The past couple of weeks have been really heavy for me.
I have been wrestling with some things that are going on in my life, and have discovered some things rooted deep within that are not necessarily true, and are definitely negative.
I took a personality profile my friend over at GrOwThSpUrTs had linked to her post and God used a specific question on there to get my brain turning.
You think conflict is:
A. Hard for you to deal with
B. A normal part of relationships
My choice was A.
I did not even have to negotiate that one in my brain. So I decided to find out why I feel that way.
Until this week, I would have said it came from being an only child until I was almost 16 years old. I mean, who are you going to fight with if there is no one around?!
But as I explored deeper, I realized conflict is hard for me because I have never seen real conflicts, the ones that really matter, resolved successfully.
When my parents were in conflict, it meant the end of life as I knew it. Divorce was the solution to their problems, and to a large degree, the beginning of mine as it pertains to relationships.
So I thought about my grandparents. I have one set who were completely devoted to one another, and there were serious health issues, and the life they lived together was one taking care of another. To my knowledge, there was not much conflict. ( I am speaking past tense because my precious grandmother went to be with the Lord last May.)
The other set of grandparents cannot stand one another, and people wonder why they are married. Their conflict started when my mother was a little girl, and has raged to this day, resulting in anger, bitterness, resentment, and depression.
I thought about my teenage years. I always wondered why my friendships ended after an argument, or why I could not be friends when a boyfriend and I broke up. Now I realize it was because I assumed it had to be the end. I did not know how to move past it.
Now, in 13 years (August 5!) of marriage, D and I have had some arguments, sure. But overall, they have been few, far between, and pretty insignificant. God made us very compatable. And we are not scrappers by nature, I guess!
But now the time has come, and God has allowed the pressure to be applied, and it must be time for me to learn.
As I thought about the circumstances surrounding me at this point in my life, my marriage, my parenting, I realized how much my view of conflict colors the way I handle situations and bleeds into other areas of my beliefs.
Because I have not seen conflict handled well, I have believed all of my adult life that people cannot, will not, do not really change. Oh sure, maybe for a week or a month. But long lasting change, the kind that is necessary from time to time in our life when we realize our actions are hurting others, ourselves, or our walk with God, deep down I have accepted, believed as truth that people are not capable of doing that.
Only I did not realize I thought that until God showed me where my view of conflict came from. And He has brought all of this to my attention in the last week to ten days, in the midst of some serious, life changing, personal conflicts. Which, of course, is how God works. On-the-job training, so to speak.
(I knew something was coming! Remember my post with the video? Well, God got His message through to me!)
While it has been a difficult realization for me, I cannot begin to tell you the peace I have just knowing where to begin, understanding why I feel like it is the end of the world when conflict comes to visit.
I always wonder what I will learn in tough times. How will I change from this experience? What am I going to learn?
While I am still in the beginning stages of this process, I am looking forward to the person I will be when God gets done with this lesson. I have never been disappointed and have always liked who I am as a person better after He has done a hard work in me, even though the "getting there" is SO tough.
Lord, You are the potter, I am the clay. Help me to be teachable, humble on this journey with you. Help me to embrace truth and be aware of lies planted long ago. Thank you for being faithful to me. Wrap us in your love and protect us as we move forward, into the life you have waiting on the other side of this.
And we WILL get to the other side of this. Our pastor quoted Winston Churchill last Sunday, and God spoke it straight to me.
"If you are going through hell, keep going."
That made SO MUCH SENSE to me, I cannot even tell you. Everyone I have had to watch, to give me an example to follow, has stopped and taken up residence in their hell instead of moving forward. Maybe they did not realize at the time that is what they were choosing, but in time, their ungodly choices have proven disastrous.
Why would I do that? Who would quit right in the middle of the fire? If I was burning, I would not stop until the fire was quenched or I was dead. And now I have to apply that principle to my relationships.
I am thankful the Lord is for us, fights on our behalf, and gives us strength, insight and wisdom in tough times.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Personality
| You Are An ISFJ |
 You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal. A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways. In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music. You find it easy to be devoted to one person, who you do special things for. In love, you express your emotions through actions. Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well! At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time. You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist. How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut |
Run, Forest, Run!!
The bank decided to credit our account today, so the $11 famine is officially over...whew!
It became a joke of sorts.
One kid would ask to do something, or buy something, and another kid would say, "WE ONLY HAVE ELEVEN DOLLARS. DUH."
Maybe I should let them keep thinking that and they would stop asking for everything they see on T.V. Hmmm...
Unless it is a pair of running shoes for Daniel.
The boy is a runnin' fool, I tell you.
He got on the treadmill for the FIRST time and jogged 4 miles in an hour.
He has legs that do not touch the floorboard in the car (sitting in a booster, mind you, but STILL!). I tried to equate what that would be comparable to for an adult, but alas, my leg length comparison chart was nowhere to be found.
I imagine it would look something like Fred Flintstone trying to get his car going, though.
Either way, in my non-expert opinion, he is well on his way to marathon status. I am envious and excited all at the same time.
Maybe in 10 years (when he is 18) I will be prepared to run one with him!
I better go get started.
It became a joke of sorts.
One kid would ask to do something, or buy something, and another kid would say, "WE ONLY HAVE ELEVEN DOLLARS. DUH."
Maybe I should let them keep thinking that and they would stop asking for everything they see on T.V. Hmmm...
Unless it is a pair of running shoes for Daniel.
The boy is a runnin' fool, I tell you.
He got on the treadmill for the FIRST time and jogged 4 miles in an hour.
He has legs that do not touch the floorboard in the car (sitting in a booster, mind you, but STILL!). I tried to equate what that would be comparable to for an adult, but alas, my leg length comparison chart was nowhere to be found.
I imagine it would look something like Fred Flintstone trying to get his car going, though.
Either way, in my non-expert opinion, he is well on his way to marathon status. I am envious and excited all at the same time.
Maybe in 10 years (when he is 18) I will be prepared to run one with him!
I better go get started.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hackers
Yesterday, someone cleaned out our checking account. Oh, they were nice enough to leave $11, because, you know, they were being considerate.
After I called the bank to assure them I did not authorize a triple digit- nearing quadruple digits-transaction to a cell phone company, I was informed it would be 5 to 7 days before the investigation was complete and then we would get our money back.
I was also informed my debit card was inactivated and not to use it until I get a new one. You know, because I could go WILD with the $11 we have left.
Also yesterday, my computer started acting weird. We have this new TERRIBLE phone and internet provider due to moving to the sticks, so at first I thought it was them. But now, I'm fairly certain it's not.
We have all the protection: anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall. The next step is to enlist a sharp shooter. I mean, seriously, what's a family to do?
So it may be a few days before I post anything, as I'm turning my computer over to someone I trust NOT to steal all our information and find a solution for us.
After I called the bank to assure them I did not authorize a triple digit- nearing quadruple digits-transaction to a cell phone company, I was informed it would be 5 to 7 days before the investigation was complete and then we would get our money back.
I was also informed my debit card was inactivated and not to use it until I get a new one. You know, because I could go WILD with the $11 we have left.
Also yesterday, my computer started acting weird. We have this new TERRIBLE phone and internet provider due to moving to the sticks, so at first I thought it was them. But now, I'm fairly certain it's not.
We have all the protection: anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall. The next step is to enlist a sharp shooter. I mean, seriously, what's a family to do?
So it may be a few days before I post anything, as I'm turning my computer over to someone I trust NOT to steal all our information and find a solution for us.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Nicknames
It is true what they say, (whoever they are), that each child is unique, even siblings who are born and raised by the same parents.
We have nicknames for each of our children that best describe their traits.
Madison is The Beast. Do not disturb The Beast and all goes well with you. If you have ever had a preteen daughter, you know what I'm talking about. If you have a daughter and she has not reached this age yet, think of the term after she has let anyone who dares come near her have it. By it I mean her opinion forced forward by a surge of hormones, otherwise known as ATTITUDE.
Daniel is The Destroyer. We are certain his main goal in life right now is to destroy anything he comes in contact with. Be it person, place, or thing, he knows no bounds.
Ashlyn is The Informer. If anything is going on anywhere, Ashlyn knows about it, and in about 10 seconds, you are going to know about it too. The main purpose of her informant status is to get others into trouble. Otherwise, she feels she has failed at her mission.
Sarah is Skippy-Long-Stocking. She has started skipping here, there, and everywhere. While she skips, she sings. Her favorite songs are by the Jonas Brothers and today she was singing in the toilet stall in Walmart. Apparently, if you can't see her, you can't hear her.
D is The Enforcer. He brings down Marshall Law when needed, which seems to be quite often around here.
