Faith, Love, and Band-aids...a Lutheran Mom's blog

A rough couple of weeks

2008-08-20T11:07:00.003-04:00

The last couple of weeks have held more than I can handle.

A close family friend from my childhood committed suicide. I can't believe she is gone. She was a good Mom and I feel awful for her children and grandchildren.
My grandmother had a heart attack. She is ok now, but will have to have stints put in. Disturbingly, she does not remember how she got home from the hospital. My uncle came home from work and found her there. She has the uncanny ability to fool those who do not know her that she is of sound mind...those of us that know her can tell when she is confused.
My mother is having surgery today and I cannot be there with her. To top it off she is concerned about how fast she will recover so she can take care of things with my grandmother.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated...

Friday Five - Summer Reading

2008-06-27T13:13:00.002-04:00

As posted by Songbird:
Back in the day, before I went to seminary, I worked in the Children's Room at the Public Library, and every year we geared up for Summer Reading. Children would come in and record the books read over the summer, and the season included numerous special and celebratory events. As a lifelong book lover and enthusiastic summer reader, I find I still accumulate a pile of books for the summer.This week, then, a Summer Reading Friday Five.
1) Do you think of summer as a particularly good season for reading? Why or why not? Yes, I always joined the library's summer reading program when I was a child, and I still associate summer with lots of reading. (and I make my kids sign up for the summer reading program at the library too)
2) Have you ever fallen asleep reading on the beach? On the beach? Nope...on the couch...all the time.
3) Can you recall a favorite childhood book read in the summertime? Nancy Drew mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown Mysteries, Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (and other Judy Blume books)...too many books to list...
4) Do you have a favorite genre for light or relaxing reading?Mysteries
5) What is the next book on your reading list? Cross Country Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini, Reservations for Murder by Tim Myers...

Happy Reading Everyone!!

About Me...

2008-06-10T08:45:00.003-04:00

I was tagged by Iris for this one so here goes...

Ten Years Ago...
I was a junior in college majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and a minor in history. (I am still 4 classes away from finishing my degree...) I was dating the man who became my husband 1 year later.

Five Things on Today's "TO DO" List...
1.Work
2.laundry
3.dishes
4.take some time to sit and read
5.try to figure out a way to pay for the new roof we are going to need soon...

Three Bad Habits...
1.I drink way too much Coke/Dr.Pepper
2.I worry alot
3.buying craft supplies when I have tons that haven't been touched yet at home.

Five Places I've lived... (I only have 3)
1.small suburb on the Lake, Ohio
2.smaller village next to small suburb on the lake, Ohio (This was my grandpa's home which we moved into after his death...my mom grew up in this home...they had to sell it a few years ago and it still breaks my heart)
3.suburb 5 minutes from small suburb on the lake, and small village, Ohio.

Five Jobs I've had
1.customer service/cashier
2.Cook at a hot wing restaurant
3.Associate at a Hallmark store
4. Inside sales/purchasing/office manager/customer service at current job
5.MOM/WIFE/FRIEND - the jobs I value most

That was fun...If you haven't played already I tag You!!

Thankful...

2008-05-20T09:30:00.002-04:00

I think its time for a Thankful list...

watching my daughter play softball...and seeing how much she has grown as a player since last season.
13 more school days until summer vacation for the kids
my new bookshelf
cozy mysteries
long phone calls with my Mom who is also one of my best friends
decluttering the house
forthcoming long weekend with my husband
watching my kids sleep
new friends for both my children...
Ice cream after softball...at the same stand my Dad went to as a child.
Revgals
coffee

bonus cute thing that happened yesterday...daughter came home from school with a piece of construction paper in her back pack on which she had written..."you are invited to a pool party at A>>>> house on June 20" and she had listed about 20 kids names on it...there's only one problem with that...we don't have a pool. :)

Nightmare

2008-05-08T09:37:00.003-04:00

***Sorry I haven't posted in so long ***

I had vivid nightmares last night. In all of them I was running and trying to escape something.
This is the one I remember the most...I was sitting in a church with my kids waiting for the service to start when all of a sudden I felt terrified. Then the doors to the church burst open and "something" evil came in ( I cannot be more descriptive because I don't remember if I actually saw this thing or just knew it was there)...All that I do know is that it was urgent that my kids and I get out and hide now...I grabbed their hands and ran and ran down a maze of hallways to get to the exit. When we got there I pushed the doors open only to find another set of doors, and another, and another, until finally we were outside and able to hide...then I woke up...
I don't know if it has any meaning, but I do know that has left me with a jumpy, anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach...

Digging out

2008-03-10T10:11:00.002-04:00

Sorry its been so long since I've posted. I don't have a good excuse, life has just been kind of blah lately....
We got hit with a huge snowstorm this weekend...the kid in me still finds this stuff fun... in the backyard the snow is almost 3 feet deep in most areas...it was great fun to see the dog's reaction the first time we let him out in it...yesterday we took the kids sledding...it was so much fun and they made a new friends at the sledding hill too...
Everyone else is complaining about the huge amount of snow we got, but I am choosing to delight in it instead...for now...of course I'm hoping the warmer weather is just around the corner.

Quick Update...

