Busy Mommy

Fund Raiser

2012-01-17T12:41:00.002-05:00

Hey all! Someone contacted me about doing a fund raisier... She sells Chocolate...

So in time for Valentines Day....
Here's the deal...

24 pieces of truffle chocolate from Dove Chocolate Discoveries
(It's good stuff, I've tried it at a chocolate party I went too.. ;))

The cost is with tax $41.34.
BONUS: it gets shipped to YOU, AND you can personalize it up to 60 characters for FREE!

You have to pay for it up front. Let me know if you want any..
Call me on my cell or home, find me at church, or post a comment below or let me know on Facebook!

Thank you!!! :)

My Other Blog :)

2012-01-10T15:18:00.001-05:00

Yes, I am trying to keep up 2 blogs... I know, what was I thinking? HAHA

I've had a lot of friends who wanted recipes for this and that, and they are all over the US... So I decided a while ago to just post them all on a blog... Well, I HAD very good intentions of doing a recipe a day... Then life got crazy, then it got crazier, and I know the fun has yet to start! ;)

Here's a link, I'm doing my best to keep up... It's not an everyday post, but there are quite a few recipes on there, including, home made laundry soap... just an FYI, go for the powder one, not the liquid one... ;) There are healthy recipes and not so healthy ones... Different ways to use vinegar, like putting it your dishwasher where you would put your Jet Dry... Also use it as your fabric softener for your washer... ;) No, your clothes will not smell! I've been doing it for almost 6 months now!!! :)

Anyways... If you want, check it out, if not, no biggie... ;) But if you want a recipe of mine, chances are is already posted in this blog! If not, it will be soon... or so I hope... :)

http://mandysboxofrecipes.blogspot.com/

I also have a page on facebook called
mandysboxofgoodies

I try to post links to my blog once I post a recipe, so you can get it that way too... ;)

Adoption Update

2012-01-10T15:09:00.003-05:00

Well we thought we were waiting on AWAA, but turns out, they were waiting on US! :\ We sent an email to them after the holiday's to see what was going on. Turns out, we needed to fill out 2 more forms, but we didn't know that!

So we filled them out and the one is $890 due when we send in the form.

We were REALLY hoping to be able to send that in RIGHT away, but we had to have a plumber come out and fix our upstairs toilet... So that took some money...

Trusting God in this, we have something that needs fixed on van before February so we can get the emissions test done. We failed the first one.. haha, go figure! It's all the SERVICE ENGINE light that caused it, but it could be up $300-$600 to get it fixed.

We have just over $8,000 in our Life Song Fund. If you feel led to donate, you still can. As long as we have adoption bills that need to be paid, that fund will be open to us as long as there is money in there! So as of right now, with the matching part, we have just over $16,000 that is for us to use!

We won't be able to use that money for the $890 that's due because Life Song sends the check right to AWAA, and we HAVE to have the money WITH the form when we send it in.

Again, I'm not worried, I know God will provide! It may be tight, or last minute, but I know it's all in His hands. This has been from the beginning and I know with out a doubt that He still has it all in His hands! :)

Thank you for your prayers and support through this! We have felt your prayers and REALLY appreciate all the support from our friends and family! <3

Dakotah

2012-01-02T00:09:00.001-05:00

Tonite Dakotah got baptized! And the cool thing, she got to do it with a few of her friends! Abi, Hannah and Ty all got baptized too! Plus there were a few others from the Garage Church that got baptized as well!

What a way to bring in the new 2012 year! I'm so proud of her! Words can not express! She asked Jesus in her heart the nite my dad went into the hostpital, she and daddy had a talk with Gavin and Skylar. She wanted to make sure she would get to see him in heaven when she died... I am kinda bummed I didn't get to be with her when she asked Him in her heart, but I'm ok with that... I got to be with her tonite, and I'm one proud momma!

I'm one proud friend too! My friends are raising they kids to follow the Lord and live their lives as He wants them too! I'm so glad they all got to do it together, one day/nite they will not forgot!!!

I pray that we all continue to raise our kids to follow our AWESOME God and that even when the times are tough they will stand up for Him and keep their eyes on Him! I pray that the rest of my kiddos will get to experience what my lil jitterbug just got to experience tonite... :)

There is a video on my facebook page and I'm sure people will be posting pics soon too! :)
(ok, my spell check won't work... it's late, ignore the mis-spellings! :))

Ugh

2012-01-01T23:55:00.000-05:00

I know, really good title huh? There has just been so much, going on, feelings, emotions, stress, grief, etc...

It has been a whirlwind!!! Don't get me wrong, it's been good, but there has been some bad too!

I haven't posted in so long, I don't know where to start! :) I did write a blog, but I haven't posted it, but I just may, it's my blog, right? haha!!! :)

If I don't post the other blog, it's been REALLY hard on me. Grief has hit and it has hit hard. Starting in Nov, and it hasn't gone away. I'm trying my best to deal with it, but I just want it to go away! Not gonna happen! And the fun thing about grief, you never really know when it's gonna hit or how hard. It could be a song and BAM. :\

Curt's dad was diganosed with prostate cancer. Just say the word cancer and I'm saddened. Yes, this is very treatable and for that I'm so thankful, but just the word, it's so ugly.

Then my mom's pastors wife has cancer again and it's not looking so good, so I'm deeply saddened for them and my mom becasue it's hard. I know she dis-likes that word too! Deb is her name, say a prayer for her and her family... She had it last January and then was cancer free in June, and now she's got it again. It's a very rare cancer, so she's going to get a second opinion and go from there. I also know that our God is bigger than this and He can choose to heal her on this earth. We jsut have to keep trusting him and know that He does have a plan and it's the right and perfect plan. Keep our eyes on Him, it's all going to work out. We may not like it, but we have to keep our trust in Him. Right?

I told that to a friend who is going through some things, and I said, oh snap, open mouth insert foot huh? I do need to remind myself of that at times. I do trust Him and I know that He has a plan. We also may not see the plan right away, or even here on this earth, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason and He will bless us. Again, we may not understand why or see why here, but we have to have that faith and trust!

I really did NOT want to go out to Indiana this time... I was seriously dragging my feet. Then the closer we got the more clamed up and quiet I got. I'm glad we went, but I just didn't want to face it, I guess maybe?

I think part of this whole grief thing for me, I don't, man, I don't even know how to describe it. I know he's gone, and I'm really ok with it, I don't blame God, I trust Him, I know He has a plan and reason, and I'm ok with that. I know He will use this season in our life and bless someone, but I dunno... I don't want people to think that, you know what, I guess I don't really care what people think. I don't mean that in a bad way, but then again, I've never had to deal with grief like this, so I am not too sure what to think. :\ I guess I don't want people to think, wow, it's been 2 years, why isn't she over this yet...? But then again, I don't care...

I went out to dad's grave while I was there. I just wanted to go by myself, I didn't really know why or understand, but just wanted to be alone. I was kinda hoping it would help, but it didn't, really. It didn't make it worse either....

There are times where I feel like I'm going through depression. Yes, I know what that is and how it feels. I went through it MAJORALLY after my mis-carriage. I just figured I'd be "over" this by now. But reading things from other people who've lost a loved one to this ugly cancer, it doesn't ever go away, and as years go on, it sometimes gets harder. Yikes, not wanted I wanted to hear or read, but I know that God will use this, and I tell Him to use me, and I believe He will. Just have to keep my eyes on Him, and trust Him completely. There have been many times where He's just carrying me, getting me through the day. But I praise Him for all He has done, even when it's not a good day, I find joy in the bad times too! Our God is so good and He is so faithful and loving and caring and protecting, and I could go on and on! Just becasue we are going through something bad doesn't mean He loves us any less, or we aren't blessed! We are!

My dad dying, yes, there were many blessings! He found out he had cancer on my birthday, I don't like that, but yet, it's a good thing in a way, it's a day I will always remember... May not bring such great memories, but yet I can choose to remember all the birthdays I had while my dad was here! Him dying, I find joy in that day/nite. The day I got there, I saw an angel with my mom and dad. The one with my mom was COMPLETELY different than the one with my dad... The blessing from that, I got to see 2 angels, one of comfort and one of death. But the one of death wasn't scary, it was peaceful, but God knew I needed to see that, and I thank Him for that. I seriously will NOT ever forgot those angels!

Blessings from grief, yes, learning to rely on God even more, turn your emotions and thoughts to Him, trust other people to help you... Oh, yeah, trust other people to help you, that's not so easy with me, as most of you know. Me posting this will be going WAY out of my comfort zone! :) But I believe that I need to open up, even if it is blog world... ;)

I thought writing things out will help, but honestly it doesn't always help.. haha... :) But then again, it's forcing me to open up, maybe not sit and talk with someone that I CHOSE, but I have NO idea if anyone reads this and I can't pick and chose... I'm forcing myself to just post this and go from there...
Please don't have pity on me, that's not why I write/blog. It's just something I do. ;)

The Waiting Game

2012-01-01T22:34:00.002-05:00

Wow, Happy New Year! :)

I haven't posted in a while and I'm sorry... Life gets really busy sometimes! ;)

Well, the title pretty much says it all right now... we are in the waiting game. Some of our paperwork is in China getting translated... :) I'm thinking we may email just to see the status of it, is all of our paperwork there yet or not? :) Once they get it all translated, they will let AWAA know and then they will start sending us referrals of kids.

Then, the hard part comes, picking out or children!

Ok, saying "picking out our children" is really kinda weird to me! Not the our children, but the whole picking them out... How does one do that? I know without a doubt that God will give us peace about them, but it just sounds kinda weird to me still! :)

Once that happens we get approved, with yes, they are yours, then we get a travel date and then we are off! :)

I want to say we are kinda on the down side of the slide, but not totally! Just the whole waiting part... Maybe i'll say it AFTER we get the referrals! :)

For the Life Song Adoption Fund, WOW!!! Got our socks blown off! If you still want to donate you can, we had to set an date, but really, as long as we need the money and our kiddos aren't home yet, that fund is still open to us! We have just over $7,000.00 as of Tuesday of last week!!!! God has just been so good! I mean, He's good all the time, but the blessings just keep coming!

I'm not sure just how much more my heart can take, seriously!!!!

We had someone drop off a DS on our front porch Christmas Eve for all the kids, it was used, but I don't care, just the generous gift, wow!!! I'm blown away! :)

Then we had 2 families just give the kids gifts, because they love us and they know we are tight with money due to the adoption! I'm not gonna lie, y'all made their Christmas! You went above and beyond and I'm just in totally awe and SPEECHLESS!!!!! Thank you just does not seem adequate or even good enough!

Please keep us in your prayers as we play this waiting game.. ;) I know God's got this and TOTALLY trust Him!

It's That Time of Year.... Again....

2011-12-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

(I'm gonna step out and post this... big step... ;) I wrote this 12-2-11)

I really don't want to post this, not even sure I will... But I need to get it out... ;)

I've noticed that last year and this year again, starting November I get in my "funk". I really know it's called grief, but I say funk. Because my emotions and feelings are so much in a funk, up on second, totally down the next. Crying one, laughing the next.

I've already said I didn't FULLY grieve for my dad that first year. I think I was more in shock, I mean, I KNEW he died, but I was so busy worrying about my mom and brother that I didn't take that time that I needed for myself. I'm soooo not complaining either, I'm TOTALLY fine with that. I wanted to be there for them and that's just me too, make sure everyone else is ok...

Mom went through some health probs, but it was just all the stress of dad dying... But I was so concerned about her, wanting to be there for her as much as I could across the US! Then I wanted to make sure my brother was ok!

I don't know why, but this time of year has been harder last year and starting to be again this year. I know my dad is healthy and fine and having the time of his life, and I still praise God that He took him Home... But I still find myself grieving for him. I probably always will... no one said this grieving process was easy or how long or short it would be.... every one is different....

Dad's birthday was November 2. Mom was out here and we had a good day, the kids and I and her went apple picking! We went WAAAAAY out, I don't even know how far we were out, but we were out in the COUNTRY! ;) It was GORGEOUS!!! Then the 9th was the 2 year anniversary that dad passed away to be with Jesus.

At first, to say anniversary of death was hard. I mean, how can you call that an anniversary? Aren't anniversaries supposed to be happy? Well, it is a happy day, and a sad day. But I'm gonna say more happy than sad. While yes, dad is not here on this earth, he's in a MUCH better place... So for that reason, it's an anniversary! ;)

It hit me HARD on the 8th. I was mowing the grass (ok, long story short, ok, maybe not... I've not mowed the grass since being out here, unless it's with the push mower, the push mower DIED last year! :( So Curt taught me how to use the riding lawn mower, ok, before you start laughing, you have to understand, I don't do riding lawn mowers... I"VE ALWAYS used a push mower and been PERFECTLY fine with that! ;) So at first I couldn't get the dang things started! I was too short to push in the break peddle AND sit on the seat AND turn the key! So, Curt had to push the break down for me while I put my full weight on the seat and turned the key! It was actually a pretty comically sight! ;) ) Ok, back to mowing grass... I was TRYING to get the mower to start after the kids laid down for their naps while Curt was on conference call. This was an EXTREMELY busy week, so I was trying to help him out. Plus I wanted to mow the grass since I knew how to drive it now! ;) So I couldn't get it started and he couldn't help because he was just getting on a conference call.... So I came back in the house did some major cleaning... Finally he had a break a bit after 4 where he could help me get it started... I won't tell you that I forgot to pull this one lever down in order for it to start, so it was an easy fix... DUH....

So yes, starting about 4:30ish I started mowing the grass, not much daylight left, but I was gonna atleast get the front part down! ;) So I just kept going, did the front and part of the back... But as I was mowing, wearing my dad's flannel, I was just thinking about him. Just thinking of my dad mowing, then the last time I remember him wearing that flannel shirt I was wearing...

I finally came in after mowing in the dark, find them supper, didn't feel like eating, so I hopped in the shower. I turned the hot water on, got in and as soon as that hot water hit me, I busted out in tears! Just missing him!

Still not questioning God why, but thanking Him for all the memories I have of my dad! Thanking Him that my dad was not in any pain, thanking Him that He gave us those extra years after his heart attack...

Then the 9th, I had a lovely dentist appointment.. I was actually ok that day. I called mom to see how she was and kinda funny, the 8th was hard for her too...

Getting Christmas stuff out, I really didn't want too. I didn't want to last year either. I don't know why! The kids LOVE it and LOVE seeing the look on their faces as they help put the ornaments up...

That's what I don't get. Why am I ina funk and could care less about Thanksgiving and putting up the tree?

Thanksgiving actually I kinda get... Everyone was supposed to come out to our house here to celebrate... Kris and Amy couldn't make it that Christmas to Indiana, so we decided to do it here for Thanksgiving... So maybe that's why I don't really care? But then that next year they did come out here. It was fun, it was a great week-end! But I dunno.. does my brain go back to that Thanksgiving without me really knowing it?

Then the other day, somehow Curt got to listening to Glad. Dad loved Glad. So it brought back memories of my dad listening to them. I didn't lose it then, but I'm going to see if mom has any of their cd's. I can't remember if dad only had tapes of them or not... ;)

I also know some of it is, I hold it in. I know, it's bad, but it seems like there are days where I can't break down, but then again, there are days when I do! My kids have seen me just start crying, then they come over rub my back, pat my hand, ask me if I'm ok and why I'm crying... I tell them that mommy misses Granpa. But I'm ok, I'm happy that he's in Heaven, but some days mommy just misses him.

I'm so thankful I have so many good memories of my dad! I'm so thankful he wasn't in pain.

I'm very thankful for those angels I saw that day and nite. The angel that had her hands wrapped around mom, holding her up, then the angel I saw VERY briefly as I walked in the room, but then as Curt and I were leaving that nite, the last time I got to say bye dad, I love you, there was the angel of death. Still so clear. Bright green eyes, me totally understanding what he was saying and he didn't even have to say anything. he had a smile on his face and he was saying, it's ok, he's in good Hands now. I knew that I would not be seeing my dad on this earth again.

I guess what I want people to make sure they understand, I'm not sad, but yet I am, that dad is gone. I miss him, but am SOOO thankful he is where he is. I'm thankful oh soooo thankful for all the time I had with him! I'm thankful he got to see me get married, and 4 of our kids. I'm sad he won't get to meet the other 2, but I know he's proud of me.

This whole grieving thing makes no sense some times! And I guess this time of year will be the hardest.

And the Blessings Continue!!!

2011-11-30T19:44:00.001-05:00

As if I couldn't get even more good news this week!!!

I can't remember if I mentioned that we are getting another frig, for free???

Again, we were just talking about some things this week-end, we need a new frig, we need a bigger one! The one I have barely holds what we need as a family of 6, there is no way there's enough room for a family of 8! Wow, we are going to be a family of EIGHT!!!! I don't think I've really written it out yet... ;)

Ok, sorry, back on track here...

So yes, Curt and I were talking, we were even looking at prices for the frig, etc... I REALLY want one that has freezer on the bottom, I used to have one like that in Iowa, but had to leave it at the house there! I was seriously VERY bummed, I hadn't even had it for a year before we moved! This thing was like the mother load frig! ;) but it's ok, I knew it had to stay. I knew that one day I will own a frig like that again, don't know when, and I am TOTALLY ok with that! :)

So Sunday nite Curt took Kotah to the baptism class. While he is gone with her, I get a phone call. Friends of ours are getting rid of their frig because they are getting a new one. She thought of me and all my baking that I might like it! I was like I would LOVE it, but i just don't think we have room for it. I'm seriously wrecking my brain trying to think where to put it, how to make it work.... So I said no.

Well, Curt gets home and I tell him. He was like you said no? Why? Call her back see if we can still get it! So I very sheepishly call her back to see if the offer is still open! She of course said yes! I'm very ecstatic! I am still trying to think where to put it, but we will make it work!

My mom told me to put it upstairs so the kiddos could get a mid-nite snack! HAHA, um, NO WAY! (she was just joking by the way... ;))

We just need to go get it! Need a truck and we will head over to get it! :D

Then we send an email to LIFESONG to see if there is any money in yet. We have to send emails to ask for a list and then they send it to us. Curt didn't want to ask yet, he wasn't sure that any money had come in yet, just because we only sent the letters about a week ago! I was thinking wouldn't it be cool if there was $1,000, but then I thought, nah, there's only gonna be about $300-$400! Well, wouldn't ya know that God was kinda slapping me in the face, yet again... We got an email back from the lady in total shock and awe, but she TOTALLY is praising God... she said that we have 25% of our grant money raised already! Yes, 25%!!!!!!!!!!! We have ALMOST $2,8000 raised! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still in shock and awe, I know I shouldn't be, but i am... i guess I wasn't expecting it THIS fast, although, I know by now, I should NOT be surprised!

THEN I send a text to my friend about this awesome news, but it hadn't quite sunk in yet! I was pretty much dumbfounded and in awe of the blessings this week! (minus the numbness from the dentist, but that's ok.. ;))

I was talking to her the other nite about the few things we'd like before going to China... So it included, VAN, that seats 8, so we are looking at the Honda Odyssey, then POSSIBLY another washer and dryer, but ONLY if it will work by stacking them on top of what we have, that way I can do 2 loads at once, oh yeah, that would be a dream!!! :) We also wanted/needed another or new bigger frig, Curt wants a nicer camera to take better pics, and we just need one more bed. But dunno whether to get a smaller toddler or twin size, so we are waiting...

So she said they had something for us. I was like ok cool. She said it was something off your list! I was so stinkin high on that wonderful grand Novocain that I seriously could NOT remember what i told her! i know, that's really sad.... So she dropped me a few hints and I finally got it when she said photo albums. Or I guessed she's making me a photo album. She then texted me back and said it was along those lines... I'm still totally clueless at this point! ;) Then she said you need it to make photo albums. Then like a light bulb it went off, a CAMERA! I said girl, no you aren't! But she kept insisting... they have 2 cameras, they don't need both, so they are giving us one of theirs. It takes really nice pics too! :)

After a few hours, I put the kids to bed, then Curt was laying down because he has had a head-ache all day... I go upstairs to lay with Thad in his room because he is NOT going to sleep, i hear him bouncing, then he's quiet so I know he was looking at books. But he had to go potty, then asked if I would lay with him. I DO NOT normally do this, but I was tired, so I did. I lay on the floor next to him and as he's looking at his books, it REALLY hit me! All the blessings we have received this week! It was seriously more than I cold handle!

I'm thinking, what have I done to deserve this! Wow, MY GOD LOVES me THAT much to be blessing me!! Not just me, but my whole family!

I know, I kept saying from the BEGINING that if God REALLY wanted us to adopt, HE would provide, and boy has He!

Not only has He blessed my socks off, He has blown off my toes as well! Again, I know I shouldn't be surprised, because I know He will bless us, but I jsut am in awe of HOW AWESOME our God is!!!

My friend totally got what I was trying to spit out... She said she gets what I'm saying about being in awe! On one hand you feel like WHY am I always surprised by God? But on the others hand you never want to lost that ability to be awed by Him! I couldn't have said it better my sweet friend! ;)

I'm in NO means trying to shove all our blessings in your face... I've waited 10 years for this adoption, and I fully believe that us being faithful and doing what He has wanted us to do, well, He's just blessing us! ;)

So this afternoon I sent a text back to my friend that is giving us the camera, I just said: Really? I'm in awe and dumbfounded! Have been blessed beyond belief! I can't take it all in! I'm now in tears (literally streaming down my face!) Just so extremely thankful! My heart is seriously overflowing! No matter how corny that sounds! I think it's just starting to now really sink in... Just laying upstairs with Thad... Just thinking over everytihng we've gotten! I (we) don't deserve ANY of it, but my God loves me (us) THAT much! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still don't feel as if we deserve this or any of it! But I'm so EXTREMELY thankful for all he has provided!!!! I'm so excited to be bringing home 2 little kids!!!

It's ONLY Tuesday??? ;)

2011-11-30T07:09:00.001-05:00

What a week it has been!

First off, I got the dressers, and they are AWESOME!!! I'll take pics once Iget those upstairs... yes; they are still sitting in my dining room... ;) Justbetween getting all our Christmas stuff out and all that other fun stuff, Ihaven't taken the time to move them. They really aren't THAT much in the way...;)

(It’s only been a week, so don't judge me... ;))

Yesterday I had a dentist appointment... I have cavities... the first timein my all 30 years of living... I have little ones on each side, so I have togo 4 different times (as much as I HATE to admit that, I have to go back 4different times... it's kinda embarrassing... but oh well, it's life right? ;)), no matter if there is only one on one side, they only do that one, then Ineed to go back to do the other...

Anywho... I went yesterday... They gave me the numbing gel before the shot..Well, I could feel the numbing gel hitting my tongue, I was thinking oh great,this should be fun. Then he came and gave me the shot.. After the 3rd poke, Ihad a look on my face, the doc asked, you ok, I was like uh-uh.. I couldn'treally say no b/c his hand was still in my mouth and that shot was somewhere inthere too.... He said are you ok, so I just pointed to the right side of my throat...He said did the Novocain go down your throat, and I just looked at him. So hepulled the shot out, threw it on the tray, and went and said as he was leaving,I'll get you some water. They sat me up, I tried to swallow water as my leftside of my mouth is NUMB, and the right side of my tongue down my throat isnumb. Can you see the predicament I'm in here? How in the world am I supposedto SWALLOW water from a water bottle when my mouth is pretty much NUMB!!!! ;)

I managed to swallow about half a bottle, no, I didn't spill any. ;) Then hecame back and asked if I was ok, and I just said it doesn't feel so great. IKNEW what would happen.

If you don't know me, then you don't know that a typical Tylenol cold pillwill seriously give me a high, and a Sudafed... I took an alka seltzer coldplus, just ONE pill, and I was seriously on a drug high. SO, I do NOT take anymeds at all, unless I REALLY need them. I do the homeopathic or just suffer itout... If I get a cold, I swallow garlic... yes, chop up garlic and swallow, itworks... ;)

So, yes, I knew that having swallowed this I may be in some trouble. BUTthen I was thinking, well, the last time I was in, 3 weeks ago, I did justfine, and he did more to me that time than I was getting done this time.

I got home and felt blah. Curt stayed around til noon, then he left, he wasgoing to be gone over nite... The day went on and I felt worse and worse... Iwas on the couch pretty much the whole day!

He called later to see how I was and so I said ok, but it still hurt.

Oh, I forgot to say, I got numbed up so bad I couldn't feel my left eye,seriously! Then it went down my jaw and then half way to my chin. He only gaveme a shot in my UPPER left... ;)

Then I told him he got a box, and I opened it, it was his new phone. So heended up coming home to eat supper, make sure the kids were behaving, and thenget his new phone so he could get it working for the next day.

Then he left again, I got the kids to bed, and went to bed shortly afterthem. Long nite with Thad and I was still in pain, but my stomach hurt so bad Ididn't want to take anything! I had nothing in my stomach either. I managed toeach some peaches, but that's about it!

Then today still feeling a bit bleh, but HAD to go to the store or wewouldn't be able to eat lunch... It was raining and I was starting to get thatattitude of un-gratefulness.. Then I was thinking, um, nope, I don't care whatthe weather is like, I'm GONNA be HAPPY and be THANKFUL that I have a car andmoney to go get food!

I was also thinking while I was sick after that Novocain entering mystomach, trying to think what I can be grateful about all that... Well, I canbe grateful that I can go to the dentist... All those kids, thinking about thekids in Mexico, who don't get to see a dentist, who prob WISHED they could.Then thinking about me being down and out all day Monday, it gave my body therest, well, kinda, that it needed. The kids were ok, not the best, but theywere ok. ;) They may not have been as epic as I would've liked them to be, butthey are kids and they do help out as much as they can when momma isn't feelinggood!

I'm praying for a good nties rest and feeling back to my old self tomorrow!Hoping I can brush my teeth without any pain on the left side! ;)

I'm not trying to complain, really, I am very grateful and thankful! It maybe a bother and pain at times, but again, I CHOOSE to be HAPPY even when Idon't like going to the dentist! ;) Remember to CHOOSE to be happy and thankfulin ALLLLLL circumstances, no matter what! God has you in that season in yourlife for a reason; you are going through this certain thing for a reason. Youare stuck in traffic, reflect and praise God, you are sitting in the dentistchair, what a PERFECT time to pray to God, yeah, it may not sound so prettywith the drills going, but you have NO where to go, right?

