You are Superman
| You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.  |
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Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Had to get in on this one . . . .
Your results:
You are Superman
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test
You are Superman
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test
Friday, December 01, 2006
Just Some New Pics
Here are a few pictures that I posted on MySpace, too. Just figured I would post them here for those of you not on MySpace:
Thursday, November 30, 2006
You ARE going to eat that!
This week, I decided that I'm tired of being a short order cook. I'm tired of hearing, "I don't like that" or an hour after dinner, "I'm hungry" because they didn't eat. So, I decided that this week, we are going to eat what is put on our plates -- at least try it. I'm not loading their plates up with things I know they won't like. I'm just giving them enough for 3 or 4 bites. They at least have to try that many bites before they can say they don't like it.
Night 1 was AWFUL!!!! It was terrible!! I made this soup that I had been craving. The only thing is that it has beans in it -- which Aaron will not eat. And, not just 1 can of beans, about 6 cans of three different kinds of beans. I called to see what Aaron wanted for dinner and he didn't know. I was craving it and decided that's the way it was going to be.
Everyone gets to the table and the whining begins. "I don't like this." "I'm not going to eat it." "You know I don't like that." "Fine. I just won't eat." Aaron didn't say a word. He put VERY LITTLE in his bowl and he ate it. He also made himself a PB&J sandwich. I didn't say anything. The kids didn't eat. My poor brother-in-law had to be here on night one of the "new rules". Sorry Eric!!
Night 2 was the biggest power struggle I've had in a long time! Pork chops, rice, & mashed potatoes. I know it's 2 starches, but that's what Aaron wanted. My brother-in-law, again, had to endure the whining. But, after about an hour of not budging, plates were clean and Payton and Evan both decided they like rice. Payton still hates mashed potatoes.
Night 3 was MUCH better!! Country style pork ribs, green beans, & sweet potatoes. I know what you're thinking -- I'm just trying to punish them!! Not so!! Sweet potatoes are good and they're good for you!! They walked in the kitchen with very little whining. I did hear "I don't like that" a few times, but I just kept going. They ate all of their pork chops and their green beans and Payton was ready to play XBox. I told him there would be no video games until those sweet potatoes were gone (I gave him probably 3 bites). He took his fork and took the tiniest bite I've ever seen. I turned my back and they were all gone. He brought me his plate and said, "Can I have more of those?" pointing to where his sweet potatoes WERE. He ate 2 helpings of them!!! Even Evan decided to give them a try and proudly exclaimed, "Mommy! I wike them! Those are doooooood!!!"
Night 1 was AWFUL!!!! It was terrible!! I made this soup that I had been craving. The only thing is that it has beans in it -- which Aaron will not eat. And, not just 1 can of beans, about 6 cans of three different kinds of beans. I called to see what Aaron wanted for dinner and he didn't know. I was craving it and decided that's the way it was going to be.
Everyone gets to the table and the whining begins. "I don't like this." "I'm not going to eat it." "You know I don't like that." "Fine. I just won't eat." Aaron didn't say a word. He put VERY LITTLE in his bowl and he ate it. He also made himself a PB&J sandwich. I didn't say anything. The kids didn't eat. My poor brother-in-law had to be here on night one of the "new rules". Sorry Eric!!
Night 2 was the biggest power struggle I've had in a long time! Pork chops, rice, & mashed potatoes. I know it's 2 starches, but that's what Aaron wanted. My brother-in-law, again, had to endure the whining. But, after about an hour of not budging, plates were clean and Payton and Evan both decided they like rice. Payton still hates mashed potatoes.
Night 3 was MUCH better!! Country style pork ribs, green beans, & sweet potatoes. I know what you're thinking -- I'm just trying to punish them!! Not so!! Sweet potatoes are good and they're good for you!! They walked in the kitchen with very little whining. I did hear "I don't like that" a few times, but I just kept going. They ate all of their pork chops and their green beans and Payton was ready to play XBox. I told him there would be no video games until those sweet potatoes were gone (I gave him probably 3 bites). He took his fork and took the tiniest bite I've ever seen. I turned my back and they were all gone. He brought me his plate and said, "Can I have more of those?" pointing to where his sweet potatoes WERE. He ate 2 helpings of them!!! Even Evan decided to give them a try and proudly exclaimed, "Mommy! I wike them! Those are doooooood!!!"
Things I Learned On Snow Day . . .
Everyone else wrote about the snow, so I won't go on about that. I will list the things I learned today with both boys home from school:
- Payton is definately a DC personality. He is in charge of picking the game and you have to play it just the way he says or it's wrong.
- Spiderman can't thow webs using only 1 finger. It's impossible.
- Using PAM spray to replace the butter to make a grilled cheese sandwich just doesn't work. Not even if it's BUTTER flavored.
- If your heater starts blowing cold air on a cold & snowy day, it could be several things. One of which is a red button that doesn't exist on your unit, but you don't figure that out until you've made several trips outside in the FREEZING COLD. I do know how to make your heater quit blowing cold air now!!!
- It doesn't take a whole Sunday newspaper to keep a fire going in the fire place!! Just put some logs on there and eventually they will catch on fire. Who would have thunk it?
- Now I know why they make sure you are 18 when you buy Sharpies!! The high from those things is NO FUN!! I'm not sure why people would want to do that to themselves!!
The MASTERPIECE is finished!!!
Oh my goodness!! Today Aaron sent me an IM that said, "You can do anything you put your mind to today." I IMd him back and said, "That's just it. I have to put my mind to something."
So, I got off of my computer and decided to clean my house. I quickly got distracted and decided that I would finish the boys' room. It's been weeks in the making and after who knows how many bottles of paint, 46 sponge brushes, and 2 Sharpies, IT IS FINISHED!!!
So, I got off of my computer and decided to clean my house. I quickly got distracted and decided that I would finish the boys' room. It's been weeks in the making and after who knows how many bottles of paint, 46 sponge brushes, and 2 Sharpies, IT IS FINISHED!!!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Fun In The Bathroom . . .
I almost don't even want to share this, but the more I think about it, the more crazy it seems. . .
Today, Evan and I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. It's our usual lunch spot after our morning coffee with Brandi & Krissy. Today was no different. So, we're sitting there eating lunch and I had to go to the bathroom. I told the lady that we would be right back and please don't throw our things away and headed towards the bathroom.
Evan was NOT excited about leaving the playground so I could go to the bathroom. I couldn't let him stand outside the stall. As soon as I got in there, he would have hit the door running. So, I convinced him to go in the stall with me, but I had to give him a little incentive. I told him that he could take pictures of different things (NOT ME) with my phone while I went to the bathroom. I know you're probably thinking "What?!?!" I know, I know . . .
So, in the VERY short amount of time we were in there, he took pictures of the door, the lock, the lights, the toilet paper holder, his feet, and my feet. We even took a few pictures of him being REALLY silly!!!
Anyway, we're about to walk out of the stall when I hear the main bathroom door open. Right when Evan said, "Mommy, but I'm not done taking pictures! I want to take pictures of you now! CLICK!"
I wonder what that lady thought about the two of us in a stall and him saying he wasn't done taking pictures?!?! We just washed our hands and walked out. I was almost embarssed that I let my 3 year old take pictures while I used the bathroom (remember -- no pictures of me!).
Oh the crazy things you can take pictures of in the bathroom!!!
Today, Evan and I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. It's our usual lunch spot after our morning coffee with Brandi & Krissy. Today was no different. So, we're sitting there eating lunch and I had to go to the bathroom. I told the lady that we would be right back and please don't throw our things away and headed towards the bathroom.
Evan was NOT excited about leaving the playground so I could go to the bathroom. I couldn't let him stand outside the stall. As soon as I got in there, he would have hit the door running. So, I convinced him to go in the stall with me, but I had to give him a little incentive. I told him that he could take pictures of different things (NOT ME) with my phone while I went to the bathroom. I know you're probably thinking "What?!?!" I know, I know . . .
So, in the VERY short amount of time we were in there, he took pictures of the door, the lock, the lights, the toilet paper holder, his feet, and my feet. We even took a few pictures of him being REALLY silly!!!
Anyway, we're about to walk out of the stall when I hear the main bathroom door open. Right when Evan said, "Mommy, but I'm not done taking pictures! I want to take pictures of you now! CLICK!"
I wonder what that lady thought about the two of us in a stall and him saying he wasn't done taking pictures?!?! We just washed our hands and walked out. I was almost embarssed that I let my 3 year old take pictures while I used the bathroom (remember -- no pictures of me!).
