This has been an unbelievable summer - It's almost JULY?? Where in the world has it gone??
Well, let's see....ballet classes, tap practices, Farmer's Market booths, helping my daughter start her new business, audiologist appointments, Ranch Camp, home schooling meetings, new co-op meetings, essential oils meetings, garage sales, spring cleaning, shopping for a new RV, purging books and school curriculum, still schooling with math and reading, massively couponing to help lower-income families, helping my daughter babysit, blah, blah, blah!!
Sometimes I feel like a dog chasing my tail! I want to blog - everyday - yet I haven't for over two weeks! I told my husband just yesterday that so far this summer has been more hectic and challenging than a normal school year :(
So, here it is....the shortest blog I'll probably ever write.
That's all I wanted to say. It was really nothing earth shattering - that takes me hours to write! I just wanted to know if I remembered my password and could actually log on correctly and write something.
I did.
And now it's church time :)
Love you all!!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Morning After
"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." Philippians 4:11-12
After a long hug from my soul-mate we just softly smile at each other. No words are exchanged. They simply are not needed. We enjoyed the comforts of a warm spaghetti dinner and actually shared some laughs over America's Got Talent!
While the kids ran off to shower and wind down for the evening, I brought him into the office and read him my blog. It is something special that I do for my husband. When he doesn't have his reading glasses, he can barely read anything. However, even when he does have them, he still asks me to read - he says he enjoys my voice :)
Sadly, this is one time that I just wanted him to read the words on the screen while I walked away. Instead, he pulls up a chair and gives me the floor. Of course, I don't even make it through the first paragraph. I've had several people tell me in the past that my blogs make them cry. I apologize but tell them that's because I cry when I write them!
As hard as it is, there is incredible comfort in duet-crying; especially when it is your husband.
The morning after is always full of a variety of emotions. The morning after you get married is just unexplainable - you are ecstatic with glee! The morning after you return home from a long vacation is tiring but rewarding; there truly is no place like home. The morning after you bury your second brother leaving you as an only child is a dreadful, atrocious, empty feeling.
Today, I have mixed feelings as well. Even though I screamed and cried in the shower, I have a smile on my face and hope in my steps. My son is refreshed and ready to deal with his basket of lemons. As soon as the kids wake up, they come find me and sit on my lap while we hug and rock for a minute or so. It's tradition and apparently they still enjoy it since they come to me! I will say that it's a little awkward trying to hold, hug and rock my daughter who is bigger and taller than me in every aspect! Sometimes she just slides off and falls to the ground laughing!
Adam found me on the computer this morning and sat down for his morning cuddle time. After only a few seconds, he lifted his head from my shoulder and asked, "Are you okay, momma?" He has such a precious, intuitive spirit.
And the answer?
Yes.
I am okay. Although I am not looking forward to the events that lie ahead of us, I am exciting to see what good things the Lord will bring about and what surprising doors He will open!
One of our favorite scripture verses for our household is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
There you have it. It's already settled. HE is in control - not me. He actually loves my children more than I do! Do I think I can do a better job than He? Do I think I know better? Can I make the wisest decisions for my children outside of God's council? No, no and no!
They are yours, Lord, and I trust you explicitly with their lives.
As I am learning from Ann Voskamp...thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives.
After a long hug from my soul-mate we just softly smile at each other. No words are exchanged. They simply are not needed. We enjoyed the comforts of a warm spaghetti dinner and actually shared some laughs over America's Got Talent!
While the kids ran off to shower and wind down for the evening, I brought him into the office and read him my blog. It is something special that I do for my husband. When he doesn't have his reading glasses, he can barely read anything. However, even when he does have them, he still asks me to read - he says he enjoys my voice :)
Sadly, this is one time that I just wanted him to read the words on the screen while I walked away. Instead, he pulls up a chair and gives me the floor. Of course, I don't even make it through the first paragraph. I've had several people tell me in the past that my blogs make them cry. I apologize but tell them that's because I cry when I write them!
As hard as it is, there is incredible comfort in duet-crying; especially when it is your husband.
The morning after is always full of a variety of emotions. The morning after you get married is just unexplainable - you are ecstatic with glee! The morning after you return home from a long vacation is tiring but rewarding; there truly is no place like home. The morning after you bury your second brother leaving you as an only child is a dreadful, atrocious, empty feeling.