Remember, just because Thanksgiving is over, don't stop being thankful forwhat you have! ;)

Adoption Letter

2011-11-22T12:19:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Family, October 28, 2011“you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, bywhom we cry, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15b

For all ofyou who have kept even remotely in touch with Mandy or I, you know that we havea passion for kids. You have probablyseen the photos or read my blogs about trips to Mexicoor Guatemalato work with children’s homes in these countries. If you have seen any of the posts in thepast 6 months you know that God has called us to adopt; to realize full circlethe grace we have in being ‘Adopted’ by God.
Mandy and I, through prayer, decided we wanted to pursue adoption of a child from China. Then through the persistence and prayers ofour children (And ours as well) we have been called to adopt TWO special needs children from China.

So before you start thinking we have completely gone mad let me explain why we arefeeling led by God to this endeavor. Iam a visual person so let me share a visual with you. Think about your childhood and the feelingsthat flood your mind. In many cases youfeel safety, or love. These feelings areassociated with your relationship to your parents. Now imagine that at a very young age, you arein a Children’s home. You are one of 80children under the care of 4 or 5 nannies. They can’t care for you when you are sick, they don’t pick you up whenyou fall. You don’t remember yourparents. You feel abandoned by everyone.You grow up not knowing what love is, what safety is, and you begin to losehope. Those thoughts bring me totears. Now picture that in the amount of144,000,000 children. All withouthope. All without a future.

God has laid it on our hearts to give a new HOPE,a new FUTURE to 2 children from China. This has come over many years and manyexperiences. To share our journey withyou in a paragraph is impossible as I could start with a dying baby in Chinathat our James Fund group named ‘Jamie’ and sought to save. Or a 13 year old girl named Zhihong whocouldn’t understand the concept of a gift as she had never received one in herlifetime. Or I could forward to the 10+trips to Mexicoto work with cultural orphans with Back2Back ministries. The stories are numerous how God continues toopen our hearts to the orphan but ultimately it begins in the Word.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, theFather, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction… James 1:27

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression;bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause… Isaiah 1:17

There are many challenges that we know we will face in this adoption process. We have already had multiple government rulesthat have changed which delayed paperwork. There are issues that arise even many years down the road with adopted children due to their early years. Depending on the age of the child, there could be a languagebarrier. As well we are adopting special needs and that can be a challenge. Yetin it all we feel that God is preparing us for this.

In light of these challenges this is where we are seeking your help.Through it all we know that we will need God’s guidance, wisdom and strength. Your prayer support is more important to us then anything. We would ask that you post the letter, or cut out our family photo and post it where you will see itdaily. When you do please lift us up inprayer.

The second way that you can help is to support us financially. The estimated cost for adopting one childfrom China would be $36,000. As you read above we will be adopting 2 which adds to the expense. Praise God we have, through much support of family and friends already,been able to pay $6,500 in fees.

Another praise is that through Family Christian Stores, the James Fund and Lifesong we have been given a $10,000 Matching Grant. In order for us to get that $10,000 we have to find help raising it! It is just like the parable of theTalents. You are helping us turn the 10 into 20!

So how can you give:
If you would like to be a part of God bringing these 2 children into our lives you can send your Tax-deductible gift between now and December 21, 2011 to the address below. Lifesong is a trusted organization administering the funds on our behalf and will pay adoption expenses out of the funds received.
1.Please make checks payable to: LIFESONG. You may preference how the donation might be used by writing “Preference Cecil #2339 adoption” in the memo section of your check. (*Note: in following IRS guidelines, your donation is to Lifesong which retains full discretion and control over its use.)

2..Mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
Attn: Cecil #2339 Adoption
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744

3.You can also use Pay Pal by going to the following website:http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html
In the PURPOSE line please place “Preference Cecil #2339adoption”
Just please note that while convenient Pay Pal does deductbetween 1.9% - 2.9% from your donation. Yet we know that for some of us this option is the quickest and easiest!

Thank you for investing in the Kingdom through prayer and your finances – it will be an investment with aneternal return! (Matt.6:20) We will be sure to give you anupdated family photo and details of our travel when we return. Be sure to connect with us on our blogs to keep in touch on the process:Mandy: http://www.mandysabusymommy.blogspot.com/
Curtis: http://www.idratherbecaving.blogspot.com/

Please continue to pray that this entire process will glorify God and fulfill His purposes!In His strength,

(Sorry this is hard to see... We all signed our names and then at the bottom is says:Did you know there are 107,011 currently waiting adoption in the US? There are 348,067 registered churches also, if just 1/3 of them would find 1 family to adopt, we would solve this issue.Please help to advocate for this cause! James 1:27)

One More Step Further!

2011-11-21T22:08:00.001-05:00

I'm about a week behind in posting this, sorry! It's been crazy, as usual! ;)

We got all our paper work sent off to American World Adoption Agency last week. They received it on Friday. We are hoping they will look through it all yet this week so that if we forgot something or didn't fill out a paper right, we can get it done over Thanksgiving and send it back by Friday. But we don't know yet if they will or have even begun to look at it yet. ;) This set of paper work is our dossier which is pretty much the last of the paperwork, for now anyways! ;)

After they review everything and it's all there, then they will send it off to China where it will be translated! Then we can start getting referrals of kids. That's when we are gonna need some serious prayer! Prayer that we are choosing the children that God has in mind for us! I'm praying for peace from both Curt and I once we start looking at kids! I'm going to want to provide a home for all of them I am sure! ;)

We also got accepted for a matching grant. It's a $10,000 matching grant. Even if we raise $8,000, they will match it. We sent out 200 letters asking for prayers and if you feel God is leading you to help us, then to donate. But we need prayers first and foremost! :)

I know without a doubt that God has this covered! I trust Him COMPLETELY with everything! Infact, another God moment just today... ;)

I saw someone posted that she had 2 dressers she wanted to get rid of, but if you could get them by Wednesday that'd be great. I saw that someone had already posted that they were interested, but I thought, well, incase they weren't, I was! ;) So I posted that.... then I get a message Sunday saying that she would know after church if the other lady wants it or not. I then I get another message later that day that she wasn't interested, she has bigger boys, so their clothes would be to big. I then asked my friend what the sizes were for the dressers and how many drawers. One has 4 drawers and the other has 3 drawers and a mirror. I'm just sitting here in awe of just how AWESOME our, MY God is! I know He will provide, because he has and I know He will, but I guess I'm just in awe of when He has provided. Most of the times it's when I least expect it! We were seriously just a week ago discussing what we were going to do for beds and dressers. We have one of those IKEA couch's that turns into a bed, it just folds down. We have a twin sized one and a double. We are keeping the double one downstairs for guests, but moving the twin one up to Kotahs new room. So then her old bed will stay in the room with Skylar. So all we need is a dresser for the new lil girl. Then for the new boy we will get a bed (saw a nice. cheap one from IKEA that would look great and work great). But didn't know what we would do for the dressers, but I knew that it was all good, and God would provide. And let me tell you, He did. I went out and got the 2 dressers tonite.... ;)

God is so good and just blowing my socks off every time I turn around!

We aren't the only ones receiving blessings, I have a friend who just shared with me about hers, but I'm not gonna steal her show... But I will say that she has the chance to go to Haiti and needed most of the money by today, she just found out last nite. She posted on Facebook about her opportunity, and when I talked to her at 9:30 this morning, she had all but $30 that she needed! She still needs a little bit more by Dec 11th, but I'm just in awe of how God is providing for her so she can go! I guess I shouldn't be in awe anymore of God and His marvelous works and the way He provides for us, but I am. In a good way. ;)

Even if you don't think things are going your way, or you are receiving blessings, you are.

Are you alive?

Are you able to see?

Can you walk?

Do you have fresh CLEAN water! As in clear?

Do you have a roof over your head?

Working lights?

Heat?

Do you have clothes to wear?

Even when things seem down in the dumps, find SOMETHING to be thankful for!

Even if my day isn't going so great, if the kids are fighting, or I'm tired, or they are fighting me about doing school, I still find something to be thankful for. I have WAY more than I need. We all have more than we need, but yet we always want more. This is the season and the month where everyone writes what they are thankful for, but I challenge you to do that EVERY month, EVERYDAY!!! Don't let it just be in November, or when things are going your way, be thankful, in all circumstances!!!

Flower Bulbs!!!

2011-10-26T10:49:00.000-04:00

Wow, haven't been keeping up to date with this as I would like to! :\

THANK YOU SO MUCH for everyone who ordered flower bulbs from us!

My goal was to order 100 bulbs, but then I thought, ok, I'll just do 50. After a week I had 47... Then the next thing I know when I went to order them, I counted all the bulbs, I had 103!!! :) God is just saying, let me do My work here daughter! :) You said you wanted to get 100 bulbs, I'll make sure you get that!
Since we ordered 103 bulbs we made $309!!!! But then if I sent in a CHECK I was supposed to take off 2%, so we actually made $315!!! :)

We can't tell you just HOW thankful and grateful you all are! Every LITTLE bit helps!!!

I just received the bulbs yesterday, so will be in contact to get them to you hopefully by this week-end! :)

Oh, I also got a free flower bulb of my choice since I hit the 100 mark! :) Also, we have 14 different bulbs that will be growing in our Adoption Garden thanks to you all to donated!!! :)

THANK YOU just seems so inadequate... But THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Something New

2011-10-14T23:45:00.001-04:00

What a crazy busy day!

Feels like I've been going all day! Which I guess I have! Trying to get Thad to poop on the toilet, I know, maybe TMI, but that basically means just make sure he isn't hiding a corner somewhere. ;)

Um, yeah, about that... Have you EVER FOLLOWED, I mean REALLY followed, ALL THE TIME followed, a almost 2 1/2 year old??? Wowza! Talk about little bundle of energy!!! :)

Also, trying to work on a cake! Needed and wanted to get the camera part of the cake done last nite, but I was way to tired! It was a bad day yesterday. Today already started out better, the kids were kissing up by making pb bread with banana slices on top for breakfast. It was good! ;)

So between running around with Thad, trying to get some more done on the cake, making sure the older 3 were behaving... It was a crazy day! ;)

On top of that I made Thad an eye doc appointment. I've noticed over the last 2 months that his eyes were crossing more and more and not focusing back very quickly. It seemed to be getting worse and not better. I also thought it was both of his eyes, but couldn't tell. Didn't know if that was possible, so thought maybe it was in my head. I knew the appointment wasn't anymore than 10 bucks, and I really wanted to know what was going on. So today was the day.

I went in thinking, ok, he's gonna need glasses. But eye patch and surgery was way back in my head, but was trying to keep all my options open! I was also going in thinking, I am not going to make any decisions, gonna come home and do some research. But if he needed glasses, I knew I couldn't hold off. I also knew I was NOT going to get them at Lenscrafters after everything we've gone through with them! (let's just say after having Curt's glasses for 3 months, they sent us a letter saying that Curt's lens were still not right! :\ so they are on order... long story on that one if you don't already know...) BUT they have for 30 bucks a 15 month guarantee that if something happens to the lens or the frames, they replace them for FREE! ALSO, if his prescript changes for some reason in 90 days, they change them for FREE as well. So, we decided to do that, we didn't want to, but we did. He has to go back in 6-8 weeks to make sure it hasn't changed and see how he is doing. She did say that a lot of kids with what he has usually has to get bifocals, but she did it without first to try.

He has weak and bad depth perception, so that's part of the of the prob, plus he is far sighted.

Poor kid, has his momma's and Granpa's eyes! I feel bad that at the age of 2 he needs to wear them, but glad I took him in when I did. Let's just say if I didn't, his depth perception could've gotten much worse and not repairable! The doc said that you need depth perception for most jobs, so the glasses will help repair and strengthen it!

Will see how it goes the next 6-8 weeks! I'm praying that he will adjust and wear them! He kinda fought a bit with them tonite... I think partly he was tired, and his eyes were still dilated. She put 2 different drops in his eyes, so it was the STRONG dose of that! She said he did GREAT, he didn't even cry like most kids do who need that done!

Such a big boy, so proud of him today! Between the peeing on the potty, now the glasses, he's done well! He was very tired today, but so was/am I!!! ;)

Here's our lil man with his new specs!!! Such a sweet lil guy!!! :)

Ok, we have this HUGE window in our living room, and we've had a LOT more traffic since one of the roads is still closed due to the flooding we had, it totally washed the road away, so the detour is down out street... All those people got a new view of our house today, Mr Thad mooning everyone front side and back side! It's a great day!!! ;)

My breakfast that the kids made us! :) Those were some HUGE banana slices on top, but it was good! Not gonna lie! :)

WHOO HOO!!!!!

2011-10-12T22:58:00.001-04:00

As you may have read, Thad decided on HIS OWN that he didn't want to wear diapers! I was in shock and disbelief at when he decided, but trying to go with the flow and help him! But really the timing was pretty comicall! ;)

Anywho.... He's pretty much potty trained! Seriously!! The whole pooping on the potty part, still working, but getting there! ;) Maybe TMI, oh well! ;)

We've gone out to a few stores yesterday and he was in his underwear and he did GREAT! At church on Sunday he told me when he had to go!!! :) Last nite he kept waking up to go to the bathroom, ok, he woke up 2 times, but he woke up and he kept his diaper dry all nite! Nap time, I keep him in his underwear, knock on wood, he's been dry!!! :)

NO MORE DIAPERS, well, anyways for a while, until we know the ages of the kids we are getting! :)

Trying on his new undies... ok, so that's not really where they go... they were clean for the record! :)

Haha.... His front side was covered! :D

Adoption Update!!!

2011-10-12T14:52:00.000-04:00

Well, I was TRYING to do better at keeping this updated, but days are busy around here! NOT complaining though!!! ;)

I just wanted to share some REALLY cool exciting news with y'all!!!

Sunday Curt had to be at church early due to playing in the band, so the kids and I came later... I got there and we went to the sanctuary to find Curt to say hi before I had to take the kids to their classrooms. We walked in and someone found me and gave me a check for her flower bulbs that she ordered. Then Curt just looked at me with this weird look on his face. More like shock and disbelief. He was talking to someone and he reached into his pocket and pulled out a check. I said oh great, another flow--- before I could finish the sentence he just shook his head no. I was like oh, ok... Wondering what's going on. But by the look on his face, i kinda knew! ;)

I opened the check and I'm sure my eyes fell out of their sockets, but then I popped them back in and started getting all teary eyed!

Someone gave us $1,000! That was pretty much what we needed to send in for one chunk, we still need another $6,000, but the first was this $1,000 to get the paperwork started and get it done a bit faster! We were a bit shy of it from us trying to save every little penny, knowing the kids needed jeans AND 3 of them needed new tennis shoes. But I kept holding it off saying and praying, trusting and knowing that God would provide! I didn't know when, but I didn't worry about it!

Boy did He EVER COME THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still in awe of just how AWESOME our God is! I've not doubted Him one bit through this, knowing that us adopting it TOTALLY in HIS will, trusting Him that He will give us and provide what we need, RIGHT when we need it!

They told us we could wait another week and a half to send in the check, but the sooner, the better! :)

We are almost done with our dossier as well!!! We just need a few more things and that will be complete!

I'm kinda in shock at how fast some of this has come about, but yet, I'm not. ANYTHING is possible with God, we just have to stand back and let Him do His work! Trust Him completely!

Well, that's our exciting news for the week for adoption stuff! :)

God's Sense of Humor

2011-09-30T21:37:00.000-04:00

Title pretty much says it all! It's been a crazy last few days!

Curt was traveling with his boss, then came home late Wednesday nite, left Thursday around 2-3 pm, and had an overnite store re-model. He had a 9 am phone interview, then that evening (today) was supposed to be his home study interview. Well... He got home at 5 am, slept for a few hours, then did his phone interview, and had to leave right away to go back to the store. Plus be back by 4 so he would be here in time...

In the meantime this morning Thad had a different idea planned out for me.. He REFUSED to wear a diaper and wanted to wear a pair of underwear. I had 3 pairs from when Gavin was little, and I found them, washed them so they were ready for when ever... Well he found them and REALLY wanted to wear them, but he knows he isn't supposed to wear them over a diaper. So most of my time today, and when I say most, I mean all but the time that he was sleeping for a nap, and Kotah watched him for a bit so I could through in some supper, was following him. We went through all 3 pairs of undies, and then I had the brilliant of idea after his nap to let him run free. Plus he wanted his diaper off, and I didn't have any clean and dry underwear because they were in the dryer! Mind you this is at 3:30 pm, our home study coordinator was going to be here at 5. I am thinking, what am I going to do, I have a half naked kid, there are a few things out because I wasn't able to check the kids and make sure they were putting things away. I was laughing because I thought it was pretty funny, God's sense of humor! ;)

So at 3:30, she calls and says she needs to re-schedule it for tomorrow morning. So I was safe with my half naked child running around! ;)

Tonite we went out and got him a potty seat so he won't fall in! Plus he got a new package of underwear, so we are good for a bit! ;) But I may just let him run around, it stops him for going in his underwear... will see what tomorrow brings! ;)

Also we are going to go Monday to get our blood work paperwork back. I got a traveling notary to meet me there first thing Monday morning, so as soon as we get that, we can send it to the AWAA, and be just about done with paperwork! :)

So that's where we are! Curt has his interview tomorrow mid morning, she's coming here again, so better get some cleaning and picking up! It actually isn't too bad though! ;) But it's amazing what doesn't get done when your focus is changed. Ya know, like potty training a child... Such a FAVORITE thing of mine to do! ;) It will happen, just have patience! Right? Unless someone wants to do it for me...? ;)

Home Study Visit (9-27-11)

2011-09-28T14:22:00.000-04:00

Wow, that was just yesterday! Seems like forever ago, but yet not really...

I got to watch Audrey again in the morning for a few hours, and then we didlast minute cleaning. Made sure everything was picked up, the bathroom wasclean, dishes out of the sink, supper was ready for the kids, etc...

I was READY, I was a bit unsure of the questions, but I was ready... Or asready as I ever was going to be. I'm not a big fan on "surprise"meetings. What I mean by that is, if I don't really know what's going on,what's going to be asked of me, etc... I usually like to sit and process mythoughts before I blab it out, but then again, I do blab it out. Sometimes Iwish I kept my mouth shut after I've blabbed something, so I REALLY didn't wantthat to happen this time! I really wanted to know what to say and how to sayit. BUT God knew my fears and He kept me calm. I was NOT nervous, I figuredright about 5, I would be getting really nervous, but I wasn't! I had manyfriends praying for my calm nerves and I can NOT thank you all enough for thoseprayers! I seriously felt them! :)

She called just a bit after 5 and said she was running a little late. Shehad originally said she would be here between 5-5:30, so it wasn't a big deal.

I had supper all ready for the kids and I made them wait til I knew she wasabout here so they would be eating while she was talking to me, then I had aplanned on letting them watch a movie upstairs.

So right about 5:25 I let them start eating, and she showed up at 5:30. Soshe and I talked and then Necie got here at 6, so I went upstairs with the kidswhile she talked to Necie. Then I had to go back down and finish talking withher.

She basically asked all the questions that were on our auto bio, I am stilltrying to sort out why they wanted to re-ask those questions, but oh well...Not gonna lose sleep over it! ;)

Then she asked me if I got a copy of the water papers. (Even she said WATER,not SANIATION!! ;)) I said yes, I had just gotten them that morning, Iseriously did NOT want to open it, but knew she was coming so knew I hadtoo.... just seeing the whole up-keep ruffled me feathers a bit, but I got overit... I said did you need to see it thinking she hadn't seen it yet... She saidno, I have a copy. Do you understand everything he wrote down? I said yeah. Ithen said I fixed the vent, I put a screw in there. Then she asked about therailings and I told her it would be easier to show her when we go upstairs, andthen the doors are up there too.

So we started downstairs and I showed her every room. The only thing shedidn't do was open closets, but now that I think about it, all our doors areopen! LOL ;)

When we got up the stairs, I showed her the "drop-off" and thedoors that he recommended having a key lock. She just had a look on her face,like seriously? So I showed her the rooms and said that we are moving Kotahover to this room, so Skylar and then the one we adopt will share a room. Isaid I plan on keeping all the boys in one room, but we have the option of oneof the rooms downstairs to make into a bedroom if we really need to. But shedidn't seem to have a prob with all 3 in one room.

We got back downstairs, she wrote a few things down. I then asked her whatshe thought about the railing and the key locks. I said if you think we need todo something about it, I can get working on that this week. She said well, didhe say you had to do it? I said, according to the paper, it was what he observed,and then down in recommendations, he said he recommended it be fixed. But shekinda rolled her eyes, and said, I don't see a problem with those things, but Ineed to ask Susan and I’ll let you know. Then she asked about the up-keep, shesaid, what did he mean by that? Just some toys and clothes on the floor? I saidyes, I was sick all the week before so I wasn't making sure everything was putaway in the right spot. She kinda laughed. I got the impression that shethought this guy was a little too picky on some things, but he was just doinghis job. I know now for next time, when they say water, they mean SANIATION!!!!:) Make sure you can go through the house with a white glove! ;) Ok, I'm notgonna lie, my house will NEVER be THAT clean! ;)

That was pretty much it! She was here just over an hour!

Now Curts turn is this Friday between 5 and 5:30. I'm sure his won't be aslong as mine since she already did the walk through!

Oh, I said for Friday when she has to talk to Curt, I said, do you need me andthe kids to be gone? She said, no you can be here, so I said ok, we'll justhide upstairs; she kinda looked at me and laughed. ;)

We are getting closer! I need to call and see if our blood work is in and ifit is, I need to get a traveling notary to come with me so we can get thepapers notarized! Then we can HOEPFULLY give them to our coordinator on Friday!As long as they have someone available to meet me at the doc office! :)

So that's pretty much where we are! J

Still selling bulbs, pass the word on!

My cuz wrote me and said I should build on my sentence of if you don't wantto plant them, but want to help support, I can plant them in my garden.

So if anyone still wants to do that, we will make an Adoption Garden! What agreat way to be reminded every year of all who helped us bring our little oneshome!!!

Home, can't wait! I'm so uberly excited!!!! :D

Sunday Home Study Visit (9-25-11)

2011-09-28T13:53:00.001-04:00

What a crazy week! Trying to get everything all cleaned up and decent looking for our home study, which was SUPPOSED to be Sept 23, a Friday. I was watching Audrey all day, but that wasn't a problem, she was great, and we all were cleaning up after each other! Starting Thursday, I was seriously following them, saying, hey, that doesn't go there, is that where that goes, do you think you put it in there right, etc... I felt bad constantly asking them if they had everything picked up, but my house looks great and I wanted it to stay that way!
So Friday Mat came to get Audrey and at 4:15 (our meeting was supposed to be at 5) I get a phone call, saying I need to re-schedule our home study visit. I am like ok, I couldn't quite hear what she was saying, all the kids were all being loud trying to tell Audrey bye... So I said, you need to reschedule the home study visit that was supposed to be tonite, right? She kinda laughed and said yes, I said ok, when did you want to do it? She asked Sunday? I was like oookkkkkaaaay, what time? She said after church, what time do you guys get home? I said normally we are home by 1, but if we could make it maybe 1:30 so I could get us all fed? She said, ok how about 2? I said perfect!

The reason i was saying okay the way I did, it was a VERY busy Sunday for us! We had church, b-day party, then life group! With very little time after church before we had to head out for the party. So I was worried we wouldn't make it to the party, but knew we really needed to get the ball going on these visits!

So she got here at 2, and was only here for 30 minutes! When she was getting ready to leave she said that she would do the walk through on the house with me on Tuesday. And that if one of our references could be here, that would be great.

I about asked her if she wanted to do the walk through today, like now, but i didn't. ;)

I think God has a sense of humor on that, making me keep my house that much longer, me wondering if I could do it!

So again, another 2 days of following the kiddos, clean that up, put that away, you didn't put the book on the shelf right! ;) But we survived, we are all still alive!!! ;)

We got to make it to the party, and life group, we were all pretty tired by the time we got home. Infact, all the kids were asleep by the time we got home! ;)

For our visit, she just asked us a few questions that we had to answer on our auto bios and our app. There were a few others too.
She asked how long have we lived here, how long have we been a member at our church, how long has Curt worked for his company, am I a stay at home mom, etc...

She asked the kids a few questions, their ages, names, grades.... Then asked if they knew what adoption meant, how do they feel about that, are they excited to be getting a new brother and sister, etc....

Curt and I were joking, saying wow, that was fast, we either passed or it was only supposed to be that long! ;)

So another 2 days of keeping the house clean.... ;)

Adoption Fundraisier!!!

2011-09-26T22:12:00.001-04:00

We are selling flower bulbs to help with our adoption fees.

Here's a link to the flowers that we are selling, they are all bulbs.
I'll keep the order open for about 2-3 weeks, then it takes about 2 weeks or so to be delivered.

http://www.dutchmillbulbs.com/store.asp?pid=16691&catid=19813

INDIANA family/friends, I can ship your order to my mom, and then you can contact her for a pick up time...

PA family/friends, if you are interested, contact me and we can work something out!

ANYONE else that I didn't mention, contact me and we can work something out! ;)

These bulbs are beautiful! They (Dutch Mill Bulbs) guarantee that their bulbs will grow!

They are all $6. We will get 50% profit of what is sold, it will all go into our adoption jar fund!

If you don't want to plant them, but want to buy, let me know, I can put them in our yard in honor of your name. ;)

I have an order form, so please e-mail me what you want and I'll get payment from you when I see you, or just send me a check. I just posted the link so you can see the flowers! They are really pretty! :)

Just please remember NOT to purchase from the attached link as the only way we get credit for the adoption is if you order through me personally. If you want to email me your order, my email is busymommy3@gmail.com

Feel free to pass this onto a friend if you know someone who likes to plant bulbs or would like this! ;) .

Awareness....

2011-09-25T07:52:00.001-04:00

(I started this post back in 2008 and for some reason never posted it... so I found the video again b/c it wasn't posted and am re-posting it... ;))So, did you see it?How many passes did you get?I saw the 13 passes, but TOTALLY missed the bear!I'll be honest, I saw this video on 2 other blogs, but it got me to thinking. The other day driving home I noticed that the railroad lights were flashing. (On our street we do NOT have the little signs that come down and stop you from going over the tracks as a train comes by! Let me tell you that I have TOTALLY missed those lights MANY times! The trains go slow enough, but it still close enough to make you wanna pee your pants!! :O) )Anyways...I also noticed that an older couple in front of me did NOT notice them because they kept on barreling through! I was like, oh, do I honk at them, do I flash my lights? I was praying that they would see those lights and THANKFULLY they did, JUST in the NICK of time!!!! But back to the video, yeah, it's for bike safety, but how many times do we just go through life. You know, with out really noticing things? Because we are too much into "ME" that we don't notice things. I know for me, there are days that I am pretty much on auto pilot and get through the day, without noticing the little things. Kids are a perfect example!!! They always hear the "nose pecker", or see the little green things growing out of the ground, or the ants (then Gavin will step on them, but still!), they LOVE to look at the clouds and see what kinds of things they can see, they watch the birds flying.... They take the TIME to notice things! It's not just cause they are learning these things, but they have all the time in the world! I don't know about you, but I feel like I am always going from one thing to the next and don't really have time to just STOP and notice things! We need to stop being so into ourselves and notice things, and THANK HIM for what He has created!!!! I am also going to be JOYFUL tomorrow, even if it raining out!Stop and smell the roses, what an old phrase, but I challenge you to do it! Take time to watch the ants, watch the clouds!! The other day Kotah was telling me what she was seeing in the clouds, so I looked up and said, oh do you see the turtle? Gavin piped in and said he saw a dragon and dino! I love that my kids are stopping to notice the little things! They are AWARE!Instead of looking down, start looking up. That's what God wants us to do anyways, isn't it? Too look up and to HIM! Looking down causes us to think and to worry about things. Who of you by worrying can add single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27) Take the time to REALLY listen to what God is telling you! Because if we aren't being aware of our surroundings and what He has created, are we being aware to what God is telling us and REALLY listening to Him?

