some days are like that

what did i come in here for?

2011-04-03T14:52:00.002-04:00

You know it is getting bad when your kids can actually come up with the answer to that question before you do. It seems that I am constantly entering a room, only to stand there because I can't remember what I went in there to do! "What did I come in here for again?"

Not sure where my mind has gone, but I have had some pretty good evidence that it is going.

...like the day I went into the library. I picked out a movie for our Friday "pizza and a movie" tradition. I went to the counter and started to root around in my wallet. I went from the very front pocket to the back pocket and looked in all of the slots in between. Now what was I supposed to be looking for, again? Oh yeah...my library card. Back to the front again to start the process over. Would you believe that it took me THREE times of looking in every pocket to actually remember what I was supposed to be getting out. By the time I actually figured it out, I was giggling to hide my embarrassment. Thankfully the kind librarian assured me that she forgets things sometimes, too. She proceeded to get my videos checked out, and I told her that if I came in in a few minutes looking confused, to remind me that I was supposed to be getting in the car!

...or the time that hubby and I were in the middle of a conversation about something (important, I'm sure!), and he got a really funny look on his face. Apparently I had just missed most of the conversation, and made a comment similar to the very thing he had just said.

...just this morning at church, I asked my daughter to go find her coat so we could leave. She and my other daughter looked at me and said, "Mom...you have it in your hands."

It is a good thing I have a friend with a great memory. She supplies me with all kinds of information that I should remember. Dates and times that my kids need to be places, the kind of protein bar that I ate for a solid year, but could not for the life of me remember, things I did in high school (although she never knew me then.....ok, that is a little freaky!) She remembers things that I don't even know I've forgotten....a good friend indeed! If I remember, I'll tell her thank you the next time I see her.

So, to conclude....if you see me wandering around a room with a really bewildered look on my face.....help a sister out, and remind me what I went in there for!

Well, that was fun!

2011-03-04T16:42:00.002-05:00

...so, I got a call this week from the local librarian. This is not usually good news, rather one that is reminding me that the next time I come into town, "please bring the CD that was supposed to be included in the CD case you returned today." This call however, was a happy call. The story goes something like this...the last time I was in the library, the nice video lady mentioned that I might be interested in purchasing a video card. "because it's like getting two rentals free," she said. And...my name would then be put in a drawing at the end of the month for a free card....which would result in 12 more free rentals. Well, I was sold at the two free rentals, and bought the card. So...this week, I got a call saying that my name was actually drawn to get the free card. Funny how getting your name randomly drawn out of a hat instantly makes you feel like a local celebrity. Even if I and the librarian are the only ones that know about it!

...today, I came home to check out one of my favorite craft supply sites. They do a warehouse walk on Fridays, and I really enjoy watching the video to see the new crafting stuff. That really is kind of weird, now that I think about it. Anyway, if you make a comment at the end, you get a chance at a prize package of things shown in the video. Guess what? My name was randomly drawn....and a fun prize package is coming my way! I can't believe it.....so fun!

....and to top it all off...11 years ago, almost to the hour....I got the greatest prize of all. Oh, what a fun day it was.....wearing that beautiful gown, marrying the best guy on the planet. I love him to pieces! What a blessed girl I am....

An Ungrateful Heart

2011-03-01T07:05:00.002-05:00

Wow....can you enter into this again with no explanation of your absence? Because there really isn't one.

I just know that when I woke up this morning and started to have my quiet time, I was struck with the need to pour out my thoughts, and honestly....this is quicker than writing.

I started a book yesterday called One Thousand Gifts. I made it through a chapter and a half...and while I wanted to keep on reading, I felt like I had to stop. To really absorb what I had just taken in. One paragragh, made right at the beginning...keeps ringing in my ears. "Ultimately, in his essence, Satan is an ingrate. Satan's sin becomes the first sin of humanity: the sin of ingratitude. Adam and Eve are, simply, painfully, ungrateful for what God gave them." The author, Ann Voscamp, then goes on to share her story...a heartbreaking one at that.

I woke up this morning....with a full agenda. My plans. Then I got a call from the school...that "in the best interest of your child, school will be delayed two hours" kind of call. I immediately began complaining. What do you mean school is delayed...I have plans today! In the middle of my whining, God brought the writings of Ann Voscamp to my mind...except He took the liberty of changing the names to expose the guilty. "Ellen...you are simply, painfully ungrateful for what God gave you." Ouch. He could have stopped there. "Your issues with food, your issues with insecurity, your issues with comparing yourself to others....an ungrateful heart."

