9/13/12
Take Two!
Two weddings this weekend. One local and one an hour and a half away! One stargazer lily, the other red roses! Blessed by both these families in different ways. I am praying the Lord will bless them through me this weekend!
This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine~
Early morning revelations...as I laid in bed contemplating the thought of "sleeping in," even though it was 7:15 am and by all intents and purposes, I had already "slept in" considering that 6 am, is the new norm. So, instead of sleeping I leaned over grabbed the laptop, checked e-mails, surfed Facebook...and just laid thinking. Did I do the right thing?
Thoughts about children who go to public school, and those that go to christian schools, those who charter school, and homeschoolers, plagued my mind. Was there a "right" way of doing it? I don't think so, but... I thought about how we ourselves have traveled each one of these roads at one time or another, over the last 20 years, or add in our own school experiences, there is much to learn from it all. For our children, each path has served a purpose. I truly believe, there is nothing really wrong with any of these! God will use whatever our choices are, we cannot alter the Lord's plan for our lives. He is faithful to complete a good work in each of us. There is no doubt he has a reason for allowing each of our choices...who knows how he will use each experience! I believe that!
My mind then traveled into the future, thinking of how my girls (Lord willing) will live longer than any of us...who will they marry? Will they marry? Will he be a Godly man? Will he lead his family in a God fearing way? What will life be like, 10-15-20 years from now? What will they need to know? What will they experience? What will they have to deal with? Even Jesus had to come and experience and deal with the earth before he died for it!
My mind was spinning, and it seemed like millions of questions raced through my mind...and I don't have any of the answers. But I believe with all my heart that God does. The God of this universe, the Alpha the Omega, the one who created all that is, and is to come. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the creator of me, my husband, our children our friends my enemies all things. The one who loved us so much that he sent his only begotten son to this earth to experience all the pain, and trials that we go through, in order to stand up against it for us, and then be sentenced to a brutal death...for us, to die for us, to pay the price that we could never pay...to suffer...for no other reason but because he LOVES us.
This God knows me better that I do...he knows my children better than they know themselves, or me. He is an all knowing God...a good God. Who am I not to trust him.
Then I got to thinking about the many arguments against public schooling...how there is allowed no prayer, no scripture reading, etc..etc... and how many christians thought the best way to deal with that was to pull out, and send their kids to a christian school, or charter school or better yet, homeschool. Did we inadvertently, help the evil one, by blowing/pulling out our own lights. I mean, just because we couldn't pray or read scripture...didn't mean we couldn't still love and live out the scriptures! I then started thinking of what it would have been like if we said, ok, no problem...you can take away prayer and scripture reading, but we still have a light to shine and we are going to shine it like Christ did?
What if ...we stayed, what if we loved, what if we shined bright in spite of the things they were taking away? What would our country look like today?
I never homeschooled because public school was a "bad" place. And, I did not contemplate putting my kids in christian school because it was the "good" place. The Lord made it very clear 14 years ago, that home was the best place. I truly was not "homeschool" material. But God used me, he uses the very least of these, for His purposes. I trusted that conviction and ran with it....I have no regrets. And I cannot say that I won't be back, however, the Lord will be the one to make that call...no one else. So, for such a time as this, the Lord has once again, made it clear, that we are to be a light to shine here in our school district. The girls and I talk through this almost everyday after school. It's not easy, but it's not that hard either, with Gods help...to God be the glory for the great things HE is doing through us.
As for me and my house? We're going to shine!
I never homeschooled because public school was a "bad" place. And, I did not contemplate putting my kids in christian school because it was the "good" place. The Lord made it very clear 14 years ago, that home was the best place. I truly was not "homeschool" material. But God used me, he uses the very least of these, for His purposes. I trusted that conviction and ran with it....I have no regrets. And I cannot say that I won't be back, however, the Lord will be the one to make that call...no one else. So, for such a time as this, the Lord has once again, made it clear, that we are to be a light to shine here in our school district. The girls and I talk through this almost everyday after school. It's not easy, but it's not that hard either, with Gods help...to God be the glory for the great things HE is doing through us.
As for me and my house? We're going to shine!
8/30/12
My little lady bug
Stress is an interesting thing, and how it seems to affect everyone differently. Some eat, or don't eat, some sleep or don't sleep, some slow down, some speed up, some are quiet, some are loud, some can deal and others, well, not so much. We've run the whole gamut of emotions here in our home with five kids over the last 23 years, it has been quite the journey. It sometimes takes years to figure out your own pattern of stress and how to deal with it, let alone try to figure out the others who live under the same room. Just when I think I have it all figured out, I'm totally blown away. Girls are different from the boys, boys are different from the girls, and they are all so different from each other. It's actually a bit draining.
My fourth child whom I call my little lady bug, is having a difficult time with this public school thing. She is such a smart girl, and very talented in many ways. She loves clothing, and "fashion"(at least the kind we can afford, which is GW and SA) and adores the whole accessorizing concept! I often need to remind her that not everyone thinks that way or even cares, since she is always giving her "opinion" about someones outfit, when out and about. She has an eye for that but as crazy as it sounds she is also a nerd, she loves to read and write. Algebra...ugh, she wishes she could get by without it, and HATES that she cannot. She does not mind Science, History, or any other subject really, just Algebra! How does one help someone who hates Algebra, when they dislike, ok, hate it as well. Perhaps I am the reason she hates it, not sure. She got off the bus yesterday and was just a mess till she got through the kitchen doors, all she could say is I HATE ALGEBRA! I tried hard not to give her the "honey, it's a necessary evil" line, and I wasn't quite sure it was healthy to say, "there, there now" either. I just listened, and didn't say much. It was actually very painful...and nothing that cookies and milk could fix. She worked through it, got a snack, changed, and went out to do the animal chores, but I knew she was still struggling. I wish I could make this better, but I'm thinking this is one of those "they have to work it out themselves" kinda things.
I am looking forward to this four day weekend, and even though she is scheduled to work, I am hoping she can get the much needed rest from her stress, that she needs. I am also hoping to see that great smile of hers again.
Parenting....it's tough stuff!
My fourth child whom I call my little lady bug, is having a difficult time with this public school thing. She is such a smart girl, and very talented in many ways. She loves clothing, and "fashion"(at least the kind we can afford, which is GW and SA) and adores the whole accessorizing concept! I often need to remind her that not everyone thinks that way or even cares, since she is always giving her "opinion" about someones outfit, when out and about. She has an eye for that but as crazy as it sounds she is also a nerd, she loves to read and write. Algebra...ugh, she wishes she could get by without it, and HATES that she cannot. She does not mind Science, History, or any other subject really, just Algebra! How does one help someone who hates Algebra, when they dislike, ok, hate it as well. Perhaps I am the reason she hates it, not sure. She got off the bus yesterday and was just a mess till she got through the kitchen doors, all she could say is I HATE ALGEBRA! I tried hard not to give her the "honey, it's a necessary evil" line, and I wasn't quite sure it was healthy to say, "there, there now" either. I just listened, and didn't say much. It was actually very painful...and nothing that cookies and milk could fix. She worked through it, got a snack, changed, and went out to do the animal chores, but I knew she was still struggling. I wish I could make this better, but I'm thinking this is one of those "they have to work it out themselves" kinda things.