AHH!!!!!

2011-09-23T22:58:00.000-04:00

I'm having some computer issues, again...

After Josh fixed it, it worked GREAT!!! Curt had to use it alot because his computer was NOT working. (BTW, I am NOT blaming my husband for my now computer problems! Just wanted to clean that up!!! :))

I went to go post a recipe blog and then went into my pictures to look for a picture to post as well...

Well.... There are NO pictures! NOOOOOO pictures, no videos, no NOTHING!!!!

I wanted to cry, but then I am thinking, it's just pictures. I still have memories of everything, yes, I wanted to be able to post them or put them in a book, but oh well. What am I going to do, sit here and pout and cry? No, I am not. You know why? Because it's just one more thing that Satan is trying to attack me with and I'm SICK and TIRED of his attacks! As far as I'm concerned he can go back to H-E- double hockey sticks!

I don't know why or how my pictured disappeared, but they did. Yes, I would like them back and if we knew how to get them back, I'd take them back, but I am not going to cry over spilt milk.

I'm tired of people complaining. We have so much to be thankful for! One, we are ALIVE, two, we have a GOD who CARES about us! He has a PLAN for us, we may not like it or understand it, but we have to TRUST Him and know that He is in CONTROL!!!! We go through trials in our life, we can do 2 things with those trials. We can sit and pout and have a potty party (don't ask why the potty, another story for another time... ;)), or we can keep praising God and say I trust You, I KNOW with out a DOUBT that You will bring me through this.

You know this verse, you probably say it all the time. But this time, REALLY read it and believe it!
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (ESV)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare^[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Cancelled

2011-09-23T22:41:00.001-04:00

What a busy crazy day!

Curt left right away this morning around 7 to get his blood taken. He got back and then Audrey got here. We played and picked up for a bit then left to go to the Health Department to get our TB test done. We got there around 10ish and they told us we needed to make an appointment. So we waited for a bit to make an appointment. Thankfully they had an opening for today yet. They only do these tests on Friday, so we really didn't want to have to wait until next Friday if at all possible. Got an appointment for 1:15 and 1:30. I was thinking ugh, either no nap and very little nap, but I didn't care! ;)

Got home, cleaned up a bit more, got the kiddos some lunch, then we turned around and left to go back to the Health Department. (I did NOT see the water guy! ;))

Got back there, got asked some questions, wanted to know why I need the test... I said adoption. They saw all the other 5 kids and asked oh, are those all adopted? I said no, we are watching one and the other 4 are ours. We are going hoping to adopt 2 more, a boy and girl. She was like WOW, totally floored. Then she said, so you don't work do you? I said, wellll.... Define "work". ;)

She then was asking how long before we cold get them and where we were adopting from. So I told her China and since we are getting special needs to will be quicker than a healthy child would.

Then she stuck me, said to come back Monday from 11-3 so they could measure the bump if any.

Then Curt goes back and he takes way longer. ;) He said that the nurse told him that all the ladies who saw me, they came to the conclusion that I was 14 years old! HAHAHA!! Fourteen, I've never been told I looked that young! ;)

He also had gotten a Hep B shot over a year ago before he took one of his Mexico trips. One of the places he went too, one of the little kids had Hep B, so they all had to get a shot before going... so he went to the Health Department to get it, and their records showed that he hadn't gotten the 2nd dose 6 months after the 1st one. So she was trying to figure out if she could give it to him, or if he had to start over. So she called in another nurse... Long story short, they got to talking and come to find out this other nurse went on a medical missions trip with one of the ladies that leads the ones at New Life! So the 1st nurse was talking and saying that it sounded like something she wanted to do! :) (gotta get her hooked up, we have her name and know where she works... ;))

We finally got back home after 2, put all the kids in bed, but no one slept! Thad feel asleep on the way home, but he didn't stay asleep like he normally does... So between cleaning and working on the up-keep of my house, I was busy! Kotah was a wonderful help and helped me with Thad and cleaned the bathroom for me! :) It was a busy but productive day!

Got a call about 4:10 saying that we needed to re-schedule for the home-study. She asked if we could try for Sunday, I said sure, what time? She said after church, what time do you guys get home from church. I told her we could be ready by 1:30-2, we get home right before 1, then that gives me enough time to feed the kids and clean up a bit. She said ok, let's go for 2. So, we are on for Sunday at 2 now! Just hoping I can keep the house picked up and decent looking for Sunday! ;) I'm in the toddler room on Sunday, so I have to be there a little bit earlier and then by the time we leave, but it's all good! Not complaining! :)

The Vampire...

2011-09-22T21:59:00.001-04:00

Yeah, no worries, I am not much into vampires and all, but that's what I call the peeps that take your blood, and I know there another name for them, but I can't think of it at the top of my head. I am going to blame lack of sleep and the fact that I had my blood taken that I can't remember the right name! ;)

Anyways...

Last nite the kiddos and I went up to Manassas to celebrate Curt's birthday with him since he wasn't home. We spent the nite at the hotel with him and then the kids and I left at 7:30 this morning to make it in time for the girls 10 am yearly check up. I almost cancelled it, but I decided to keep it. We got to the doc office at 9:35, walked in and actually got in and out by 10:40, that's a HUGE shock right there! ;) We left there and then I drove over to the vampires. Got there right around 11:00, got the paperwork done and started at 11:10, had to pee in a cup then she did a breath test, then she took 5 tubes of blood, had to drink a wonderful sugary drink. Ok ladies who have had a baby, you know that sugary drink you need to take, yah, it was a bit more sugary than that, and it coated my throat! She said I needed to drink it in one sip without stopping and try not to take a breath. Oh and drink through the straw. I am like ok... I drank it, lovely, had a hard time afterwards, since it was sticking to my throat I felt like I couldn't swallow or breathe, so I was telling myself to breathe slowly through my nose. So after a few slow breathes, I was ok. So I had to sit there for another 15 minutes so I could do another breath test. Left there at 11:35, and ran into Giants to get the ice cream so I could make Curt's ice cream cake, which is already a day late. :\

Got home and fed the kids some lunch, they did a little bit of the upkeep that I needed to work on ;), then put them down for a nap. I did some laundry and found something to eat for lunch, seeings how I hadn't eaten anything since 8 the nite before, and it was already 1... I only had 2 glasses of water when we got home.

It's been a busy day of trying to work on my upkeep of my house... the upstairs is almost as clean as, well, as clean as it will ever be most likely! haha! ;)

Tomorrow Curt is going to go get his blood taken, then he will come back home. We are watching Audrey tomorrow as well, so once she gets here, we will leave to go to, get this, the HEALTH DEPARTMENT, (I think God has a mjor sense of humor!!! ;)) to get our TB test done. Then we will have our first in home home study visit. Our orientation at the AWAA home office was considered our 1st visit. :)

So after I wrote the last blog about the water guy, I got to looking at his card. After he left he handed me his card, but I didn't look at it beacsue I had 3 ltitle ones trying to ask me a question about their school work they were doing. So I just put it on the piano and left it. I forgot about it and then like I said, after I wrote the last blog, I went to go look at his card. It said he is from the Health Department, soooo, that would explain the "you need to work on the upkeep of your house" comment! It still took me off guard, but oh well. ;)

Water Guy

2011-09-20T16:04:00.001-04:00

Do you like my title...? My hubs was making fun of some of my titles, but hey, I am tired, I really don't care! Plus, it's all about water inspection. ;)

We sent our water inspection form in a while ago, prob about a month now? We also checked and saw that they cashed our check almost right after sending it, so we knew they got it but was trying to figure out why they hadn't called us to set up a time. I made a deal with Curt, I'd call and find a doc if he would call water, plus, I called for fire inspection, it was his turn! ;) Cruel, maybe, but I thought it was fair! haha ;)

So he called and got ahold of the gentlemen, he was going to come out right away, but he had to go to the fair to check something out there. So he made an appointment to come to our house today. Well, I had made our doc appointments for today. So I called and cancelled my appointment and made it for tomorrow, while Curt went and got his physical done. I stayed here for the water dude. ;)

He was supposed to be here at 9:30, he calls me at 9:30 and says that he is running late... I am like fine. He then asked if I could turn on the water on a non-swivel faucet on cold about the width of my finger. I am like ok. Do you want me to turn that on now? He said yes. I am trying to figure out why it needed to be cold and running for 15 minutes, but oh well. He got 2 bottles of water, then said he needed to go take it out to his truck and put it on ice. Then he came back in, and I had to flush the toilet, then he wanted to see the upstairs.

Before we go any further with this story.... I busted my butt cleaning the downstairs and putting things away. I had all the kids school books out in the living room on the floor, the game/guest/school room was a MESS, I was sick with a head-ache all last week, seriously, everyday, woke up with one, went to bed with one, no break. Thad had gotten into some puzzles and mixed up all the pieces. It was just a mess... Toys here and there, laundry SERIOUSLY needed to be done.... I was basically getting done what needed to be done, and every time I tried to get up to do something, it would make my head hurt worse, so I just gave up! So yesterday I had a bit of relief from my head-ache, and I KNEW I needed to get busy and get the house picked up and somewhat clean. Knowing full well that I will get it even better for the home study on Friday. But just enough to make it look ok. So when he said he wanted to go upstairs, I am like ok....

Ok, we go up the stairs, he starts asking if this is the only way up, and I say yes, it is. He said it's really odd that the stairs on the back side of the house and not the front. Then he was like oh, it was probably an attic and then added this part on huh? I said, yes, I think so. So he went into the girls room, and said there is a screw missing from the vent, that needs to be fixed. I said ok, I'll get that fixed. Then starting to go back downstairs, he noticed the 2 doors on either side that are storage. He said, what's in there? I said storage. He said open the door, so I open the door, he then looks at it, then looks at the door. I don't like that there isn't a key lock on these doors, you really should get a key lock on these doors, and I don't like that this has a drop off with no rails.

We have a slight ledge, wide enough for a kid to sit on, no railings. So he said, I need to write down things that I observe, and I am going to write down, about the screw in the vent, then I am going to write about the key lock, and the railings, also, you need to do a better job on the upkeep of your house, esp the upstairs. now I know you have kids and things happen, but it's just something that I have observed.

I'm also thinking, you were supposed to check my water and make sure what little chemicals I have in this house are in a safe spot, you aren't supposed to tell me my upkeep on the house needs some work!!! (can you tell I'm a but flustered? Yes, my house isn't always clean, chances are you come to my house, there will a room or two that's messy or has dust, but my kids are fed, I play games, read books with my kids and I teach them. I cant have a perfect house all the time! I should mention that Thad is 2 1/2 and ALLLLLL boy!!! Am I making excuses, no, just being honest!!!! ;))

I look at him, like are you serious? If I would've known he was going to come in with a white glove, I would've busted my butt for the upstairs too! Ok, he didn't have a white glove, but it sure felt like it!
I swear this guy is ex military, plus he's also very prim and proper. I told Curt he prob pulled up to the house thinking, oh man, I really need to get on gloves to go in this house, only b/c we have some major weeds outside! ;)

The upstairs is more the kids area, I don't clean up there as much b/c it's their space. They are responsible for it, it's their rooms and the play room. Yes, I clean it, but not as much as I clean the downstairs. Also, with being sick and not doing anything for a week, and not checking to make sure they were really doing a good job at cleaning, it's gonna get messy.

Oh well, it's over and I'm ok. ;) Like I said, I planned on really cleaning up there and making sure most little things were picked up, but didn't worry about it with this guy, the water dude!

He said that he will send in the water samples, if it doesn't pass, he would know by Friday. So I am praying that it passes so he doesn't have to come back out again!!! I know, that sounds bad, but he had me nervous! He walked in the door and saw the younger 3 and asked why aren't you in school? They said we are HOME SCHOOLED!!!! :) With big huge smiles on their faces! He just got this look like, oh, then he said, ok, well, you go do your work and stay out of my way and I'll stay out of your way. I was like ok....

So that's done, now I have my physical tomorrow morning, then Thursday morning I take the girls in for their yearly check up, Friday even we have our first, well second, but first here at the house, home study! :)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am off to go clean my upstairs with a tooth brush and bleach! ;)

Update, Friday

2011-09-19T21:28:00.000-04:00

Wow, I am really behind! SOOOOO much has happened, not all good either... Not all bad, but let's just say it has been very eventful!!! ;) My computer is now up and running thanks to Josh for fixing it!! I owe him big time! Better get moving on the meals he has requested!! ;)

Anywho... I am getting ready to get my lil munchkins in bed, so I'm signing off for now, but I will be catching this up!

I will prob put the date of what happened as my title, so there may be a ton of posts in one day... But then again, Curt had to send his computer off to HO to get it fixed again, so I may not be able to post as much as quickly this week-end...

Tomorrow Skylar is having 2 friends over for a mini birthday celebration! She's soooo excited!!!! She did ask if Anysley could come... Anysley moved to Texas this summer, Skylar misses her so much! It was so sweet, she said, I want Eden and Savonna to come over, I'd really like Anysley to come too, but she can't, she moved to Texas and I know she can't make it here for my birthday party, I really miss Anysley, I wish I could go visit her.

The reason for all the commas, she didn't stop to breathe that whole time she was talking! ;)

So in between cleaning, sorting, schooling, cooking, organizing, church, yard work, and breathing, I will do my best to get this up to date and soon! I really can't wait to let y'all know what God has been doing in this family! like I said, it hasn't been all good, but I still give God all the glory! He has a plan for us, while we see the here and now, He sees the bigger picture, He really knows what He is doing. We may not understand it right now, but we have to trust Him, know that He has the best for us, we may have trials here and now, but keep our eyes on Him, He will get us through, and bless us for trusting Him!

Keep checking, I promise more to come!! Also, recipes will be posting more of those soon!! Yah for having my computer back!! :)

Dolphin Tale

2011-09-01T14:19:00.002-04:00

Yeah, you read it right! ;)

There is a new movie coming out called Dolphin Tale! Can I just tell you that I am pretty excited about this! Why you ask? Well, for starters it has CHRISTIAN values in it and I saw a little preview of it... Pretty awesome!!!

Its hard to find good quality movies that are actually GOOD that get my kids attention. I know that as my kids get older they will still like this movie!

Oh and you know what else? You can get some FREE, yep, you read that right too, FREE curriculum to go with this! So you can go watch the movie and then come back home and use the curriculum to go over it! So for all you home school families out there, this is AWESOME!! Those of you who aren't homeschooling, it's still really good for you guys as well! It's great to talk about the movie and use the curriculum as a guideline!

Check out this link.... :)

(sorry, it won't just take to you the link, you have to copy and paste it! :\)

http://www.itakejoy.com/giveaway-calling-all-moms-families-and-homeschooling-leaders-to-help-with-dolphin-tale/

There is also something called Home school Movie Club, there is a blog, and they are also on Face book, check them out too! :)

Wow!

2011-08-30T16:40:00.001-04:00

Can I just say that it's been a bit crazy lately!??! ;)

We are back home again, until we go to Indiana after Christmas, so I am hoping to catch up on recipes for that blog and then this blog!

So much to tell where we are at for the adoption! I am about ready to get some supper for the kiddos, so I can't write much right now, but hoping to catch up a bit tonite!!! :) So be prepared, there may be quite a few blogs coming! I'll try to do a few small ones so it isn't one huge one to read! ;)

Really?

2011-07-22T16:48:00.003-04:00

Trying to get all this paperwork started so it's under our belt before we leave for vacation! ;) As much as possible anyways... ;)

I was finishing up my auto-bio last nite... You have to write atleast 2 pages, but no more than 4. If you tell me how many pages you have to have, I'm not gonna be able to do it, I'm gonna get writers block. I will write one line, call it quits. But if I just go and write, do my own thing, I'm fine. But yah, tell me what I'm supposed to write and how many pages, nope...

Honestly, I was trying to get it done all last week and this week. Or atleast started last week. But one thing after another, I just didn't do it.

This week, I knew I had to get it done, but have been working on 2 cakes this week as well. So crazy busy with that, trying to keep the kiddos happy, play with them, also keep the house somewhat clean... I kept putting it off.

So last nite I grabbed my computer.. Oh, that's another thing, my computer cord is going bad, or something. It has a mind of it's own. It has some wires showing, so it won't always charge my computer even if it is plugged in! GRRR.... I jiggle it, jam it, put it in gently, anything, nothing works. So my computer was about dead, I didn't want to start it then it die on me. A friend told me to e-mail it to myself, and then I could work on it on hers.

Ok, back to last nite, I sat down while we were watching LOST, opened my computer, and what do you know? It was charging! WHOO HOO!!! So I started writing, I was thinking, I am gonna knock this thing out!

I was seriously had 2 -3 paragraphs to go, I had written out 2 pages, small font.. Big huge step right there for me! ;) I go to hit the save button, didn't even THINK that it didn't have me name the file... Went and closed it... Then I had a feeling, so I opened it back up and couldn't find it! :\ My heart sank a bit, but I wasn't stressed or mad...

I told Curt and he was really upset for me, he looked EVERYWHERE trying to find it for me. Let's say say it was almost 1am and he couldn't find it. I kept telling him, don't worry about it, I'll just re-write it. But he felt so bad... he did realize though that I don't have an auto save on my computer, so he set it up where it has that now! ;)

So... now I get to re-write it, but I'm putting it off. I'm going to finish the cakes and during our yard sale tomorrow, I'll start re-writting it! :)

Paperwork!!!

2011-07-12T21:05:00.003-04:00

We got a phone call and an e-mail tonite telling us that we can now start the paperwork!! LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!! ;)

We printed out all the papers of info... Lots of things to get around...
We need to get a new birth certificate, marriage license... can't be copies... So praying that once we get the online form filled out, we will get them quickly... ;) There are other things we need to get as well, paper work from our doc's, background checks from all the states we lived in... That one will be the fun one, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Maryland! Again, praying that we can get them quickly! And if we can't, that I won't be stressing about not getting them! ;)

We also e-mailed our "contact person" (the lady that sent us this e-mail is the person we will have until we get our child(ren)! She's the one we ask all questions, etc...) about the home study since we still haven't heard on that one. Hoping to know more about that this week! :)

Anywho, that's where we are so far!

Oh, we have had 2 garage sales and have made $800! :) We had to send a $2,000 check in a few weeks ago and we had $1,500. With our first garage sale, I said, it would be cool to get atleast $400! Then as the day was going on, there was a buck here and there and then 20 here and there... I was thinking, wow, we won't even make $300! After we packed it all up, came inside and counted the money... Guess how much we had made? We made EXACTLY $501!!!!! I said, ok God, I get it, I trust You, You got this!!! :)

God is providing and I need to keep trusting Him for everything, including the paper work!

Thank you for all your prayers!!!

Can't Sleep

2011-06-21T23:38:00.002-04:00

Ugh, my mind is going a mile a minute and I can't sleep! I hate when that happens! Especially when Curt isn't home! That's usually when it happens! :\

Lots of things going on, some changes, for the good, but kinda got surprised how they all came about...

Fathers Day was going ok for me, then it just hit me. I miss dad... I just love (NOT) how grief comes, when you least expect it. Since Sunday I haven't been able to get out of my "funk". That's what I call it. Because usually other things are going on at the same time, sometimes good, sometimes not, and then grief hits me, so I am down and out. I'm a wreck for a few days, just start crying....

Been having fun sitting outside and reading (yes, reading an ADULT book, one by Ted Dekker!!! :D) watching the munchkins play. They like to sit in front of the Japanese Maple and dig, well, not really dig, but they get dirty! I think they are making mud pies, or dirt pies since I won't let them turn the hose on, drag it out front and make some mud! So dirt pies it is for them! ;)

This is seriously a random post. Just one of those get some thoughts and feelings out...

The changes, will be good. I just remind myself that it's all in God's hands. He is looking at the bigger picture, while I am just sitting here looking at it one day at a time. The way it went about, it was a bit of a surprise, a little hurt, but it's all good. God's got this, I trust Him. Less stress for me, which means more time for my kids and cleaning! Whoo hoo on the cleaning part... NOT!! ;)

I really need to sit down and figure out what else I need for the kids for school next year! I can't believe that Skylar will be in kindergarten, Gavin in first and Kotah in fourth!!! YIKES!!! Where are my babies!! Thad can count to ten! It's crazy how fast, yet slow, the time has gone! ;)

I saw a friend post about her command central, and I am REALLY eager to try it! I just haven't had the time to put it all together! I think it will help a TON! :) Just need to get a few things for it, but then again, I may just figure it out with what I got! ;)

Ok, I think that is enough for now... Sorry, it's all over the place, but that's pretty much what I'm thinking. I know, I am weird, and I'm ok with that!

Better get some sleep, they will be up before I know it! I made up a batch of yeasty waffles I saw on a friends page, I hope I did it right! haha!!! ;) I want to get up in enough time to cook them for the kids before we have to get out for the day! :)

Good-nite!

More Waiting

2011-06-20T15:27:00.002-04:00

Just a little update on where we are with the adoption process. ;)

We've been waiting to hear back from AWAA for the Home Study, since that is the next step. Until we get that done, we really can't do anything, other than put money aside! ;) Which we were doing, we needed $2,000 once we sent in some paperwork. We were putting some aside and were about $500 short. We had a garage sale Saturday and made $502!!! At first I was thinking, man, we've only make like $100, there's no way we are even gonna make 400, like I was hoping to! ;) Then when all was said and done, we counted the money and it was $502! I think that was God's way of saying, Bam, I TOLD YOU I got ya covered! TRUST ME! I find it a bit funny that he made exactly $502 not $499, or $500, but $502! ;)

So we wrote a check and I need to take it to the Post Office to get it sent out. So we made sure we had all the paperwork we needed, plus the check.

We got an e-mail from the lady at AWAA saying that they are STILL waiting to hear back from China about the homestudy. It could be a few more months before they hear anything, so they told us to go ahead with a different organization to do the home study. Her boss is out of town until next week, and he will be able to tell us the "good" ones to try. So, after next weak I am hoping that we will have a better idea who to call for the home study to get that started!

We are going to do another garage sale this week-end! People have been donating things for us to sell! Kinda funny how it all started!

I mentioned to a friend who have recently brought home their little girl from China, and said that we "kinda" thought about having a garage sale to start raising some money. So she was looking in her garage ready to get the stroller out and cleaned up to take to Goodwill when she remembered out conversation. She e-mailed me and asked if we were going to do it. I said funny you should mention that. Just the nite before I had a conversation with God saying, ya know, we don't have enough things to even make it worth while to do a garage sale. I'm just going to take what i have to Goodwill, be done with it. God said, no, you are going to do a yard sale. I said but God, I don't have, and He interrupted and said, I've got you covered. You will have a yard sale. I said, ok God, I trust You.
So then to get the e-mail from my friend saying that was like wow!! :)

Then that Sunday (this whole conversation with God was on a Thursday, my friend sent me an e-mail that Friday) I was telling 2 other friends what was going on. My one friend is moving and she said, I can bring my stuff for you to sell? I said, yeah, if you want the money to go in the adoption jar fund! She was so excited! She brought over 2 car loads!!! ;) Then the other friend brought about 2 car loads as well!
Then I just mention about my God moments on my Facebook status and had quite a few other people say they wanted to donate things as well! I was just TOTALLY blown away by everything that has been donated! I appreciate more than I can ever say!

So, we will do another yard sale and bake sale this week! Come out for some good bargains! ;) All money is going right in our fund! We have paid just over $2,000, and still have a bit over $30,000 to go. Now, it may be more if there are 2 children involved. I still don't know if we are getting one or two. The number 2 has been placed on my heart, and the kids are still saying they are getting 2, a brother and a sister. I told them, we don't know! That it's all in Gods hands!

So, that's about where we are right now. More waiting, but it's all good! Hopefully when the lady's boss gets in town next week, we will know some more and can get the ball rolling on the homestudy! :)

APPROVED 5-6-11

2011-05-10T09:26:00.003-04:00

So, I guess we've been approved! American World Adoption Agency has APPROVED us today!!!!!!!! Friday, May 6, 2011! :D :D :D :D :D

My dear husband has been on and off the phone so much today! He's has a gazillion phone interviews and calls all day! It's been crazy! Thankfully the kids have been pretty good, but we were gone for most of the morning doing some shopping! ;)

We had a little bit later supper tonite, so I was still cooking it at 5:30. The phone rang about 5:40 and looked at the caller id, it was a 703 number, just had that feeling that I need to pick it up. The lady said, hello Mandy? This is Sara from American World Adoption Agency. i said, oh hi, how are you? She said great, how are you? Then she said that we've been approved for the adoption! I literally started jumping up and down. Of course, she didn't hear that! ;)

She then went on to tell me some other things, I don't remember it all, but it's ok, she was calling to tell me that she was calling about the e-mail she was getting ready to send. But wanted to call and talk to us first. She would hit send right after hanging up the phone.

She also stated that China has changed some things JUST this week about the whole home study. Something that they didn't agree with. AWAA does the home study for certain states b/c they have an office here. SO, that would've been the next step, but for now, we wait until they hear back as to what China wants. Either AWAA does it, or they get in contact with someone that China agrees with.

She then told me that there is an 8 hour video training that we needed to do. We had 8 weeks from the time we signed up to do. We signed up that Friday and got it done that Saturday nite! :)

It was very informative, and I know I don't remember everything! But they talked alot about special needs as well. I know our world is going to change, and it may be rocky at time, but I KNOW with out a doubt that we are doing what God has called us to do!