And me, well, D tells me I am The General. I keep everyone and everything going, rain or shine. Maybe we should change my name to The Mailman, or as our kids call him, The Maildude.
Ginger, our Golden Retriever, is The BFD. That is our endearing acronym for Big Fat Dummy. She is 30 pounds overweight and drives us crazy, but we love her.
Max the Cat is The LFD. You guessed it, Little Fat Dummy. Same as Ginger, only in cat form.
So there you have it. Nicknames in a nutshell.
We have nicknames for each of our children that best describe their traits.
Madison is The Beast. Do not disturb The Beast and all goes well with you. If you have ever had a preteen daughter, you know what I'm talking about. If you have a daughter and she has not reached this age yet, think of the term after she has let anyone who dares come near her have it. By it I mean her opinion forced forward by a surge of hormones, otherwise known as ATTITUDE.
Daniel is The Destroyer. We are certain his main goal in life right now is to destroy anything he comes in contact with. Be it person, place, or thing, he knows no bounds.
Ashlyn is The Informer. If anything is going on anywhere, Ashlyn knows about it, and in about 10 seconds, you are going to know about it too. The main purpose of her informant status is to get others into trouble. Otherwise, she feels she has failed at her mission.
Sarah is Skippy-Long-Stocking. She has started skipping here, there, and everywhere. While she skips, she sings. Her favorite songs are by the Jonas Brothers and today she was singing in the toilet stall in Walmart. Apparently, if you can't see her, you can't hear her.
D is The Enforcer. He brings down Marshall Law when needed, which seems to be quite often around here.
And me, well, D tells me I am The General. I keep everyone and everything going, rain or shine. Maybe we should change my name to The Mailman, or as our kids call him, The Maildude.
Ginger, our Golden Retriever, is The BFD. That is our endearing acronym for Big Fat Dummy. She is 30 pounds overweight and drives us crazy, but we love her.
Max the Cat is The LFD. You guessed it, Little Fat Dummy. Same as Ginger, only in cat form.
So there you have it. Nicknames in a nutshell.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Family
This weekend was our annual family reunion. Since we were actually within driving distance, and not to mention this reunion is the one every family would want if they knew about it, we went. For the first time in 8 years. And it was fabulous!
First, let me just say how my heart doth long for the mountains. That's where I grew up, and that's where family is.
Last weekend, we went to the beach, and as much as I love seeing God's power in the waves and the beauty of a sunset there, you can have it.
I'll take majestic mountains with their cool, refreshing air and the always changing landscape any day over sand and surf.
As we got our first glimpse of the backdrop of mountains over our little hometown, my heart actually did a little flip-flop. I felt like a teenager falling in love.
Once at the reunion, which we should really re-name something clever because it simply does NOT fall under the reunion category, we had a blast! Our kids played with cousins until they were red-faced and exhausted. They had water balloon fights, rode golf carts, and laughed like old friends. We had a fireworks finale, and Sarah thought it was just for her, as it was her birthday. Sweet.
I am one of the least sentimental people I know. But this weekend, looking back over the last year, I could not help but cry, and they were tears of joy and thankfulness.
The same weekend last year, we almost lost our Daniel. He had a terrible biking accident, and he and I were flown to Hopkins University where God put His hand on Daniel and saved his life. Once he was able to breathe on his own again and taken off machines, he was released from the hospital 9 hours later, because he was doing so well. Hmmm...wonder how that could have been?!
I am thankful my son drives me crazy daily with his "boy" stuff, and grins when he's mischievous. I melt when I see his little heart worn on his face.
I am thankful my husband has been home for A YEAR AND A HALF STRAIGHT! No field time, deployments, nothing. And we needed it. And God knew it and cares for us.
I am thankful my girls have each other to laugh with and fight with.
I am thankful to be back in my home state. Dorothy said it best: "There's no place like home."
I am thankful to get to stay somewhere instead of moving all the time. To be able to own a home and call it ours, to feel like we can "settle in" for the long haul...Again, much needed, and God provided.
I am thankful for the opportunities God has provided in our jobs. He has led us each step this year, and there is no doubt He has intervened relentlessly on our behalf.
I am thankful I had the opportunity to reconnect with family this weekend. We have spent so many years making friends our family, and they are truly fabulous and I love them dearly. But to be able to spend time who share your name, your childhood memories, your love for the same people, and allow our kids the opportunity to make new memories with people who love you just because you exist, is a whole new level of what it means to "go home" to me.
I noticed so many cousins were missing someone close to them; a father, a mother, a grandmother, a grandfather. My grandmother was one of the ones that passed away just over a year ago. I was caught off guard at how I longed to see her there. We were very close; kindred spirits, really. And I miss her voice, her face. But I am so happy, truly, for her, because she is in heaven, and has no more pain. I suppose being in a setting where I was so used to seeing her triggered a response I had not anticipated.
But on the flip-side of all the loss, and even more so, I noticed ALL THE KIDS!! I know, approximately 1/5 of them were ours, but still! When D and I counted yesterday at home, we came up with 19! It was fantastic! Boys, girls, toddlers, teenagers, and it made everyone's heart smile, of that I am certain.
I feel so loved, and I wish everyone could leave a family reunion feeling as special as my family made us feel.
First, let me just say how my heart doth long for the mountains. That's where I grew up, and that's where family is.
Last weekend, we went to the beach, and as much as I love seeing God's power in the waves and the beauty of a sunset there, you can have it.
I'll take majestic mountains with their cool, refreshing air and the always changing landscape any day over sand and surf.
As we got our first glimpse of the backdrop of mountains over our little hometown, my heart actually did a little flip-flop. I felt like a teenager falling in love.
Once at the reunion, which we should really re-name something clever because it simply does NOT fall under the reunion category, we had a blast! Our kids played with cousins until they were red-faced and exhausted. They had water balloon fights, rode golf carts, and laughed like old friends. We had a fireworks finale, and Sarah thought it was just for her, as it was her birthday. Sweet.
I am one of the least sentimental people I know. But this weekend, looking back over the last year, I could not help but cry, and they were tears of joy and thankfulness.
The same weekend last year, we almost lost our Daniel. He had a terrible biking accident, and he and I were flown to Hopkins University where God put His hand on Daniel and saved his life. Once he was able to breathe on his own again and taken off machines, he was released from the hospital 9 hours later, because he was doing so well. Hmmm...wonder how that could have been?!
I am thankful my son drives me crazy daily with his "boy" stuff, and grins when he's mischievous. I melt when I see his little heart worn on his face.
I am thankful my husband has been home for A YEAR AND A HALF STRAIGHT! No field time, deployments, nothing. And we needed it. And God knew it and cares for us.
I am thankful my girls have each other to laugh with and fight with.
I am thankful to be back in my home state. Dorothy said it best: "There's no place like home."
I am thankful to get to stay somewhere instead of moving all the time. To be able to own a home and call it ours, to feel like we can "settle in" for the long haul...Again, much needed, and God provided.
I am thankful for the opportunities God has provided in our jobs. He has led us each step this year, and there is no doubt He has intervened relentlessly on our behalf.
I am thankful I had the opportunity to reconnect with family this weekend. We have spent so many years making friends our family, and they are truly fabulous and I love them dearly. But to be able to spend time who share your name, your childhood memories, your love for the same people, and allow our kids the opportunity to make new memories with people who love you just because you exist, is a whole new level of what it means to "go home" to me.
I noticed so many cousins were missing someone close to them; a father, a mother, a grandmother, a grandfather. My grandmother was one of the ones that passed away just over a year ago. I was caught off guard at how I longed to see her there. We were very close; kindred spirits, really. And I miss her voice, her face. But I am so happy, truly, for her, because she is in heaven, and has no more pain. I suppose being in a setting where I was so used to seeing her triggered a response I had not anticipated.
But on the flip-side of all the loss, and even more so, I noticed ALL THE KIDS!! I know, approximately 1/5 of them were ours, but still! When D and I counted yesterday at home, we came up with 19! It was fantastic! Boys, girls, toddlers, teenagers, and it made everyone's heart smile, of that I am certain.
I feel so loved, and I wish everyone could leave a family reunion feeling as special as my family made us feel.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Reflection
I know God is driving something home in me.
On Sunday, our Pastor told about Ernest Hemmingway being challenged to write a story using only 6 words. This is what he wrote.
"For sale. Baby shoes. Never used."
We were challenged to think about what 6 words we would use to tell our story.
Then this morning, I found this on one of the blogs I read regularly.
Right now, I am just contemplative as I think about what God is saying to me.
I hope it speaks to you.
Jockeying for Position
I have come to a realization this morning.
It was very hard for me to deal with.
In fact, I think I do a fairly decent job of focusing on how I need to change instead of other people or situations changing. But I have been failing desperately in this one area.