I am looking forward to this four day weekend, and even though she is scheduled to work, I am hoping she can get the much needed rest from her stress, that she needs. I am also hoping to see that great smile of hers again.
Parenting....it's tough stuff!
8/29/12
Cookies and Milk~
Yesterday was a tad better. Lockers seem to be a real issue for both girls, the long hall ways and the sea of faces are a bit more stressful for my oldest. Praying today is a little better.
I am cherishing the time we have to pray in the morning, before they leave, as well as the debriefing time around our kitchen table everyday after school. Cookies and milk were made for this sort of thing. Its obvious that they are a bit stressed, but I know they have what it takes to persevere.
~Lord, I am begging for you to wrap your arms around them in such a way, that they are not afraid, and that the stress would subside and that they can relax and enjoy this journey. Thank you for your protection thus far, and Lord I pray that you will use them in a mighty way for your glory! Amen.
Here on the home front, I'm slowly feeling relief from the pressure in my chest, and my blood pressure seems to be coming down a hair, but hopefully as time goes on that will continue to drop. I'm feeling a bit guilty, but trying to release that too. I miss the girls a lot today, and the house is a bit too quiet. We shall see how this all pans out.
I am cherishing the time we have to pray in the morning, before they leave, as well as the debriefing time around our kitchen table everyday after school. Cookies and milk were made for this sort of thing. Its obvious that they are a bit stressed, but I know they have what it takes to persevere.
~Lord, I am begging for you to wrap your arms around them in such a way, that they are not afraid, and that the stress would subside and that they can relax and enjoy this journey. Thank you for your protection thus far, and Lord I pray that you will use them in a mighty way for your glory! Amen.
Here on the home front, I'm slowly feeling relief from the pressure in my chest, and my blood pressure seems to be coming down a hair, but hopefully as time goes on that will continue to drop. I'm feeling a bit guilty, but trying to release that too. I miss the girls a lot today, and the house is a bit too quiet. We shall see how this all pans out.
8/28/12
Change is hard!
8/21/12
Panic Attack
Woke up in the middle of the night with my heart racing....thinking of my Natalie and being in public school. I'm a bit more apprehensive about her. I was actually having SVT's over it, and had to consciously bear down to make them go away. I was fine after about 2 minutes, but it was scary. I laid there for the next several hours mulling over my decision, and asking the Lord to help me. I drifted off to sleep and slept well. When I woke I dealt with several e-mails regarding homeschooling, where I needed to let them know we were no longer going to be in the program, and that my girls would be heading to public school. I thank the Lord for the positive responses I received, for right now I could not bare to hear someone give me a hard time about it. Lord, one minute at a time...they are all yours. Do glorious things in Natalie's and Rebecca's life, Lord...so that you may be honored and glorified.
8/20/12
Change of plans~
I have Peace! And, it's going to be ok! I have struggled with homeschooling the last couple of years, its been very draining, especially since I do not get help from dad, due to his very busy schedule. I work three different part time jobs, one of which is a business that I've been building over the last six years, all while trying to keep up with five kids, the house and all the animals. It doesn't matter if they are home or away, as there is always paper work, insurance stuff, and multiple issues that they need help with, most of which I just guide them with, but it still takes time and energy.
A few years ago, after some marital counceling, it was suggested that we put the kids in school. Hubby was all for it, but I was not ready for that...and fought it all the way. It was hard for me to believe that something the Lord so clearly called me to do, would be coming to an end. God may have started the process back then, but I thank him for being patient with me and giving me more time to build a firm foundation in them. My convictions were still very strong. I did not feel it was time, so I pushed on, tired, and getting more and more burnt out; feeling like "this is only for a season," or "they will be all grown up before I know it"..."so, I must carry on."
Well, this summer I heard myself say, "I'm just so tired" I can't do it anymore. I also started to feel like I didn't want to get out of bed, I always did, but I always struggled. I know they're not good signs, and since I am not a quitter, they were making me mad, mad at myself. Then I started asking God to give me a sign, ANY sign. I remember back in July, I was at a stop sign, and I asked God for an answer, like, a Yes or a No sign. I saw a 'No Parking' sign and thought, "Ok, it's no", then I saw the word Yes, later on the computer, and I was like, "Lord, help me, for I am weak, I don't know what to do!" I'm tired! Help me! Please! Then, I prayed with the lady who I aid for on Wednesday nights, and she suggested that I continue homeschooling, she even prayed a beautiful prayer for me to have peace about all the things I was worried about. I had a hard time with that, and she knew it, and she suggested that I let go of that battle, rest in his peace that I now have an answer. But, I didn't. I knew it wasn't my real answer. Yet, I still could not admit that I was done, not even at least for the school year. I continued to struggle and cry, and stare, and think and then stare some more. I would come up with all the typical scenarios that any "right minded homeschool mother" would come up with. I day dreamed about my girls being at the school and all the thoughts of "what if" a shooter came in, and what if they got hurt? I daydreamed about how they will probably become rude, ignorant, want to dress like sleaze buckets, wear make up, and hate me. I was torchering myself, because then I would daydream about not getting out of bed or just shopping all day, and not really schooling, if they stayed home. They were all just day dreams here or there, and I knew I was drained. I didn't want to be responsible for their curriculum and what they still needed to learn. Most of all I sure didn't want anyone knowing what I was struggling with...so I kept pressing on.
I just needed to get myself together, do what was right, and homeschool! But I started hating life. That is not me. I was put on blood pressure medication this summer, and they're having a hard time regulating it, it's still not right. I deal with tiredness, and fatigue. I don't feel I'm depressed, but I guess one might feel I am, by all that I've just shared.
Two weeks ago, some dear friends of ours stopped over, their daughter had just got married and they had some items to return to me, so they were going to drop off and go, however, it happened to be my birthday dinner night, and we were getting ready to sit down to eat, I invited them to stay. We were having corn from our garden and a London broil, and it smelled too good to pass up.