Today, I have mixed feelings as well. Even though I screamed and cried in the shower, I have a smile on my face and hope in my steps. My son is refreshed and ready to deal with his basket of lemons. As soon as the kids wake up, they come find me and sit on my lap while we hug and rock for a minute or so. It's tradition and apparently they still enjoy it since they come to me! I will say that it's a little awkward trying to hold, hug and rock my daughter who is bigger and taller than me in every aspect! Sometimes she just slides off and falls to the ground laughing!
Adam found me on the computer this morning and sat down for his morning cuddle time. After only a few seconds, he lifted his head from my shoulder and asked, "Are you okay, momma?" He has such a precious, intuitive spirit.
And the answer?
Yes.
I am okay. Although I am not looking forward to the events that lie ahead of us, I am exciting to see what good things the Lord will bring about and what surprising doors He will open!
One of our favorite scripture verses for our household is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
There you have it. It's already settled. HE is in control - not me. He actually loves my children more than I do! Do I think I can do a better job than He? Do I think I know better? Can I make the wisest decisions for my children outside of God's council? No, no and no!
They are yours, Lord, and I trust you explicitly with their lives.
As I am learning from Ann Voskamp...thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I Still Trust You
My day actually started out glorious - not even an inkling of worry in the air. Enjoyed my 6 a.m. run with an awesome friend, hit four stores before 9 a.m. to grab my freebies, got caught up on some chores and then spent a few hours shopping with my daughter before I had to pick up my youngest from a friends house for an appointment he had.
That's when it happened. One of the worst days I have had in a while. A day that I don't want to repeat.
Ever. The sad part is...I have.
Three times before.
I've experienced the sweeping of this mental tornado too many times already. There is just nothing like your heart aching for your children.
It's my baby boy. The one who was born with a moderate to severe hearing loss but now has a profound loss in both ears. Although he just received new hearing aids in December, about 3 weeks ago, things began to change again. He just wasn't hearing right. He had to be right in front of you before he could understand your words. We blamed his allergies and all the drainage. I cleaned the molds - more than once. I cleaned his ears - every 4-5 days. Then the realization became apparent. His hearing just plummeted again.
These are one of those times when I wish I were wrong. I typically enjoy being right ... but not today.
The drive home was gut-wrenching. The silence was so loud. I was sure both of the kids heard all the voices in my head. The battled dialogue going on inside of me had to be obviously heard. I finally decide to peek in the rear-view mirror.
There he is. Slumped over the armrest. I know he's tired from his overnight stay at his friend's house, but his body language screamed something different. I call his name only to see his dripping face look up at me with those huge, brown, puppy dog-eyes. It's more than I can handle. Only two miles from home, I pull the car over and climb to the back seat where I embrace this confused and hurting child. We cry together while he speaks, "I didn't expect this. Why, momma, why?"
We have some hard decisions to make concerning Adam's hearing. I know that God will give us the wisdom to make the best choice as well as the strength to follow through and the patience to deal with the situation at hand.
I know that. I truly believe it. "I still trust You, Lord." I uttered those words as I walked aimlessly around the house today.
While the exhausted young man sleeps away some of his tiredness and pain, I turn to the keyboard. Sometimes it is medicinal for me. Although my shirt is stained with the salt water leaking from my eyes, I feel the Lord's embrace around me. I had just begun to write when a dear friend called. Coincidence? No. Perfect timing from the Lord. I needed to cry some more so the Lord sent her.
As my devotion said today, "Life is hard, but God is good - all the time."
Thank you, Father, for seeing my hurt and caring.
My thankful journal will not be empty tonight...there is still plenty to write.
And for that - I am thankful.
That's when it happened. One of the worst days I have had in a while. A day that I don't want to repeat.
Ever. The sad part is...I have.
Three times before.
I've experienced the sweeping of this mental tornado too many times already. There is just nothing like your heart aching for your children.
It's my baby boy. The one who was born with a moderate to severe hearing loss but now has a profound loss in both ears. Although he just received new hearing aids in December, about 3 weeks ago, things began to change again. He just wasn't hearing right. He had to be right in front of you before he could understand your words. We blamed his allergies and all the drainage. I cleaned the molds - more than once. I cleaned his ears - every 4-5 days. Then the realization became apparent. His hearing just plummeted again.
These are one of those times when I wish I were wrong. I typically enjoy being right ... but not today.
The drive home was gut-wrenching. The silence was so loud. I was sure both of the kids heard all the voices in my head. The battled dialogue going on inside of me had to be obviously heard. I finally decide to peek in the rear-view mirror.
