Heather's Haven

The beginning of the end...

2009-05-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

SO! Yes, it's been a LONG time since I've blogged... my bad. I've been adjusting to working a part time job, doing a Bible study, volunteering at my kids' school... busy girl, I am. But since I appear to have plenty of time to play on the addiction that is Facebook.. I should indeed have time to update this thing that no body reads, mainly because I don't tell them that I have it. :)

My first year at Mom's Day Out is nearly ended. It has been probably one of my most fun jobs ever. I have fallen head over heels in love with a few 2-3 year olds who will likely make me cry like a baby on the last day. They are so trusting and loving and silly. I DO have my favorites, but they have all made the school year fun

Life on the home front has been busy and altogether good, minus some ER trips for the boy and a very expensive one for the DOG. Both are no worse for the wear, and I am thankful for that. Spence will be seeing an allergist at some point (i.e. as soon as we can get an appointment) thanks to our third annual trip to the ER for allergy related breathing issues. I'm fairly certain he will not appreciate how it will help him as soon as the nurse practitioner mentioned "shots"! Eek... we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

Hannah is doing great. She has finally conquered the sleeping issues that plagued us for months on end...and for that I thank GOD and my chiropractor, Dr. Heiland, who had some great suggestions to make bedtime a better thing. She's ready for her school year to be done and have a new classroom of kids, hopefully not nearly as rotten as the class she's had to endure this year. Her teacher, bless her heart, is retiring! It was THAT bad.. :)

The Mr. is out at the range right now... having his own therapy session. He and I have a great understanding of alone time. Though, I would take another date night any old time. I love him for that tho.. the fact that we don't guilt each other about having "our own time" is a cool thing, that I don't think many couples are in the practice of. We are getting ready to celebrate 11 "long" years of marriage. We have tickets to Brad Paisley and are excited to see him in concert. I'm hoping to get him to take that Friday off and get a hotel for the night... HONEY... are you reading this? :) Doesn't hurt to try. :)

Okay, I've officially updated.. now it's time to watch Idol...

New job

2008-09-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

So I started a new job this week. I'm teaching, I should say co-teaching a 2 year old class at Mom's Day Out at the church that I grew up in. Only one day down so far, but it was a good first day. I have to say, even though I'm slightly afraid of how busy I'm about to get, I'm also excited about how many snuggles and love and joy I can receive from a room full of little ones.

Time is flying so fast. Hannah is turning eight next week. When did this happen? She is growing crazy fast. She is SO smart, and I'm not just saying that as her mother. Do any of you have an 8yo in your home that yells at you for using hairspray that is damaging the ozone with chlorofluorocarbons? I am probably not even SPELLING it correctly, yet she is on my case about recycling and reading 200 page books in one evening and just generally soaking everything in like a sponge! She pays attention, when I don't want her to, in particular. She is in the gifted program and is learning how to research things. So she is always coming home and looking up weather information and thinks it's funny that there is a hurricane that shares the same name as her right now. Funny, that is, until her little brother told her that "she" killed 60 people in Haiti. Then, she didn't think it was as funny.

And Spencer. Whew. Not quite to the end of the first quarter of Kindergarten and reading books already. It is SO fun to have watched him go from clinging to Dave that first week of school, to being totally stoked to go each morning and ramble on and on about all they did after I pick them up in the afternoon.

Sometimes it's easy for me to get complacent. Too easy, I find myself comparing myself or my circumstances to what I wish they could be or worse, what I'm glad they aren't. And I have to remember and reflect on how much God has blessed me. Blessed me with a husband who loves me and loves to spend time with me, is generous enough to spend money on me and yet, who values our individuality, and who is totally cool if I want to spend a girl's night out with friends, and who knows I'm totally cool with sending him to the range to work out his frustrations of sitting at a desk all day long to bring home our bacon. Blessed me with 2 healthy, happy, very well behaved children. Yes, they are exhausting and try our patience at times, but all I have to do to remember how great I have it there is to turn on SuperNanny and whew, I have it G-O-O-D! Blessed to find a part time job, and work in an uplifting environment where everyone works as a team and have the flexibility to be at school parties and field trips as well. LIFE IS GOOD!

I wish I could say that I'll update again soon, but as anyone, if anyone can see from my record... I am not consistent whatsoever. But it's an update nonetheless. Until next time...

Should've known better OR My husband is a saint!

2008-07-31T19:31:00.000-07:00

So, my mom's been gone for nearly a week to see my sister in San Antonio. My mom is a stay at home grandma to 2 nieces and one nephew...full time...for free. My brother takes the cake in advantage taking. He uses her the most. My sister uses her fairly regularly, but has a much more flexible schedule. So for about the last year, the only time my mom has watched my two kids are when she's asked me if she could. I just feel so bad most of the time to even ask her, because I just feel she needs a break, for crying out loud.

Anyhow, today, she came home and I'd told my kids that we could stop by and see grandma after school for just a little while. Well, of course, everyone missed grandma, so everyone was there. It was sheer chaos. At one point, I looked at my dad and said, "wanna make a run for it?" So, basically, chaos and I don't get along really well. By the time I left, I just felt totally frazzled. Not helping the issue, is the fact that I feel kinda crappy. The kids have caught their first colds--during the second week of school--and so, yes, now I have a cold as well. Basically, in the state I was in already, I never should have gone over there, if I'd known the chaos would be there. Thus, I should've known better.

Then we came home, and it all just progressed. My darling daughter decided to stretch out on the nasty, dog-haired covered floor, sliding across it on her new back pack... knowing full well, she's not supposed to lay on the nasty, dog-haired covered floor in the first place, much less "ride" her backpack across it....

Then came dinner, which was quite tasty, but that was overlooked by the fact that my sweet son apparently has a drinking problem. Now, let me clarify. He is FIVE. He's been very regularly drinking from a cup without a lid for quite some time, and yet the last few weeks, or months... I've lost track... if he's not complaining about what we are having, he is spilling his drink all over the front of himself and the table. I kid you not, our table will need to be refinished soon. The frustration finally got to me and I yelled at him. And he proceeded to cry. It was fun times. (*sarcasm*)

And as the night went on, we came to tooth brushing time. As sweet son was brushing his teeth... he wasn't doing as well as he used to. And when Daddy tried to tell him to do better... more tears.... lots of drama since school started. So I tried to settle down before we actually prayed with them. Seemed to work a bit.

The last part of my title is dedicated to my sweet man. He is currently working his frustrations out at the gym, of which he fully deserves to tonight, cuz frankly, I'm unsure of who was the bigger basket-case: my kiddos or me. And yet, he came and kissed me tenderly on the lips before he left to go to the gym... actually, he's been gone a while... hope he's coming back...(just kidding Honey!) My point being. He could've just stomped out of here, as I was tempted to do earlier after dinner, and scram like some hubbies would do, but he didn't. He held his cool. And he still loved on me. And that, my friends, is the best gift of all in my book. And I sure do love that man.

So can I get a big : THANK GOD TOMORROW IS FRIDAY? Here's to a better day tomorrow and hopefully the kids and I will be feeling better and even more so, hopefully Daddy won't get it.

Back to school....

2008-07-21T19:04:00.001-07:00

So this past Thursday was my kiddos first day back to school. In our district, we run our school on cycles. Each cycle lasts 9 weeks, with a 3 week break in between, save for the summer break, which lasts 6 weeks. This year was my youngest child's first day of Kindergarten. I did pretty good and so did he, until after school...when I picked him up and he was in tears. Seems someone had stolen his lunch. A KINDERGARTNERS LUNCH STOLEN ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I was just devastated that his first day was marred by someone's meanness. So, today the missing lunch box finally showed up, hidden on a bus, empty. We don't ride the bus. So that tells me someone took it. I guess they needed it more than we did.

Sis is in second grade now. She was happy to get the teacher she wanted, though I really think she's struggling with not having her BFF in her class this year, since they shared Kindergarten and 1st grade together. I have worries that something is stirring in Hannah's spirit lately. I am not afraid, per se, but I am having a hard time watching her struggle to grasp onto faith in Jesus, and fight the fears she has. It's a hard thing to grasp, even as an adult sometimes. Poor thing has been worrying herself into having stomach aches and having some horrible night terrors. We've been praying with her each night and I've even been teaching her some scripture about how God never slumbers or sleeps and keeps watch over our comings and goings. I've been reminding her of her VBS verse from last year.. Joshua 1:9..."do not be terrified, do not be discouraged; for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I don't know what else to do. I've just asked as many people that know my child to pray for her.

I have enjoyed my alone time so far. I've done a little stamping, had a few lunches with my hubby and friends. Not as fun, but have done a little cleaning. :) Tonight I met with my friend Kari, who I will be teaching Mom's day out with in September. We managed to plan out our whole year tonight over dinner. Each week is labeled with a theme, so all we have to do is go research stories and craft/game ideas on our subjects and get our own weeks worth of stuff together. I think it will be a great time and I'm glad she is so organized. We'll have kids who have just turned 2, so that will be a challenge for me to keep the crafts simple. But I'm excited.

Here's hoping for a full night's sleep tonight with no little girl waking up with dreams....

Bye Bye Bunnies :(

2008-04-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

Well, Hannah and Spencer learned one of those hard--life lessons tonight about nature in particular. We had 4 baby bunnies born in a little burrow in our front yard this spring. It's not the first time, but it's the first time my kids were genuinely interested in them. Well, after watching them grow for about a week or so. We sadly realized that a big black ol'crow was also watching them. And he got all four of them in the span of the evening tonight. So, sis was devastated. Spencer was sort of intrigued. And we got to talk about how nature isn't always all soft and fuzzy like baby bunnies. That bunnies feed other animals like snakes, eagles, hawks, and even cats. I know it wasn't fun for them to discover the yucky part of nature, but they'll be fine.

And we were also fortunate enough to thank our kids for their stellar behavior in public tonight. At our local DQ, we stood in line behind a child that was maybe in the 6-8 year old range. She had on new flip flops apparently and thought it would be fun to make them cause a LOUD clicking noise on the DQ floor. We ignored it and got through the line. Well, we sat near them, and as soon as we sat down, she stood up and started doing it all over again, and again, and again, and again... you get the point. So we got up and brought our ice cream home. Thanks be to God for our wonderful children.

Catch up

2008-04-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

So, a little catch up is in order. For starters, my sister, Caryn is doing alright. Unfortunately, there is a medical issue, and it's the cause of her miscarriage. However, we are hopeful that, based on the numbers we're seeing so far, that she will recover without any aggressive medical treatments, and be able to try starting their little family within about 6 months to a year.

In other news, we are on a job hunt again. Dave's a contractor, and the company he is contracted to, decided to give him an out date about 3 months earlier than expected. Ok, so we look at new jobs, THEN they decide, never mind, we'll have you stay until the original date. THEN, they kind of, so to speak, guilt trip Dave into maybe staying, since they fought to keep him. Well, in my humble opinion... that's BOLOGNA. You don't tell someone their job is ending in 2 months, then make them feel bad for setting up interviews. Jerks. So, at any rate, Dave had an interview today that we are hopeful will possibly work out to be one of those kinds of jobs that you actually stay at for a LONG time. Like, one you could even see yourself retiring from. So, we'll feel our way through the mystery and trust God to open and close all the right doors.

The kids are great. We are ALL so happy for the nice spring weather. Hannah and Spencer are so happy to be outdoors again. In fact, I think Spencer's favorite new pass time is to swing. He probably played on that swing for 30 minutes straight after school today. They've also figured out how to JUMP off the swings...so I predict we'll have our first broken bone this summer at some point. :)

I've gotten so sub at Mom's Day Out a few times this month. It is a super fun job and I am really looking forward to working there
next year. I love getting snuggles from the kids and some of the things they say are just priceless. And getting paid to play with 4 and 5 year olds for 6 hours a day, 3 days a week, isn't such a bad job, ya know? :)

Okay, I think that sums up a lot that's happening around here. Toodles.

Bad News

2008-03-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

While enjoying a lovely girls' day out with my friend, Bethany today, I got one of those phone calls that no one likes to get. Sadly, it was one of those where someone has died. This time though, it was 2 very tiny someones. My little sister, Caryn was pregnant with her first child. She began spotting last night, went straight to the doctor's office first thing this morning, only to find out that not only had her pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, BUT that in fact, she was carrying twins. I'm so devastated for her. And even more frustrating for me is that Caryn and Ken are in San Antonio, TX and the rest of our big family is here in St. Louis, MO. We feel so helpless and want to be there to hug her and be physically there, you know? I'm so glad we were able to see her and Ken just two weeks ago, and that we got to love on them both a whole lot. And I can only hope that all the laughter and hugs we left them will help them not feel so lonely while they sort this out. But, it just totally and completely sucks beyond ALL recognition.

Play along!

2008-03-06T17:39:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO THE 2008 EDITION OF
TO KNOW YOUR FRIENDS.
THE THEORY IS: YOU WILL LEARN A LOT OF
LITTLE THINGS ABOUT YOUR
FRIENDS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN. . .

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING?
6:45

2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS?
diamonds

3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA?
penelope (loved it!)

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW?
men in trees

5. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
sadly, I don't do breakfast on a regular basis, I know, that's bad...

6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
lynn

7. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE?
salmon

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD?
right now, Allison Krauss--A Hundred Miles or More

9. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
2005 Chrysler Town and Country (not recommended)

10. FAVORITE SANDWICH?
Alpine Chicken Sammies from Quizzno's

11. WHAT CHARACTERISTIC DO YOU DESPISE?
hypocracy

12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING?
my new LB jeans

13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
hawaii or jackson hole

15. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING?
venezia

16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO?
a cabin in the smokies possibly?

17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY?
hmmm, my 16th, but only cuz my parent's embarrassed me by putting a picture of me on my cake.

18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
baseball, but only live, not on TV

19. FURTHEST PLACE YOU ARE SENDING THIS TO:
just putting it "out there" on my blog

21. PERSON YOU EXPECT TO ANSWER:
I'll be glad to hear anyone's answers.

22. FAVORITE SAYING?
"sweet niblets: from the Hannah Montana show. :)

23. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY?
september 26th

24. YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON?
morning

25. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE?
7.5

26. PETS?
big, fatty, black lab with a nubbin tail, Belle, a.k.a. Princess Belle Poops A Lot. hehe

27. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
I'm going to be an aunt again!

28. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE?
a vet, and a momma

29. HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
I'm great, had a lunch date with my hubby, and got some new stamps with a bonus visit with my friends at RPS!

30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY?
york peppermint patties or junior mints, cuz you can eat them and smell good too! :)

31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
gerbera daisies

32. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO?
tomorrow--cuz I have a haircut/hilite appointment!!! woohoo!

33. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME?
heather lynn stahlschmidt rodecap

34. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
american idol, results show

35. LAST THING YOU ATE?
chicken quesidillas, homemade salsa, and queso dip

36. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
nah, I don't just ever really think of it

37. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
a bright, vivid pink

38. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW?
today was partly cloudy and quite cool

39. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK?
diet cherry coke

40. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
frankie tocco's on main street, st. charles...mmmmmm

41. SIBLINGS?
3 younger sisters, 1 younger brother

42. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
probably easter sunday

43. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
my portable keyboard

44. SUMMER OR WINTER:
summer

46. COFFEE OR TEA?
frozen, shake-like coffee (I know that's not real coffee, is it?)

47. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
dark, creamy chocolate

48. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO COMMENT HERE?
yes,please!

49. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
yesterday morning

50. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED?
junk :)

51. WHO IS THE FRIEND YOU'VE HAD THE LONGEST?
kelley

53. FAVORITE SMELL?
vanilla

54. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
losing anyone close to me, especially my hubby or kiddos

55. SALTY OR SWEET?
salty

56. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR KEY CHAIN?
5

57. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB?
I don't currently have one.

58. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK ?
Saturday

59. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN?
3

60. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY?
yes, but not as close as I used too, cuz I've gotten burned too many times...

Julian got his wings

2008-01-20T06:04:00.000-08:00

King JuJu got his wings yesterday (1/19). Got the update last night, after Dave and I had a fun night at the movies with our kiddos. Wow, that movie was boring (Pirates Who Don't Do Anything)... but what a fun family night we had. And when you compare to what Mimi and Ken had going on in their little family yesterday, who could ask for anything more that hanging out with my two healthy, happy, sweet kids. I cried tears over this little one who I never knew last night, but I cried more for his momma, and how she must have felt. So torn, knowing Julian is in heaven and is whole again, but not having his little body to hold again, or smell his smell, or see his smile. It was more than I could take. I'll leave you with Mimi's words...and prayers for her that sweet famiy as they navigate through this time of grieving....

267 January 19, 2008 at 06:55 PM CST
Time of Death ,11:22am ... Never thought I would ever hear these words about my 4 1/2 year old son. But this morning , those words got engraved in my mind and my heart forever.
Julian fought until the last painful breath. Again NOTHING peaceful about this process until , until he stopped gasping for air.
Julian looked like a fish out of the water, trying so hard to fill those lungs ,but nothing. You could see the normal breathing motions his body made, but nothing got past his throat.Finally he stopped fighting.
When he started having a hard time breathing I went to get Ken . He stood on one side of the bed and i was on there with Julian . We talked him thru his transition . We told him it would be ok . We told him we were proud of him . I told him to say Hi to Jesus for me. I told him that Cody and Jacob were waiting for him . I told him that we would be ok . I told him he wouldnt hurt anymore. I told him good night. I told him I loved him . I told him to play and run . The nurse took his shirt off and told us to touch him , that he could feel us and we needed to feel him . I put my hand on his chest. I could feel his heart beat. Then it slowed down . Then I could not feel it anymore. I heard his first heartbeat and felt his last one .
I was texting Debra right before , texted her Julian was gone, she called and got in her car and came.
I got Mamie, she told Ju bye.And Papy.
We got the boys and told them . Sam asked if we were sure he was gone. Then he said it was wierd because he didnt feel like crying . Then he asked to hold him . I needed to clean and dress Ju first .
Debra got here, helped me a little, cried a lot... They are not supposed to get attached,how can you not get attached to Ju?
I held Julian . Debra gave him a bed bath , as she had been doing for the past few weeks, put lotion all over him , loved and kissed on him . 1 month ago , she didnt even know him , now she is grieving just as we are . That is what Julian is all about . LOVE, unconditional love... He touched Debra, she touched my heart...
Ken , Debra, Mamie, Sam , Gma and I held Julian. Maybe others did , I am not sure.
Dana and Jessi came.Pastor Kevin and Vicki, Zach and Sam.Diane came by, Pastor Blair and Pat. Vickie and Gerald. Nanny.
It is now 6 something pm. Dana and her family are still here with us . I love those guys! Thank you ...
Funeral home men came to get him this afternoon. Ken carried him to the van , with his blankie (his Christmas blankie he would share with every one) one of his mimis and one of his dinosaurs.
We dont know any details on viewing and funeral yet. We will let you know, just make sure you have your YELLOW SHIRTS HANDY !!!!

FLY HIGH MUNCHKIN ... I love you all the way to China, you are the best ,you know that? I love your smell too baby...

Your mama, your little mama ...

WOW

2008-01-12T06:19:00.000-08:00

I have been keeping up with a few blogs lately and I am in complete awe of the strength that God gives to us as humans when we are in the midst of things in life that seem too big and too scary to go through. He can be "enough" if I will only allow him to be.

First, there is the story of little Julian Avery. I learned of Julian through the blog of Dawn, also known as the "ebay mom", whose blog can be seen here: http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/. Julian is a 4 year old with neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer. He is only four years old, and as his mom, Mimi says, is just waiting for his wings right now. It could be any day that Julian goes to be with our Dad in heaven. And yet, Mimi is a champion for not only her son, but her God, and however sad she may feel on the inside, He has given her a strength to tell His story while she shares the story of King JuJu with all of us readers. You can visit Julian's World on CarePages.com. You'll have to register, but his page is JuliansWorld (all one word). I defy you not to find encouragement there! God bless Mimi, and Julian and his daddy and brothers.

Secondly, there is the story of Nate, Tricia and baby Gwyneth. Came to know their story through a fellow stamper's blog. Here is the story of a happy couple, Nate and Tricia, and a disease called Cystic Fibrosis. Tricia was beginning to prepare for a double lung transplant, when she and Nate found they were expecting. So, recently at around 24-25 weeks, when Tricia was just struggling too hard to breathe and rest, the docs decided it was time to deliver baby Gwyneth. So into the world she came, just 1 pound and 6 ounces and as tiny and beautiful as ever. She is doing well, according to Nate's blog, which can be seen here: http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com/. And Tricia is still holding on. She smiles and her heart rate lowers to a more comfortable pace when Nate enters the room to talk to her. We are all believing Dad to heal her completely so that she will wake up, not fight the help with breathing from the machine that is helping her, and that she will grow stronger and stronger and be able to watch their baby grow big and strong too. The catch here is this: Nate sees the reality that this part of his life may all to quickly come to an end, and yet he praises God and gives him glory for all He has accomplished thus far. And even more, Nate has shared that message of a LOVING GOD who is here for us no matter what we are going through.

I pray that I will cling to that strength of my God more and more each day, even in my little trial. I pray the same for you, so that should we be faced with something bigger, we will never doubt WHO is in control of it all. Blessings!

I promise I've been busy....

2007-11-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

STAMPING! I know, I should be taking pictures... and I will tomorrow. Promise.

I've been working hard on Christmas cards for 2007, some thank you's as a bartering deal worked out with my fabulous hair stylist, Carey... some ornaments that I've been giving away as fast as I can make them (which is pretty fast with these quickies).
I've been having lots of fun. I've done a lot of paper hoarding over the past few months and I've finally broken down and cut some of it up and used it and gave away what I've made... that's what it's all about, right?

We had a fun family night tonight. We all ate dinner together (which is pretty much an every night thing round our house), then we went to the Mills Mall in Hazelwood...girls to Archiver's/boys to Cabella's next door. :) Everyone's happy. Then we came home and popped some popcorn and popped in a movie. Tonight we watched Evan Almighty. It was really cute, and what was even cuter, was when it was over, I asked my two kiddos... who are 7 and nearly 5..."what was the lesson of this movie? If God asks you to do something....." to which they replied... "DO IT!". Ah, too cute and ouch... too true. Don't wanna learn some lessons the hard way, so I'm going to try to make tomorrow a better "listen to Dad" day.

This weekend we'll host a Thanksgiving dinner with my family along with some extended famly on my dad's side. Then on Wednesday, we'll head northeast to Indiana to spend the holiday with Dave's folks. So, I'm going to attempt to start being more focused on things I am thankful for. Here are just a few:

1. I am so thankful for my husband Dave. He and I have plenty of chances to marvel in how well God has matched us together. Especially when we have seen several of our friends deal with either divorces or just "dead" marriages here lately. Not that we have it "all" together, cuz we don't claim to. But we are serious about this being "it"... we are committed. We are in love... and we know how to laugh and be completely stupid together... and that seems to be the glue that holds us tight. We are also BIG advocates of date nights. Which leads to my other things to be thankful for.

2. I am thankful for parents on both of our sides who genuinely WANT to spend time with our kids. I have so many friends who either have family that is far away and not accessible, or family who lives right here in town, but just don't give a rip. I've got a grandma who doesn't give a rip, so I know how that feels and I'm blessed that my children never have had to experience that. I'm thankful that my kids are loved and spoiled shamelessly by our parents.

3. Which brings me to my kids... I love those little stinkers. Hannah and Spencer are so full of life and so full of "other" stuff sometimes too. :) But they bring so much to my life. I cannot imagine it without them. When they are gone to Dave's folks for a week, I start to go literally crazy missing them. But I'm thankful that they are adventurous in a safe way. They like to push the line, but they are pretty responsible. Sometimes they are overly responsible, like tonight when Hannah was going on and on and on about "intruder alerts" at school (which is just sad to begin with), but let me tell you ... that 7 year old of mine--she's got a plan for whatever room she is in...on the other hand, she got her brother ALL wigged out about intruders now. Oy... she's too smart for her own good, but it sure keeps us on our toes. They are so kind to each other and just really good playmates. I so love them.

I know I'll add more to my thankful list. But I need to pace myself. :) That, and my fingers are cramping...

Tomorrow will be cleaning day to prepare for company on Sunday and probably laundry day too. A mom's work is truly never done. NEVER! Good night!

Bargain finds!

2007-10-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the enablers at Splitcoast, I was given a tip that Michael's had some Martha Stewart goodies on clearance. Namely some 8pk note cards, for A DOLLAR!!!! And the 40% coupons are able to be used on Martha stuff now too. That used to not be the case. I also used my coupon for a cute little acrylic stamp set that consisted of a little floral frame with about 7 or 8 Scripture verses. I thought that this could help me make some more Christmas gifts for teachers and my Mother in law.

I earned a little fun money tonight and plan to sneak back to Mike's tomorrow morning to see if there are any other colors at the store on the other side of town. Never know, right? :)

My folks are taking a plane ride to San Antonio on Thursday to visit my sister and brother-in-law. So I took my kids over tonight for some grandparent time, while Dave and I went our for a few hours of NON-parenting time. Had some yummy breakfast for dinner at IHOP and it was nice to just have some quiet.

Also worked on school "black and orange" party crafts. We have lots of foam crafts for the first grade class my daughter is in. We're also playing a balloon popping game, in which a little toy or candy will be inside the balloon and the kids have to pop it to find out what's inside. And finally, cookie decorating. Should be fun. There is only an hour to have the party, which is hilarious to me, but I understand. Just makes it crazy to organize 21 kids who are craving sugar in an hour's time :).

Well, I'm about off to bed. The silly dog was up twice last night. I'm getting too old for all this waking up during the night busness. Sometimes it feels like we will never sleep thru the night ever again. *sigh* Better luck tonight.

More stamping samples.

2007-10-21T17:31:00.000-07:00

I had lots of fun doing some more stamping. Took out a few of my older sets and tried to make them feel new again. I am excited about all the ramblings I'm hearing about Stampin Up being a little less restrictive on where we can sell things made with their stamps. I'm hoping it will be possible to fund my habit by making stuff with my addiction. We shall see. Thanks for looking! All the details for my cards are on splitcoast, which is linked to the right of my page. My ID on there is hhroady.

Been busy stamping.

2007-10-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

I've finally had a stamping streak! YAHOO! I'm going to attempt to post pictures. All of these are already posted on Splitcoast, which is linked on the right side of this page. My name on Splicoast is hhroady, so all of the details of these cards can be found on there. Enjoy!

Camping is not for wimps.

2007-10-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

So my mom tells me today while we were shopping, "It's funny that you will catch frogs, hold snakes, and shoot guns, but you don't like camping." I laughed. It sounds weird, doesn't it? It's not exactly that I don't like camping. It's just that for starters, it's a lot of work! I have to spend much more time preparing, setting up, and taking down, that if I "camped" in a hotel. Secondly, it was HOT! It was miserable August weather hot in OCTOBER! Thirdly, our lovely Town and Country, that has been a pill since we purchased it 2 years ago, was a super pill this weekend in the middle of nowhere. So, I wouldn't exactly say that I don't enjoy camping, tho give me a snake over spiders and ticks any ol' day, but I didn't necessarily enjoy this camping trip... not all of it anyhow.

Now that we're home, I did run around like a chicken with my head cut off today. I scored some area rugs at Old Time Pottery today... four of them, to the tune of $16 bucks! Can you beat that? I got 3 for my kitchen, on at the back door, for Belle to get dirty, instead of my floor, and one in front of the sink and the oven, where I frequently stand. The fourth is in the entry way. All of them nice looking and CHEAP! So if they get destroyed in the wash or whatnot, I'm only out 16 bucks.

Then I grabbed a check from the consignment shop for nearly $30 bucks, which was cool. I used my 50% Michaels coupon on nothing exciting (blade refills for my paper cutter). Woohoo. I know, boring, but you can't NOT use a 50% coupon. :)

Now I have to run a package to the post office. And decide what to make for dinner that is easy and not too unhealthy. Is that possible? :)

Tomorrow I have only one kid instead of 2. Spencer has mom's day out again. So maybe tomorrow will be less crazy, I hope.
On the upside... STAMP CLASS IS TOMORROW at my pal Lisa's. She's got 2 weeks in a row of classes. Yeah for me! :)

A new season of GREY'S ANATOMY--yeah!

2007-10-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

Finally, Grey's is back on! What the heck is going on this season? Will George split with Callie and stick with Izzy? What's up with Burke? I know he was leaving the show, but will it end like this? No real "end" to he and Christina? And will Derek and Meredith just be idiots with the on again/off again business? It will be interesting and thanks to Tivo... I'll have my butt glued to the couch each Thursday night.

In other news, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off for the whole week it seems. Cycle break this time around seems to be dragging on forever and I cannot find enough htings to keep Hannah busy. :-) I think she misses school too. Today we did open play time at Pump It Up. Then we got some pizza, ate real quick and did some more running! We scooted out to my pal Heather's, she is on the down hill slide of her chemo treatments...she is doing AWESOME! And she had a little birthday gift for me. It's a really pretty necklace with a sterling and abalone pendant. It's very versatile and I just felt so loved for such a special gift.