Pray as I might, pleading with God to change the circumstances so I would NOT have to face it, things did not change.
I knew it was coming, and I knew it would be painful.
It was.
So this morning I faced the music.
I vacuumed my floors.
Oh, there were tears and gnashing of teeth. Not from me, but kids who could no longer hear the TV.
I thought about joining them, but decided against it.
Give me any other chore, Lord! was my prayer.
But my dirty carpet just mocked me.
We have had hardwood or tile for the past 11 years, and thanks to the inventors of Swiffer, Swiffer Wet, Swiffer for hardwoods, and all things Swiffer, my floor cleaning life was easy street.
Those days are over.
I did 15 loads of laundry (think bedding and towels for a family of 6) one day a week for 4 years, and also did my regular laundry, about 3 loads, twice a week, for a grand total of 21 loads a week.
It did not phase me.
I did dishes 3 times a day for 4 years. Not a word.
I swept and mopped twice a week, no problem. We had 2 area rugs which I broke out the beast (aka the vacuum cleaner) for, and I had to change the bag once a year, mainly for good measure, not because it was full!
I had to dump the canister after vacuuming this morning and we have only lived here 7 weeks.
I do not mean to imply I have vacuumed 7 times in those seven weeks. That would be an untruth.
Right on the heels of vacuuming is cleaning the bathrooms. That was my chart-topper for most dreaded chore. Thankfully, all that time I was doing laundry and sweeping, we only had one bathroom.
We now have three. Yea.
That is my next stop today.
When we get hardwoods installed (oh it will happen!), bathrooms will reclaim their #1 position.
But until that day comes, I will try to change my poor attitude about vacuuming.
If it happens, it will be God working through me and that NOT of myself!
It was very hard for me to deal with.
In fact, I think I do a fairly decent job of focusing on how I need to change instead of other people or situations changing. But I have been failing desperately in this one area.
Pray as I might, pleading with God to change the circumstances so I would NOT have to face it, things did not change.
I knew it was coming, and I knew it would be painful.
It was.
So this morning I faced the music.
I vacuumed my floors.
Oh, there were tears and gnashing of teeth. Not from me, but kids who could no longer hear the TV.
I thought about joining them, but decided against it.
Give me any other chore, Lord! was my prayer.
But my dirty carpet just mocked me.
We have had hardwood or tile for the past 11 years, and thanks to the inventors of Swiffer, Swiffer Wet, Swiffer for hardwoods, and all things Swiffer, my floor cleaning life was easy street.
Those days are over.
I did 15 loads of laundry (think bedding and towels for a family of 6) one day a week for 4 years, and also did my regular laundry, about 3 loads, twice a week, for a grand total of 21 loads a week.
It did not phase me.
I did dishes 3 times a day for 4 years. Not a word.
I swept and mopped twice a week, no problem. We had 2 area rugs which I broke out the beast (aka the vacuum cleaner) for, and I had to change the bag once a year, mainly for good measure, not because it was full!
I had to dump the canister after vacuuming this morning and we have only lived here 7 weeks.
I do not mean to imply I have vacuumed 7 times in those seven weeks. That would be an untruth.
Right on the heels of vacuuming is cleaning the bathrooms. That was my chart-topper for most dreaded chore. Thankfully, all that time I was doing laundry and sweeping, we only had one bathroom.
We now have three. Yea.
That is my next stop today.
When we get hardwoods installed (oh it will happen!), bathrooms will reclaim their #1 position.
But until that day comes, I will try to change my poor attitude about vacuuming.
If it happens, it will be God working through me and that NOT of myself!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Name Brands?
To fight off the summer boredom, I decided to take all four children to Walmart.
Yes,you read that right. That should tell you the boredom level at our house.
I try not to take them anywhere that requires inside voices, shirt, and shoes, and where taking stuff you have not actually paid for is frowned upon.
Thankfully, we have outgrown that final statement, but we always do a hand and pocket check just to be sure the police do not slap on handcuffs as soon as we are out the doors.
Anyhoo, we entered Walmart and before my very eyes were racks and racks of L.E.I jeans for-no kidding- twenty dollars!!
D and I have already decided we need a second mortgage to dress our kids for school this fall, so seeing that we can actually buy some quality clothes at the local Walmart for twenty stinkin' dollars was more than I could take.
Mad tried on clothes until we found two outfits that we trendy and cheap! I have never been so excited to go to Walmart and buy clothes!
Then I bought this shirt for Sarah, even though it is about 10 sizes too big. For $3, I could NOT pass it up. Especially after yesterday's post about her and her beloved chocolate.
In case you can't read it, it says "I only beg for Chocolate".
Perfection.
I plan to make my first stop for school clothes at-you guessed it-Walmart, save a bundle and have kids that look cool. Maybe we won't need a second mortgage after all!
Yes,you read that right. That should tell you the boredom level at our house.
I try not to take them anywhere that requires inside voices, shirt, and shoes, and where taking stuff you have not actually paid for is frowned upon.
Thankfully, we have outgrown that final statement, but we always do a hand and pocket check just to be sure the police do not slap on handcuffs as soon as we are out the doors.
Anyhoo, we entered Walmart and before my very eyes were racks and racks of L.E.I jeans for-no kidding- twenty dollars!!
D and I have already decided we need a second mortgage to dress our kids for school this fall, so seeing that we can actually buy some quality clothes at the local Walmart for twenty stinkin' dollars was more than I could take.
Mad tried on clothes until we found two outfits that we trendy and cheap! I have never been so excited to go to Walmart and buy clothes!
Then I bought this shirt for Sarah, even though it is about 10 sizes too big. For $3, I could NOT pass it up. Especially after yesterday's post about her and her beloved chocolate.
In case you can't read it, it says "I only beg for Chocolate".Perfection.
I plan to make my first stop for school clothes at-you guessed it-Walmart, save a bundle and have kids that look cool. Maybe we won't need a second mortgage after all!
A tisket, A tasket....
Check out this post. I believe we were separated at birth.
I promised in her comments section that I would post a pic of my Ikea sideboard, and here it is! It is actually a bookcase, but I bought it specifically to put in our dining room. It frees up cabinet space, displays pretty stuff, and allows my kids to access dishes without a) falling off the cabinet or b)breaking the Polish Pottery we use.
I also went a little crazy and took pics of all my basket organizational madness. It gave me pure joy to go around my house and take pictures of all the organization.
This is where I keep snacks, right on the counter so the kids can help themselves instead of me having to get it for them. At a different time. Every day.
This is where I keep the coffee supplies. I make frequent stops by this basket. I believe the others are getting jealous.
This is our fruit basket. Notice it matches the coffee basket. One was bought at a "basket factory" and the other was a gift from a friend who saw my love for baskets!
This one is for miscellaneous arts and craft supplies, under the actual sideboard, so my kids can color at their leisure, or if they need crayons for homework in the school year, they are within reach.
This basket holds items we use frequently: pens, dog leash, lists, you get the idea.
The basket on the left holds tea sets from Iraq that my kids play restaurant with frequently. The one on the right holds plastic bags. We grab those and the leash at the same time, and keep them in close proximity to each other.
I have baskets for everything. My son keeps his clothes in these Ikea baskets under his bed. Apparently, it is still a laborious task to put them away even though all one would need to do is lay them in the basket instead of the on the moon chair.
My son also has baskets on his bookcase. They hold all of his teeny tiny toys. You know, the ones that make adults want to cry because of the millions of pieces that somehow end up in your walk-in closet and you step on them with bare feet.
I also have baskets full of videos. Since I try to limit TV time (which I must say is not going well this long long l-o-n-g summer) they find it easy to choose from the basket and put it back. How this is different from or easier than putting them back on a shelving system, I could not tell you.
And finally (for now anyway, we are still getting settled in this new house), here are the baskets for toys. We are minimal when it comes to toys, as you can see. We have spent hundreds, probably thousands of dollars on toys, and my kids play restaurant with Lowe's aprons, tea sets from Iraq, and those plastic ketchup and mustard bottles you see at mom 'n pop restaurants. I am not a hoarder (how can you be a hoarder and have an obsession with organization?) so we frequently, gladly give things away.
And by the way, I have spent the better part of the afternoon looking at Ikea and thinking wistful, longing thoughts. We had one in Germany, and in our town last year, but the closest one to us is far, far away now.
However, I am willing to make the necessary sacrifice and drive the better part of a day to get to one. I may have to rent a U-Haul to get it all home, but it just proves the old saying true:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
I promised in her comments section that I would post a pic of my Ikea sideboard, and here it is! It is actually a bookcase, but I bought it specifically to put in our dining room. It frees up cabinet space, displays pretty stuff, and allows my kids to access dishes without a) falling off the cabinet or b)breaking the Polish Pottery we use.