Oh the crazy things you can take pictures of in the bathroom!!!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
November 15th
Today's date . . . For some, it's one week until company arrives for Thanksgiving!! For some, today is payday!! For some, today is just Wednesday! For some, today is the day we get to play Deal or No Deal!! For some, it's an anniversary! For me, it's a birthday.
Not my birthday, not my husband's birthday, not Payton's and not Evan's birthday. It's the son that I gave up for adoption 12 years ago -- his birthday. 12 years. My goodness!! 12 years!! It seems like it was just yesterday (or maybe last week), but 12 years ago!!
I've been in some kind of "funk" lately and I couldn't really figure out why. I am living in my dream house, have an awesome husband, awesome kiddos, awesome church, etc. As I looked around me, I couldn't figure it out. Today I think I put my finger on it.
I think about him every year on his birthday (and many, many other days of the year), but why is this year different? Why does it seem to hurt more this year? Why do I feel all of those emotions that I felt 12 years ago? Why do I grieve so?
He's living in the perfect home with an awesome life. He has awesome parents and I know he is an awesome athelete. I do get to see him occassionally and he's mighty handsome!!
Today at intercessory prayer, I asked them to pray for me because I have been having chest pains (like a stick through my chest and out my back) and have been really light-headed. It hasn't scared me -- like I'm not afraid that I'm going to have a heart attack or anything. It isn't scary. . . just annoying. As they prayed for me, one of the intercessors said that she thought this was a physical manifestation of a spiritual matter. Another lady said she felt like I had a wound that I had covered up and I wouldn't let anyone near it. Kind of like when your child hurts themselves and all you want to do is clean it and make it better -- get out the infection, but they won't move their hand. It will heal, but there could still be junk in there. She said that she felt like there was a wound that I wouldn't let anyone get close to because it hurt too bad. I was holding my hand over the wound telling God to get away because it was too painful to heal.
She is right on and it didn't hit me until then. As I'm sitting here writing this, my chest is hurting. Is it because I miss him so? Is it because I'm finally grieving the "loss"? Is it because I'm finally taking my hand off of the wound to let God heal it?
I'm mad because somewhere in our million and one moves, I've lost a box that had stuff in it about him. It had a picture of him when he was just a few days old. It had letters from friends of the time. I had pictures of me in it when I was 17. I had pictures of his dad and us together. I had hoped that one day I would be able to show them to him -- prove that I did love him. Now, the box is missing. I haven't seen it for a few years now. I'm not sure where it went, but I hate that I don't have it now.
So, God, I'm taking my hand off now -- very slowly, but I trust you. I have to. Let the real healing and cleansing begin. Most of the time, I want things to be painless and that would be great, but I have a feeling this is going to take some pain to get the junk out. But, God, I'm trusting you with this. I just have to know you haven't left me and that you're going to finish this work you've started in me. Make me stronger in this! Let me be able to use this to Your glory!! Let me go through so I can be the whole me on the other side of this. I want to be the woman that you've created me to be. I want to be the children's pastor you've created me to be. I want to be whole -- like you've created me to be.
Happy birthday, J.
Not my birthday, not my husband's birthday, not Payton's and not Evan's birthday. It's the son that I gave up for adoption 12 years ago -- his birthday. 12 years. My goodness!! 12 years!! It seems like it was just yesterday (or maybe last week), but 12 years ago!!
I've been in some kind of "funk" lately and I couldn't really figure out why. I am living in my dream house, have an awesome husband, awesome kiddos, awesome church, etc. As I looked around me, I couldn't figure it out. Today I think I put my finger on it.
I think about him every year on his birthday (and many, many other days of the year), but why is this year different? Why does it seem to hurt more this year? Why do I feel all of those emotions that I felt 12 years ago? Why do I grieve so?
He's living in the perfect home with an awesome life. He has awesome parents and I know he is an awesome athelete. I do get to see him occassionally and he's mighty handsome!!
Today at intercessory prayer, I asked them to pray for me because I have been having chest pains (like a stick through my chest and out my back) and have been really light-headed. It hasn't scared me -- like I'm not afraid that I'm going to have a heart attack or anything. It isn't scary. . . just annoying. As they prayed for me, one of the intercessors said that she thought this was a physical manifestation of a spiritual matter. Another lady said she felt like I had a wound that I had covered up and I wouldn't let anyone near it. Kind of like when your child hurts themselves and all you want to do is clean it and make it better -- get out the infection, but they won't move their hand. It will heal, but there could still be junk in there. She said that she felt like there was a wound that I wouldn't let anyone get close to because it hurt too bad. I was holding my hand over the wound telling God to get away because it was too painful to heal.
She is right on and it didn't hit me until then. As I'm sitting here writing this, my chest is hurting. Is it because I miss him so? Is it because I'm finally grieving the "loss"? Is it because I'm finally taking my hand off of the wound to let God heal it?
I'm mad because somewhere in our million and one moves, I've lost a box that had stuff in it about him. It had a picture of him when he was just a few days old. It had letters from friends of the time. I had pictures of me in it when I was 17. I had pictures of his dad and us together. I had hoped that one day I would be able to show them to him -- prove that I did love him. Now, the box is missing. I haven't seen it for a few years now. I'm not sure where it went, but I hate that I don't have it now.
So, God, I'm taking my hand off now -- very slowly, but I trust you. I have to. Let the real healing and cleansing begin. Most of the time, I want things to be painless and that would be great, but I have a feeling this is going to take some pain to get the junk out. But, God, I'm trusting you with this. I just have to know you haven't left me and that you're going to finish this work you've started in me. Make me stronger in this! Let me be able to use this to Your glory!! Let me go through so I can be the whole me on the other side of this. I want to be the woman that you've created me to be. I want to be the children's pastor you've created me to be. I want to be whole -- like you've created me to be.
Happy birthday, J.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
So, Here It Is . . . Or at least part of it
So, some of you have been wondering what my current housing situation is!! (WOW! I make it sound like I have a ton of faithful readers!!)
Well, I will say that I am now living in my dream house. God did what He does best and we got the house!! It is a really forever long story and I'm going to try to write it all out this weekend, but something I've learned through the whole ordeal is that sometimes it's not about what we think it's about. God has bigger plans than our minds can wrap around. This whole thing has made me want to dream bigger.
For instance, we found the house and made an offer at what we could afford. They said no. We were $15,000 different in our offer and their counter-offer. We were patient. We sold our house and signed the papers on Oct. 9th with no definate place to go just the day before!! We moved in with Tim & Erica for 2 weeks while we waited for all the "official stuff" to be done on the house.
You know what? I'm really botching the story and it's late. Maybe I'll continue this tomorrow. . . but for now, know that we are in THE HOUSE and we are loving it!!!
Well, I will say that I am now living in my dream house. God did what He does best and we got the house!! It is a really forever long story and I'm going to try to write it all out this weekend, but something I've learned through the whole ordeal is that sometimes it's not about what we think it's about. God has bigger plans than our minds can wrap around. This whole thing has made me want to dream bigger.
For instance, we found the house and made an offer at what we could afford. They said no. We were $15,000 different in our offer and their counter-offer. We were patient. We sold our house and signed the papers on Oct. 9th with no definate place to go just the day before!! We moved in with Tim & Erica for 2 weeks while we waited for all the "official stuff" to be done on the house.
You know what? I'm really botching the story and it's late. Maybe I'll continue this tomorrow. . . but for now, know that we are in THE HOUSE and we are loving it!!!
Saturday, September 30, 2006
A house . . .
and not just any house -- THE HOUSE!! I have found THE HOUSE that is mine. I am so giddy about it, it's not even funny!! Sometime I'll have to share the whole house story, but I'm not going to try to do that now. I might just end up typing it all out, though.
Anyway, Sunday night at our Encounter service, I was praying and I just told God that I HAD to know he was still with me in all of this . . . ok, I just realized I have already blogged that.
Anyway, we went to look at houses on Tuesday -- 6 of them. The first one was ok. . the second one was a definate cowboy house, but not my house. Poor Payton was devastated that we weren't moving in there. Just no way! The third house was a brand new house that was really nice. The fourth house was THE HOUSE!!! I mean, THE HOUSE. I'll get back to it in a minute. We went to the fifth house and it was not really all that impressive. The 6th house we didn't get to see until Wednesday, but it was really nice, just not THE HOUSE!!!
So, we decided to make an offer at $110K (gosh, seems like so much money). They're asking $135K, but $115K is the max we can afford. They came down to $130K. So, we're still $15K short, but I know that my God who owns the WHOLE UNIVERSE is bigger than $15,000!!!
I know it's my house. I'm so excited about it!! It's not that I had to have a $135K house. I looked at a few houses over $130K and they were all very very nice houses, but they just don't compare to this house!!
