Such a Time as This

Jan. 12, 2010 4:53 p.m.

2011-01-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

A year ago, I never thought about Haiti. I didn't even really know where Haiti was on a map. I didn't know the history, the poverty, the government. I didn't know a single name of a town or village in Haiti and I certainly didn't know the capitol of Haiti.

I never gave a thought to Haiti. NEVER !!

I didn't know. I was unaware of their poverty, needs, struggle. I was too busy living my life.

Jan. 12, 2010 at 4:53 p.m. a 7.0 earthquake changed all of that. I'll never forget being stunned as I watched CNN and the coverage of the rescue attempts. I saw my first glimpse of Haitian people. I was crushed for them. I've always been a very sensitive person, feeling deep emotions and crying for people I don't know. I couldn't turn away. I thought about them day and night. I prayed and cried out to God to save them.

I had no idea that 6 months later I'd be on a plane to Haiti for a medical mission trip. I had no idea how Haiti would force itself into my heart and that I'd have an obsession with learning more about the history, the people, and their current struggles. I had no idea I'd make Haitian friends during my 15 days there. I never thought I'd write letters and keep in touch. I never imagined I'd keep a file folder in my bedroom drawer with letters from my new Haitian friend. That I'd cry when I would receive his letters. I never knew how much Haiti would be on my mind. I couldn't have imagined I would lay awake at night and sob for their pain.

I never dreamed I'd be heading back for a second time. I'm leaving Feb. 5-12 to do another medical mission trip with Samaritan's Purse. I'll be working in the Cholera tent hospital. I am thrilled to have another chance to love, bring hope, and encourage the Haitian people who have taken over my thoughts and invaded my life in so many ways.

Since my first trip in July- I've felt like I've had one foot in Michigan, here with my precious family and my other foot in Haiti. I've longed to go back. Begged God for an opportunity to go back. God is good to give me a passion for Haiti and a deep to desire to help.

My second trip was supposed to be Jan. 22-29, but Samaritan's Purse called me and asked that I switch to Feb. 5. So, now I count down the days, make lists of what I'll need to take, and anticipate the lovely people I will encounter. I can't imagine the horror of seeing very sick patients with Cholera. I want to be a servant and an encourager. I want to bring hope.

If you are reading this, would you de-lurk? I would love to know if someone, anyone, is out there, reading my personal stories and to know that you haven't forgotten Haiti. Leave a quick comment. I could care less about growing a blog and getting readers. But, if you are there, and care about my story, I'll continue to write. :)

800,000 people still live in tent shelters. 10% of the rubble has been removed. Cholera has killed 3,600, the number goes up daily. There is much to be done in Haiti.

NEXT UP: Please come back to hear a wonderful story about my dear Haitian friend, Marc. He felt God had forgotten him, he was hopeless, helpless, and alone. But God found him and changed his life.....and now God is using Marc to help the Haitian people survive Cholera.

Grief on the Side of a Haitian Road

2010-12-31T13:45:00.001-08:00

Before I left for Haiti I began to pray that God would cross my path with one special person there who I could really help or have an opportunity to make a difference in their life. It was a reality, that daily that would happen, since I'd be working on a medical mobile clinic, going to places where the people may have NEVER had medical care ever before, or going to a tent city where the people lived in total filth and squalor, and needed hope. I just wanted my time there to really matter and for God to use me in big ways. This trip was something I have wanted to do for a very long time.

While I was there, on day 11, while finishing up a quick breakfast at the Samaritan's Purse base, waiting for our daily devotion time, we got word that there was a horrible accident up the road. There is no 9-1-1 there, our medical team of 5 nurses and a paramedic were the only responders. We grabbed our very limited medical supplies (2 small emergency kits and a bucket of IV solutions) and jumped in vehicles to go to the accident. I was thinking it would be two cars and several people. When we got there, my heart dropped. I immediately felt a sense of panic and shock spill over me. Two large transport trucks crashed head on, at a high rate of speed. People in Haiti cram into them and ride on top. There were bodies everywhere. There were 60 people involved and 5 of us to help them.

