How did she get this infection? We have no idea. The doctors were stumped and said it was very rare to get an infection in the collar bone. She was the object of much discussion in the hospital.
We were blessed with fabulous doctors, nurses and staff in all areas of the hospital.
The good news is "WE ARE GOING HOME!!!!!" We have 2 more doses of antibiotics and then we will go home and change to home health care. J will continue to receive IV antibiotics for the next 10 days and then hopefully we can switch to oral meds.
It has been a long, hard week. She has gone from being so sick and in pain that our main concern was finding a way to get her some relief. Her fevers were so high we had to ice her down and she was isolated because of the infection. But she is now back to her smiling, laughing self. We are both almost giddy at getting to go home tomorrow. Here are some pictures of her and her Dad goofing around after finding out we were going home. It is so good to see this smile again.
Thank you to everyone who prayed continuously for her healing. We have been so blessed by your prayers, visits, phone calls, gifts, encouragements etc. etc.
We praise God for His care and provision for us this past week. We thank God that we will be back together with Phillip and the kids. We were blessed with a perfect peace as we endured this trial. We serve an awesome God. Thank you to everyone who was "Jesus with skin on" to us this past week. We still have a long road ahead of us but the worst is over.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Please Pray for J.
J is one sick teen. She is presently in the hospital fighting some kind of infection. Please keep her in your prayers. She has been sick since Tues. and has continued to get worse as the week has gone on. Here she is after she saw the doctor the first time.
We still do not know what she has. They are treating her for cellulitis. She is fighting severe pain and very high temps but today she seems to be a little better. She did finally eat something today. Thank you to all who have been praying for her.
We still do not know what she has. They are treating her for cellulitis. She is fighting severe pain and very high temps but today she seems to be a little better. She did finally eat something today. Thank you to all who have been praying for her.
Mad Scientists
Thursday was a slow, lazy day for the boys. C decided to try his crystal making kit. R joined him. Here they are putting everything together.
Here they are examining the chemicals before they are mixed. I am a homeschool mom afterall. We must do the scientific method!
R is wondering how long it will take for the crystals to start to grow.
So far we have had no success. No crystals have grown. We will try again later.
8-28-08
Here they are examining the chemicals before they are mixed. I am a homeschool mom afterall. We must do the scientific method!
R is wondering how long it will take for the crystals to start to grow.
So far we have had no success. No crystals have grown. We will try again later.
8-28-08
Things that make you go...hmmmmm?
August 26, 2008
Since he was very little, R has always liked pants with pockets, Lots of pockets. He always wanted to wear his overalls when he was little because it had a lot of pockets to put things in. We have found many a strange thing in his pockets though the years. Apparently, he has not outgrown his love for pockets. Here he is with his pockets full of rocket launchers! You never know just when you are going to need a rocket launcher. LOL!
Since he was very little, R has always liked pants with pockets, Lots of pockets. He always wanted to wear his overalls when he was little because it had a lot of pockets to put things in. We have found many a strange thing in his pockets though the years. Apparently, he has not outgrown his love for pockets. Here he is with his pockets full of rocket launchers! You never know just when you are going to need a rocket launcher. LOL!
Happy Birthday C!!!!
August 26,2008
11 years old today!!! Time for family presents. What a ham!
Here he is enjoying the gifts his brother and sisters got for him. These will be fun to do later.
This just warms a mother's heart! Thank you's and I love you's all around.
I can't believe the young man my boy is growing into. We are so proud of who he is becoming. His heart for God is unbelievable and he is a constant joy to us all.
Love you, C!
11 years old today!!! Time for family presents. What a ham!
Here he is enjoying the gifts his brother and sisters got for him. These will be fun to do later.
This just warms a mother's heart! Thank you's and I love you's all around.
I can't believe the young man my boy is growing into. We are so proud of who he is becoming. His heart for God is unbelievable and he is a constant joy to us all.
Love you, C!
Birthday Party!!!
August 22,2008
C celebrated his birthday party early since school was starting early this year. We had 8 boys storm our home. We went swimming then had hotdogs!
After we sang Happy Birthday and ate molten chocolate lava cake we let him open his gifts. Here he is with a gift card he received.
Mine! Mine! All Mine! Bwahahaha!!!! He is such a clown.LOL!
What a great smile! Happy Birthday C!
C celebrated his birthday party early since school was starting early this year. We had 8 boys storm our home. We went swimming then had hotdogs!