So...right now, I will choose to be grateful...

...for the noises of my children, because it means they are full of life
...for the interruptions in my plans, because they really weren't that important in the big scheme of life
...for the reminder that I am not in control, because I really don't want to be
...for the chance to sit and sip my coffee, because that wasn't in "my plans"
...for an extra chance to encourage my son that he CAN do ISTEP today, because I would have missed it.
...that I am forgiven, because I really need it.
...that I could hear God speaking to me today, however painful, because it means He is working.

2010-04-06T16:32:00.004-04:00

Dear Little Man,
Today, at the dentist's office, you walked in to your appointment all by yourself. No hiding behind me, no tears, no anxiety....at all. To any other adult in the office this afternoon, it was no big deal. To me...it was huge. Incredibly huge.

My prayer for you has been and will continue to be that you are a boy who is strong and courageous, who is not terrified because you know that your God is with you wherever you go.
You can't begin to imagine my joy at seeing that prayer being answered. You are growing by leaps and bounds this year....and it does this mom's heart proud.

May you continue to try new things, make new friends, and be all that God has made you to be. I love you to pieces, Little Man.

Mom

Want to play?

2010-02-20T10:41:00.002-05:00

I really stink at this blogging thing. I thought I would keep up with it, and I actually have thoughts about fun posts running through my head...but I just can't seem to get them to come out through my fingertips. Strange.

So, for today, I bring you a little game. Because I thought it would be fun...and it just might be what causes me to get back into this whole blogging thing. We'll see....

My good friend over at The Back Door has been blogging about her recent move. I decided to have a little fun with her move, and made up a game of "I Spy" for my enjoyment...and maybe yours, too :) Click on over to her post from Feb. 17 and "spy" with me....

I spy a box of freezer pops, Maxwell House coffee, a half-eaten bag of Skittles, a blooming cactus, a Valentine rose, a man looking at a cabinet like he isn't sure what to do with it (I wonder if the back door told him that being "in" the kitchen "stalling" wasn't the same as "installing" the kitchen?)
I also spy an Aldi's bag, a very cute Vera bag, a George Foreman grill, and Grandma's china, and a man with a hinge on his cheek.
Noticeably missing is a really cool column, which good friend has assured me will be making a comeback.

Did you find them all?

Spring....I long for you....

2010-01-15T15:42:00.004-05:00

I am ready for spring...hence the new background.

The weather this week has been melting the snow rapidly, which is good for people like me, who hate to see dirty snow. I know some people like the dirty snow....really, they are out there. Right, Back Door? The sun has even shown its lovely face this week, which does wonders to my motivation.

Speaking of motivation, I cleaned out my hobby room yesterday. It was a long time coming....and it felt so good to actually be able to see the table underneath all of those piles of stuff. I am only three years (2007-2009) behind in my scrapbooking....my goal is to get caught up by the end of the year. I am confident that I can do it!

I am beginning a new type of scrapbooking project for 2010. It is called Project Life...and the idea is to take a picture every day, and journal about the picture you take....and by the end of the year, you have a chronicle of the year. It should simplify things quite a bit...and it will cause me to creatively take pictures of everyday things. I am really looking forward to it.

What are your goals for the new year?

2009-12-23T20:52:00.002-05:00

I love being part of this family. Even when it is challenging.

Even though my fourteen year old son is taller than me...and my 12 year old has bigger feet than me...they still need me. I needed to remind myself of that just now.

Not only do they need me...but I really do need them, too. They keep my humble...and on my knees. They remind me daily that I need a Saviour to help me with this thing called parenting....and that keeps me dependent on Him. I need their laughter and their hugs...and I need them to encourage me with their love notes and acts of service.

This new season of parenting teens will be challenging for me. But...it will also be good for me. I need to be stretched...even when it hurts...because on the other side, it will make me a better mom.

Hello again....

2009-12-15T13:44:00.002-05:00

Wow...it has been long time since I have been with you all in bloggy land.

Lots of things have happened in our home...and maybe someday I will tell you all about them.