I also went a little crazy and took pics of all my basket organizational madness. It gave me pure joy to go around my house and take pictures of all the organization.
This is where I keep snacks, right on the counter so the kids can help themselves instead of me having to get it for them. At a different time. Every day.
This is where I keep the coffee supplies. I make frequent stops by this basket. I believe the others are getting jealous.
This is our fruit basket. Notice it matches the coffee basket. One was bought at a "basket factory" and the other was a gift from a friend who saw my love for baskets!
This one is for miscellaneous arts and craft supplies, under the actual sideboard, so my kids can color at their leisure, or if they need crayons for homework in the school year, they are within reach.
This basket holds items we use frequently: pens, dog leash, lists, you get the idea.
The basket on the left holds tea sets from Iraq that my kids play restaurant with frequently. The one on the right holds plastic bags. We grab those and the leash at the same time, and keep them in close proximity to each other.
I have baskets for everything. My son keeps his clothes in these Ikea baskets under his bed. Apparently, it is still a laborious task to put them away even though all one would need to do is lay them in the basket instead of the on the moon chair.
My son also has baskets on his bookcase. They hold all of his teeny tiny toys. You know, the ones that make adults want to cry because of the millions of pieces that somehow end up in your walk-in closet and you step on them with bare feet.
I also have baskets full of videos. Since I try to limit TV time (which I must say is not going well this long long l-o-n-g summer) they find it easy to choose from the basket and put it back. How this is different from or easier than putting them back on a shelving system, I could not tell you.
And finally (for now anyway, we are still getting settled in this new house), here are the baskets for toys. We are minimal when it comes to toys, as you can see. We have spent hundreds, probably thousands of dollars on toys, and my kids play restaurant with Lowe's aprons, tea sets from Iraq, and those plastic ketchup and mustard bottles you see at mom 'n pop restaurants. I am not a hoarder (how can you be a hoarder and have an obsession with organization?) so we frequently, gladly give things away.
And by the way, I have spent the better part of the afternoon looking at Ikea and thinking wistful, longing thoughts. We had one in Germany, and in our town last year, but the closest one to us is far, far away now.However, I am willing to make the necessary sacrifice and drive the better part of a day to get to one. I may have to rent a U-Haul to get it all home, but it just proves the old saying true:
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Cocoa Beans and Sugar
I adore having a big family.
I was an only child until I was almost 16, and so was my husband. We had no idea what we were missing until we had kids of our own.
Ashlyn and Sarah wanted money for their birthdays instead of toys, crafts, or books. They wanted to choose how to spend their own money.
In our house, this can only come from having Madison and Daniel as role models.
Both Madison and Daniel have earned money before. Madison does so every summer, pet sitting, and occasionally for babysitting her siblings. Let me say, I never knew pet sitting paid as well as it does!
The girls are as eager for Madison (or Daniel, whoever may have earned the money) to spend her money as she is! They point out things they would consider worth the money and are confused when she passes it by.
So both girls stated adamantly that they wanted cold hard cash for their birthdays.
D and I gave them each a single twenty dollar bill, knowing when you are 5 and 6 that is like going to Vegas and hitting the jackpot!
Sarah's reaction was SO classic of a 5 year old getting ready to enter Kindergarten. "I got a dolluh!"
Ashlyn, who has completed Kindergarten and understands there is more than ONE denomination of money, knew she had twenty dollars. Ashlyn is contemplative. She will really weigh the pros and cons before she makes her purchase. At least, that is what I assume, with her personality. She has never had money to spend, so we will see!
I keep the money for them, so it does not get lost. Sarah came and asked me for her dollar and let me know how she was prepared to spend it.
"Choc-o-late and gum!"
I asked what about a doll or paints.
"Choc-o-late. But if I had two or three dolluhs, maybe a doll. But I LOVE Choc-o-late!"
It took me back to several Easters ago in Germany. D was in Iraq, and the kids and I went to our Pastor's house for Easter dinner and egg hunts. It had been ages since I had had an adult conversation.
We had the egg hunt, which included eggs brimming with every candy imaginable. Everyone had full baskets and full bellies from the yummy dinner. So I proceeded to get caught up in good adult conversation.
Meanwhile, Sarah ate every single piece of candy in her basket. Then she went to other baskets to scavenge for candy.
When we realized what was going on, her eyes were glazed over and she was covered in chocolate.
I quickly gathered up the candy and said no more today. You have had enough.
"But, I wuv choc-wat."
Or last year, when we went to Hershey's Chocolate Factory in PA. Every single weekend for one year she asked to go back and go on the free ride inside the factory. It takes you around and shows how they make M&Ms from a cocoa bean, the entire process. It was cool, but here is the secret as to why she wanted to go back and specifically ride that ride:
At the end, they give you a small, snack size bag of chocolate. We got the Kissables, and I do not know if it changes periodically. But it does not matter, because it would be chocolate, and that would be fine with Sarah.
It seems like she has been waiting all these years to have her own money to spend on some chocolate goodness.
Now I'm trying to decide if I should inform her she does have twenty dollars, or if I should just dole it out occasionally. I'm thinking she may want to use it all on her beloved chocolate, which over time, not so bad. All at once, glazed eyes and sugar shock!
I was an only child until I was almost 16, and so was my husband. We had no idea what we were missing until we had kids of our own.
Ashlyn and Sarah wanted money for their birthdays instead of toys, crafts, or books. They wanted to choose how to spend their own money.
In our house, this can only come from having Madison and Daniel as role models.
Both Madison and Daniel have earned money before. Madison does so every summer, pet sitting, and occasionally for babysitting her siblings. Let me say, I never knew pet sitting paid as well as it does!
The girls are as eager for Madison (or Daniel, whoever may have earned the money) to spend her money as she is! They point out things they would consider worth the money and are confused when she passes it by.
So both girls stated adamantly that they wanted cold hard cash for their birthdays.
D and I gave them each a single twenty dollar bill, knowing when you are 5 and 6 that is like going to Vegas and hitting the jackpot!
Sarah's reaction was SO classic of a 5 year old getting ready to enter Kindergarten. "I got a dolluh!"
Ashlyn, who has completed Kindergarten and understands there is more than ONE denomination of money, knew she had twenty dollars. Ashlyn is contemplative. She will really weigh the pros and cons before she makes her purchase. At least, that is what I assume, with her personality. She has never had money to spend, so we will see!
I keep the money for them, so it does not get lost. Sarah came and asked me for her dollar and let me know how she was prepared to spend it.
"Choc-o-late and gum!"
I asked what about a doll or paints.
"Choc-o-late. But if I had two or three dolluhs, maybe a doll. But I LOVE Choc-o-late!"
It took me back to several Easters ago in Germany. D was in Iraq, and the kids and I went to our Pastor's house for Easter dinner and egg hunts. It had been ages since I had had an adult conversation.
We had the egg hunt, which included eggs brimming with every candy imaginable. Everyone had full baskets and full bellies from the yummy dinner. So I proceeded to get caught up in good adult conversation.
Meanwhile, Sarah ate every single piece of candy in her basket. Then she went to other baskets to scavenge for candy.
When we realized what was going on, her eyes were glazed over and she was covered in chocolate.
I quickly gathered up the candy and said no more today. You have had enough.
"But, I wuv choc-wat."
Or last year, when we went to Hershey's Chocolate Factory in PA. Every single weekend for one year she asked to go back and go on the free ride inside the factory. It takes you around and shows how they make M&Ms from a cocoa bean, the entire process. It was cool, but here is the secret as to why she wanted to go back and specifically ride that ride:
At the end, they give you a small, snack size bag of chocolate. We got the Kissables, and I do not know if it changes periodically. But it does not matter, because it would be chocolate, and that would be fine with Sarah.
It seems like she has been waiting all these years to have her own money to spend on some chocolate goodness.
Now I'm trying to decide if I should inform her she does have twenty dollars, or if I should just dole it out occasionally. I'm thinking she may want to use it all on her beloved chocolate, which over time, not so bad. All at once, glazed eyes and sugar shock!
Monday, July 14, 2008
All Aboard!
We went on our last shopping trip yesterday. For churches, that is.
Let me tell you, our entire family was at the point where we did not even want to attempt another church. After 7 weeks of searching and not finding a good fit, we were more than a little disappointed.
The first church I had found online looked the most similar to the one we had been attending before the move. However, our second day here we were forced to drive to the town where it is located and got terribly lost. So because of the drive that took ages, we assumed the church was too far and did not go. We did not have internet access for 3 weeks, and could not mapquest it, and we dared not try to find it on our own.
That is approximately when the 7 week famine began, in the sense of finding a church.
