So the last few months of chaos and craziness are coming to a close.. well at least they will by this time next month (I hope). We're moving!!! YAY!!!!
We found a wonderful mobile home in a very nice area that we will be calling home. It's it a nice little neighborhood with some children, sherrif deputies, and police officers. I can't wait!!
We still have a lot we need to do, but we're getting it done slowly and surely. I look forward to just being moved, being settled, and being at home. Now, we're still renting, not owning, so it's not exactly "our home", but close enough for me.
The girls both passed their grades this year (YAY!!!!) and are eagerly awaiting to be 3rd and 1st graders. They grow up so fast! I remember when the girls were each 2 and 3, teaching them just to color on the paper instead of the table was a huge accomplishment, now they can read, write, do math problems and so much more. How wonderful it is to be able to be there and teach them!
My school is over as well, thankfully. It was a difficult semester. Seems like each semester and each class gets harder and harder. I wasn't sure if I would pass this class (statistics), but appears that I made a high C in the class. Now, I'd much rather have an A or a B, but I've resolved myself to be ok with passing - that is after all my goal now. Pass each class, glean some knowledge, and press on towards my degree.. which I will have.. eventually.
I'm reading through the Upperroom Discourse in the book of John. It's another study by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose. I've read these chapters many times over the years but it always amazes me the little nuggets I'm able to glean from them with each subsequent reading. So wonderful to be able to dig deeper into the root of the words and meanings. I just need to remember to take time and soak in His wisdom, not rush through it to get my day going.
Hope and pray you're doing well.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Time flies when you're... busy
That pretty much sums up the last few weeks: busy. "House" hunting, finishing the fiscal year at work, finishing the school work with the girls, finishing up school work with me.. phew... BUSY!
We think we've found a place just a few miles from work (not the best side of town), has onsite security, maintenance, pool, playground, and laundromat. Plus, right outside the mobile home we are hoping to get is a huge field and two big oak trees that I KNOW Little Man would LOVE to climb. I think that's where God is leading us. Lots of 'little' things falling into place, makes me wonder if this is where He's leading us.
The work year ends tomorrow. It's been a bit busy making sure all accounts are paid properly and all reimbursements are ready to go for next year's opening. My work isn't as hectic as others in the area, but still keeping me on my toes.
The girls finished school two weeks ago. We're just trying to work with Doodle bug on her math. She is not remember to carry or borrow all the time, so she's getting things confused. We've gone back to square one with her. Praying it will work as she will be evaluated next Thursday (prayers, please!).
I'm taking Statistics this semester and have really enjoyed the class, but am finding it hard to keep up with the course work. We have assignments due every week, which is good because it forces me to stay ontop of things, but I don't get a chance to breathe. I've applied for some financial aid to help with books. I get two classes every semester for free thankfully, but still have to cough up $100 or more for books each semester. I'm praying I get approved, but if I don't then I know He'll provide for me. He always has and always will :) He's cool like that.
God is showing me the quiet times amidst all of the chaos. He's showing me His love and His rest, which I so deeply need at times. Some people ask for more hours in the day, not me - I'd just fill them with more frivilous and confusing stuff.. I just ask that He goes with me through the day, not giving me more than I can handle. Helping me to be a good witness for Him, for His cause. Loving others when I'm out of love, helping others when I just want to sit, praying with others when I'd rather just leave. He's changing me.. it's a good thing, but not always comfortable!
Our whole family is in for a change. When we're used to almost instant access to TV or the internet, we'll be relying on books, board games, and (dare I say it) more family time. I'm really looking forward to it, but it's going to take some getting used to. My prayer is that we draw closer to Him as a family, become the family He wants us to be - a witness to our neighbors, a help to our neighbors, a light in this oil filled world. I'm excited for what He has in store.
We think we've found a place just a few miles from work (not the best side of town), has onsite security, maintenance, pool, playground, and laundromat. Plus, right outside the mobile home we are hoping to get is a huge field and two big oak trees that I KNOW Little Man would LOVE to climb. I think that's where God is leading us. Lots of 'little' things falling into place, makes me wonder if this is where He's leading us.
The work year ends tomorrow. It's been a bit busy making sure all accounts are paid properly and all reimbursements are ready to go for next year's opening. My work isn't as hectic as others in the area, but still keeping me on my toes.
The girls finished school two weeks ago. We're just trying to work with Doodle bug on her math. She is not remember to carry or borrow all the time, so she's getting things confused. We've gone back to square one with her. Praying it will work as she will be evaluated next Thursday (prayers, please!).
I'm taking Statistics this semester and have really enjoyed the class, but am finding it hard to keep up with the course work. We have assignments due every week, which is good because it forces me to stay ontop of things, but I don't get a chance to breathe. I've applied for some financial aid to help with books. I get two classes every semester for free thankfully, but still have to cough up $100 or more for books each semester. I'm praying I get approved, but if I don't then I know He'll provide for me. He always has and always will :) He's cool like that.