Today...just a funny story.

Yesterday afternoon I got the call that moms all over America dread. It goes like this... "This is the school nurse. Your son just threw up in class. Could you come get him? "

Poor Little Man...he was miserable for most of the night. He doesn't have much reserve body fat...and when he gets sick, he tends to become dehydrated really quickly. The last time he was sick, we ended up spending most of a day in the hospital getting IV fluids.

Knowing his history...we didn't wait long to give him a suppository, which in theory is supposed to stop the vomiting. For the record...he threw up about 15 times AFTER the dreaded procedure. (You know you are growing up when you are administering suppositories!)

Anyway, this morning, this is the conversation I overheard:

Cedar: "Are you feeling better this morning?"

Little Man: "Yep...mom put some medicine in my bottom"

Cedar: "Did it hurt?"

Little Man: "Not too much"

Cedar: "What did it look like? Was it big?"

Little Man: "It wasn't too big, it was a little big"

Cedar: "Have I ever had to have medicine in my bottom?"

Gracie enters the conversation at this point...

Gracie: "I have....it hurts"

Cedar: "I don't ever want to have medicine in my bottom"

Little Man: "I think I'll be short my whole life."

Cedar: "When you get to be a dad, you'll be taller."

Gracie: "I can't wait to tell Mrs. Roth that we are celebrating my birthday today, even though my birthday isn't until tomorrow...but we are having it today because tomorrow is so busy...and can I tell her that I will bring my birthday treats tomorrow, because that is my real birthday? "

Little Man: "I like those big vans with the big windows in the back."

My friends, you just don't get conversations like that every day. Who said that being a mom isn't exhausting...I mean exciting?!

a sweet vacation

2009-10-26T20:49:00.011-04:00

My beloved found a great deal on a condo in Stanwood, so we packed up the suburban and headed to Michigan over fall break. Boy, oh boy, were we in for a treat! This is what we drove up to...we could hardly believe our eyes. This was no ordinary condo...this was a luxury home! The architecture and decor were absolutely gorgeous...we felt very spoiled, and incredibly blessed.

The weather was cloudy and rainy most of the time we were there, but the trees were so vibrant. I don't remember ever seeing such brilliant colors...and we marvelled at the beauty and creativity of our Creator.

These pictures are out of order...but I think you will get the idea!

Our first day we headed off to Klackle's Apple Orchard. It was raining pretty steadily as we headed to the orchard, and we prayed as a
family that it would stop by the time we got there. As you can tell from the pictures...God gave us a break from the rain...just long enough to pick a bushel of apples. It was a cool answer to prayer...and it was neat for our kids to see (rather quickly!) how personal our God is, and how much he delights in surprising us with good gifts. We drove home in the rain...but were thankful for God's "window" of no rain while we picked apples.

We all had a great time...and made great memories! If you are ever in Greenville, MI, stop by Klackles Orchard and try the apple donuts! Boy, were they good!

The day after we went to the orchard, we made apple dumplings in the condo. It was so much fun, and we all enjoyed eating them, too! The rest of our days were filled with games, walks (with umbrellas), swimming, and a family game
tournament. It doesn't really matter who won, does it? (but Tod and I smoked those kiddos!) Our time in Michigan was just what we needed it to be....a time to relax, reconnect, and remember how blessed we are.

all in the name of love...

2009-10-09T11:15:00.006-04:00

**disclaimer...there is nothing deep in this post....in fact, it is full of absolutely nothing. But...it is a post...and that should keep me out of the "You haven't posted in like.. forever" shame that I am coming to recognize is part of the blogging world.

For those of you who know me well (and, yes...I realize I started the sentence with a preposition...does it really matter?), you will understand why this post is a big deal. Those of you who don't know me well...well, by the end of this post, you'll get a clearer picture of my quirky (some might call it anal...I like to think of it as charming!) personality.

I have a thing with objects and numbers and patterns...oh, and letters, too. I really like letters. Spelling things backwards is a great way to kill time at a stoplight. I enjoy finding patterns in things, and obsess about things matching up and being in the right order. Some people enjoy deep discussion ...I enjoy finding symmetry in things.

So, knowing that about me will help you to see why what I am about to share with you really is a big deal...o.k., it isn't earth shattering...but still.

