No More In The House

OK, posting this so that maybe I will actually do it. Maybe the blog world can keep me accountable.
There is going to be no junk food in my house for a week. No candy. No cookies. No ice cream. We are going to eat well this week. I can only take it one week at a time. And this is going to be an especially hard week to do it too, but I am committing to it. Only by the strength of my Lord! Now, we do have a birthday party this weekend, so there will be a few sweets consumed by us, but not within the walls of my house! Please, pray for the Lord to pour out His strength on me, as I am the one who buys the crap in the first place! To health!

Saltn' Pepper

The conversation at the dinner table went something like this tonight.

Me: Jonathan, do you want any pepper on your rice?

Jonathan: Yes I do. (I sprinkle pepper on it for him and the same for Jacob).

Frank: Who wants a little salt?

Jonathan: I want some saltn.

They are the salt and pepper. Jonathan has heard "saltn pepper." So, saltn.

Too cute for me! We cracked up laughing!

Just One More Hour PLEASE!

Ever felt like that? Like you needed just one more hour, or maybe more, in your day. I have been feeling this way a lot lately. There is just never enough time to get it all done. I have such plans, and they crash and burn around me which sends me into a self-defeating downward spiral that ends with lots of chocolate. Ever since I started to really try to live my life for the Lord, I have struggled with consistency in my time with Him. I do OK for a while and then something happens, and I am at square one again. I did OK for a while last summer getting up at 6am. The boys usually wake around 7am. Then something happened, who knows what, and I fell off the wagon. I tried again at the start of the year and was doing OK until the sickness fell on me and attached itself like superglue to me. Since then, I can't do it. I want to get up. I want to spend time with the Lord and have that peace that people have and that joy too. I just can't seem to make it work. I know it isn't going to happen out of my own strength. I also know that when my sleep is broken by my 3 year old needing to go to the potty, my world is rocked a bit. I can honestly tell you that I have no idea when the last time was that I slept the entire night, from when I went to sleep until a decent hour in the morning. NO IDEA! I love my boys, don't get me wrong, but they are suffering because my relationship with the Lord has been suffering.
OK, so why the post? Any ideas from out there is Blog World? I would LOVE any tips. More so, I would the prayers though, if you wouldn't mind. Blessings!

Terrible and Terrific Thursday

Let's start with the terrible.

No, he isn't terrible. He feels terrible. Do you see it in his eyes? He woke with a fever. It went away and stayed gone for about 4 hours, only to jump right back up to 102.3. My heart is breaking for him.

Let's end with the terrific:Jacob has been the most terrific little brother ever! I sometimes am surprised that he has it in him. He has been patient with me and Jonathan. He has entertained himself and slept really well. In this picture from yesterday, he was hamming it up with Jonathan's sombrero that he made at school. Jacob, I love you and I am so proud of you!

Be Gone...NOW!!

Strep has hung onto Jonathan like his new best friend. I don't want strep to be in that place. That is my place and Frank's place, at least at this age. Jonathan can't beat this fever. It won't quit! It won't leave him alone! His temperature hit 103.5 on Monday and 103.2 on Tuesday. It hasn't been over about 100ish today, so far, but it won't leave! He hasn't eaten a lot and looks pretty darn worn out. He is going to miss his first tee ball practice tonight and probably his Easter Egg Hunt and party at school tomorrow. Minor, but still, he is going to miss them. Please pray with us for a swift recovery from this. Thank you.

The Highs and Lows of Monday

The Highs of Monday:



Jacob is now tall enough to ride a 12"bike with the seat all the way down. Here he is on Jonathan's. We wanted to do a test run to be sure that we could get him a bike for his birthday next month. Also, Jacob is healthy!

The Lows:

Jonathan came down with a fever last night after our really fun weekend. He was complaining of his stomach hurting so we didn't know what it could be. He ASKED to go to the doctor's office this morning. I took him. He has strep throat. Apparently in children, it presents as a fever, stomach ache and headache before they complain about their throat hurting. Luckily, the doc is a family friend and she gave us an "extra dose" to use to help keep Jacob from getting it. We will keep Jonathan home again for one more day to let him gain his strength after not eating for over 24 hours. We did get some food in his tonight. He threw up on my coat in Target. If that isn't a low, I don't know what is. It wasn't my favorite coat and I gave it to him, so I guess you shouldn't feel sorry for me. It really wasn't a big deal. It is amazing the stomach and the grace that God gives when you children aren't feeling well!

Gone Fishin', Got Crabby

Frank was off from work Saturday and Sunday, so we decided to make the most of those two days and spend some good family time together. Around 11am Saturday, we loaded the boys up and packed the cooler and went fishing. (Putting that "g" there just seems strange...) We ate lunch first...