Sara told us that we should know by next Friday about the home study and all. Again, more waiting, but I know that we've been approved, it's just waiting on the next step. ;)

I got off the phone with her, supper was ready, got it out for the kids and sat down. I couldn't eat, I HAD to tell Curt, so I jumped up, went back to our room where he was still on the phone! :\ He had briefly seen the e-mail, so he kinda knew, but he didn't know that she had called and talked to me! So as soon as he got off the phone, I said, she called! ;) We've been approved, and everything else is spelled out in this e-mail! :)

We called and told my mom, well, the kids did! They said, you're gonna be a gramma, but not the way you think! ;) my mom knew it was coming! ;)
So then we called Curt's parents and said the same thing! :)

We've been doing some cryptic status' on Facebook to see if anyone got it! Some did, some didn't! :)
I put down, Happy Mothers Day to me... The Cecil house is gonna get crazier!
It was funny and fun to see every one's responses!
Then Curt wrote down we are the pirates who don't do anything song, and he put a few CAPITAL letters that spelled out ADOPTION.
Then my next one was, so excited for the wink wink, please pray for me!
And then I had the capital letters that spelled out CHINA! ;)

Again, a few people got it, and still a few people had no clue! :)

Now, pretty much everyone knows, and if they don't, they do now! ;)

I'm so excited that we are taking this journey and so excited to see what God has in store for us! I thank Him that His timing is perfect, even when we don't always think so. And i pray that i remember that even if we are still short some money and it's due right away! :)

Waiting! 5-3-11

2011-05-10T09:25:00.001-04:00

Waiting, trying not to think about the application and whether or not we get/got approved! Trying to keep myself busy! ;)

Saturday, April 28, 2011

2011-05-10T08:27:00.004-04:00

Wow, what a day!

Curt told me this week that we were going to go to this adoption seminar. Me thinking, wow, great, my heart is going to break all over, and we won't be able to adopt... But then part of me was thinking, YES, we can FINALLY do this! I also had 2 cakes that were due and was supposed to be delivered on Saturday morning, so I called them and got them switched to Fri nite and then Sat afternoon.

We went, and it was like God was telling me, you guys are going to adopt, and it's going to be sooner than you think.

We've gotten papers in the past about American World Adoption Agency and Bethany Christan, but we never really did anything about it. One reason, I wasn't old enough, ok, we both weren't old enough. ;)

Let me back up a bit here, way back! ;)

When we were first married and lived in MI, there was this HUGE 3 story house that we always passed going to IN and then back home to MI. I ALWAYS said, we are gonna get that house and it's going to be filled with kids! We are going to have an orphanage. I LOVED that house, I mean, this house was HUGE! It had about 10 windows all across the front, each story, then about 4-5 on the sides! It reminded me an older house where the servants lived on the 3rd floor. It would have been PERFECT! Of course, newly married, flat broke, it wasn't in the plans then. But my heart would somewhat ache just a little bit every time we passed that house.

Fast forward to a few years later, Curt went to China with the James Fund. He called me one day, crying, and then or course I start crying once he tells me all about Zhihong. I got to looking after that phone call if we could somehow adopt her. Unfortunately, there was NO way that we could. There were a few reasons why, one, didn't make enough, two, wasn't old enough, three, that wasn't God's plan. That's a hard one to swallow, not knowing what was going to happen to Zhihong, knowing that wasn't what God wanted us to do right then.

Fast forward a few more years.... Adoption has always been on my heart, no matter if I was prego or not! :) Especially China.

So I guess you could fast forward to the present! ;) Joseph and April got to bring home their beautiful daughter, I was excited beyond belief for them! Once I saw Anabelle, I know that God was telling me that our lives were going to change, but for the better! You know that once God tells you something, you BETTER obey or prepare yourself, right? ;)

Curt has a guy that works at his local store here in town. They have adopted 5 kids from China and are working on 6 maybe 7? I remember going into the bookstore to get something, and ran into him and was talking to him. He mentioned something about an adoption seminar coming up that next month. My heart leaped a little bit, but didn't say anything.

Well, we weren't going to go, but then that Monday, Curt told me we were going. I was a little nervous, but yet excited.

Needless to say, we got home, got the kids fed, got them down for their naps. I was doing something so I wasn't eating at the same time with the kids, so after I got them down for their naps, I sat on the couch with a bowl of cereal. Curt sat next to me and said, so what do you think?

I just smiled and said, well, you know I HATE and I mean H-A-T-E soggy cereal, so why don't you talk to me while I eat! ;)

He told me he felt that God was telling him we need to adopt! I just said with my mouth full, so completely lady-like I know, IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!! :)

I went to meet my friend to deliver the cake, and Curt was home filling out the on-line application!

I can't tell you what I have been feeling this whole week, waiting! :\ Nerve wrecking, wondering if we would be accepted or not!

We went out to eat with Joseph and April and picked their brains a bit. All we heard were happy stories at the seminar, we wanted the truth! ;) We knew it would be hard, nerve wrecking, but oh so rewarding too! :)

We decided to do as much of the paperwork as we can to save money. It's not going to be cheap, but I KNOW that God will provide! It may seem like it's not enough, but He will provide! I am not going to stress about the money, we will apply for grants and hopefully do some fundraisers, already got my wheels turning for the fund raisers part! ;)

We applied for a special needs girl. Ages 1-8. BUT, I am open to whatever child God wants us to have, even if the child is younger. I am open to a boy as well, I don't know what God has in store.

That night while Curt prayed, he asked God to touch THEM and let THEM know that we are coming. After he said AMEN, I said, do you realize what you just said? You said THEM? Before putting the kids to bed that nite (Saturday), Gavin prayed for his new brother AND sister, and then going into the girls room, Skylar did the SAME thing. I am telling you, she did NOT hear her brother at all! We sat them down Sat afternoon telling them what we were doing and what they thought! I wish I would've had the camera, Kotah face said all! It was almost like, she KNEW it and was saying the same thing Curt and I both said to each other, it's about time! :) Then Gavin and Skylar got this huge smile on their face as well! :)

We also marked that if the child we wanted has a sibling, we would take them as well. So, guess what the kids are doing? They are praying for their new BROTHER AND SISTER! ;) They are asking God to tell them that we are coming, not to worry, we are coming to get them!

Special needs can be anywhere from heart defect, hearing, birth mark, deaf... It just varies. I don't know which child we will get. I just know that God has the right one(s) for us!

Satan's Attacks

2011-04-20T00:01:00.005-04:00

Have you ever just gone though the motions? Yes, there is a song for that, but seriously.. have you?

I'd be lying if I said I didn't, infact, I just was, just this last week too!

Why is that Easter and Halloween the devil seems to attack even more so? I mean, seriously, are we gonna let that guy win? No way!

I am trying to be more open, so take what you read, I guess however. Not to be rude, I don't mean too, but I've said this before, this is my bog, these are my thoughts, and if you don't want to read it, then don't! ;) I mean that out of love, not hatred. Ok? ;)

Lately I've been in my "funk" again... I get up, get showered, make sure the kids are fed, all meals, do some school work, go to church, give the kids showers, clean up what I only need to clean up, because I really don't care about the rest, sit on the couch, Curt and I watch a movie, we both have our laptops open and I close mine and usually fall asleep before the movie is over. Even when I kiss him good nite, I just say, good-nite, kiss him and roll over and go to sleep.

My husband and I weren't talking. Or more like I wasn't opening up to him. I have this problem of keeping things to myself. Sometimes I don't 100% know what I am feeling, so I just brush it off and say I am fine. Even if I "kinda" know what's wrong, but don't want to talk about it, I say I'm fine. He lets it go, even though he knows something is up.

The problem with keeping things to yourself, they are gonna surface and when they do, things can get ugly! If you know what I mean?

They got a bit ugly, but honestly, it wasn't THAT bad... It was, but it was a good ugly. If that makes any sense? ;)

I cried my eyes out, we talked, we got things out, we both talked how we are/were feeling, and honestly, we are good. Ok, not just good, but GREAT!

I could tell the devil was getting to us, yes, both of us! Not just me! We are both really involved with the church and getting a bit more involved and he is just trying to eat at us so we drop what we are doing at the church. But I can tell you that is NOT going to happen!

A friend told me that he can bend us, but he will NOT break us! In times like these, we cling to God more than ever! He is our strong hold and refuge!

Also, I wasn't as close to God as I should've been. I read my devos and listen to the sermon since I don't get to hear it on Sunday mornings, but do I REALLY read it and SOAK it in? No, I was just going through the motions just to get that check mark on my to-do-list. Wow, that stung, just writing it out. Man, I am getting pretty open and honest here! How many of us read our devos from our computer, or a devotional book, but never crack open our Bible? I've done that, I am sure we all have. It's so convenient to have our computers or our iphones, or our ipod/ipads right there with everything that we need, that we never crack open our Bible to STUDY His word! I cancelled my daily scripture Bible reading to my computer in January, just so I could open up my bible and take notes!

Sure, you can read it right there and get on with what you need to do, and that's the problem. You just go right on doing what you need to do, that you don't just SIT and LISTEN to what He is trying to tell you! What He wants to tell you! How have we become SO busy that we can't sit and REALLY study and read His word! How can we not give even 30 minutes of our time to Him? How often are you on your computer? How often are you playing a game on your ipod/ipad, or even your phone? How often are you checking your e-mails? Can you just take a portion of your time and give it to God?

I've had a few reality checks lately... ;) Curt's been reading a book called WEIRD. He told me I need to read it. I was like, yeah right, whenever, I want to read these other ones first. Well... I jsut listened to a sermon by the author who is a pastor at LIFECHURCH.TV. TOTALLY check it out! I wanted to listen to the 2nd sermon on the WEIRD series, and got too busy playing with the kids! Then I was going to do it tonite, but really wanted to get this off my chest! ;)

I guess what I am trying to say is, again, it just bugs me how busy life has gotten! Do we really need to spend that much time on some electronic device?

I can tell you that Curt and I usually watch a movie every nite after the kids go to bed... So that's what, 7 movies a week? (Ouch, that's alot!!! :\) And this last week, we seriously watched 2. It was nice to just sit on the couch and talk, or play a card game! We both got too busy that we just let our relationship kinda slide. It's both of our faults, not just his or not just mine, it's was both of our faults! You know why? Because we let the devil get to us, not majorly, but little things here and there...

I challenge myself to limited time on my computer, my phone and the tv. And I can say, I've been doing good! ;)

Sure, I need to do e-mails and stuff, I want to try and start posting recipe blogs again, but do we REALLY need all that extra stuff? I won't let my kids play Wii or play on Curt's ipod or on my phone, so why should I get to? They have chores they need to do and school work, but the main thing is, I don't want them to get so used to playing with some electronic game, that they don't want to play an old fashioned card or board game. Or that they fuss and whine because I want them to play outside! And when I do let them play, they are soooo happy! ;) It's all in moderation, i know, and we do let them play, but they know that playing those games are SPECIAL! ;)

Ok, so this may be extreme, but how often are you letting your kids play a electronic game? And I am not saying its you or your child... this is just what I witness out in the world. It's the normal, but I DO NOT want to be normal! I want to be the God kind of weird! I want to be the 7 day a week soooo passionate about Christ weird! Does that make sense?

I challenge you, if you are still reading this, to really look at how much time you are spending with God. We all get in runts and sometimes we need a little slap to get us going again in the right direction. I got my slap.

To be weird, you need to stop CARING about what others think of you and just be that God kind of WEIRD! Will you? Remember though, don't do what that other weird person is doing, you know why? Because you won't be weird, you will be normal and do you want to be normal? If so, do what other normal people do, if you want what few people have, you have to be weird.

I am striving to be that God kind of weird!

Weird!

2011-04-19T15:01:00.003-04:00

Just got done listening to the first week of this sermon series by Craig Groeschel. He is pastor of LIFECHURCH.TV and he has recently written a book called WEIRD. Which if you are following my husband on FACEBOOK, you will see that he is reading it right now! If he wasn't out of town, I'd be reading that book right now! Curt told me I need to read it, but I am thinking, I have other books I want to read, why would I read THAT one? Well, I now know why I am going to read it as soon as he gets home! ;)

Craig has 2 sermons out right now of WEIRD, I just listened to the first one and no time right now to REALLY listen to anymore. Took my afternoon listening to this week's GARAGE sermon and then this one, and now the kids are up, so I should go play with them and get a little bit of school work done as well... ;)

Here are some notes that I got from the sermon... It really stops and makes you think, just like RADICAL did. I can tell you right now that the devil will be attacking, he sure did before, during and after I read RADICAL... But as a friend told me, he can attack all he wants, he may bend us, but he will NEVER BREAK us, because in times like that, we CLING to our God more than ever! :)

These are the pastor's words, or as best as I could write them down... You should look it up and listen for yourself and then get the book and READ it!!! LIFECHURCH.TV and then the book is called WEIRD
*************************************************************************************

What is normal in a schedule? Rushed, crazy?
What is normal in money? Broke, debt, fighting over money?
Normal is NOT working!

If you want what normal people have, do what normal people do.
If you want what few people have, then do what few people have. Think about it!

The teachings of Jesus, mega weird, right? Think about His teachings... they are off the normal path...
Jesus said don't commit adultery, don't even LOOK lustfully at another person, if you have, you've already committed adultery!
Jesus said if you want to be first, then you need to be last, if you are last, then you can be first! That's just weird!
Jesus also said, if someone hurts you, BLESS THEM! That's just weird! LOVE THEM, pray for them!
Weird people don't think like normal people think!
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2(msg) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

What God wants is right!

Fix your attention on God, not what everyone else is doing!

The way you think determines the way you behave.

Weird people don't live like normal people live!

God wants to make you weird, take you out of normal!

But don't copy someone elses weird, if you start copying someone elses weird, then you are just normal!
Sick and tired of normal Christianity! Lukewarm... It's normal to worship one day a week, when worship becomes a 7 day a week passion, that's when you become the God kind of weird!
Whole hearted full surrendered path towards God!

If you want normal people have, do what normal people have, but if you want what few people have, do what few people do and become the God kind of weird!

Run-Aways

2011-03-31T08:12:00.004-04:00

Wow, this has seriously been an eventful week! Starting off with the whole fabric softener mis-hap, which you can read on here if you didn't see or hear about it! Then Curt left Monday nite, Tuesday, well, it was ok, we had mom's group and the kids were acting up a bit, but nothing too bad... Then Wednesday I had a meeting at the church...

It started out ok, the meeting wasn't long at all! Gavin came into the room and said he wanted to go play outside on the playground. I told him no, because I couldn't see him. I said, what if someone came by and picked you up and grabbed you and took you somewhere? Mommy would never see you again and I would be soooo sad! I said, I can't see you, so you need to stay inside.

Well, not more than 3 minutes passed and Kotah comes up to me and says, uh, mom, Gavin is trying to go outside. So, I get up, go over to him and talk. I asked him what is he doing? he says, I WANT to play OUTSIDE! I said, bubby, I can't see you, so you can't! I am sorry! He replies with, well, daddy did the last time. I come back with, well, daddy went outside with you to watch you, didn't he? he just shook his head. So, I go back into the meeting...

I am not sure what all happened other than not behaving kids after the meeting and the parking lot... I had some crackers in the car I was going to give them for the ride home, I was also going to run into BJ's to see if they had the combo pack of Tangled that I wanted. Well, we got to the van and I said, well, we aren't going to church tonite guys, I am so tired. I then told them we weren't going to BJ's to get Tangled AND no crackers.

Oh my good-ness! YOu would have thought I pinched them with the responses I got back from the OLDER 2! They both kicked they feet and screamed and cried. I was like, whoa, what's going on here guys? I said, you need to sit up and behave, a cop could pull us over and we all would get in trouble! So about 5 minutes from the house, they were quiet. In that time, Thad laughed at his bubby and sissy at one point and Skylar was a PERFECT angel! Not ONE peep out of her mouth! Nice how when someone else is in trouble she's the perfect angel, but when they are being good, she's, well, not so nice anymore! ;)

So, we get home, I say, you all are laying down for a nap. Gavin goes to his room b/c Thad feel asleep on the way home, so I just put him on the couch, Skylar goes to her room and Kotah lays down in the guest/school room. As I lay them down upstairs I notice 3 suitcases, but don't really think anything of it, b/c they like to pack books and play store, etc...

After nap, the fun begins! I was ironing Curt's clothes and giving Kotah her spelling test.. I am not sure why, but I went upstairs and Kotah follows me... I see that Gavin nd Skylar are talking, and they have their bags. I am like where are you going? They say they are running away. I was said, ok. Where? Well, I don't know. Where are you going to sleep, and eat? They replied a hotel and a restaurant. I said, sorry to bust your bubble, but you don't have enough money to even eat at a restaurant. Then they look at Kotah and say, ok we are ready. I whip my head around and asked her what are they talking about? Well, I was gonna run away, but... I said, oh really...

Well, she changed her mind again, all 3 of my kiddos went downstairs with a suitcase and were getting their coats and shoes. At this point outside it was starting to sprinkle, and it was a bit chilly. They walk out the door with Thad yelling, BYE BYE!!!

So they are standing int he middle of the driveway for the LONGEST time. I am in the dining room watching them in between the blinds. I see Kotah start coming back inside, so I act as if I wasn't watching her. I ask her what's going on? She replies with, I am coming back. I said, oh, really, why? I am embarrassed. Me: Oh really... Her: the mailman drove by and honked and yelled hi, I was embarrassed that he saw my with my suitcase. I said, you are embarrassed, how do you think I feel? I said, honey, why would you want to run away when you have a HOME and a mommy and a daddy who LOVE you!!! So that was her kicker, that hit her and hard.

But then when Gavin and Skylar started walking a bit further down the driveway, Kotah started flipping out! I texted Curt and told him what they were doing. He called me adn said, do what you think is right, you are there.

So, I was planning on letting them hit the end of our driveway and I was going to go get them. Well, before I could get my shoes on, I see a white truck pull up by our neighbors driveway. I grab my shoes and run out b/c I have no idea what's is gonna happen, but before I could even get out there, he's talking to them and asking them where they are going. I guess Gavin said they were running away before I could get out there. Then another car pulled over she said she passed our driveway and turned around b/c she saw them in the MIDDLE of our driveway and wanted to watch them.

After a few minutes, I got them back inside and told them to go upstairs and un-pack and then we were going to have a talk. Gavin came back downstairs and I set him on the kitchen chair. Ask him why he wanted to run away? Gavin: Because you wouldn't let me GO TO CHURCH! At this point his is mad and every other word he has to yell, I guess he thinks that will get my attention, I dunno? So I calmly tell him: That is no reason to run away bubby. What if someone pulled over and grabbed you, I would never see you again! That would make me cry! I would be sooo sad! I give him more right act info too... ;) But I calmly told him.

So I turn back to my counter and am like what in the world am I going to fix for supper? I start to grab my bread to see how much I have in there for pb and j when I hear the door bell. I can tell you that my heart stopped... I noticed the white truck stopping by our mail box to most likely get our address, then he pulled upa bit and was just staring at the house.

I walk around and see this nice white car with lights on top, they weren't flashing, but still.

I answer the door, he says, evening ma'am. How are you? I said, I am great, how are you? (you should hear the way I said it...) he said, well, I'm ok, but do you know why I am here? I am like yes. He asked to come in, so in he comes. We talk for a few minutes, I gave him the story. Then before I could say why he wanted to run away, Gavin peeps around the corner, sees the cop and starts to walk away, I said, Gavin, come here, he wants to talk to you. So, Gavin is just standing there completely freaked out. I then tell the one cop, I just talked to him and he said he wanted to run away b/c I didn't let them go to church. If you could see the look on the cop's face. I said, my husband has been out of town since Monday, and I am tired. I don't feel like going tonite. The cop was like, well, you have every right to feel tired.

So then he starts talking to Gavin and I see another cop pull up, I am like oh my, seriously! Then the cop said, oh, I forgot to call him off. So in he walks. The first cop tells him, yeah, it's ok, it's not the mom, it's all the kids. The kids wanted to run away b/c mom said no to going to church for tonite. The second cop seriously had to turn his head away b/c he was laughing, he contained himself pretty quickly. BUT I can guarantee you, this is prob the 1st run-away case they had b/c mom wouldn't let them go to church! SERIOUSLY? (they were probably laughing their heads off too and telling everyone what happened! ;))

So, the cops were talking to them, basically saying everything I did. A few times I could see where the questions were going, so I kept my eyes on the cop and didn't even look at Gavin and Skylar. (I had to go hunt down Skylar, she did NOT want to talk to a cop...) But one time he asked, do love your mommy and daddy? They said yes. Mommy and daddy would never do anything to hurt you, right? They said no. The cop said, ok then, well, these people that are driving by that saw you and called us thought that your mommy was mean mommy and hurting you. Would mommy do that? They said no. (At that point, I kept my eyes on the cop, I could see where this was going and didn't want them to think that if I looked at them, that I was prompting them to say the right thing...)

So, after seriously 10-15 minutes of them being here, they left. Gavin and Skylar just stood where they were as I walked them to the door. They were scared beyond belief!

I told them, I am so sorry. The cops were like, don't worry about it. He said try to relax tonite if you can, I said, well, with 4 little ones, and my hubs coming late tonite, I doubt it, but thanks. They both stopped in their tracks and were like, um, ma'am, how old are you? I am 29. Both of them said wow, we thought you were 20. So then they said, seriously, it's no big deal. But if they ever try to do it again, call us, and we will come talk to them. I said, ok, thanks, have a good nite.

They left, I look at them. Their eyeballs are huge! Gavins lip started to quiver a few times when the cop was talking to them.

BUT then at the supper table I was starting to make the pb and j's, he started to say something about church. I said, Gavin, seriously. Did you hear, did you HEAR what the cop said? Then something clicked and I saw it cross his face and he was GREAT the rest of the nite!

I seriously lost it! I was a WRECK!!!

Curt called after I sent a text that 2 cops just left. He was with Gary and he and Gary were laughing. I was like, i am glad you can laugh at this. I was mad, pissed, scared, and sad....

Like I said, I can kinda laugh at it now, but just talking about it to my mom last nite.... I kept thinking, did I do the right thing? I wasn't going to let them go any further than our neighbors driveway, I was watching them the WHOLE time. Ugh, there seriously is never a dull moment in this house!

I think Curt might be afraid to leave again... ;) Something always seems to happen, but this so far is by worse the worst thing.

I'm pretty sure though with the cops coming over to talk that they got scared. Now, if could my pulse back to it normal, I will be good! ;)

Who Needs It?

2011-03-28T19:44:00.002-04:00

This morning I got to sleep in a bit.. I got up, came out the couch and sat down to finish up the GARAGEKIDZ schedule... So after Gavin was done eating, he came downstairs dressed. He said Uh mom, I can't turn the washer on. i said, ok, well, did you put laundry soap in it? he said yes mom, i did. I told him, don't worry, I'll come and get it in a bit, I have to finish putting the jeans in the washer.

Ok, let me back track a bit... ;) By our stairs is our washer and dryer room.. Since it's by the stairs, I just have one of the kids bring down their laundry basket and set it in front of the washing room. So by the stairs, I just sort out all their laundry, and then when I bring out ours from the hallway, I just add to it. So i had the kids jeans in the washer and then their darks sitting in another laundry basket waiting for their turn. ;)

So this morning, I was going to add all our jeans and then turn it on after we had our showers.

So, I go around and I start to smell something, and it's strong. I thought, oh, he got the fabric softener in ok! He always adds a bit extra for some reason! ;) I look and see all the jeans that I had in the washer on the floor and all their dark clothes in the washer. I was like, ok, well, since it's darks, I'll just wash their jeans and their darks together. No biggie, have done it before... ;) Then I see some fabric softener on the floor. So I get a paper towel and clean it up. You see, our almost empty fabric softener container fell off the washer, so you have to hold it just right, or it will leak on the floor and you! So, that's what I was thinking happened, no biggie, right? ;)

So I make sure the soap is in there and don't even bother putting any softener in... turn the washer on and walk away.

Come nap time, as I am taking Thad upstairs to bed, he is emptying the washer, he was like, wow, this is a strong smell hun! i was like, yeah, it is. It's not the first time Gavin has helped with the laundry and got a little extra softener!

I come back down the stairs and Curt is back in the living room getting all his work papers sorted for his visits this week. I grab our laundry basket of darks and jeans, throw them in the wash, grab what i thought was our almost empty fabric softener bottle, and empty it, then I go to grab what I thought was my BRAND NEW 155 load softener. (in this house, we buy bulk and BIG!! cheaper to buy the big 155 load soap and softener! ;)) But as I am starting to grab the new bottle, I notice that there is the softener on the outside by the pouring spout. You know how when you use the soap and softener, you get that little bit of build up? Well, I saw it and I was like, no, no way! I go ahead and grab it and empty that puppy out!

You should've seen me!!! I was looking allllll over the place and thinking, what did he do with that WHOLE bottle of softener!!! Surely he didn't pour the whole bottle in the laundry, or did he? I was like really? At this point i am starting to laugh!

I walk out to the living room and hold up the 2 bottles and say uh huh? He was like what? I have this huge smile on my face, I am like shaking them! He said, no way, no way.... he didn't... I just shook my head and was laughing! I am like, seriously, what else am I gonna do!!

Curt said, we just bought that bottle! He didn't use the whole thing! You need to go talk to him. I said, I know...

so, I go back to our room where he lays down, and I open the door and just hold up the bottle and say hey bubby, what happened? He looked at me and said, i am sorry mom. I didn't see it going in the container so I just kept pouring. I said, bubby, you used the whole bottle? Yea, mom, I am really sorry! i say, thank you so much for your help, but let's let mommy and daddy pour the soap and you can put the clothes in and help turn the washer on, ok? He said ok mommy. i said, I love you bubby!

I walk out of the room and just bust out laughing! I can't get mad, he was helping, or so he thought! Ok, so he used a WHOLE BOTTLE of fabric softener which was about 10 bucks on ONE load of laundry, but hey! Give the boy credit for helping, right? ;)

I was wanting to see if I could find a homemade recipe to make my own fabric softener anyways... just a better excuse to it NOW!!!

And I do believe that I will be keeping the kids clothes separate and washing them by themselves, since they won't need any softener for a while!!! ;)

Let's just say that after 6 hours, the house still smells like it!!! The kids folded all their clothes and put them away UPSTAIRS!!! The upstairs also smells quite good!

So..... if you see my kiddos and they smell EXTRA clean and EXTRA soapy, it's because they are! ;)

I love my kids, and I love that they want to help and I am going to take that help while they are willing to offer it without a fuss!! :D

Cakes!!