Lastly, we swung thru the super wally world for some camping gear as we are heading to southern Indiana to camp with Dave's folks. I initially was excited, til I heard it will be in the freaking 90s all weekend! It will likely be warmer this weekend in OCTOBER when we camp than it was in JULY when we last camped! Ridiculous! As Dave's great aunt Teenie would say, "it's all because of that El Camino..." teehee... El Nino? El Camino? Gotta love old people.

So, we'll finish up packing in the A.M. and drop the grand-dog off at my parents' house and hit the road. With any luck, the mosquitoes will know we have the DEET packed and steer clear of us!

Everyone, have a great weekend!

Long time, no blog, part 2 :-)

2007-09-20T08:17:00.000-07:00

Since I last blogged, let's see what's gone on? Nothing much. My oldest baby turned 7, that's the biggest news I suppose. She got her first quarter report card, which was absolutely perfect, even earning a personal note from her principal. We are so proud of her. She just adores school. She's not a happy camper when she is sick and cannot go. Today is her last day for the quarter. Cycle break begins tomorrow and lasts for three weeks. We are in a year round school system, which I am loving. She goes 9 weeks and is off three. We took a trip to Hilton Head Island at the end of September last year and it was incredible. No crowds, pool to ourselves most days, and just plain relaxing! We plan to do that next year again.

Today, my youngest has his best buddy from pre-school over for their first play date at our house. Spencer talks about Alex ALL the time. I know they will have a blast today.

I plan to stamp some thank you notes for Hannah to send for all the cool gifts she got for her birthday last week. Lots to make! I'll try to post some pics of my cards from now on. I realize I've never done it, except to post on Splitcoaststampers.com and I don't do that often enough, so I should get on the ball and share my work like everyone else does. :-)

BBQ Chicken quesedillas are on the menu for tonight. I just cook the chicken and BBQ sauce in the crock, and then assemble with whole grain tortillas, and cheese...then melt it all together in the oven for a few minutes. MMM, good and super simple. Serve with some fiesta rice or a side salad. Yummo.

Only one more day til the weekend, YAHOO!

Alison Krauss concert and other happenings.

2007-07-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a busy day. Got the kids up and Hannah off to school. She, by the way seems to be enjoying 1st grade very much. No homework yet, but this is our first full week of school.

Then Spencer and I ran a few errands. We stopped and got some pedicre implements to treat my friend Heather to a pedi. We also stopped and got her some flowers, some cran-apple juice, and also some candles. See, Heather is in the middle of a battle with breast cancer. She's just finished her 2nd out of 4 chemo treatments, and her hair started falling out the other day, so I went over and cut it much shorter to make it more manageable while it falls, and her little 6 year old, Levi, well, I shaved him bald. :-) He looks adorable! She looks great, and tho she feels a bit drunk/dizzy from all the meds, I have to hope with all the hope I can muster that she will be fine in the end. I know realistically tho, that a lot of things can happen, so I'm doing my best to think positively. I also sat her down and treated her to a pedicure, since she cannot risk going out and getting into the germy nail places. I enjoyed doing that for her and plan to go back in about 2 weeks to do it again. :-)

On a lighter note, Dave and I hate a super fun date last night to the Alison Krauss and Union Station concert last night at the Scottrade Center/savvis center/kiel opera house, WHATEVER they call it these days. :-) Her voice just gives me the goosebumps and she makes me want to take some fiddle/violin lessons. I just love her style of music. Not only that, but she is really goofy. Seriously goofy. She makes me laugh and they all seem to get on really well together. Some of her band has played with her for more that 18 years now. She seems so young, but she started very young, so that's not surprising.

So, if you like bluegrass/country/folk.... check her out.... she has worked on many soundtracks, like Cold Mountain, which is probably one of my favorite movies of late.

Can't stand the bad news anymore.

2007-06-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

I'm about to have to give up on the news. It's just too hard and hits too close to home now-a-days. Cases in point: A mother and her three children are found shot to death in their family car just a few hours from Chicago. This was not just a stranger to me, it was someone I graduated from high school with. Her name is Kimberly Vaughn (nee Phillips) and she is a twin to Jennifer. They were classmates of mine. I just can't wrap my head around the mystery of the whole thing. Her husband is not considered a suspect, tho he was shot only in the thigh. You can see the story here:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/services/newspaper/premium/printedition/Friday/chi-suvdeaths_15jun15,0,2505416.story

Then this morning I hear of the nine firemen who lost their lives in the line of duty. I can't imagine the grief that is flooding that town in SC. It's enough to bear the loss of one loved one, but multiple deaths like these overwhelm me with emotion.

I can't imagine what my friend's family is feeling. What her twin is feeling. How it must ache so very much.

So, I think I'll be skipping the news for a while. I need to concentrate on all of the blessings I have, and as I've learned since we lost my brother in law Jeremy, to make the most of every day and tell everyone you love them as much as you can. It's all you can do. Life has to go on, and I have to go on with it. I'm so thankful for my husband and children and our parents and siblings and nieces and nephew. So much love to pour out on so many people while the sun still shines for me.

So even though it's kind of a blah blog tonight. I'm going to savor the moment I curl up beside my sweet husband, on the night before our 9th wedding anniversary and thank GOD that he is alive and well, and that we are madly and deeply in love. We have two beautiful, healthy children who love us very much and bring so much joy to us (nevermind when they are button pushing). :-) I have my health and my home and my dog and much to be thankful for. A new church to grow into and be encouraged and loved on... So much to be delighting in and not dwelling on what cannot be changed.

So, let this not make you feel down after reading, but let it open your eyes to what you have to be thankful for. Each breath you take, each sunrise, each bird you hear singing in the trees, each detail of your day and your family. Hug someone, share a smile, and high five someone just for fun! Focus on what's right ( I know it's hard some days, but try!). Peace!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY SWEETIE!

2007-06-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

First things first. It's Father's Day and I have to say, I feel like I didn't do a good job of it this weekend. I tried. I made Saturday a do-nothing day, tho he mowed the lawn...but I also made his favorite meal and we just had a nice relaxing day. This morning tho, just seemed like we couldn't do anything right. Our checking account prevented us from going out for breakfast this morning, then at church, we listened to a message about Heaven and that sort of a set a mood for missing Jeremy, on top of which my poor husband misses his parents so much right now too, cuz we've not seen them since February. Then we had to go sit in the heat for my niece's birthday party, which didn't go so badly, just not what I would like to do for Dave on his day, you know? I tried to tell him it was okay to go shoot in lieu of the party, but thankfully, he wanted to be with us. Anyhow, though none of the hassles of the weekend were really bad, it just felt like nothing I did was right. We all have those times, and he did keep re-assuring me that it wasn't me, but I felt like it was some me.

So sweetie, if you read this, here's my Father's day tribute to you.

You are the love of my life, you know that. I am so blessed to be your wife. In good times and bad (some REALLY bad, even), we have thrived and fallen more in love. You helped me make two of the cutest kids in the WHOLE world, and challenging as they are sometimes, they are a constant reflection of how much we love each other. We are all well fed, and comfortably sheltered each night because of how hard you work at your job. Even the jobs you've been miserable with, you've plugged along just to know you were taking care of us. For that we are ever so thankful.

Most of all though sweetheart, is that I love how you show our kids how much you love me. I know you think you don't show them much sometimes (cuz sometimes everything we say goes in one ear and out the other, without sinking in), but I know every time you hug me, kiss me, hold my hand, slap me on the hind end, any number of million ways you show me affection will have a GINORMOUS effect on them. Trust me, I missed that a lot, and you know that I still wonder about my parents sometimes. Thank you for that HUGE life lesson that you show them every day without even thinking about it. Thank you for loving me the way you do. I love you so much. Hannah and Spencer love you so much too. Thank you for being our hero and taking such good care of us. Hugs and kisses!

Another weekend is here!

2007-06-09T19:27:00.001-07:00

Wow! Where did the week go? Let's see if I can recap.

Monday: The most I remember is finally having Haley Jane back for the day. It was fun. She is such a gem of a niece. She's 9 1/2 months old, and is just a silly little thing. Doesn't take much to napping for me, unless she falls asleep in the car, or if I'm holding her, and I've been instructed that I'm not to do the holding her while she sleeps thing anymore, but gosh, I miss that, cuz my stinking kids are too big now!

Tuesday: First day of swim lessons for Hannah and Spencer. They had a blast! And thank the Lord, although many people from the church we've recently "moved on from" were there, it was as pleasant as could be. All that were there, loved on us all as much as I could have dreamed of. I love my friend Teena, for just saying she loves me no matter where we go to church, as it should be, but you know how life really is... Anyhow, it was fine.

We also had Hannah's last regular ballet/tap class. This week will be dress rehearsal, in full hussy make up and all curled up and made all purty. I'm afraid I've complained so much about the recital that she asked me the other day, "mom, do you like ballet?" and I had to tell her that I loved watching her dance, but I just thought the recital business cost too much money, that's all. She was cool with that. And truly, we've spent over $120 just to dress her up for 5 minutes and hear the song Chattanooga Choo Choo. Between tickets, costume, and all..... ouch. So I told her if she ever wanted to dance again, then she could, but we'd celebrate the end of the year a different way, like maybe a trip to six flags or something less expensive... but more fun!

Wednesday: sadly, this day has already slipped my mind.

Thursday: Hung out with Mom and Sarah and Lucas and Amanda. We played at Mom's for a while, and then she took us to a McDonald's with an outdoor playground. The kids had a blast! It was fun. The weather was lovely. Afterwards, I took Sarah, Hannah and Spencer to the library and we watched a puppet/marionette show. It was really nice and it was absolutely free as well. I've been searching for fun, free things to do this summer. Hannah actually has only 6 weeks of summer break.

Friday: Grocery/Target trip. But the kids were relatively well-behaved. I really don't enjoy shopping with both of them for a big grocery trip, cuz Hannah, especially gets bored. She's too big to ride in the cart, so she gets antsy and dances around, in my way, in other shoppers' way. No real major behavior issue, but annoys me to no end. I need to lighten up about it. Friday night we stayed at home and had a spaghetti dinner. It tasted wonderful, but I was miserable! Too many carbs yesterday! I'm going to crack down and try to Phase 1 this next two weeks, to hopefully slim down before the wedding in 2 weeks.

Today: The kids let us sleep in. Til nearly 9:00! Woohoo! Got up and we all ate some breakfast. Then Dave left to go shooting (which never worked out, cuz the range wasn't open). The kids and I headed to the convention center for the Friends of the Library Book Fair. Oh my. A sea of books! And we left with 11 books from the children's section, for, are you ready???? $2.30 That's it. I couldn't believe it. It was a little crazy with them there, and maybe next year, I'll pay for the early bird special and get a better selection, but it was kind of fun. Then we went to one of our local libraries to cash in our reading program page. Each kid got a toy and two tickets to the Rascals game. The River City Rascals is a small independent baseball team here in our town. Tickets are dirt cheap and you're really close to the game and they do lots of fun activities in between innings. It's a great time. Now all four of us can go on a Tuesday night for FREE! Not a bad deal, huh?

This afternoon, we headed to my friend Jamie's (who's wedding I am in in two weeks) and helped her pack up some of her condo to move out. She is closing on the sale on the 15th. She is a frazzled woman, but I know it will all work out. We worked for just a little while and then we had to head to my brother's to drop Hannah off for a sleepover with Sarah for her 5th birthday. She was a bit nervous, but we've not heard from them yet, so I'm assuming all is well. Then we took Spencer out for a picnic in the park and some playground time. Next a trip to Bass Pro Shops for some climbing around on some boats and seeing some guns. :-) Lastly we went for ice cream and met my friends Lisa and Karn there. It was a fun night, and we are all tired. Hoping all sleep well tonight.

Tomorrow is church and then nothing of significance. Which will be nice. I think Dave may try to go shoot at a different range, but we'll see. Sunday is usually laundry day around here too so that's about all I'll be tackling.

And then we start another crazy week....

Greg's funeral

2007-06-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today was Greg's funeral. I'm amazed how God supplies the strength for families to get through these times. Berkley was ever so composed, as were Tanner and Hanna. She spoke so sweetly of Greg, she was even able to sing "Amazing Grace" at his grave side service. I don't know how she did it, except that God gave her the strength. We felt that strength once, then we came home from Indiana after Jeremy's funeral and the avalanche hit us like a ton of bricks. My prayer is to be here for Berkley when that avalanche hits her. After all the people stop coming by, after the shock settles in, it sucks. That's when the pain seems to settle in. The reality hits. The alone-ness sinks in. I cannot imagine what would happen to me if I lost Dave. I'd fall apart pretty bad, I am certain of it. I pray I never have to find out.

Sissy woke up and threw up this morning. Thankfully she improved after the day went on. I'm so glad. I also, on the other hand seem to have pink eye again. Unbelievable! SO what little I was home today, I spent cleaning my kitchen with Lysol. I mean I washed down everything! Still have the floor to do, and the microwave, but all the cabinet pulls and appliances are washed down really good. Dave tackled the bathrooms for me. .... SEE how blessed I am by him? I managed to change out our sheets, have to do the kids still. Ah well, tomorrow's another day. Yeah, another day to call the doctor about another round of pink eye! GRRRR! We even threw open the windows, and turned on the attic fan to blow out any germs in the house. Wish we could get this out of our system. The weather is far too nice to feel this crummy over and over again.

I was fortunate enough to make it to church back at Grace today. So thankful for that place right now. I've just really enjoyed the feel of it. The worship was lovely this morning, and I was thrilled that the fiddle/violin was still there. It's just so lovely to hear while worshipping. The message was good too. Pastor Perrin spoke of how patient God is with us, and how, tho He is, we ought not continue in sin, but turn toward Him and strive for his holiness.... hard work. But he spoke of how the more we continue in our sin, the easier it is for us to tune out to God's voice and the easier it is to fall into rationalizations, like "well, I'm this far in, there's no hope that I can change my ways"..or.."well, I guess this is just part of who I am now.."....thoughts like that are Satan's way of stealing from the kingdom of God. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The more of us Satan convinces are unworthy of God's grace, the less the Kingdom can thrive. We aren't worthy, but God is faithful and full of grace and mercy. He gives us many chances to turn around, and follow Him. Not without consequence, but without guilt, and with NO condemnation. I am so thankful. And I look forward to what next Sunday will bring, and I am excited about church, and hope that I will continue to feel that way.

So tired am I tonight. I'm looking forward to no alarm clock in the morning. And to having my little niece, Haley Jane back tomorrow. I've not had her for a few weeks. Hoping we'll all be over our junk so we don't pass it along to anyone else. Here's wishing you all a blessed week. Hug anyone you love and TELL them you love them. Life is just SO short...don't waste it!

Fun game.

2007-06-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Everything has to start with the first letter of your Name.