We had no real "worship" time during these weeks, not as D and I consider worship. No Christian setting to talk about real life issues. No music from the heart.
Once, at one of the churches we visited, I answered a question in Sunday School that was posed about why, as Believers, we stop being serious in our commitment to Christ. My answer, nothing earth-shattering, was that, just like marriage, a relationship with Christ requires work and over time, the newness wears off. People do not keep going and put forth the effort because we get distracted. Not that that is okay, just that it is one reason why Christians dawdle when it comes to their relationship with Christ.
D and I proceeded to get marriage counseling from the members of the class because I compared it to marriage. It was just unbelievable. One guy even said he worked on his marriage every day for last 23 years and has never felt the newness wear off. Then a lady chimed in to let us know how much work marriage takes.
Remember, the question was not about how to have a good marriage, it was about how to keep our commitment to Christ. Plus, the people kept looking straight at D and I when they spoke. It was both comical and humiliating!
Then during service we were informed we could overcome all of life's problems, whether depression, alcoholism, porn-addiction, if we just stop doing those things and instead, focus on Jesus. While I agree that we cannot overcome those things without Jesus' help, there are serious problems that require counsel, medicine, and community to hold us accountable. He talked about death and how we are selfish if we want that person to come back, and we should get on with our life and live joyfully for the Lord.Tell that to my friend who is a widow from the war in Iraq and has 4 kids to raise alone. Tell that to the parents who have lost their child. Life is not that cut and dry. People are hurting, and as a Believer, I choose to show Christ's love by meeting them where they are, just like Christ does for me and did in the New Testament for those needing His touch.
At the church we went to last week, the preacher talked about getting drunk on the 4th of July. I'm telling you he used the term "pony-keg" from the pulpit referring to his personal celebration, then proceeded to let us know he drank it himself. He even made some noises to let us know how drunk he had become on Friday night. Then he said God spoke to him and he prepared the sermon, all while inebriated.
I kind of thought he should get to know the guy from the other church, so He would know to look at Jesus and he would be "all better".
Needless to say, we were NOT happy campers. We both believed God would lead us to the church where He attends regularly (hehe), we just were not sure when.
On Saturday we drove to the beach. We mapquested the way, and it took us back in the direction of the town where we had gotten hopelessly lost. We had driven a relatively short distance (compared to what we had been driving to church) and there was the sign on the building for the FIRST church we had wanted to attend. Remember, the one we thought was so far away? Yes, well, it was the closest.
I just commented about oh, look , there's that church. About 10 hours later, on the way home, we passed it again. So I asked D what he thought.
He said, "What have we got to lose except another Sunday morning?" So we told the kids we were going to YET another church. They were all like, yeah, whatever, at this point. And so were we.
D prayed that God would PLEASE show us because we were SO tired of looking. SO done with being without a community of like-minded Believers.
I kind of thought this might be The One when D prayed that because I felt like otherwise, there was a very real possibility we would either stop going all together except occasionally when we could stand the "rituals", or we would settle and become numb, neither of which is God's will, and neither of which we desired.
When we got out of the car on Sunday morning, the entire posture of our family could be summed up in one word: resigned. We had no expectations. Well, that's not entirely true. We expected to be disappointed.
We got the kids settled in Children's Church and went into service, where we proceeded to sing contemporary music (a must have for our family) and saw people in love with Jesus. The pastor got up and I am telling you, God gave him that message just for us! While we did need it spiritually (remember the 7 week famine?), it was like God was saying to us, "This is The Church for you. This church and your family are on the same set of tracks, going the same direction, with the same Conductor." I call that trackin'.
The church was formed specifically to reach the unchurched. Which was the goal of our previous church. Which is the goal of our family.
No need to dress as if you are going to a ball. People were dressed all across the spectrum, and Maddie felt comfortable in her shorts and T-shirt. The pastor had slacks and a polo, no jacket and tie like he is going to sell me some insurance.
We got to talk with the pastor afterward. We told him about our time in Germany and how God taught us not to box Him into some "Americanized" mold. We talked about worshiping with nationalities from all over the globe and how that affected our view of God. We talked about the importance of practical, relevant, Biblical preaching, which he had already delivered. Missions is HUGE on our list, and we were on the same page there too.
Our entire family loved it! You can imagine the burden that has been lifted, just knowing we belong. We have a place. We will be able to talk to like minded Believers about real life issues. What a relief.
Let me tell you, our entire family was at the point where we did not even want to attempt another church. After 7 weeks of searching and not finding a good fit, we were more than a little disappointed.
The first church I had found online looked the most similar to the one we had been attending before the move. However, our second day here we were forced to drive to the town where it is located and got terribly lost. So because of the drive that took ages, we assumed the church was too far and did not go. We did not have internet access for 3 weeks, and could not mapquest it, and we dared not try to find it on our own.
That is approximately when the 7 week famine began, in the sense of finding a church.
We had no real "worship" time during these weeks, not as D and I consider worship. No Christian setting to talk about real life issues. No music from the heart.
Once, at one of the churches we visited, I answered a question in Sunday School that was posed about why, as Believers, we stop being serious in our commitment to Christ. My answer, nothing earth-shattering, was that, just like marriage, a relationship with Christ requires work and over time, the newness wears off. People do not keep going and put forth the effort because we get distracted. Not that that is okay, just that it is one reason why Christians dawdle when it comes to their relationship with Christ.
D and I proceeded to get marriage counseling from the members of the class because I compared it to marriage. It was just unbelievable. One guy even said he worked on his marriage every day for last 23 years and has never felt the newness wear off. Then a lady chimed in to let us know how much work marriage takes.
Remember, the question was not about how to have a good marriage, it was about how to keep our commitment to Christ. Plus, the people kept looking straight at D and I when they spoke. It was both comical and humiliating!
Then during service we were informed we could overcome all of life's problems, whether depression, alcoholism, porn-addiction, if we just stop doing those things and instead, focus on Jesus. While I agree that we cannot overcome those things without Jesus' help, there are serious problems that require counsel, medicine, and community to hold us accountable. He talked about death and how we are selfish if we want that person to come back, and we should get on with our life and live joyfully for the Lord.Tell that to my friend who is a widow from the war in Iraq and has 4 kids to raise alone. Tell that to the parents who have lost their child. Life is not that cut and dry. People are hurting, and as a Believer, I choose to show Christ's love by meeting them where they are, just like Christ does for me and did in the New Testament for those needing His touch.
At the church we went to last week, the preacher talked about getting drunk on the 4th of July. I'm telling you he used the term "pony-keg" from the pulpit referring to his personal celebration, then proceeded to let us know he drank it himself. He even made some noises to let us know how drunk he had become on Friday night. Then he said God spoke to him and he prepared the sermon, all while inebriated.
I kind of thought he should get to know the guy from the other church, so He would know to look at Jesus and he would be "all better".
Needless to say, we were NOT happy campers. We both believed God would lead us to the church where He attends regularly (hehe), we just were not sure when.
On Saturday we drove to the beach. We mapquested the way, and it took us back in the direction of the town where we had gotten hopelessly lost. We had driven a relatively short distance (compared to what we had been driving to church) and there was the sign on the building for the FIRST church we had wanted to attend. Remember, the one we thought was so far away? Yes, well, it was the closest.
I just commented about oh, look , there's that church. About 10 hours later, on the way home, we passed it again. So I asked D what he thought.
He said, "What have we got to lose except another Sunday morning?" So we told the kids we were going to YET another church. They were all like, yeah, whatever, at this point. And so were we.
D prayed that God would PLEASE show us because we were SO tired of looking. SO done with being without a community of like-minded Believers.
I kind of thought this might be The One when D prayed that because I felt like otherwise, there was a very real possibility we would either stop going all together except occasionally when we could stand the "rituals", or we would settle and become numb, neither of which is God's will, and neither of which we desired.
When we got out of the car on Sunday morning, the entire posture of our family could be summed up in one word: resigned. We had no expectations. Well, that's not entirely true. We expected to be disappointed.
We got the kids settled in Children's Church and went into service, where we proceeded to sing contemporary music (a must have for our family) and saw people in love with Jesus. The pastor got up and I am telling you, God gave him that message just for us! While we did need it spiritually (remember the 7 week famine?), it was like God was saying to us, "This is The Church for you. This church and your family are on the same set of tracks, going the same direction, with the same Conductor." I call that trackin'.
The church was formed specifically to reach the unchurched. Which was the goal of our previous church. Which is the goal of our family.
No need to dress as if you are going to a ball. People were dressed all across the spectrum, and Maddie felt comfortable in her shorts and T-shirt. The pastor had slacks and a polo, no jacket and tie like he is going to sell me some insurance.