2011-03-11T21:49:00.001-05:00

Here are a few cakes that I have done... ;)

Millenium falcon (back view)

Millenium falcon (part of the top)

Millenium falcon (another back view)

Millenium falcon (side view)

Millneium Falcon
Millneium Flacon top view
Strawberry Shortcake cake! Of course it's STRAWBERRY cake too!!! :) The top and side dots are made with molding chocolate.
Star Wars with the Death Star
Lemon cake with buttercream icing.. the 8 year old girl designed this cake and I made it for her!!! ;)

Top view of the lemon cake! ;)

Amena Brown: Resurrection - BluefishTV.com

2011-03-09T09:41:00.001-05:00

How perfect and fitting for this Season!!

Amena Brown: Masterpeice -BluefishTV.com

2011-03-09T09:36:00.001-05:00

Another one! Really awesome! I just love listening to Amena Brown!!!!

Tired...

2011-02-24T23:45:00.002-05:00

Ha, I guess what else is new huh? ;) Tired seems to be the way the last few weeks have gone!

Curt left for Guatemala EARLY Monday morning! The kids and I went to Mount Vernon Monday... Since it was President's Day, they had free admission, woot,woot!!! Will for sure be going back! We didn't make it into the Mansion. Some tears were shed on that, b/c Kotah thought that it was only open that one day a year and she would have to wait until next year to get in! I don't know what made her think that, OTHER than we went out there one time last year, and it was after 5, so they were already closed. So I am thinking she was thinking that it was closed for good.. I dunno... I was tired from not getting enough sleep the nite before, thanks Thad. ;) And then it was misting, well, sprinkling, I wasn't sure it was gonna downpour or not, but I did NOT want to be outside with 4 little ones by myself! No sir! No thank you! So we did a bit of walking around outside (before it started raining), and then did some inside with the museums and displays. It was really cool!

Tuesday, what did I do? I don't remember... Oh, I guess we did some running, got a few things done. I bought a new storage holder for Kotah's clothes. I seriously was planning on getting her moved into her new room this week! But the way things are going, it isn't happening very fast! :\

My mom was planning on being here on Monday nite, but she ran into some snow that caused her to stop at a hotel. Very thankful that she did! There was a guy in front of her checking in that said that he lives an hour from the hotel but he couldn't take it anymore, so he stopped! So if a seasoned PA driver had to stop in the storm, you know it's bad!

So she got here about 3:30ish on Tuesday. It was so nice having her here! I felt bad because Skylar was starting to not feel so hot! She ended up with a fever and it hasn't completely broken yet! :\

Wednesday morning met at the church for a short meeting, then back home. Decided not to go to church in the evening, due to Skylar not feeling good, and me just being tired. AND I really didn't want to go since I knew mom was leaving today.

Thursday we were supposed to go to SPEAR, but Skylar still had the fever and I didn't want to go! Mom offered to stay here with her, so I could take the older ones. But I did NOT sleep the nite before! Gavin was up all nite with his legs hurting due to growing pains! My heart just breaks for this boy! I ended up letting him sleep in bed with me and kept the heating pad on ALLLLL nite! normally we only have to leave it on til he goes to sleep if he gets the pains, but not last nite! Then he kept kicking me, then he would wake up and I would have to make sure the heating pad was on his legs where it hurt! :( Then, Skylar got up about 4 times during the nite! So trying to take care of those 2, plus not get kicked by Gavin, it was fun! I think all in all, I got about 1-2 hours of sleep...

I ran to Giant and Target really fast before lunch. i needed a few things before tomorrow... I just didn't want to have to take Skylar out and I knew I could get it done REALLY fast with out the kiddos!! It was starting to rain, and with her not feeling good...

mom left about 1:30 and called me at 5:30 saying she was pulled over, an hour from my brothers house, with a flat tire. She thinks it's from a pot hole she couldn't miss. She finally got there at 7:30...

I rented Open Season 3 for the kiddos tonite. I just was feeling bad that they missed church and SPEAR due to sickness, so I was trying to make it up to them! ;) They all thought it was pretty funny! I was able to get a few things done before Thad came crying to find me! So then I had to stop and sit and watch the movie with them.

I love being able to sit and do that, but sometimes I like to be able to get things done and put away while they watch a movie. But it's ok. A messy house will always be here, but my kids won't always be this size! ;)

I have felt, I dunno. I can't really explain the way I've been feeling. I dunno if I am grieving my dad, missing my hubs, going crazy b/c I am home alone, I just don't know. And honestly, it could be all the above! Then there are other things going on. Nothing bad!

I am tired, I prob shouldn't be blogging. It's never a good idea for me to try to write down my thoughts when I'm this tired...

No matter what comes my way, or how tired I am, my faith, hope, trust and love and eyes are on You God! Help me to never waiver from You! You are my all in all and my everything! Guide and direct me to where You want me to be. Show me the right path and help me to keep my eyes, ears and heart open to what You are showing me and telling me!

Akiane Kramarik - Spiritual Young Artist

2011-02-22T14:31:00.001-05:00

Here is the video I was talking about in the other blog... And the picture! ;)

Heaven is for Real

2011-02-22T13:54:00.003-05:00

Wow! What a book! Angela gave it to me on Sunday to read... One nite Curt wasn't feeling good, so he went to bed and I stayed up on the couch and read. I read for 2 hours and got to a chapter and HAD to stop. It's about 2 sisters. It talks about the mom who had a miscarriage, and the little boy, okay, I am jumping the gun here.
This little boy is basically dying from a ruptured appendix. Once he goes into surgery, he leaves his body and goes to Heaven. Sometime after the surgery the little boy says something to catch the parents attention. They finally figure it all out and realize that the little boy went to Heaven. The little boy talks so much about Heaven and how grand and awesome it is! That Jesus is just HUGE, but he is FILLED with soooo much LOVE! There is WAY more, but I don't even want to talk about it, you NEED to read this book!!!!! Anyways, so back to where I HAD to stop... The mom had a miscarriage and the 2 kids didn't know about it. One day he was talking about his sister, and the mom mentioned something and the little boy said, no, the one in heaven. It just touched me so much, (I know I am not even doing this book justice!), but my point is, I've always wondered about my baby. I didn't know the sex of my baby, I don't know if my baby is grown, will I REALLY recognize my baby? But the boy saw his sister and KNEW it was his sister. His sister didn't have a name because they didn't know the sex of their baby either. But since they didn't name the baby, the baby didn't have a name. I know, I am rambling...

The boy also got to SEE Jesus and knows what he looks like! But since he was so little, he really couldn't say what was wrong with all the Jesus pictures out there! His parents would ask, does this look like Jesus? The boy would say no.. Then finally one day the dad heard about the little girl who had visions from God and would paint those visions. One of her paintings is of Jesus. They asked their little boy if this looked like Jesus and his eyes just lit up and said yes, it really looked like Him! I remember hearing about this girl a while ago... Akiane Kramarik is her name...

(won't let me post a video, so will do it in another blog.. ;))
Here she talks about it a bit more. She does it in better words than I can...

But I keep thinking about the Angel I saw over my dad when he was in the hospital, the day before he died. The Angels eye were the SAME exact green as what this girl paints Jesus' eyes. He was filled with light and love. He was HUGE, but not scary, even though he was the angel of death. He was the one who took my dad to be in that beautiful place called Heaven.

I can NOT wait til it's my turn! I want to see God, I want to see those beautiful colors that we don't even know about! I want to see my baby and my dad and those other loved ones! I don't want to get comfortable here, but I want to tell others so that they will have the chance to get to Heaven as well, because Heaven is for REAL, there is NO doubt about that!

Seriously!

2011-02-13T22:08:00.004-05:00

Wow, what a week! There aren't too many times when I say, wow, I am soooo glad that the week is over! But I sure am this week!!! Seriously!!!!

Curt was gone in GA for a super fun filled DM Conference! The only fun stuff that he got to do was see Soul Surfer and Courageous! Super jealous! Infact, I seriously thought about going down there just so I could see them too!! heehee ;)

But it was really one thing after another. More with the kids and then is was a really busy week!

Sunday, we went to church, I taught the lil mini coopers, then we came home and have friends over for some lunch, which was meatball subs. But our friends said they were more like meat boulders! They were soo big! I seriously only got 3 meatballs on each sub! I guess I made them into meat boulders instead of meatballs? ;) Then they left, we got a few things around and went to Upper Room at church! Boy was it an AWESOME service!!! A few got baptized, and then communion! It doesn't get much better than that! THEN we went over to a friends house to finish watching the Super Bowl. I had to go home and change my pants before it was over b/c a certain someone leaked through, pretty bad! I didn't think, but at church Thad had drank his water bottle, completely! Then by the time we got to our friends house, he was out! So I didn't bother changing him, then he woke up and I picked him and held him and he went right back to sleep.... Then, well, ya know, i got wet from him! So, I went home and then went back to our friends house, the game was over, we grabbed our kids and headed out. Curt in his car and me and the kiddos in the van. We went to spend the nite in Annapolis since he had an early flight out. The kids and I went to Trader Joes and then the mall. We hadn't really done anything "special" with them, so I wanted to do SOMETHING, anything!!!!!!!! Then we came home, I had to bake the cakes. I started decorating the cake Monday nite and finished it Tuesday. I went to drop the cake off on Tuesday, then we just relaxed a bit the rest of the day.

The kids were being really naughty, just talking back and not listening. I was like seriously?

Wednesday we went to church, I started the day off with a REALLY bad head-ache... Then I had to help in the toddler room since it was the Garage's turn to help. Barely made it through the nite, got them home and put them to bed right away. I had to stay up and make cupcakes for SPEAR the next day... SO I got them made and thought, I'll do the frosting in the am.

Thursday morning, I still had a head-ache and was starting to feel really lousy. My tummy was hurting too. So again, barely made it through SPEAR, came home, put the kids down for a nap, and I CRASHED, I was out of it!

Friday was just not good either. I had a meeting to go too, and almost didn't make it! Curt made it home right about 6, but he was not feeling good either! :/ EVERYONE at the DM Conference came down with some type of tummy thing and cough, which he had on Friday. He said he barely made it home. So with him being out of it, me still not feeling 100% better, I got the kids to bed and crashed on the couch. he was on one and I was on the other, we talked for a bit and we both fell asleep! Then I woke up Sat, still not 100% better, but doing a bit better. I hadn't been able to eat much of anything other than a pear here and there since Wednesday! I think from Wed-Sun morning, I had a total of 3 pears, and lots of water... This afternoon was the FIRST I was able to eat anything! I wolfed down a bowl of cheesy, creamy, bacon, potato soup... Then I ate supper... But I still don't feel so grand. I am tired, I should go to bed, but wanted to blog about my week... Ok, kinda complain about my week! I guess not really complain, but put it down in words... ;)

Another thing that happened Wednesday... My oven light went out, I was like, seriously! So, I looked at the time and thought, ok, my dad won't be on lunch, he should be down, I'll call him. So I go and grab the phone and start to dial 260-483-88 and then I realized what I was doing. I totally lost it! That is the first time that I went to start calling my dad's work! I didn't even do that after he lost his job... But it's the first thing that comes to my mind when a light blows out! If I am honest, I know what kind of light to get, but it was my thing to do with my dad. I would call him just so we could chit chat for a few minutes. I am pretty sure he knew I knew what kind of light I needed to get. I was WAY smarter than those girls he worked with!! hahaha!! (sorry if you are reading this!!! ;O)) But I just liked to call and talk to him.

I talked to my mom today. She hasn't had the best week either, or my brother. But after my mom talked to my brother, he was like mom, you know what the 9th is? It's been 15 months since dad died. I said, oh mom, you know what, Wednesday was the 9th, wasn't it? So I told her about me attempting to call dad. I've talked to her all week, but just haven't said anything...

Have I mentioned before just how much grief can suck? It always comes when you least expect it. I can't even describe what I am feeling or going through.

I am borrowing a book from Angela and Pastor called Heaven is for Real. They have talked about it so much. Part of me was like, I don't want to read it. I have no desire to read it. I guess deep down, I know it would make me cry. Not that I don't want to cry, but I just didn't want to read it. (I sure hope I don't tear-stain it up, or I'm totally buying them a new one!!! heehee) She even flat out told me, she said, I think you are really going to like it, but I am sure there will be some tears shed. She did it in a really nice and loving way, she wasn't being rude or mean when she said that either....

I also want to read Heaven by Randy Alcorn. Maybe, the more I think about it, I don't really want to admit he is gone. That it's all just a really bad dream and I will wake up? Or that he's at work, that's why I can't talk to him. I dunno... What stage of grief is this? Have I been through all the stages yet? ;)

No, probably not, and I don't see myself going through them all anytime soon. Or if I do, I will go through them all over again!

So, this is why I am sooooooooooooo glad that last week is done! I praised God everyday, but honestly, it was tough! I wanted to give in, let the devil win and say, I am done. I am done. But you know what? I am not done. I am going to keep praising Him, I am not done! I am not giving up! I will keep telling my kids to stop disobeying, I will NOT let them get away with talking back and yelling and fighting... They are days that will be hard, but you know what, I can do ANYTHING, because Christ gives me the strength! And as long as I KEEP my eyes on Him, He will get me through!

Paul Zerdin on Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford - Featuring Human Dummy S...

2011-02-12T13:44:00.001-05:00

After the week I've had, I soo needed a laugh! It was pretty funny! ;) "Borrowed" it off a blog of a Christian writer that I read... ;)

A Football Game Gives Hope

2011-02-10T08:42:00.001-05:00

I posted this on Facebook too, wow!!!

If this team came to your school, would you do the same thing that this coach did? Brought tears to me eyes!!!

Black Eye

2011-02-08T23:39:00.005-05:00

About a week ago, well, a little more than that now, Thad got a black eye. I am not 100% sure what exactly happened... I put him in his bed for a nap. He is the only one that knows how to climb out of the crib! He has done other things that the other 3 haven't! Some days I have to say that the Lord blessed me with him as my last, because God knew that if he was my first, I may not have any others! LOL Just kidding!!! He's also the first one that needed to go to the ER AND get stitches! Now Gavin had to go to the ER, but no stitches!!! ;)

Anyways...

So I went upstairs to check on him and see if he was asleep... I thought I had heard something coming from his room, so I went up to check on him. I listened at the door, and heard him playing really quietly, so I let him go. I had to get downstairs to finish some cleaning that I wanted to get done and knew if I got him out of his room, I wouldn't get any of the cleaning done, what I had gotten done cleaning already would not be clean! This kid knows how to make a mess!! ;)

Back downstairs, I told Kotah to go get a few pieces of bread so we could start her experiment to see how fast the bacteria would grow on it. She went around the corner and she came back down holding Thad. The look on her face, she said mom, he was crying and LOOK AT HIS EYE!!!!!!!!!! She was almost to the freaking out stage! His eye was almost completely swollen shut! There was a little bit of blood under his eyebrow and then a little bit under his eye. It wasn't bad, but with the swelling, it looked REALLY bad!!! I KNEW he wouldn't want me to keep ice on it, so I put in a Veggie Tales, after cleaning his eye a bit, then got a small cold pack to try and put it on his eye while he watched Veggie Tales. I also kept putting Arnica on it and then gave him the pellets too. That REALLY helped with the swelling since he wouldn't keep the cold pack on his eye, even with the Veggie Tales...

Poor kid! After a week it looked GREAT! We all thought that he would look WAY worse the next day, but he looked really good! ;) Curt said that he had a boxer eye, it seriously looked like someone hit him!

This kid keeps me on my toes!!! I guess it's the age too, the more I think about it, the others were all really busy at this age! ;)

Right after it happened! OUCH!

Side view, I know, I forgot to photo shop it and frankly, I am to lazy to change it right now! ;)

His whole cheek was kinda swollen as well! :(
This would be 2 days after it happened! Looking really good for how bad it was!

And this would be 5 days after it happened!
And now, you can't really even tell! Really, the only way you can is if you know it happened and are LOOKING for the bruise! I am tellin' ya, Arnica works wonders!!!
I am glad it wasn't any worse than it was! I was afraid of his vision being affected... but it doesn't seem to be! I do know that the day it happened, when I went to put him to bed that nite, I tried to wake him. He fell asleep in my arms downstairs when the other kids were watching a movie, so I carried him up and put him in his crib, and tried to wake him. he wouldn't wake, I was like, oh boy... So Curt came him and was playing with his ear and finally he woke up a little bit. He just feel asleep really fast and was completely OUT! Normally he wakes up a bit when I carry him upstairs AND then when I put him in his crib, but he wouldn't budge!

But like I said, he's fine now and I am ready for whatever he's gonna do!!!! ;)

It's Been a Day

2011-02-08T22:10:00.002-05:00

Wow, I didn't start the day off so grand. I got up when the boys did this am and started working on the cake that I needed to finish before noon! I started working on it last nite, but I came into the living room to open my computer to look at the cake that I was trying to do... Well, the mistake I made was sitting down! ;) So guess what happened? I fell asleep, wow big surprise there! ;)

So I woke up at 2:30 and went to bed.

I got up and started working on the cake again. I was doing good, until everyone was up. ;) I think something is going on with each and every one of the kids, so they are all SUPER duper touchy and then with Curt being gone this week, that never helps! Kotah and Gavin have a sore throat and boy did it show! Thad is still cutting some teeth... These are the same ones that have come through and then went back in.. But I am so hoping that they are coming all the way through this time! I am still not 100% sure what's up with Skylar, other than she's Skylar! :) Love that lil girl! She was actually pretty good, she had a few moments!!! ;)

I finally got the cake done, took it over and then had to run into Giants to get some ginger root so I could make the kiddos some ginger tea for their throats... Got back home, fed them lunch, made the tea and put them to bed! Well, since Thad slept in the car on the way to deliver the cake, guess who didn't take a nap! ;)

I guess what I am getting at is, I am doing my devo's, I am praying, thanking God for blessing me what all that he has, even naughty kids, heehee... But the more I am in with God and keeping my calm even when all around me is CRAZY, and I do me C-R-A-Z-Y, it's when the devil tries to sneak in and discourage me, get to me. And let me tell you something, today was TOUGH! I didn't even get a shower this morning! Yeah, I brushed my teeth, but a shower to me, is like a cup of coffee is to others. I don't drink coffee, it doesn't do anything for me, now a quick 5-10 minutes (10 IF I am lucky) shower does! (I always get a shower and if I don't, it's a bad day! lol) It wakes me up, I pray when I'm in the shower. Most days I do my devos' before getting into the shower and pray then as well, but it's quiet in the shower. I feel more close to Him. If that makes sense? It's not like I am not close to Him when I pray every other time, but the kids aren't right there buggin me, I am alone, for those 5 minutes!! ;)

I know that Satan works even harder to get to us when we are even closer to God, but I'm tellin you, he can take whatever he is going to shove my way, and take it back to where he came from! I am NOT going to bend! Ok, so I thought about it for just a little bit today, just giving up, throwing the towel in and let the kids get away with the fighting, screaming, not wanting to listen... But I thought, no, that's EXACTLY what Satan wants, he wants me to think that I can't do it... But I am going to do exactly what he doesn't want me to do, I am going to shove whatever he gives me and keep praising God and thanking Him for all that I have! No matter if my kids are fighting, screaming, not listening...

Can't wait for tomorrow! :) We are going to finish the valentines that we are making for SPEAR classes! Yeah, we have to make a lot, but they are having fun with it! :D

Oh and need to make some cupcakes and cut up some veggies for the party! :D Gonna try a few new flavors and see how they come out! Should be fun!

Thank you Jesus for a new day!

Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Follow Me!!!

2011-02-08T21:57:00.001-05:00

Hey, this is for those of you who don't know, but I have a recipe blog going... I try to get one up everyday, but well, with 4 little ones running around, that doesn't always happen! But you can follow me and then you can "Like" me on Facebook!!

If you are wanting to try some new recipes, go take a look...

http://mandysboxofrecipes.blogspot.com/

Pretender

2011-01-13T21:01:00.002-05:00

I was chopping 20 pounds of potatoes for the Safe Nite din-din at our church the other day... As I was chopping I grabbed the iPod and started listening to some of my dad's oldies cds that I downloaded when we were out there.

My dad LOVED the oldies! He taught me, no, he didn't teach me, he raised me up on them too! He taught me The Stroll! I remember in our family room when we were watching it on a PBS special, that song came on. There were people on the tv doing it and dad was like come on, let's do it! I was like ok. So we got up and started doing it! It was so fun! A memory that I won't forget! The ONLY time I saw my dad "dancing", it you call that dancing! haha ;)

Anyways, I clicked on a certain album and was listening to all the songs, but one song caught my attention. It's called The Great Pretender.

As I was listening to the words and singing, I stopped and thought about it. Now I know this isn't 100% the meaning of it... But seriously, how many of us pretend? How many of us go around and pretend like things are ok?

We live in a world where everything is soooo busy! If you aren't doing something, you are bored. If you aren't watching a movie and doing something on the computer or iPod, iPad, at the same time, then you feel like you may miss something. Or miss someones new status on Facebook. Ok, so not all of us are like that... but when was the last time you sat and watched a movie while doing nothing?
But what about when someone asks you how you are and you respond you are fine, but yet, you aren't. How many of us would actually STOP and LISTEN if a friend is hurting. Even at church... How many of us are busy going around trying to get everything ready that we miss that one person that wants a hug and needs that hug? How many of us miss that couple with the kids that walked out because we are in our little world?

How many of you ask someone how they are, but just keep walking to barely hear their answer? How many of you ACTUALLY want to STOP and LISTEN to them? Do you? Do I?

If I am honest, no, I am not like that, but yet I am. I've gone to church and had to get some last minute stuff and as you are walking by, "Hey, how are you?" But you don't actually STOP and LISTEN!

How many of us are just to busy?

Yesterday was the first day for me, other than being on vacation, where I could actually SIT down and not HAVE to do something! Oh my, let me tell you what, I LOVED it and I MISS it! I am so going to have more days like that!

I got showered and put on my orange sweat pants and sweat shirt (no, it isn't bright orange, a nice burnt orange color so it doesn't look like I just escaped from jail!! LOL) and came out to fix breakfast. Kotah comes up to me and asks, mommy, why are you wearing your exercise clothes? I am like honey, they aren't exercise clothes. I like to wear this when I know I am not going anywhere and we aren't today, so that's why I am wearing this! Her reply, oh, ok, I just don't remember you wearing those other than when we walked the mall for exercise.

Seriously, has it been THAT long since we've had nothing pressing to do other than school work? Man!

I am promising myself to have more days like that!

Just my random thoughts... they are many more... ;)

I've enclosed the lyrics to The Great Pretender... The last part isn't what I am talking about, but the first few lines are....

The Great Pretender by The Platters

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Pretending I'm doing well
My need is such
I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no one can tell

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I play the game but to my real shame
You've left me to dream all alone

Too real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender

Just laughing and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown

Too real when i feel what my heart can't conceal

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're...
Pretending that you're still around

Garlic, try it! :D

2010-12-14T13:26:00.003-05:00

Guidet Post: Antibiotic Herbs: Garlic

Just saw this on my google reader! IT's sooooo true! I think I will try and make the broth that it mentions here. But I know that un-cooked garlic is better for you! By cooking it, you take some of the strongness of the garlic away.

I just gave some to Kotah this morning b/c she was complaining that her throat hurt. This is NOT the time for this! She has practice tonite, then again Thursday with the Christmas program Fri and Sat!!!! So... I took one clove of garlic and I peeled it, then I chopped it into about 8 pieces for her. I then gave her a pretzel which she took a bite of that, but before she was ready to swallow the pretzel she popped the garlic in her mouth. I know, kinda gross and detailed, but it's the only way I can get her to swallow a pill or garlic! I am just thankful she does b/c it works GREAT!!! She said it still hurt a bit, but it wasn't getting worse like it would be if I didn't give her the garlic!

So.... I LOVE using garlic and we go through a TON of it! I think I will make a garden of garlic this year! We will use it!! :D

Helping Out

2010-12-11T13:12:00.002-05:00

Last nite I did something that I've wanted to do for a long time... I found out about a tent city here in our town, I pass it every single day, ok, well, every single time I'm out. You can actually see them as you drive down 301. I knew of these guys, but how many more are out there? It's been cold and windy here...

So a friend gave me a bit more info and I decided that we needed to go THIS week, I wasn't going to wait any longer. Friday nite we delivered some soup, blankets, hats, and cookies.

It was very humbling to see the look on the Mr Washington's face as we were walking down the trail to deliver the goods. He was very honest and said they were good on blankets, but he did see 2 bigger ones that would keep them warm and kept them. Then Wyse and Mike and Mr Washington picked out 2 hats. Mr Washington said that if we ever came across a propane tank with a hose, he could use that. They use it to cook, but the other nite they turned it on during the nite because it was cold.

Found out Wyse is starting to get a cold, so he got another bowl of chicken rice soup, he said it felt good to eat it! ;)

I can't afford to take them food every day, but I know that I can do something, and I'm going to do what I can. I am going to look through and see if we have any extra hats, extra large sweat shirts to give to them.

I am going to do what I can do as often as I can. This is not going to be a one time service act for me and my family. I will deliver food to Mr Washington, Wyse and Mike again next week.

Please pray for these 3 gentlemen! Especially Wyse as he was feeling like he was starting to get a cold. You know how you feel when you start to get a cold? But you can go to the doc and you can stay in the house away from the cold if you need too... But these guys can't...

Sunday a couple of us are going to get together and going to deliver the rest of the soup and blankets that we have. We found out about a couple other places from Mr Washington...

I'm not writing this to announce and say look at me, look at what we are doing, but I'm saying this so you can pray. Pray about how you want to help...

Chris Tomlin - I Lift My Hands

2010-12-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

I just listened to the new Chris Tomlin cd, have had it for a while now, but just now listening to it... really like this song!

God's Great Grace

2010-12-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

Just saw this reading today, how fitting...
I still feel overwhelmed, ok, that's not the right word. I still, I dunno how I feel. I know God is here and I have not left His side! This time in my life is when there is only one set of footprints in the sand, and it's God's, carrying me... I don't know what I need to get out of my rut, but praying that God is teaching me and I am learning through this grief, depression, whatever you want to call it!
I'm still praising my God, He is my all!!

God's Great Grace

God's grace is great enough to meet the great things,

The crashing waves that overwhelm the soul,

The roaring winds that leave us stunned and breathless,

The sudden storms beyond our life's control.

His grace is great enough to meet the small things,

The little pin-prick troubles that annoy,

The insect worries, buzzing and persistent,

The squeaking wheels that grate upon our joy.

Annie Johnson Flint

My Lil Man! :)

2010-12-03T09:00:00.001-05:00

I am enjoying sitting here and watching Thad put all the play necklaces on and then about 25 silly bands on his arm.... Then he gets tired of them, takes the necklaces off one by one, then takes the silly bands off... Then he put the necklaces back on one by one, then the silly bands back on one by one! Too funny and cute!
I tried to get a pic, but the lil man just turns around! Sneaky.... ;)

Can't Get Out

2010-12-02T15:23:00.004-05:00

So I can't seem to get out of my funk... or whatever you want to call it....