After dinner, my husband needed to run some supplies to a job, he took the guy friend along with him and the wife stayed to help with dishes. We had a nice chat and I truly enjoyed her company. When the men got back we ended up sitting at the kitchen table talking about everything from jobs to kids to homeschooling. We knew they had homeschooled a long time and ended up sending some of their kids to public school. We asked them all sorts of questions. We wanted to know what made them decide. Did they have any regrets? They had five kids and a busy life style too. What was their final turning point? I wanted to know. In the end, they gave their opinion, a bit of advise, but through out the whole evening they were mostly supportive of either decision we would make. We ended up taking some time to pray right there, at the table, holding hands, it was precious time and tears flowed from my eyes, as the Lord brought to mind a picture of this sweet couple fourteen years ago, sitting at our kitchen in our other house, praying with us about the very idea of homeschooling. It was a sweet memory. When we were done, I shared the memory with them. The husband didn't remember but the wife did.
We were only 34, and our two oldest had been in school four years, from Pre-K to third grade. We had just moved into the Harrisburg area from the Philly area and had been going to HF church for four years. There were several homeschool families who attended the church, and I remember how I watched them and observed what was going on with the dynamics of homeschooling, this couple was one of those families. They had been over one night for my husband to teach their oldest son to change the oil in their car. The wife came along. I had a third grader, 1st grader and toddler. She and I sat for some time talking about homeschooling, and what it was like. I knew I wanted that for my family. Not because I was a brain, and could teach my kids better than the school could, but because I wanted those family dynamics, which was something I did not have growing up. Jeff was not sure it was a good idea, but was willing to pray about it with this couple that night.
I do not hold any animosity towards my folks for the extremely dysfunctional lifestyle we led, as I totally believe God has used it in a mighty way to make me into who I am today, and part of that is a homeschool mom. I HAVE NO REGRETS and would do it ALL over again.
Anyway, like I was saying, the Lord gave me that vision/memory while we were praying this time, and I was totally in awe of him and how he had used this couple to guide us to the decision of homeschooling, and now here we were struggling with possibly ending that chapter. They just happened to be here and the timing could not be more perfect for I only had two weeks to make up my mind. It was all too crazy! I certainly didn't take that as an answer that night, rather as a comfort, that God was there with me in this decision, like he was back then.
I had started asking God to make things clear, to give me clear vision, and most of all to take away any guilt that I might have, and to convict me if I should continue to homeschool this year. Ironically that Sunday of my birthday dinner, I had gone to church by myself, and our pastor preached a sermon that made me think...and think hard. Then the following week, after our meeting with our friends, I prayed all the way into church that the Lord would "kick me in my pants today," I needed to know...I needed to know today! My girls just wanted to know either way. That was fair, and I need to do that. Well, he did. We had a different pastor preach that day, and it could not have been more clear for me. I was being driven by fear...fear of failure, failure to be a good mom, a good homeschooling mom, and fear of what others would say, what any"good homeschooling..all their kids, kind of homeschooling moms," would say. What would the public school say, you know they look at it like you are giving them your mistake. Then there is the, what will non-homeschoolers say, what will they think? What will our parents say, will one set say, "oh no!" and the other "I told you so", or worse yet, "I didn't think you could go the whole way?" All these things still bother me, but I am trying hard to let them go!
I honestly have such a peace about sending the girls. I know that God wants me to be right where I am. I am looking forward to this chapter in my life. I am going to take it one year at a time, but I am preparing myself for a whole new world too. I am looking forward to some time for myself. I am looking forward to going to a woman's bible study, or even going out to lunch with a friend on a weekday! I am looking forward to painting and cleaning, and throwing things away...I am looking forward to a whole new change of plans. I am trusting God through it!
Thank you, Lord!
A few years ago, after some marital counceling, it was suggested that we put the kids in school. Hubby was all for it, but I was not ready for that...and fought it all the way. It was hard for me to believe that something the Lord so clearly called me to do, would be coming to an end. God may have started the process back then, but I thank him for being patient with me and giving me more time to build a firm foundation in them. My convictions were still very strong. I did not feel it was time, so I pushed on, tired, and getting more and more burnt out; feeling like "this is only for a season," or "they will be all grown up before I know it"..."so, I must carry on."
Well, this summer I heard myself say, "I'm just so tired" I can't do it anymore. I also started to feel like I didn't want to get out of bed, I always did, but I always struggled. I know they're not good signs, and since I am not a quitter, they were making me mad, mad at myself. Then I started asking God to give me a sign, ANY sign. I remember back in July, I was at a stop sign, and I asked God for an answer, like, a Yes or a No sign. I saw a 'No Parking' sign and thought, "Ok, it's no", then I saw the word Yes, later on the computer, and I was like, "Lord, help me, for I am weak, I don't know what to do!" I'm tired! Help me! Please! Then, I prayed with the lady who I aid for on Wednesday nights, and she suggested that I continue homeschooling, she even prayed a beautiful prayer for me to have peace about all the things I was worried about. I had a hard time with that, and she knew it, and she suggested that I let go of that battle, rest in his peace that I now have an answer. But, I didn't. I knew it wasn't my real answer. Yet, I still could not admit that I was done, not even at least for the school year. I continued to struggle and cry, and stare, and think and then stare some more. I would come up with all the typical scenarios that any "right minded homeschool mother" would come up with. I day dreamed about my girls being at the school and all the thoughts of "what if" a shooter came in, and what if they got hurt? I daydreamed about how they will probably become rude, ignorant, want to dress like sleaze buckets, wear make up, and hate me. I was torchering myself, because then I would daydream about not getting out of bed or just shopping all day, and not really schooling, if they stayed home. They were all just day dreams here or there, and I knew I was drained. I didn't want to be responsible for their curriculum and what they still needed to learn. Most of all I sure didn't want anyone knowing what I was struggling with...so I kept pressing on.
I just needed to get myself together, do what was right, and homeschool! But I started hating life. That is not me. I was put on blood pressure medication this summer, and they're having a hard time regulating it, it's still not right. I deal with tiredness, and fatigue. I don't feel I'm depressed, but I guess one might feel I am, by all that I've just shared.
Two weeks ago, some dear friends of ours stopped over, their daughter had just got married and they had some items to return to me, so they were going to drop off and go, however, it happened to be my birthday dinner night, and we were getting ready to sit down to eat, I invited them to stay. We were having corn from our garden and a London broil, and it smelled too good to pass up.
After dinner, my husband needed to run some supplies to a job, he took the guy friend along with him and the wife stayed to help with dishes. We had a nice chat and I truly enjoyed her company. When the men got back we ended up sitting at the kitchen table talking about everything from jobs to kids to homeschooling. We knew they had homeschooled a long time and ended up sending some of their kids to public school. We asked them all sorts of questions. We wanted to know what made them decide. Did they have any regrets? They had five kids and a busy life style too. What was their final turning point? I wanted to know. In the end, they gave their opinion, a bit of advise, but through out the whole evening they were mostly supportive of either decision we would make. We ended up taking some time to pray right there, at the table, holding hands, it was precious time and tears flowed from my eyes, as the Lord brought to mind a picture of this sweet couple fourteen years ago, sitting at our kitchen in our other house, praying with us about the very idea of homeschooling. It was a sweet memory. When we were done, I shared the memory with them. The husband didn't remember but the wife did.
