My First Meme

OK, I got tagged by Jennifer over at Blessings From Above for a meme. So for those of you who are wondering what a meme is, my best guess is to read the word like Me, Me. Kind of like, all about me! Jennifer, my apologies that it has taken soooo long! I have had my list of "5 classes I wish they had taught in school" for about a week or so, but have been lazy, busy, you name it. But, here they are...

1. How to go back to sleep quickly.
Having a 3 year old who still wakes up to go to the potty makes it hard to get any good length of sleep. But, I have hope and he at least he is not wetting his bed!
2. How to live on a shoestring budget.
I think that is self-explanatory.
3. How to rest.
I keep hearing, and am experiencing myself, about people just needing to slow down and rest and not being able to do that or even know how to do that.
4. How to organize and not have clutter!
I hate clutter and try to get rid of it, but I think that it is seriously attracted to me. My husband asked me the other day if some close friends of ours house ever looked like ours. Yikes!
5. Discipline 101.
When I first started teaching 10th and 11th graders, fresh out of college at a young 22 years of age, I had a really hard time with discipline. Now it is with my kids though. We do OK, but it is a tough road to hoe sometimes.

OK. There you have if Jennifer! Sorry it took so long!

I tag Caroline, Heather, and Sarah for a MEME. Name 5 classes you wish they had taught in school!

I'm Still Here

OK. I know that it hasn't been that long, but I wanted to let you know that I am still here and will be blogging soon about:
1. My First Meme
2. My First Furniture Makeover
3. One of my precious children's sleep habits
4. The other precious son's first game

But, for now, I am going to hang out with the Lord. It is the first time in a long time that I am longing to do that so I really need to seize the opportunity. The boys are in the bed and hubby is at the fire station tonight.

Blog soon!

Currently Annoyed!

So, as I am laying in bed last night, watching the 10 o'clock news, I hear that my water district is under a "boil water advisory." A what? Apparently, a water main broke and there may have been some "suck back" (my words, not theirs) of some water which could cause there to be bacteria in the water. What? So, as I lay there, I wondered, "when did this happen, cause we all drank water today and tonight?" I get out of the bed and find out that the warning was issued at like 7pm last night. Just in time for both of my boys "last sip of water" before bed. And, I had been chugging the stuff all day. Well, the line has been repaired. But, they aren't expecting to rescind the order until tomorrow. So, for cooking, hand washing and brushing teeth, we are supposed to boil water first. This is so frustrating. I walked the loop at the beach today with my sister in law and I am nasty and want a shower. They didn't say not to take a shower. But I am supposed to think that it is OK to take a shower with nasty bacteria water and not wash my hands? I THINK NOT! So, instead, I sit here with nasty sweaty bacteria. Hey, at least I know it is my own and no someone else's. I just grossed myself out!

A Week In Pictures

Jacob's "Big Boy" Bike

His First Ride...He did GREAT!

Jonathan's animal habitat for preschool.

The Final Product!

He really did all of it. I only hot glued the elephant on...promise!

Well, I'm not sure what to say about this. It is Jacob. This is Tuesday. On Monday and Wednesday he had on a Barbie Princess Gown at preschool!

The one that God uses on earth to make it all OK.

I don't have a fancy camera and I know the picture isn't the best. This is my gas receipt from yesterday. I was on empty, so this is a fill up receipt. It was $78.01. No, you didn't read that wrong. I wanted to cuss. Quite honestly, I did in my head. I guess that counts in God's eyes. I asked for forgiveness. Then, for the gas prices to drop. Drastically!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18...

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

It is hard isn't? Always have joy? You must be kidding! Pray continually? Well, I am working on that one. The one that gets me is to give thanks in all circumstances! I know that it doesn't say "for" all circumstances, but "in." It is hard! Really hard!