After we sang Happy Birthday and ate molten chocolate lava cake we let him open his gifts. Here he is with a gift card he received.
Mine! Mine! All Mine! Bwahahaha!!!! He is such a clown.LOL!
What a great smile! Happy Birthday C!
Where have I been and What have I been doing?
August 2008
Over the last few weeks I have been planning for the upcoming school year. I have been at my desk surrounded by teacher's manuals and books trying to plan 4 different levels of study from High School to elementary.
It has been a very productive time but it really is time consuming. It feels good to have it done though!
Over the last few weeks I have been planning for the upcoming school year. I have been at my desk surrounded by teacher's manuals and books trying to plan 4 different levels of study from High School to elementary.
It has been a very productive time but it really is time consuming. It feels good to have it done though!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Calvin and Hobbes
The other day I was at the library and told the boys to go look for some books to read. Well, they couldn't find a single book in the whole library! LOL! Then an inspiration came to me. Many homeschool moms have mentioned getting their boys to read by getting them Calvin and Hobbes books. Well, our library had 2 so I checked them out. I have not seen my boys since. Here is what I am finding on a regular basis!
Live is good.
Live is good.
Saturday....ahhhhhhh
See the previous 2 posts to see why we are simply enjoying our Saturday. We worked hard all week and so are just relaxing today.
Here the boys are enjoying some computer games in our nice, clean and organized computer/workroom.
A is working with a candy making kit she received as a gift. She loves working in the kitchen.
Her candies look great and taste great too!
Phillip is doing what he loves to do most....something on his computer.
I have not seen J all afternoon so she is either reading or working on her lastest novel.
Me, well I am BLOGGING!!!!!
Here the boys are enjoying some computer games in our nice, clean and organized computer/workroom.
A is working with a candy making kit she received as a gift. She loves working in the kitchen.
Her candies look great and taste great too!
Phillip is doing what he loves to do most....something on his computer.
I have not seen J all afternoon so she is either reading or working on her lastest novel.
Me, well I am BLOGGING!!!!!
Where have we been???
Well, here I go again. I have not updated my blog in about a month and a half. Well, let's see if I can sum up. The last I blogged was on July 2. Since that day I have celebrated the 4th of July with some dear friends. We went to a local park and were able to see the fireworks up close. It was a spectacular display. Pictures you ask? Well, I thought my camera was broken. I think, however that it was the lens that was broken. I can use the telephoto lens just fine but the regular lens seems to be having trouble. What do you expect when it was dropped! LOL
We also were blesssed to share our house with another family for a couple of months. They are friends from college moving back to Dallas. They stayed with us to job hunt and buy a house. Needless to say we had a full house!
They had moved in the week we went to JAM camp.
July 19-26- The girls and I left for NEXT camp. This is our teen camp that we run up in Colorado. It was a fabulous week of daily worshipping and learning about the Lord along with whitewater rafting, hiking, zip lines, and high ropes courses. It was a busy and very relaxing week.
When we returned we had only a few extra kids at this point as the parents left to go pack up their apt. and move their stuff down to move into their new home.
We began school immediately (well, part-time school) while we unpacked and planned to wash clothes. Did I say planned? Well, the dryer vent needed replacing so we had to hold off for a bit but made up for it the rest of the week.
That about brings us to the first of August. Today is the 16th so what did we do????
Oh, I remember. We did take some time to allow our guests to get moved out. We went to the movies, went swimming, did school, relaxed a bit.
So, we are now to this past week.
On Thurs. A had her wisdom teeth pulled. We were so blessed that 3 came out very easily but the fourth tooth had to be cut out. She doesn't remember anything but the first numbing shot. She was a trooper and did beautifully. Here she is with her "swollen" cheeks. Yes believe it or not she is swollen here. She is so thin that unless you know here it is hard to tell.
After taking care of Amanda and getting her settled and after much stressing about school planning, getting the house back together and getting ready for another school year to start with all that entails, I finally broke down, went to Phillip and said I desperately needed his planning skills. I am NOT blessed with scheduling and planning, I am more of the spontaneous, seat of my pants type of gal. You must understand how desperate I was to seek his help. I would not under any other circumstances ask for his help because he willingly and excitedly gives it. Did I mention I am NOT a scheduled type of person. Anyway, after he was able to tie me down so we could work on it he scheduled out my next 3-4 weeks. See the next post for how that went!