We were only 34, and our two oldest had been in school four years, from Pre-K to third grade. We had just moved into the Harrisburg area from the Philly area and had been going to HF church for four years. There were several homeschool families who attended the church, and I remember how I watched them and observed what was going on with the dynamics of homeschooling, this couple was one of those families. They had been over one night for my husband to teach their oldest son to change the oil in their car. The wife came along. I had a third grader, 1st grader and toddler. She and I sat for some time talking about homeschooling, and what it was like. I knew I wanted that for my family. Not because I was a brain, and could teach my kids better than the school could, but because I wanted those family dynamics, which was something I did not have growing up. Jeff was not sure it was a good idea, but was willing to pray about it with this couple that night.
I do not hold any animosity towards my folks for the extremely dysfunctional lifestyle we led, as I totally believe God has used it in a mighty way to make me into who I am today, and part of that is a homeschool mom. I HAVE NO REGRETS and would do it ALL over again.
Anyway, like I was saying, the Lord gave me that vision/memory while we were praying this time, and I was totally in awe of him and how he had used this couple to guide us to the decision of homeschooling, and now here we were struggling with possibly ending that chapter. They just happened to be here and the timing could not be more perfect for I only had two weeks to make up my mind. It was all too crazy! I certainly didn't take that as an answer that night, rather as a comfort, that God was there with me in this decision, like he was back then.
I had started asking God to make things clear, to give me clear vision, and most of all to take away any guilt that I might have, and to convict me if I should continue to homeschool this year. Ironically that Sunday of my birthday dinner, I had gone to church by myself, and our pastor preached a sermon that made me think...and think hard. Then the following week, after our meeting with our friends, I prayed all the way into church that the Lord would "kick me in my pants today," I needed to know...I needed to know today! My girls just wanted to know either way. That was fair, and I need to do that. Well, he did. We had a different pastor preach that day, and it could not have been more clear for me. I was being driven by fear...fear of failure, failure to be a good mom, a good homeschooling mom, and fear of what others would say, what any"good homeschooling..all their kids, kind of homeschooling moms," would say. What would the public school say, you know they look at it like you are giving them your mistake. Then there is the, what will non-homeschoolers say, what will they think? What will our parents say, will one set say, "oh no!" and the other "I told you so", or worse yet, "I didn't think you could go the whole way?" All these things still bother me, but I am trying hard to let them go!
I honestly have such a peace about sending the girls. I know that God wants me to be right where I am. I am looking forward to this chapter in my life. I am going to take it one year at a time, but I am preparing myself for a whole new world too. I am looking forward to some time for myself. I am looking forward to going to a woman's bible study, or even going out to lunch with a friend on a weekday! I am looking forward to painting and cleaning, and throwing things away...I am looking forward to a whole new change of plans. I am trusting God through it!
Thank you, Lord!
8/17/12
The nest continues to get lighter~
Well, it was a full summer, everyone home, and everyone busy! It's hard to believe we are half way through August. My oldest left to go back to college to finish her last semester! So proud of her, as she will have a bachelors in Health Promotions in December! I am praying the Lord will bless her with a good job! She is such a great girl! Her trip back found her a disgusting bathroom left by her roommates, but she persevered and with a lot of bleach and magic erasers she managed to get out of the bathroom after two hours of cleaning. Can I just say that chores paid off? Very proud of her and her ability to bite her tongue.
My second oldest is about to embark on his first "college campus" experience, even though he is living off campus, it will be the first he was away for college. He went to local community college his first year, then joined the marines, I'm very proud of him and his accomplishments, now he is leaving to attend Penn Tech in Williamsport for Civil engineering! He is all set, bed, desk, tv...is there anything else, he asked? What a good kid! Love him and know that he will succeed in whatever he does. Now, if I could just get his nose out of his smart phone. Honestly, I think he looks at that thing way to much!
My middle child, just graduated from high school and is taking the Fall semester off, and is going to Peru to be a part of a medical missions team! He plans on attending the community college the winter semester. He is planning some other long trips to visit his brother and sister at college. I am happy about that, as I think he will fall in love with that atmosphere and perhaps decide continuing education isn't all that horrid. He is my hands on guy, I am hoping that the Lord will show him what he is good at! Love that boy, he just needs direction, and not from his momma, I've had him the last 18 years!
Fourth child starting High School, crazy! She is a nerd, and will do just fine! Her and her sister are taking most of their core classes at CHESS, which is a co-op of teachers who are certified in the topics they teach and will teach them one day a week, giving them five days of homework! Rebecca thrives in this environment! She is a good kid!
Fifth child entering Middle School, no more elementary kids! Life is full and fast! She will be taking her first classes at CHESS, I hope this will be a positive experience for her as she is one who loves to play. She is a ditto of Caity, though. She is a hard little worker, and so I am counting on that for jr. high.
...how did I go from sleepless nights, due to crying kids, high fevers, etc...etc...to sleepless nights due to thinking about my kids, and what will life look like for them? Heart aches are coming, losses are out there, tears are inevitable, but so is laughter and joy and mercy, which is promised, new, every morning. Lord, I need you more than ever!
My second oldest is about to embark on his first "college campus" experience, even though he is living off campus, it will be the first he was away for college. He went to local community college his first year, then joined the marines, I'm very proud of him and his accomplishments, now he is leaving to attend Penn Tech in Williamsport for Civil engineering! He is all set, bed, desk, tv...is there anything else, he asked? What a good kid! Love him and know that he will succeed in whatever he does. Now, if I could just get his nose out of his smart phone. Honestly, I think he looks at that thing way to much!
My middle child, just graduated from high school and is taking the Fall semester off, and is going to Peru to be a part of a medical missions team! He plans on attending the community college the winter semester. He is planning some other long trips to visit his brother and sister at college. I am happy about that, as I think he will fall in love with that atmosphere and perhaps decide continuing education isn't all that horrid. He is my hands on guy, I am hoping that the Lord will show him what he is good at! Love that boy, he just needs direction, and not from his momma, I've had him the last 18 years!
Fourth child starting High School, crazy! She is a nerd, and will do just fine! Her and her sister are taking most of their core classes at CHESS, which is a co-op of teachers who are certified in the topics they teach and will teach them one day a week, giving them five days of homework! Rebecca thrives in this environment! She is a good kid!
Fifth child entering Middle School, no more elementary kids! Life is full and fast! She will be taking her first classes at CHESS, I hope this will be a positive experience for her as she is one who loves to play. She is a ditto of Caity, though. She is a hard little worker, and so I am counting on that for jr. high.