I have had some success lately with letting my nails grow. Sometimes some of them will grow...but at a different rate than the others...and that bugs me, because, well...I like them all to match :) This time around though, for reasons unknown, they have all grown at the same rate. I have been quite pleased. Really. I enjoy having pretty nails...and it doesn't happen that often, because inevitably, right around the time they are long enough to paint, I will get a crack in one...and then I will have to cut them all. I can't stand to have one that doesn't match!! I am sure there are support groups for people like me...

Anyway, for about three weeks now things have been pretty good in the nail department. I have enjoyed polishing them and feeling all girly. I noted a crack in one, and got a little worried...but it is amazing what twelve layers of polish will do to keep things together!

This morning...I learned that even twelve layers will only hold so long.

My beloved, knowing how quirky...I mean charming...I can be about these things, quickly caught me before I could grab the clippers to cut them all off. "You really don't have to cut them all, you know. I kind of like them..and who really notices one broken nail?"

Deep breath, Ellen.

Who really notices? People like me! Nine nails look great, but the only one I can see is the short, stubby looking one...and it's a ring finger for pete's sake! Even a pinky finger would have been better than a ring finger!

I didn't really think that my husband cared that much...but if he can enjoy nine even fingernails and one uneven one...and it brings him pleasure, why should I care so much? Between you and me, I am not so sure if it is the pretty nails or the fine back scratches the nails produce that brings him the most pleasure...but they bring him pleasure nonetheless.

So...if you are one like me that notices symmetry...please excuse my nails. I am leaving them this way....all in the name of love!

well...

2009-10-06T14:38:00.002-04:00

i would like to post a blog...but i don't have anything to write about.

i did eat a cinnamon roll today..and it was very good.

i played games with my mom, dad and sister....it was fun.

i came home and finished putting together a talk about respecting our husbands...i am always amazed that God would use me to do this speaking thing...speech class always made me sick to my stomach.

rainy days make me want to take a nap.

sorry...that's all i've got.

i choose coffee....

2009-09-24T08:49:00.008-04:00

So we were in the car on the way to school yesterday, when Rockie declared that if you really want to wake up in the morning you need to eat an apple. He said he learned in science class that apples are much better at getting you to perk up in the morning than coffee. WHATEVER!

Whatever happened to reading and writing in school...since when do teachers need to give 8th graders advice about coffee? Do they really need to meddle with my morning routine?

I have become quite a coffee fiend...uuhhh...I mean fan, in the last couple of years. I really enjoy it, and in fact..just last week, I downed a whole pot by myself (and enjoyed every bit of it). I am sure my sound effects after every sip are annoying to some...but, hey...hearing "mooommmm" every 45 seconds isn't exactly an ear tingling sensation either, and I put up with that.

I remember watching my parents drink coffee together, and I would always beg for them to let me try it. My mom would tell me that it would stunt my growth...but now that I am a coffee drinker myself, I think that was her really sweet way of saying, "This is "me" time...back off, shorty!"

My little Cedar always wants to try my coffee...especially if it is loaded with caramel flavoring and whip cream, and comes in a Starbucks plastic cup with a straw. Is it wrong that I don't want to share? I have tried the whole "it will stunt your growth" thing...but she just looks at me with those big chocolate chip eyes and I feel my arm moving in the direction of her mouth almost involuntarily. Weird. She does that to me...I can't seem to get enough of her. I think I am off of the subject. Let's get back to coffee, shall we?

I told Rockie that I don't drink coffee to wake up in the morning. The caffeine really has no effect on me. I can drink a cup of caffeine laden coffee right before bed and still sleep like a baby. I really and truly like the taste of coffee. Black, flavored, decaf, blended...I like it all!

I have been trying to figure out when this love affair began. My dear friend likes to claim that she turned me on to this deliciousness, and maybe she did. I do remember having my first hot drink at the Java Trail with Mama Flick...and being skeptic, but delightfully surprised at the flavor. Now, there is no turning back..I am hopelessly hooked. I love sitting down and relaxing with a nice cup of hot, black coffee. It is like a mini vacation in a mug. Aaahhh!

My man is even getting in on the coffee action...which I think is especially cute! He wants to like it...but I think it is going to take awhile before he really enjoys it. I think it is awfully sweet, though, that he wants to be able to imbibe with me....which, ironically, is how he has to have his coffee...sweet, very sweet!

how charming do you find me?