(I just realized that Frank's knee or knees are in every picture!)

After lunch, the boys got to practice their fishin' skills. I must say that they did a great job!!

I got some lovin', but only because Jacob was terrified of the bumblebee.

I even took a shot at casting the line and caught my first fish with Frank and maybe ever!

(Don't be jealous of that Superman fishing rod!)

We finished the day with a trip to the bookstore and a grilled pork tenderloin.

Sunday morning, we went to church and then took the ferry from Fort Fisher to Southport so we could go to Grandma and Papa's house. While on the ferry, the boys got to sit on a Honda Goldwing motorcycle, all by themselves. Check out how cool they are!

Once we got to their house, we got to eat steamed crabs, our favorite!

Papa also fried us some shrimp and made some fries. Grandma had coleslaw and made some mac and cheese. We had a great time there! The boys even got to shoot the BB gun and be brave with the noise.

A great time was had by all!

Missing "Home"

I'm not sure why, but I am missing Greensboro a lot today and the past few days. Maybe it is because a different picture of this place is on the desktop of my computer screen...

That is right folks. Yum Yum's. And I didn't even add the picture. Frank did. I think he misses the town too. Don't get me wrong, I think that he loves being back home, but there is a lot that he misses that he didn't think that he would.

When I was in high school, I came to a summer camp called Senior High Assembly, done through the United Methodist Church. It was held at Greensboro College. It was my first trip to Greensboro. I fell in love with it. It felt like home to me, immediately. I knew in 9th grade that I wanted to go to college in Gboro, and live there. I ended up at UNCG after getting the Teaching Fellows scholarship. I say ended up because I originally wanted to go to Greensboro College but couldn't afford the private school; I need to get a scholarship.

After graduation, I really wanted to teach in Guilford County and my parents, I think, wanted me to come home for a while. You know, letting their baby go off on her own and all...I don't think they were all that excited about it. Well, after being home for the summer, I moved to High Point and started teaching. After living there for two years, I made it back to the city limits of Gboro. It just felt right.

Frank and I got married and had a baby boy. Life was good. Then the itch to move came on Frank. He felt called in some ways, but also has said that he pushed in a lot of ways to get us down here. I didn't want to move. I kept fighting God on it. His quiet voice reminded me that I didn't have to like the decision, but that I had to let my husband lead.

We moved almost 4 years ago and I still miss Gboro like crazy. I really wanted to raise my kids there. I think that has to be the best location in the state to be for sooo many reasons. Mountains. Beach. Both day trips. City life, yet not too big. Good roads and interstates. AMAZING FRIENDS!

A few weeks ago, Frank commented that it would be nice to go to a homecooking restaurant, after me having been sick for 3 weeks. I agreed. He said, "Like Haybles Hearth." My heart sunk. We still haven't found a great place like that. Someone, please go eat there for me! We ended up at Cracker Barrel instead.

Most days, I am OK with living at the beach. I know, some think that I am crazy for not doing back flips. I have a 2 and 4 year old. You can't take them to the beach at the drop of a hat and lay out in the sun or even take them in the water by yourself. It is such a huge ordeal. But deep down, I still miss Greensboro. I guess that I always will. I miss what it represented in my life. I am adjusting. I know that we are here for a reason. We have made some amazing friends. We have found a church that teaches the Word of God. We have a cute little house and another amazing little boy. I trust and believe that one day, either here or in Heaven, that I will be able to look back and see His mighty hand leading us in love.

But for now, for today, I miss Greensboro.

My Boys' Current Obsession

My boys are REALLY obsessed these days with Beetle Bugs, the VW kind that is. I guess it all started when my mom got Herbie, Fully Loaded. Cute and silly film. The boys loved it and ever since then all they seem to have any interest in is VW Bugs. We watch for them every where that we drive and they always say, "I saw a Beetle Bug." One day last week, Jonathan and I saw 15 of them in about 2 hours! HONEST! We were so amazed that we called to let Jacob know. Jacob was sad because he didn't see them. I think the obsession might be genetic. My dad owned a VW Thing (I think that was the right name). My mom and dad had a VW Bug and a VW Van. My sis had a VW Super Bug. I had a VW Jetta. Frank's mom had a Jetta also that she passed on to their Aunt Zanna. There is just something about a VW that we seem to like. Maybe one day, they can drive one too! That would make me happy!

I'm It (Tag!)