We all split up and ran, I ran to the back of one bus and there were bodies laying all over the road. Haitians were screaming, crying, moaning in pain. My brain couldn't even comprehend the scene. For some reason, I felt pulled to run to the weeds on the side of the road, stepping over bodies as I ran. My eyes fell to a small child, about 3 years old. She was unconscious but still breathing. Her chest was crushed on the left and she had a badly broken leg in several places. People started bringing me bodies of others, a young man who was moaning and holding his belly, a young girl who had a huge wide open gash above her eyebrow that was bleeding heavily. I had one of the medical kits so I ripped it open and held a gauze over her eye, while trying to comfort the others who were brought to me. The whole time I kept saying quietly, "Help me Jesus.....help me Jesus" I had no medical supplies that were of use really, that was so frustrating. Meanwhile, my other medical friends were at other areas of the accident doing what they could. The driver of one bus was killed immediately, his passenger was trapped in the vehicle with his leg nearly ripped off. My brave friend, Miriam crawled inside the vehicle and used a belt to tourniquet his leg and started an IV on him. He was still alert and oriented. She was so brave! My other nurse friend on the trip, had to climb into the back of one of the trucks to see if there were any people that were still alive. She marked the dead with a sharpee marker.

Meanwhile, I got an IV started in my little 3 year old. There wasn't much I could do, with the limited supplies I had, but I just couldn't leave her....I knew in my head, I could maybe be helping someone, but I just felt drawn to be right there, at her side, praying over her, doing what I could. I continued to help those around me, but we just didn't have supplies to do much.

I pray I never forget her little face. Her hair was in little braids all over, she was beautiful and had long eyelashes. She had polka dot shorts and little orange plastic shoes. I had no idea who was with her on that bus. She was all alone in the weeds, like she had been thrown there.

Other Samaritan's Purse workers, though they had no medical skills, heard of of the magnitude of the crash and brought vehicles up to the road from the base. We began to load patients into the trucks to transport them to the tent hospital about 20 minutes away. I had to choose who of all my "patients" would go. I pointed to the ones I thought were critical, the young girl with the deep gash above her eye, a man whose ankle was completely twisted and bleeding heavily, the young man with severe abdominal pain, and another young girl with belly pain. When we had them loaded, I picked up my little 3 year old girl in my arms, got in the front seat of the truck and told Brian (a S. Purse worker who would drive us) to GO!!!! I held her in my arms, tried to keep her IV intact (I had no tape so I had to hold it in place), and tried to be as gentle as I could. I knew her best chance was to get her to a place that had more supplies.

Tears began to stream down my face, I just could not believe what was happening and what I had just been a part of. Being a nurse, I've of course seen some things, but never on this scale, and not having medical supplies to help was very frustrating. I prayed the whole way to the tent hospital, and whispered to her that Jesus loved her and that everything would be okay. I begged God to not let her die in my arms. Several times I thought she did.

Meanwhile, I was aware of all of the bloody, hurting people in the vehicle. I reached my hand back to comfort the girl, who we placed in the back seat, she seemed to quietly be praying, and I heard her moaning and I knew she had internal injuries.

We pulled up to the Dr.s Without Borders tent hospital and I told Brian I was running with my 3 year old and to get help to unload the others. I looked him in the eye and yelled, "DO NOT LEAVE ME HERE ALONE" I didn't know where we were, I had no phone, no money, no way of knowing how to get back to our base. It was a strange thing to say, but I felt afraid and didn't want him to leave me. I ran with my 3 year old in my arms, I had no idea where to go with her, but people saw us and started pointing. I ran to where they pointed and found a room with several exam tables. It seemed to be a triage room of some sort. Other vehicles started pulling up from our base, loaded with patients, so suddenly, the "hospital" became overwhelmed. They clearly could not handle this many patients, who were so critical.