2008-01-02T15:46:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted lately, life has been keeping me busy. Husband started getting sick about two weeks ago and wasn't getting any better...finally went to the doctor last Saturday and found out he has pneumonia... He is still weak and pretty sick (lost over 20 pounds in 2 weeks) but slowly getting better. The rest of us are sick too, to a lesser extent. Bad colds but nothing like he's been going through. The thing we are grateful for is that because he has had time scheduled off for the holidays he has only missed 2 days of work with this...that is a major blessing...
We are trying to stay positive even though Christmas was not what we had imagined and are looking forward to the new year. Another good thing is lots of time spent as a family hanging out and watching cartoons and occasionally (when we could muster up some energy) playing with the Wii that Santa brought...Hope everyone is having a good New Year.

short fuse

2007-12-12T10:44:00.000-05:00

This morning was hectic (as usual).
Kids didn't want to get out of bed.
Clothes that were laid out had a stain on them.
Son was coughing uncontrollably and didn't eat the first breakfast he picked.
Daughter spilled her drink all over the place.
I was running late for work.
So what did I do? Screamed, yelled, lectured...
Now I am sitting at work feeling like an idiot...
Missing my kids and wishing I could apologize right now...
Hoping tomorrow morning goes better...

Time Change

2007-11-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

The time change has messed up my internal clock even more than usual. I have been ready for bed by 9:00 the last two nights and have been waking up in the very early hours of the morning. This morning I woke up at 3:00 and tried hard until 4:45 to go back to sleep before I just decided to go ahead and get up. I went downstairs clicked on the T.V. and picked up my knitting thinking I would at least have some quiet time to myself. Before 5:00 I heard someone else coming down the stairs and soon saw the head of my 8 year old daughter peek over the railing. She couldn't sleep either. I have to admit that at first I was a little annoyed at this interuption to my quiet time, but by 5:30 we were sitting quietly together eating eggs and toast.
We got a chance to talk about school and friends and even to talk about the Christmas baking we will be doing before too long. It was so nice to have this special time with her and I am so thankful for it.

frustrated

2007-10-01T10:54:00.000-04:00

This has been a bad week. Last Sunday my son who is 5 came down with a fever of 103 that would not go away. On Tuesday we called the doctor. "It's going around, just wait it out" was the medical advice we got. On Thursday it was still 103 and above, he was weak, couldn't walk, he was in horrible pain. I took him to the doctor who said, " Its a virus wait it out, he'll get better in a day or so." At this point he was so miserable that he couldn't even sleep because the slightest movement caused him pain...his cries were that of an infant instead of a normally healthy active 5 year old boy. It was killing us to watch him, we hadn't had any sleep ourselves. Finally Saturday night we could not take it any more. We called the pediatrician and got the nurse on call. While I was talking to her he was crying in the background, when she found out that was him she couldn't believe it, she though there was a screaming newborn in the room...she called the doctor and then called us back and told us to rush him to the the ER, not the one we usually go to, but one with pediatric specialists... Everyone there was wonderful, he has pneumonia, he is on medication but still not feeling much better yet. This morning I called his pediatricians office to get him in today (as ordered by the ER) for a follow up. The receptionist didn't want to fit him in and said it probably wouldn't matter if they saw him today or in a few days (I guess receptionists go to medical school and give medical advice too now) i insisted and she managed to squeeze him in this afternoon. I am so angry and frustrated with his regular pediatrician's office . They are a big outfit with many doctor's and almost a monopoly on pediatrics in this area, but I am looking for someone else, I won't do this anymore. These are the same doctors that brushed off my daughter's illness as nothing a few years ago, it took them 3 visits and my persistence to figure out that she had mono. I am worn out and exhausted and mad at myself, because I knew in my heart that this wasn't nothing and instead of trusting my instincts my son suffered because I trusted people who are supposed to care but obviously don't.

Thankful list

2007-09-13T10:26:00.000-04:00

The past month or so has been full of life's usual problems; sick kids, car problems, more sick kids, more car problems etc...so I thought it was time for me to stop moping and start remembering all that I am thankful for...

Fall - I think its my favorite season, the morning air was quite crisp and refreshing this morning. I'm already looking forward to going to the local apple orchard.
two wonderful children who behaved perfectly when I had to bring them to work with me this morning before school.
bagels and cream cheese
coffee
family and friends who care about me
knitting
Miami Dolphins football (even when we lose)
the library - where I could get lost for hours
electricity - my parents had partial/no electricity for the last week and it has been hard on them.
medication that keeps my blood pressure down even when my stress level is off the charts.
An amazing husband who has gone with almost no sleep all week...and who is happily sleeping all morning today.
Mysterys - both in books and on T.V.
the fact that the weekend is almost here.

Raining

2007-07-24T08:28:00.000-04:00

I hate to complain about the rain. I've been wishing it would rain all summer and we've only had an occasional drizzle. We need the rain, but...
Today is my wedding anniversary and to celebrate we have tickets to see one of our favorite bands at an outdoor venue...

Decluttering

2007-07-10T10:05:00.000-04:00

I vowed that this summer I would finally declutter our home, but so far its been so chock full of baseball games and other summer activities that I haven't had the time or energy. Last night I finally got started...I cleaned out the linen closet...haven't done that in several years...two huge bags of garbage and two boxes of stuff to donate/garage sale later...I know it is only one closet out of the whole house, but I feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I can hardly wait to go home tonight and tackle something else...
This decluttering is so necessary, I think we own everything we've recieved/bought for our children since they were born (now 5 and 7)...We are hoping to paint and move all of the bedrooms around in the next couple of months and I refuse to move clutter....especially when it could be useful to someone else... I'm praying that I can stay motivated and find the time and energy to keep working on this...

Still Here...