We are going, and have been going through for a while now, a "season" of financial difficulty. For me, it is easy for me to become complacent with the Lord when things are going "well." When times get tough, most who believe Jesus is Lord cling on really tight to Him. I don't for some reason. I get mad (which I think is OK, by the way). I feel alone. I feel abandoned sometimes. I know that those things are not true. I am not alone. Jesus is always with me! His word promises that He will never leave me and never forsake (turn His back on) me. I know that I can stand on that truth.

But these days, the ground feels shakier, if that is word.

I ran across these verses and they reminded me of my obligation...to always praise the Lord, even when it is hard. So today, I worship you Lord. Today, I will trust You. Today, I am willing, because I am not always willing Lord.

But today, I am willing.

Our Wee Ball Player

Opening Ceremonies for Wee Ball was last night. It is our official introduction into the world of organized sports. We are excited and anxious about it, but are hopeful that it will fun and a great learning experience.

Did you hear? Frank is "Coach." We still aren't quite sure how we feel about that, but that is a whole other story that we won't go into now.

Jacob is the unofficial team mascot. He so badly wants to be out there, but we are having to draw the line so that Jonathan has his chance. Jonathan had to wait to do things, and Jacob should have to also.

Here is the team on the field. Total chaos! Easily 500 kids on the field for Opening Ceremonies! Their first game is Saturday at 9am.

Jacob's 3 (and a day!)!!

Happy Birthday Little Bit! We all love you!

You sure have come a long way in 3 years. I love your spirit and it is my prayer that I never break it. It is God-given.

Please Pray for Sam

Please pray for Sam. He has a high fever, is in the hospital, and the doctors don't know what it wrong. He has a heart condition which complicates matters. He is almost 2 years old also. You can follow their story at www.klearlife.blogspot.com. Thank you for your prayers. If you read some older posts, you can get a glimpse at what has been going on with Sam. But, please pray!

Let The WIld Rumpus Start...

(From Where the Wild Things Are). So begins Jacob's birthday weekend, a visit with GG and Daddy B, and the Azalea Festival. Big things are happening. Not to mention that I think Jonathan is getting an ear infection. And on the note of health, I still believe this is going to be a year of health. I believe that God put that on my heart. In order to appreciate our health, we have to go through sickness. And, if my faith faltered, and I thought that maybe I heard wrong in my spirit, then satan (my spellcheck so wants me to capitalize his name and I am so not willing to give him that much!) wins the battle for our health. That is a battle I am not going to retreat from. I have faith that this is a year of health. I am really excited about some things that the Lord is showing me regarding my health and when the time is right, if it ever is, I will share about that. Until then....

Let the WILD RUMPUS START!!

New Shout To The Lord

I was informed by Marshall that they sang Shout To The Lord again last night on Idol, but this time they didn't leave "Jesus" out! I serve a mighty God! Here is the link. Thanks Marshall!

Shout To The Lord

Did anybody get to see American Idol last night? If not, you MUST watch this video! If so, watch this video anyway! I was so amazed! I was disappointed that they didn't say "Jesus", but we ALL know who the song is about! Nothing compares to the promise we have in Him! No one else is able to save. Praise the Lord!!!

Thanks!

Way to make a girl feel loved! Thank you! And Caroline, I love you and pray this weekend is amazing!

It has been a roller coaster of a day. Jacob actually slept from 7pm to 1:30am without waking up, which was such a blessing. Then, the wake ups began and my nights sleep quickly deteriorated. So, I was planning on getting up to spend some time with the Lord and do my Bible study for the day (Thursday mornings I attend the Women's Bible Study at my church). It didn't happen. I woke up at 7:30 and went to jump in the shower and in walked Jacob. The morning started on a very bad note and I really don't like it when that happens. I got ready and got convicted. I apologized to my kids and asked for their forgiveness for my bad attitude that morning and then we prayed. I think it is important for my children to know that when I mess up, I have to ask for forgiveness from them and the Lord. The day as been better, not great, but better. I am taking the boys out later for a small treat...a trip to our Children's Museum. They love that place. I will need lots of patience, as I tend to get antsy and want to leave. Tomorrow is the day of cleaning that this house NEEDS! Jacob's party is Saturday and my parents are coming into town. So, if I don't update, until Sunday or Monday, you know why! Have a great weekend!