There he is. Slumped over the armrest. I know he's tired from his overnight stay at his friend's house, but his body language screamed something different. I call his name only to see his dripping face look up at me with those huge, brown, puppy dog-eyes. It's more than I can handle. Only two miles from home, I pull the car over and climb to the back seat where I embrace this confused and hurting child. We cry together while he speaks, "I didn't expect this. Why, momma, why?"
We have some hard decisions to make concerning Adam's hearing. I know that God will give us the wisdom to make the best choice as well as the strength to follow through and the patience to deal with the situation at hand.
I know that. I truly believe it. "I still trust You, Lord." I uttered those words as I walked aimlessly around the house today.
While the exhausted young man sleeps away some of his tiredness and pain, I turn to the keyboard. Sometimes it is medicinal for me. Although my shirt is stained with the salt water leaking from my eyes, I feel the Lord's embrace around me. I had just begun to write when a dear friend called. Coincidence? No. Perfect timing from the Lord. I needed to cry some more so the Lord sent her.
As my devotion said today, "Life is hard, but God is good - all the time."
Thank you, Father, for seeing my hurt and caring.
My thankful journal will not be empty tonight...there is still plenty to write.
And for that - I am thankful.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The "Steal" of the Year!
This is such an unbelievable story that you won't even think it is true! Trust me when I tell you that every word is true (since I'm not typically in the habit of lying on my blogs!!)
After drooling over all the beautiful suitcases that passed in front of her eyes over vacation, my daughter decided that she just had to have a more stylish means of transporting her goods!
She finally picked this adorable one from a little boutique called Dustees:
She was excited beyond words but in complete shock when she got home and unzipped the suitcase. We could not believe our eyes as we pulled out this brand new dress inside! It is beautiful, but we didn't pay for it!
Now, here is the kicker...where did the dress come from? It still has the $65 price tag on it so it certainly looks like we did a little bit of shop lifting! But alas, that is not possible. Why, you ask? I'll tell you!
Because Dustee's doesn't sell dresses!!!!!
I called the store to ask if they sell any clothing. She said they had a few tops and maybe one or two sundresses that they were just starting to carry but weren't even on the floor yet. It is mainly bags, purses, scarves and jewelry.
I explained to Victoria that we have to do the right thing (or at least attempt to) and try to take the dress back. After all, the lady on the phone could have been wrong. My daughter was quite saddened by this point since she thinks she just got a free dress!
We take it back the next day and I ask the lady if the dress came from this store. She tells me that she has never seen this dress before! She asks her manager who replies with the same answer and then ask the lady who just happens to be there from the corporate office - now I am definitely on the up-n-up! All three of them shake their heads saying that it is not a Dustee's dress. Then I explain what happened and how we found this dress in our purchased suitcase yesterday. The head boss says, "Well, I guess you have yourself a free dress!"
How exciting is that???
The best part? We did the right thing and still ended up with the dress :)
Of course, you must know that it fits both of us perfectly!!
After drooling over all the beautiful suitcases that passed in front of her eyes over vacation, my daughter decided that she just had to have a more stylish means of transporting her goods!
She finally picked this adorable one from a little boutique called Dustees:
She was excited beyond words but in complete shock when she got home and unzipped the suitcase. We could not believe our eyes as we pulled out this brand new dress inside! It is beautiful, but we didn't pay for it!
Now, here is the kicker...where did the dress come from? It still has the $65 price tag on it so it certainly looks like we did a little bit of shop lifting! But alas, that is not possible. Why, you ask? I'll tell you!Because Dustee's doesn't sell dresses!!!!!
I called the store to ask if they sell any clothing. She said they had a few tops and maybe one or two sundresses that they were just starting to carry but weren't even on the floor yet. It is mainly bags, purses, scarves and jewelry.
I explained to Victoria that we have to do the right thing (or at least attempt to) and try to take the dress back. After all, the lady on the phone could have been wrong. My daughter was quite saddened by this point since she thinks she just got a free dress!
We take it back the next day and I ask the lady if the dress came from this store. She tells me that she has never seen this dress before! She asks her manager who replies with the same answer and then ask the lady who just happens to be there from the corporate office - now I am definitely on the up-n-up! All three of them shake their heads saying that it is not a Dustee's dress. Then I explain what happened and how we found this dress in our purchased suitcase yesterday. The head boss says, "Well, I guess you have yourself a free dress!"
How exciting is that???
The best part? We did the right thing and still ended up with the dress :)
Of course, you must know that it fits both of us perfectly!!
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