We also were blesssed to share our house with another family for a couple of months. They are friends from college moving back to Dallas. They stayed with us to job hunt and buy a house. Needless to say we had a full house!
They had moved in the week we went to JAM camp.
July 19-26- The girls and I left for NEXT camp. This is our teen camp that we run up in Colorado. It was a fabulous week of daily worshipping and learning about the Lord along with whitewater rafting, hiking, zip lines, and high ropes courses. It was a busy and very relaxing week.
When we returned we had only a few extra kids at this point as the parents left to go pack up their apt. and move their stuff down to move into their new home.
We began school immediately (well, part-time school) while we unpacked and planned to wash clothes. Did I say planned? Well, the dryer vent needed replacing so we had to hold off for a bit but made up for it the rest of the week.
That about brings us to the first of August. Today is the 16th so what did we do????
Oh, I remember. We did take some time to allow our guests to get moved out. We went to the movies, went swimming, did school, relaxed a bit.
So, we are now to this past week.
On Thurs. A had her wisdom teeth pulled. We were so blessed that 3 came out very easily but the fourth tooth had to be cut out. She doesn't remember anything but the first numbing shot. She was a trooper and did beautifully. Here she is with her "swollen" cheeks. Yes believe it or not she is swollen here. She is so thin that unless you know here it is hard to tell.
After taking care of Amanda and getting her settled and after much stressing about school planning, getting the house back together and getting ready for another school year to start with all that entails, I finally broke down, went to Phillip and said I desperately needed his planning skills. I am NOT blessed with scheduling and planning, I am more of the spontaneous, seat of my pants type of gal. You must understand how desperate I was to seek his help. I would not under any other circumstances ask for his help because he willingly and excitedly gives it. Did I mention I am NOT a scheduled type of person. Anyway, after he was able to tie me down so we could work on it he scheduled out my next 3-4 weeks. See the next post for how that went!
First Scheduled Week
Week 1,
Clean and reorganize my bedroom
Clean Office, Set up kids computer/work room/empty bookshelves
Finish Family Room (We had already rearranged and cleaned the room but had all the bookshelves and school supplies and books to take care of)
Empty and clean out understairs closet (Now this was a major ordeal!)
Clean and rearrange Dining Room/Living Room (ie Front Room)
So, did we get it done? YES!!!! The kids were troopers and worked very hard. We were even able to fit in swimming and spending sometime with friends. My house is amazingly clean and organized. Now keeping it that way will be a challenge but we do have "Make a Chore Chart" scheduled for this next week. LOL
It was so nice to have accountability to my hubby! It was also great to know when we were finished for each day. Once I completed the assigned task it was not too difficult to go on to another task since there was no pressure at this point. Phillip does NOT pressure me but I am a "rule follower" so I can really stress myself. LOL!
Here is Ryan doing one of the tasks we "occupied" him with. He is going through our sets of dominoes to make sure they are complete.
Clean and reorganize my bedroom
Clean Office, Set up kids computer/work room/empty bookshelves
Finish Family Room (We had already rearranged and cleaned the room but had all the bookshelves and school supplies and books to take care of)
Empty and clean out understairs closet (Now this was a major ordeal!)
Clean and rearrange Dining Room/Living Room (ie Front Room)
So, did we get it done? YES!!!! The kids were troopers and worked very hard. We were even able to fit in swimming and spending sometime with friends. My house is amazingly clean and organized. Now keeping it that way will be a challenge but we do have "Make a Chore Chart" scheduled for this next week. LOL
It was so nice to have accountability to my hubby! It was also great to know when we were finished for each day. Once I completed the assigned task it was not too difficult to go on to another task since there was no pressure at this point. Phillip does NOT pressure me but I am a "rule follower" so I can really stress myself. LOL!
Here is Ryan doing one of the tasks we "occupied" him with. He is going through our sets of dominoes to make sure they are complete.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
"Quote of the Day"
As I mentioned earlier we are studying the Proverbs. Each day one of the kids or myself, as evidenced earlier, is hit with a proverb that identifies what we had been struggling with that day. By the time we had gone through Chapter 12 I asked the kids to sum up what the Proverbs were saying to them up to this point. J responded very matter of factly....
"If you are not following God, you are toast!"
I think that about sums it up. LOL
"If you are not following God, you are toast!"