Your Name: Heather
1. Famous Singer/Band: Hannah Montana
2. 4 letter word: Hugs
3. Color: Hunter green
4. Street: Highgate Lane (the street I grew up on)
5. Gifts/Presents: Handmade gifts
6. Vehicle: Hum-V
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Hats
8. Boy Name: Heath
9. Girl Name: Hannah (my daughter's name)
10. Movie Title: Hunt for Red October
11. Drink: Hot tea
12. Occupation: Hair stylist (been there, done that)
13. Flower: Hydrandea
14. Celebrity: Helen Hunt
15. Magazine: Highlights
16. U.S. City: Honolulu, Hawaii
17. Pro Sports Teams: Houston Astros
18. Fruit: Huckleberry
19. Reason for Being Late for Work: Held up in traffic.
20. Something You Throw Away: Holey socks
21. Things You Shout: How many times do I have to tell you????
22. Cartoon Character: Homer Simpson
Ok...if you've read this, consider yourself tagged!

Good luck!

Daddy's home!

2007-06-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

Dave finally made it home, granted it took hime a lot longer to get here than it should have, but he is safely home. There were some nasty storms last night. I'm just thankful he's here and on the ground.

Sissy's last day of school was yesterday. I know have a little first grader. So hard to believe. Her teacher, Miss Meyer was so wonderful. So vibrant, and caring, and just did a fantastic job. After all, my 6 year old is reading on a fourth grade level. We are so proud of her.

Today the kids are just playing, Hannah has a freind over. It's raining, again here. And tonight we have to go to a wake for Greg Smith. I'm so sad for Berkley and the kids. I can't imagine losing Dave ever, much less at such a young age. Tomorrow will be the funeral. I know it will be a lovely service. She was picking out some music, the other day when I was there visitng.

I hope that tomorrow we'll make it to church, back to Grace, and be as blessed as we were last Sunday. I'm really hoping that this could be where we can call home someday.

Right now we're watching 10mph. It's really good so far. I am enjoying it. It's fun, and what an adventure they've had.

Now I'm going to snuggle up with my hubby on the couch and finish the movie. Cya!

Okay God, what exactly am I supposed to learn from all this????

2007-05-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

So, today I found out a friend of mine's husband died suddenly last night while working out at home. His 18 year old son found him collapsed, but he was not able to revive him. They also have a 14 year old daughter. I'm just so crushed. Not only does it make me miss Dave that much more, while he's in CA this week, but it also brings back all those feelings back of when we found out about Dave's brother Jeremy. Like one minute you're just living your life as normal, then the very next moment you're thrown into this out of control universe where you're standing still, yet everyone else around you is going on as normal. It's horrible and sucky and I wish no one ever had to experience it ever again. I miss my Dave and wish he was here for me to hug right now, and feel like everything will be just fine.

And in better, less sad news, my little girl had a Kindergarten awards ceremony today. She got awards from: reading, art, writing, music, physical education, a literacy award, and a junior achievement award. We are so proud of her. She's so bright, and we just are super proud!

We enjoyed some dinner out with Miss Sally, our dear friend who lost her husband a year ago now. We love her SO much, she is our adopted family. Then the kids and I stopped at the park to play for a while on the playground. Came home and took baths and now we're getting ready for bed. I'm fairly certain I won't sleep much today again, but there's always hope. :)

Tomorrow we have a few errands to run tomorrow, and after school, we'll hit the library at some point and head to my folk's house for spaghetti. mmmmmmmmm Been a long time since I've had spaghetti. Then it's only that much closer to Friday for us. Yeah! I can't wait til Friday! C'mon Friday!

So, I'm off for the evening. I'm exhausted and am praying for restful sleep.

Be well and hug your families.

And the Idol is.....

2007-05-23T19:32:00.001-07:00

Jordan Sparks!
Congratulations!
I think she is amazing and I am really happy for her.

I asked Dave what he thought it would feel like if we were the ones sitting there one day watching one of our kids on a huge stage like that. I felt that way a bit at Hannah's Kindergarten program, but I didn't get to sit up close, and could barely see her the whole time... so I can't imagine what her parent's must be feeling.

Today was a fun day. Spencer and I had the whole day to ourselves. We did visit with Tracy Burton and her little men, Joe and Charlie. Spencer really enjoys playing with Joe. They were born only three days apart... and they get along greatly. Then Spencer and I played a game, and had some lunch here at home. Finally it was time to go get sis from school.

After we got Hannah is when the real excitement of the day began. We headed from school to the grocery, and while waiting at a left turn light, we witnessed a car accident right behind us. Some hot dogging high schooler fish-tailed his stupid little pick-up truck around a corner at a high rate of speed, and basically lost control, hitting the Escalade behind me. A woman and her two children were in the SUV, and thankfully were fine. The kids and I were able to let them take shelter in our van while we awaited the police and the woman's husband. I am thankful that we had an opportunity to serve their family. It was a neat way to make a yucky situation better.

This evening the whole little family headed down to the Katy Trail. We walked for just a little while, and while we walked, we saw many things. Tons of teeny tiny froggies, a little bitty snake, a cave, a spider and it's web, a squirrel that ran across teh trail in front of Hannah on her scooter--giving her a fright... then driving back home we saw a coyote as well. It was a lovey evening. We came home and watched American Idol. It was a really decent night...not too much drama... always some, but not too much tonight.

Tomorrow is Hannah's field day. Should be fun! And tomorrow is also haircut day for me! woohoo!!!! I can't wait for the shape up! I love haircut day! It's one of my favorite things!

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Last morning without kids for a while.

2007-05-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

So today is the last day of Mom's Day Out for Spence. I think this year will be an adjustment for him not to see his little buddy from school on a regular basis. However, his mommy and I traded numbers, so hopefully we'll have some Alex time this summer. :-) Hannah's not done til June 1st, so there is still a little time left for her. And being in year round schools, means she has only a 6 week break for the summer.

So, today I'm hanging out at Panera bread. I've never just hung out and played on my computer somewhere other that my own house. It is kinda fun. Lots to look at, lots of distractions, but I am not working, so it's okay. It's right at noon now, so it's getting loud in here. :-)

Soon it will be time to head to the ob/gyn... fun fun! Ah well, it's only once a year. And on a better note, my eyes are getting better, so that's good.

So, I'll write more later. Too hard to concentrate! :-)

A letter from my hero. :-)

2007-05-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

Today I received a thought provoking letter from my friend and aforementioned hero, Becky McCotter, and in it, she laid out many reasons to encourage me toward home schooling my two youngsters. I'll share it with you and it will also keep it handy for me to be able to read more easily.

Dear Heather (and Dave and children),
Greetings to you! Such a treat to be able to see you recently, and to get to meet your children. They are precious~and a beloved responsibility. As I considered your challenges as a mother~the questions/issues arising, I have taken it upon myself to write, at length, a rationale for homeschooling. I figure any other mode of child-training probably doesn't NEED much explaining--homeschooling is "the road less traveled," and therefore may need a "closer look" in the Marketplace of Ideas. So, if you'll permit me: Since I truly believe that our culture is NOT getting more and more godly (as we approach the end of the age), this mode of teaching our children may gain increasing attention. Homeschooling allows for exploration of God's world, supervised free experimentation, exposure to "real life" as disciples with a master model. They (the home educated children) get to experience "normal," home-based life rather that a room full of 30, 3rd graders and one harried teacher (maybe not harried, but at least 'divided'). The homeschooled child gets to see: What does is look like when Christian faces trials, hardships, sorrows~meals to others, bearing others' burdens, praying together--considering God in any and every pursuit. They can experience the joys of clean living, in simplicity. I've read that a homeschooler "plays longer and matures faster." We've found that creativity can proceed in an unstifled, unsullied, unashamedly encouraged manner; academics needn't be SO overwhelming (homework occasionally, perhaps but NOT every night/heavy), pick a few good things to study, there's plenty of time later for specialization and mastery. God provided opportunities for broader interests: expenses are minimal versus private education or even public (which is costly in OTHER ways!). Life skills can be learned naturally, and even interaction with Creation can be a part of study: integration of ages (not just age-mates), animals can be brought into the picture more completely, plants, gardening, etc. You can experience adventures TOGETHER~even reading aloud adventures together--living books, not revisionist history bled of anything VITAL or Christ-revealing/exalting, TRUE science is NOT foolishness! You can organize co-oping groups with friends to add some flavor or extend hospitality to others TOGETHER by inviting another family over for "tea" or lunch or "play day" or "art day" or field trip day. Determine your needs/requests (social skills)--then ask God for HIs provision for them. There's time to DO REAL THINGS (instead of rushing out the door to planned group activities). (Always GROUPS! when so much of life is in then reality one needs to know "who one is" ALONE, before the face of God. Solitary.

You can say "let's pray together about _______________________", a more realistic lifestyle for those dependant on Christ. You can take advantage of situations/teaching opportunities where one or two children involved isn't overwhelming to the staff (where a classroomful might NEVER be allowed to participate because logistically there are just too many little bodies being busy!) : Elizabee and Trevor volunteering (at different times) at Doctor's Hospital! They got to do all sorts of amazing things~each as "just one of them", instead of a big group of them--also Trevor, caddying at Boone Valley (while his compatriots were sitting in a classroom somewhere, or riding the bus:(). The childred and I volunteering at Daniel Boone Home was another shared adventure in understanding people/life/history. You might try volunteering at a Nursing home together--or a garden somewhere: hands on. Botany is so much more "catching" than book learning.

You might ask Dave what he would desire his children to learn. Get your direction from GOD, via Dave (maybe plan a date-night/lunch or breakfasst to plan and pray together and trust God together for His leading you!) Ask his (Dave's) advice frequently; he'll grow into it. he is, as the head of the home, being given a tangible opportunity to do what God will enable him to do. You won't be perfect at this--at least WE never have been, but it's definitely WORTH the doing.

Heather, there's plenty of advice out there, plenty of curriculum, plenty of guilt trips, even but you'll need to sift through it all wlith the Lord and determine what's doable for you guys. It CAN be done!

You are loved and prayed for regularly,

Keep me posted!

Becky McCotter

Sick.

2007-05-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

Last week Spencer had red, swollen, icky eyes, later in the week Hannah got them, this weekend, I got them. They aren't pink eye, according to two different doctors, but something is definitely going around. There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning and being unable to open your eyes. It's just not fun. And poor Dave seems to be getting it now too, and he's an avid contact wearer...so he'll have to brace himself to wear glasses this week.

Anyhow, the worst part of it, and I am waiting on a call from the doctor, is that at the Walmart this morning, I had a terrible dizzy/nauseous spell. I got a little freaked, cuz my 4 year old was with me and I wondered what would happen if I really passed out. But thankfully, I didn't and was feeling good enough to drive home. Haven't had anymore of that all day, so hopefully it was a fluke. I just know I don't feel good at all, and am ready to.

Some good news is that my endocrinologist called me this morning and she said after two weeks off my meds, that my thyroid is still functioning normally, so that it good. So far, I don't think I'll have to have it nuked. So, there is some good news.

The other bright side of having sick eyes, is I'll have to go shopping for all new mascara! There's a bright side. Shopping for make up! :-)

Anyhow, hears hoping that the doc calls soon and tells us what to do to fix it, and then here's also hoping that I can go to stamp class tonight without having to worry about spreading anything!

CYA!

Busy Day

2007-05-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well, this day has been a running day since we got outta bed. It's 10:21p.m. and this may be the first I have sat down except for eating dinner. Whew. Tomorrow is when I am hosting a bridal shower for my dear friend Jamie. So, I DID start my day with a pedicure at the beauty school, and got my nails fixed up. But then it was a whip cracking kind of afternoon. I have mixed dips, cut and prepared fresh fruit, made miniature cheesecakes, and set up the serving area. I have spread mulch, grocery shopped, picked kids up from school. I have stamped 20 thank you notes. I have gone through papers from Kindergarten. It was a productive day, that is for sure.

Right now, I'm listening to a message by Beth Moore. Man, she's a little powerhouse. I'm trying to fill myself up with God stuff, so that maybe what gets squeezed out, is more God stuff and less YUCK! Part of her message today is how the enemy really can get to us when we start to isolate ourselves. I struggle with this at times, but I honestly don't feel like I am right now, the way other people think I may be. Certain people that will remain nameless... Cuz if they really knew are cared to know, they would know that I'm connected to people... just not them. :-) And God is doing stuff. He truly is. It's a S-L-O-W process. I believe He is trying to do stuff in our whole family. Trying to heal. Trying to connect. Trying to humble. Trying to shape. Yeah, it's painful, sometimes more than others.

Okay, I'm losing all concentration now, so I'm going to close. I'm hoping for a wonderfully uninterrupted night of sleep. No alarm clock for me tomorrow! woohoo! good night!

How much can one family take?

2007-05-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

My friend Bethany just called this evening.. her husband was in a car accident not far from their home. He thinks he blacked out. He is diabetic, so it's quite possible. They are still at the ER waiting to see a doctor. Bottom line is that this family has faced a Job kind of time together. Loss of a lot of things. But thankfully all of their lives are in tact tonight because the circumstances could have been worse. I try to remember this verse during these kinds of times, but I find it hard to live it out.

James 1:2-4 (NLT)
2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Sounds so simple, but how does one go about practically living out this verse? Somehow, Bethany does. She rarely complains. This is a person who has endured much. And the "stuff" seems to keep coming down the chute, and I don't mean good stuff.

I have another friend who is enduring much... and just beginning a journey of physically enduring more. She is a wife, mother to 4 beautiful children, friend to many, and she is getting ready to fight a battle with cancer. She will be undergoing a mastectomy within a week or so at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I am scared. I don't know how to consider any of that pure joy. And yet, each time she updates her journal on Caringbridge... I thing the one who's most courageous is her. She makes me feel stronger and I'm not the one with cancer.

I long for that kind of assurance. I know it's mine to have, but I have to believe it. Beth Moore often uses the phrase, "I do believe, help my unbelief." It's actually a portion of scripture in Mark 9:24 when Jarius's daughter has died, but Jesus heals her. I am so glad someone took note of someone being in the touch, see, and feel presence of Jesus who still says, "I do believe you, but help me to REALLY believe you." Cuz that is how I feel so often.

So day by day, minute by minute... I have to try to remember that I'm only meant to strive to be like Christ. I will never have it all together, but He loves me thru my stumbling, and questioning. And as long as I love Him and seek Him, He will hold me up and get me thru...sometimes kicking and throwing a big ol tantrum, sometimes giving up the grip I have on something and going on my own. I'll get there. And I can only hope that as I journey there, I can learn to trust and look out for Jesus instead of always looking out for myself.

I did it!