It's 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 1 living area. It has 1749 sq. ft, which is comparable to what we're in now. It has a real dining room (something I don't really have now) with a window that looks out into the back yard. Beautiful St. Augustine grass. It has a beautiful entry way. It has curved corners, which I don't really like, but when I walked in the house, I said, "Oh, it has curved corners. I love that!" I had to do a double-take on myself!! I like them in that house!!! So, you might be wondering where my scrapbook room is going to be . . . well, I'm glad you asked!! There is a coat closet in the living room that has double opening doors on it. I like to scrapbook in the living room because that's normally where everyone is and the noise of the tv. So, just put me a table in there and I'm set! Plus, you close the doors and nobody sees the mess!! :)
The deeper issue on the house is that I've never believed I would really ever live in a nice house like this. I've always felt like I would live in $75K houses for the rest of my life. With that said, I have nothing againse $75K houses -- nothing at all. I just didn't have any hope of moving past that. . . even in to my "elder years". I've always thought I would live in a house that needed something fixed on it (major - like the foundation) or needed updating that we said we would do when we bought it, but never would do. Anyway, those that know me know what I mean. . .
I had been looking at this house online for a few weeks, but I didn't even want to bring it up because I knew Aaron wouldn't go look at it because it was too much money. That is another thing God is doing. I never believed that Aaron would buy me a house that nice -- because we didn't NEED it. I do know that Aaron loves me with everything in him, but I just never believed he would do something like that for me and I'm not really sure where that comes from. . .
Anyways, we both know it's THE HOUSE. When I walked in, I knew it was home. I even told Aaron that I would give up scrapbooking for 5 years if it meant I got the house. I would sell every scrapbooking thing I have if I could just get the house. For those of you who know me -- that's some serious talk!! But, I would do it in a heartbeat.
I want a house where I LOVE to drive in the driveway and say, "Yes, this is my house." I want a house where I don't have to tell people we're in the middle of a pasture and it looks like a barn. I want to be in a house where I can stay for more than 2 years. I want a house where my kids can play with the neighbors kids. I want a house where my kids can ride their bikes on a real road and have to watch out for cars! I want to live in a house where I am just at home. I want to be giddy about being at home. I think that's it -- I've been a stay at home mom for 5 years and never really enjoyed being at home. This home, I could be happy to be home in. And, I don't have to do a thing to it. Every house I've ever lived in, I've immediately thought of what colors I could paint and where. Not in this house. I don't think there'll be much painting in it for me. There is one pink room that Evan has claimed that might need some paint, but not more than that. I want a house where we can enjoy being at home without the floor squeaking or mice!!! ;) I want a house where I can have a real wood fence -- did you hear that? Not a chain-link fence -- a real wooden fence and one that doesn't need fixed.
Now, don't hear me complaining about the house I'm in or the houses I've lived in. I'm not complaining at all. I'm just saying that I know God wants to bless me with this house. I'm believing we're going to be moving in just a few short weeks into that house. I am believing that my mail isn't going to have to be forwarded to one place and then another. I'm believing it can go straight there -- even before we close.
Here's the thing: I'm really in the best position. There are 2 other houses that are very nice -- very nice. One is brand new and the other is a little older, but 4 bedrooms. Those houses are in our price range and they are really nice and I could live there. But, I don't believe I'm going to live there. I'm going to live in THE HOUSE -- Somehow God is going to do this -- just for me.
Ok . . well, I could go on and on about how much I love this house, but I won't. Did I say that I love the house?
Anyway, Sunday night at our Encounter service, I was praying and I just told God that I HAD to know he was still with me in all of this . . . ok, I just realized I have already blogged that.
Anyway, we went to look at houses on Tuesday -- 6 of them. The first one was ok. . the second one was a definate cowboy house, but not my house. Poor Payton was devastated that we weren't moving in there. Just no way! The third house was a brand new house that was really nice. The fourth house was THE HOUSE!!! I mean, THE HOUSE. I'll get back to it in a minute. We went to the fifth house and it was not really all that impressive. The 6th house we didn't get to see until Wednesday, but it was really nice, just not THE HOUSE!!!
So, we decided to make an offer at $110K (gosh, seems like so much money). They're asking $135K, but $115K is the max we can afford. They came down to $130K. So, we're still $15K short, but I know that my God who owns the WHOLE UNIVERSE is bigger than $15,000!!!
I know it's my house. I'm so excited about it!! It's not that I had to have a $135K house. I looked at a few houses over $130K and they were all very very nice houses, but they just don't compare to this house!!
It's 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 1 living area. It has 1749 sq. ft, which is comparable to what we're in now. It has a real dining room (something I don't really have now) with a window that looks out into the back yard. Beautiful St. Augustine grass. It has a beautiful entry way. It has curved corners, which I don't really like, but when I walked in the house, I said, "Oh, it has curved corners. I love that!" I had to do a double-take on myself!! I like them in that house!!! So, you might be wondering where my scrapbook room is going to be . . . well, I'm glad you asked!! There is a coat closet in the living room that has double opening doors on it. I like to scrapbook in the living room because that's normally where everyone is and the noise of the tv. So, just put me a table in there and I'm set! Plus, you close the doors and nobody sees the mess!! :)
The deeper issue on the house is that I've never believed I would really ever live in a nice house like this. I've always felt like I would live in $75K houses for the rest of my life. With that said, I have nothing againse $75K houses -- nothing at all. I just didn't have any hope of moving past that. . . even in to my "elder years". I've always thought I would live in a house that needed something fixed on it (major - like the foundation) or needed updating that we said we would do when we bought it, but never would do. Anyway, those that know me know what I mean. . .
I had been looking at this house online for a few weeks, but I didn't even want to bring it up because I knew Aaron wouldn't go look at it because it was too much money. That is another thing God is doing. I never believed that Aaron would buy me a house that nice -- because we didn't NEED it. I do know that Aaron loves me with everything in him, but I just never believed he would do something like that for me and I'm not really sure where that comes from. . .
Anyways, we both know it's THE HOUSE. When I walked in, I knew it was home. I even told Aaron that I would give up scrapbooking for 5 years if it meant I got the house. I would sell every scrapbooking thing I have if I could just get the house. For those of you who know me -- that's some serious talk!! But, I would do it in a heartbeat.
I want a house where I LOVE to drive in the driveway and say, "Yes, this is my house." I want a house where I don't have to tell people we're in the middle of a pasture and it looks like a barn. I want to be in a house where I can stay for more than 2 years. I want a house where my kids can play with the neighbors kids. I want a house where my kids can ride their bikes on a real road and have to watch out for cars! I want to live in a house where I am just at home. I want to be giddy about being at home. I think that's it -- I've been a stay at home mom for 5 years and never really enjoyed being at home. This home, I could be happy to be home in. And, I don't have to do a thing to it. Every house I've ever lived in, I've immediately thought of what colors I could paint and where. Not in this house. I don't think there'll be much painting in it for me. There is one pink room that Evan has claimed that might need some paint, but not more than that. I want a house where we can enjoy being at home without the floor squeaking or mice!!! ;) I want a house where I can have a real wood fence -- did you hear that? Not a chain-link fence -- a real wooden fence and one that doesn't need fixed.
Now, don't hear me complaining about the house I'm in or the houses I've lived in. I'm not complaining at all. I'm just saying that I know God wants to bless me with this house. I'm believing we're going to be moving in just a few short weeks into that house. I am believing that my mail isn't going to have to be forwarded to one place and then another. I'm believing it can go straight there -- even before we close.
Here's the thing: I'm really in the best position. There are 2 other houses that are very nice -- very nice. One is brand new and the other is a little older, but 4 bedrooms. Those houses are in our price range and they are really nice and I could live there. But, I don't believe I'm going to live there. I'm going to live in THE HOUSE -- Somehow God is going to do this -- just for me.
Ok . . well, I could go on and on about how much I love this house, but I won't. Did I say that I love the house?
Monday, September 25, 2006
Please don't ask . . .
So, we've sold our house and are closing on October 9th at 3 pm. No, I don't know where we're moving to and I really had a peace until everyone started asking questions -- Where are you moving? Have you found a house? Have you looked at houses? Why haven't you looked at houses? Do you realize that's only 2 weeks away?
Then, there's "the look" -- the look of "your-crazy-for-doing-what-you're-doing". I always tell people that I am believing that God is going to give me a house -- just give it to me. Then, I get the look that "oh-ok - now-I-really-think-you're-crazy".