God is showing me the quiet times amidst all of the chaos. He's showing me His love and His rest, which I so deeply need at times. Some people ask for more hours in the day, not me - I'd just fill them with more frivilous and confusing stuff.. I just ask that He goes with me through the day, not giving me more than I can handle. Helping me to be a good witness for Him, for His cause. Loving others when I'm out of love, helping others when I just want to sit, praying with others when I'd rather just leave. He's changing me.. it's a good thing, but not always comfortable!
Our whole family is in for a change. When we're used to almost instant access to TV or the internet, we'll be relying on books, board games, and (dare I say it) more family time. I'm really looking forward to it, but it's going to take some getting used to. My prayer is that we draw closer to Him as a family, become the family He wants us to be - a witness to our neighbors, a help to our neighbors, a light in this oil filled world. I'm excited for what He has in store.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Experiment #1
A few months ago my husband took our nice big TV out of our 'family' room. He replaced it with a 19 inch old TV that was in our bedroom (which is where we normally watched TV in the evenings). It took about a week to really adjust to not watching TV every night. The kids still watched some PBS during the day, but other than movies, we really didn't watch anything at night.
It started as part of an experiment, how we can adjust to not having TV in our lives (or at least not having a large amount of TV). We found ourselves enjoying life more. Instead of being bored and popping on the TV, we'd read, do chores (had a very clean house for a while), or play board games.
Then my husband started watching TV through the laptop via Netflix, Hulu, and CBS. It was great! We snuggled up close and got to decide on what to watch, either a 30 minute program or an hour long one. We didn't do it very frequently, deciding to spend our nights reading or playing board games, but it was nice to be able to watch something and relax.
Well, now that the World Cup is on TV, my husband hooked up the big TV in our room (what a nice clear, big picture!). Was supposed to only be for World Cup, but I think he and the kids spent most of Saturday afternoon watching cartoons on it.. at least they were together right?
Now I fear we're back into becoming zombies. We'll see how the rest of the World Cup goes... :)
It started as part of an experiment, how we can adjust to not having TV in our lives (or at least not having a large amount of TV). We found ourselves enjoying life more. Instead of being bored and popping on the TV, we'd read, do chores (had a very clean house for a while), or play board games.
Then my husband started watching TV through the laptop via Netflix, Hulu, and CBS. It was great! We snuggled up close and got to decide on what to watch, either a 30 minute program or an hour long one. We didn't do it very frequently, deciding to spend our nights reading or playing board games, but it was nice to be able to watch something and relax.
Well, now that the World Cup is on TV, my husband hooked up the big TV in our room (what a nice clear, big picture!). Was supposed to only be for World Cup, but I think he and the kids spent most of Saturday afternoon watching cartoons on it.. at least they were together right?
Now I fear we're back into becoming zombies. We'll see how the rest of the World Cup goes... :)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I will never complain of being bored again.. I promise
So be careful what you pray for.
The beginning of this year has been pretty routine, work has been slightly slow, home life has been active but normal (homework, school, grocery shopping, sports), and we've enjoyed many leisurely nights. Well, except for the last two weeks!
Work is quite busy right now as we prepare for the end of the fiscal year. Trying to see what we have left to spend, trying to prepare next year's budget, trying to predict what we'll spend and how. A project I'm working on is coming into full swing - it's a lot of fun! But also a lot of work. One of my co-workers is leaving (her last day is today :( ) and we've been busy trying to fill the position. Who knew that trying to get in applications and call people for interviews would be so time consuming! We have three ladies coming in for interviews this week and next, I'm praying for discernment on the ladies - I want to hire whomever God wants in our organization. So I need to stay out of the way, so I can hear Him (not easy for me to do).
The girls school year is winding down now, only three more weeks left. We're trying to make sure they remember all of the things they learned last semester and haven't fogotten any of the major things like how to write your numbers correctly (Lulu) and how to borrow when subtracting (Doodle). I'm very confident Lulu will pass with flying colors (some of the things she's doing is actually 1st grade work because she finished her kindergarten curriculum early). Doodle is doing well also, but I'm a little nervous for her math and writing. If you're right there with her - she does her math PERFECTLY, but as soon as you leave the room she forgets what she's supposed to be doing. That's been difficult. She KNOWS what to do, but either isn't confident in it, or doesn't care.. I'm not sure which. Also, her writing has come a LONG way, but I'm not sure it's where it's supposed to be for the end of second grade. So we're a little nervous, but just trying to put it into God's hands. We feel lead by Him to homeschool them, so He'll work it all out in the end.