I laid my girl on a table and her IV fell out. I ran to a room next to where I was, somehow, I just had instinct that this room was a supply room. I found IVs, and grabbed some and ran back to her and started two. I had to hang her IV bags on the window using gauze as a tie, they had no IV poles or hooks. It is amazing to me, looking back, how God would lead me right to the things I needed. This hospital had very basic supplies, no x-ray ability, and I knew very quickly this wasn't going to be a good outcome. A Haitian Dr. of some sort, came up to where I was and in broken English asked what happened. I started spitting out the things I knew she needed, a chest tube (they didn't have one), blood products (didn't have any) and other things. He tried to straighten her broken femur and used a piece of cardboard to hold in in place, I taped it while he held it. We got oxygen on her and checked her Hemoglobin with a rapid finger prick test, it was 4 (should be 12) I knew she was bleeding internally and it would be a miracle if she lived. I stayed by her side for an hour, doing what I could, praying, whispering in her ear that Jesus loved her. When I put a tube down her nose into her stomach, all that came out was blood. They had no suction, so I used a syringe to pull the contents out. I had to use a bulb syringe (like you use for babies when they have snotty noses) to keep the blood out of her mouth and nose. I felt like I was in a bad movie, with the limited supplies we had and seeing all the bodies all around me, and they just kept coming and coming.

An hour or so after arriving, a Dr. walked by. I again, had some inner "knowing" that he was important and could help us. I grabbed his arm, and he saw the little girl. I pointed to her chest and tried to quickly explain her injuries. He was French yet understood and told me, "Bring her quickly!" I found out later, he was the "Trauma Dr." and he had been in the operating area of the tent hospital helping the passenger who had his leg nearly ripped off, and other patients that we transported there. I picked her up from the table, grabbed her IV bags, and ran after him. We went into the operating/trauma area, and again, I felt shock and panic flood over me. There were bodies everywhere, it looked like a war scene. A nurse there was yelling directions and orders, there was chaos everywhere. He pointed to a table and I laid her on it. She moaned once in awhile, so I knew she felt pain, but mainly, she continued to be unconscious. I saw the Haitian Dr. that had worked with her earlier. They started to look her over and I knew I needed to go and leave her. Tears dripped down my face as I walked away from her. I grabbed the white jacket of the Haitian Dr. and he looked at me for a brief second and we grabbed hands. It was like I was saying to him, "Take care of her" and he somehow knew. He gave me a supportive look and squeezed my hand. I'll never forget that.

I walked out dazed and feeling completely overwhelmed with emotions. I found Brian outside the hospital with my other medical friends who all had their own stories to tell. The hospital had called in all of their staff to assist with the influx of patients we had brought them, so we knew we should get out of the way and let them work.

I found out a few hours later, that my little, sweet precious girl, died. I'll never know her name. I found out her mother died too, the man whose leg was nearly taken off, and 17 others.

As hard as it was, I feel God led me to her, so she wouldn't die alone in the weeds. Alone on the side of the road. It has taken me 5 months to be able to type out this post. I think of her every single day, and have had hard days trying to get memories out of my mind. I'm finally in a place where I can think of that day and her, without crying and feeling sick. I don't want to forget her face, so now I force myself to recall every detail of her face. I want people to know the trials that Haitians deal with on a daily basis. No real medical care, dangerous roads with no speed limits, and unsafe transportation.

This is already long, so I'll end for now. I have one more story of God bringing me a special person, sort of redeeming the trip for me. God let me end this trip of a lifetime on a good note. Stay tuned and come back for my next story.....a story of God bringing hope to a desperate man, and of a friendship that will now last forever.

Leaving My Heart in Haiti

2010-12-06T05:17:00.000-08:00

Wow...my last blog post was Aug. 2009. I figure at this point, any of the 5 of you who ever read my blog to begin with are long gone......