I think that about sums it up. LOL
Terrific Tuesday
July 1, 2008
Today started out much better. I had determined that I would not succumb again to my own foolishness. The morning started out very slow and quiet. However, there was somehing in the back of my mind that kept nagging me that I was forgetting something. However, I could not put my finger on it so I continued my leisurely morning.
At exactly 9:04 am I remembered. It was NOT Monday. It was Tues. Every Tues. at 9:00am I meet with my accountability partner. Needless to say, the day went from very quiet and peaceful to frantic and hurried. I ran to my phone to call my friend and there was a voicemail. She was running late. I was so thankful. I called, told her not to worry about being late and that I had thought it was Monday and was running out the door as we spoke. We had a wonderful meeting. However, this really did get me flustered. J was laughing at me and saying, "Mom, I have never seen you flustered before!". She found it quite amusing. I rushed some instructions concerning school at them and out the door I went.
When I got home we finished up schooling, had lunch and then went to the pool with some friends. It was a nice, relaxing afternoon. Where are the pictures, you ask? Well, my camera is either dead or dying and I have not had opportunity to see if it can be fixed so we will be without pictures until I can remember to bring A's camera or I can see what is up with mine.
After swimming we came home, showered, ate dinner while watching a movie and then got ready for our midweek home group meeting. As we were walking out the door I checked my phone and had a voicemail letting us know it was cancelled. Since we were all in the car ready to go we decided to go somewhere anyway so we head down to the park and to the creek. It was cool. Dad and the boys had sword fights with various branches they found at the park. We discovered 2 very large trees that had grown so close together that that fused together. (Again, sorry no picture). We went to the creek and skipped rocks and just sat together and listened to the creek ripple by. It was quiet and peaceful as we watched the sun go down. The we headed home. We finished our movie we had started earlier and then it was off to bed for the kiddos.
Unfortunately, I am up now because one of those kiddos began throwing up. C is now stirring on the couch in our bedroom. He is asleep but not sleeping well. Hopefully he will settle down soon.
Today started out much better. I had determined that I would not succumb again to my own foolishness. The morning started out very slow and quiet. However, there was somehing in the back of my mind that kept nagging me that I was forgetting something. However, I could not put my finger on it so I continued my leisurely morning.
At exactly 9:04 am I remembered. It was NOT Monday. It was Tues. Every Tues. at 9:00am I meet with my accountability partner. Needless to say, the day went from very quiet and peaceful to frantic and hurried. I ran to my phone to call my friend and there was a voicemail. She was running late. I was so thankful. I called, told her not to worry about being late and that I had thought it was Monday and was running out the door as we spoke. We had a wonderful meeting. However, this really did get me flustered. J was laughing at me and saying, "Mom, I have never seen you flustered before!". She found it quite amusing. I rushed some instructions concerning school at them and out the door I went.
When I got home we finished up schooling, had lunch and then went to the pool with some friends. It was a nice, relaxing afternoon. Where are the pictures, you ask? Well, my camera is either dead or dying and I have not had opportunity to see if it can be fixed so we will be without pictures until I can remember to bring A's camera or I can see what is up with mine.
After swimming we came home, showered, ate dinner while watching a movie and then got ready for our midweek home group meeting. As we were walking out the door I checked my phone and had a voicemail letting us know it was cancelled. Since we were all in the car ready to go we decided to go somewhere anyway so we head down to the park and to the creek. It was cool. Dad and the boys had sword fights with various branches they found at the park. We discovered 2 very large trees that had grown so close together that that fused together. (Again, sorry no picture). We went to the creek and skipped rocks and just sat together and listened to the creek ripple by. It was quiet and peaceful as we watched the sun go down. The we headed home. We finished our movie we had started earlier and then it was off to bed for the kiddos.
Unfortunately, I am up now because one of those kiddos began throwing up. C is now stirring on the couch in our bedroom. He is asleep but not sleeping well. Hopefully he will settle down soon.
Manic Monday
Okay, Today did NOT start out well. We had our regularly scheduled pulmonology appt. for 3 of my kiddos. This is usually a 3 hour appt. It takes planning ahead, making lunches, packing up schooling and things to do while we are there. This is NOT the morning to get up, NOT eat breakfast and then choose to go on a walk. But, that is exactly what my kiddos did. Did I mention they needed showers also?