2007-06-18T09:33:00.000-04:00

I've been lazy about blogging lately. I've still been reading everyone's blogs but just haven't felt like I had a whole lot to say lately.
Here's what I've been up to instead...
Gardening - I put in my first vegetable garden this year...so far so good...I have a few green tomatoes already. We planted tomatoes, brussel sprouts, broccoli, eggplant, zucchini, and cucumbers as well as an herb garden. The kids are really enjoying watching everything grow too.

Softball/Baseball - We signed both kids up this year. It has been amazing to see the change in my daughter. The first few games we practically had to beg her to stay on the field and pay attention...now she is really loving it...last game she was 3 for 3, and the game before that they said she was player of the game...she's actually fielding balls now instead of playing in the dirt...it has given her so much confidence in herself and I am so proud of her. My son has only had two games so far but he has done well in both...he is young so they don't keep score or concentrate too much on the fielding aspect, but he can already hit line drives...we have a few more busy weeks of the season left with games almost every night...

Reading- Summer always makes me want to go to the library and check out a huge stack of books and then just sit around outside and read. I think I always associate summer with the library's reading programs that I used to participate in when I was a kid. My kids are signing up tonight...I have been reading although I wish I had even more time to do it than I do...
Nothing requiring too much brain power...mostly cozy mysteries.

Cleaning- With both kids home all day with Dad (who works nights) the house is not staying clean at all...I am fighting a losing battle with the laundry and the toys are everywhere. I am vowing to declutter and get rid of some of the toys by the time school starts again!!
That's about all that's been going on with me...how is your summer going?

Miserable

2007-05-15T11:27:00.000-04:00

I have a cold.
The kind that sends you into coughing spasms that leave you breathless and choking.
Miserable.

Six Weird Things About Me...

2007-04-27T11:38:00.000-04:00

I was tagged for this by Iris from "Growing Where I'm Planted". Here goes...
1. I am terrified of skunks. When I was a child I had a very vivid nightmare which involved being bitten by skunks. Ever since I have been terrified of them. My husband and kids like to tease me and I am gaining an ever growing collection of Disney merchandise featuring "Flower" the skunk from Bambi...he doesn't scare me though...

2.Despite the fact that I have never seen/been in the area of a tornado I am so afraid of them. We do tend to get tornado watches every once in awhile (like last night), and when we do I sit there and try to figure out the best plan of action to keep the family safe (we don't have a basement). Again, my husband and kids think its funny to tease me.

3.Although I've knit/crocheted many items as gifts for others I haven't made myself anything yet.

4. I'm not Polish, but thanks to my husbands heritage this is now my favorite food to cook and eat. When it comes to cooking I love to feed people large quantities of homemade pierogi, galubki (cabbage rolls) etc...I think I am carrying the torch for my husbands grandmother whom I never met, but whose recipes I inherited.

5. Every night before bed ( and every time I leave the house) I check that all of the burners are off on the stove, sometimes I check then go up to bed, then come back down to check again. I have some other OCD behaviors too...

6. I do like some breakfast foods, but I've always preferred other foods and will eat any type of food for breakfast. Leftover spaghetti, pizza, a sub sandwich...I actually like to eat breakfast foods better if I'm eating them for dinner...go figure...

I tag anyone who wants to play along...

Friday Five: What Are You...

2007-04-27T08:57:00.000-04:00

1. Wearing - A very comfy long sleeved t-shirt that I got on clearance last weekend for 2.99, my favorite jeans, tennis shoes.

2. Pondering- My daughter's continued problem with separation anxiety after the death of her classmate's mother. Bills that need to be paid. Whether I should spend my weekend knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, reading, or a combination thereof. Thinking alot about my Mom, wishing she lived closer...maybe I'm having some separation anxiety too...

3. Reading - Requiem at the Refuge (a Mystery) by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie

4. Dreaming- I haven't had good dreams this week...too much stress...
Daydreaming about the vacation that is probably 17 months away...and about relaxing this weekend.

5. Eating- Nothing yet, but I am about to enjoy a nutritious breakfast of Cheese Curls and Coke.

Turning Thirty

2007-04-23T08:49:00.000-04:00

I turned thirty this weekend
family members were too generous with their gifts

electric stand mixer that I've been wanting
gift certificate to book store
gift certificate to craft store
gift certificate to garden center
Disney collectibles
scrapbooking stuff

More than the gifts it was nice to know that people care about me...
and as a plus it was sunny and 80 degrees

Virginia Tech

2007-04-17T10:01:00.000-04:00

Still in shock over this. Praying hard.
A little over ten years ago there was a shooting at the middle school where my daughter will attend...it sits adjacent to the elementary school that she attends now. A former student (an adult) entered the school during school hours and began shooting. He killed one staff member and wounded several others. One of the things my daughter has learned in the first grade is what she is supposed to do if this type of thing happens again. They practice ducking against a wall while the teacher takes her position closer to the door. I never had to worry about this type of thing when I was a child, it makes me sad that my children do...

Party Time...

2007-04-12T08:11:00.000-04:00

This Sunday my baby turns 5...I can't believe how fast the time has gone.

the party is Saturday
the theme is Star Wars
the house is not ready
I am much sadder about this than I thought I'd be...I love my big boy, but party of me aches to hold my baby boy again...

Migraine

2007-04-02T09:02:00.000-04:00

Friday night my eyes felt funny...woke up Saturday morning knowing a migraine was coming...managed to hold it off for a few hours with medication, but it showed up Saturday afternoon...faded but still there yesterday...and now this morning its back full force...I hate this...