Note before I begin..the picture above is horrible! It was 1,000 degrees out with 98% humidity.

In July 2010, I went to Haiti to volunteer as a nurse with Samaritan's Purse. I went all by myself, but met a group of 11 other nurses from all over the USA and what a bond we now have. I still keep in touch with almost every one of them. I was there for 15 days. I never in a million years would have imagined how that 15 days would change my life and my heart forever.

I'm planning to go back to Haiti Jan. 22-Feb 1 to help with the Cholera relief. I wanted to start up my blogging again to hopefully share my experiences in Haiti. I just don't want people to forget the people of Haiti. The suffering and poverty are extreme. My perspective has been changed forever. I appreciate things so much more, I give thanks to God so much more.

When I was in Haiti the first time, I stayed at the Samaritan's Purse base in Leogane, Haiti (The epi center of the earthquake). I worked on a medical mobile clinic. We would pack up our supplies daily in our hired Haiti driver's Land Cruiser and head out to a different tent city daily. I worked along side a Haitian Dr. and nurse, another nurse from the USA, and Haitian translators. Sometimes we would have a Billy Graham Chaplain with us to minister to the people who were waiting for clinic.

Our clinics were held in the middle of a filthy tent city. We had a canopy tent to shade us as we worked in 115 degree HUMID heat. I've never been so hot and sweaty in my entire life. It was the most rewarding work I've ever done, next to being a wife and mother.

We typically saw 90 or so patients a day. The Haitians would line up at 4:30 in the morning, waiting to be seen. Sometimes mothers with children would sit in the hot sun, all day long, waiting to see the Dr. They had no water, no food,. Yet they NEVER complained. The children were so good, they sat quietly.....all day long. They had nothing to do, nothing to play with. The highlight of my day was playing with them at our short break time. They would smile and laugh. I would give them stickers and they loved them. They would hover around me for the rest of the day. Waiting for a smile or tickle. I fell madly in love with the Haitian people.

I loved being able to hug them, pray with them (we prayed with every single patient that came to the clinic) and care for their medical needs. They were so thankful and receptive to prayer and love.

Hopefully, I'll have time to share more stories of my time in Haiti and my upcoming trip. I left part of my heart in Haiti. I am obsessed with following what is going on there. I pray many times a day for them and for my friends who I met and are still working there. I have cried so often for their suffering and for those who have died from Cholera. I can't wait to go back and share God's compassion and love with them again.

Hoarders

2009-08-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

So after a long day of cleaning, mowing, weeding, laundry, chasing the dog, grocery shopping, and endless other duties, I crawl into bed and need a moment of mindless TV to wind down. Last night I turned on the TV and got sucked into a show about real people who hoard. OH DEAR.....this was so unreal to me. Their homes are PACKED to the top with STUFF STUFF STUFF and more stuff.....garbage, old rotting food, and junk. One guy had so much stuff, his bathroom was packed to the ceiling and he had to go to the Y every day to take a shower. Food in the freezer was bulging and they still refused to throw it away. Many are faced with eviction unless they clean the place up. A team of therapists and cleaners go in and help them work through the stuff and they help them get rid of things. I seriously felt my skin crawling as I watched. These people really can't help it ....I mean they have deep seated emotions that go along with the hoarding, but the condition of their homes made me seriously itch all over.

I have the total opposite disease.......throw everything away disease. I'm almost OCD about clutter and organization. I get a little anxious when things are messy and when their is clutter sitting around. I'm ashamed at some of the things I throw away......seriously, you would not believe it. Perfectly good clothes, shoes, stuff......... One time I accidentally threw away our TV remote control because I was on a mission with a black garbage bag to clean up and I go on these rampages and start tossing stuff......oooops. My husband has asked me more than once to stop throwing away his golf magazines. ( I hate when they pile up.) I'm the FIRST ONE people come to when something is missing, they assume I've thrown it out (usually I have.) I get defensive about it. :)

I try to be less wasteful now, when I go on a cleaning rampage. Our Goodwill store has a drive up window which makes me very happy. I pack up stuff I want to get rid of and drive through. This week alone- I took a perfect computer scanner and copy machine to the Goodwill. We don't use them and I couldn't stand to let them sit in our storage closet.....it bugs me to have stuff we don't use sitting around. So I took them to Goodwill. At least it is a tax write off.