Since getting back from Indiana, I guess depression, grief, sadness, what ever you want to call it, is hitting me.

The one year anniversary came and it went. Mom had a rough time in the morning, but then we went and did stuff all day and it was great. I am glad she had a good day. It was a good day for me too, but it was on my mind all day! I couldn't shake it!

Again, I don't want to sound like woe is me, or that I don't still love my God. I do. I trust Him, with my every being, more now than ever! I know that sounds weird, but whenever we go through something, it just makes us stronger and closer to Him! But what I am saying is, I MISS my dad.

The stupid fan light on my stove went out, first thing that came to my mind, oh dad will tell me what light to get and what's best... But before that happen the cover came off and landed in my hubs food... So I had to throw the food away b/c the cover was kinda dirty, then start over for his supper. So that ticked me off that that had happened... Then the next thought comes about dad and him telling me what kind of light to get... and then I lost it...

Grief hits everyone differently, and I think for me, it took a year. I know, weird.. But I wanted to be there for my mom, I didn't want, I don't know how to say it. But I wanted to BE there, and not let the emotion and grief get me to, I wanted to be strong for her. Don't take that the wrong way... I was sad and I did break down, quite a few times, but not fully, does that make sense? And now that it's been a year, I feel like it's all crashing around me. I haven't taken that time that I needed (need) to REALLY grieve.

I think part of me hasn't said much b/c I don't want anyone to think that I don't trust God. I do, in fact, part of me is happy that dad is where he is, but selfishly, I want him here, with us. But he is no longer in pain and I do thank God for that! Everyday I do! It's just so hard going home this last time. Oh dad isn't here yet, he's working late, or dad can't go with us b/c he is working... Well, no, he can't go with us b/s he isn't HERE anymore. Not on this earth. He's at HOME now, and I soooo can't wait to see him again!

Another part of me realized that my baby that I miscarried would've been 7 years old if I hadn't lost that precious baby in March, but Nov 9th was my due date. The same day my dad died... Every year it gets better, and in all honesty, I didn't even THINK about it last year! But this year, all the emotions came over me again, and the nightmares, so I was reminded of that baby I lost. Not fair that my dad gets to see my baby before me! ;) But you know what, I am really ok with that!

Some days I feel like I've got way too much on my plate and I want to scream and run away, but that will not solve anything! And I am NOT going to run away, then Satan would get his way and I am NOT gonna let that happen! ;)

Then today I get a card from a friend. I made them dinner and had a few things for them when they got back from their week long vacation. It's ALWAYS nice to have bread and milk and dinner or lunch ready for you when you get home, that way you don't have to worry about it, right? Well, anyways, I open the card and she said thank you so much for blessing us with a nice meal and yummy treats. You are a great friend to our family and most of all one of God's shiny people, keep shining. :) So then on the other side it is says ps. The pendant is a widows mite from Israel. Just like the widow woman gave all she had, mom's like you give all of yourself to others, your family but most importantly you do it for the Lord and not for any glory. Wear it and thank on these things, you are a blessing.

I read that and lost it! I was like, that's so sweet.. Of course, there are little things that get to me! ;) It's so simple, cool and pretty! I can't wait to wear it! I don't feel that "special" or a blessing to others, I just do what I can. I want to help others. Does this make sense? ;)

I just need to write more, get it off my chest...

I love the song No Matter What. It's so true and I was saying those same words even before I knew about the song! No Matter What I'm gonna trust you, no matter what!

I do, I love my God and I really don't know what I'd do if He wasn't in my life!

I will keep praising Him NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

Not sure if I make any sense, and that's ok, b/c it doesn't matter, just my thoughts, feelings, ponderings at the moment... It's more like a therapy to write my thoughts and feelings and I've kept them bottled up far too long now...

Give This Christmas Away

2010-12-02T10:43:00.003-05:00

So I've been doing a lot of thinking lately... shocking, I know! ;)

Anyways, lots of things keep coming to my mind... What can I do, I NEED to do SOMETHING!!!! I just know what?!

There is a tent city behind our Wal*Mart, I am going to go drive and check it out... I need more info... I want to be an Olga, I want to take my TIME and my MONEY and help them... I can't do much, but I can do SOMETHING! I was thinking a cookie for each plus a bowl of chicken rice soup... that stuff fills you up and warms you...

I want to do something everyday this month and then continue doing something into the next and then next... I don't think I'm gonna get to do it everyday this month, but I am challenging myself and my family to do SOMETHING, to give this Christmas away!

We have a roof over our heads and enough food to eat, that makes us rich. I can't complain when I have more than others... Now don't get my wrong, I am not rich, but yet I am...

I have a Christ who loves me and will continue to love me and never leave me! I also have the other few things I mentioned. It's crazy what we take for granted.. I am going to try my hardest to be THANKFUL EVERYDAY for what I have and what I've been blessed with, NO MATTER WHAT is going on!

So my challenge to you, if anyone is reading this... What are YOU going to do to Give This Christmas Away? IT doesn't have to be big, you can take that money that you were gonna use to buy a cup of coffee and give it to someone. That could feed someone off the dollar menu... Or buy that cup of coffee and give it to that homeless man and on the street...

LOOSE TOOTH

2010-10-21T23:25:00.005-04:00

The other nite while eating, Gavin informed me that one of his teeth hurt. But he finished his dinner and then he put his plate in the sink. I said hey bubby, come here. I kinda had a feeling as to why his tooth may be hurting, but didn't want to say anything until I looked in his mouth!

Sure enough when he came over and opened his mouth I could just tell it was loose! So I touched that tooth, then the ones next to it and he's got 2 loose teeth!!!

This kid would NOT leave me alone!! I WANT IT OUT NOW MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I go get a string to get it out! Then he said he needed to call daddy and tell him about his tooth since daddy was traveling!

So we called daddy... Then he hung up and I didn't see him for about 10 minutes. So I went into the bathroom with Thad to give him and bath and here is Mr Gavin on the bathroom counter with the dental floss. TRYING to figure out how to get it out! So I said fine, and got a piece of floss for him. I said, BUT, I do NOT want you sitting on the counter and I DO NOT want you standing on the couch! I do NOT want blood all over my couch! (I had NO clue what this kid was/is gonna do to get this tooth out!!!) He said, ok... Then he said, but I can get a whole bunch of towels and cover the couch for you so I won't get ANY blood on it! I said, no, sorry... Then he walked off trying to get the string around his tooth!

It's still in there after 2 days, but he is dying to get it out! It is bugging him really bad! So I am just waiting for him to yank that thing out! He has no fear unlike bigger sissy who will wait til it's on it's last string before even THINKING about pulling it out!

Oh the joys!!!

TRYING to get his tooth out by using dental floss... ;)

Tired...

2010-10-21T22:47:00.003-04:00

It's been a week since Thad got his stitches put in, and now he's got them out and teething, so right back to being fussy!

Anyways, so I went in the doc office on Wednesday. Made the appointment for 10am. I got there at 9:50, and waited in the waiting room for I honestly don't know how long, but it was long enough! I think it was almost 10:30 before we got back to the room!

Got back to the room, the nurse checked him out, then had to do a finger prick b/c his levels were/are low. For the last 2 months his number keep going up by .2. Actually a little more at times. He was at a 9.2 when he first had it checked and is now a 10.8. He needs to be at a 11 or they will make him go get his blood work, like dig for a vein in his arm. I was too ticked to ask why .2 matters, it's way better than it was..... When it was 9.2 the doc wanted me go get the blood work done, but I basically refused. I wasn't going to put him through that. I prayed about it and it kept getting better! So I dunno... he goes back the end of Nov for his 18 month check up, will ask more about it then....

So the reason I was so ticked off by the time the doc came back in was because I had a stinkin appointment and it still took them over an HOUR to get to me! I was there for an hour and fifteen minutes before they got back in the room to get the stitches out!

So after the nurse left and said the doc would be right in, it took about 15 minutes, then she came in, took one look at his head and said, wow, those are in really tight! (In my head I am thinking, um, aren't they SUPPOSED to be in tight? Isn't that the whole purpose of stitches? But I didn't say anything... ;)) So then she said, I'll be right back... Me, thinking, she's gonna get the scissors, then come right back, right?

WRONG!!!

I was finally in a room where I could see what they did in between rooms and where they went... When the doc walks out of the room, they leave the door open, don't know why, but they do...

So she left, she walked around the corner, grabbed another chart and then went into another patients room. She was in there for a bit, then says the same thing, I'll be right back, goes around another corner and grabs another chart and goes into another room! By now, i am TICKED! She and the other doc there are doing the SAME thing!

Now I am no rocket scientist, but wouldn't it be easier and faster to deal with ONE patient at a TIME? Take care of that one, finish with them, then move on to another one!

So inbetween, the nurse comes in and brings this awesome (not really) contraption. Basically put the kid in there and wrap him up and velcro him in so he can't move. I am like I do not wanna put him in that! Then doc FINALLY comes back in and I'm really fit to bed tied! She asks me, do you think we need another person in here to help hold me? (Um, didn't I hear the same words at the ER?) She said, I don't want to have to put him in that if at all possible. I think it's better for the parent to hold their child. I said, I don't know if I can hold him and his head at the same time, but will try. So all in all, I did. He wiggled a bit, but not too bad!

So he got them out, she put some nasty smelling cream on, then put a piece of gauze on it, then took some tape and wrapped it around his head. Poor kid looked horrible! They didn't even do that for him at the ER! So as soon as we got to the van, I took it all off, it was bugging him! I figured I could put sliver on it when I got home!

I soooo miss Dr Elliot in Iowa! He was by far THE BEST doc I've ever had!!! I've been through soooo many and now after this episode I am ready to look for another doc! BUT if I can hold out til Thad is 2, I can technically look for a family doc out here! So, I think I will go back to the drawing board once he's 2!!! ;)

One thing that got me was I made an appointment at the doc office and it took an hour and a half. It took us 2 hours at the ER where they were busy and there are no appointments there. I am thinking, what's wrong with this picture?

Sigh, so we will see....

Ok, getting off my high horse... ;)

His head with the 2 stitches, kinda blurry, he wouldn't hold still! ;)
Can't hardly see it with all his curls!!!

Stitches out... kinda dark, but the flash was too bright and it didn't show up! After his bath that day, it looked like he had a HUGE dent in his head! But looking better today! :)

Aww, poor lil fellow fell asleep reading the comics! ;)

It's Been a Week!!!

2010-10-13T23:44:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since I've written in here.. time seems to be going by pretty fast, and I am not so sure I like that!

Been busy with school, church and the family!!!

I am now in charge of the nursery side of things at church and will be starting a Toddler Room in Nov, after I get back from IN... Basically taking the 19 month- potty trained kiddos and have a short lesson. Kinda get them used to being in the pre-k room, but still have fun!

School is going good with the kiddos! Kinda crazy some days, and if I am truly honest, we really haven't had one "full-day" yet. I mean, I'm getting everything done with Kotah, but the other 2, we are getting about 3 to 4 subjects done, and not all 6... Skylar, she's my challenge this year. I knew it would be, but I know she is stubborn enough that she would want to do some school, so I got her started! She's smart, but very stubborn!

Been doing a few things differently in our diet. I don't want to say going 100% gluten free, but doing things different. I've been making menus for 2 weeks, breakfast, lunch and dinner! Before I was just making sure I had dinner and a few lunches. I was lazy and tired in the mornings, so the kiddos would make their own cold cereal. I know that's not the way to start your morning off, but sometimes you just have too! So... since I've been planning them out, they are getting a bigger variety of breakfast's and lunches! Not using as much meat, more bacon, but not a whole lot! Using more beans and staying away from milk products. I thought it would be hard not cooking with a lot of cheese, but it really isn't! Every bean recipe that I've tired, the kids LOVE!! They really love it when I serve something with rice! I don't love it as much just because of Thad and the mess he makes when he eats! I should just put him in the tub naked to eat! Be an easier clean up! hahaha ;)

This week has been crazy!!! I sliced up my thumb, about 3 layers down cutting an orange. It still hurts to touch it, but didn't have a band-aid on it today...

Tonite I was getting supper out of the oven, the 2 boys were outside playing, the girls were inside working on school. Ok, take that back, kotah was "teaching" Skylar some of her lessons, but Skylar was starting not to buy it! She wanted to go play outside, but I was on my way outside to get the boys.

I had supper on the table and the kids plated filled. Just needed to add the sour cream and bit of cheese to the top. As I open the door to go outside I hear Thad crying. I call out, Gavin what happened? Gavin was ok at first, then he said, mom, it's bleeding. I said ok, come here Thad, Gavin, walk him over here. Then Gavin got this look on his face and said, mom it's coming out really bad! Blood is all over! So then I run over, turn Thad around and was like, oh man...

So I pick him up and run back to the house. I go to the bathroom, grab a washcloth, wet it and wipe it to see how bad it really was. I saw it and was like oh man.... I said um-hun, can you come in here? So Curt walks in and says wow, that's look bad. I said, it looks really deep, I think we should take him in.

I would rather be safe than sorry. (it's a head wound and deep) I am not the type of person who is gonna take my kids in to the doc or hospital, so you know it's bad!

Ok, so don't take that the wrong way. I just find ways to treat my kids (homeopathic ways) instead of paying that 30 bucks co-pay. Now that sounds even worse, so I am going to stop talking about that! haha ;)

So the girls grab their shoes, I grab a water bottle for Thad, and have Kotah grab a hand towel for the van. It pretty much stopped bleeding, but I didn't want it all over his car seat. Of course the lil dude didn't want any towel behind him, so it was pointless, he got some blood on his car seat! Anyhoo... (also supper still on the table! I managed to ask Kotah to put the cheese in the frig to save that! But totally forgot about the sour cream, oh well!!!)

Get to the ER and we got there in the nick of time. If we would have waited even another 5 minutes, we would have been waiting longer than we already did! We were there for like 2 hours... They got hammered really fast! (it's not even a full moon, what's going on?)

So we got him signed in, they took his temp and blood pressure, which he liked neither!

Finally got back to an ER room, then Finally a nurse came in, then finally the doc. he said, ok, looks like it will need 1 stitch. Then he said I'll be right back... Then about 15 - 20 minutes later he comes back. At this time Curt took the kiddos back out to the waiting area.

So when he comes back he says, you gonna hold him? I said yes. he said, do you think we will need help? I look at him and was like, um yeah, probably. I may have answered a little bit cocky, but I was tired, Thad was screaming, he was hungry, and in pain and tired of waiting.

So back out to get the nurse. I'm sitting on the stretcher, holding his hands and his face is pressed against me. The nurse is holding his head down (attempting too at certain times) and the doc is taking care of my lil dude.

He numbed it with huge needle, I did not look to see if he inserted the needle beside or in the wound. I don't have a stomach for that! I also didn't look as he was stitching, not my thing!

I felt so bad for Thad! I don't think he felt too much of it, but just being hog-tied down, he does not like!!! He cried the whole time and I kept saying, I'm sorry buddy, it's ok, he's almost done, I love you!!!

The doc cleaned it out and said no rocks or stones so that's good! Then he went to stitching it. Two stitches later... Then he said, ok, I'll be back in a few minutes with your paper work so you can go.

So 20 minutes later we got the paperwork and were out the door! We decided to hit Chick-fil-A on tha way home for supper. (at 8 oclock at nite, we eat at 5:30, the kiddos were sooo good!!!)But we hit the church really fast before going home. A lot of peeps knew about his injury, so we went over there with our food and ate before they all got out of church.

My lil man is sound asleep right now. I pray he stays asleep all nite and will be feeling fine tomorrow!

I'm supposed to call his doc tomorrow and find out if they want to see him tomorrow or just wait the 7 days when he's supposed to get his stitches out. So we will see....

Gavin felt soo bad!!! He kept saying, I am sorry mommy, I didn't mean to hurt Thad, I was just trying to help him! I said I know bubby, but this is why we need to remember to not pick him up ok? I love you bubby! Then when we got in line at Chick-fil-A to get our food, he said again he was sorry and sorry for missing church! :(

I can feel Satan attacking, and he's attacking hard. There have a been a few other things that have happened. He's trying to get to me, but like a song says, I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down!

That's me, bring it you ugly dude. No matter what you throw at me, I am still gonna praise MY GOD because I LOVE Him and He's my everything!!! I'm just gonna throw whatever you throw my way, right back at you! My God is my Father and helping me get through this!

Now I am off to try and get the blood stains out of my shirt and my lil man's!!!

Ugh

2010-08-23T22:52:00.002-04:00

Seriously? Having a hard time yet again!
It actually started hitting me at Caleb's birthday party.
Just seeing Micheal's parents and then Angela's parents, BOTH there and having so much fun! I almost left the room for a bit, but bit my tongue and was able to enjoy the nite. Don't get my wrong, I enjoyed it, but it was hard.
I know grief hits you when you least expect it, and I TOTALLY didn't expect it then!
Then for Kotah's birthday, I was fine for most of the day, then towards the afternoon, getting ready to lite the candles, I was about ready to lose it again! I didn't, we had the Rogalski's over. But that nite I was going over to Angela's for a CM party and had to cry for a bit before I left. I almost didn't go, I also wasn't going to stay the whole nite, I felt bad because it was Kotah's birthday and I was going to leave for the last 2 hours that she would be awake. Curt convinced me it was ok and that I needed it.
Then I was fine Sunday. But I just watched the sermon from Sunday. I ended up being in the nursery so I missed it. Don't take this the wrong way, but I am glad I wasn't in there. I would've lost it big time!
Now I am thinking of it all again b/c I am alone. The tv is off, just music playing and the kids are all asleep!
Part of me wishes that we didn't move the tv to the living room so our cable would be working right now, so I wouldn't have to think about it. ;) But then again, I need to. I can't just push it away. I have to grieve, no matter how hard it is.
It's also been a year since I went out with the kiddos to be with mom and dad. Just remembering that dad looked skinny, but he didn't really look sick. Remembering that I really didn't want to leave, but I had to. Then I think about what took place the next few months and knowing that that one year anniversary is coming up.
I feel like I have to keep, scratch that. I feel as if I have to make sure people know that I am not mad at God, I am not asking God why, I know he is in a better place, I feel like I have to say all that before I can cry and grieve. I know, that doesn't make any sense. I feel like I have to give a reason as to why I am crying, and say I am sorry for losing it.
Part of me wants to say why can't this be easier! Why does life have to be so hard sometimes? But I know God is in control and I put all my faith and trust in Him! My life is in his hands! My cares and worries, it's all in His hands!
These are just my thoughts, I needed to write them out.

What a Week

2010-07-27T15:20:00.002-04:00

Wow, too many emotions going through me right now!

Thursday last week wasn't a very good day. The morning was super bad, then I get an e-mail and made it even worse! It didn't help that my morning was already going WAY bad...

Then Thad has been up a LOT during the nite, making me only get about 3 hours of sleep a nite.

Had to teach on Sunday, and my little precious munchkins (will not mention any names, but they start with a G and S!!!) were not listening, seemed like the class just didn't want to listen, but I kept on doing it! I felt like giving up, I knew Satan is doing everything and anything he can to get to me! He knows when I am weak.

Sunday nite we had everyone over from the Mexico Mission Team. We had alittle meeting and then I fixed supper. I made tortillas, refried beans, enchiladas, nachos, Mexican Vanilla Pudding to go over the fruit and then made some guac. I was so tired! But it was soooooo much fun! I crashed that nite! I lost it!

This is not a good week for me. The closer my birthday comes, the more I want to just skip this week, completely! My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on my birthday, July 29th. My dad kept telling me, I am so sorry that I found out it was cancer on your birthday! I don't want to spoil it for you! I told him it was ok, no biggie. But me in my human mind wants to scream, God why? Why my birthday? I didn't question Him why when my dad got cancer, I just kept trusting Him for the strength to get me through it, to get us all through it. But now that it has been a year, I find myself questioning and wondering why my birthday? I know it's selfish, I know it's Satan telling me these thoughts... I know I shouldn't question God, I know He has a plan and reason. I may not agree or like it, but I DO TRUST Him! I know His will and plan are perfect! We may not see it yet, but we know He is in control and He really does know what He is doing!

I've got sooooo much on my mind and heart, that I feel like I am going to explode! I talk to Curt about it and feel bad for bombing him with it all, I love you babe! Thanks for being here for me!!

Now Bob is not doing so good! He had surgery yesterday. They went in and put a port in through his head to get to his spine. Instead of doing many spinal taps for the chemo they just put a port in. He has cancer all throughout his spinal cord, so they will put the chemo right into the spine. Got an e-mail asking for prayer, he isn't doing so well.

(For those of you that don't know or don't remember, if anyone is still reading this that is, Bob and Jaime are really good friends of ours! Bob was helping my dad all through out his chemo and hospital stays! They were RIGHT there when dad found out he had cancer. One time they were even in at the hospital at the same time! I tried to steal his water bottle, but was unsuccessful! :( Anyways, GREAT couple, please keep them in your prayers!)

I still feel bad over this e-mail I got Thursday, haven't been able to get ahold of the person. My emotions and grief over my dad, and now heavy heart for Bob and Jaime!

Please don't read any of this the wrong way, I am just grieving for my dad! I feel sometimes that I really haven't and it is REALLY hitting me now! Went to visit his grave when we were out there and felt overwhelmed. Realized that he really is gone, to a much better place, but he is gone. There was a date on the stone with my dad's name on it. Now I know he isn't there in the ground, he's way better now! He told God some jokes the other nite and God laughed so hard He caused thunder! (that's what the kids say anyways!!! :D)

Think I will go find They Call Me Mellow Yellow and listen to that! haha I really am fine, I just need to grieve and cry all week, which I don't want too, but know I need too!

God, I know you are here and you are comforting me! Please help me to feel Your presence and Your arms around me! Please be with my mom and brother as they go through this too! I trust You God, I know Your ways are perfect, I know You really are in control and know what You are doing. You are my God and I will ALWAYS praise You! In the storms of life, and in the good times, I will seek You and praise You! Amen

Events of the Day

2010-06-29T15:58:00.002-04:00

What a day! I seriously did NOT want to go out, my head was pounding, Gavin got into some food again (yes, AGAIN!! :\) this morning without asking, so therefore, his stomach hurt... So, needless to say, it wasn't a good morning!

BUT, I HAD to go out and get a few items plus some chocolate for a cake that I'm making this week!

Finally was able to get in the shower and get going by 11 am. I HATE going out that late, just because it's almost lunch time, kids need to eat and get a nap! Since they really didn't have much a schedule yesterday, I needed to get them back on track! (not that I am complaining about yesterday!!!! :D)

On my way I passed our Church and then a horse farm, I noticed a white car along the side of the road, I had the feeling in my gut that I needed to stop, I was like, on my way back through, I'll be on that side of the road. So I went to AC Moore to get the chocolates and coloring for the cake.

Then we left to go back to Giants. I passed the car again so I said Yes God, I hear ya, BUT I want to go to the store and atleast get some water. I want to be able to offer something, if they don't need a ride, I can give them that, it's hot out here! I can't offer any help to fix the car, I am not talented in that area! :) So off to Giants we go. Got everything I needed, including ice cream, don't ask. ;) As I was walking out with my groceries and yes all 4 kids, I see about 3 people standing around an older lady and her car. I am like wonder what happened. I got the van unlocked and started getting the kiddos in and my stuff in the car, I was like I gotta ask if they need anything, again, not a nurse, but I do have WATER! :) So I walk over and am like is she ok? Does she need any water? I just bought some water. Then one lady was like yeah, maybe, so I go back to my cart and get 2 bottles of water. Walk over and hand them to the older lady in the car. She grabs her purse and then I realized she wanted to give me money for the water. I am like don't worry about it. She looks at me and was like honey, I gotta give you something! I am like no you don't! Keep your money, I don't want it. Then I see a cut on her hand, told the other lady standing there, hey, I've got 4 kids, I've got band-aids in my bag, should I get one for her finger? She was like, yeah, that would be a good idea. SO back to the van and my little band-aid box, THANKFULL I had a few that were NOT kid ones! LOL Then I gave that her and just took my time putting everything in the van eavesdropping to make sure she would be ok. Then I thought, maybe I should follow her home to make sure she is ok? NO, GO BACK TO THE WHITE CAR, Ok God, I hear ya, I'm going. (The only thing I can figure about the older lady was that she must've blacked out and fell.)

So I go back and I see the car a little closer, thinking, oh, maybe he got it started, then I realized he was sitting on the guardrail. So I turn the van around and turn my 4-ways on. I see him yelling something in the car, so I just open my door a bit and yell, ARE YOU OK? He just had a look on his face, so I got out. I walk slowly up to him, I asked, are you guys ok? Do you need any water? I just came from the store. He was like God Bless you Woman, that'd be great! So I was like is there anything else I can do? He said, I know what's wrong, I just can't fix it along side of the road. I am like where do you live, do you need a ride? The look on his face, wow. He was like, really? I just shook my head, then where do you live? (thinking, why did I get ice cream? LOL) He said he lived, Ya know where the court house is? I said yeah. He said, just a bit past that. I am like ok. So I went to go get the water, and as I'm getting a water, I see a cop come up behind me, I am like oh great! The cop went to go talk to the guy, and then I go over to give him and the lady the water. The cop went back to his car and got an orange ticket for their car. Then he left and was waiting for them to get everything they needed so I could take them home. I was like ok God, I'm putting myself out there, I know for sure that You wanted me to pull over to help them, not sure why, don't need to know why, but I'm doing it. I know You will keep us all safe on the way to their house, Amen!

They got their sunroof closed, the rest of the stuff out and in the van. The guy got in the back and the lady up front. I TOTALLY forget his name, starts with an E, but hers was Kim. He told me about 10 times in the van, God Bless you, you are an angel! I was like no I am not. I wonder what he was thinking if he looked down by his feet and saw that there was a Bible! :) Plus I had 91.9 on the radio. ;) Anyways... So I got them home, before they got out, he was like, how much do you want for the gas? I said don't worry about it. He was like, come on, I gotta give you something! You pulled over, don't know us, you got kids in the van, and you want nothing? Then they started to get out, I was like hey, I go to New Life Garage, come over on Sunday at 10:30, we are at the Blue Crabs Stadium this week, come on out. They both had huge smiles on their faces, I am not sure what that meant, but oh well! Not saying they are gonna come, but ya never know! :) I am just glad I was able to help them! I mean they were out there for atleast an hour, they both had sweat dripping down their faces! It was HOT!!!!!