I've been so afraid that I've totally missed God on this whole thing and my family is going to have to pay for me missing it. I can't even explain the thoughts and feelings I'm fighting every day (and night) about this. I've been so calm through the whole thing until just this weekend. I was around a bunch of people all of who love me very much, but I always got the same "look".
Someone asked me where we were moving and they were trying to be supportive, but I got "the look" and the head nod. I said, "I'm just believing God's going to give me a house." This person shook their head and said, "I believe that, too." It wasn't very convincing.
I know it sounds crazy and it sounds crazy to me, too. I just don't think God would have sold my house to leave me homeless. I mean, it wasn't supposed to appraise -- nobody thought it would besides Aaron and I. All we knew was that God said $98K and that's what we listed it for. The broker didn't think it would appraise and really, neither did our realtor. But, it did. God came through on what He said. So, why am I doubting now?
This morning Aaron called and told me to call someone (a specific someone) and tell them that we were going to pay their rent this month. We were going to sow some seed where we have a need. I was so excited to call this person and give them the good news -- I had to leave a message. She called back and said it had taken her so long to call back because she had been crying and laughing about it. I cannot tell you how excited I was to give that to her.
We are going to look at houses tomorrow and I'm believing God is going to do something miraculous. Last night at Encounter, I was praying and I just told God that I HAD to know He was still with me in all of this. I needed SOMETHING to let me know He was the one protecting me and my family and that he wouldn't let us be homeless. =)
Then, after the service, someone came up to me and gave me some money. They said, "This is for you." I was so excited!! I got to the car and counted it and it was $110. I'm not sure why $110, but I like to think that that is how much the house that God is going to give me will cost. Aaron seems to think that it doesn't mean anything and God just blessed me to let me know He's still here and He's still on the throne.
The thing about this move is that I want to stay there for a really long time. I'm so tired of moving from one place to the next. I just want to get somewhere and stay for a while. I'm really excited about moving to C-America. I know that God is moving us there to use us more than we could hope or imagine. And, I am excited about that!!
So, I know the title of this post is a little rude. Please don't take it that way. Just believe with me that God is going to do something to where only He can get the glory for it. Pray that we can hear the voice of God so clearly on what to do next. And, don't give me "the look" or "the nod"!! =)
Then, there's "the look" -- the look of "your-crazy-for-doing-what-you're-doing". I always tell people that I am believing that God is going to give me a house -- just give it to me. Then, I get the look that "oh-ok - now-I-really-think-you're-crazy".
I've been so afraid that I've totally missed God on this whole thing and my family is going to have to pay for me missing it. I can't even explain the thoughts and feelings I'm fighting every day (and night) about this. I've been so calm through the whole thing until just this weekend. I was around a bunch of people all of who love me very much, but I always got the same "look".
Someone asked me where we were moving and they were trying to be supportive, but I got "the look" and the head nod. I said, "I'm just believing God's going to give me a house." This person shook their head and said, "I believe that, too." It wasn't very convincing.
I know it sounds crazy and it sounds crazy to me, too. I just don't think God would have sold my house to leave me homeless. I mean, it wasn't supposed to appraise -- nobody thought it would besides Aaron and I. All we knew was that God said $98K and that's what we listed it for. The broker didn't think it would appraise and really, neither did our realtor. But, it did. God came through on what He said. So, why am I doubting now?
This morning Aaron called and told me to call someone (a specific someone) and tell them that we were going to pay their rent this month. We were going to sow some seed where we have a need. I was so excited to call this person and give them the good news -- I had to leave a message. She called back and said it had taken her so long to call back because she had been crying and laughing about it. I cannot tell you how excited I was to give that to her.
We are going to look at houses tomorrow and I'm believing God is going to do something miraculous. Last night at Encounter, I was praying and I just told God that I HAD to know He was still with me in all of this. I needed SOMETHING to let me know He was the one protecting me and my family and that he wouldn't let us be homeless. =)
Then, after the service, someone came up to me and gave me some money. They said, "This is for you." I was so excited!! I got to the car and counted it and it was $110. I'm not sure why $110, but I like to think that that is how much the house that God is going to give me will cost. Aaron seems to think that it doesn't mean anything and God just blessed me to let me know He's still here and He's still on the throne.
The thing about this move is that I want to stay there for a really long time. I'm so tired of moving from one place to the next. I just want to get somewhere and stay for a while. I'm really excited about moving to C-America. I know that God is moving us there to use us more than we could hope or imagine. And, I am excited about that!!
So, I know the title of this post is a little rude. Please don't take it that way. Just believe with me that God is going to do something to where only He can get the glory for it. Pray that we can hear the voice of God so clearly on what to do next. And, don't give me "the look" or "the nod"!! =)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Evan Knows His ABC's
Last night, Evan was getting a movie out of the cabinet and I overheard him saying, "Q R S T U V". . . I said, "Evan, do you know your ABC's?" He said, "Yes". I asked him if he would sing them for me, so off he went -- "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ. NOW I KNOW MY ABC'S NEXT TIME WON'T YOU SING WITH ME."
I know my mouth was on the floor, but I had no clue that he knew that!! It really is cute to hear him sing it, too.
I know my mouth was on the floor, but I had no clue that he knew that!! It really is cute to hear him sing it, too.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Our new schedule is working out
So, it's been over a week since I've updated, so I thought I would do it this morning while Evan is still asleep and Payton is at school. We have adjusted to the whole school schedule thing fairly well so far. We've been going to bed earlier -- at least the boys have. Seems like I like to sit on the couch and watch tv after they have gone to bed. I'm getting used to the quiet around here. Evan and I still have our days where we don't really know what to do without Payton here, but we're getting along just fine. But, I'm telling you, at 5 pm when we know that Aaron and Payton are going to be home any minute, we can't help but sit by the window and watch for them.
In Payton's class, if they have been good, they get a bee stamp at the end of the day and a "happy vitamin" (a Skittle) before they go home. Evan has been checking Payton's folder on a daily basis with me to see if he got his bee stamp. Last night, Evan said, "Bubba, let me see your folder. Bubba get bee stamp?" I said, "Yeah, he got a bee stamp." Evan said, "Yay for Bubba! Good job, Bubba! You got a bee stamp!" Evan threw his hands up in the air and dropped the folder. Payton said, "I know, Evan. Don't drop my folder!"
Payton is really enjoying school. Last night I was tucking them in bed and I asked him if he knew his memory verse for "i" and he said, "I. . If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:14". In just a few weeks, he's going to be graded on these memory verses for the letters "i" and "e". He's also going to be tested on the Lord's Prayer. I saw that on the sheet and I thought, "How am I going to get him to learn that?" So, last night I asked him if he knew the Lord's Prayer. He said, "Which one is that?" I told him that it started with "Our Father. . . " He finished it right up!! He knew the whole thing!!! I even said, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." He said, "No, you say 'debtors' two times. Like this: Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Yeah, that's how it goes."
Yesterday, I took Evan to the church office and thought I would just get a few things done and get out of there because I was sure that he wasn't up for staying there all day. Boy, was I wrong!! I went in and set my office up. He sat at Jim's desk and drew some tunnels for me on some paper. Then, he wanted to "help" me make copies. He helped me clean up the sanctuary and get it ready for Sunday night. He helped me carry the guitars to Ira's office and he picked up trash. He did watch a little Barney & Bob the Builder every once in a while. At one point, I almost forgot he was there!! He made it until about 3:30 and he was ready to go. It worked out great, because I was ready to go, too!! :)
Evan and I are heading out this morning to go shopping for children's church on Sunday. He loves to help me find stuff for children's church!!
I'm going to close for now. I know this isn't really all that exciting, but my arm is hurting. Please pray for healing for it. I was trying to move these big black "curtain" things and one fell over on my arm. Everyone else was at lunch, so I had a hard time getting it off of my arm by myself. My arm has a knot there and is a little swollen. It doesn't hurt most of the time, but sometimes it makes my whole arm tingle and throb at the same time. It's just one of those "annoying hurts" and it's on my right arm, so when it's hurting, it really hurts to write or do anything. I am healed.
In Payton's class, if they have been good, they get a bee stamp at the end of the day and a "happy vitamin" (a Skittle) before they go home. Evan has been checking Payton's folder on a daily basis with me to see if he got his bee stamp. Last night, Evan said, "Bubba, let me see your folder. Bubba get bee stamp?" I said, "Yeah, he got a bee stamp." Evan said, "Yay for Bubba! Good job, Bubba! You got a bee stamp!" Evan threw his hands up in the air and dropped the folder. Payton said, "I know, Evan. Don't drop my folder!"