On the way to school...

2007-03-26T14:53:00.000-04:00

As I was driving my first-grader to school this morning she started talking to me about a certain verse in Proverbs that she has been reciting alot lately. ( I cannot take any credit for this she has taught it to herself.) Somehow the conversation turned to her cousins and she wanted to know why they didn't know anything about Jesus/God/The Bible, like she does. They come from a home with parents who would definitely say they are Christian if asked, but where they don't actually talk/teach the children anything about God/Jesus/The Bible etc. (For example, the 10 yr old cousin did not know anything about Jesus' birth being the reason for Christmas, my daughter had to explain that to him.) I told her that I guess nobody had ever taught them. Her response was, "Well, maybe we should give them Bibles for Easter, that way they could learn."
Boy do I feel guilty...as their Aunt I've known that I should do this for a long time, but it takes a seven year old to point it out to me...she is growing up so fast and she is humbling me and making me proud at the same time.

Friday Five : Rivers in the Desert

2007-03-23T11:47:00.000-04:00

Friday Five: Rivers in the Desert

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19, NRSV

As we near the end of the long journey toward Easter, a busy time for pastors and layfolk alike, I ponder the words of Isaiah and the relief and refreshment of a river in the desert.

For this Friday Five, name five practices, activities, people or _____ (feel free to fill in something I may be forgetting) that for you are rivers in the desert.

1. Family- When I am going through a rough time it always helps to spend some time just talking with my husband, playing with the kids, or on the phone with my Mom. Mom always lets me cry and whine as much as I need to and then she knows just what to say to make me feel better or put things in perspective.

2.Cooking - I love to cook (and eat) comfort food. I'm thinking that this weekend some pierogi would be great although I don't know if I'll have the time...it may have to wait a week or two.

3. Prayer - When I make/let myself take time to pray and study God's word I feel so much better about things. My favorite time is after the kids are sleeping, when the house is quiet.

4.Revgals - Reading Blogs during my free moments at work is a big help in getting through the bad days.

5.Cleaning and rearranging the furniture - When I am stuck in a rut I love to rearrange. It makes everything seem new and fresh.

Have a great weekend!!

Tuesday

2007-03-13T15:41:00.000-04:00

My boss said, "Today we are going to clean the office" (just the two of us share the sales office)
Here is what I did...

filed over a months worth of posted orders
filed several months worth of posted purchase orders
started to file over 6 months worth of customer credit card billing
ran out of file folders
dusted my desk, all the file cabinets and other office furniture
threw away misc. junk (catalogs, junkmail etc.)
took out garbage

Here is what he did...

took out 1 bag of garbage from the wastebasket next to his desk.

I just LOVE it when WE clean the office...

Revgals Friday Five - Matters of Taste

2007-03-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

Name five things you like a lot that some close relative or significant other did/does not like. This could be food, movies, hobbies, music, sports or whatever springs to mind.

1.Hot Sauce - I worked in a chicken wing restaurant when I was in college and I can make a great wing sauce. My husband actually does like it on chicken wings, but he does think its wierd that I put it on other things.

2.Blue cheese dressing - it goes with the hot sauce - nobody else in my house will eat it.

3. I grew up watching Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote with my Mom and these are still two of my favorite shows...My husband can't stand Golden Girls, he can tolerate Murder She Wrote. My almost 5 year old son will watch them with me sometimes. Even though my husband can't stand to watch Golden Girls he does support my habit...he's bought me three seasons on DVD.

4. I put peanut butter and butter on my waffles instead of syrup. Everyone always thinks this is gross.

5. Cheese...I like pretty much all kinds of cheese...everyone else in my house is strictly American...except on pizza of course.

Have a great weekend!!

Friday Five: Artsy Craftsy

2007-03-02T09:46:00.000-05:00

1.Would you call yourself creative? Why or why not?
I guess I am creative. I like to scrapbook, crochet, and am learning to knit.

2. Share a creative or artistic pursuit you currently do that you'd like to develop further.
I'd like to get better at all of the above crafts. I also hope to someday write a mystery...I've started a few but with the pressures of daily life I haven't devoted enough time to this yet. I always tell my daughter I want to be an author when I grow up.(She wants to be an author and an illustrator)

3. Share a creative or artistic pursuit you have never done but would like to try.
I would love to learn to quilt, I keep trying to get my mother-in-law to learn so she can teach me. I also think it would be fun to learn the art of stained glass...I just happened to notice the local community college is offering a class this Spring...

4. Complete this sentence: "I am in awe of people who can _____________."
Paint, sing beautifully

5. Share about a person who has encouraged your creativity, who has "called you to your best self." (I'm pretty sure that's from the Gospel of Oprah.)
My husband has always encouraged my creativity. He always buys me great gifts to help with my crafts and he has encouraged me over and over to write...he is a musician at heart although he broke up his band last year...he wanted to spend more time with the family and less time practicing with the band and playing gigs...I wish he could have found a happy medium without quitting it altogether. Maybe its time for me to encourage his creativity.

Scared

2007-02-28T14:53:00.000-05:00

What you don't want to hear when your doctor takes your blood pressure...

"that's alarming"
"that can't be right"...
(it was 218/143)
she repeated this several times before she left the room.
Then the nurse wheeled in an EKG machine...Thank God my heart is fine...
The doctor fears something may be wrong with my kidneys which is causing high blood pressure...
I am very very scared.
I have not shown anyone how scared I am because I am trying to protect my husband and children from worrying...