They both were saying how it's nice to know that there are still good people out there! I was like, it's hot, I wouldn't want to be stuck out on 301! I said, honestly, I passed you guys going into Waldorf, then saw you still sitting there when I was coming back, I had to go to Giants, I bought some water and came back to see if you were still there and were. I said, if I couldn't offer you anything, I would atleast be able to offer you some water, it's hot!

They both were like you don't know how grateful we are to you!

Then I left to go back home! :) When I was getting the stuff out of the van I saw something of theirs so I need to take it to them later today. I needed to get my kiddos to bed, by the time I got home it was after 1, they still hadn't eaten lunch either. So when Curt gets home, we'll go over and I'll take them their face plate to their radio.

My challenge to you all, take a small cooler and freeze some water bottles. Put the fozen water bottles in the littel cooler. If you can't offer a ride, you can atleast offer them some water, it's hot out here! I bet you any money, you will see atleast one car along side of the road this week! If not 2! Be the Water and Light!

If I can do it with 4 littles in my car, you can too! ;)

OUCH!

2010-05-30T19:11:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I've never really cooked or worked with jalapeno peppers, or any hot peppers for that matter! :) I've just stayed away, been too afraid that they would be to hot. But when a guacamole recipe calls for jalapenos, I thought why not try it? Just put in a couple thin slices...

So I am getting more comfy working with them and putting them in recipes. The stacked beef enchiliada calls for a sauce, but I wasn't going to make this kind of sauce, b/c I knew those peppers were SUPER hot and wasn't gonna use those. So I made up my own kind and used jalapenos. It calls to roast them and then put them in a container/cup and pour hot water over them.

I was thinking, ok, I can do this, no biggie, piece of cake! I can roast them suckers and then do the rest of what needs to be done! EASY!!! Right?

Roasted them and as I was roasting them I was noticing that my throat was starting to hurt, well, not hurt, but, I don't really know how to describe it. It's like after a sore throat, it's the raw feeling, but it didn't really hurt too bad.

Then I got them in the cup and poured hot water over them, they had to sit for 20 minutes. Again, no biggie, piece of cake, right? As I was pouring the hot water over them, my eyes started to hurt. Didn't think anything of it.

Then I looked over at them and my throat was all raw and hurt, and my eyes stung! I went to go talk to Curt and was like, I think I'm having a reaction to those jalapenos! So he was like go drink a cup of milk to see if that helps! I was like it's not hot, it doesn't hurt, but I was coughing... So I go get a cup of milk and it worked a little!

So if you do this recipe, be careful! For the next 24 hours, I was hurting! I mean it! I NEVER thought I would have a reaction to it, never crossed my mind, but I was wrong!

I never drank THAT much milk in so little time! I am not a big milk fan, only if I have oreos to dunk them with! It worked for a bit.... Just be careful, that's all I'm gonna say! :D

Thad is ONE!!!!!!!

2010-05-16T21:52:00.004-04:00

On my! Where has the year gone! So busy!!!
Thaddeus my little man turned 1 on Tuesday the 11th! Brought back memories of that crazy week last year!
Today the 15th we needed to be out of our house and that's when Thad was due! I begged my doc to induce me and was finally able to get in on the 11th! Had him on a Monday, then came home on Wednesday, movers came on Thursday to box EVERYTHING up except our beds, then Friday then came and finished, Friday nite we stayed at Jena and Scott's and they had a good bye bbq party for us! What a FUN nite that was! Then Saturday morning we ate and then we left Des Moines! We got almost to Curt's parents house Saturday nite, but I had to stop about 2 1/2 hours from there. So we stopped, then got there Sunday mid-afternoon, and we left there Monday morning. Then we got out here that Wednesday afternoon. Signed on our house Thursday and the movers came and started to unload the truck a bit that nite and then finished the next day! Can't believe I went through all that with a newborn, a VERY newborn at that!
Anyways...
Thad is such a sweet lil guy! He is almost walking on his own! He has a toy that he walks with and he goes SUPER fast when walking with it! He can climb up onto one of our chairs and if there is a pillow or a box by the couch, he steps on that and then crawls up! He thinks he is big stuff! :)
We had his party on Saturday! I had soooo much fun making the cake, did a few new things that I haven't done before! Curt told me to try them on a "fake cake", but I didn't want to make that much frosting! So I tried it on his party day! :) It turned out pretty good, I am happy, not 100% happy, but happy with the way it turned out! :)
Happy Birthday my lil man!!! Love you soooo much!!! <3 href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Po4_DlxKDpA/S_CkTqNE89I/AAAAAAAADCo/XqzukpsYMbc/s1600/093.JPG">

Ed and Angela

2010-04-14T06:59:00.003-04:00

As some of you know who have Facebook, know that good friends of ours lost their little Jackson Sunday. Angela was almost 24 weeks along.
PLEASE keep the family in your prayers during this time!
They have to decide what to do next. Whether to wait til her body goes into labor, or be induced, then they have to bury little Jackson. She said they get to hold him as much as they want, but he will be very fragile...
God chose to heal little Jackson, but not the way we all wanted Him too! I pray that they hold tightly to Jesus, He WILL get them through this!
We may not understnad WHY these things happen, and we may not LIKE it, but we have to TRUST Him and KNOW that He REALLY does know what He is doing!
Dear Jesus,
PLEASE wrap Your loving and caring arms around Ed and Angela today and everyday Lord, I know you are, but please comfort them during this difficult time! Help them with the decisions that they need to make in the following days. Poor Your sweet love on them.
Thank you for healing little Jackson, we may not understand why You chose to have him live with you now, but help them to keep praising You!
Amen

Uh-Oh!!!

2010-03-30T14:51:00.003-04:00

Man, I am finding myself not getting very much done! And when I do have a minute, I am sitting down enjoying the quiet, or the fact that I can sit down for a few mintues, ok, seconds! :)

Mr Thad is ever so busy! He's like all the other ones, keeps me on my toes, for sure! But I love him and wouldn't trade my job for anything! :)

I love all my other kiddos too! :)

I can't believe we've been out here for 10 1/2 months! Seems crazy!!!!

Below is a picture of the little trouble maker! We don't have a ton of closet space, so we bought these nice black shelves and use them as my pantry. I have a couple of them, but one is in the hallway on the way to the upstairs. Thad LOVES crawling around and getting into things! He has certain things he LOVES to get into, like the shelves! I had all the cereal on the bottom shelf that way the kids could pick out what cereal they wanted in the mornings. I had some crackers on the next shelf, and all my cake mixes, etc...

Well, I was in the kitchen doing something, the other kids weren't awake yet, thought, ok, where did he go now? I walked around the corner and saw him with all this!!! (ignore the boxes in the background... You would THINK after being here for 10 1/2 months, I've have everything where I want it, hahaha)

I looked at him and said Thaddeus Larkin!!! What are you doing???? He just looked at me with those HANDSOME blue yes and smiled at me!!! :D Curt came around the corner and said, what? What happened? I just pointed! Then I kinda laughed, grabbed the camera, then put him in the tv room so I could go clean it up! There went a whole box of cheerios!!! I saved a few, but not much!

So, now all the cereal is on the 3rd shelf, he can't reach it YET. :) I put all my canned goods on the bottom 2 shelves. I'll be asking for it on that one too, but those he can't open! So if I have to pick up cans a zillion times a day, it will still be better than wasting cheerios!!!

Skylar

2010-03-28T19:24:00.002-04:00

What a kid she is! :)

I woke her up from her nap today and she must've been having a good dream!

I rubbed her face and said, Skylar, time to wake up baby!

She sat STRAIGHT up and said, I'm eating.

I said, what?

I'm eating! (She was also holding her blanket, her lovie, close to her mouth)

I said, oh, you're eating?

Yes, I am.

She had this goofy smile and dreamy look on her face! Then a couple of seconds passed and she threw her blanket off to the side and said, ok, I'm all done eating chips now!! :)

I am thinking the chip part came because we went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and they serve chips before you get your food... :)

It was so crazy and out of the blue! Gotta love the things my dear sweet kids say!! :)

Horton Cake

2010-03-22T10:00:00.001-04:00

(there is a piece of green missing that my little birthday girl decided to try! Oh well!!! LOL)

So friend told me about this contest going on... She told me I HAD to enter, so I did... Here's the link if you want to vote for me! :) I am not saying you HAVE to, but hey, whatever! :)
http://family.go.com/2010-cake-contest/animals_and_characters/horton-23874/

You have to enter some info, but it's free...
Thanks for voting!!! :)

2010-03-05T07:54:00.003-05:00

Got this from a friend of mine. PLEASE keep then in your prayers!!! I think she is due in August!
Thanks!

We are very excited to learn that we are expecting another baby boy!
We also learned from our ultrasound that our sweet boy has club feet. They are called "club" because it resembles a golf club. His little feet both turn in at the ankles.
He is otherwise perfectly developing and healthy, but we are heart broken to begin a journey with a birth defect once again. Not the words any parent wants to hear - and certainly not twice.
We really don't have a lot of information yet. We've been told that this is fixed "relatively easily" - easily if its not YOUR baby :) - and we are grateful for that.
We trust that God is in control and we know that He has a perfect plan for our little guy. And we are anxious to see His plans play out.
I am only 18 weeks along, so we have some time before this baby's arrival. During that time, we are asking everyone to pray for COMPLETE HEALING! We know God is a God of miracles and we want to flood heaven with prayers for this baby. We accept and praise God for whatever outcome He desires, but will BELIEVE for a miracle! Please join us in believing and trusting God in this situation.
This has already been a roller coaster of emotion and I have no doubt it will continue to be as we move forward. I will update facebook and our family blog as I learn/know more information. In the meantime, please be praying - and feel free to pass this on to anyone else you know that will be a faithful prayer warrior with us!
Thanks, Angela

Yesterday's Promise

2010-02-21T14:31:00.005-05:00

Yesterday's Promise is by Linda Lee Chaikin.

I have read MANY, almost all, of her books! She is an amazing author and catches you in the first few pages of reading!

I have a copy of this bock to give away if you are interested, post a comment by March 6th!!!!

As the son of the squire of Grimston Way, aristocrat Rogan Chantry has fought hard to win his independence from Sir Julien Bley and the British South Africa Company.

Now, his pursuit of a mysterious deposit of gold, marked on a map willed to him by his murdered uncle, Henry Chantry, is challenged by the a new complication? What could happen now?

Can Sir Rogan find the gold in the midst of the native tribesman?

Meanwhile, Evy Varley, the woman Rogan loves back in England, is headed for a brave yet dangerous confrontation with Henry's killer. But what would it cost her? With so much against Rogan and Evy, a reunion seems pretty much impossible! Can yesterday's promise hold them faithful to the hope of future freedom and victorious love?

Send comments by March 6th for a chance to win this book!!!! (sorry, tried to post a pic of the cover... Wouldn't let me!)

Update on Twins!!

2010-02-20T20:18:00.001-05:00

Stole this from Jen's FB notes! They went to Milwaukee to have surgery done! They will be there til Tuesday... Please keep praying!!!
God is sooo good!!!! :)

----------------------------------------------------------------
Finally feeling up to getting on here. This hospital is amazing and Dr. De Lia is amazing! We have been in great hands. Friday before surgery I had several nurses tell me they were praying for me and the babies. It was so reassuring. Dr. De Lia spent the whole morning with us, going over the surgery, checking things out with the ultrasound and answering all of our questions. I have never had a doctor that was so hands on!

The surgery had some challenges to begin with due to the positions of the twins. Plus he had no idea how clear my amniotic fluid may or may not be. But right before they put me under, he leaned over me and he reassured me that he was going to do everything possible to keep me and the girls safe and not to worry.

My amniotic fluid ended up being cloudy (which poses a problem with seeing things and affects the effectiveness of the laser). They had to drain the amniotic fluid on the big baby twice (refilling it with a type of saline solution). By the grace of God, my uterus did not bleed because if it did he would have had to quit. He was able to complete the procedure, although it is typically about 5-10 minutes, with my complications it took about 30.

The babies have been moving, but we will not have an ultrasound until Sunday morning. We will know more about how they are doing tomorrow. Dr. De Lia said that after he got in there and looked around he knew the babies would have had zero percent chance of surviving without this surgery because they were too connected to each other. Now they are each connected to the placenta, but there are no more vessels connecting them to each other!

He taped the procedure (the laser has a camera on it) to show us all of the vessels he coagulated. Plus we were able to see our little babies!!! They are so adorable! We get to take a copy of the tape with us.

We definitely feel we are in the right place and we know these little girls are in God's hands. Thank you so much for all of your prayers! I felt so much peace, even though I was a little emotional. There is some pain because it is abdominal surgery. While the incision in my uterus is very very small, the incision in my abdominal wall is about 4-5 inches. But I am feeling better as the day goes on.

We will update about the babies tomorrow after our ultrasound. It is encouraging to feel movement, though!

Love & War

2010-02-11T10:01:00.004-05:00

Love & War
Finding The Marriage You've Dreamed Of
By
John and Stasi Eldredge

John and Stasi are the authors who wrote Wild At Heart and Captivating.

This is a good book! It was neat to see how they take their own mistakes and what they have learned and tell you.

This book shows you how to fight for your love and happiness, calling on both men and women to step into the great adventure God has waiting for you! Walking alongside John and Stasi, you can discover how your journey together is growing into a story of meaning much greater than anything you could do or be on your own!

Here are the chapter titles so you can see what they all cover! Which is pretty much EVERYTHING! A very good read!

1- Remembering What We Wanted
2- Love and War
3- A Perfect Storm
4- The Greatest Gift You Can Give
5- More Than Just Roommates
6- How to Have a Really Good Fight
7- A Shared Adventure
8- Back-to-Back with Swords Drawn
9- The Little Foxes
10- When Storms Descend
11- The Chapter on Sex
12- Learning to Love

At the end they have a few pages that they call Prayers. I think this is awesome! They include how they pray and what they pray for. They give you "guidelines" to help you in your prayer walk as a couple.

Go to your local Family Christian Stores to get it or
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385529808

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Tuesday...

2010-02-02T22:46:00.003-05:00

Didn't get much sleep last nite, woke up with a headache...

That's never good!! This is the type of head-ache that no matter what I take, it doesn't work, so I don't take anything. I did take something this time, just praying it would work... (it didn't)

The morning went by fine... Kotah did wake up with pink eye though! I just HAD to say that it's been about 7 years since she's had it, and bam, she wakes up with it!

I wasn't sure if the sliver was working for me or not, but I think it is. I put it in more today... Plus it was about a full day before I actually got anything to put in my eye, so it was BAD!!!! Then when Kotah woke up, I cleaned it all out with a warm wash cloth and then was able to put 2 drops in. Then I tried a few other times during the day and she down right REFUSED to let me put them in! So I told her if she didn't let me put them in she couldn't go to gymnastics's on Thursday. So I got the drops in 2 more times today. So a total of 3 times... Hope it starts looking better tomorrow and she will let me put it in more often tomorrow!

Thad seemed to be getting worse... He wasn't eating and had only 2 wet diapers all day.... He nursed on one side and would NOT eat anymore then. I almost took him in before I put the kiddos to bed, but thought, no, maybe he just needs to sleep. He had a slight fever before I laid down with him and was burning up just 2 hours later! He would wake up and I had to hold him before he would go back to sleep, tried to put him down and he would wake up crying and shaking. So I fixed supper for the kids, got him to eat a little bit of strawberries, blueberries, and applesauce all mixed up. He ate it. But not a whole lot.

The kids finished eating, bundled them up and out we went to Patient First. It's like a Redi-Med.

Got there and got in pretty quick, thankfully! I was worried I would have to wait with all 4 of my munchkins for a long time!

The doc came in after the nurse checked his temp, which was 104.4. Then another nurse came in and gave him some Motrin. Then the doc came in and was almost rude. He came over and I heard Thad start to gag, I am like oh boy, here it comes. How far is it gonna shoot? Out came the little bit of supper he ate and the Motrin. Guess that didn't work to well huh? :)

He asked me what was going on, so I told him he had a stuffy nose about a week ago, and I just thought it was his tooth coming through. His tooth popped through and then the stuffy nose stayed and he got a cough that was just getting worse. And then the fever that started this afternoon. He was like well, it's prob just a typical cold. I just looked at him like don't mess with me boy!

He said his lungs are clear, but his ears are red. So I will get a prescrip for his ears.

Then he left, the kids all sat up on the bed and I sat down in the chair with Thad who feel asleep. After about 15 minutes the doc came back in and he looked at me and I could see a look come across his face... He was a little more caring, not as jerky. He said, we don't have the liquid form of this med for kids, I am sorry, you will have to make another stop. He said, he prob had a regular cold at first, and just yesterday he got the ear infection. SO.... Then I said, you said his lungs are clear? He sounds a bit wheezy, he said yep, they are very clear. Come back in a few days if he is getting worse. But his bed side manner was much better! Maybe he was ticked because Thad threw up. I got it all too! I mean it was all over Thad and his lovie!

So... Went to Target, got the meds, back home, gave the kiddos showers, a snack. eye drops, more meds, and then bed! Now, I am trying to get the kitchen cleaned up and get his lovie washed and dried! Thankfully I have another blanket that has the "strings" that he likes, so it is working, but may not for long! :) I didn't get anything done because he wanted me to hold him all day! Which is fine, but I feel bad because the other kids didn't get as much attention! Tomorrow will be better, I know, I said that for today! BUT we got some meds for Thad and the others are getting better! I think anyways... Just keep up with the meds and get me some rest! :) I guess we all need rest so we will feel better!

Got to talk to Curt for a few minutes tonite, but it kept breaking up, so I really didn't talk to him much... I did hear that they don't have any hot water, so they all get to take cold showers! Ok, yeah, it's hot out there, but not really how you want to start your day off! :) They were also diggin holes, but didn't hear why? I guess I will find out when he comes home, right! :)

Update on the Twin girls, Keep praying!!!

2010-02-02T22:45:00.002-05:00

I stole this from Jen's notes.... :)

Good news! Today they measured the babies to see how they have grown from two weeks ago. Baby A (first initial of her first name is A., so I call her A. Hope because we are not sharing names yet) now weighs about 10 ounces. The amniotic fluid in her sac has decreased from 9 cm to 8.1 cm since Friday (this is good, because she had too much)! Her heart is doing good and all other measurements, etc. look good. Baby B (first initial of her name is H., so I call her H. Grace) now weighs 7 ounces. The amniotic fluid in her sac has INCREASED from 3.2 cm to about 4 cm since Friday!! Their weights two weeks ago were 4 and 6 ounces respectively. She still has absent diastolic blood flow (she is only getting blood flow when her heart contracts, not when it rests). But overall the doctors are very happy that things are not getting worse and are holding steady (maybe even slightly improving)! So, I will continue to have weekly appointments and will continue on full bedrest and the extra protein diet, but if things can just hold steady or continue improving it will be amazing! I am so thankful for the good news and we just thank God for his peace and for watching over our little girls. We pray that they continue to grow and H. Grace's blood flow improves. We appreciate everyones prayers, kind thoughts and help!

Is the Week Over Yet? :)

2010-02-01T22:51:00.002-05:00

Curt just left and I am ready for him to be home! He was pretty concerned about me when he left, but I told him I would be fine. I always am... :)

Yeah, thinking that I may not be! It would be fine if I wasn't sick as well, but I am. I have no voice, so I have to repeat myself MANY times before the kiddos hear me! Or I have to clap my hands to get their attention, then I end up waking up Mr Thad who is extremely fussy right now!

Kotah just started with the sore throat and head ache... She seemed to be doing better this afternoon, then again tonite she was getting it back. So, I gave her some meds to help her sleep. no worries, its the all natural stuff, yes, it is still meds, but a bit "healthier" for her, right? :)

Gavin seems to be ok, but a slight stuffy nose and his one eye is all puffy. It isn't in his eye, but under it... So I got some sliver colloidal today and put a drop of that in his eye before bed and then gave him something to nip his stuffy nose in the bud before it gets any worse!

Skylar has had a stuffy nose for almost a week now, and then just started coughing a bit worse yesterday and today. I tried using my natural cough med that I had, but it wasn't cutting it, so after her nap today she told me, I couldn't sleep good mom, I couldn't stop coughing mommy! I looked at her pathetic little face, puffy eye, snot running out of her nose, and I knew I had to get something else for her! SO... back out we went and got some mucinex. First dose didn't do anything for her, so I upped it a bit, it said I could give her 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, so I gave her the full 1 teaspoon before bed! That child needs sleep! :)

Thad started with a stuffy nose and slight fever last Sunday, but it went away... Then his snotty nose stayed and then a tooth popped through! YEAH!!! But the stuffy nose stayed and then he got a cough... Tonite he has had a fever off and on all nite. But I see that next to the tooth that popped through there is another one coming.... So that will explain the fussiness and then the stuffy/runny nose... But the cough....

I have a stuffy nose and pink eye! GRRR...... (Got to thinking, haven't had pink eye in this house since Kotah was about 6 months old, so that's been almost 7 years ago, guess it's time someone got it huh? ME!!! YAH!!!!! lol) Did some looking up on home remedies for pink eye, and tried a few until I could go get the colloidal sliver. Atleast the sliver doesn't sting! Those drops I've gotten from the doc for pink eye stings like the dickens! So... Hopefully it will be better tomorrow, still pink, but not as bad and it doesn't hurt or sting anymore! Yeah! :)

I had it tonite! Wondering if I could do it. Of course I can!!! :) I am just tired... We still don't have a doc out here either. We have a place where I could take the kids in if I need too, but I don't want too. I went online with our insurance to find a doc that would work, and I called them today to make a 9 month appointment for Thad and well, I got a recording that said this number is no longer in service! hmm... Are they no longer practicing, do I really want to take my kids there? So, back online to find a doc! The next closest one is 30 - 40 minutes away! Grr.... So will try and call them tomorrow and see if I can't get Thad in there for his 9 month check up. If he is still bad tomorrow, I will try to get him in sooner to be checked!

It just sucks because I know it's a cold and will have to let it run it course, but it's hard to have all 4 kids sit on my lap at the same time! I don't have energy to cook, clean, laundry, FORGET school, (NOOOO way that's happening right now!)... I have sooo many things I wanted to get done while Curt was gone this week, but I don't think any of it's gonna happen! I just hope the house doesn't look WORSE by the time he gets home! :) I was hoping we would all be feeling better too...

Just need some sleep and tomorrow will be better, right?

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
God will help me get through this week! First day is usually the toughest, right? It's all downhill from here! Help me to get through this God, give me the strength to get through this week and get us all well again!!!! Amen!!!
What's that other verse from Matt? Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Yep, I CAN do this!!!! :) It's not like I haven't been home alone with the kids for 5 days right? Oh wait, not with 4 and all sick! :)

PLEASE PRAY!!!!!

2010-01-30T22:04:00.000-05:00

I'm asking for prayer for good friends of ours from Iowa... She had another doc appointment Friday and as you can see, she goes back Tuesday.... Please pray that they will feel God's loving and healing arms around them! her name is jen and her hubby's name is Jon, they have 3 kids and are pregnant with these precious girls! Thank you for your prayers!!!! <3
=====================================================
I guess there is good news and bad. I just wish there were more good! The good news is that little baby's fluid increased a bit so the doctors are hopeful. The bad news is that she is only getting blood flow when her heart contracts, not when it rests. And big baby's amniotic fluid has increased a lot, which is not good. It is putting strain on her heart. So now I am between moderate to severe TTTS. I have another appt on Tuesday. If it gets much worse we will head to Milwaukee. Meanwhile, just praying, hoping trying to have faith and fight off despair.

Pics...

2010-01-26T22:18:00.003-05:00

Here are some pics for you to enjoy... :)

Not feeling so swell! :(

These are backwards, I forget when I put them in here, I need to put them in backwards so it will come up right, opps... Too tired to fix it! Skylar was giving him kisses, then he slowly got her back! Here he is putting his head on her, rubbin' up against her! SOOOO SWEET!!! :)

Get her like this mom? :)

Skylar givin' him some lovin!

I love them chubbers and eyes!!! :)

This afternoon, snotty nose and slight cough, but having fun! :)

Just like big brother, LOVES monekys!!!! He LOVED this part of the book!

Gettin' his big brothers hair! hahaha

Gavin will be lookin out for his lil bro!! They were laughing at each other! SOO SWEET!!!!!! :)

Watchin' a movie and NOT fighting about sharing the blanket! :)

E-mail Update from my Mom

2010-01-25T21:55:00.001-05:00

Good evening to all,

Thought I would fill you all in on what is going on following my 2 doctor appointments today. Blood work is back on the arthritis work up and I DO NOT have Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus or Scleroderma, which is great! Still don't know exactly what it is, but there are many different forms of arthritis to choose from! Dr. Campbell will continue to monitor my symptoms and we will go from there. But the good news is, I am feeling much better. I continue to take a low dose methylprednisolone and arthritis strength Tylenol as needed. Swelling is much better and pain level is very low.

Dr. O'Shaughnessy (cardiologist) was very encouraging and really thinks there is nothing serious with the heart issue. He ordered a Treadmill Myoview stress test for this Wednesday, just to be sure and to get a baseline reading. He said that will show if there are any problems that didn't show up in the EBT scan, but feels rather confident that everything is okay. He will continue to see me yearly and then if there is no change in heart scans, will not need to see me as often.

I have been released to return to work, which is encouraging.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging words. I am so thankful for your friendship. In the words of the children's prayer, "God is Great and God is Good". There is HOPE and I remain HOPEFUL.

Love to all of you,
Carol

Whew!!!

2010-01-24T15:57:00.000-05:00

Wow, I did it! :) Wasn't too sure if it was all gonna get done or not!!! But I made it! :)

I made the chocolate chip cookies on Friday. Then Saturday I finished the desserts. Yes, I said desserts. I made 2 different kinds, but I made each one twice. I wanted to make sure there would be enough! Pastor told me at first there were gonna be about 50 people, then he told me closer to 40. So I HAD to make sure there was enough dessert!!!! ;)

I also made pizza last nite for supper! I am not really sure what I was thinking, making all the desserts, just getting them done at 5, my little eating machine needed to eat at 5, I had to roll out the pizza dough, get it in the oven, make 2 calzones... I had pizza on my menu and really wanted to follow through with it! I was super excited to try the recipe I found since I haven't found a good one yet! Found out some secrets as well... (will share those when I post the recipe!)