2009-09-18T10:38:00.002-04:00

I went into the school today to help in Cedar's first grade class. This was my first time to go in this year, and I was excited to see all of the new faces that I have heard Cedar talking about. As I walked in the door, the teacher announced that she had just gotten a new student, and asked if I would test her on sight words and try to get her up to where the other students are.

Out into the hall we went, and I found out quickly that it wouldn't take long for her to catch up...in fact, she could probably have gone beyond what most of the class has done. She was very sharp...and articulate. I asked a little bit about her...if she had just moved, where she went to school last year, etc. The following is her response...word for word, honestly! Remember...she is in first grade ...

"I've gone here all my life, actually. I was in (another teachers) class this year, and didn't find her at all charming...so I decided to be in a different class."

I could not keep my chuckle to myself...believe me, I tried. She wondered what was so funny, and I just smiled, and moved on to the next list of words...

and as I sent her back to class, I thought to myself, "I wonder how charming she found me?" :)

I love this guy.....

2009-09-11T08:49:00.004-04:00

It is hard to believe that we will be celebrating our tenth anniversary soon (o.k., technically not for another 6 months, but I am feeling kind of mushy right now). Isn't it incredible how it can feel as though it has flown by quickly, and yet at the same time feel as though you have known each other your whole lives? No one knows me as he does, and while I have many who love me, none will ever love me as he does. What an incredible thing! I love it.... a lot!

Our story is truly one of God bringing us together, in His time and for His purposes. Most of you already know the story and can attest to this. I might post the whole story for another blog. Today, I just want to bask in the greatness of sharing my life with this wonderful guy..I wouldn't trade it for anything!

***Help! How can I get my pictures to appear larger....?

This was to be my first post....

2009-09-02T17:11:00.010-04:00

This cake (Yes, that is a cake...be kind!) is what actually started me down the blogging path.

It all started like this.. (cue the fairy tale-like music)

We were planning a surprise party for Mama Flick, who was moving away. (if I had any idea how to link to her blog, I would do that here...but I don't, so we will just move on)

I like to try new recipes, and I decided that this would be the perfect time to try the beautiful cake that I found on another blog (that I don't know how to link). It was a beautiful cake, with a beautiful name...NieNie's Mud Cake Magnifique with Chocolate Marscapone Mousse & Ganache Bittercream Frosting!

I gathered all necessary supplies...(including a few that I had never heard of, and had trouble locating in the grocery store), and began to put together this incredible masterpiece.

All was going well...the cake was pretty simple, although it was unlike any homemade cake I had ever attempted...

It baked up quite prettily, and with a sense of smug satisfaction, I placed both layers on the cooling rack to "rest until cool", before taking them out of the pan.

(cue the "trouble is coming" music...)

Listen closely...when the directions say to let the cake rest until cool...it means completely cool. Not mostly cool, but completely cool. I believe this is where my cake went wrong. I decided it was "cool enough", and inverted (how's that for a fancy word) the bottom layer on my pretty homemade cake plate (ie: piece of cardboard, covered with foil, and a pretty doily). It stuck to the pan a bit, but I continued on, undeterred. Next step...add the marscapone mousse filling, then top with the second layer. I tried....really, I did. It's just that when I tried to invert (there I go again) the second layer, it split right down the middle. I was a little worried, but then I remembered that this cake had a beautiful layer of bittercream ganache on the top...and surely that would cover up the great divide that had now become my top layer.

As I started to pour on the very tasty ganache, I realized (way too late, I must add), that ganache is very runny. It sets up as it cools. (I am sure that I probably knew that at one time, however all knowledge of that was blocked from my memory on this day.)

Let's recap what we have so far....a lovely recipe for a beautiful cake, two layers of said cake on a pretty cake plate, top layer of said cake with an ever increasing crack going through the middle, and now, pools of ganache running all over the pretty homemade cake plate.

My dear friend calls somewhere around this time, and I explain my dilemna. Maybe you could put something around the bottom to cover up the gloppy ganache pools, she suggested. Great idea...but what should I use? Marshmallows? Raspberries? Little round white chocolate melting discs? Yes! That's it!

I have to admit that the little round white discs looked very cute against the dark chocolate cake...and they almost disguised the extra ganache puddled at the bottom of the cake.