OK, I have been secretly hoping that NOBODY would tag me. After all, the blogs that I have been reading have all been tagged and now I have nobody to tag when I finish. Also, I am having a hard time coming up with 7 strange things about myself. And no, I am not "above" thinking that I am all that normal. Anyway...here I go....

1. I don't have a middle name, or didn't until I got married. My parents gave me this really short first name and my mom figured that I would drop a middle name when I got married so she didn't give us one. Apparently my dad didn't mind either. So, my full name for almost 25 years of my life was only 7 letters long! Get this, my sisters was only 6! Cool huh? I think not having to drop a name really helped me to transition to being married and never feeling like I lost my identity.

2. I am the only person as far back as I can go, on either side of my family, that was born north of the Mason-Dixon line. But, I wouldn't call myself a Yankee either. More like a Mid-westerner, but I ate grits and said "ya'll" growing up in Milwaukee. If that doesn't make me strange, I don't know what will.

3. While trying to compose a list of 7 things, I kept forgetting them. So, I started saying them into the voice recorder on my phone so I could remember. Hey.... momnesia!

4. I have so far never broken a bone!

5. I had oral surgery when I was nine. I got my mom's bad gums and they did a gum graft to help me save my gum line and my teeth. I remember drinking some sweet tea that night from a Care Bear glass that was part of a series, probably from Pizza Hut. I am talking 1985-1986 here folks!

6. I have a husband who is a certified diver, a licensed pilot, firefighter and EMT. I have never been diving, never flown in a plane smaller than a 50 seater, only rode around the station on the fire truck a few weeks ago (only because the boys wanted to, I was protesting deep down) and can't stand the sight of blood, other than when it is coming from my precious boys. I am soooo not adventurous!

7. I love to make schedules. LOVE to! The only problem is that I don't ever follow them. I get so gung-ho about something for a few days and then I get overwhelmed and then stop. The only schedule I still stick to is bedtimes for the boys. I am such a stickler! I get upset when the boys are in the bed five minutes late. Seriously. Not funny!

So, there you have it folks. Maybe I am stranger than I realize. Sorry to end the game of tag. I just don't know anyone else to tag.

Milestones

A few milestones have been hit in my home today and I thought that I would share.

1. Jacob had his hand painted today and then put his hand print three times on his shamrock in preschool today. This is huge for him. He usually refuses to have his hands or feet painted. I guess he doesn't want to get dirty. His teachers have always been very patient with him and I am so grateful for that.

2. Jacob has some drainage from his allergies and has a little cough. He also learned in preschool today how to "catch" his coughs in his arm! I have been trying to teach him that, but we all know how they do so much better for others!

3. Jonathan counted to 100 by tens all by himself today. We do it by "giving 10's" (instead of 5's) and then by jumping up and down. He counted them today, without my help!

4. Jonathan scored high enough on pinball (on the computer) to type his name into 4th place. He did both all by himself! He is getting to big to fast!

5. I ran 3.1 miles on the treadmill today at the gym. I have never run that far without stopping. It was huge! I think I could have kept running except that my socks were rubbing a blister on my foot and I couldn't take it any longer. I don't think that I am going to be able to do my 5K on Saturday, but there is one calling my name for April 12th!

Big things are happening in the Sellers' Home huh?

A Little From Jacob

Jacob had a Spiderman band-aid on his knee today because of what looked like a little rug burn from yesterday. He "REALLY NEEDED" a band-aid. He had his pants leg pulled up today in the van so he could see his band-aid. When we got home, Frank opened the van door. Jacob said, "I need to pull my pants down so my band-aid doesn't get cold." Hehehe!

More From Jonathan

OK, I am probably not being the best mom in the world right now. Aren't we all entitled to a few of those moments? Anyway, this is what just transpired minutes ago in my home.

Jacob: (crashes car into Jonathan)
Jonathan: "OOOUUUCCCHHHH!!!!"
Jacob: (runs away...I'm not raising a dummy!)
Jonathan: "You didn't say you were sorry so I am going to pinch your nose!"

Me: (Laugh hysterically! Make fun of Jonathan a little to let him know how silly he was.) "Jacob, tell Jonathan you are sorry."

Outrageous Homeschool Ruling!

If you are homeschooling or are interested in homeschooling or just support those who might fit into either category you have to know what has happened. While listening to today's broadcast of Focus on the Family, I learned about a ruling in California regarding homeschooling. They took a case against one family and ruled against them being able to home school their own child/children because they weren't certified. I am not sure about the ins and outs of the case but here is where the major problem lies. The judges apparently "published" the law which means that it isn't just for the one family, but for all homeschooling families. The law tells them now that they can't home school unless the parent is a certified teacher. That knocks out a lot of homeschooling families. When the child gets to secondary school, the parent would have to be certified in every field in order to teach their child. You should go listen to the broadcast! Here is a link for it.