...how did I go from sleepless nights, due to crying kids, high fevers, etc...etc...to sleepless nights due to thinking about my kids, and what will life look like for them? Heart aches are coming, losses are out there, tears are inevitable, but so is laughter and joy and mercy, which is promised, new, every morning. Lord, I need you more than ever!
I love flour and flowers~
I was given another opportunity to make another wedding cake, something with pinks and purples! Very fun! I really enjoyed this cake! Once again, using our favorite pound cake recipe!
Let them eat cake!
7/18/12
Inspired~
I am excited about the wedding cake that I'm making for this weekend. I am also stepping out of my box and providing a Gluten Free dessert! Pictures to come!
7/17/12
Thirty Years Ago Today~
Thirty years ago today, a tall, thin, handsome blonde, wearing a McDonalds paper chef hat (out of which flared these cute little horns, on either sides of his temple, caused by his sweaty hair), leaned over the front counter, while on his lunch break, and asked me to make him a strawberry sundae, with extra strawberries. As I delivered his hard earned free sundae from working his morning shift, he smiled at me and flared his nostrils, something he did whenever he could make eye contact with me. He would love it when we worked together and I was on front counter and he was on grill, because he would have to yell over the back counter something to the effect of "Burgers up," in order to let the front counter people know to put them in the warmer. Of course when I when walked up to the counter he was just waiting for me to look at him; I would give the usual embarrassed half smile and roll of my eyes.
On this day, July 17, 1982, after receiving his sundae, he asked me if I wanted to go see the new movie E.T, that had just been out only a few weeks. I said yes, and then he asked me for my home phone number (we didn't have cell phones back then), we scrabbled to find something to write with, for some reason we couldn't find anything but a brown crown under the front counter, left over from a small box of crayons that were for Happy Meals. I tore the bottom corner off a tray liner and wrote my number down and handed it to him. He said he would call me when I got my shift, and give me the details of the movie and what time he would pick me up.
We went to the movie theater near the Oxford Valley Mall. I loved the movie, and still remember asking him if my mascara running afterwards. Then we drove to Brothers Pizza in Langhorne, and of course I didn't want to eat in front of him, so I only ordered a Coke, and most of the time I sat with my hands under my legs as I remember that I was afraid my hands would be shaking. He had a slice of pizza and a Mountain Dew. We sat and talked for a long while. I really liked him, he was such a gentlemen. It was a fun night! What a great memory!
On this day, July 17, 1982, after receiving his sundae, he asked me if I wanted to go see the new movie E.T, that had just been out only a few weeks. I said yes, and then he asked me for my home phone number (we didn't have cell phones back then), we scrabbled to find something to write with, for some reason we couldn't find anything but a brown crown under the front counter, left over from a small box of crayons that were for Happy Meals. I tore the bottom corner off a tray liner and wrote my number down and handed it to him. He said he would call me when I got my shift, and give me the details of the movie and what time he would pick me up.
We went to the movie theater near the Oxford Valley Mall. I loved the movie, and still remember asking him if my mascara running afterwards. Then we drove to Brothers Pizza in Langhorne, and of course I didn't want to eat in front of him, so I only ordered a Coke, and most of the time I sat with my hands under my legs as I remember that I was afraid my hands would be shaking. He had a slice of pizza and a Mountain Dew. We sat and talked for a long while. I really liked him, he was such a gentlemen. It was a fun night! What a great memory!
7/16/12
New Look!
There...I like this! I enjoy playing with the colors and backgrounds, its like redecorating!
Ok, so sometime ago I posted that I wanted to get back into painting furniture...that has not happened, I've been way to busy...see previous post. However, I have been collecting some things that I would like to paint, but It looks like I'll need to wait for the fall.
In the Meantime I am trying to de-frag my house! I've started with closets! Next it will be toys!
I have a wedding this weekend where I am making the wedding cake and doing the bridal flowers! I will post pictures when I can.
Ok, so sometime ago I posted that I wanted to get back into painting furniture...that has not happened, I've been way to busy...see previous post. However, I have been collecting some things that I would like to paint, but It looks like I'll need to wait for the fall.
In the Meantime I am trying to de-frag my house! I've started with closets! Next it will be toys!
I have a wedding this weekend where I am making the wedding cake and doing the bridal flowers! I will post pictures when I can.
Love this...
Said to Christ: "Oh, how good and how peaceful it is to be silent about others, not to believe without discrimination all that is said, not easily to report it further, to reveal oneself to few, always to seek You as the discerner of hearts, and not to be blown away by every wind of words, but to wish that all things, within and beyond us, be done according to the pleasure of Thy will."
Thomas à Kempis. The Imitation of Christ
7/7/12
Life can be so overwhelming at times~
The last five weeks have been full of so much life, that I wonder how I have not had a nervous breakdown, except, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! And He has!
I've had 7 weddings, 6 of which I coordinated and 5 of those I did flowers for, helped a friend in an abusive situation move out and get set up elsewhere, organized an entire graduation, graduated my son, finished three portfolios, got evaluated, lost our cat to a horrible accident, still dealing with the 10 year old on a regular basis who is still grieving that cat, driven to South Carolina and back to visit with friends on a kids vacation, gotten kids off to camp and back, started a new small group, had 5 future wedding meetings, placed orders for 4 different future weddings, worked on numerous others that are coming up, worked my other two part time jobs; house cleaning and being personal aid for a sweet lady, celebrated my 20 year old sons birthday, took portfolios and objectives to the the school for the coming school year, broke my big toe, then four days later broke a baby toe...no lie, then I tended to two very sick family members, am currently tending to a 10 year old with a very bad case of poison ivy all over, and our "newer" car is now not working...the list could go on and on, trust me. Is it any wonder I deal with insomnia? GAH!!!
I am a fighter and am determined not to give up!
The reality is the Lord has not left me through any of this, and has considered his child (me) in all of it. I am not the only one who's life is so full, and most of my "fullness" means I am blessed! I have tried so hard over the past years to "defrag" as I like to call it, and yet, it seems life still gets full with other things. I often struggle with guilt that if I have time on my hands I should say yes, or if I have an extra dime, I should spend it on someone, instead of waiting and seeing what the Lord has planned for it.
I am blessed, and for the most part I thrive on a busy life, but would you please pray for me as I seek more ways to defrag, say no, focus on my well being and get right with God?
Don't get me wrong, I'm in a daily relationship with him, there is not a day that goes by where I am not thanking him or calling on him, but there is very little just chilling with him these days, and I'm not talking about doing my devotions, I'm talking about being still...and knowing Him. Like when one is at the beach with their spouse, no place to go, and no one to pay attention to but each other.