The plan was to take the cake to dear friends house and she would get it to the party. Mama Flick had no idea we were having a party (you probably already figured that out...since it was a surprise party...oh, well). She thought I was picking her up for one last coffee before her big move. I figured it would ruin the surprise if I showed up at her house with the beautiful cake in my car, hence...the cake had to be delivered to dear friend.

I loaded up the kiddos, with Rockie in the front seat to hold the cake. At this point, the cake was starting to lean rather badly, but I was confident (or naive enough to believe) that it would survive the trip into town. With everyone buckled up, we started down the road. All was well..."I think we are going to make it", I thought to myself.

Note to self: When transporting a leaning, cracked cake, go around curves verrry slooowly.
"Uh, mom....moooommm!", came the frantic cry from Rockie.

You know where I'm going with this...

I looked over in time to see him trying to hold the (not so) beautiful cake together. He did a noble
job, but there was no hope. I turned the car around and headed home...wondering if the "surprise" of the night would be that there was no dessert. What's a party without dessert? By the time we pulled in the driveway, an idea was beginning to form...how about a trifle? I've seen elegant trifles before...

This was so not what I had in mind for you Mama Flick!

Everyone was nice and said it tasted good...the white chocolate discs hidden inside were a "nice surprise" they said. It made for a good laugh, and a lesson: When life gives you lemons....you can always make a chocolate trifle :), and then write about it in a blog!

What a tizzy.....

2009-08-28T08:47:00.003-04:00

Last summer, Rockie, armed with his fishing pole and a sack lunch, went down to the wetlands to try and catch some fish. He thought he was pretty cool going somewhere entirely on his own two wheels. He was gone for most of the afternoon, and when he returned, he was ecstatic about his "catch". We all ran out to see it, dreaming of fish for supper. Imagine my surprise when he started to reach into his backpack. I was already trying to figure out how I would ever get the fishy smell out of that backpack! I am such a mom...

Well, if there ever were any fish in that backpack, the kitten that Rockie had in there with them must have had a great lunch...because when Rockie opened up the backpack the only thing that fell out was an adorable yellow kitten with an injured paw. "You caught a kitten at the wetlands?" I stupidly asked. (I am learning that sometimes it is better to not ask questions. Just let them think that it is perfectly logical to go fishing and end up bringing home a kitten. Don't question it...just go with it!)

The kids fell in love with the cute little ball of fur instantly....and even I had to admit that it was a cute kitten. I might have even held it....

Rockie nursed its' little injured paw back to health, and Tizz became the 3rd member to join our little outdoor animal family. Unlike our other cats, Tizz was actually playful...and cute. Although, after the first day, I never again had the desire to touch him! I just don't have that animal lover gene inside me. Looking at them is fine...touching them...oooh. Makes me want to go wash my hands just thinking about it.

Did I mention that Tizz joined a cat family that existed of one male and one female cat? This caused quite the love triangle...which woke my husband and I up on more than one occasion. I am not especially patient when I get up with my kids in the middle of the night...so being awakened by screeching cats really didn't set well with this momma!

Not entirely sure if that kind of scenario is what led to this morning's discovery or not, but something was doing a tango of sorts out on our porch around 4:30 this morning...and we assumed it was Tizz and Tom...dueling cassinova's, trying to woo Brownie into their lair.

I rolled over, and tried to pretend that we didn't own cats.

I succeeded in my pretending right up until the time we pulled out of our driveway to take the kids to school. Then my game was over, for there, lying alongside the road, was my kids much loved Tizz. In all the years that we have had cats, we have never had one get hit on the road. There was the one that I ran over in the driveway...but that is a story for another time! (I think my kids have forgiven me..although they do remind me of it from time to time.)

Unfortunately, my mouth opened and words came out before my mind had time to stop them. "I think that might be Tizz, guys." Immediately tears began to fall in the back seat of the suburban. Why did I have to go and say that? Couldn't I have waited until after they got home from school, so they wouldn't have to think about it at school all day? I just wasn't thinking...I really wasn't thinking.