We got to talk with the pastor afterward. We told him about our time in Germany and how God taught us not to box Him into some "Americanized" mold. We talked about worshiping with nationalities from all over the globe and how that affected our view of God. We talked about the importance of practical, relevant, Biblical preaching, which he had already delivered. Missions is HUGE on our list, and we were on the same page there too.
Our entire family loved it! You can imagine the burden that has been lifted, just knowing we belong. We have a place. We will be able to talk to like minded Believers about real life issues. What a relief.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
ALOHA!
Hello from Hawaii!!
Well, not the real Hawaii, such as Oahu or Maui, but apparently, this counts.
My little girls turn 5 and 6 eight days apart. Yesterday Ashlyn turned 6 and next Saturday Sarah turns 5. So we did what most red-blooded Americans do, and had a birthday party.
This was an easy one though. You see, because we moved so close to their birthdays, they did not know anyone to invite. So we had some family come in for the weekend to "beef up" the guest list!
While I am a little sad for them to have a party without friends, I am not sad about missing the chaos that ensues when you have 10 to 20 five and six year olds running around.
Either way, my girls had a blast and were just excited about going to Hawaii to celebrate.
At first, the two of them were adamant about having a Hannah Montana birthday party. I was not too thrilled. Not because there is anything inherently wrong with Hannah Montana, I just wanted something a little less teenager-ish, but that is an entire post on its own.
So imagine my elation when we went to the party supply store and instead of Hannah Montana, they chose a Hawaii theme!
They were so excited, they both said , "Mom, it is your FIRST time going to Hawaii!!"
Imagine my surprise when I was informed they had already been. In fact, this was their third time going.
Considering we do EVERYTHING together and are NEVER apart, I was a bit puzzled.
So I asked them when, exactly, did they go to Hawaii?
The much beloved and always adventurous Vacation Bible School and Sunday School had supplied them with a free trip. Who knew Hawaii could be so close?
So yesterday afternoon, I went to Hawaii. My first trip. And it was wonderful.
Smiling faces, laughter, food, and family. One for the history books.
Well, not the real Hawaii, such as Oahu or Maui, but apparently, this counts.
My little girls turn 5 and 6 eight days apart. Yesterday Ashlyn turned 6 and next Saturday Sarah turns 5. So we did what most red-blooded Americans do, and had a birthday party.
This was an easy one though. You see, because we moved so close to their birthdays, they did not know anyone to invite. So we had some family come in for the weekend to "beef up" the guest list!
While I am a little sad for them to have a party without friends, I am not sad about missing the chaos that ensues when you have 10 to 20 five and six year olds running around.
Either way, my girls had a blast and were just excited about going to Hawaii to celebrate.
At first, the two of them were adamant about having a Hannah Montana birthday party. I was not too thrilled. Not because there is anything inherently wrong with Hannah Montana, I just wanted something a little less teenager-ish, but that is an entire post on its own.
So imagine my elation when we went to the party supply store and instead of Hannah Montana, they chose a Hawaii theme!
They were so excited, they both said , "Mom, it is your FIRST time going to Hawaii!!"
Imagine my surprise when I was informed they had already been. In fact, this was their third time going.
Considering we do EVERYTHING together and are NEVER apart, I was a bit puzzled.
So I asked them when, exactly, did they go to Hawaii?
The much beloved and always adventurous Vacation Bible School and Sunday School had supplied them with a free trip. Who knew Hawaii could be so close?
So yesterday afternoon, I went to Hawaii. My first trip. And it was wonderful.
Smiling faces, laughter, food, and family. One for the history books.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I Got the Power, Power, Power
Last night at about 8:30, our power went out. We have lost power more in the house that we've been in here for 6 weeks more than we have ever lost power anywhere else. It is driving us crazy!
I tried to call the electric company.The automated voice informed me that they had added a new feature for my convenience: voice activation.
You know, where you say or press 1. Everyone I know just loves voice activated systems, because they are so effective. Precise.
In case you can't tell, that is dripping with sarcasm.
I called back 700 times and pressed every option available, but NEVER got an actual person on the phone. Only the nice automated lady who I wanted to disassemble for saying, "I'm sorry. I did not understand your request. Please try again."
All I'm sayin' is, my power bill is OUT OF THIS WORLD expensive. More than friends up north who have their power pumped in from Florida, so it costs a gazillion dollars. Mine costs more than theirs.
So why on earth can't I get an actual human on the phone? I mean, what exactly are they doing with all the money I'm spending on power? Instead of "upgrading" the phone system to one that people have hated since the beginning of its time, they could actually hire PEOPLE so I could let them know my power has been out for 5 hours and when will it be on and what exactly is the problem anyway?
Whew. I'm done.
So anyway, we are all up now. And grumpy. Apparently there was a lot of bed-shifting and bed-sharing last night between the kids. And one in particular is NOT happy about being kicked out of her new queen size bed by two little munchkins.
The other day, Mad and Daniel got into an argument (shock!). He wrote a note that really made Mad mad.
It said: Be wear. Madison the evil monster.
Yes, I am aware be wear is misspelled. I am writing it as he did.
D and I laughed (in private) and came out from the private and gave Mad some good advise: Embrace the Monster.
We all feel like an evil monster sometimes. And if someone is calling you on it, then own it.
Well, today that advise has come full circle.
We all sleep with fans going, for "white noise". So, with no fans comes no noise.
Also, no A/C. And with psychos as they are in the world today, we do not dare sleep with open windows.
Needless to say, when the power came back on at almost 2 am, 4 out of 6 people in our house were awake to take notice.
I do believe we will all be embracing the monster today. So far, everyone is right on track with the monster mentality. And it's only 9 am.
I tried to call the electric company.The automated voice informed me that they had added a new feature for my convenience: voice activation.
You know, where you say or press 1. Everyone I know just loves voice activated systems, because they are so effective. Precise.
In case you can't tell, that is dripping with sarcasm.
I called back 700 times and pressed every option available, but NEVER got an actual person on the phone. Only the nice automated lady who I wanted to disassemble for saying, "I'm sorry. I did not understand your request. Please try again."
All I'm sayin' is, my power bill is OUT OF THIS WORLD expensive. More than friends up north who have their power pumped in from Florida, so it costs a gazillion dollars. Mine costs more than theirs.
So why on earth can't I get an actual human on the phone? I mean, what exactly are they doing with all the money I'm spending on power? Instead of "upgrading" the phone system to one that people have hated since the beginning of its time, they could actually hire PEOPLE so I could let them know my power has been out for 5 hours and when will it be on and what exactly is the problem anyway?
Whew. I'm done.
So anyway, we are all up now. And grumpy. Apparently there was a lot of bed-shifting and bed-sharing last night between the kids. And one in particular is NOT happy about being kicked out of her new queen size bed by two little munchkins.
The other day, Mad and Daniel got into an argument (shock!). He wrote a note that really made Mad mad.
It said: Be wear. Madison the evil monster.
Yes, I am aware be wear is misspelled. I am writing it as he did.
D and I laughed (in private) and came out from the private and gave Mad some good advise: Embrace the Monster.
We all feel like an evil monster sometimes. And if someone is calling you on it, then own it.
Well, today that advise has come full circle.
We all sleep with fans going, for "white noise". So, with no fans comes no noise.
Also, no A/C. And with psychos as they are in the world today, we do not dare sleep with open windows.
Needless to say, when the power came back on at almost 2 am, 4 out of 6 people in our house were awake to take notice.
I do believe we will all be embracing the monster today. So far, everyone is right on track with the monster mentality. And it's only 9 am.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Take Cover! Here come the Tomatoes!
Every evening for the last week, we have had thunderstorms.
I love a good storm. I did not grow up in tornado country, and got to enjoy just listening to the thunder and watching lightening flash across the sky. I was (am) always impressed with the strength of a storm, and usually just sit and marvel at how much bigger God is than the storm He's created.
Until yesterday.
Yesterday a tornado was spotted about 8 miles north of us and was moving in our direction. In our area there are no basements. Our house has 1 room with no windows.
It is a half bath under the staircase.
Did I mention it is narrow?
And has a toilet and sink taking up space?
As we watched the report on TV showing the storm, we were able to see the storm coming. It was a doozie. A double-doozie, like the cookie from the Great American Cookie Company.
Except not so much. Those are filled with millions of calories of sugary goodness and send you straight to heaven.
Well then I guess you could consider this storm a double-doozie because I thought we were going to go straight to heaven. I was certain that a tornado was coming.
We took cover in the narrow (did I mention that?) 1/2 bath with sad pillows over our heads. Nothing says protection like a 2 for $10 pillow from Walmart.
D thought we had lost our minds. He is calm, cool, and collected in times of calamity. Which I would say is a good thing, considering he is a military man.
He sat by the door and when he thought the time was right, he opened the door.