We're also in the process of moving - yay!!! But we have quite a few 'little' things that still need to be done/figured out. We've been spending the last two weeks getting our ducks in a row after work/school/dinner at night and it's exhausting! We're looking into a few places in town and are excited at the prospects. If you could pray for discernment for us on this issue it'd be much appreciated. We want to go where He wants us, not where it seems 'right' to us.
So yes, 'bored' is not in my vocabulary right now.. which is funny, I'm now longing for a leisurely night instead of saying "Again?!?" Be careful what you pray for, He may just give it to you! :)
The beginning of this year has been pretty routine, work has been slightly slow, home life has been active but normal (homework, school, grocery shopping, sports), and we've enjoyed many leisurely nights. Well, except for the last two weeks!
Work is quite busy right now as we prepare for the end of the fiscal year. Trying to see what we have left to spend, trying to prepare next year's budget, trying to predict what we'll spend and how. A project I'm working on is coming into full swing - it's a lot of fun! But also a lot of work. One of my co-workers is leaving (her last day is today :( ) and we've been busy trying to fill the position. Who knew that trying to get in applications and call people for interviews would be so time consuming! We have three ladies coming in for interviews this week and next, I'm praying for discernment on the ladies - I want to hire whomever God wants in our organization. So I need to stay out of the way, so I can hear Him (not easy for me to do).
The girls school year is winding down now, only three more weeks left. We're trying to make sure they remember all of the things they learned last semester and haven't fogotten any of the major things like how to write your numbers correctly (Lulu) and how to borrow when subtracting (Doodle). I'm very confident Lulu will pass with flying colors (some of the things she's doing is actually 1st grade work because she finished her kindergarten curriculum early). Doodle is doing well also, but I'm a little nervous for her math and writing. If you're right there with her - she does her math PERFECTLY, but as soon as you leave the room she forgets what she's supposed to be doing. That's been difficult. She KNOWS what to do, but either isn't confident in it, or doesn't care.. I'm not sure which. Also, her writing has come a LONG way, but I'm not sure it's where it's supposed to be for the end of second grade. So we're a little nervous, but just trying to put it into God's hands. We feel lead by Him to homeschool them, so He'll work it all out in the end.
We're also in the process of moving - yay!!! But we have quite a few 'little' things that still need to be done/figured out. We've been spending the last two weeks getting our ducks in a row after work/school/dinner at night and it's exhausting! We're looking into a few places in town and are excited at the prospects. If you could pray for discernment for us on this issue it'd be much appreciated. We want to go where He wants us, not where it seems 'right' to us.
So yes, 'bored' is not in my vocabulary right now.. which is funny, I'm now longing for a leisurely night instead of saying "Again?!?" Be careful what you pray for, He may just give it to you! :)
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Amazed
We have two boards hanging up in our living room and the kid's room that we use to display school assignments and artwork. Yesterday, one of the empty tacks fell off of a board in the kids room and Doodle's little foot found it. She came to me crying a little and said "Mama, I just stepped on a tack." I know those hurt, my heart just went out to her! I checked it out and it was slightly bleeding so we put bandaged it and she sighed and said "I'm glad I found it and not Buddy, that would have hurt his little foot so badly. I bet he would have cried and cried." Now my heart really went out to her. What love she was showing! As a parent, I frequently have this same emotion "I wish I would've gotten hurt instead of her/him." My heart just leaps out of my chest. But here, at 7 1/2 (or 'almost 8' as she calls it :) ) she's learning this great love. How wonderful.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
That's my girl!
Doodle had two games last Saturday. She played very well in both games, but especially well in the second one. She scored two runs and caught someone out at first base (she does better on first base than at any other position). Here are some pictures of my girly :)
Here is she is getting ready to bat. She has started using Lulu's bat for the last few games, it's lighter in weight, and has done MUCH better at hitting - she now hits everytime she's at bat.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Proud and not so proud
Proud
I'm so proud of Doodle Bug this weekend. She had a game Saturday morning and came up to bat four times, hitting the ball AND getting on base each time. She made two runs and could have made a third, but didn't run quite fast enough to 3rd base before being tagged.
We tried a new (lighter) bat for her and it was SUCH a difference! Now if I can just convince her to let me put tissue in the tops of her shoes, they'll fit better and she'll run better. We received the shoes as a gift from a friend who's a shopaholic, but they're one whole size too big. She found them on clearance for less than $3 - they're normally $40. Needless to say, I can't afford a $40 pair of shoes for her, so we've been making do. :)
Not so proud
The girls and I went to Walmart after church on Sunday to pick up some school supplies. Our cashier was a very talkative man. Doodle told him that we're buying school supplies because "we have a lot of school left." He looks at us and says "I thought school was just about over. Seems like they used to finish at the end of May. I think they finish at the end of May this year. Maybe it's June, I don't know. Sure is a lot of school supplies." I really didn't plan on replying, was just saying "Yeah" when "Well, we homeschool so our schedule is a bit different" popped out of my mouth. He gave me this horrified expression and said "Don't trust the school system, huh?" I have NEVER had this response before, didn't quite know how to handle it so I laughed and said "No, it's not that. I was public schooled and came out OK, this is just something we've been very blessed with." To which he replied "How do you know you're teaching them correctly, that they're learning their normal things?" Does he THINK I'm an idiot or do I have it plastered on my forehead somewhere?