2007-05-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

I said no to someone. I had to, but I did it without feeling guilty. I have a busy weekend planned, or at least a busy Saturday and one of my sibs needed some babysitting. I said no. I'm hosting a bridal shower for my dear friend, Dave has a shooting tournament, and my youngest sister has offered to take my son for the day/night on Saturday too. So I'm not really interested in adding more kids when I'm loaning one out for the day. :-) And on Sunday, I'd like nothing more to do than NOTHING! I know, novel idea. I've just read a little chapter in the new book I'm reading called Taking Care of the Me in Mommy, by Lisa Welchel... and it really talked about how we've lost sight of the idea of a Sabbath. So, this weekend, I'm going to try to just enjoy the day. We're going to my parent's church to see my dad get baptised. Possibly a cheap lunch following, and then I'd like to come home and stamp or scrapbook, or read, or sit outside. Maybe Dave will want to take the kids fishing, and I can take a chair and a book. We'll see. Just relax. No duties for the day.

Anyway, my biggest news was that I said no, confidently without saying "lemme think about it"... just no. *pats self on back*
One practice down, keep trying it till it becomes a habit. :-)

One of my heroes...

2007-05-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Today, I was fortunate enough to meet up again with one of my heroes. I didn't know this person was ever my hero, until I became a mother, and even more so recently with some parenting stuff that comes up. When I was growing up, this person went to my church. She was the mother of at least four, maybe five children at the time and in my eyes, well, she was just a little "different". She home schooled. which then was the exception to the rulel, she was always making up little songs to scripture (which I now wish I had valued more), and I don't know, she just different all around. Not in a bad way, but as a young teen, in a way that wasn't "cool". Ya know?

Fast forward to today, when I was able to see her and hug her, and with tears in my eyes, ask, "HOW EVER DID YOU DO THIS?" And her simple, and poignant reply, "I was on my knees, and sometimes on my face by the grace of God." Ah, simply put... she didn't know at times what she was doing either, but instead of grumbling and whining and shaking her fist and raising her voice like I tend to do, all to often I might add, she simply cried out to the Lord who hears all of our cries, even when we are too proud to utter them out loud. Thank you Becky McCotter, for your wisdom, your wonderful embrace today, and your prayers for my little family. I will treasure that moment this morning, when even for 5 minutes, I felt like someone understood exactly what I feel. And I will try much harder to follow your example to take my cares to my Father and let HIM comfort me through it.

I also had a good heart to heart with my friend Tracy. God is doing a cool thing with bringing us together in a new and exciting way. We grew up as neighbors, and didn't particularly get along all that well. Now, since I got married, we've gotten a little bit closer and closer, till this year, when we took a Bible study class together. Anyhow, we both have two kiddos and we both have just really begun to deepen our friendship through some similar church experiences and such. She and I are going to a Mom's Night Out this weekend to listen to Lisa Welchel (Blair Warner, from the Facts of Life). She is a Christian mom who seems to have lots of fun parenting ideas. We are planning to go out for a grown up dinner before hand just to enjoy a kid-free night. We both are just in a parenting rut lately. Trying to figure out what works for each kid and not lose our sanity at the same time. :-)

So, I am hoping that the rest of my single parenting weekend will go as smoothly as this afternoon has gone. Yesterday, not so much, but today was decently decent. And, though I am so glad Dave is having a good time at his shooting class, I really miss having a tag team weekend, where I am not the only parent around.

And, so, I'm off to switch some laundry, and continue tidy-ing up around my home. Trying to make life less hectic, by trying to keep my home less hectic as well. My how the messes can get out of hand! *sigh* My goal is to have a clean house to enjoy by Mother's day weekend, so I have NO work to do on Mother's day.

Happy Easter!

2007-04-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

We had an Easter weekend eggstravaganza. Began of Friday night with our kids going over the river to my sister and brother-in-law's house for a sleep-over. Uncle Ken and Aunt Caryn are moving at the end of the month to San Antonio, TX and so they offered to keep the kids and take them to Scott Air Force Base to show them Uncle Ken's plane and let them climb around in it. They got some cool pix and I'll have to wait til Caryn emails them to me. But needless to say, my kids had a blast and Ken and Caryn got a large dose of birth control. And are happily enjoying the kidless honeymoon stage. :-)

On Friday night while our kids were away, Dave and I were able to enjoy a dinner out and went up to Calvary Church to see a person called "The Jesus Painter". Wow. It was an amazing production. This 30 something guy has a gift to take a large canvas and just create some amazing portraits of Jesus. I highly recommend a glance at his website. Just google "the Jesus Painter". You can see all of his creations. It's more impactful if you can see him in person, however, because each of the paintings starts as one thing and gradually ends up being a picture of Jesus. Like my favorite, I think it's called, Jesus' eyes, started as a cross and a bridge, with people on one side and one person on hands and knees crawling across this bridge to the cross, and then the whole image of the face of Jesus emerged from that.... it was quite spectaucular. Anyway, check it out.

On Saturday, we all met up at Ken and Caryn's for an egg hunt and dinner. It was pretty fun, the only downer was how tired my kids were, so we didn't stay to play a game with the grown ups. Ah well.

Today, we got up and gave the kids their goodies. I'm thinking they were pretty happy with their Easter treasures. Only a smidge of candy. I'll be a candy nazi for the rest of my life it feels like. Only one time a day, if you deserve it, is my motto. :-)
They were good today too. Still battling the allergies really bad, which makes it hard to go outdoors at all. Not liking that so much, and they're both pretty doped up on Benadryl, which makes it strange here too. Kind of stare off into space a lot. :-)
We went to Calvary for church this morning. It was the first time we'd been to a Sunday morning service there in more than 6 years, but I truly enjoyed the worship time. It was vibrant and fun, and so full of vocalists and musicians. Maybe just a hint of me would find it fun to go back, but not sure that's really where God wants us. So next week, I'm guessing we'll go back to searching for a place to call home. Still no one from the church we're in the process of leaving-- calling to check in with us to see how we are or where we've been. Not one. We've not been there since the end of February. Poor Hannah asked to go there this morning. So difficult for me to explain to her all that's gone on. She would never understand, but she will be fine. I know that once we find some place, she will blossom. She's so friendly and kind, she will make fast friends for sure. I pray that it's soon. Tiresome feeling like a gypsy. But afraid to settle for just anything, and even more afraid to invest my heart and soul into another church for fear of it being stomped all over again. But knowing I have to trust God to make my path and to use the gifts He's given me to be a part of something bigger than just showing up on a Sunday. All prayers apprecialted as we search for His will.

Tomorrow sis is off school, so I'm trading baby sitting kids with my mom. A baby niece for a four year old niece, so I can take the big kids to the park for a while. So they can run and play and get all sorts of energy out. And hopefully not have any huge allergic reactions while we are still insurance free for 23 more days. :-) Also this week, I get to substitute at my son's Mom's Day out program. I nearly forgot about it. But he gets free tuition this month for me working 2 days. Not a bad trade off, if you ask me.

Other than that, I'm not sure what my week holds. I'm sure it will be busy, as it always seems to be. Gotta clean it up real good, cuz I'm hosting Caryn and Ken's going away party on Saturday. *sigh* It's all happening so fast. Even tho Caryn and I aren't the closest, it's freaking me out a little how far away she'll be and how that will change the dynamics of our family. Hoping they'll be able to travel our way for lots of the holidays without too much complication, but you just never know. Trying not to get all sad about it.

So, on a happy note, I'll close with a new pic of Dave and I. Finally cut my hair shorter again this week. What a relief! I'll try to post some kidlet pics tomorrow, or whenever I get them from Caryn. Have a wonderful week!

Jackpot!

2007-04-04T17:53:00.000-07:00

I have won two blog candies in one week! How's that for some luck? Both center around stamping, and oddly both around the same blog in a round about way. The first was on Gina K Designs blog. All I had to do was leave a comment on her blog, and I won a bottle of Mono Multi Glue. Cool, huh? But then a few days later, I won a $20 gift certificate to Gina K Designs stamp store from Asela, one of Gina's guest designers, for commenting on her blog also. So, two blogs, one shopping spree! I'm a lucky girl!

They're BAAA-AAACK!

2007-03-20T19:16:00.002-07:00

My two wonderfully cute kids are home again. They spent a week in Indiana with Dave's folks. They all seemed to have a great time and all seem to be exhausted as well. :-) The hardest parts are Dave and I saying good-bye when they leave us and then his parents crying as we take them back. *sigh* God love 'em. They are so excited when they get them. And we are blessed to have both of our parents so willing and excited to take our kids just about whenever we need them too!

This week has been crazy so far though! Yesterday was crazy busy. Glad it's done. Then today was less busy in a sense, but a playdate at the park with Hannah and a friend was COLD! I think that I just got so cold and then found that I couldn't get warm all day. So I'd hunker down under a blanket, and then I'd get sleepy. So my day was pretty unproductive! Ah well.

Some fun news: Dave got us 9th row floor seats to Alisson Krauss this July at the Scottrade Center (or whatever it's called now).
We have been to two of her concerts already. And we just really enjoy her and the laid back atmosphere of her concert. So I'm looking forward to that!

Went to the endocrinologist today. Trying to get my doctor visits in while we still have this insurance before the month long wait for our new insurance to start. So I had bloodwork done again after being on the methimazole for a month and my levels are getting better. Looks like my thyroid is balancing out a little, which will hopefully get me out of having to get the radio-active iodine treatment. My true wish is to get off of as much medication as I can. I am currently taking three daily meds and I'm only 33. I don't like that. And I don't want to make a habit of it. Which is another reason that this South Beach lifestyle seems to be a good fit for us. It can maybe help me to a med-free life too. By the way, today I am wearing a pair of capri pants that are two sizes smaller than before! Woohoo!

Had stamp class last night. Made some really cute cards at my friend/demo Lisa's house. She is quite crafty and I usually truly enjoy myself. The last few times have been crazy though! So many people, which is great for Lisa, but man, it's like LOUD and crazy! I took advantage of the Stampin Up March special and got me some fun paper, a jumbo wheel, and stamp set for bundle price and then got to order anything out of the mini catalog for half off! I was boring and got a pre folded card set in a new size... but I got it for only $3.28! And mostly went with that because none of the other stamp sets really lit me up. This weekend I was supposed to go to a shoe box swap, but time is just so packed with stuff to do, that I was able to talk another stamp friend who's going into taking my stuff for me. I was excited that she was willing! Thanks Beth!

Tomorrow I'm keeping Madison for Tracy. She is the little girl I watched part time for a year before my dog bit my son. After that, they stopped brining her. But this is Tracy's last full week of work as she is having another baby on 3/29. So, Maddi was asking for Spencer and Hannah so we'll have company all day tomorrow. Hopefully it will go well. Madison has just a slight temper! ;-) And quite a bite too!

*yawn* Well, I'd love to ramble on longer, but my brain is toast! I'll leave you with a fun picture...it is from our winter trip to Indiana. My kiddos' first b.b. gun experience! They were hilarious!

Day 2 without kids

2007-03-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

So, it's been alright since my kids left to spend a week with Gma and Gpa. But it TOO quiet and I'm lonely. And I miss them! But it's been nice at the same time too. Dave and I walked Sunday and Monday nights. Tonight we were able to go up to the mall for Dave to find some pants for his new job, in a smaller size (way to go honey!). And we visited Trader Joe's for the first time where I discovered dark chocolate covered cherries. OMG! Delish! Tomorrow and Thursday nights we have dinner plans with two different couples. Which will be a blast too. Then on Friday morning, we'll head to Indy to see our kids and the in-law and the great grandparents too!

Today the weather was incredible! High 70's! I wore bermuda shorts. Not sure how I feel about how I look in them, but my friend Bethany assures me they looked fine and that my butt looked cute. I guess the most important thing was that they are a size smaller than what I had to wear last year. Last month for that matter. Although I have to say, eating healthier has its good side, but I am definitely going to be excited to eat a slice of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake tomorrow night! Lemon-Raspberry!
Bring it on!

Also today Bethany and I hung out. We ate lunch here at my house. I made a quite tasty chicken salad. Simply put, I cooked some tenderloins (the frozen ones from cosco) in the crock pot with minced onion, pepper, and chicken broth. After it was cooked, I shredded it, added some chopped red grapes, chopped celery, chopped walnuts and some mayo. Light on the mayo, cuz I don't prefer slimy salad. We served it up on little whole wheat pita bread. Nothing to go along with it, and it was fine. Quite happy with how it turned out. Then we ran a few errands together and came home to watch a movie. We watched, The Holiday, with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. Very charming movie! I really liked it! It's long, but I highly recommend it for a nice romantic movie with some laughs too.

Anyhow, I'm off to watch American Idol. Tomorrow is Bible study and lunch with my dear friend Lisa. Haven't seen her face to face for quite a while. Looking forward to it!

Ta Ta For Now!

Bye Kiddos:(

2007-03-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today my two kids are leaving me for a week to spend time with their grandparents in Indiana. I'm so sad for them to go, tho I know they will have a blast and that Dave and I will have such fun not having to worry about childcare or ANY disciplining for one whole week. But it is still weird to let them leave. Feels like you looks all control (which I guess, in a way, you do). Dave's parents are great and I know this will be theraputic for them too. They are lonely up there since Jeremy's been gone, so this will be good for them.

Our kid-free plans for the week include: a day at the shooting range with Dave's new pistol, dinner with my sister and bro-in-law at cheesecake factory, dinner with another couple on another night, Dave's last week on call with ESI (woohoo!), and then a day off for Dave on Friday so that we can go get our kids back!

Speaking of Dave's last week on call with ESI! He got a new job as a consultant. He will be doing something pretty new for him, AND he will have a 50% pay raise on his hourly! That is going to be a huge blessing to us as we have some debt that we've been working on. Who doesn't, right? We've been pretty faithful every year when raise time came around to continue living off of the original salary, and applying the rest toward our debt. So, by doing this with the new job, we can very potentially look at having only a house payment left by the end of a year! I'm so thrilled by that prospect. It would be a huge stress relief and hopefully make us even more conscious about creating debt. Like learning to wait for what we want instead of instant gratification.

South Beach diet still going pretty well, I realize that we really need to incorporate the exercise part into our routines now. I hate that. I hate exercise. Always have. But I know it works and I know if I want to have a splurge once or twice a month on a night out in a restaurant of choice without regret, then I'll have to work harder on exercizing. So, we'll see how I can do that this week. Dave too. Wish us luck. He's down 18 pounds already! So proud of him!

Well, I'm off to do bathtimes so that my in-laws don't have to take stinky, dirty headed kids home with them. :)

Houston, we have strep!

2007-03-06T11:29:00.000-08:00

So, to the best of my memory, we have our very first case of strep throat. My 6yo was running a fever when Dave and I got back into town from our weekend away. She was runnng about 102.7, so I kept her home from school yesterday and took her in to see our family doc. Doc says, throat isn't even red, fever was down, but she'd do a strep test anyhow. She came back into the room and said, "well, I lost the bet, cuz she's got strep". She said she never would've suspected it because of the symptoms not matching up.