Other things I can't take to Goodwill- I simply put down by our garbage can with a FREE sign on it, and I'm not kidding you......usually it is gone within an hour. It is almost a game we play....one time I had our kid's old bikes down there, and before we could even walk up our 200 foot driveway from the garbage can, someone already stopped to pick up the bikes. Yesterday I put my son's old mattress down there and within ten minutes it was GONE. I can put ANYTHING down there and it is always gone. Furniture we don't want, an old swing, old bikes, a dresser mirror. Probably the hoarder people coming to get my stuff. We help each other.

People make comments all the time about my clean and freakishly organized home, I'm not bragging about that.....because seriously sometimes being a freak cleaner stinks. I don't have the OCD thing that makes me wipe doorhandles 500 times a day, or scrub until my fingers are bloody, but I have a strong need to have things constantly organized and neat. I can live with some dishes in the sink off and on and my kid's toys laying around.....it is the organization thing that gets me- not having clutter and stuff laying around. I can never rest until things are clutter free and organized again.

I remember being little and making my bed really slowly and neatly and running my hands over my fresh made bed to get all of the wrinkles out. I also remember always needing to have my stuff neat and "just right" in my room. My grandma had a mild case of hoarding, and I remember always feeling like I needed to clean after being at her house. She would have coupons laying everywhere......papers, bags, magazines, just stuff all over the place, packed in every inch of her space. Her basement was like a treasure hunt, she had so much clutter and stuff down there.

I'm so bad, I even need to keep my Recycle Bin on my computer cleaned out, and I always delete all emails I receive and send......it bugs me to have my inbox filled up with junk.

See.......I'm sick. Maybe soon there will be a show on TV about people like me.

Goodbye Summer

2009-08-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

Where did August go? It is coming to an end and I barely remember it.

I've been purposeful about my time on the computer. I get so much done when I don't get sucked in by a good news story, blog, or email. I get on, check mail and get off. I hope to keep to that pattern as fall approaches and we get back to school, and back to all the activities.

There is so much to do in a day. I've been trying to make healthy meals, exercise as much as I can- I'm so thankful, because I really do love to exercise, it makes me feel so energetic and I can tolerate the ups and downs of life better when I sweat. We have been busy staining our huge deck, what a chore!!!!! My son started his first year of football last week -they have practice four nights a week for 2 hours each night. We all go as a family and sit and watch him. He is really loving it, and I'm so proud of that. The coaches work them hard- they run a lot and do so much conditioning, yet he never complains and he looks forward to going back each night. I'm so thankful that even though we homeschool, we have the opportunity to be involved in things like this. It is good for boys to be with other boys, roughing each other up and having coaches who inspire them but work them hard.

We will start our homeschooling the day after Labor Day. This is our 7th year. It will be a hard transition after a long summer, but being more scheduled will be good for all of us.

Our puppy has started to go on my 4 mile daily walks with me, he does great. He seems to really like it. I started him slow, going 2 miles the first time, 3 the next, and now he does 4 miles no problem, even running at times. It wears him out, but he needs it.

That is the update-busy days, mowing, yard work, keeping the garden weeded, keeping the dog from chasing the cats, playing with my kids, watching movies with my husband. Life is good.

Kelly

Weekend Events

2009-08-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the last cranky post. :) I'm better now.

However........I should have added buying our puppy the MOST annoying squeak toy on planet earth......as part of my things that make me go grrrrrr. It needs to have an unfortunate accident today. (They toy not the puppy- he is a keeper.)