Quarantine

2007-02-26T09:12:00.000-05:00

I feel as if all I blog about lately is being sick...but that's pretty much what is going on lately. In my last post I said I was feeling better and I was, unfortunately the next day my son woke up with a fever...that lasted a couple of days. Then last tuesday I was awakened in the middle of the night to the sound of my daughter throwing up...came down with a fever that would not go away so on Thursday we took her and my son in and had them tested for strep. Both came back negative. We still couldn't get her fever down. Then Saturday the phone rang, it was the hospital calling to say she did in fact have strep. Sunday morning dawned to my son throwing up and with the same fever she had had...he has strep too...and did I mention that through all this I was battling a 101 degree fever... I am about to leave to go get my strep test. I feel like I should own stock in lysol for all that I have gone through lately...
I'd wash your hands well and disinfect your monitor after reading this post...you never know...

Happy Friday!!

2007-02-16T16:41:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I've been sick (nothing new there). It seems like I've been sick almost constantly since November. I'm feeling a bit better today so hopefully the end is in sight.
Its been a crazy week, with the huge snowstorm that hit Tuesday night, my work was closed for the first time I can remember. I have never seen snowdrifts this high, its kind of pretty, but I don't want to think about what is going to happen when all of this melts. Its going to be a mess, and I'm sure there is going to be some flooding...yuck...
I'm just so happy that its Friday...
Here's what I am thankful for today...

Family
books
warm gloves
hot tea
ibuprofen and chloraseptic
Watson (my golden retriever)
Dr. Pepper
feeling better

Have a great weekend!

Snow Day!!

2007-01-31T08:42:00.000-05:00

My daughter has a snow day from school today, the funny thing is I think I am more excited about it than she is. It is such a treat to not have to deal with the normal morning rush of getting her ready and off to school, even if I still have to go to work. Yay for snow !

The Weekend in Review

2007-01-29T12:31:00.000-05:00

Everyone has been sick in our house for the past few weeks, just when you think you're getting better it hits you again. So this weekend I decided that I wasn't going to run all over town doing errands like usual, that instead I was going to allow myself to be sick and just relax. It was wonderful and I really hated to see it end.
Here are some of my weekend highlights...

A pot of homemade beef barley soup and fresh rolls from the bakery
Watching the men's final of the Australian Open at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday with hubby who had just gotten home from work.
Napping on the couch with my four year old.
Knitting
Reading a cozy mystery
more napping on the couch
watching the snow swirl outside while wrapped in cozy blankets.
reading with my 7 year old

Unfortunately I'm still coughing and sniffling, but then again, maybe that gives me an excuse to hit the couch again when I get home from work today :)

Prayers Needed

2007-01-18T09:20:00.000-05:00

Prayers are needed for my daughter's first grade class.
About a month ago I posted about a girl in my daughter's class whose mother had died of cancer only a month after her diagnosis. I ask you to please pray for Samantha and her father who are still grieving and trying to figure out how they will get by once her father has to go back to work.
Today as I was talking to my daughter's teacher she told me that now there is a boy in the class whose father has also been diagnosed with cancer. Radiation and chemo have not worked, he underwent surgery last week, we are not sure yet whether it was successful. I ask for your prayers for this boy and his family.
I also ask you to pray for my daughter, she is having a very hard time with this and although we have tried to reassure her she is afraid that something is going to happen to me or my husband. She is crying hysterically every morning when we get to school and she doesn't want my husband or I to go to work. Please pray for her...

Book recommendations

2007-01-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here at work wishing I had a good book to read. Anybody read anything good lately?

Friday Five: Birthday, Redux

2007-01-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

1. "It's my party and I'll [blank] if I want to..."
Favorite way to celebrate your birthday (dinner with family? party with friends? a day in solitude?) A nice meal with family and maybe a friend or two. I'm not too big on being the center of attention so I don't like big parties.

2. "You say it's your birthday... it's my birthday too, yeah..."
Do you share your birthday with someone famous? (Click here to find out!)
Jack Nicholson, Vladimir Lenin, Aaron Spelling

3. "Lordy Lordy look who's forty..."
Milestone birthdays:
a) just like any other birthday--they're just numbers, people.
b) a good opportunity to look back/take stock
c) enjoy the black balloons--I'll be hiding under a pile of coats until the day is over
d) some combination of the above, or something else entirely.
I'd probably say b, but we'll see after this year when I turn 30.

4. "Happy birthday, dear... Customer..."
Have you ever been sung to in a restaurant? Fun or cringe-worthy?
Cringe-worthy for sure, its been years and I think it would even be worse now.
5. "Take my birthday--please"
Tell me one advantage and one disadvantage about your particular birthday (e.g. birthday in the summer--never had to go to school; birthday near Christmas--the dreaded joint presents)
EDITED TO ADD: This could also simply be something you like/dislike about your birthday (e.g. I like sharing a birthday with my best friend, etc.).
I like that my birthday is in April, the flowers are pretty and it has , I think just once so far, been on Easter which is kind of neat. It is also exactly one week after my son's birthday which gives us something special in common.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-02T10:09:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone out there in Blogland.
Here are my resolutions for the New Year,

Go to church EVERY week, unless I am ill. I fear I have been much too lazy about this lately and I don't know why even, because I love it there.
Spend time daily studying God's word and "deepen" my knowledge and understanding. Also, spend more time making sure my children's knowledge of God and the Bible is growing too.
Get Healthier. I do not want to start some fad diet, or tell myself I need to lose "x" number of pounds. Instead I want to just focus on making healthier food choices and trying to exercise more, even if it just means taking the dog for a longer walk. I also need to find a way to get sick less (with two young children in the house it seems something is always going around).
Get more organized.
Spend less time worrying about things that I cannot change. I tend to turn even the littlest of problems into a major catastrophe in my head. Last week it was a flat tire. Clearly not the end of the world, but you would be amazed at how much energy I have wasted worrying about getting it fixed - I'm taking the car in tomorrow.
Enjoy my hobbies more, I love to cook, read, crochet, scrapbook, and am hoping to learn to knit this year. But I tend to turn even something that I am supposed to enjoy into something with a deadline and alas, more stress...