Payton is really enjoying school. Last night I was tucking them in bed and I asked him if he knew his memory verse for "i" and he said, "I. . If you ask anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:14". In just a few weeks, he's going to be graded on these memory verses for the letters "i" and "e". He's also going to be tested on the Lord's Prayer. I saw that on the sheet and I thought, "How am I going to get him to learn that?" So, last night I asked him if he knew the Lord's Prayer. He said, "Which one is that?" I told him that it started with "Our Father. . . " He finished it right up!! He knew the whole thing!!! I even said, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." He said, "No, you say 'debtors' two times. Like this: Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Yeah, that's how it goes."
Yesterday, I took Evan to the church office and thought I would just get a few things done and get out of there because I was sure that he wasn't up for staying there all day. Boy, was I wrong!! I went in and set my office up. He sat at Jim's desk and drew some tunnels for me on some paper. Then, he wanted to "help" me make copies. He helped me clean up the sanctuary and get it ready for Sunday night. He helped me carry the guitars to Ira's office and he picked up trash. He did watch a little Barney & Bob the Builder every once in a while. At one point, I almost forgot he was there!! He made it until about 3:30 and he was ready to go. It worked out great, because I was ready to go, too!! :)
Evan and I are heading out this morning to go shopping for children's church on Sunday. He loves to help me find stuff for children's church!!
I'm going to close for now. I know this isn't really all that exciting, but my arm is hurting. Please pray for healing for it. I was trying to move these big black "curtain" things and one fell over on my arm. Everyone else was at lunch, so I had a hard time getting it off of my arm by myself. My arm has a knot there and is a little swollen. It doesn't hurt most of the time, but sometimes it makes my whole arm tingle and throb at the same time. It's just one of those "annoying hurts" and it's on my right arm, so when it's hurting, it really hurts to write or do anything. I am healed.
Monday, August 21, 2006
First Day of School
Today was Payton's first day of school. We had kind of a hard time getting him to get out of bed. Most mornings, that isn't a problem. I guess as far as school days go, we have several more ahead of us!! =)
We had a hard time finding shorts to fit him this morning!! I thought he had several pairs that would fit him, but I was wrong!! They were all too little!! So, we moved to jeans and had the same problem!! So, we broke out some of his "brand new cowboy jeans" and he was happy. He put on his new "cowboy" shirt and was ready for his "breakfast of champions -- waffles".
We made his lunch -- a lunchable with Oreo cookies, a juice box (frozen to help keep his lunchable cold) and a cup of pudding with a cookie "spoon".
Then, it was off to school!! He rode with Aaron, but of course we all went! We got to school and I had to tell him to take off his cowboy hat and he could leave it in Aaron's car so he could put it back on as soon as school was over. I'm not sure he was too happy about that.
We tried to take a picture of him in front of the school, but the sun was in his face and he was not happy about this whole going school thing.
We walked to his classroom to find Mrs. Assenmacher (I have no clue how to spell her name, but I'm sure I will by the end of the year), the teacher's assistant. We put his backpack and lunch box in his cubbie and went to find his chair -- between those two girls. Mrs. Brokaw, his teacher, gave him a name tag and said she could remember the cowboy hat, but she couldn't remember his face. I snapped one more picture before leaving him for the day. He was nervous and scared, but I think he'll do just fine.
We got home and our house has been so quiet. I'm not sure I like it all that much. No horses running through the house, no more of Evan screaming because he's mad at Payton, no more John Wayne movies playing on the tv all day. Most would say to just enjoy the silence. . . guess it will just take some getting used to!!
Well, Evan just came in and asked if he could watch "Rio Bravo". . a John Wayne movie. Guess that's one thing that won't change during the day. Evan and I are going to have to figure out what to do while Payton's in school. Evan thinks we can go to the bookstore and play trains every day. This morning, he wanted to go as soon as we dropped Payton off. I told him that it wasn't open yet and he said, "Well, you have keys, don't you?"
It is very strange that at 8:30 this morning, I had 2 boys and myself dressed, 1 at school, 1 lunch made and was back home wondering what to do with my day. Most days, I would just be crawling out of bed at 8:30. Maybe this school thing isn't such a bad thing after all!! =)
Offer . . .
We got an offer on the house on Friday. Full price, we pay part of closing, but it's a VA loan -- HATE VA loans (or their appraisers)! We are praying that the house will appraise. If it does, we'll be closing on Oct. 9th. Just a few days after the foundation guys come to fix that!! We are looking in Clyde, but haven't found anything as of yet. Few things have our eye, but we haven't seen the inside yet.
Friday, August 18, 2006
3 Days and Counting . . .
Yesterday, I took Payton to his school orientation. We first went to hear the principal talk to us about some changes and some other "parent info". Then, it was time to go to his room and meet with the teacher. There are 18 kids in his class and it was a very small room for 18 kids and at least one parent with each child. However, we got his school supplies put away in his cubbie and it was time for Payton to find his spot.
The teacher pointed him to his chair -- between 2 girls!! His worst nightmare! When we went to visit his class in February, he said he would go to school, but he wasn't sitting by any girls. Boy, was he wrong!! Not only is there a girl on each side, but there's a girl across the table from him!! He's surrounded!! No matter how much we try to explain why his teacher did that, it's just not good enough. He's not going to school.
While we were there, he had his cowboy clothes on with his hat and everyone was commenting on his hat and vest. I laughed and said, "I just have to figure out how to get it off of him by Monday." They just laughed. Guess they don't understand how his hat is a necessity EVERY SINGLE DAY and EVERYWHERE WE GO!! I'm sure he'll understand (at least I have my fingers crossed!)
While we were in the room, the teacher had given the kids a little cup with a few snacks in it. Payton ate all of his snacks and kept looking at me like "Come on. Let's get out of here quick!"
I am praying that Monday morning will be an easy adjustment for all of us. For me, I have to get up early and make some kind of lunch to send with him. It's Aaron's job to get him to school on time (but I'm going on Monday). Evan will have to find stuff to play by himself. We will probably get some shopping done because Evan loves to shop, but Payton hates it.
The biggest change for us will be that my "baby" has grown up. I don't know where the last 5 years have gone and I'm sure the next 13 will go by just as fast and he'll be graduating from high school.
My, how time flies . . .
The teacher pointed him to his chair -- between 2 girls!! His worst nightmare! When we went to visit his class in February, he said he would go to school, but he wasn't sitting by any girls. Boy, was he wrong!! Not only is there a girl on each side, but there's a girl across the table from him!! He's surrounded!! No matter how much we try to explain why his teacher did that, it's just not good enough. He's not going to school.
While we were there, he had his cowboy clothes on with his hat and everyone was commenting on his hat and vest. I laughed and said, "I just have to figure out how to get it off of him by Monday." They just laughed. Guess they don't understand how his hat is a necessity EVERY SINGLE DAY and EVERYWHERE WE GO!! I'm sure he'll understand (at least I have my fingers crossed!)
While we were in the room, the teacher had given the kids a little cup with a few snacks in it. Payton ate all of his snacks and kept looking at me like "Come on. Let's get out of here quick!"
I am praying that Monday morning will be an easy adjustment for all of us. For me, I have to get up early and make some kind of lunch to send with him. It's Aaron's job to get him to school on time (but I'm going on Monday). Evan will have to find stuff to play by himself. We will probably get some shopping done because Evan loves to shop, but Payton hates it.
The biggest change for us will be that my "baby" has grown up. I don't know where the last 5 years have gone and I'm sure the next 13 will go by just as fast and he'll be graduating from high school.
My, how time flies . . .
Sunday, August 13, 2006
It's OVER . . .
Wednesday, I got a phone call from our realtor that someone wants to make an offer on our house. They just wanted us to have someone come and look at the foundation first. One of our bathroom floors sags and it has sagged since we bought the house.
So, Wednesday night, Aaron called home and I was able to tell him all of the crazy things that happened while he was gone. He said he would call the foundation guy the next morning.
So, Thursday morning, I met the foundation guy at our house. He was SO EXTREMELY nice about everything, but he didn't have good news for us. Under that bathroom, there is a "sink hole" and the foundation needs to be fixed -- to the tune of $7200. I'm just laughed. He said, "So, you don't have a gun to shoot me when I give you this total, do you?" I just laughed and said, "If you knew how my week has been, you would know that all I can do is laugh at whatever you say. I don't know where it's going to come from, but all I can do is laugh at it."
So, I'm laughing at the thought of God providing $7,200. Not because He can't do it, but just because I know He will. I'm laughing at the devil for thinking that $7,200 would make me crumble. I'm laughing that it took everything that I've been through this week to finally get me to that place of totally trusting in God to take care of it all and when things come up, just laugh with confidence -- knowing I'm blessed ABOVE & BEYOND!!