They all collected themselves pretty well....considering. They really did love that cat. Jessie-girl asked if I could go pick up the cat off of the road so that she could bury it properly when she got home from school. Uhhhh....at this point, I am having a conversation in my head that goes something like this..."If I would have just kept my mouth shut, maybe they wouldn't have noticed the cat lying beside the road. A couple of weeks later, when they hadn't seen Tizz for awhile, maybe they would assume that he ran away...that would be much easier for them to take...and I wouldn't have to pick up a dead cat."

Being the great mom that I am, I assured them that I would get the cat. Then I armed Jessie-girl with kleenexes, and sent her puffy-eyed into the school.

Then I came home and prayed that I would be able to actually follow through. Oh, it was hard. Please remember..I don't even enjoy touching cats when they are alive. I went to the garage to see if there was something that I could use to pick it up with...the only thing I could find was an old rag...and I found a tote to put Tizz in. The walk out to the road seemed to take forever, and my stomach felt like it was ready to give up last nights supper.

We live on a very busy road...and I discovered that it is the busiest right around 8:05...when you are trying to get a cat off of it. And boy, do those cars drive fast! I was really praying that my family wouldn't come home and find me laying beside Tizz!

I picked him up...and put him in the tote...which was too small. Poor little Tizz's tail was hanging out...and the back half of his body. "I can't believe I am doing this....I can't believe I am doing this..." I carried him along the side of the road, down the driveway, and put him under section of trees in the side yard. Something happened as I laid him there. I was filled with compassion for this cat...I felt bad that he died. I felt bad for my kids. I even felt bad for Brownie. Weird! I cannot even believe what happened next. I found Brownie and told her what happened to Tizz. I talked to the cat! So not me...

So long, Tizz...thanks for bringing my kids enjoyment and delight.

My observations on garage sales...

2009-08-26T19:11:00.002-04:00

*Every year I say to my husband, "Remind me not to do this next year."

*You never think you have that much stuff, until you start putting prices on it...then it seems the piles will never end.

*The junk that you almost threw out while putting prices on (because you never imagined anyone would actually buy it)...it the thing that sells first.

*People do not start showing up... until you go in the house to use the restroom.

*If you cut a deal on one item...it is very hard to refuse a deal on the next item.

*Some people don't really come to buy your stuff...they come to check out your house, because they have "always wondered who lived here."

*Some people are just really nice.

*Some people are just really cheap.

*Garage sales are addicting, in a very weird and twisted sort of way. I get excited when someone buys something for $1.00, when I paid $8.00 for it...and never used it. I am not coming out ahead...so why do I feel so good about the sale?

*At the end of the day, when you've sold a lot of stuff and made good money...it's hard not to dream of next year's garage sale.

*But then you remember what you told your husband the night before.

aaaahhhh!

2009-08-20T10:06:00.003-04:00

What did I do when I got home from dropping the kids off at school? I made myself some yummy-delicious french toast (from homemade wheat bread), with whipped cream and pecans. I made a cup of coffee, then I sat down and watched the Today show and ate, feeling very much like a queen. The house was so quiet, and I got to eat my food while it was still hot...and I didn't have to clean up after anyone but myself. (and I wasn't messy!!)

Then, I got out my devotional and had my quiet time...the whole thing, uninterrupted. After that, I went to my hobby room and scrap-booked all morning, and most of the afternoon. What a delightful day!

But you know what? I was more than ready to see my kids by afternoon...and couldn't wait to hear about their first day of school. I really do love them...and I am thankful God has given them to me.

back to school...

2009-08-20T09:07:00.015-04:00

The time has come! We had a great summer...very busy, noisy, and well...busy and noisy, but a great summer nonetheless. I am ready for the routine that comes with the school year...and it is here!

We had our annual "Back to School" scavenger hunt. It is
a fun event for the kids, and it helps me out, too. I can go
get all of the supplies...and they get to be surprised! It is
so much easier to get things and surprise them than it is to
take them all along and let them pick out their own things.

We added more clues this year, and tried to make them harder.
They still seemed to find them pretty quickly, though! It is
always fun to watch them. We thought maybe Rockie (13),
and Jessie-girl (12), would think doing a scavenger hunt was
"kid stuff" this year...but they said they still think it is fun.
And I am glad for that.

Here they are, all ready for school...
...they all did a great job getting into
the routine again. Our goal was to be
in the car at 7:30...and we made it by 7:28!