I woke up to find them gone. Needless to say, this did not start my day off well and I did NOT handle it well either. I managed NOT to yell but I did become what our preacher calls "Queen Mother". Essentially this means I become very forceful and expect the entire household to immediately respond to my every whim. It is NOT pleasant. This did get us ready and out of the house on time and we did make our appt., but this did NOT make a happy household.
We worked on school while at the appt. One thing we are doing right now is studying the Proverbs. Everyone reads a chapter in Proverbs for the day and then we share what stuck out to us most. We were in Chapter 12. What stuck out to me?
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Sigh. I blew it again. It has been awhile since I have fallen for this mentality but, I allowed myself to live in my flesh again and I became a fool. As I discussed this with my children I openly confessed this to them and apologized. In the car on the way to the appt. I had already apologized and we had already decided to redeem the day. My children know that no matter how badly we blow it (whether it is them or me), God is a God of second chances and we can always repent and start over. However, when we went through the Proverbs and read this verse I knew the kids needed to see God's loving rebuke of me. But, they also needed to see Him redeem me and see us move on.
The rest of the day went so much better. Thank You Jesus!
The appt. went well and the kids do NOT have to go back for 6 months! This is huge. Their pulmonary functions tests were the best they have ever been which means we are managing their asthma well. We got our schooling done and enjoyed our time in the doctor's office.
Our doctor's office is on the other side of town for us which is a significant distance. However, right down the street from his office is IKEA.
www.ikea.com
It is a housewares warehouse. It has a map to guide you through all areas, it has many apartments set up in it to show you how efficiently you can use space. It is designed for small places and just has the most wonderful furniture, housewares etc. It took us 2 hours to get through the store. This was my first time there but my A had been there before. She did NOT let me get a basket. She stated "Don't get one Mom. You will just end up getting things you don't need." I had to laugh but I am so glad she showed such wisdom. If I could NOT carry it I could not buy it. By the time I had left the store I had so many ideas of how I wanted to redecorate my home. Alas, it is a dream but it was fun! At the very end of the store we found a little cafe that sold .50 hot dogs so we all sat down and enjoyed one.
After IKEA we went to Sam Moon which is a store with wall-to-wall purses and jewelry. Do you remember that I had all of the kids with me? As we were walking into the store C leaned over to me and quietly stated, "You owe me, Mom." I just had to laugh. Taking sons into a purse store truly is a sacrifice on their part.
I had a chiropratic appt. at 5pm and so we rushed back to our side of town for the appt. After the appt. I remembered the boys had earned free ice cream coupons from Braum's in their reading program. They expired that day so off to Braum's we went. We all enjoyed dessert before dinner.
All in all it was a good day. We throughly enjoyed our time together even though it started out a little rough.
I woke up to find them gone. Needless to say, this did not start my day off well and I did NOT handle it well either. I managed NOT to yell but I did become what our preacher calls "Queen Mother". Essentially this means I become very forceful and expect the entire household to immediately respond to my every whim. It is NOT pleasant. This did get us ready and out of the house on time and we did make our appt., but this did NOT make a happy household.
We worked on school while at the appt. One thing we are doing right now is studying the Proverbs. Everyone reads a chapter in Proverbs for the day and then we share what stuck out to us most. We were in Chapter 12. What stuck out to me?
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once,
but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Sigh. I blew it again. It has been awhile since I have fallen for this mentality but, I allowed myself to live in my flesh again and I became a fool. As I discussed this with my children I openly confessed this to them and apologized. In the car on the way to the appt. I had already apologized and we had already decided to redeem the day. My children know that no matter how badly we blow it (whether it is them or me), God is a God of second chances and we can always repent and start over. However, when we went through the Proverbs and read this verse I knew the kids needed to see God's loving rebuke of me. But, they also needed to see Him redeem me and see us move on.
The rest of the day went so much better. Thank You Jesus!
The appt. went well and the kids do NOT have to go back for 6 months! This is huge. Their pulmonary functions tests were the best they have ever been which means we are managing their asthma well. We got our schooling done and enjoyed our time in the doctor's office.