I am so glad to have Aaron home. I slept so good last night knowing he was here with us. Last night, the boys were playing outside and I was cleaning the house when I heard these screams coming from outside. I ran to the door to see Aaron in the driveway and the boys just overly excited to see their dad. Payton made the cutest sign to welcome Aaron home (but he was too busy talking to have his picture made with it). The boys had so much to tell their dad!! We finally got them in bed last night and they kept coming in saying, One more thing, dad." It was just too cute!
So, Wednesday night, Aaron called home and I was able to tell him all of the crazy things that happened while he was gone. He said he would call the foundation guy the next morning.
So, Thursday morning, I met the foundation guy at our house. He was SO EXTREMELY nice about everything, but he didn't have good news for us. Under that bathroom, there is a "sink hole" and the foundation needs to be fixed -- to the tune of $7200. I'm just laughed. He said, "So, you don't have a gun to shoot me when I give you this total, do you?" I just laughed and said, "If you knew how my week has been, you would know that all I can do is laugh at whatever you say. I don't know where it's going to come from, but all I can do is laugh at it."
So, I'm laughing at the thought of God providing $7,200. Not because He can't do it, but just because I know He will. I'm laughing at the devil for thinking that $7,200 would make me crumble. I'm laughing that it took everything that I've been through this week to finally get me to that place of totally trusting in God to take care of it all and when things come up, just laugh with confidence -- knowing I'm blessed ABOVE & BEYOND!!
I am so glad to have Aaron home. I slept so good last night knowing he was here with us. Last night, the boys were playing outside and I was cleaning the house when I heard these screams coming from outside. I ran to the door to see Aaron in the driveway and the boys just overly excited to see their dad. Payton made the cutest sign to welcome Aaron home (but he was too busy talking to have his picture made with it). The boys had so much to tell their dad!! We finally got them in bed last night and they kept coming in saying, One more thing, dad." It was just too cute!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Every day is a new day . . .
Full of surprises!! =)
It's Wednesday and it's been one week since Aaron left. And, I'm going to write about every detail of my week so that when he gets back, he can see what happened!! I'm telling you, he better be having the time of his life for what I've been through this week!! =) Every time Aaron's gone hiking, it's been a terrible experience. This one better be different -- at least one of us should be having fun!! But, I'm going to have to prepare myself because if he comes home and DID have the time of his life, I'll either be happy that at least one of us was having fun -- or I'll be mad that he did have a good time while I was fighting the battle at home! =)
So, I'll start on Monday. I did finally get in touch with the realtor's office and they said nobody was coming to look at my house. 15 minutes later, the people showed up to look. Luckily, we hadn't been at home at all on Sunday, so it was really clean. They looked at the house and left. We did have a neat conversation about George W. Bush, though. Seems that they have connections!! =)
Anyway, I get Payton an appointment for the doctor and as we're loading in the van, I realize the tire is flat again. So, I drive it over to the air compressor and it won't come on. I keep messing with it and now we're late. I call my father-in-law to ask him how to run this thing and he tells me there is a reset button somewhere on the motor. I finally find it, but it kicks on while I have my head really close to it (and the phone). I know it was as loud on the other end of the phone!!
I get the tire aired up and we're on our way. We passed by Wal-Mart and I was trying to decide if I should go there first and do Payton's appointment later or just go to the appointment. I look at Payton and he's crying because his ear hurts and he's cold (he had a fever). So, to the doctor's we go.
Sure enough, it's a bad ear infection. Get the prescription, we're on our way to Wal-Mart. I drop the car off to be looked at and we go to the pharmacy. We went to eat while we waited and Payton's fever went up again.
We got his medicine and get to the TLE and they say my tire is too bad and they can't fix it and they don't carry those tires. I know . . only 1 place in town does. I just decide to go home for the day and figure out the money situation to get tires.
That evening, I just vegged on the couch. It was nice to just do nothing for a little while. The boys played outside and they were playing really well together.
Then, Tuesday, I'm trying to figure out how to get the money for the tires. We have the money, it's just tied up in some silly online accout -- so much for "emergency". I just decided that we were going to go get the tires and just figure out the money later.
Thirty minutes before we were suppposed to be at the tire place, Payton comes in the house SCREAMING HIS HEAD OFF and he's hopping on one foot and holding his ankle. My first thought was that he had broken something, but it wasn't. He had been stung by some yellow-jackets that were under our porch. He was stung 5 times!! I had no idea what to do for a sting, so I'm pulling out my medical books to see while he's screaming and Evan's just shocked!!
I get ice on his bites and then go outside to kill the yellow-jackets. There were about 20 of them on this one nest. I sprayed them and they fell off. It was crazy!!
So, we go get the tires, go play putt-putt golf with some friends, hang out at their house for a while, then on our way home, we pass the "burned down house". It's on fire AGAIN!! I call 911 and get transferred around and they're arguing on who is going to go out. Finally, they decide it's H. Finally that fire department guy calls me and I told him that it wasn't a bad fire, but I just wanted to make sure it was put out. He said that was fine and they would be right here.
He was right -- it didn't take them long to get here, but they brought 5 trucks with them! It was funny!! They were down there for a little over an hour and I hope they figured out why it kept catching on fire.
I did get the big area next to our house all mowed this week and it looks so much nicer now that the grass is all cut. I keep thinking I want to tackle the "horse area", but I'm afraid to because I know there are rocks and stuff out there and I don't want to tear up the lawn mower.
Oh, and I haven't even posted about the silly tractor sprinkler that Aaron loves. It hasn't worked well for me!! It keeps getting stuck and spraying this one area until it's a giant mud puddle. Oh well. The only thing I can tell Aaron when he gets back is that I tried to water his green grass!! I haven't killed it all just yet.
Every day is a new day. . . it's now Wednesday and I'm hoping today is uneventful. I do know God's hand has been upon me this whole time. It's just silly all of the crazy things that have happened. Just plain SILLY!!!
It's Wednesday and it's been one week since Aaron left. And, I'm going to write about every detail of my week so that when he gets back, he can see what happened!! I'm telling you, he better be having the time of his life for what I've been through this week!! =) Every time Aaron's gone hiking, it's been a terrible experience. This one better be different -- at least one of us should be having fun!! But, I'm going to have to prepare myself because if he comes home and DID have the time of his life, I'll either be happy that at least one of us was having fun -- or I'll be mad that he did have a good time while I was fighting the battle at home! =)
So, I'll start on Monday. I did finally get in touch with the realtor's office and they said nobody was coming to look at my house. 15 minutes later, the people showed up to look. Luckily, we hadn't been at home at all on Sunday, so it was really clean. They looked at the house and left. We did have a neat conversation about George W. Bush, though. Seems that they have connections!! =)
Anyway, I get Payton an appointment for the doctor and as we're loading in the van, I realize the tire is flat again. So, I drive it over to the air compressor and it won't come on. I keep messing with it and now we're late. I call my father-in-law to ask him how to run this thing and he tells me there is a reset button somewhere on the motor. I finally find it, but it kicks on while I have my head really close to it (and the phone). I know it was as loud on the other end of the phone!!
I get the tire aired up and we're on our way. We passed by Wal-Mart and I was trying to decide if I should go there first and do Payton's appointment later or just go to the appointment. I look at Payton and he's crying because his ear hurts and he's cold (he had a fever). So, to the doctor's we go.
Sure enough, it's a bad ear infection. Get the prescription, we're on our way to Wal-Mart. I drop the car off to be looked at and we go to the pharmacy. We went to eat while we waited and Payton's fever went up again.
We got his medicine and get to the TLE and they say my tire is too bad and they can't fix it and they don't carry those tires. I know . . only 1 place in town does. I just decide to go home for the day and figure out the money situation to get tires.
That evening, I just vegged on the couch. It was nice to just do nothing for a little while. The boys played outside and they were playing really well together.
Then, Tuesday, I'm trying to figure out how to get the money for the tires. We have the money, it's just tied up in some silly online accout -- so much for "emergency". I just decided that we were going to go get the tires and just figure out the money later.
Thirty minutes before we were suppposed to be at the tire place, Payton comes in the house SCREAMING HIS HEAD OFF and he's hopping on one foot and holding his ankle. My first thought was that he had broken something, but it wasn't. He had been stung by some yellow-jackets that were under our porch. He was stung 5 times!! I had no idea what to do for a sting, so I'm pulling out my medical books to see while he's screaming and Evan's just shocked!!
I get ice on his bites and then go outside to kill the yellow-jackets. There were about 20 of them on this one nest. I sprayed them and they fell off. It was crazy!!