So I got the pizza and calzones in the oven, fed my little eating machine, we ate and it was edible, it was really good infact! :) Then we gave 2 of the kiddos showers, back downstairs, movie in, the littlest then got a bath, got them all a snack, got 2 boxes of pasta cooked, then had to put the munchkins to bed, another 2 boxes of pasta made, fed the eating machine and got into the computer for a little, watched a movie, then bed... Except, I wasn't able to sleep, not because I wasn't tired, but because a certain little bubby decided he wasn't feeling so hot! He had a fever, then it broke, then he got it again... This happened about 4 times last nite, every time I was just about to go to sleep, he would wake up again! I think I got about 2 hours of sleep! I ended up on the couch and just held him all nite! Poor little guy! Not sure if he is teething, or is in the beginning stages of getting sick! :( I wanted to be up by 6 (that's usually when he eats...), get in the shower and get crackin on the rest of the pasta! I wanted to be done in PLENTY of time, that way I wouldn't feel like I was being rushed! Well.... My little guy woke up at 7:15 to eat, (I actually got one solid hour of sleep! WHOO HOO) fed him, laid there, out of it... Realized what time it was, almost 8,YIKES!!! Still needed to get a shower, feed the others, and get myself looking half way alive after the shower, and finish the food! Oh boy, a little bit of panic struck me, but then I am like, I can do this! God give me the strength! Boy He did! I didn't really freak out or panic about the time, just got it all done! I wasn't even running around like my head was cut off! :)

I seriously wasn't stressing about getting it all done, thanks God for the calm nerves!!! :) My hubby wasn't going to go to prayer meeting this morn, but I told him to go, then he took one of the munchkins, so it was fine! :)

I did let the girls watch some Mickey Mouse this morning since it was on! I know, bad mommy! But I REALLY wanted to get the food all done and not worry about them fighting! :) My little guy was still pretty cranky and tired, but he sat and watched it!

My hubby called after they were done and asked if he needed to come home and help, but I said I was getting it all together, so no worries!

I wanted to be at the church by 10:15, but I got there at 10:30, so I guess not to bad! :)

Got everything in the kitchen, then realized that the pans were a little bit bigger than I thought, or the oven was smaller than I thought! I could only get 2 pans in at a time, I had 3 pans... So I was like oh boy, now what? Ok, put those 2 in now, the one pan was still a tad warm from me cooking the pasta this morning, so put the 2 cold ones in, got them out at 11:45, put the other one in, and it was all good! :)

Now I need to get cracking and get these recipes on on blog! :) I haven't been doing so hot this week on getting a new one everyday! Opps... Been a crazy week! Will TRY to do better next week! I am going to TRY and post ONE new recipe everyday, except Saturday and Sunday. I wanted to put some type of scripture with some thoughts on Sundays, but forget about it on Saturday nite and don't have the energy to do much on Sundays... Will try and do better at that! :) That's my goal, will see if it happens!

So be on the look-out this week for the recipes of the food I fixed today for membership class!

As tired as I am, mostly because of being awake half the nite, I had a BLAST! I LOVE cooking and helping out! I LOVED doing the breakfast bar at JCFC and am glad that I can help out now at the Garage! Next membership class may have even more people, BRING IT ON!!!!!! :)

DC Zoo

2010-01-20T14:19:00.008-05:00

What a trip!!! :) I've been to DC quite a few times now, but ALWAYS with Curt, and his GPS!!! Plus he was driving!

I decided last week that I wanted to go to the zoo with the kiddos and knew the weather was supposed to be nice, so I was going to take advantage of it!

Curt printed off mapquest directions so I knew where to go. I was pretty sure on how to get there, but I had them "just incase"! Let me mention that it was on how to GET there, not coming home. You can't go exactly the same way to get back home...

(Thanks to those of you who mentioned googlemaps... Mapquest was how the GPS is, so I stuck with it b/c they had some extra turns in the google one that I wasn't sure about...)

I got all the way to 295, I saw a sign that said to 295, so I took it, but after a while, I am like, this isn't right... So I went a few more miles and really knew that this wasn't the right way... I only went 6 miles out of my way, but by the time I got all around again it was an extra 30 minutes. Traffic was a PAIN!!! I would've gotten to the Zoo in 1 1/2 hours, but it took me 2 hours... Traffic was crazy!!! It should take about an hour and 10 minutes. THEN I couldn't find another street, but I passed Connecticut. The zoo is on that road, so I turned back around and went down Connecticut and finally got to the zoo! I actually went by it and Kotah was like, um, mom, there's the zoo! I was like yeah, I finally got on the right street and was so glad I got there, I forgot to look FOR the zoo!!! (hahahahaha) So I turned around AGAIN and made it to the zoo! We ate our lunch, and then went and walked around! We were there for about 2 hours, then Skylar was ready to go home, she was tired of walking! I was in such a hurry to leave, I forgot to put the stroller in the van, and wasn't going to rent one either! So I carried Thad for 2 hours! FUN!!!! We didn't get to see the panda's this time, but am SO planning another trip!!! :) Will look for those fun guys FIRST!!!! :)

SO, we hit the bathroom before leaving, got them all buckled in the van, gave them their snack for the ride home.... Realized I didn't have any directions to get home, but hey, I can do it, I got there, right? So... I am not really still 100% sure where I was, I did go all the down on Connecticut, then I passed the White House, WHOO HOO!!! :) (said a prayer for the president as passing) Just before passing the White House, I THOUGHT I was there, but not sure, so I was kinda going a tad slow, this guy was on my BUTT, literally, I am not sure how he didn't hit me, I realized where I was and knew I needed to get over to the right hand lane. There was one lane to my left and 2 to my right, I needed all the way over to the right in BUMPER TO BUMPER traffic! (This is where my MI driving skills kicked in!!! hahahaha) I noticed that I could get over to the right hand lane if I slowed down just a bit to get over, well, the guy who was eating my butt had other plans! He FLEW over to the left lane, back over RIGHT in front of me and as he was going by he was hollering and waving his middle finger! So I smiled back and mouthed, Jesus Loves You, and waved! (with ALL my fingers!!!) So then, he got in front of me, then flew into the right hand lane just as I was going over, so I had to get back into my lane, wait a sec, then get over... All the while passing the White House and telling the kids that's where the President lives! :) (I should also mention that I said, ugh, I HATE DC!!! kotah said, why mom? I said, the traffic, people are being mean! Kotah said, why, because they don't know Jesus? I said, I dunno!) Made it all the way over BEFORE the light!

I then went through China Town. I told the kids this is China Town, and Kotah pipes up, this is where daddy went! I said, uh, no, not here. She said, but you said this is China Town and daddy went to China! So I had to explain to her the difference! :) I got to the interstate, don't ask me which one! :) I saw a couple of signs and I am like, oh crap, now which way? I THOUGHT I was supposed to take the one to Richmond, but not 100% sure, so I call Curt, hey babe, which one do I want? So I tell him, and he was like, uh, the Richmond one! YAH I WAS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! :) So, I made it home! I also had the option to go 495 (the outer loop) or 210. The last time I went 495, I got WAY turned around, it was on the way home from IN a while ago. So I decided NOT to go 495 and to take 210 all the way home! Got home in one piece! Boy was I tired, but it was so fun! just knowing that I made it there, a couple wrong turns, but hey, I made it! WHOO HOO baby!!!!!!!!!! Watch out DC, here I come!!!!!!!! :)

Sunflower fish (love the color!)

We also got to see a guy feed the cuttlefish and a nautilus, that was cool and fun! :)

Update on the Twins!

2010-01-19T19:29:00.000-05:00

I just got off of the phone with the specialist. Unfortunately he was called to an emergency while we were having the ultrasound, so we were unable to meet with him in person. However, he said right now that it is a mild form of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. He is going to monitor me closely to see if it progresses, stays the same or corrects itself. If it progresses to severe and I am less than 24 weeks along he said I am an excellent candidate for the laser surgery which helps seal off certain shared blood vessels so each baby has their own blood supply. I would have to go to Milwaukee, but it would be with the doctor who actually pioneered the surgery in 1988. If I make it past 24 weeks, they could do amnio reduction to drain the excess fluid off of the big baby in an effort to correct the condition until the babies are deliverable.

So it is going to be touch and go from here on out. I am now on modified bed rest and most likely will be put on complete bed rest in the coming weeks. We appreciate your prayers so much and we are continuing to pray and hope for a positive outcome for our little girls!
-Jen

PLEASE PRAY!!!!

2010-01-18T20:21:00.001-05:00

This is a very good friend of mine from Iowa... She's prego with twins and this is her status on FB, I don't think she will mind, she's asking for prayer and I am asking for it and her family as well! Jon and Jen Mumm, they have 3 kids and are expecting the twins July 4th... She is only 16 weeks along!

Thank you for your prayers!!! Her appointment is tomorrow afternoon at 2!

Asking for your prayers! The babies are measuring a week apart and they suspect twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. One baby also has low fluid. We are meeting with a specialist tomorrow so they can take a closer look and let us know what we can do. Please pray that little baby B catches up and God protects them both. (Jennifer Mumm)

Whipping Cream

2010-01-12T09:40:00.004-05:00

opps, that's all I'm gonna say! Atleast it was worth it!! :)

I guess maybe I put the mixer on too high? Or I wasn't paying attention? Or both? Oh well, it was sooooo worth that little bit of wall splatter! :)
p.s.
will get this yummy recipe up on cooking blog after kids take a nap, need to get Kotah started on school and make sure the other 2 are dressed! :) Keep watching, it was easy and OH SOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!! :P

New Testament Challenge

2010-01-11T10:04:00.003-05:00

Our church is doing a NT Challenge, to get through the whole NT this year.
If you want to join me/us let me know, I can send you what to read each day...
Today was Matthew 7. The first verse is Do not judge... I remember finding this verse after I highlighted my hair bright pink. All the looks I got from it too! I am thinking oh my! I remember standing in line at Wendy's for food court fellowship, and this family standing in front of me. They had 2 kids and the mom took one look at me and told her kids, it's ok, stand next to me. And the LOOK she gave me! I also remember thinking, yeah, stay away, or I'm gonna EAT you!!! Geez, it was just pink highlights. But I also remember thinking, how often do we judge people by their looks? I still get looks every now and then because of 4 kids... And sometimes with my nose ring, depending on where I am at. :) It's not our job to judge people, it's our job to LOVE them!
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Wow... I am thinking I wanna go for the narrow road, but I must admit, it is SUPER easy to stay on the wide road. I am in the process of getting ready to help in our church with the Children's Ministry. Just waiting for my references to go through! :) I wanted to help, but yet, I didn't want to. I was afraid of what would happened, if what happened at JCFC would happen again... I didn't want to go through it. But that would be staying safe on the wide path, and I don't want to be safe. I want to go out of my comfort zone and be on that narrow path! How about you? Which path will you choose?

Toilet

2010-01-08T20:25:00.003-05:00

I am telling you what, there is NEVER a dull moment in this house, even up to the very second of bedtime!!!
I was on my way up the stairs to put the kiddos to bed, and I hear Gavin SCREAMING, and I do mean S-C-R-E-A-M-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ran up the stairs, well, as fast as my back allowed me, :), and I see him standing in the bathroom with his arms out, and Kotah is no where to be found... So I went into the girls room to see what happened from Kotah and she didn't say anything, so I knew she did SOMETHING... I go into the bathroom ans ask Gavin what happened. He said Kotah scared me and I fell in the toilet. So I go into the girls room and ask Kotah, what did you do? She just hung her head and didn't say anything. I said what did you do??? She really didn't say anything, but I said, Kotah, that's mean to scare people. I've told you before not to scare your brother and sister, haven't I? She just shook her head. She just laid on the bed and didn't say anything. I went back into the bathroom and stripped Gavin down and helped him dry off and then told him to go to the bathroom and get more pj's on.
Oh the joys!
Wonder what tomorrow will bring? :)

Mom

2010-01-08T11:05:00.002-05:00

I called mom yesterday morning (almost noon) too see how she was doing. Oh my, let me tell you what!!! She sounded like her old self again! (I told Curt, I have my old mommy back!!! :o)) She sounded like she could run a marathon! She also went and got her hair cut at 8 that morning, and then went to 4 or 5 other stores! Before she got these new pills she wouldn't have been able to do all that, or if she did, she would be asleep and SUPER tired!
I pray that these pills continue to work for her! She said she can see her knuckles and she can make a fist, not as tight as she would like to yet, but she could press her fingernails into her palm! YEAH!!!!
Thank you for all your prayers, keep praying that these pills keep working and her B/P doesn't go up! :)

My Little/Big Guy

2010-01-07T22:59:00.005-05:00

This little fellow is on the M-O-V-E!!!!!!!!!! He isn't crawling on all 4's just yet, but he's been trying to get up on all 4's, and just stays there like, ok, now what? :) TOO CUTE!!! But boy can this little guy SCOOT!!!!!! I guess he is perfecting his army crawl!
I put him in the living room while the other 3 were playing cars, and went into the kitchen to get supper in the crock-pot and he made his way around to the dining room and the turtle tank and the baby bottle! :)

Playing cars with his big bro

Playing with the child lock from the TV stand... So it wasn't actually locked, but it was through the hooks! He played with it enough that he managed to get it off! :)

Back

2010-01-07T10:14:00.002-05:00

I've been blessed by my father with a WONDERFUL back! :) I always remember him and playing volleyball (most of you know what I'm talkin' about!! lol) and then him out for the rest of the summer because of playing volleyball! ;)

Ok, so maybe not all my back probs are blamed on him, it can be stress too! It's not like I haven't had any stress in my life lately... (Please note, I am not complaining, this is my blog and I have the right to put my feelings down! :))

The last game of bowling I played Friday, I threw my back out and totally felt it! Then the ride home didn't feel too much, but it hurt. Then I pulled the Wii Fit out Monday to try and "loosen" it up, then that nite it was worse again, and then Tuesday was HORRIBLE!!! But I pulled the yoga on the Wii and tried that! Some of them I couldn't even do! It hurt to pick Thad up and sit in bed to nurse, I couldn't even sit right! But this morning I'm feeling a bit better, here's to hoping it's on the mend! I LOVE having a bad back! It makes my life soooo much easier! :)

I've got so much to do, I don't have the time to have a bad back right now! :)

So maybe one more time with the Wii and my back will be back? :)

Mom's Update..

2010-01-06T22:08:00.001-05:00

Got this e-mail from mom and what's been going on with her!

Good evening to all,

Some of you are aware and some may not be, of my recent medical dilemma. Many have been asking and thought this would be the easiest way to inform you. My symptoms came on very fast and were/are very painful. It feels like I have been in a bad accident and every joint in my body aches. My right hand is swollen to the point I can't make a fist and have trouble wringing out a dishcloth (and to a Harshberger that is huge!) My feet are swollen and shoes are tight. I had trouble getting out of bed and made a trip to the ER (thanks to Jan) several weeks ago. They ran different tests, blood work, scanned my arm for blood clots, etc. They determined I had pleurisy. I have been taking Ibuprofen and Arthritis strength Tylenol and finding no relief from the pain. After several different Dr visits I was prescribed different 'drugs' and still no real relief.

Today I had an appointment with Dr. Campbell (Rheumatology Associates) and he is diagnosing me with inflammatory arthritis until all the blood work and x rays get back with the 'real' diagnosis, which could take 2-3 weeks. He really feels I have rheumatoid arthritis and is also having blood work done to check for lupus. The first test came back negative for lupus, so he is doing a more inclusive test. Also said I may have osteoarthritis in my knees. He prescribed methylprednisolone with the understanding that I need to very closely monitor my blood pressure because of my aneurysm on my aorta. This med will help with the joint swelling, therefore less pain, which will be wonderful. I will see Dr. Campbell again in 3 weeks. He said RA comes on with a vengeance and can be triggered by stress, also pleurisy is not uncommon.

Next week I see Dr. Sowden, heart surgeon, concerning the aneurysm. Really don't think it requires surgery at this point, just need to keep monitoring it. I will also be seeing Dr. Oshaughnessy, cardiologist, the end of the month. These heart doctors were both Herm's doctors, so I was very thankful that I was able to get in with them. We both really like them.

I have not worked since Dec 24th and will be off until the end of the month....unless I see much improvement in movement and can manage the pain. I do need to keep moving or I really become stiff, but on the otherhand, I tire so easily and have little get up and go! This to shall pass and with the proper diagnosis and treatment I will be raring to go!

Thanks for your prayers and calls. Will keep you posted as I know more. There is HOPE and I am HOPEFUL.

Love and peace to you all,

Carol

P.S. After just one dose of the new drug it seems my hand is feeling some better, just realizing it is easier to type :) As Herm would say, "YIPPEE SKIPPEE!!

Ugh

2010-01-05T14:23:00.002-05:00

This morning started off ok. Curt got up and did some e-mails and then he left to go to a store and send out his laptop. I swear, he is just trying to get a new one! :) (for work)

The kids were playing nice and then oh my! Gavin and Skylar were screaming and yelling at each other, then 5 minutes later they were perfect angels playing together. Then they went to torture Kotah in the kitchen who was putting a puzzle together. Then Skylar went off to play upstairs and Gavin wanted to put a puzzle together. They were being good, then something happened and puzzle pieces went flying!

Then Thad decided he wanted to leave the TV Room and go exploring... So off he went to the kitchen to taste the puzzle pieces.

Its been a day, but I am surviving! I WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I got them lunch, put them all in their rooms for a nap, fed the eating machine and decided to whip the Wii Fit out! I was just finishing up and Thaddeus decides he didn't like what I ate (a cucumber) and out it all came out! So I turn the Wii off, strip him down, give him a bath ( I will also mention that he just had one LAST nite!!!) get him dressed, and now am in here. I really would like to eat some lunch, but while I had some "quiet" time, I got in here. :) I also need to get the tree down and the nativity's put away. Yes, I have more than one nativity. :)

Kotah is now up and playing, so I guess I better get going, I still need to get my recipe up on my other blog, but that will wait, my tummy will wait no more! :)

Here's to hoping a better evening is in store! :)

Home Again...

2010-01-05T14:02:00.002-05:00

We got home about 1am Sat, well, I guess it would've been early Sunday morning! :) It was all good until we hit W. Va and then the mountains in MD. I slept off and on, but I don't feel like I got any sleep!
It was so very hard for me to leave! I don't know if it is because mom isn't feeling the greatest and her hands are swelling, or that it was a major holiday and dad isn't here. Or the both. I dunno... I cried alot on the way home...
Matt (my little cuz, ok, well, he isn't so little anymore, he is taller than me, but he is younger! :)) came out on Wednesday. It was sooo awesome to spend the day with him! We got out the old VHS (yeah, don't really know what THOSE are! LOL) and we watched one of when we had Matt. We figured he was about 15-18 months old! SOOO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!! There was quite a bit of tape that actually had dad in it! Normally he is the one BEHIND the camera, so it was neat to see him! While we were watching it, the phone rang, in my head (for a split second) I was thinking, oh, it's just dad calling to say he is on his way home, a customer came in and the girls couldn't help them, so he had too... As soon as it came, it left. I realized, dad isn't here, it's not him calling.
I took my dad's Pepsi shirt. Mom was asking Kris and I if there was anything that we wanted and she would say yes you can take it, or no, I am not ready to give it up. I was packing our suitcases to leave and she was like is there any shirts of dad's you want? I said I can wait mom. She asked again, what do you want? I said, you probably want to hang onto the Pepsi shirt? She said take it, then I grabbed his old TRINITY (where he used to work a hundred years ago! LOL) as well. I may or may not wear them, but I remember him wearing them. :)
It was a good trip home. I was ready to leave, but wanted to stay. Now I know my mom isn't an invalid (SP?) but I know she struggles with some of the things around the house b/c of her hands. She is doing good and will find out what's going on, if its Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or whatever else it could be on Wednesday the 6th, so tomorrow. I pray the docs can figure it out and give her something to help her right away!
We got to spend a could of days up at the Cecils and that was tons of fun! We ended up doing our Christmas on Monday nite up there, then on Tuesday we did the "siblings" gifts. The kids had soooo much fun playing and running around with all their cousins!!!!! Next time Thad will be up and running with them as well! :) Friday afternoon we went to Crazy Pins and got to go bowling! I ALMOST beat George, but yeah, oh well! Then the 2nd game we played, I twisted my back the 1st frame and so I was off the whole game! Oh well! I still had fun! I can also still kick butt in Wii Bowling! LOL
Thursday Aunt Claudia and Uncle Craig came out and we did Christmas with them! Had a really nice visit and they stayed until the New Year! heeheehee
All in all it was a great Christmas! It was a little odd and different not having dad there, but we are all gonna make it. I still tell myself, I may not like all that has happened, but I trust God. I know He knows what He is doing. I don't have to like it, but I have to accept it and TRUST HIM!!!!!
This is a New Year! Gonna make new memories and cherish the old ones!

New Christmas Memories

2009-12-27T22:41:00.002-05:00

Here I am sitting using dad's laptop. Yes, I still consider it dad's, even though he isn't around to use it.
We celebrated Christmas today before supper. The first one of many without dad... It was going good, but hard to see the gift tags from Gramma and not Gramma and Granpa. Hard to not see dad sitting in his chair taking pics of the kids opening their presents.
It was a good day though.
We (Kris, Amy, Curt and I) had decided earlier that we wanted to get them an anniversary bowl like Kris and Amy got for their wedding. It was ordered and paid for before dad passed. It was so beautiful! Kinda hard to see mom open it, many more memories folding over all of us.
We then ate some supper, then we got the kids bathed and then a short movie, then they went to bed. After they got settled down, Kris pulled out some VHS (I am not really sure what those are! LOL), and we watched some of the oldies that dad taped off. So fun to watch! Then we found an old Peter, Paul, and Mary one! FUNNY!!!! Then we found one that he had taped for me, The Popples, but I knew a long time ago that he taped over it. Kris found it and said here's Mandy's tape, but I said, he taped over it! He popped it in and sure enough, he taped over my Popples! Guess what he taped? Dances With Wolves! Seriously, who would tape THAT over Popples?!?!?! :) Oh well!!!
It's been good, it's been hard, but it's been good! Making new memories and remember the old times. Laughing and crying, it's all good!
I am feeling, I dunno. It's just really weird not having dad here. But I do know where he is and it all happened for a reason. We may not agree with what God has planned. He may not always let us know what His plans are, but He knows what He is doing...

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-24T18:57:00.000-05:00

Oatmeal

2009-12-23T15:03:00.003-05:00

This is why I don't like oatmeal! It ALWAYS explodes on me! Maybe I should go back to the pre-packaged stuff for the kids! I've been giving oatmeal to Thad and mixing in some cooked apples. And well... I didn't put it in the microwave for as long as it called for. I opened the microwave and was UGH!!!! Curt said, what happened? I said well, the oatmeal exploded on me AGAIN!!!!!!! Not as bad as when I tried to make Steel Cut Oats in there, but still!!! (let me tell you, holy cow, that stuff literally went EVERYWHERE!!!! There was soo much water in the microwave... Steel cut oats, yeah...)
You are probably saying why doesn't she just stand there for the less than 3 minutes to watch it? Well, funny you should think that, all I'm gonna say is, 4 kids! And I will leave it at that! I am sure you can imagine what can happen with 4 kids in under 3 minutes! :)
So I am thinking that is why I don't like that slimy gooey stuff! :)
But the kids and Curt do, so I'll keep trying to make it for them! I do the steel cut oats in the crock pot over nite, guess I better do that tonite for Thad!

Blind Taco

2009-12-22T23:00:00.004-05:00

My kids crack me up!!! :) The other nite I made tacos and Gavin told me that he wanted a blind taco. I said a what? A blind one mommy, ya know, with nothing in it!
So he got his blind taco.
(He has said this once before, but I think it was with pancakes, a blind one, one without blueberries in it! :))

Thaddeus "Talking" Away

2009-12-22T19:57:00.003-05:00

Thad was all by himself (with me) down here for about an hour and he was loving crawling all over and talking away! It was too funny!!!!

Please Pray

2009-12-18T13:39:00.003-05:00

Went to Giant's today and was going down the Health Food isle to get Skylar's milk. Was getting ready to put the milk in the cart and this guy walks by and says, hi, how are you? Then says hey to Kotah. Then he looks at all of us and then asks, you you guys drink apple juice? We said yeah, sometimes. he said, this won't take but 2 secs of your time, not trying to be a bother, but this is the best juice there is! It is 100% pure apple juice, it's like putting a straw right in the apple! He said, it's kinda expensive, but it's THE best! He was talking a little bit more and come to find out he goes to a church just down the street from us. He said, I am a Christian. (not too many people will tell you that in a conversation) He asked Curt if he was military and Curt said no, and then proceeded to tell him where he works. He then said that he just brought his wife home from John Hopkins. She just had a brain tumor removed. He then went on to tell us that she just recovered from breast cancer the year before. He said that she goes back Tuesday for a scan. He said he was scared that they would find more cancer. We told him we would pray for him. Curt handed him a business card and said please call me with how she's doing and the results. We will put her on our prayer chain so we all can be praying for you and your family during this difficult time. He was very grateful when we said that.
How weird, I am, how many of us come into a conversation like that, and it all started with apple juice! I have honestly never had anyone recommend a certain apple juice! But we ran into him for a reason, and that reason is so that we all can pray for him! His name is Jack and his wife is Jackie, their last name Clipper (like finger nail clipper he said :))
PLEASE remember this man and his wife in your prayers!
Jack and Jackie Clipper
Sounds like they have been through a very difficult couple of years, I pray that they can have a very good holiday this year!

Snow?

2009-12-17T22:08:00.002-05:00

We are actually supposed to get about 4inches of snow out here. Yep, 4 inches! Heard that the whole town might shut down! Yep, 4 inches of snow and the place shuts down, yeah... I guess we shall see! I haven't had a chance to get to the grocery store and planned on doing it tomorrow morning, now that I hear we are supposed to get "all that" snow, I am so not looking forward to going out tomorrow morning! Everyone is going to be out getting their "snowstorm" food! It kinda cracks me up thinking about it! I'll be the only idiot on the road during the "snowstorm"! I'll probably get pulled over and put in jail for putting my life in danger! HAHAHAHA!!! I did hear though that out here if there is just a little bit of snow, the whole place (or maybe state?) shuts down! I'm kinda excited to see just how much we do get and if what I hear is really true! :)
Kotah has her play tomorrow nite and is supposed to do it again on Sat. But I got an e-mail saying that they most likely will cancel the Sat nite program and just stick with the Friday nite one. It's gonna be even more packed if they only do it Friday. Kotah is excited but yet she told me she hopes she doesn't get nervous. I told her she will do just fine! She has many other kids next to her, and that they is no need to get nervous. I will be glad when this is over just because of the major practice this week! She's exhausted! Shoot, I'm tired too! She had gym tonite, then play practice tonite, so she was even more tired! We are supposed to be getting a dvd of the performance then! :)
Tomorrow's gonna be a fun day, wish me luck! Hope I can find all the food I need, then get some school done (hopefully), then make the kiddos lay down, then off to the church for the play! :)