Other than that, we are just waiting for the weekend. I know, it's only Tuesday. But on Thursday, Dave meets with his small group from church to tell them of our decision to leave this particular church. Then on Friday, Lord willing, he'll be giving his notice at work and, Lord willing, will have signed with a new company. Then LORD WILLING, our lives will once again not revolve around CRAP! We are so ready to just be done with these two overwhelming issues. Ready to be excited about going to church and for Dave to not dread going to work. We need some changes or we'll lose our minds.

Anyhoo. Hey, I've posted 2 days in a row! That's a record, I think!

Tonight we have parent/teacher conferences with Hannah's kindergarten teacher. Since she is home sick today, I sent her an email asking if there was anything she'd like me to have Hannah work on. And her teacher replied, that Hannah is so far ahead of the game, that she could do whatever she liked. You know what? She is a smart little girl. We are so proud of her!

I also got Spencer registered for Mom's Day Out for next year. He is excited. He loves school this year and is already excited about being in the monkey class next year. It will be a big class, but there are three teachers and they have a blast! He only goes 2 days a week, but it's so fun.

Idol's on tonight too! Woohoo! The guys are alright, I like Blake and Chris Sligh for the guys. The gals, I am all about Melinda Doolittle! She is my absolute favorite. And if Annotella Barbra doesn't get her hind end voted off this week, I'm gonna pitch a fit! She's is awful and people need to not vote for her to keep her around to make a fool of herself! Seriously!

A Forced Hand and Answer to Prayer

2007-03-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

So, the last year+ background revolves a lot around the loss of my BIL, Jeremy. He died while responding to an EMS call in December 2005, Middletown, Indiana. Since then, our lives have been a roller coaster journey. Sometimes more harried than others. Other factors have played into this craziness like Dave's job (him being very unhappy where he is and seeking a new job), my health (recent diagnosis with hyperthyroidism, which took a long time to diagnose), and then just normal craziness is life.

One of the things I've struggled with for a year now, is our church. Admittedly, we have not been as involved since we lost Jeremy. We got the news of Jeremy's passing on a Sunday morning, and quite honestly--for a LONG time, we woke every Sunday morning feeling like we were caught up in a bad dream. So we found it difficult to get out of bed and go to church. And as Dave would say, we didn't want people staring us down with that "oh, are you all doing alright" look. KWIM? I realize that grieving is a white elephant in the middle of the room. It still is for me when other people grieve, makes me uncomfortable, though now it makes me more sad, cuz I've been there in a real way. So we kind of closed ourselves off in some ways. But not to everyone. Only the ones who wanted us to mysteriously "pop" back into normalcy. The part where is gets difficult is that some of those same people, have accused me personally of running away from God. People who have really made NO attempt to be a part of our lives since our loss. No card, no phone calls, nothing. One of them being the leader of our women, and the other being a friend. They are not the only ones to left us hanging... by any means, but they are the ones who accuse me of being disobedient for various non-issue things. The biggest one being on whether or not I attend a women's retreat. That was last year. This year, when I didn't go, the other EMAILS me to say, she "noticed I wasn't there, so she can only assume that I'm still struggling with my spiritual life or 'church' or both". WHAT? You can get all that about a person that you've had NO contact with in at least 5 months and very little contact with in a year? I DO NOT understand how people work. Especially when they make statements with "I can only respond to what God lays on my heart".
Um, God never lays on our heart to lay into a person and tell them what they assume about that person, or to tell them through email either. Scripture is very clear on confronting other Christians. In Matthew 18:15, we are told how if another believer is in "sin" that you are to go personally to them and correct them in love. However, my not being at a retreat and dropping back from church activities is not SIN. Clearly, I am not in sin on this church issue. I know there is sin in my life, as I am human. But my husband and I and a few family and friends are in prayer for our decision regarding whether to continue as members of the current church we are in, or to leave and seek a new church. This judgemental email I got last week was the answer to that prayer. We will no longer be going to that church. Hurtful as that email was, another dear friend pointed out to me, that I'd been asking God to show me whether to stick it out or just leave and get out of a toxic situation. God showed me how toxic the situation is. So Dave and I feel that is our answer.

Now the daunting part is explaining to our kids that we'll be moving on, and that we will be asking Jesus to show us to a church where not only Mommy and Daddy can grow in faith in a loving environment, but where they can make new friends and learn new things about Jesus too. And have MORE FUN! Any who are reading this who believe in prayer can be lifting us up as we begin our search. That we wouldn't carry this hurt around and that it would not scar us to the point of mis-trust no matter where we go. That we could find joy in worshipping on a Sunday morning again and not dread it so. And that our kids would be comforted and trust that God will show Mommy and Daddy where to go. And that He will take care of us all.

So, a new path begins. The hard part here is walking on it, even tho we don't know where it may lead. Time to boost the faith muscles!

What's new?

2007-02-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Lots going on here lately.

For starters, Dave and I have begun the South Beach Diet. Today started our 2nd week of phase 1. Dave is down 11 pounds already, and I am down 6. Not discouraged tho, I know that stinky ol boys lose weight faster that we girls. No worries. I fit into a pair of jeans that I'd opted to leave in the closet for a while because of comfort issues... so that is proof for me.

Got diagnosed with my first disease. Hyperthyroidism. Not sure how I feel about it. Still kind of trying to figure it all out. I think a part of me hopes that it may be the reason I get so emotional over things here lately. Not that I haven't always been that way, but the last two years in particular seem to have sent me over the edge. I can cry at the drop of a hat, over nothing even. So, my endocrinologist has me trying Methimazole for a month. The side effects are SCARY with this drug, so it's very short term. Most likely, I'll undergo a radioactive iodine treatment, where they will destroy my thyroid to keep it from over-producing the hormone. This will in turn send my body into hypothyroidism, which means I'll get to take medication the rest of my friggin life! YIPPEE! Sign me up! Figures I would not get the sudden weight loss symptom of the disease... instead I get the rapid heart rate.. even when I'm on a beta blocker! Go figure!

On to other frustrations: church. Ugh. I have such issues with it lately. Not church in general, but my church. This past year has been a real eye opening experience of finding out "who our friends are". In particular, for me, I've found out which leaders cannot be trusted. Which, in a weird sense, is good. Because it is forcing me to put my trust only in Christ to sustain me. Easier said than done, but it's all a process. Based on the scripture in Jeremiah 17:5-10. Which basically says, if you put your trust in people, you will wither up and dry up and cease to produce fruit... fear the drought and the storms... live miserably. On the other hand, if you put your trust in Christ, you will be unafraid of whatever life tosses you, and will still bear fruit... be planted by water so that your roots may grow down deep into the soil, strengthening you for what life brings.
Wow! Sounds simple doesn't it? Unfortunately for me, I know not how to make it simple. I am drawn to people more than I am to Christ. I can see people. I can touch people. It's more real. I believe Christ, I've seen His works in many ways, but sometimes, I feel I don't KNOW him as I could if I put forth more effort. So, I've been putting forth more effort over the last two months, and quite honestly, I've felt more turmoil. Especially regarding the church I attend. I feel like I'm coming out of my skin sometimes. Like people there are just liars and they are judgemental. It's like a big high school dance, and all the sides are chosen. All the cliches are formed and the outsiders, or non-conformers are left spinning like "what happened"?
So needless to say, hubby and I are in prayer about it. As much as we can. I find that each time we make it there (which requires effort in itself) we are more and more uncomfortable. What I'm mostly, honestly praying for is a way out, but I'm trying to pray for God's will in the situation.

This next month in March will be a busy one, but should be fun. The first weekend, Dave and I get to have a weekend without kids, as we head to Louisville, KY to the annual Supporting Heroes Banquet. We will meet his parents, and Jalinda, and his cousin Kimberly there. The banquet is to honor fallen heroes in the civil service realm: Police, Fire, and Paramedics.
We, unfortunately a part of this club now, because we lost Dave's brother, Jeremy, an EMT, in an accident in December 2005.
So, this is a memorial and a fundraiser all at the same time, so that any fallen heroes' families can be taken care of when the need arises. It's actually bittersweet. It's amazing how people can come to the aid of families. Amazing.

Then my little Hannah's cycle break comes this month too. She and Spence will be heading up to Indiana for a whole week! Staying with Grandma and Grandpa Rodecap. They've talked about it for weeks and ask all the time, "When can we go?".

Dave will hopefully be blessed with a new job this month too. We are ALL pulling for that. He is in an extremely toxic place right now... nothing to look forward to there or to work towards even. Just a lot of hard work and empty promises. He's done. It's now just a matter of finding a new place to go. All prayers appreciated.

Well, it's that time of day when it's getting difficult to keep the eyes open. We've been enjoying the first Lord of the Rings movie on our new TV. It's awfully nice! Having a geek for a husband has it's perks. :-) I'll try not to wait so long to report again. Hopefully I'll have good news soon! TA TA FOR NOW!

Long time-No blog.

2007-01-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

Excuse the absense. No excuse, just haven't updated.

Lots to report tho. The latest news being that I have a new nephew. My first nephew, in fact. Lucas Joseph Becker... and he is just the teeniest, most precious little boy! He was 6 pounds, 7 ounces and around 19 inches long. His mommy, Shannon, and daddy, Dwight, and big sister, Sarah are all happy that he is here and healthy. And so is the rest of his very large family.

And my niece, Haley is growing like a weed. She is coming to spend the day with me on Saturday. I look forward to that. Here is a picture of her and I at the hospital visiting the new cousin. :)

Dave is doing alright. He is really struggling at work. Needing a change, but not sure what exactly to pursue. There is a job opportunity that is coming up with IBM in Indiana, really close to his parents, but it's not doing what he wants to do. Another freind of ours just went back to working for Mastercard... and that may be an avenue that he pursues, which would be a fantastic commute and some good benefits. So, I know he'll be okay, but it is SO difficult to watch him get so down. I know the weather is not helping. It also doesn't help that he is chained to a desk all day long.

This weekend in the RV show in St. Louis. We are going to take the kids down and check them out. We are really wanting to camp more this year. We need to do things like that more.. be outdoors and away from T.V.s and computers. We are getting rid of our satellite as soon as we go buy an antennae for the television. We need to watch it less and read more, play more, sleep more.

The kids are good. Hannah is doing fantastically in Kindergarten. She's basically passed it already. But is loving reading and is reading on a 1-2 grade level, if not a little higher. Spencer is having fun at mom's day out, and is learning his letters really well. He writes his name really nicely for just turning 4.

My biggest news is that I have offically given up soda. Cold turkey, and it's going just fine. It's been nearly a month and I'm not craving it at all. Whew! Hopefully, it will continue that way. I'll tackle another life change next month. Baby steps. :-)

2006-09-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

So here is the dress for my sister's wedding. I like it, actually, more than the one I originally had chosen. Shannon and I will be wearing a color called Pool, like a light/medium turquoise. Amanda, Megan, and Caren will be wearing more of a teal color. All of our dresses are long, so Caryn said we can wear whatever shoes we want. Which is cool. I think I'll start tanning once a week to get some color over the next 3 months.

Anyhow, tomorrow Spencer and Hannah will both be at school all day. My only plans are to have lunch with my dear friend Lisa. We are going to a fantastic Italian place, called Frankie Tocco's pizzaria. They have really yummy pizza. They also have an appetizer called a rice ball. It's so yummy. It's risotto, peae, meat, cheese, all rolled up into a ball and fried. So tasty, dipped in marinara. I cannot wait to hang out with her too. She's been my right arm this year. Not only does she provide me with my stamping addiction, but she is an amazing friend.

Now, I'm gonna finish watching Grey's anatomy and veg on the computer while hubby gets on a work call. Thank God tomorrow is Friday!

FAMILY--Can't live without them-Can't shoot them!

2006-09-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

I need to have a shooting night with my hubby. My family (not the ones that live IN my house) is driving me bonkers. Literally, I've felt like pulling my hair out and screaming. My youngest sister that just had a baby was upset about a wise crack I made, (which, looking back, I realize was probably not appropriate even meant in jest), HOWEVER, she failed to tell me this really bothered her and instead pulled the silent treatment, not returning phone calls act. WTF!!! She is 21 years old and a mother! She should be adult enough to let me know that I upset her enough to ignore me for 2 freaking weeks! Really frustrated me, cuz not only do I NOT want to hurt her, I don't want her to be upset with me, and not tell me, so I can fix it!

My other sister, the one getting married, seems to still be bent out of shape over my comment of having to starve myself in order to feel good about being in her wedding. Bottom line there? Skinny people don't understand fat people. I, of course, am not literally going to starve myself, but she got a size 4 dress off the rack, while I'm trying on size 18 tents... excuse me if that makes me feel crappy about myself.

I'll admit one of my faults is that one, I cannot hide my emotions well. And two, I speak sometimes before I think. And even when it's not directed at someone, like when I said "I'm gonna have to starve myself"--it can still start a land slide that my emotional self is never prepared for.

Let's see, my dad and I went to lunch with my little boy today. Yeah, Dad proceeded to tell me that he and my mom were about to split back in July. Nice. I needed to hear that. I don't have enough anxiety in my life, what with the death of my BIL, the heart operation of my dad, one sister having a baby, one getting married, my kid starting kindergarten, ...... JEEZ!

What is it about a person that makes them handle stress in a healthy way? Why can't I figure it out? I feel like a basketcase 75-85 % of the time. Over whether I am succeeding in parenting and marriage. Over whether my family thinks I'm doing a good job and are proud of me? Over whether my siblings give a rat's ass if I dropped off the face of the earth, except they'd be outta free childcare that they never reciprocate? Whether or not I'll ever feel about God the way I thought I did, and whether the feeling of trusting Him in all situations will ever happen.

Naw, I've got nothing going on.

Anyway, gonna go try to do something fun with my two children, so they don't remember me as the crying basketcase that I have been today.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!!!

2006-08-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

My sister Caryn is a nuclear medical tech at a cardiology clinic here in St. Louis. Earlier this year, she did a heart scan on Auggie Busch, a former owner of the St. Louis Cardinals. He gave her eight tickets to last nights game agains the Chicago Cubs. Caryn invited all four of us siblings, Mom and Dad, and her fiance', Ken. Ken, by the way, proposed about two weeks ago, and they are getting married on December 10th! Anyhow, these tickets weren't just any old tickets. We were in the front row, along the first base line, looking into the Cardinal dugout!!!! OMG, it was absolutely incredible! It was as if we could reach out and high-five the players!

Anywho, here are some pictures from our fun night at the ballgame!

She's HERE!

2006-08-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, August 22nd, my baby sister, Megan and her fiance' Patrick welcomed their daughter, Haley Jane into the world. She is just precious. Cutest little dimple on her chin and very alert. She was 7 pounds and 11 ounces. Just beautiful.