Sarah, our (almost) 5 year old, started crying and said, "Daddy, close the door! I'm scared! The tomatoes are coming!"
To which we all got a good laugh, and God used it to lighten the mood.
We all climbed out of the bathroom, which looked a little like when people who eat sardines (not me) take them out of the can.
Or a clown car. You know when they just keep coming in a seemingly endless line from a place much too small to hold them all.
We ran to the door and checked to see how the storm was coming along.
Thankfully, no tomatoes today.
I love a good storm. I did not grow up in tornado country, and got to enjoy just listening to the thunder and watching lightening flash across the sky. I was (am) always impressed with the strength of a storm, and usually just sit and marvel at how much bigger God is than the storm He's created.
Until yesterday.
Yesterday a tornado was spotted about 8 miles north of us and was moving in our direction. In our area there are no basements. Our house has 1 room with no windows.
It is a half bath under the staircase.
Did I mention it is narrow?
And has a toilet and sink taking up space?
As we watched the report on TV showing the storm, we were able to see the storm coming. It was a doozie. A double-doozie, like the cookie from the Great American Cookie Company.
Except not so much. Those are filled with millions of calories of sugary goodness and send you straight to heaven.
Well then I guess you could consider this storm a double-doozie because I thought we were going to go straight to heaven. I was certain that a tornado was coming.
We took cover in the narrow (did I mention that?) 1/2 bath with sad pillows over our heads. Nothing says protection like a 2 for $10 pillow from Walmart.
D thought we had lost our minds. He is calm, cool, and collected in times of calamity. Which I would say is a good thing, considering he is a military man.
He sat by the door and when he thought the time was right, he opened the door.
Sarah, our (almost) 5 year old, started crying and said, "Daddy, close the door! I'm scared! The tomatoes are coming!"
To which we all got a good laugh, and God used it to lighten the mood.
We all climbed out of the bathroom, which looked a little like when people who eat sardines (not me) take them out of the can.
Or a clown car. You know when they just keep coming in a seemingly endless line from a place much too small to hold them all.
We ran to the door and checked to see how the storm was coming along.
Thankfully, no tomatoes today.
Is it Wednesday already?!
Man time flies.
How is it that long, hot summer days, the ones where you are B-O-R-E-D out of your mind, where your kids are driving you to the asylum in a Speed Racer fashion, seem to have no actual time in them?
We had company over the weekend of the 4th, and we will continue to have company every weekend until August. I am thrilled because... have I mentioned, I'M LONELY?!
However, there is a boat load of things I want to get done before each of these weekends occurs. So the last visitors will get to see a more completed house than the first.
Why this matters, I do not know.
Possibly it is a good excuse to spend money I would otherwise put off spending, even though I want to spend it to do these things. Does that even make sense?!
Last week we got two bedrooms painted. Mad's is ORANGE. Think tangerine. University of Tennessee. Home Depot. Terminix. These are all the possibilities D and I came up with while painting her room until midnight on Wednesday.
Thankfully, I got to sleep in. Unfortunately for D, he had to get up at 5 am for work. Oh, the things men do for their women.
Unbelievably, her room looks PHENOMENAL!! I am SO glad I took a chance and trusted my 11 year old with her room color! I wanted her to be satisfied with the result, but I secretly wanted to love the room too, and I DO!!
Did I mention this room will be the room our guests use? I have forewarned them to bring sunglasses for sleeping.
On Thursday, I got started while D was at work. It was the least I could do, what with his sleep deprivation and all. And it's a good thing too. I worked for 3 hours before he got home, and we worked together ANOTHER 8 HOURS.
11 HOURS TOTAL.
PAINTING.
This time, we painted the little girl's room a dark rich pink and all the furniture white. I saw it in the Pottery Barn kids catalog when I ordered the quilt that is on their beds and it looked awesome. The wall color matched the darkest shade of pink in the quilt, and I copied PBkids design idea.
Needless to say, dark pink halfway around a room with streaks is not very alluring.
When D came home and saw it about a quarter of the way completed, he did not have much faith.
Oh he believed, alright. He believed he would be priming and repainting the room a different color.
Oh ye of little faith!
Let me tell you, at 11:30 pm when all the painting was done and the room was put back together, he walked in and was like "WOW!"
I concur. The room looks amazing.
You cannot go wrong copying Pottery Barn stuff, folks. I believe it is virtually impossible.
So now we have the paint to do Daniel's room. We told him as soon as our company from last weekend left, we would paint.
Needless to say, they left Saturday afternoon, which is approximately 4 days ago, and his walls are still white instead of the granite gray we are going to paint them.
And I MUST get it done before this weekend's company comes.
Why I must, I do not know.
Maybe doing it because company is coming is the only way it will actually get done!
How is it that long, hot summer days, the ones where you are B-O-R-E-D out of your mind, where your kids are driving you to the asylum in a Speed Racer fashion, seem to have no actual time in them?
We had company over the weekend of the 4th, and we will continue to have company every weekend until August. I am thrilled because... have I mentioned, I'M LONELY?!
However, there is a boat load of things I want to get done before each of these weekends occurs. So the last visitors will get to see a more completed house than the first.
Why this matters, I do not know.
Possibly it is a good excuse to spend money I would otherwise put off spending, even though I want to spend it to do these things. Does that even make sense?!
Last week we got two bedrooms painted. Mad's is ORANGE. Think tangerine. University of Tennessee. Home Depot. Terminix. These are all the possibilities D and I came up with while painting her room until midnight on Wednesday.
Thankfully, I got to sleep in. Unfortunately for D, he had to get up at 5 am for work. Oh, the things men do for their women.
Unbelievably, her room looks PHENOMENAL!! I am SO glad I took a chance and trusted my 11 year old with her room color! I wanted her to be satisfied with the result, but I secretly wanted to love the room too, and I DO!!
Did I mention this room will be the room our guests use? I have forewarned them to bring sunglasses for sleeping.
On Thursday, I got started while D was at work. It was the least I could do, what with his sleep deprivation and all. And it's a good thing too. I worked for 3 hours before he got home, and we worked together ANOTHER 8 HOURS.
11 HOURS TOTAL.
PAINTING.
This time, we painted the little girl's room a dark rich pink and all the furniture white. I saw it in the Pottery Barn kids catalog when I ordered the quilt that is on their beds and it looked awesome. The wall color matched the darkest shade of pink in the quilt, and I copied PBkids design idea.
Needless to say, dark pink halfway around a room with streaks is not very alluring.
When D came home and saw it about a quarter of the way completed, he did not have much faith.
Oh he believed, alright. He believed he would be priming and repainting the room a different color.
Oh ye of little faith!
Let me tell you, at 11:30 pm when all the painting was done and the room was put back together, he walked in and was like "WOW!"
I concur. The room looks amazing.
You cannot go wrong copying Pottery Barn stuff, folks. I believe it is virtually impossible.
So now we have the paint to do Daniel's room. We told him as soon as our company from last weekend left, we would paint.
Needless to say, they left Saturday afternoon, which is approximately 4 days ago, and his walls are still white instead of the granite gray we are going to paint them.
And I MUST get it done before this weekend's company comes.
Why I must, I do not know.
Maybe doing it because company is coming is the only way it will actually get done!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Ginger: My Life Coach
Our dog, Ginger, has a terrible fear of loud noises like thunder and firecrackers. She becomes nervous, pacing back and forth and finally crawling under our bed (which is pretty hysterical because she's too big to fit!).
I just realized I am just like Ginger.
I interviewed for a job about 3 weeks ago, and got a call back for a second interview. I went in this past Tuesday for my second interview and was told they would know something by next week.
I got a call yesterday, (yay! early!) but... I missed it. A voice mail was left saying a decision had been made and I needed to call to find out where I stood.
Here's the thing: I did not get the message until 6:30 pm, and business was closed for the ENTIRE 4th of July weekend.
So I called an alternate number and left a message, hoping against hope to get a call back before the next 72 hours.
Then I proceeded to become nervous, pacing back and forth and finally crawling under our bed (which is pretty hysterical because I'm too big to fit!).
Well, I did not really crawl under the bed, but I wanted to.
In fact, as more time passed, the more worried I became.
I finally got myself together and prayed for God to help me think His thoughts, to allow my thoughts to be conformed to those of Christ's.
Always faithful, God helped me to keep all those negative, worrisome thoughts at bay, even though I had to keep reminding myself to focus on Christ and was quoting scripture in my head (over and over and over!).
This morning, the call I had been waiting for came.
I got the job!! I am so thankful and know it was God that gave me this opportunity. What a celebration with my husband and kids, and a testament to the Lord's faithfulness!!
I just realized I am just like Ginger.