Our doctor's office is on the other side of town for us which is a significant distance. However, right down the street from his office is IKEA.
www.ikea.com
It is a housewares warehouse. It has a map to guide you through all areas, it has many apartments set up in it to show you how efficiently you can use space. It is designed for small places and just has the most wonderful furniture, housewares etc. It took us 2 hours to get through the store. This was my first time there but my A had been there before. She did NOT let me get a basket. She stated "Don't get one Mom. You will just end up getting things you don't need." I had to laugh but I am so glad she showed such wisdom. If I could NOT carry it I could not buy it. By the time I had left the store I had so many ideas of how I wanted to redecorate my home. Alas, it is a dream but it was fun! At the very end of the store we found a little cafe that sold .50 hot dogs so we all sat down and enjoyed one.
After IKEA we went to Sam Moon which is a store with wall-to-wall purses and jewelry. Do you remember that I had all of the kids with me? As we were walking into the store C leaned over to me and quietly stated, "You owe me, Mom." I just had to laugh. Taking sons into a purse store truly is a sacrifice on their part.
I had a chiropratic appt. at 5pm and so we rushed back to our side of town for the appt. After the appt. I remembered the boys had earned free ice cream coupons from Braum's in their reading program. They expired that day so off to Braum's we went. We all enjoyed dessert before dinner.
All in all it was a good day. We throughly enjoyed our time together even though it started out a little rough.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Bible in 90 Days. It is finished!
June 28, 2008
I have just had the most amazing 90 days. I was challenged to read the Bible in 90 days. When this was first proposed I had to think on it awhile because I am a student of the Word. I like to read, study, research, define and just dig deep when I read the Bible. Doing this in 90 days did not make this possible but, I decided I would try. Afterall, there have been many a time that I have read a huge novel in no time and asked myself why I hadn't just read the Bible straight through. So, my journey began on March 31, 2008.
There were days that I began reading and ended up lost in thought. I would have to go back an reread a passage or two. There were days I read and was amazed at the connections I was able to make as I read through book after book in the Bible. Reading the 4 gospels back to back was a very interesting experience. Getting to know Paul better as I read each of his books back to back has given me many things to think through and mull over.
Today I finished my study by reading straight through the book of Revelations. How awesome it is to see God's hand and the end of the story. A story of fallen people who are redeemed by a loving God who is faithful to His promises and is victorious in the end. I found myself in tears as I saw the loving hand of our God end the torment of the saints. Tears also flowed as His glory was revealed in the human terms that are just a shadow of the reality of God. I then found myself face down in prayer and praise to our awesome God, in humble submission that He would even consider me to enter His eternal rest, that He made me worthy to be reconciled to Him through the death of His son. How can I be humbled, exalted, rejoicing, ashamed, awed and in tears all at the same time?
I issure forth this challenge to you all. Not that you accomplish reading the bible in 90 days (though I recommend it), but that you seek His Word that you might come to know Him more, that if you have not made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior that you seek to find Him and the promise of salvation that comes only through Him.
I will end simply with the end of the book....
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen, Come Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
Revelations 22:20-21
I have just had the most amazing 90 days. I was challenged to read the Bible in 90 days. When this was first proposed I had to think on it awhile because I am a student of the Word. I like to read, study, research, define and just dig deep when I read the Bible. Doing this in 90 days did not make this possible but, I decided I would try. Afterall, there have been many a time that I have read a huge novel in no time and asked myself why I hadn't just read the Bible straight through. So, my journey began on March 31, 2008.
There were days that I began reading and ended up lost in thought. I would have to go back an reread a passage or two. There were days I read and was amazed at the connections I was able to make as I read through book after book in the Bible. Reading the 4 gospels back to back was a very interesting experience. Getting to know Paul better as I read each of his books back to back has given me many things to think through and mull over.
Today I finished my study by reading straight through the book of Revelations. How awesome it is to see God's hand and the end of the story. A story of fallen people who are redeemed by a loving God who is faithful to His promises and is victorious in the end. I found myself in tears as I saw the loving hand of our God end the torment of the saints. Tears also flowed as His glory was revealed in the human terms that are just a shadow of the reality of God. I then found myself face down in prayer and praise to our awesome God, in humble submission that He would even consider me to enter His eternal rest, that He made me worthy to be reconciled to Him through the death of His son. How can I be humbled, exalted, rejoicing, ashamed, awed and in tears all at the same time?
I issure forth this challenge to you all. Not that you accomplish reading the bible in 90 days (though I recommend it), but that you seek His Word that you might come to know Him more, that if you have not made Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior that you seek to find Him and the promise of salvation that comes only through Him.
I will end simply with the end of the book....
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen, Come Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
Revelations 22:20-21
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