It stirred emotions in me that I was NOT prepared for. Dave and I have decided our family of four was perfect the way it was and we took precautions to keep it that size. Well, being at the hospital just plain made me sad and long for that feeling of a newborn experience. Even though I know we made the right decision, the feeling blind-sided me. I'm recovering though and will get lots of time with Haley when Megan goes back to work. I'm the only sister at home during the day. And my SIL, Shannon is expecting in January. I know I'll be busy with nieces and nephews!

How would YOU respond?

2006-08-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

Background: DH and I have been very involved in a small group Bible study for nearly 6 years. The last 2 have not been so fulfilling as before. Too much drama, not enough heart. Troubles with wife of the couple that leads.

Anyhow, last December, we suffered a very tragic loss of my BIL. Life has just not been the same, which is totally normal, according to my counselor friend, and another friend who lost her brother 2 years ago. This woman, and a handful of others from church just don't seem to understand why we aren't just bouncing back into everything we had been involved in before.

Fast forward to this afternoon. This woman asked me to keep her 3yo DD while she worked with a homebound student for about 2 hours. I have a 3yo DS and so I agreed, and they were great, played together. Well, she comes back to get her, and I TRY to make small talk to be friendly. As she leaves, she asks whether we are coming to small group picnic on Sunday. I say no.
She then asks when are we coming back to small group? I say, "I don't know." Then SHE SAYS... "well, I'll just keep asking til you feel guilty."

WHAT????? Seriously, does she think that makes me want to come back sooner? I responded with a simple. "I don't feel guilty." I refuse (at least I'm trying to refuse) to let ANYONE guilt me into anything!

So, how would you have responded?

I mean, I am just sick to death of trying to befriend this person. We just don't mesh! I can't feel "safe" sharing with her in an intimate setting... it's impossible! So I really feel that when we DO decide to return to a small group--it will be in a different group. GRRRR

Updates

2006-08-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

So, I guess I should update this thing, huh? Lots going on.

Dad is doing great. It's been nearly three weeks since the operation, and he's getting around good. I'll be anxious to hear what the cardiologist and the surgeon say at his check ups in a few weeks. By my untrained eye, he looks to be doing awesome. Stir crazy, but awesome. :-)

Mom is doing fine too. I know she went to get a massage today (much deserved and needed).

Caryn, still waiting for Ken to pop the question. Not that he's stalling... he's just holding out for his parents to come up to meet Caryn. I cannot wait! I am so stinking happy for her. She and Ken met on Match.com. They began emailing each other in January, and met in person (since he was stationed overseas) on Mother's day. I think they will be married by the end of this year or early next year. She said three to six months tops from the time of the actual engagement.

Amanda will start her new job this Thursday. She will be teaching in Jefferson County. Hoping to get an apartment really soon. I know she would be happy to move out of my parent's house. And I'm thinking they would be happy about it too. :-)

Dwight and Shannon and Sarah are doing well as far as I know. They will find out what the baby is on the 17th. Will it be Gunter (Grandpa's pick, only a joke, thank goodness) or Marla Hooch (Dwight and Uncle Jesse's joke name) ??????? Sarah got new pictures done and they are WAY cute and they remind me that I am WAY overdue for pictures of my children!

Megan and Patrick are expecting Haley Jane any day now. She is dilated 2cm.... but not much else going on there. I'm hoping she's gonna get here before Mom goes back to work. And I can't wait to watch her once in a while, and snuggle the little baby!!!!

My little family here is doing well. Spencer had a stomach bug on Sunday, but seems fine now. Back to his wild self. Hannah is still acclamating to Kindergarten. Tired girl in the afternoons. She seems to like all the extras at school, like music, gym, art... but seems really super bored with her regular class. I know it's true, but I have a meeting with her teacher on the curriculum. The main problem is that it's so early in the year, that they haven't really started a curriculum yet..the teacher is still doing very basic stuff to evaluate what each child is able to do. Hannah is already reading 1-3 grade books from the library. So she is most likely very bored...which means she might start being a trouble maker, talking and stuff. Hoping they'll get going on something challenging soon.

Dave is working A LOT. He didn't get home till after 6:00 tonight. He is quite miserable at work. But he's holding out till after our vacation in late September to make any decisions about whether to stay put and stick it out or to pursue a new job. I hope that he can find something that will be more fulfilling to him.

I will have Maddi tomorrow. I have a trunk full of things to take to resale shop tomorrow. I'm hoping to sell a bunch quickly. Also have four bags for goodwill. While Hannah was at school today, I did a major purge of clothes, papers, and toys in her bedroom. When Spencer starts Mom's Day Out in Sept., his room will get it too. I have to control the junk overload!!!

Anyhow, got a ton of work done on the house today. Laundry, kitchen, mopped, dishes, cooked... tomorrow I can stamp!!!!
Need to maintain the clean for the week... hosting a stamp party on Friday night. Gotta work on swaps tomorrow... oh and Dave wants me to make him a "how NOT to be a fat ass" notebook to log his food consumption. He's determined to lose 20 pounds... and I need to do the same!!! Especially if my friend moves her wedding up from June to November!!!!

TTFN

AARRGGHH!

2006-07-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that parenting sucks this week? One kid is adjusting to her first week of kindergarten, and has to sit still all day long there, and the other kid is adjusting to his first week without his playmate since she's at kindergarten, and we just drove to and from Indiana this weekend and they are both freaking driving me nuts! All fidgety and fussy and fighting! Ears as deaf to my voice as ever! I hate feeling this way about them, but I know that it's normal. It's like they are looking for ways to hack Dave and I off. Thank God he and I were able to have a date this weekend, otherwise it would feel that much more frustrating.

We were able to go see "Lady in the Water". And we really liked it as well as other M. Night Shamalan movies... (sp?). "The Village" is still my all time fave... guess I'm a sucker for period type pieces.

Anyway, no more grandparents to entertain... Now I have to work again.

All things new.

2006-07-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Today was Hannah's fourth day of Kindergarten. Little miss independant decided she wanted to walk in to school all by her little self...and so she did. What a cool thing, and a sad thing all at the same time. I'm so thrilled with her sense of independance, and yet I already feel so left behind. She's gonna do great! Her teacher just emailed me to say she was well prepared for kindergarten... and that she is a great example to the other students... what mom wouldn't want to hear that!?!

Dad came home from the hospital yesterday. Sounds like he is doing well. He and mom are taking walks down the street and back. That will benefit them both.

I rescheduled my stampin up party. I just email invites last night and already have 7 people coming! I hope it's a good turn out. I'm ready to have some of that yummy spinach and artichoke dip!

So far, So good.

2006-07-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well, surgery seems to have been a success! Praise God! I'm so relieved. Dad is talking and may have even walked already. He has been out of bed a few times at least. He will be discharged on Monday provided all continues to go as well as it has.

We are taking the kids up to see him in a bit. Dave is on his way home. A friend of his Dad's called and his wife is stuck in downtown St. Louis with very little gas to make it to Oklahoma. A huge storm blew thru both Wednesday and today and knocked power out in several counties. She can't fill her tank cuz all the gas stations are down. So we'll take some to her in a few minutes and then go see Dad will we are over the bridge.

Hannah's first week of Kindergarten has gone great! I'm so happy she is liking it!

Gotta run!

Ok, so I lied AGAIN! :-)

2006-07-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mom just called and the infection seemed to not really even be an infection, but rather an infiltration, where the IV was never in the vein--only under the skin. His blood cultures came back normal, and no fever or anything, so they are going to do it tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CST. Anyone who prays, can add Dad to their prayers and it will be much appreciated. Will keep updating. Thank you!

I lied. :-)

2006-07-18T14:59:00.000-07:00

Okay. So Dad is making things complicated... just kidding! He developed an infection in the IV, so they had to postpone the operation. Looks to be on Thursday. Nice. On Hannah's first day of Kindergarten. Ah well. Get all the scary things done in one day. Will keep updating. Going to go make dinner before we go meet Hannah's teacher. Toodles!

Big day tomorrow.

2006-07-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the day Dad gets his new heart valve, and gets the aneurism repaired. I cannot believe it's really happening, and I'm trying really hard to think positively. He is in great spirits. All 5 of us kids, plus four spouses (or almost spouses) have been up there for the last two days. We've laughed a lot and all. Tonight, friends from our church came and we all gathered round Dad and prayed over him. It was a special time. I wish my brother would have still been there.

Anyway. Pray for a wonderful outcome to the operation tomorrow. I am.

Dad

2006-07-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

So here's the deal.

Fourth of July weekend, Dad was having some palpitations and so he finally was able to get into the doctor this past Monday. After an EKG, the doc noticed some skips in the heartbeat so he ordered a chest X-ray for the next day. Tuesday the X-ray showed something unusual, so he then ordered a CT scan and that was done today. What they determined was that Dad has an aneurism in his aorta. So they scheduled an appointment with a surgeon next Wednesday. However, upon further review of the test results, the primary care MD said to head straight to the ER.

Aneurisms of this sort are rated on their size. 6 and under are monitored by a yearly exam unless complications arise. Dad's is measuring at a 9. This means surgery is eminent. He received his mechanical heart valve 21 years ago and has had no complications since. If the aneurism were to have burst, it would mean worst case scenario. HOWEVER, it was discovered and will be repaired on Monday morning. Since Dad's last heart operation, he has had to take coumadin to thin his blood. Since his vitals are good and since it appears that this has been a slow progression, they are going to wait until Monday and they will give him some meds to reverse the coumadin, making his blood thicker and more easily clotted for an operation. They are also going to replace his mech. valve.

Right now, since I've spent the evening at the hospital and talked with Dad and with docs, I'm feeling fairly confident. I am thankful that it was caught and that he is at the hospital under excellent care. Yet, I am still terrified of all that could go wrong in surgery. So I ask that you pray not only for my dad, but for Satan to not be allowed to use this to mess with my insecurities and fears. I love my dad so much and I just want him to be okay. Thanks for all your prayers.

And a special thanks to my dear friends, Jamie and Lisa, Lillie, Tevis, and Sally. Also to my great in-laws. You all have been incredible today and I thank God for your love and friendships. We'll keep you updated.

It's almost Friday!

2006-07-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Oh man. This has possibly been the single most SLOW week of my life. I don't know why, but I'm just ready for a break, or a vacation or something. It's really hot here today. I also had Maddi today. She is 15 months old and a fiery red hed. Her favorite word is 'No' right now. Hubby is working late tonight. We will all be starving when he gets home. Tomorrow is going to be a busy, busy day. I have a ton of errands to run. I have to get the rest of Hannah's school stuff, and a new outfit. She starts Kindergarten in just 6 days! I can't believe it, and yet I think we are all ready. I think she is bored out of her mind and needs some new buddies to play with. It's all day Kindergarten, so she is gonna be whipped next week.

I'm also really hopeful that my big ol Stampin Up order will come tomorrow. I really, really, really am ready to get my hands on it! We have to travel to Effingham, IL on Saturday for my cousin's wedding and I could assemble lots of stamps on the way there. :-)

Forgot to mention that my dad is having a CT scan tomorrow a.m. He's been having discomfort in his chest and lots of coughing. They did a chest Xray and put him on a portable heart monitor for 24 hours. My sister is a nuclear medical technician and she said what they are probably looking for is an aneruism. She siad that many people walk around with these types of aneurisms for many years without being detected. So she says there is no reason to panic now. It can be corrected by surgery if necessary. I'm trying hard not to panic. But this does not help with my anxiety issues. And since my BIL just died 7 months ago, I am very worrisome about illnesses and accidents and such. Like I was just devastated wathching the new this week. A local youth group was having an event at a park, near a very popular floating river (like for float trips and such), when one student went under water, 5 others went in to find him/her. And in the end 5 children (4 from only one famly) drowned. Life is so short, and I take it for granted way to often.

Have a great weekend.

VANDALS!!!

2006-07-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am at the height of frustration right now. So tonight, my blog is a place for a rant. On Tuesday last week, 7/4 someone paintballed the front of our home. This was the second time this happened. Only this time was worse. Probably a dozen hits of yellow paint. Filed a police report, but I have NO earthly idea why we were the target. My oldest child is just beginning kindergarten next week, so we have no "enemies" that I know of. Anyhow, fast forward to today. I grabbed the mail around 2:30 and all was fine. About 6:15, my husband called me upstairs to say that our mailbox was destroyed!!! I mean totally taken out!! Someone would have had to have dented their car when they did this, yet no one came to our door and apologized or anything! I would feel a lot less put out if there had been an admission to a hit. SO FRUSTRATING!! So, if anyone reading this is house hunting... I would advise AGAINST a corner lot.

Okay, on to a different rant. I am dog sitting for my friend Lisa. Her little bitty thing of a dog is being really good, but my KIDS are driving me nuts with it! They will not leave the poor thing alone and she will be here till Saturday! Oh my word! It definitely seals the deal on waiting on a pet of our own for a while!

Okay, deep breaths... thanks for the vent time!

Whew! SU order completed!

2006-07-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

I just emailed my friend/demo my $400 order! OUCH! Even tho I specifically sold some stamps on ebay and earned all this money for stamps, it still stings to order that much at once! So what did I get? Well, I got all the new paper and ink pads. Two packages of Watercolor Wonder crayons to try. The new Paisley background, letterpress alphabet. Several spools of ribbon and some buttons. Lots of other stamps too.

I have to let Dave go and buy a sander this weekend so that he can make my ribbon holder. He made them for Christmas gifts for two girlfriends of mine two years ago. I'm still waiting. May be a good weekend project for him.

Anyhow, now I just have to sit patiently and wait for my friend/demo to get back in town next week, so that I can play with all the new goodies!

Date night!

2006-07-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight, my mom took my little girl to the Muny to see the Wizard of Oz. And my dad took my son for a playdate. Whatever does that leave for my dear hubby and I to do??? DATE NIGHT! We dropped Spence off and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings. We sat on the same side of the table and watched the miserably slumping Cardinals play Houston on the big screen. After a decidedly unhealthy dinner, we dropped of my Rx for my blood pressure meds (don't tell my doc what I ate for dinner) and went to downtown St. Charles to Main Street. We parked the car and took a short walk, where we listened to the Municipal Band play for a while. Then we picked up the meds, and picked up Spence. Came home and put him to bed, vegged on the couch. Dave surfed the net and I sat planning out my Stampin Up order. I need to order in the a.m. cuz my demo is going outta town for a week! I am dog-sitting for her, in fact. I sold a lot of stamps that I either no longer wanted or could live without in order to splurge on the new catty. So I have a huge chunk waiting for me to spend. However, it is weird to me to think about writing a check for that amount. Even tho it is a direct transfer of sold stamps to purchased stamps... I can't help but thinking what else I could spend it on! So we'll see. I'm still making up my mind. I have till tomorrow!