These are my resolutions...what are some of yours?

Christmas wrap-up

2006-12-28T11:10:00.000-05:00

Every year I start to plan for Christmas early in hope of actually relaxing and enjoying it instead of getting caught up in all the rush, and every year somewhere I get bogged down, and end up again rushed, frantic, and not enjoying Christmas the way that I want to. This year was no different. Back in September I started making lists and planning and yet I still ended up shopping right up until the day before Christmas Eve, and then there's the cookie guilt, I like to cook and bake and yet this year I did not make time to bake one batch of Christmas cookies...ugghhh
But there were some bright spots, mostly the fact that my seven year old took it upon herself to memorize Luke 2:8-14,( the same verse Linus quotes in Charlie Brown Christmas) and that she took great pride that it was right there word for word in Daddy's Bible, which she read from on Christmas Eve (even though she already knew it so she didn't really need to read it). There was also the sheer joy on both children's faces when they saw that Santa did indeed come. There was the fact that after all the presents were opened my daughter looked at me and said "why did Santa bring so much, I don't need this many toys." Maybe "Santa" got too caught up in the frantic rush and commercialism, but its good to know somebody in our house remembered what it is really all about...she's a pretty smart kid...
I'm trying to let go of my perfectionism and take the time to do the important things, so last night even though we were a few days late we baked a birthday cake for Jesus and sang to him, and I felt truly happy...

sadness

2006-12-19T09:02:00.000-05:00

When I reached into my daughter's bookbag yesterday among the construction paper Christmas trees and other Christmas crafts was a note on school letterhead. It was to inform us that on Saturday the mother of one of the girls in my daughter's first grade class had lost a short battle with cancer. I can't stop thinking about this poor girl, left with no mommy. She is an only child so there is only her and her father now. I can't stop crying and thinking about what she must be going through. Sometimes life is so unfair...Her name is Samantha, please keep her in your prayers...

Good Day, Bad Day

2006-12-14T16:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a Good Day. It was warmer tha usual and sunny. I had been worrying about how we were going to get through the weekend financially with about 25.00 in the bank until Monday and then poof my commission check arrived a week earlier than expected. I was excited about my parents upcoming visit and looking forward to Christmas in general...
Then today happened.
I cannot even pinpoint what has changed. Its still warm although its cloudy today. The money for the weekend is still there, but a totally different feeling has come over me. A feeling of dread and I don't know why. A family member called with a financial need that we will be able to help them with, and maybe its just the stress of that...maybe its the lack of sunlight...I don't know what causes this feeling, but I hate it...I feel like I cannot breathe...
I feel like shutting myself in my room with my Bible and praying all night, but there is a girl scout Christmas Party to attend and homework to do...so I will have to do my praying on the move.
I hope tomorrow is a Good day again...

Fa-la-la-la-la laFriday Five

2006-12-08T08:55:00.000-05:00

1. A favorite 'secular' Christmas song. - "I'll be home for Christmas", this one brings back memories of listening to my Mom's Christmas records.

2. Christmas song that chokes you up (maybe even in spite of yourself--the cheesier the better) - "Was He A Boy Like Me" - from my children's Veggietales Christmas album.

3. Christmas song that makes you want to stuff your ears with chestnuts roasted on an open fire. -"Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"

4. The Twelve Days of Christmas: is there *any* redeeming value to that song? Discuss. - I personally could do without this song, but my kids like it so I guess its ok.

5. A favorite Christmas album - I don't have a favorite album, but any of the old Perry Como or Bing Crosby versions are good.

Mele Kalikimaka !!

Crying

2006-12-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

I don't know what is up with me lately but I just can't seem to stop crying. I have always been an emotional person, but this is way more than just emotional. It seems like everytime I turn around I'm crying...its only 9:00 a.m. and I have already cried twice today. I am not extremely unhappy or anything, it just seems like little things set me off. Maybe its the season, I love this time of year and I am enjoying it for the most part, but I think I have kept some feelings inside too long and now they are starting to bubble to the top. About 2 years ago my parents moved due to my father's work and I really thought that it didn't bother me that much, but now with Christmas approaching I realize that I miss them, especially my Mom alot more than I let on...they will be visiting in a week, but sometimes I just wish she was only five minutes away so we could just hang out like we used to. Then there's my brother who lives even farther away with his wife and son. I haven't seen him in about 2 years and that is what set me off today...a story about the Charlotte's web movie that I heard on the radio, and the memory of when my brother bought me that book with his own money, just to be nice. I miss him too...
I'm debating whether to include another thing that has set me off, but maybe it will help me to feel better. When I had my son almost five years ago I really thought that I would have one more child, I never thought that he would be my last baby. Although it is still possible that we could have another child, it is unlikely. The older the children get the harder it is to think of starting all over again...when I realized this the other day it was like a curtain of sadness came over me...how did the time go so fast, when did I miss the "right time" to have another baby. I know I am blessed to have the two wonderful children I have, it is just so sad to me to try to let go of the dream of one more. I guess I will just have to pray for God to help me through this.
I'm crying as a write this, so I guess that makes three times today...time to grab some more kleenex...