Braden my 11 year old son and his friend, our neighbor boy, set up camp in our back yard all day yesterday. We live on 3 acres, so they have plenty of room. They set up near the fire pit so they could have a bon fire. They ran flashlights out there, then bug spray, sleeping bags, games, treats....it was a whole day of work. Last night my husband started a very small bon fire for them, so they could roast marshmallows-they did that, but then started running and jumping over the fire.....WHY??? Boys LOVE fire.....they threw everything they could find into the fire, sticks, toys from the yard (hey...should have had them throw the squeak toy in there), cans, his sister...okay, no he didn't.

Anyway........the campers made it about 2 hours and were back in the house by 9:30 complaining about mosquitos. So much for that. They camped downstairs while watching "Shark Week" on the Discovery Channel. Almost the same right?

Today it is raining which messes up several of our plans-Brooklyn had a swimming party to go to (moved to tomorrow now) and we had a golf outing fund raiser for our friend with cancer. Instead we are going to watch a family movie and camp on the couch. YAY!!!!

Happy weekend!

Things that make me go hmmmmmmm

2009-08-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm alive- in case anyone wondered.

We are on the last days of summer count down....I feel it slipping away-so I've been FORCING myself to slow down and enjoy quiet, slower days. I've said no to things, even if they were fun. Because of it, my kids have been able to play outside for HOURS AND HOURS, run, play in the sprinkler, play with the puppy, make up fun outside games with the neighbors, swim, and it has been priceless.

So- things that make me go hmmmmmmmm (more like grrrrrrr)

1. Dying of thirst after a long walk and going to find someone drank up the last grape low cal Gatorade that I was dying for and didn't put anymore in the fridge. :(

2. Taking my puppy out potty, he goes, we come back in and 5 seconds later he pees on the floor. Hmmmmmm ????

3. The people who let their pet bunny go outside-I assume because they were tired of caring for him and now he is hopping all over their yard looking for food. I put a bunch of our bunny's food in a ziplock and snuck over there and dumped a bunch of food in their yard so he could eat. GRRRRRRR

4. The credit card company that just called me trying to sell identity theft protection-after nicely saying, "No thank you I'm not interested" she kept going on and on and on....and at the end said, "If you have any questions call 1-800-bla bla bla bla...." REALLY FAST....like why bother to tell the number...am I writing it down- NO ---- do I memorize numbers-----NO!!!! Do I care.......NO!

5. The economy bugs me.

6. I was out shopping for a dress to wear to a wedding and all I could find was either- 1. Grandma dresses with big, ugly flowers and bold prints, or 2. Teenie bopper dresses that were 5 sizes too small, skimpy, and short.

7. Drunk Drivers who drive with their children in the car- drive down the wrong side of the highway and kill themselves and their children. (In the news today)...REALLY BUGS ME!

8. People who ask you a question, you start to answer, and then they start looking away, uninterested, while you are answering them.......why???? Why ask? RUDE!

9. When you put yourself out there-ask for a prayer request to a friend, and they never ask you about it again......like to follow up and act like they care. Hmmmmm

10. I'm a clean freak and have an awesome Dyson vac.....it has a clear container that catches all the gunk you vac up......I vac 3 or more times a week-yet have to empty the canister every time, because it is FULL of gunk....where does that stuff come from? GROSS!! (Maybe I don't want to know the answer to this question.)

That is good for today- just a few irritations on my mind this morning. :) Happy Wednesday to ya.

Summer Days

2009-07-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th is our twin's birthday. They turned 11 years old. We always make them birthday pancakes for breakfast complete with candles.

We have had a great weekend. My husband has had off for three days and we have enjoyed every minute of it.