I pray that for each of us who have the blessed assurance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior....there is great pleasure in being still, I know...I've let it go all too often lately, and I miss it!
When the 4th of July hits, to me, summer is half way over, I get so frustrated with all I wanted to accomplish and still have not, and almost set myself up for disappointment, I'm there, and I've got loads of monsters (projects) staring at me.
...just being real!
I've had 7 weddings, 6 of which I coordinated and 5 of those I did flowers for, helped a friend in an abusive situation move out and get set up elsewhere, organized an entire graduation, graduated my son, finished three portfolios, got evaluated, lost our cat to a horrible accident, still dealing with the 10 year old on a regular basis who is still grieving that cat, driven to South Carolina and back to visit with friends on a kids vacation, gotten kids off to camp and back, started a new small group, had 5 future wedding meetings, placed orders for 4 different future weddings, worked on numerous others that are coming up, worked my other two part time jobs; house cleaning and being personal aid for a sweet lady, celebrated my 20 year old sons birthday, took portfolios and objectives to the the school for the coming school year, broke my big toe, then four days later broke a baby toe...no lie, then I tended to two very sick family members, am currently tending to a 10 year old with a very bad case of poison ivy all over, and our "newer" car is now not working...the list could go on and on, trust me. Is it any wonder I deal with insomnia? GAH!!!
I am a fighter and am determined not to give up!
The reality is the Lord has not left me through any of this, and has considered his child (me) in all of it. I am not the only one who's life is so full, and most of my "fullness" means I am blessed! I have tried so hard over the past years to "defrag" as I like to call it, and yet, it seems life still gets full with other things. I often struggle with guilt that if I have time on my hands I should say yes, or if I have an extra dime, I should spend it on someone, instead of waiting and seeing what the Lord has planned for it.
I am blessed, and for the most part I thrive on a busy life, but would you please pray for me as I seek more ways to defrag, say no, focus on my well being and get right with God?
Don't get me wrong, I'm in a daily relationship with him, there is not a day that goes by where I am not thanking him or calling on him, but there is very little just chilling with him these days, and I'm not talking about doing my devotions, I'm talking about being still...and knowing Him. Like when one is at the beach with their spouse, no place to go, and no one to pay attention to but each other.
I pray that for each of us who have the blessed assurance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior....there is great pleasure in being still, I know...I've let it go all too often lately, and I miss it!
When the 4th of July hits, to me, summer is half way over, I get so frustrated with all I wanted to accomplish and still have not, and almost set myself up for disappointment, I'm there, and I've got loads of monsters (projects) staring at me.
...just being real!
5/22/12
Time Keeps On Slipping Into The Future!
Had to make a trip back to my hometown in Bucks County today; my heart was broken when I saw that this famous Bucks County Bridal Shop was torn down. That lady was around my age when I got my wedding dress there! Life is slipping by so fast! This was the place to get your dress back in the day. Mine was on the sale rack...and was simply perfect. My mom tried to talk me into a cheaper one, but when my dad heard about it later that night, he came into me and talked to me about my dress, and then said, go get the one you want. I remember feeling like a princess in that dress....no one has ever called me princess, but I sure felt like one that day. I think my dress and vail all together were $800.00. It still hangs in my closet. Thanks Again, mom and dad!
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/money/anne-bailey-s-bridal-shop-to-close/article_f0e99446-8b90-55c5-8fdd-b04796b32477.html
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/money/anne-bailey-s-bridal-shop-to-close/article_f0e99446-8b90-55c5-8fdd-b04796b32477.html
5/10/12
Inspired Again~
I've been inspired recently to get back into hand painting furniture, it's something I did in my 20's, and 30's before baby #4 and homeschooling. I am so grateful for my God inspired, entrepreneurial mind cravings..it's all I have really. I wish I went to college...I think I would have done well, and for years I felt inferior because I didn't go. However, as I look back on it now, I can see that all along the way, the Lord has been faithful and used different people in my life to encourage me and prod at me to do the things I am good at, or,at the very least the things I enjoy!
There is so much I want to do in life and I am so blessed to have a family who supports me in the things I get my hands into. I always wanted to be an interior decorator and I am really....but I do dream of being 70 and getting my diploma, so who knows. Till then, being the motherboard here in my home, available to my family is where I stay....but who says I can't have two businesses, right?
There is so much I want to do in life and I am so blessed to have a family who supports me in the things I get my hands into. I always wanted to be an interior decorator and I am really....but I do dream of being 70 and getting my diploma, so who knows. Till then, being the motherboard here in my home, available to my family is where I stay....but who says I can't have two businesses, right?
5/8/12
Barn Weddngs Make My Heart Sing~
Last week I helped coordinate a wedding and reception at a barn which is nestled in a little piece of God's country, in Elizabethtown, Pa.
Brittney's Hope is a non-profit foundation that helps children with special needs, sibling groups and older children with adoption. It's a beautiful story all the way around.
http://www.brittanyshope.org/about/
Their facility is absolutely gorgeous and provides a fabulous venue for a weddings...don't you think?
Brittney's Hope is a non-profit foundation that helps children with special needs, sibling groups and older children with adoption. It's a beautiful story all the way around.
http://www.brittanyshope.org/about/
In Full Swing~
Well, I'm full swing with weddings and just can't get enough. I love meeting with a Bride-to-be and hearing all her dreams, then helping her figure out how to make that happen! This job never get's boring!
2/10/12
Love is...
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1/23/12
Time Flies When Your Having Fun!
Wow...Last I blogged it was August and right before I was to surprise my son at his Marine Bootcamp Graduation! That went well...CRAZY but well. He was graduating on Friday the 12th of August; the same weekend I had two great weddings. One wedding was one of my son's best buddies (from the band) and the other was a pastors son...what sweet couples. My sons other friend Tyler picked me up on Thursday at 3:00 and we drove through the night to get to South Carolina in time for a the 9:00 am Graduation. The day was full of surprises as my son had no idea that I was coming (due to the two weddings) let alone his buddy who drove me and his other buddy Zac and his family and as if that was not enough, my sweet brother drove from Georgia to see him graduate too! The day was a scorching 99 degrees, or at least that's what it felt like. After graduation we got Jeffery's things and said goodbye to my brother, and the Johnson's, except for Zac who was coming to the wedding too, and we all headed north on the long 12 hour drive. We got in around 11 and I worked through the night on the rest of the flowers for the next day. It was an intense weekend. I thank God for his protection and mercy on me as I went 50 hours without sleep. It was so good to have my boy home, I didn't care.