I'm back...

2006-11-28T09:03:00.000-05:00

I know its been too long since I've written, but the time has just been flying by lately. I've still been reading everyone's blogs though...
Here's what's been going on...
- I've been crocheting alot, trying to get several afghans done for Christmas.
- AG has too get glasses, she picked out some cool purple frames and they should be in sometime next week. I feel bad about this, but since both myself and my husband have glasses we figured it was going to happen sometime.
- The Christmas lists are being made. This year AB is big on Legos and anything Star Wars. AG is asking for a Furreal cub and some Bratz dolls. (These had previously been forbidden, but we decided as long as we approved of the outfits she can have them...Barbie seems to be dressed more risque than the Bratz these days...)
- The kids are looking forward to watching Charlie Brown Christmas on TV tonight. ( and so am I)
- the flannel sheets on the bed are making me not want to get up in the morning.
- my favorite radio station is playing all Christmas music so the work day is a little more festive.
That's about it...
I promise not to go too long between posts next time.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

2006-11-03T10:50:00.000-05:00

It has been snowing on and off since yesterday evening and as I sit here in my warm office and look out the window it is pretty much a whiteout out there right now...and I am loving it.Sure, there are still leaves in my yard that are now buried under that snow and halloween decorations in the yard to be taken down, but there is still something magical to me about a really snowy day...especially early in the season (ask me again in February and I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune). AG and AB are so excited and I just want the snow to keep coming down so we can play in it tonight when I get home from work. Its one of those things that the kids look forward to so much every year and it doesn't cost anything but time...a few snowballs, some snow angels, and a few mugs of hot chocolate...I can't wait!!
Tomorrow it is supposed to be 50 degrees and partly cloudy...so I am going to enjoy this while it lasts...

RevGals Friday Five - Nothing but the Tooth

2006-11-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

Please share your thoughts on the following:

1) The Tooth Fairy - I think the tooth fairy is a fun story for the kids, never know how much to leave though...the TF in our house gives more for front teeth...

2) Flossing - I hate flossing...I know its horrible, but I don't floss as often as I should...

3) Toothpaste Brands - Colgate or Crest whichever is on sale...ususally the cinammon flavor.

4) Orthodontia for Adults - I think its great if you need it and can afford it...

5) Whitening products- I don't think they really work except maybe the procedure that they advertise at the dentists office, and that looks way too expensive...

RevGals Halloween Friday Five

2006-10-27T10:34:00.000-04:00

1. Do you enjoy a good fright?
Only if I know its not real.
2. Scariest movie you've ever seen
My friends and I use to love Pet Semetary...now I think I'd be too chicken...
3. Bobbing for apples: choose one and discuss:
a) Nothing scary about that! Good wholesome fun.
b) Are you *kidding* me?!? The germs, the germs!
a) I'd say bobbing for apples is Good Wholesome fun...
4. Real-life phobia
don't laugh at me ok...I am TERRIFIED of skunks...my husband and kids tease me relentlessly.
5. Favorite "ghost story"
I don't know if I have a favorite ghost story, but I did just read an interesting story on beliefnet about a haunted parsonage in Pennsylvania...
Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween

Too much stuff...

2006-10-27T10:01:00.000-04:00

I woke up in the middle of the night last night, and even though I was exhausted I couldn't fall backto sleep, I started thinking about all of the stuff that has seemed to creep into every inch of space in our house. I have always been a person who likes things clean but cozy, and that is what my house has always been, but it seems that lately I am losing the battle to clutter. I look back at pictures from when we first moved in and see empty spaces where there are now stacks of books, and piles of stuffed animals and I wonder how all of this stuff got into my house.
I love books, and I love that my children love books, but before they used to be so organized, now they are everywhere...piled under tables, next to tables, in baskets, on shelves, in the living room, kid's rooms and I even have stacks of children's books in my room...
Toys are another issue. My daughter is the Queen of Stuffed Animals...she has more plush toys than the Disney Store...I have tried packing some of them away but she really does play with most of them and so they get pulled right back out of the garbage bags in the storage closests...they are piled on her bed, and she has an adult size wicker chair in her room that you cannot even see because of all of the stuffed animals, not too mention that they show up everywhere else in the house too...in my room, the living room, the craft room, and both cars...and then there are the millions of toy cars and power rangers...I swear we didn't buy all of this stuff...o.k. so we bought some of it, and I know that the Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles have all done their share of contributing too...its just all starting to make me feel like I am suffocating...
I spend so much time picking up all this clutter that I don't have time to clean the house the right way...I feel like all I do is straighten and battle the clutter....
Sorry this rant has gotten so long, but there is a purpose...this is a cry for help...how do you detach yourself from some of this stuff and get rid of it, or at least organize what you have...
Any suggestions?

Goldfish Prayers...

2006-10-24T09:17:00.000-04:00

I know this may sound silly but I am asking for prayers for our Goldfish Baxter. A month ago I never would have thought that our family would get emotionally attached to a fish...of course we all love our dog like a member of the family, but fish were different. Then my father in law gave "AG" an aquarium setup for her birthday and we brought home two goldfish, Baxter and Elina...we have been very careful to keep their water clean and not overfeed, but yesterday Baxter started swimming funny...he has lost all balance and control, he just kind of floats around the tank and bumps into things, but he is still hanging in there so my daughter has hopes for a recovery. She is distraught, its all she can think about...last night at bedtime she said, "Please God let Baxter get better again, and if he dies I know he will go to heaven and you will hold him in Your hands."
I know there are so much more serious issues in the world to be praying for, but to my daughter your prayers would mean so much...