So, we go get the tires, go play putt-putt golf with some friends, hang out at their house for a while, then on our way home, we pass the "burned down house". It's on fire AGAIN!! I call 911 and get transferred around and they're arguing on who is going to go out. Finally, they decide it's H. Finally that fire department guy calls me and I told him that it wasn't a bad fire, but I just wanted to make sure it was put out. He said that was fine and they would be right here.
He was right -- it didn't take them long to get here, but they brought 5 trucks with them! It was funny!! They were down there for a little over an hour and I hope they figured out why it kept catching on fire.
I did get the big area next to our house all mowed this week and it looks so much nicer now that the grass is all cut. I keep thinking I want to tackle the "horse area", but I'm afraid to because I know there are rocks and stuff out there and I don't want to tear up the lawn mower.
Oh, and I haven't even posted about the silly tractor sprinkler that Aaron loves. It hasn't worked well for me!! It keeps getting stuck and spraying this one area until it's a giant mud puddle. Oh well. The only thing I can tell Aaron when he gets back is that I tried to water his green grass!! I haven't killed it all just yet.
Every day is a new day. . . it's now Wednesday and I'm hoping today is uneventful. I do know God's hand has been upon me this whole time. It's just silly all of the crazy things that have happened. Just plain SILLY!!!
Monday, August 07, 2006
I'm Just Plain Tired . . .
I think the title says it all. I'm just plain tired. =)
Aaron left last Wednesday to go on a 13 day hike (maybe I already posted about that), so I'm doing the "single mom thing" these 2 weeks and let me tell you, I'm so glad I don't have to do this by myself all the time.
We had church yesterday morning, so I got up early, knowing that I had to get Payton and Evan dressed and ready to go by myself. So, I got up and was loading the car when I looked down the street where the house used to be and there is smoke coming from there again!! I just thought maybe it was just smoldering and wasn't a big deal, but when we passed by on our way to church, it was on fire again. It wasn't bad . . just the already burned down house on fire again. Anyway, so I call 911 and I get T County emergency center. The lady says that since I'm in J County, she has to transfer me there (although that county seat is 30 miles from me). So, I get on the phone with that guy and I told him there were flames at the house and he said, "Well, how many?" WHAT?!?!?! I just said there were FLAMES at this house and you want me to COUNT THEM?!?! I told him that it wasn't bad, but my house was down the street and there were still things around that could catch on fire. I'm just trying to protect my property and those around it. So, he said he would send someone out.
So, I'm supposed to be at church by now setting up, so I call Joe B and ask him to get some stuff from the church for me and I told him the situation. I just wanted to make sure someone DID show up!! As I was sitting there, I decided that God was going to protect my house and I decided to go on. I got to the end of the road and realized I had forgotten my computer! So, I turned around to go back and get it and there was this semi truck/tanker thing sitting right before the house. He flagged me down and said, "So, you think anyone knows this house burned to the ground?" I thought he was kidding -- he wasn't.
I explained to him how it burned on Friday, etc. and that I had called 911 and they were supposed to be sending someone, but I wanted to make sure that someone did come and put it out, but I had to get to church. He said he would stay there until someone got there. That was awesome!! The neat thing about it is that I KNOW that was one of those "God Things". Those tanker trucks don't come down our road. The guy was there checking some wells or something in the field across the street from the house, but those guys always come in pick-ups, etc. . . never those kind of semi truck things.
So, we go to church yesterday morning and things went GREAT in children's church. We started the new curriculum and everyone LOVED it! I'm really excited about how it is all going to work out!!
That afternoon, I had a New Partners class to attend for a few minutes. All afternoon we worked on our family service and it started at 6 pm.
Afterwards, we went to eat and then went to Joe & Casey's house just because I was EXHAUSTED and the boys wanted to play over there. Evan eventually fell asleep and Payton decided it was time to go home.
I got home and had received a call from a good friend, so I called him back and we had a really neat conversation that lasted until after midnight. It was a conversation that I just LOVED having.
Anyway, Payton fell asleep while I was on the phone and after I got off the phone and snuggly in bed, Payton wakes up crying and crying that his ear was ringing and hurting. Great!! I gave him some Tylenol and hoped that would at least help him sleep until the morning . . . no such luck. Every 2 hours he woke up crying, so I did the best I could with the medicine that I had. It took him about 30 minutes to calm back down and get back to sleep. So, we did that ALL NIGHT LONG!
So, it's now 8:30 and they called yesterday and wanted to show my house this morning at 8 am!! I'm so glad I didn't do that!! But, I think they're supposed to be here at 9 and the boys are still asleep. I'm calling the office, but it's not opened yet, so I get silly voicemails and I don't know exactly where to leave a message!! UGH!
Anyway, I'm rambling . . . they say a woman has about 10,000 words that she uses a day. Since Aaron's been gone, I haven't gotten all my "words" in every day, so I think I'm just typing them all!
Plus, I'm just plain tired!!!
Aaron left last Wednesday to go on a 13 day hike (maybe I already posted about that), so I'm doing the "single mom thing" these 2 weeks and let me tell you, I'm so glad I don't have to do this by myself all the time.
We had church yesterday morning, so I got up early, knowing that I had to get Payton and Evan dressed and ready to go by myself. So, I got up and was loading the car when I looked down the street where the house used to be and there is smoke coming from there again!! I just thought maybe it was just smoldering and wasn't a big deal, but when we passed by on our way to church, it was on fire again. It wasn't bad . . just the already burned down house on fire again. Anyway, so I call 911 and I get T County emergency center. The lady says that since I'm in J County, she has to transfer me there (although that county seat is 30 miles from me). So, I get on the phone with that guy and I told him there were flames at the house and he said, "Well, how many?" WHAT?!?!?! I just said there were FLAMES at this house and you want me to COUNT THEM?!?! I told him that it wasn't bad, but my house was down the street and there were still things around that could catch on fire. I'm just trying to protect my property and those around it. So, he said he would send someone out.
So, I'm supposed to be at church by now setting up, so I call Joe B and ask him to get some stuff from the church for me and I told him the situation. I just wanted to make sure someone DID show up!! As I was sitting there, I decided that God was going to protect my house and I decided to go on. I got to the end of the road and realized I had forgotten my computer! So, I turned around to go back and get it and there was this semi truck/tanker thing sitting right before the house. He flagged me down and said, "So, you think anyone knows this house burned to the ground?" I thought he was kidding -- he wasn't.
I explained to him how it burned on Friday, etc. and that I had called 911 and they were supposed to be sending someone, but I wanted to make sure that someone did come and put it out, but I had to get to church. He said he would stay there until someone got there. That was awesome!! The neat thing about it is that I KNOW that was one of those "God Things". Those tanker trucks don't come down our road. The guy was there checking some wells or something in the field across the street from the house, but those guys always come in pick-ups, etc. . . never those kind of semi truck things.
So, we go to church yesterday morning and things went GREAT in children's church. We started the new curriculum and everyone LOVED it! I'm really excited about how it is all going to work out!!
That afternoon, I had a New Partners class to attend for a few minutes. All afternoon we worked on our family service and it started at 6 pm.
Afterwards, we went to eat and then went to Joe & Casey's house just because I was EXHAUSTED and the boys wanted to play over there. Evan eventually fell asleep and Payton decided it was time to go home.
I got home and had received a call from a good friend, so I called him back and we had a really neat conversation that lasted until after midnight. It was a conversation that I just LOVED having.
Anyway, Payton fell asleep while I was on the phone and after I got off the phone and snuggly in bed, Payton wakes up crying and crying that his ear was ringing and hurting. Great!! I gave him some Tylenol and hoped that would at least help him sleep until the morning . . . no such luck. Every 2 hours he woke up crying, so I did the best I could with the medicine that I had. It took him about 30 minutes to calm back down and get back to sleep. So, we did that ALL NIGHT LONG!
So, it's now 8:30 and they called yesterday and wanted to show my house this morning at 8 am!! I'm so glad I didn't do that!! But, I think they're supposed to be here at 9 and the boys are still asleep. I'm calling the office, but it's not opened yet, so I get silly voicemails and I don't know exactly where to leave a message!! UGH!
Anyway, I'm rambling . . . they say a woman has about 10,000 words that she uses a day. Since Aaron's been gone, I haven't gotten all my "words" in every day, so I think I'm just typing them all!
Plus, I'm just plain tired!!!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
A House Fire . . .
Ok . . so I just have to post about what has just occurred in the last 2 hours!!
Aaron is out of town on a 14 day hiking trip (about 4 of those will be driving, but he's still away from home those days!) So, he left on Wednesday and today was the last day we could talk to him via cell phone because he will be above the towers (or something) -- there won't be any kind of signal for a week.