September was full of its own craziness too. Christopher my other son was anxiously waiting to get his drivers license and was scheduled to take his test on the 7th of September. It was a rainy day in fact a unusually rainy day as we noticed the creek up the road had rose very quickly but was still under the bridge, but he didn't care. So we headed to Penn dot and waited patiently for his turn, all the while we heard the news flashes about the heavy rains and the potential flooding. Chris had no choice but to take his test in my huge suburban, and he passed with flying colors! He was so proud of himself and gloated all the way home, that is until we reached that creek again....we were stuck, it was flooded over. We stepped out of the truck to take some pictures and made our way home another route, which was all but covered over too. I'm pretty sure that within minutes of us crossing it was no longer safe for anyone else. It was pretty scary actually. We got home to find several things canceled that evening due to the rain, and then discovered that our yard had a river running through it and over our pool....which no longer looked like a pool but a muddy pond. It caused quite the mess, especially since my husband had just pumped most of the water out and vacuumed it to get it ready to close it. So much for pumping it out. In retrospect that was nothing compared to the thousands of people that suffered for weeks to come. The flooding broke records from back in the 60's. Thousands of people were without a place to live, many lost their homes and everything in it, it was a small isolated Katrina for many. We had planned on leaving for the beach the next day, but it was just to much to see people hurting and think about going away, so we stuck around for a few days to see where we could be used. God plugged us right in. The church was being swamped with calls from every direction, mostly people wanted their basements pumped out...remember that pump we used for the pool well, it burned out helping others to get four and five feet of water out of their homes. So glad we had it.
As it turned out we ended up leaving for the beach on Sunday Night, things had slowed down a bit and we had really needed the vacation, it was a long and busy summer. Plus, some of us were headed down to North Carolina to meet up with Caity and to see Jeffrey graduate from combat training. We enjoyed our time in Ocean City and had fun catching up with our good friend Diane. We also spent an evening with my cousin and her husband who were down for Harley Davidson Week.....crazy week if you've never been. They are a breed of their own, fun, but wild at heart.
Our trip to see Jeffrey was fun; short and sweet but it was so nice to see him one more time before he flew to California for his job training the next few months.
October was just plain too busy. We were working on getting Christopher ready for Peru, between shopping for supplys, proper clothing, and doctors appointments to get all his shots, it was full to the max. I had a couple of weddings a play in November that we were coming down to the wire with lines, costumes, props and sets. Chris left on the 29th and for the next two weeks it would be the quietest it has been in over seventeen years. It was just the girls and Jeff and I. Of course Caity was down at college, Jeff in Cali and Chris in Peru....it was actually kinda lonely. But we got over it.
Novemeber started out quiet due to Chris being away otherwise it was status quo as far as "busy" goes. Saturday the 5th Rebecca and her daddy had a Father/Daughter day through our church. A bunch of dads and their daughters hiked Govener Dick and then came back to the church for a little pampering and the dads making them dinner. It was a sweet day for the two of them for sure. I had a few weddings but certainly the highlight of the month was Thanksgiving. Jeff, Caity and Rebecca ran a 5k race and then Jeff and Chris went to play football at Shenk Park. Jeffrey surprised the guys at the game and finished out the game with them. They all came home and decided to have Jeffrey slip in the door and see if we even notice. I looked at him and thought he was Chris, but thought to myself, boy do you look like your big brother Jeff, when I then realized it was! What a fun day! The next day the kids all took a hike with the dogs and had a blast.
December was a very special month. As always it took me about two weeks to decorate the house, because I like to do something new every year. The transmission went on the suburban and my wonderful hubby decided he was going to fix it himself...that took the rest of the month and part of January. I kept my self in my room wrapping presents when I would get frustrated with that, which caused me to be done before Christmas Eve. I usually wrap all day Christmas Eve. ANYWAY...everyone was home including Jeffrey who got home on the 22nd, what a blessing. We love when Christmas falls on a Sunday too. We all got up had our tea roll for breakfast and headed to church early as we were greeters that day. After church we went to visit Donna, the lady that I care for on Wed. evenings, she is bedridden and paralyzed, we sang to her as usual our wonderful out of tune Christmas Carols then surprised her with a little piano solo from Rachel...it brought her much laughter and believe it or not made her day a little brighter. Thank you Lord. After our performance we headed home. I tortured everyone as usual and made them pose for pictures; why is that so complicated? When that delightful experience was over the kids ran up and changed into their pj's, and planted themselves on the living room floor, anxious to dig into presents. Like always we let the kids exchange with each other, its always fun to see the joy in each of their faces as they give each other their gifts. Lots of hugging going on. After that we had them open their gifts from Jeff and I and then Jeff and I opened the gifts from the kids and from each other. The day really dragged out which we all love!
It was so much fun to have a full dinner table. Rachel's dad and Mick were here for dinner too. The wise cracks were flying and much laughter was had when all was said and done, then we made our way into the living room, after clean up and handed out the stockings, each taking their time to open all the fun morsals and special last little gifts. Rachel then blessed us with almost forty five minutes of Christmas Carols that some of us hummed along too others quietly closes our eyes and took in the beauty of it all. The evening ended with shared stories and a few more wise cracks. All in all it was pretty awesome, thanks Lord!
January started off in a different way then it has for 22 years, we've always spent it together as a family. The girls were at a friends house babysitting and Caity, Jeff and Chris had a party with some of the nicest kids you'd ever want in your home and Jeff and I went to the movies! We saw Sherlock Holmes II, it was wonderful, not only the special date, but the movie. Afterwards we headed home and kept out of site till the kids were all ready to set off fireworks, we joined them for a few snacks and headed to bed. It was a really nice start. Happy New Year!
The month is passing by rather quickly, which is nice as it means we are that much closer to Spring, the days are getting longer and its all going so fast. The Farm Show is always a wonderful reminder of things to come, with all the produce displays. This year Natalie was determined and I mean determined to enter her Snickerdoodles and a Gingerbread house. We worked hard to get all the paper work done for that and the supplies for what she needed. She work hard, and did about 98% of the work, and it paid off as she got first place for her cookies and 3rd place on her Gingerbread house. She was tickled pink when we found that all out! I got an Honorable Mention on my Pineapple upside down cake ! I'm going to enter it in the county fair this summer and see what it can do there. We really enjoy the Farm Show and the special time it is for cousins to come and visit. What a fun tradition.
This year the "extended family Christmas" was at our house on the 14, the last Saturday of the Farm Show...twenty six family member landed here at our house for the day. We had a nice time and enjoyed having a full house.
Jeffrey came home for good on the 19th, its so nice to have him home. I think he will want to go back in about a week, but for now he is enjoying being home. Chris is happy to have him home too, he has missed him dearly, being home with two little girls while the older siblings are away was not fun!
I am looking forward to the year ahead and trusting the Lord for his perfect will...things are brewing.
Now, lets see how long it takes me to blog again.