I didn't get a picture of Rockie and Jessie-girl going into the junior high...it is a mess at that school! Cars everywhere...kids darting in the road...impatient cars honking if you don't move fast enough. Crazy!

They are growing up... I got a little sad when I got the sign out, and realized there were no longer any pre-school or kindergarten tags...

"I've already taken care of it..."

2009-08-17T14:11:00.011-04:00

I was in the basement exercising this morning, and Little Man came down. He needed something or other (and it was very important, I'm sure). I sent him back to his room to read books until I was finished. Several minutes later, I heard a scuffling noise across the kitchen floor above me.

As I finished my workout and started up the stairs from the basement, Little Man's voice rang out from over the upstairs banister....

"I am cleaning up the bathroom...and, by the way, you don't have to worry about breakfast. I've already taken care of it."

Apparently, everyone else was going to have waffles...Little Man was going to have some cereal!!

Let's Be Realistic....

2009-08-15T09:35:00.003-04:00

We received a toy catalog in the mail last week...you know Christmas is coming when you have more catalogs in the mailbox than actual mail!

Gracie (7), and Cedar (6), have been making their "wish lists" ever since. Somehow they have become convinced that they will get all of the things that they tear out of the magazine...boy, will they be disappointed! So will the toy company. These girls are shoppers!

Anyway, this morning they are comparing their piles of torn out wish lists. It has been fun to listen to.

Cedar: "I just don't know which one I like better...it is so hard to decide."
Gracie : "Let's be realistic.....which one has more stuff that comes with it? "

Gracie: "I like this one..."
Cedar: "But I do too.....let's cut the picture in half."

Cedar: "Have you seen anything yet that you don't like?"
Gracie: "No...have you?"

Boy, I am feeling the need to amp up the prayers for their future husbands....

Watch out: Here comes the lava!

2009-08-13T12:38:00.000-04:00

Well, here it is! My first blog post...what big event could have possibly pushed me over the edge into the blogosphere? I wish I could say it was going to be a nice flowery one...but I can't, because I aim to keep things real!

Summer is kind of hard on me. Let me explain...I am the kind of girl who likes her solitude. I don't need to have things planned every minute of my day...in fact, I would prefer to have a pretty blank schedule. I didn't realize this about myself until I became a mom. Oh, do I realize it now!! I also realized how very much I need a routine to my life, a sense that life has a certain predictability to it.

So, summer, with all of its required "flexibility" of schedule, is a bit of a stretch for me. I start out with good intentions: crafts for the kids, fun field trips, etc. Then the "flexibility" sets in, and although I absolutely love the relaxed mornings, I am not quite as fond of the days filled with (well, since I am trying to keep it real), everything other people plan for me. I would like to have a day that I plan from start to finish with things just for me...I mean us, if you know what I mean.

Don't get me wrong, our summer has been filled with all kinds of fun activities, and several fun family trips. It is just that in the midst of all of the "fun", I have been building up this intense longing for a little "me" time. I have always considered myself to have a pretty mild temperament. There have been very few times in my life when I have "lost it". O.k. , there was the time I yelled at my pastor when I was 19...but let's not go there!

All of the above to say that last night, when my seemingly free Thursday became un-free, Mt. Saint Ellen erupted! Ugly, angry, raised voice...all of it. Boy, was it ugly! And the poor recipient of my lava vomit, my wonderful husband...boy, was he surprised. Not sure who that crazy woman was...she even surprised me!

You know how it feels after you have an upset stomach, and you retch, then feel slightly better? You walk to the bed and lie down and realize that although your stomach may feel better, your whole body now hurts form the violent retching. That is how I felt last night. Initially, I felt better....but then the weight of the damage set in on me, and I realized that not only my heart hurt...but I had hurt my husbands as well.

I am coming to realize (too slowly, I am sure), that I am a very selfish person. I like to be in and have control of my world. This causes me to become frustrated way too easily when things "interrupt" my expectations. It causes me to become a pouter, and moody....oooh, I hate using that word to describe myself!

This is where God comes in...I have been reading the book Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. Last night, after my little tantrum, I picked up the book, and this is the verse that was right in front of me. Seriously.

II Timothy 6:18 "Command them to do good to be rich in good deeds and to be generous (with your time) and willing to share (your house and schedule)." (parenthesis added by me) Ouch!

Had to let that one soak in for a while. It's still soaking today...