So, this morning, the boys and I had a really rough morning together. I think just spending 24/7 together for the last 3 days really wore on us. I never knew how crucial that 5 o'clock break was when Aaron got home from work and for at least 30 minutes, I could gather myself!! =)
Anyway, so I had Nick and Jesse come over to watch the boys tonight so I could go to a crop at the scrapbook store. As 11:30 pm was approaching, I just felt like I was supposed to get home, but I kept trying to prolong it. But, I left the crop at 11:45 pm to head home.
I pulled in my driveway about midnight and Nick and Jesse left about 12:15 am. So, a few minutes later, Nick calls me and says, "Rachel, I don't think this will affect you at all, but I just wanted to let you know that your neighbor's house is on fire."
WHAT?!?!?!
So, I look out the kitchen window and sure enough, their house has flames BILLOWING out of it and smoke pouring out!!
Nick said, "There's a propane tank, out here, so I just wanted to let you know that it's probably going to blow up, so if you hear a loud boom, that's all it is." Nick said they were going to stay with the couple until the fire department got there.
Payton was still awake, so we went outside in the front yard and just watched as the flames got bigger. Pretty soon, we heard this small boom, then a whistle sound, then a BIG BOOM!! There went the propane tank.
I had Payton run to get our phone because I didn't hear any fire sirens or anything, so I called 911 just in case nobody had called. The lady said she had dispatched them, but she would do it again. So, we waited.
About 12:45, the first fire trucks showed up. By this time, the grass behind the house had caught on fire and the wind was blowing enough to make it spread. They had a back "shop/building" that had also caught on fire by this time.
So, as we're watching this, I thought it was a perfect time to go over the "what-to-do-if-there's-a-fire routine" with Payton. We talked about how he needed to call 911 and what he would do if there was a fire in our house and where we would meet when we all got out. He asked what if he got out, but needed to come in and save his toys. I assured him that God would take care of us and we would just have to get new toys because you never run back into a burning building.
Anyway, so FINALLY the onslaught of firetrucks showed up. There were 5 that came from Hamby and I have no idea how many came from Abilene. There were all kinds of lights and horns going on down there.
I came back in the house about 1:15 and I think the fire was just about out by then. The firemen did an amazing job putting it out. It was neat to see how someone fought it from the back and someone was fighting in the front and when they met in the middle, it would all be out.
Anyway, Nick and Jesse stayed there with the family and they were able to minister to them and pray over them. The family was understandably just shaken and in shock. From what I could see from my house, the house was probably a total loss. We really believe that God is going to restore that family and give them back everything they had plus some. What the enemy meant for evil, God's going to turn it in to good.
Now, of course, your mind wants to wander all over the place. If the wind had been blowing towards my house, there's not a doubt in my mind that my house would have burned too. Or it would have gotten REALLY REALLY close. Or what if I hadn't come home early?
When we first looked at this house, I laughed and said, "Well, let's hope there's never a fire, because it would take them forever to get out here!!" I really saw tonight that it only takes a few minutes for a house to go up in flames.
I am so thankful that I serve a God that had his hand upon our road tonight. Even though it might not look like it at the time, I am believing that God is doing to do something AMAZING at the house down the street. Please pray for them. I don't know their names or their situation.
Ok . . . it's 2 am and I need to get some sleep!!!
Aaron is out of town on a 14 day hiking trip (about 4 of those will be driving, but he's still away from home those days!) So, he left on Wednesday and today was the last day we could talk to him via cell phone because he will be above the towers (or something) -- there won't be any kind of signal for a week.
So, this morning, the boys and I had a really rough morning together. I think just spending 24/7 together for the last 3 days really wore on us. I never knew how crucial that 5 o'clock break was when Aaron got home from work and for at least 30 minutes, I could gather myself!! =)
Anyway, so I had Nick and Jesse come over to watch the boys tonight so I could go to a crop at the scrapbook store. As 11:30 pm was approaching, I just felt like I was supposed to get home, but I kept trying to prolong it. But, I left the crop at 11:45 pm to head home.
I pulled in my driveway about midnight and Nick and Jesse left about 12:15 am. So, a few minutes later, Nick calls me and says, "Rachel, I don't think this will affect you at all, but I just wanted to let you know that your neighbor's house is on fire."
WHAT?!?!?!
So, I look out the kitchen window and sure enough, their house has flames BILLOWING out of it and smoke pouring out!!
Nick said, "There's a propane tank, out here, so I just wanted to let you know that it's probably going to blow up, so if you hear a loud boom, that's all it is." Nick said they were going to stay with the couple until the fire department got there.
Payton was still awake, so we went outside in the front yard and just watched as the flames got bigger. Pretty soon, we heard this small boom, then a whistle sound, then a BIG BOOM!! There went the propane tank.
I had Payton run to get our phone because I didn't hear any fire sirens or anything, so I called 911 just in case nobody had called. The lady said she had dispatched them, but she would do it again. So, we waited.
About 12:45, the first fire trucks showed up. By this time, the grass behind the house had caught on fire and the wind was blowing enough to make it spread. They had a back "shop/building" that had also caught on fire by this time.
So, as we're watching this, I thought it was a perfect time to go over the "what-to-do-if-there's-a-fire routine" with Payton. We talked about how he needed to call 911 and what he would do if there was a fire in our house and where we would meet when we all got out. He asked what if he got out, but needed to come in and save his toys. I assured him that God would take care of us and we would just have to get new toys because you never run back into a burning building.
Anyway, so FINALLY the onslaught of firetrucks showed up. There were 5 that came from Hamby and I have no idea how many came from Abilene. There were all kinds of lights and horns going on down there.
I came back in the house about 1:15 and I think the fire was just about out by then. The firemen did an amazing job putting it out. It was neat to see how someone fought it from the back and someone was fighting in the front and when they met in the middle, it would all be out.
Anyway, Nick and Jesse stayed there with the family and they were able to minister to them and pray over them. The family was understandably just shaken and in shock. From what I could see from my house, the house was probably a total loss. We really believe that God is going to restore that family and give them back everything they had plus some. What the enemy meant for evil, God's going to turn it in to good.
Now, of course, your mind wants to wander all over the place. If the wind had been blowing towards my house, there's not a doubt in my mind that my house would have burned too. Or it would have gotten REALLY REALLY close. Or what if I hadn't come home early?
When we first looked at this house, I laughed and said, "Well, let's hope there's never a fire, because it would take them forever to get out here!!" I really saw tonight that it only takes a few minutes for a house to go up in flames.
I am so thankful that I serve a God that had his hand upon our road tonight. Even though it might not look like it at the time, I am believing that God is doing to do something AMAZING at the house down the street. Please pray for them. I don't know their names or their situation.
Ok . . . it's 2 am and I need to get some sleep!!!
Friday, August 04, 2006
My Printer is ALIVE!!!
For those of you who know me, I have some EXCELLENT news!! My printer is alive and well!!! For the last few weeks, I haven't been able to print ANYTHING and every time I would try, it would give me this "error" message (I HATE THOSE!!) Anyway, so I'm sitting at my desk today and I plugged it in to the USB port and it started loading the hardware. It said it was found and said it was ready to print!!
SO, I'm going scrapbooking tonight and thought it would be great to print some sketches out to take with me. I hit the print button and honestly, I was just waiting on it to tell me the stupid "error" message, but it started warming up (still expecting the "error") and all of a sudden, paper started going through the printer!!! YAY!!
I know it's something so silly to be excited about, but we just changed our children's church curriculum and EVERYTHING is downloaded off of the internet, which means you have to PRINT everything out!! I have been going in to the church once a week and we have an AWESOME printer/copier there, but it's annoying when I've just needed to print one thing and I can't!!
So, today I'm doing a funny dance around my office -- don't you wish you could see that?!?! =) I'm just so thankful that my printer and my computer have decided to cooperate!!!
SO, I'm going scrapbooking tonight and thought it would be great to print some sketches out to take with me. I hit the print button and honestly, I was just waiting on it to tell me the stupid "error" message, but it started warming up (still expecting the "error") and all of a sudden, paper started going through the printer!!! YAY!!
I know it's something so silly to be excited about, but we just changed our children's church curriculum and EVERYTHING is downloaded off of the internet, which means you have to PRINT everything out!! I have been going in to the church once a week and we have an AWESOME printer/copier there, but it's annoying when I've just needed to print one thing and I can't!!
So, today I'm doing a funny dance around my office -- don't you wish you could see that?!?! =) I'm just so thankful that my printer and my computer have decided to cooperate!!!
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