This is where I got mad.. because my pride was hurt.. I shouldn't have said anything.. I should've just kept my tongue.. I'm working on it.. really I am.. "Well, Florida has very strict homeschooling laws, so my kids are tested every year to make sure they know what they should." "Yeah, yeah I know. Kids are tested every year. But what about yours? You could be skrewing them up" he replied. Hello? Was he not listening? So I repeated it a bit louder, the lady behind us backed up, my face got a bit pink and I said "I have them tested every year, by a certified teacher. Florida has very strict homeschooling laws. I don't get to do whatever I want, let them learn to eat paste and crayons and run around like barbarians all day. That'd be horrible." He just looked at me and finished bagging my groceries and gave me my receipt. Behind him, in another check out lane, an older lady was smiling at me. Either she was giving me a "That's wonderful" smile or a "Wow, you're crazy and I don't want to make you mad" smile.
As we walked out of the store I started calling the man names, right in front of my girls - wow, what a role model! Then I said "You know what, I wasn't very nice to him. I'm going to pray that GOd blesses him and then forgives me for being so mean." The girls agreed that it was the thing to do, and prayed with me.
I don't normally have a problem with my mouth - really. I've been reading through James for the past 5 weeks about how your actions and speech should match and guess I'm being tested heavily.. As a song from Great Awakenings says "Let the Words of Your mouth, fill this place" not my mouth.
I'm so proud of Doodle Bug this weekend. She had a game Saturday morning and came up to bat four times, hitting the ball AND getting on base each time. She made two runs and could have made a third, but didn't run quite fast enough to 3rd base before being tagged.
We tried a new (lighter) bat for her and it was SUCH a difference! Now if I can just convince her to let me put tissue in the tops of her shoes, they'll fit better and she'll run better. We received the shoes as a gift from a friend who's a shopaholic, but they're one whole size too big. She found them on clearance for less than $3 - they're normally $40. Needless to say, I can't afford a $40 pair of shoes for her, so we've been making do. :)
Not so proud
The girls and I went to Walmart after church on Sunday to pick up some school supplies. Our cashier was a very talkative man. Doodle told him that we're buying school supplies because "we have a lot of school left." He looks at us and says "I thought school was just about over. Seems like they used to finish at the end of May. I think they finish at the end of May this year. Maybe it's June, I don't know. Sure is a lot of school supplies." I really didn't plan on replying, was just saying "Yeah" when "Well, we homeschool so our schedule is a bit different" popped out of my mouth. He gave me this horrified expression and said "Don't trust the school system, huh?" I have NEVER had this response before, didn't quite know how to handle it so I laughed and said "No, it's not that. I was public schooled and came out OK, this is just something we've been very blessed with." To which he replied "How do you know you're teaching them correctly, that they're learning their normal things?" Does he THINK I'm an idiot or do I have it plastered on my forehead somewhere?
This is where I got mad.. because my pride was hurt.. I shouldn't have said anything.. I should've just kept my tongue.. I'm working on it.. really I am.. "Well, Florida has very strict homeschooling laws, so my kids are tested every year to make sure they know what they should." "Yeah, yeah I know. Kids are tested every year. But what about yours? You could be skrewing them up" he replied. Hello? Was he not listening? So I repeated it a bit louder, the lady behind us backed up, my face got a bit pink and I said "I have them tested every year, by a certified teacher. Florida has very strict homeschooling laws. I don't get to do whatever I want, let them learn to eat paste and crayons and run around like barbarians all day. That'd be horrible." He just looked at me and finished bagging my groceries and gave me my receipt. Behind him, in another check out lane, an older lady was smiling at me. Either she was giving me a "That's wonderful" smile or a "Wow, you're crazy and I don't want to make you mad" smile.
As we walked out of the store I started calling the man names, right in front of my girls - wow, what a role model! Then I said "You know what, I wasn't very nice to him. I'm going to pray that GOd blesses him and then forgives me for being so mean." The girls agreed that it was the thing to do, and prayed with me.
I don't normally have a problem with my mouth - really. I've been reading through James for the past 5 weeks about how your actions and speech should match and guess I'm being tested heavily.. As a song from Great Awakenings says "Let the Words of Your mouth, fill this place" not my mouth.
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