I interviewed for a job about 3 weeks ago, and got a call back for a second interview. I went in this past Tuesday for my second interview and was told they would know something by next week.
I got a call yesterday, (yay! early!) but... I missed it. A voice mail was left saying a decision had been made and I needed to call to find out where I stood.
Here's the thing: I did not get the message until 6:30 pm, and business was closed for the ENTIRE 4th of July weekend.
So I called an alternate number and left a message, hoping against hope to get a call back before the next 72 hours.
Then I proceeded to become nervous, pacing back and forth and finally crawling under our bed (which is pretty hysterical because I'm too big to fit!).
Well, I did not really crawl under the bed, but I wanted to.
In fact, as more time passed, the more worried I became.
I finally got myself together and prayed for God to help me think His thoughts, to allow my thoughts to be conformed to those of Christ's.
Always faithful, God helped me to keep all those negative, worrisome thoughts at bay, even though I had to keep reminding myself to focus on Christ and was quoting scripture in my head (over and over and over!).
This morning, the call I had been waiting for came.
I got the job!! I am so thankful and know it was God that gave me this opportunity. What a celebration with my husband and kids, and a testament to the Lord's faithfulness!!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Did you know?
I heard something recently from my 8 year old son that I never knew.
It was so...well, so enlightening.
"Ashlyn, did you know your toes are made out of sausage? 'Cause they are."
Well, now you know.
It was so...well, so enlightening.
"Ashlyn, did you know your toes are made out of sausage? 'Cause they are."
Well, now you know.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
HE still amazes me
I started this blog last week for several reasons.
1) I was (am) lonely. We just moved, and it takes me awhile to make friends. I still have my dear, precious, close friends and am SOOO thankful for free long distance on our phone, but they live in different states or countries.
No one to sit and have coffee with or sit by the pool and laugh with. So I laugh at myself as I write my entry. That sounds more pathetic than it actually is (I hope!).
2)I started reading Big Mama and Boo Mama's blogs, thanks to an old friend and blogger, Shelly. They made me laugh til I cried and share my faith.
I needed that desperately. I have a tendency to take myself and life way too seriously and forget to have fun, but I LOVE to have fun, and I know God loves it when I do too.
3) I was bored. Even with my "to do" list growing by the minute, doing stuff is not the same as connecting with people. And until we find a church we want to join, connecting with people is hard (see #1).
So I started blogging. It really did help to get mt thoughts out of my head and onto the computer screen. I spent all day Thursday thinking about what to write, how to not sound so sad and despondent but instead be positive.
Now don't get me wrong here. I'm not into fake or pretense. Most people that know me would agree, I'm about as real as it gets. I dislike shallowness and would rather remain silent than be forced into small talk. There is way too much to learn from one another, and unfortunately those things are usually not spoken of, whether from fear of judgment, rejection, embarrassment, etc. There's my serious side coming out in all its glory!!
But for the sake of my reader(s?), and to bring as much glory to God as possible, I would rather voice those things light-heartedly, when possible.
Plus, it just feels good to smile when God gives me a different way of thinking about something.
By Friday night, (I started blogging Friday morning) I felt God tugging at my heart, although I wasn't sure exactly what His WORD for me was yet.
All night I thought about it, wrestled with it, and still felt uneasy in spirit.
On Saturday morning, The Mama's (Big and Boo), along with some other blogs I read, were at a Deeper Still conference with Beth Moore, Kay Arthur and Priscilla. They all logged on to talk about God meeting them.
I wanted to be there desperately, to meet God with them.
Ok, meeting Beth Moore and Kay Arthur would have been really awesome too. But right now Lisa Whelchel (Blair from The Facts of Life), who I'm certain remembers me from a conference I attended (details later, but I'm CERTAIN we are BFFs!), will have to be enough celebrity-dom for me.
Where was I? I may not like shallow, meaningless conversation, but I can get off track and talk about 10 things along the way to meaningful.
Oh, yes. Meeting YHWH.
Saturday I just felt like, God I wish you would just SHOW me.
You see, every time we move, I feel so lost. My house isn't home. My friends aren't around. Nothing is comfortable.
In fact, almost everything is painful, as if my skin is raw and every circumstance is some form of rough cloth rubbing against it.
And being the woman of the house, you all know how it is. Until I find my groove, it's as if my kids can't find theirs either. And so the lostness seems overwhelming.
Hey, on LOST aren't there 6 survivors? There are 6 of us. Maybe this is some type of experiment.
No, wait. I'm not anywhere close to Kate on the looks scale, and you know if you were on the show you'd want to be Kate.
I'm just sayin'.
Back to topic.
God ALWAYS uses this time of loneliness to teach me. And I try to be teachable. I want to learn from HIM.
And it FINALLY dawned on me. I have been so busy, trying. Trying to reach out for friends. Busy working on my house so maybe I'd feel at home.
Instead of being. God just wants me to be still. Read HIS WORD. Pray, really pray, more.
So how AMAZED was (am) I to read the blogs of those who were at the Deeper Still conference and find that they were told that God takes us into the wilderness to teach us, and then they were challenged to be in The WORD more.
It's not the first time HE has shown Himself like that, but every time, I'm amazed HE would choose to do that for me.
1) I was (am) lonely. We just moved, and it takes me awhile to make friends. I still have my dear, precious, close friends and am SOOO thankful for free long distance on our phone, but they live in different states or countries.
No one to sit and have coffee with or sit by the pool and laugh with. So I laugh at myself as I write my entry. That sounds more pathetic than it actually is (I hope!).
2)I started reading Big Mama and Boo Mama's blogs, thanks to an old friend and blogger, Shelly. They made me laugh til I cried and share my faith.
I needed that desperately. I have a tendency to take myself and life way too seriously and forget to have fun, but I LOVE to have fun, and I know God loves it when I do too.
3) I was bored. Even with my "to do" list growing by the minute, doing stuff is not the same as connecting with people. And until we find a church we want to join, connecting with people is hard (see #1).
So I started blogging. It really did help to get mt thoughts out of my head and onto the computer screen. I spent all day Thursday thinking about what to write, how to not sound so sad and despondent but instead be positive.
Now don't get me wrong here. I'm not into fake or pretense. Most people that know me would agree, I'm about as real as it gets. I dislike shallowness and would rather remain silent than be forced into small talk. There is way too much to learn from one another, and unfortunately those things are usually not spoken of, whether from fear of judgment, rejection, embarrassment, etc. There's my serious side coming out in all its glory!!
But for the sake of my reader(s?), and to bring as much glory to God as possible, I would rather voice those things light-heartedly, when possible.
Plus, it just feels good to smile when God gives me a different way of thinking about something.
By Friday night, (I started blogging Friday morning) I felt God tugging at my heart, although I wasn't sure exactly what His WORD for me was yet.
All night I thought about it, wrestled with it, and still felt uneasy in spirit.
On Saturday morning, The Mama's (Big and Boo), along with some other blogs I read, were at a Deeper Still conference with Beth Moore, Kay Arthur and Priscilla. They all logged on to talk about God meeting them.
I wanted to be there desperately, to meet God with them.
Ok, meeting Beth Moore and Kay Arthur would have been really awesome too. But right now Lisa Whelchel (Blair from The Facts of Life), who I'm certain remembers me from a conference I attended (details later, but I'm CERTAIN we are BFFs!), will have to be enough celebrity-dom for me.
Where was I? I may not like shallow, meaningless conversation, but I can get off track and talk about 10 things along the way to meaningful.
Oh, yes. Meeting YHWH.
Saturday I just felt like, God I wish you would just SHOW me.
You see, every time we move, I feel so lost. My house isn't home. My friends aren't around. Nothing is comfortable.
In fact, almost everything is painful, as if my skin is raw and every circumstance is some form of rough cloth rubbing against it.
And being the woman of the house, you all know how it is. Until I find my groove, it's as if my kids can't find theirs either. And so the lostness seems overwhelming.
Hey, on LOST aren't there 6 survivors? There are 6 of us. Maybe this is some type of experiment.
No, wait. I'm not anywhere close to Kate on the looks scale, and you know if you were on the show you'd want to be Kate.
I'm just sayin'.
Back to topic.
God ALWAYS uses this time of loneliness to teach me. And I try to be teachable. I want to learn from HIM.
And it FINALLY dawned on me. I have been so busy, trying. Trying to reach out for friends. Busy working on my house so maybe I'd feel at home.
Instead of being. God just wants me to be still. Read HIS WORD. Pray, really pray, more.
So how AMAZED was (am) I to read the blogs of those who were at the Deeper Still conference and find that they were told that God takes us into the wilderness to teach us, and then they were challenged to be in The WORD more.
It's not the first time HE has shown Himself like that, but every time, I'm amazed HE would choose to do that for me.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)