Tomorrow is Friday! TGIF! We are having a low key day tomorrow. I'm taking the kids to the library. We are participating in a summer reading program and I have read nearly 30 books to them over this past week. For every 15 books I read to them, they get goodies from the library. Other than that, I plan on placing my stamp order and stamping.

Dave is talking about taking the kids fishing on Saturday. I know they would love that. Here's hoping tomorrow's a good one for us all!

4th of July

2006-07-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

On the 4th, we enjoyed a quiet day at home with no company. We'd had company all weekend, and as fun as that always is, it is always good to just have the house back to ourselves. The kids actually both took naps. Late that afternoon we headed to my parent's house to gather with all the sibs except for my youngest sister and her fiance. My parent's neighbor, who is single, for some reason has an inflatible bouncy castle. The only kids were my 5yo daughter, 3yo son, and 4yo niece. They had an absolute blast! And I know my two slept like angels that night.

Holiday weekend.

2006-07-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

This holiday weekend was supposed to have been a joyous event. My brother in law and his fiance were supposed to be married this weekend. However, last December, my brother in law suffered a fatal head injury when he fell on the ice responding to a 911 call. So, instead, this weekend was spent with my in laws, his fiance and her family, and a LOT of emotional eating was done. All in all, the weekend was pleasant. A few tears were shed, some stories were told. New adventures were had, as my in laws car was struck by lightning on the way out from Indiana. Thankfully only the car suffered. Jalinda, the fiance, is so sweet. I just pray that she will heal and be able to fall in love again someday. I cannot imagine what she must have been feeling. She did take Jeremy's wedding band and had it made into a lovely charm for a necklace, and wears it close to her heart. A very special treasure indeed.

My kids are wild from the constant attention over the weekend. Right now they are both in their rooms. One playing quietly with his leap pad. One sitting on her bed listening to books on tape.

Okay, nevermind. Got interrupted and this is about 45 minutes later, and all is chaos, as usual. Spence fell and scraped his knee while saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa. We officially have the house to ourselves again. I so enjoy when we have company, but equally, I enjoy when the house is back to normal again. :-)

Tonight we will go down to the riverfront in St. Charles to view the fireworks. They are threatening rain tomorrow, so I'd rather get it over with tonight, just in case. Happy Independence Day!

First Glimpse of the new SU Catalog

2006-06-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Oh my. I have to sell a lot more stamp sets on Ebay. There are so many new and fun things in this new catalog that I can totally live without what I had considered selling but then chickened out on. I can part with probably 20 more sets to get some of that new stuff! :-) There are six new colors too!! They are really pretty, especially the cool caribbean color. It's a really soft turquoise. Lovely. There are lots of new letter sets. Tons of new papers, two sided, no less! I'm gonna have a good party even if I'm the only one buying anything, cuz I'm gonna save up! :-)

Tonight Dave and I finally got out alone for a bit. We grabbed a roast beef sandwich after dropping of the kiddos at my folk's. Then we headed to the shooting range on the wildlife preserve. I shot really well tonight. Dave seems impressed and I don't think he is just being kind. My thumb is sore tonight from loading the magazine for the 22. It is really more fun than I thought it would be. It makes me focus. I really have to concentrate on the target and line up the sight. I was able to get two or three bullseyes. It was fun. The weather was GORGEOUS to boot! We finished our evening with a blizzard from DQ. I have gravitated to the chocolate dipped strawberry, with extra strawberries. MMMM. I could do with liss chocolate and more strawberried even. MMMM.

I need to get some shut eye now. I have a teeny baby coming to stay in the morning. Her name is Ava and she was born dramatically on April 11th. She is a very dear freind's grandbaby. I watched her on Monday and I truly enjoyed the infant snuggles, without losing sleep!

Hope anyone reading this has a great sleep and a fabulous day tomorrow!
Good night!

All's Quiet on the Homefront.

2006-06-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday. I usually have Madison today, but her daddy decided to take a day off, so it was just me and my two today. We had a lazy morning. In fact, Spence slept until 10:30!! We re-measured them on the wall downstairs and OH MY they both grew so much in only a month. I suspected Hannah would've because of how she's been eating. But even Spence has grown at least 1/2 inch!!

Tonight Dave and I are going shooting. It will be fun and it will be good for him as he has had two very stressful days at work. The kids will go and play at Grandma and Grandpa's. They will have a blast, and probably get Happy Meals to try to get some more toys from the movie, Cars.

Now, I'm going to try to stamp at least ONE thing today. The new Stampin Up catalog is getting to my friend Lisa's house today. But I probably won't see it til Friday, unless she's feeling like sharing early! :-). Sold a bunch of my stuff on Ebay so I could splurge in the new catty. I can't wait to see what there is to choose from!

Okay, off to find a snack and do some stampin! Can't believe my kids are sleeping!

Nature Girl- NOT!

2006-06-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

So the other night, Wednesday, after seeing the dress that my friend picked out for the wedding next year, I decided that we should take a family walk that night. Keep in mind that it was about 95 degrees and humid at 7:00 in the evening. We chose to head to Bush Wildlife, a MO conservation area that has a paved trail through the woods. Thought it might be a bit cooler in the shade the whole time. Wrong. It was just as miserable. At first we were having fun. We stopped at the fishless pond, which is filled with toads. We like to watch for them to leap into the water and have yet to catch one. We then walked along the path and came across a deer--quite close to it even. After that, it turned into a not so fun or relaxing event. Try as I do to enjoy the great outdoors, I am just an indoor kind of girl, or at least not a woodsy type of gal. As the trail got a little steeper, I began to get attacked by a horse fly. Over and over it kept buzzing my head, until at some point I became frantic trying to get rid of it. I started running, not good for an out of shape gal, and waving my arms like a lunatic. Made my kids anxious and worry about me and we were all out of breath and sweaty by the time we reached the car again. It was nuts.

On Thursday, Mom and I went to the Muny. The Muny is an outdoor theater in Forest Park here in St. Louis. Each summer they feature seven musical shows. This week was The King and I. It was great. It rained and rained Thursday, so I was worried that it would be a washout. But we were pleasantly surprised that it let up and the weather was much more comfortable than the day before. If you're ever in the St. Louis area in the summer time, check it out. You can even sit in free seats for each performance, only you have to be there earlier. Their website is www.Muny.org.

Friday was spent running all around town. Mom and I were getting stuff for my sister Megan's baby shower on Sunday. Thankfully the weather is turning out to be lovely and we will certainly be able to enjoy an outdoor shower.

Today I have given my aunt a haircut, weeded some "weed" beds and Dave has cut down a bunch of brush out of the corner of the backyard. We are closely watching our ebay auctions as they end tomorrow. I'm hoping to make a bunch of bucks to be able to spend on the new stampin up catalog. Still need to mow the yard (Dave's job) and make some individual cheesecakes for tomorrow. Also need to clean up but since my shedding neice (my sister Caryn's dog) is here, we'll wait on the major cleaning, cuz otherwise it will just need to be redone tomorrow. :-)

So, now I'll just rest a while and surf Splitcoast and think about what to do next.

Happy Anniversary!

2006-06-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Eight years ago on this day, I married the love of my life, David. I am so blessed by God to have been given the gift of my husband. He and I have so much fun! We love to be silly and stupid together. We love to just hang out together. We have perfected the art of dating. At least once a week, we try to go out, even if it's just to have a quiet dinner without kids. We have two children. They are such fun.

Today Dave stayed home from work, and we will take the kids with us to lunch. We go to Steak-N-Shake each year on our anniversary. On our wedding day, we were starving by the time we finished pictures, so we went to our apartment, and changed into regular clothes, and stopped at Steak-N-Shake to eat lunch. It was so tasty!! Now we go there each year to celebrate. It's a fun tradition. Later on, the kids will go hang with Grandma and Grandpa, and we'll go out for a nice dinner alone and catch a local ballgame possibly. Whatever we do, we'll just enjoy doing it together. We just like to be together.

If you read this sweetie, I love you a ton!

Father's day.

2006-06-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

Today is Father's Day. Dave is an awesome dad. One of my favorite things about him is how he lets me get out for "me" time. He encourages it. Our kids are 5 and 3. Fun times in the discipline department. :-) NOT! Our kids are really super good, but they do test our patience when we are at home. I love them. Dave loves them too. I'm so blessed to have a husband who will go to a job that he doesn't really love, to provide so much for us. He takes excellent care of us. Today we let "daddy" choose whatever he wanted to do. He chose to go shoot in an IDPA tournament. It's a pistol shooting tournament. He said it was harder than usual, but he did have fun. When he got home, we hung around here a little while. Then we took the kids to see the movie "Cars"... it was a WAY fun movie. The kids had seen it while spending a week in Indiana with their grandparents. But they still had fun. Then we met my folks at an ice cream place and treated my dad to ice cream for Father's day. It was a really fun day.

Yesterday we worked in the yard all day. We've lived in our house for 5 years now, and we've really been slow in the landscaping department. Well we got a lot done out there yesterday.. At least in the front yard. We had some ornamental grass that was dying off, so we broke it apart and hopefully 4 pieces of it survived. Also got a hydraenga bush and some wave petunias and a couple magnolia bushes. Oh and peony plant. I have one at my mailbox and I LOVE it in the spring...Big ol pink blossoms...smell just like roses. My aunt has some lovely flowers in her yard, and she also said she may have some to share with me, perennials, which would be very exciting to have! I would love to have some that I didn't have to plant each year.
My sister has a knack for gardening that I wish I had. But at least I am trying. My mother in law is an excellent gardener as well. I hope that it will rub off on me sooner or later.

Tomorrow is Monday. The kids and I are having a playdate with some friends. Then in the afternoon, we are venturing to the swimming pool for some fun. They should be good and tired tomorrow night.

I'll be working on cleaning house this week cuz I'm hosting my baby sister's baby shower on Sunday. There will be a, pardon my phrase, butt-load of people here. We're gonna have it in the back yard, because I know I cannot fit potentially 50 people in my house. I'm looking forward to it, though. I cannot wait till my new niece is born, Haley Jane. I look forward to a baby fix! :-)

Okay, off to finish watching a really good movie... called, "An Unfinished Life" with Robert Redfort and Morgan Freeman. It's really good. I highly recommend it.

What a day-Wednesday!

2006-06-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

So, today started out pretty normally. Got up, got ready for the day. Met our friend Lillie and we hung out most of the day. It was fun, and we got to see her pictures from her trip to Indonesia to visit her brother and sister-in-law. She saw some amazing things, and barely missed some really scary things, like earthquakes and volcano erruptions. God was protecting them. So anyway, we ended up getting my friend, Lisa's daughter Courtney too. Lisa was not feeling well, and having some numbness and pressure on the right side of her head, so she was going to the ER. They found nothing wrong and sent her home, with a snide comment about, "if it's a tumor, it won't change before you see your regular doctor on Monday." CRAZY! I think my husband would flip if anyone said that to me. Most likely they say it was a migrane without the pain. I hope that is all it was.

My favorite part of today was sharing the news of a very dear friend. She is unofficially engaged. She and her intended are planning a June 2007 wedding and I am helping her with a lot of it, and most excitingly, I have been asked to be the matron of honor. I am SO excited! It's the most exciting thing to me because she is like the most beautiful friend I have, who thinks she's nothing special. She has found a wonderful man, who thinks she is the BOMB. And he is treating her like a princess and I just think it is so cool! She told me about all of this before her mother! That makes me feel so special.

She went with us to dinner, which was fun. We flipped through a bridal magazine while we sat there waiting for our food. However, the kids! Wow! They were a mess tonight. Hannah actually cried because, get this, Spencer got a scrape--and it was worse than hers! I cannot believe she cried about it! THEN she told us that she thought she would have more fun here when she came home from Grandma's. Talked to Grandma tonight and she mentioned that she got to experience for herself that special dose of drama that our daughter is so gifted in. *insert eye roll*

I'm looking forward to a slower day tomorrow. Will have Maddi, but other than that, pretty uneventful. Oh, except for the fact that my sister returns from Florida tomorrow...which means our doggie sitting is ending tomorrow. We've really enjoyed having Belle here. I know the kids will be bummed.

Well, off to bed I go. Three kids keep me busy. Need that extra sleep, and I've already enjoyed a relaxing hot shower. Here's to a good night's sleep.

Tuesday Morning.

2006-06-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

*Yawn*

It was too short of a night. Dave was up late working, and so I stayed awake too long for having to get up this morning. I'm whipped. It was a great night to sleep with windows open. Very unusual for MO in June. Almost cool. So sleep was wonderful last night. We are dog-sitting this week for my sister's dog, Belle. She's a large black shed-like-crazy lab. Sweetest dog evah!
She woke me right at 7:00 to go outside. Ah well, had to get up anyhow to greet Maddi, the little one-year old that I watch. So we are ALL up now. Dave is back off to work and we begin our day.

My goals for today, if all children are co-operative...go to this awesome resale shop, where I've been making lots of money selling the kids' and my clothes. I have $90.00 waiting for me. Next, head to Hobby Lobby, where the acrylic stamps are 1/3 off. I just discovered them while working on my wedding album. I'm really liking them, especially the fact that I can see through to where I am stamping exactly. Aside from that, I'm hoping that Spencer and Maddi will take naps today. Hannah, being 5, is not really into napping any longer, which is fine. But I'd like to have some stamp time this afternoon.

Tonight, Dave and I have Base Camp, which is a small group Bible study with our church. We are just starting to get into it again, at least we are trying. We have participated in it for 5 years now, and have just taken the last 6 months to lay off for a while, and it's been nice. Mostly because my parents keep the kids every Tuesday night, which means we've had date nights at least once a week for 6 months. Can't argue with that! I love date nights with my hubby! But we will make every attempt to make it there tonight. Our friend, Lillie has just returned from a trip to Indonesia and I'm anxious to hear all about it. Sounds like it was an amazing trip.

Well, off to get this day going. It is 10:00 afterall! :-) Here is to a peaceful and productive day!

Something New

2006-06-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Well, this whole blogging thing seems to be taking over the world. "Everyone's doing it!" Oh, that may not be the best reason to start this. Actually, one of my reason's for beginning this is to make myself, hopefully, accountable to some things I've been thinking of. Like losing some weight. Being consistent in some areas of my life, such as exercising, journalling(which is why I'm trying this), and just keeping track of some thoughts.

I'm certain this will not be as interesting as some blogs I've read, but my hope is that as I grow accustomed to it, I will venture into more creativity in writing and that that creativity will weave its way into other areas of my life.

I think it will be fun to post some pictures and some of my stamp art onto the site as well. My husband's blog is quite a creation, if I do say so myself. He is a gifted writer in my opinion and sometimes I'm amazed at his thoughts that are shared there. Here is a link to his blog (hope this works). http://web.mac.com/darodecap/iWeb/CornerPost/Blog/Blog.html

And so, I'm off! Off to try something new. Wish me luck!