Fall Fun...

2006-10-23T10:03:00.000-04:00

We had such a fun weekend I hated to see it come to an end.
Saturday was spent as a family which was wonderful. We all went to the "Y" together for AG's (daughter) swim lesson, then in the afternoon I made a roasted chicken with all the fixings (stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and green beans)...it was a little mini Thanksgiving. After that we headed out to the Pumpkin Patch, which the kids always love...we always get such great pictures there too, hopefully I'll get some posted soon.
Then Sunday afternoon we had B's brother and his family over to watch football and eat good food. Unfortunately both of our teams lost (Dolphins and the Eagles) but it was still lots of fun. Afterwards we all went out back and carved our pumpkins. It's early and they will probably rot before Halloween but this was the only time that everyone could be there to do it.
This morning I didn't want to get out of bed...and once I did I really didn't want to...It snowed...
a very wet icy snow. The kids will be thrilled and I actually think it looks magical too...I just wish I could stay home and watch it from my cozy living room instead of trudging through it...

Friday Five - word association

2006-10-20T12:42:00.000-04:00

This is the RevGals Friday Five, this week its a word association

whirlwind - romance

foundation- basis, strength

lightning - storm

den - safety, warmth

prey - hunted, scared

Looking forward to the weekend

2006-10-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

This has been a long week and I am so ready for the weekend.
It was not all bad this week, just different and difficult at times. My Dad came to visit for a few days to help fix a few things around the house that needed fixing. While it was nice to see him and great to have the plumbing in the laundry room working again it was also very trying and tiring at times. On top of that everyone at our house has the horrible cough/cold that is going around and the week has been so busy that nobody has gotten any rest. Hopefully this weekend will give us that chance, I can't wait for 5 o'clock so I can head home to my couch,my blanket and a nice cozy mystery.

One of those days

2006-10-17T10:55:00.000-04:00

Today is one of those days where I wish I could just go back to bed...I woke up at 4:00 am with a headache and a sore throat...finally fell back asleep and then hit the snooze alarm a few too many times and woke up late.
Finally got my daughter to school with about 30 seconds to spare and while walking her into the school in the pouring rain my left shoe got soaked...then I got caught by two trains and was 15 minutes late for work...
Now I'm sitting here watching it rain and wishing my sock would dry out.
But on the positive side my boss brought in a plate of chocolate cupcakes today.
Time for a cupcake and a cup of tea.

Friday Five

2006-10-13T10:12:00.000-04:00

Friday Five: Creature Comforts

1. Comfort beverage - Hot Tea, iced mocha, or Dr. Pepper

2. Comfort chair - green lazyboy with a cozy blanket and a good book.

3. Comfort read- Mitford series, cozy mysteries, Sue Grafton.

4. Comfort television/DVD/music - Lately I've been turning off the T.V.

5. Comfort companion(s) - my husband, my children, and Watson our golden retriever

Time for a change?

2006-10-12T14:30:00.000-04:00

How do you know when it is time to change churches? I have been a member of my current church for 4 years. I love the feeling I get when I go there, but it is missing some of the features which I would love in a church. The various women's groups are all geared to those who are home during the day, and while there are activities for older children not as much is offered for younger children like mine...I also would love a Saturday evening service since my husband works nights and it is almost impossible for him to wake up for church on Sunday, which means we do not go as often as we should...I have been pondering this for a while now and I'm sure I won't come up with an aswer soon...I just hate to abandon a church that has been shrinking due to an aging membership, and there are some really wonderful people there...how do you know when its time to go?

Growing Up...

2006-10-12T13:38:00.000-04:00

Why does growing up have to be so painful? My daughter met a wonderful friend last year and they were inseperable, now this year they are in different classes and her "best" friend has moved on to someone else. I know this is just a part of growing up, but when she tells me day after day how she keeps trying to play with this little girl and is constantly rebuffed it makes me want to cry. I try to tell her to look for someone else to be friends with but her comment every time is, "but I don't want another friend, "D" is my best friend in the whole wide world." I know her heart is broken, I just wish I could do something about it...I still remember going through the same thing when I was her age, and I remember how much it hurts.
I think it's time I give my "bestest" friend a call...its been too long...

First Post

2006-10-11T14:41:00.000-04:00

I am new at this whole blog thing so be patient (if anyone's even reading this). I am addicted to reading blogs and so I thought why not take the plunge and start my own.
Today has been a boring day, which is better than the day I had yesterday, which was full of school projects, flat tires, and having my parents make me feel two inches tall. I know my parents care about me and my family, but I truly hope that as my kids get older I don't show my love in the same critical, "I told you so..." sort of way they do. Yesterday was painful...Last night was better. My sweet and wonderful Husband "B" stayed home from work sick, and it was so great to have him to talk to, since we usually only see each other for 10 minutes a day and on weekends it was such a treat to have real conversations with each other..so great we stayed up until 3:30 in the morning just talking...I don't even mind the tiredness today. My mother-in-law was also so supportive with everything I was going through yesterday, I thank God for her and her friendship. She is truly one of my very best friends.

I am just hoping for a relatively uneventful night tonight...