Friday we packed the car up and drove an hour to Kensington Park which is near Detroit. There is a huge lake and a bike path that goes all the way around. 9 miles. You can deter off and go on actual mountain bike trails if you want to. We did that this time and had so much fun. We rode 20 plus miles. We were all so tired. At one point, I think we were lost.....we had no idea where the trails were leading us (however, we knew we were still within the park-but we had no idea if we had another 10 miles to go or 3). The trails were really hard and I was really proud of our kids because they hung in there and rode up really steep hills. Brooklyn learned the gears and figured out the hills are MUCH EASIER in 1st gear!

We had a great time and our legs were VERY SORE at the end of the day.

Yesterday we had the birthday pancakes for the 4th and the kids opened their gifts. Then we packed up again and drove an hour to Battle Creek for the Air Show. It was an all day event with many neat planes doing tricks. The Thunderbirds were the final act and they were AMAZING.

Finally, at the end of the long day, our kids put on a fireworks show for us. We bought them a big kit packed full of fireworks (safe for kids) and they spent an hour setting up the show for us. They wrote a big sign on the driveway in chalk, "Welcome to the Fireworks Show" and they put our chairs out with a little table in the middle, drinks of water, bug spray, and beach towels on each chair. It was so cute. Then they worked together to put on the show. Braden was the fire cracker lighter and Brooklyn was his assistant who put the burned out firecracker in a bucket of water (smart of them).

Today we are having a bbq and birthday cake to cap off the weekend.

I hope you are enjoying summer-wherever you are. Life is a gift-enjoy it!

Blessings,
Kelly

I Need an Energy Drink STAT!

2009-06-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

I'm popping in to quickly update on the chaos of our lives- (like that cotton commercial...the touch...the feel of cotton-the fabric of our lives) this is THE CHAOS OF OUR LIVES......

It is all my fault.

I'm exhausted this week-the kids are back from camp (love having them home) however, WOW....the peace ends the MOMENT they step foot into the car for the drive home. GONE...forever...until next summer...no more peace and quiet, long days reading on my hammock.

This week is VBS week- so that means UP AND OUT early-we stop and pick up our car load of friends and hit the road in the VBS express.

I finally finished the 8 million loads of dirty camp clothes. Socks that will never again be white, towels that smelled like death, tennis shoes that scare me and should be incinerated for the safety of the earth and all of man kind.

The puppy is a blast-but I'm exhausted. He is doing GREAT in his kennel at night, no more crying unless he has to go potty. He is so fun, but it is like having a baby in the house again. I can't sit down for 5 minutes without needing to get up to pry something (like the couch) from his mouth. I am OCD about taking him potty so he does not go on my carpet. We took him to the Vet Monday and all is well. We named him Dakota. :) He is my buddy. He follows my everywhere and lays at my feet.

Life is good! There is no "break" in summer- but oh well!

My Kids Come Home Today!

2009-06-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Today is arrival day-my kids come home from camp! I can't wait.

We have missed them so much. It is really hard to have NO CONTACT with your kids for a whole week-who you usually spend 24 hours a day with-every single day.

They have a BIG surprise when they get off of the bus today!

They are coming home to this:

We got them a puppy (for their birthday on July 4) they have NO IDEA! I am picking them up at church where the bus from camp will drop them off and the puppy will be with me. I feel so bad my husband can't see the SURPRISE meeting but I'm going to video tape the whole thing. I'm taking our neighbor girl who is Brooklyn's friend and she is SOO EXCITED for our kids - when I invited her to come pick up the kids her eyes got so big and she was so excited.

This little guy is so much fun. You know, you just can't have too many pets at our house. Seven pets seems like a good number (4 cats, a parakeet, a bunny, and a dog.)

The puppy is 6 weeks old and obviously is a yellow lab. We haven't named him because we want the kids to have input. He is really fun and so sweet.

I think this next picture is the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. The puppy was outside with my husband last night as he worked in the garage and the pup fell asleep on his back WITH HIS LEGS STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR...and he slept like that for about 20 min. I snapped a pic.