Also, the Home School Legal Defense Association has a link on their website where you can sign a petition for the law to be "de-published" meaning the law would only affect that one family and the other 200,000 kids that are home schooled in the state of California could continue with their education at home. Please think very hard about signing the petition. Here is the link. You don't have to be a California resident to sign. After all, who knows who will try to take this nationwide in the coming years!

One Would Think I Would Know By Now!

I am such an IDIOT! No, really. I am an idiot. I am 31 years old. I should know this by now. REALLY!

Emily, I ate a donut today, because I did such a great job at Walmart today (see this post if you are confused folks). I also got a Dove dark chocolate bar and ate that about 15 minutes after the donut! Yesterday, I had to buy M&M's to fill up our "Fruits of the Spirit" jar. I didn't eat a few. Don't be impressed. I ate them. I ate them by the handful. Well, actually by hand fulls! That is right folks. Hand FULLS! Plural. Yep. Lots of them! I kept thinking to myself, I should really stop. But, I couldn't. Nope. Then, I had some coffee ice cream last night. Then, to top it off, I ate two chocolate chip cookies. Raw ones. Yes, raw. The ice cream was on the couch, right before bed. The cookies were in the bed, right before I went to sleep. I kept thinking, "what is wrong with me???" Then I realized what you are all probably aware of by now. I am about to start my period. Sorry for too much info for those of you out there that are grossed out (wimpy boys!). Seriously folks. I am such an IDIOT! Here is the kicker. I do this every month. I forget and can't figure out why I can't stop eating, anything sweet especially! One would think I would know and recognize this, but no, I don't. I continue to be so confused by my behavior! Anyone else out there have this issue? The not remembering or the sweet thing? Anyone conquered the sweet thing....I would love some advice????

"Momnesia"

On the Today Show today, there was an interesting segment. Thought I would share if, if you didn't get to see it.

The segment talks about our forgetfulness as moms.

It made me feel a whole lot better!

The Right Link

I put in the wrong link for Kumon workbooks. Here is the right one! Sorry about that. I fixed it in the prior post also!

The Best Laid Plans...

I have sat down at my computer at least a dozen times in the past few days to write, and just can't seem to get my thoughts organized, just like most of my house! I have these great plans and great intentions and great ideas and then they all burst like a balloon. Every once in a while they just slowing leak air, but mostly they burst.

I went to my kitchen the other day, maybe Thursday or Friday and had a hissy fit. I took pictures, which I may post in a few days, of how disorganized and just crappy the kitchen looked. I decided that my kitchen needed some cleaning and then I realized that it needed more than just cleaning. We bought our house new about 3 years ago and haven't done any painting. That means that everything is tacky builder beige in a flat finish. Flat is the worst way to go in a kitchen, if you ever want to cook. Well, we fry and the grease splatters. We cook soup, or spaghetti sauce and it pops. The flat finish isn't washable. No wonder my kitchen looked crappy...why would I want to keep it clean when I couldn't! So, off to Home Depot I went. I told Frank that I wanted to paint the kitchen! I picked out some shades of green and brought the samples home. I started looking at our white cabinets and gray counters and figured out quickly that I needed a lighter shade of green than the ones I had picked. So, we went up one color on the tricolor cards. I settled on Behr paint in Palm Breeze. It is kind of minty green, but doesn't look like a tacky minty green. With the cabinets and counters, my kitchen finally is bright! We are going to add knobs to the cabinets and drawers, and get a few new decorative things to hang. I am really excited about the big reveal to show you in about a week or so! Needless to say, that has kept me busy.

I went for a run today at the beach. Jealous aren't you? Nothing like running The Loop at Wrightsville Beach with a breeze blowing to keep you cool. I ran for a mile. Not bad after not having run for almost a month and never running outside. So, a little disappointed, but still happy.

Right before I got sick, I came up with a great schedule for the boys. I LOVE schedules. Again, something that tends to burst! Anyway, I am finally feeling like I can make some progress and am going to try it again. Jacob is so wanting to do the stuff that Jonathan does, so I got him a book and Jonathan is getting really close to being able to read...he is all about spelling right now. There are some great books made by Kumon that we have been using for about a year with Jonathan. You can find them at Target and Learning Express and I am sure they are available other places too. I hope to get back on track to working at home with the boys.

With that being said, I now have 14 minutes to get a quick shower so that I can work one-on-one with Jonathan before Jacob gets up from his nap. Gotta run!