September was full of its own craziness too. Christopher my other son was anxiously waiting to get his drivers license and was scheduled to take his test on the 7th of September. It was a rainy day in fact a unusually rainy day as we noticed the creek up the road had rose very quickly but was still under the bridge, but he didn't care. So we headed to Penn dot and waited patiently for his turn, all the while we heard the news flashes about the heavy rains and the potential flooding. Chris had no choice but to take his test in my huge suburban, and he passed with flying colors! He was so proud of himself and gloated all the way home, that is until we reached that creek again....we were stuck, it was flooded over. We stepped out of the truck to take some pictures and made our way home another route, which was all but covered over too. I'm pretty sure that within minutes of us crossing it was no longer safe for anyone else. It was pretty scary actually. We got home to find several things canceled that evening due to the rain, and then discovered that our yard had a river running through it and over our pool....which no longer looked like a pool but a muddy pond. It caused quite the mess, especially since my husband had just pumped most of the water out and vacuumed it to get it ready to close it. So much for pumping it out. In retrospect that was nothing compared to the thousands of people that suffered for weeks to come. The flooding broke records from back in the 60's. Thousands of people were without a place to live, many lost their homes and everything in it, it was a small isolated Katrina for many. We had planned on leaving for the beach the next day, but it was just to much to see people hurting and think about going away, so we stuck around for a few days to see where we could be used. God plugged us right in. The church was being swamped with calls from every direction, mostly people wanted their basements pumped out...remember that pump we used for the pool well, it burned out helping others to get four and five feet of water out of their homes. So glad we had it.
As it turned out we ended up leaving for the beach on Sunday Night, things had slowed down a bit and we had really needed the vacation, it was a long and busy summer. Plus, some of us were headed down to North Carolina to meet up with Caity and to see Jeffrey graduate from combat training. We enjoyed our time in Ocean City and had fun catching up with our good friend Diane. We also spent an evening with my cousin and her husband who were down for Harley Davidson Week.....crazy week if you've never been. They are a breed of their own, fun, but wild at heart.
Our trip to see Jeffrey was fun; short and sweet but it was so nice to see him one more time before he flew to California for his job training the next few months.
October was just plain too busy. We were working on getting Christopher ready for Peru, between shopping for supplys, proper clothing, and doctors appointments to get all his shots, it was full to the max. I had a couple of weddings a play in November that we were coming down to the wire with lines, costumes, props and sets. Chris left on the 29th and for the next two weeks it would be the quietest it has been in over seventeen years. It was just the girls and Jeff and I. Of course Caity was down at college, Jeff in Cali and Chris in Peru....it was actually kinda lonely. But we got over it.
Novemeber started out quiet due to Chris being away otherwise it was status quo as far as "busy" goes. Saturday the 5th Rebecca and her daddy had a Father/Daughter day through our church. A bunch of dads and their daughters hiked Govener Dick and then came back to the church for a little pampering and the dads making them dinner. It was a sweet day for the two of them for sure. I had a few weddings but certainly the highlight of the month was Thanksgiving. Jeff, Caity and Rebecca ran a 5k race and then Jeff and Chris went to play football at Shenk Park. Jeffrey surprised the guys at the game and finished out the game with them. They all came home and decided to have Jeffrey slip in the door and see if we even notice. I looked at him and thought he was Chris, but thought to myself, boy do you look like your big brother Jeff, when I then realized it was! What a fun day! The next day the kids all took a hike with the dogs and had a blast.
December was a very special month. As always it took me about two weeks to decorate the house, because I like to do something new every year. The transmission went on the suburban and my wonderful hubby decided he was going to fix it himself...that took the rest of the month and part of January. I kept my self in my room wrapping presents when I would get frustrated with that, which caused me to be done before Christmas Eve. I usually wrap all day Christmas Eve. ANYWAY...everyone was home including Jeffrey who got home on the 22nd, what a blessing. We love when Christmas falls on a Sunday too. We all got up had our tea roll for breakfast and headed to church early as we were greeters that day. After church we went to visit Donna, the lady that I care for on Wed. evenings, she is bedridden and paralyzed, we sang to her as usual our wonderful out of tune Christmas Carols then surprised her with a little piano solo from Rachel...it brought her much laughter and believe it or not made her day a little brighter. Thank you Lord. After our performance we headed home. I tortured everyone as usual and made them pose for pictures; why is that so complicated? When that delightful experience was over the kids ran up and changed into their pj's, and planted themselves on the living room floor, anxious to dig into presents. Like always we let the kids exchange with each other, its always fun to see the joy in each of their faces as they give each other their gifts. Lots of hugging going on. After that we had them open their gifts from Jeff and I and then Jeff and I opened the gifts from the kids and from each other. The day really dragged out which we all love!
It was so much fun to have a full dinner table. Rachel's dad and Mick were here for dinner too. The wise cracks were flying and much laughter was had when all was said and done, then we made our way into the living room, after clean up and handed out the stockings, each taking their time to open all the fun morsals and special last little gifts. Rachel then blessed us with almost forty five minutes of Christmas Carols that some of us hummed along too others quietly closes our eyes and took in the beauty of it all. The evening ended with shared stories and a few more wise cracks. All in all it was pretty awesome, thanks Lord!
January started off in a different way then it has for 22 years, we've always spent it together as a family. The girls were at a friends house babysitting and Caity, Jeff and Chris had a party with some of the nicest kids you'd ever want in your home and Jeff and I went to the movies! We saw Sherlock Holmes II, it was wonderful, not only the special date, but the movie. Afterwards we headed home and kept out of site till the kids were all ready to set off fireworks, we joined them for a few snacks and headed to bed. It was a really nice start. Happy New Year!
The month is passing by rather quickly, which is nice as it means we are that much closer to Spring, the days are getting longer and its all going so fast. The Farm Show is always a wonderful reminder of things to come, with all the produce displays. This year Natalie was determined and I mean determined to enter her Snickerdoodles and a Gingerbread house. We worked hard to get all the paper work done for that and the supplies for what she needed. She work hard, and did about 98% of the work, and it paid off as she got first place for her cookies and 3rd place on her Gingerbread house. She was tickled pink when we found that all out! I got an Honorable Mention on my Pineapple upside down cake ! I'm going to enter it in the county fair this summer and see what it can do there. We really enjoy the Farm Show and the special time it is for cousins to come and visit. What a fun tradition.
This year the "extended family Christmas" was at our house on the 14, the last Saturday of the Farm Show...twenty six family member landed here at our house for the day. We had a nice time and enjoyed having a full house.
Jeffrey came home for good on the 19th, its so nice to have him home. I think he will want to go back in about a week, but for now he is enjoying being home. Chris is happy to have him home too, he has missed him dearly, being home with two little girls while the older siblings are away was not fun!
I am looking forward to the year ahead and trusting the Lord for his perfect will...things are brewing.
Now, lets see how long it takes me to blog again.
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