For Caroline...

My dear friend Caroline called me today for one reason. Was it to check on how my boys were feeling after having been sick? No. Was it to check on me and see how I was holding up after my boys having been sick? No. Was it just to say "hi"? No. Her one reason for calling me was to see why I hadn't updated my blog lately. Yep, that is right folks. I felt the love through the phone too! Caroline, I love you girl! I just had to harass you a little!

OK, reasons I haven't blogged...

1. Concerned that nobody cares what I am even writing about, or that I am even writing for that matter. (NOT meant as a guilt trip at all!!)
2. Jonathan finally is well. It wasn't strep. It was a virus. And Jacob got it on Sunday. Day 4 of a fever was today and it is finally gone (I pray!).
3. The boys are on Spring Break from preschool, so I have needed to do more parenting things.
4. I haven't done more parenting things and the guilt of sitting in front on the computer (mostly checking on Nate, Tricia, and Gwyneth) has started to get to me and I have felt like a bad mom.
5. I had a garden to plant.
6. I had a birthday party to plan. Jacob turns 3 this Monday.
7. I have been watching Biggest Loser on Tuesday nights.
8. I think I lost my brain at some point in time on Sunday night/ Monday morning. It must have fallen out one of the 10 or so times that I got up with sick Jakey.
9. I haven't wanted to.
10. Homeschooling has been on the brain a lot and that takes up a lot of research time.

So, there are my 10 reasons. I know they are silly. But, they are all true in some way, shape or form.

Now, for the joys of my youngest boy...Jonathan had wee ball practice tonight and I didn't have the energy to go to the practice and play with Jacob, so we hung out here. He was very upset that he couldn't go. I took him for ice cream and that made it all better. When he got home, he saw a bird in the neighbors bush. He growled at him. Yes, growled. I have mentioned before that he likes to growl? His favorite time? When I am in Walmart and he is in the cart and we are passing someone. He growls at them!!! If that isn't a joy, I don't know what is! Then, as I tucked him into bed tonight, he asked me to snuggle him. Pure Joy!

Melt My Heart

Jonathan, in the van today as we went to Michael's...
"Mommy, I am going to blow a kiss to God." (He proceeds to blow a kiss up to God).

Don't you know that the Lord is still basking in that? He must be, if I still am. How many times a day do we kiss our kids? Countless. How many times do they kiss us? I never grow tired of their sweet kisses. I know God would never grow tired of ours either.

So, go blow God a kiss!

Strep, Strep, Go Away...

and PLEASE DON"T COME BACK AGAIN ANOTHER DAY!!!! They think Jonathan has strep again. I called the nurse on call today and she suggested I bring Jonathan in to see the doc. We won't know for sure for 3 days, but it looks like he has strep again! He just finished his 2nd round of antibiotics Monday and the fever began on Tuesday morning! It is crazy! Good thing though, he is not feeling yucky! I am so thankful for that. His fever is mild most of the time. The doc mentioned maybe having to take his tonsils out, if this doesn't take care of it. That seems so extreme to me since his first case of strep was just two and a half weeks ago. I guess we will wait that one out and see what happens. In the grand scheme of things, strep isn't so bad.

Can't A Kid Catch A Break?

Well, Jonathan finished his second round of antibiotics yesterday after the case of strep that would not quit. Guess what? He woke with a fever today. Mild. But, a fever nonetheless. Crazy. He acted fine all day and played, although not as much as usual. His eating was minimal. Then, at 6:09pm, after finishing a popsicle (they were in the house from his first week with strep, they are NOT a new addition, praise the Lord!), he asked to go to bed. I could tell it was really starting to wear on him. I just checked on him and he is a hot, steamy little thing right now. I feel so bad for him!
On a side note, he did get to go to his first Wee Ball practice last week and did really well. We have some things to practice and work on, but if the fever doesn't go away, he won't get to go tomorrow night's practice. I will post some pictures later...