Day Two of Peace

2009-06-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Today is day two of my peaceful week.

Yesterday, on day one...my peace was instantly taken when at 5:00 p.m. the camp nurse called me to tell me my son was having some asthma issues. We increased his asthma medication to two times a day, hoping to ward off more severe issues. He was fine but wheezy. He was having a great time in spite of it all. But, the mom in me instantly worried and felt a little panic come over me. I prayed through it and felt God's peace as I realized he is in excellent hands and he is very good about knowing his symptoms and when he needs help.

I found peace again, when at 5:30 my friend reminded me that the Beth Moore Esther Bible study was starting at church at 6:30.....she talked me into going. I'm so glad I did. This is my 5th or 6th Beth study and I LOVE them. I know I'll learn so much. I've already done 2 days of the homework today. :)

Today I mowed the lawn (no small task- it takes 2 1/2 hours) and weeded the garden. I'm a dirty mess but the lawn looks great. It is raining now, so I finished just in the nick of time.

Off to shower and figure out what is for dinner. No calls from camp today-so that is a good sign. I've been praying all day for my son's protection and good health-I so badly want him to have a great time.

Day One of My Week of Peace

2009-06-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today is day one of no kids for a whole week.

I woke up and MISSED THEM right off the bat.
Darn it.

But I know they are having so much fun. I prayed for them before I even got out of bed.
And then.........
I remembered......I have all day-all to myself. My husband left for work and won't be home until late tonight because he golfs on Wed. nights.

Last night I made my husband and I a big salad with grilled chicken for dinner. I lit a candle. We ate in complete peace and silence. Dinner is one of my favorite times, we are really BIG on eating together as a family-great conversation happens at our dinner table. But last night was NICE. We had ADULT TALK. I could focus on my husband and what he was saying.

Today after I woke up-I scrubbed a few floors (couldn't help it) and then laid on the hammock with my cat and enjoyed the birds singing. We live on 3 acres out in the country-about 6 miles from civilization-so we have total peace out here. What a great way to start the day. I prayed and came up with my plan for my day.

I went for a 4 mile walk-listened to a great podcast on the way. Took a shower, drove through McDonalds and got a $1.00 HUGE diet coke on the way to the Humane Society where I walked dogs for 1 1/2 hours. Came home-hit the hammock again and read. Took a 10 min. nap and read.

Later- a chick flick all to myself compliments of NetFlix- I might eat a bowl of cereal and M&Ms for dinner.

Missing my kids- but loving my quiet days. I think I'm weird because I have NO DESIRE to interact or socialize while my kids are away.....I could go spend great quality time with friends but I just feel like a recluse and taking it easy.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring- I hope it is JUST LIKE TODAY!

A Whole Week All To Myself

2009-06-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

This is my son waving goodbye from the bus!!!

This morning we sent our kids off to church camp for a whole week. They look so forward to it all year! Many of their friends from church are going and they always meet a lot of new friends.

It is EXHAUSTING preparing two kids for a whole week away....the lectures never end. I even crammed in a few in the car on the way to church where the camp bus picks them up. Moms try hard to sneak lectures in between conversations. That way we don't sound so bossy, yet we get our instructions in. I am well aware that every single thing I said goes in one ear and out the other, once they step foot on camp ground.

Don't forget to use bug spray. I sure hope you guys have a great time.

Don't put your wet towels in your suitcase with all of your clean clothes. I'm really going to miss you guys.

Oh......and don't forget to brush your teeth. Won't it be fun to sleep in your sleeping bags?

Be nice.

Have fun. Change your underwear!

Oh.....and pay attention during chapel.

Wear sunscreen.

Write me.

And then they are off........my precious kids driving off in a bus on a five hour journey to camp. I always get a little teary. And then I remember......

A whole week to MYSELF..........no little people, no messes.

I ADORE my kids, but we are together 24/7....every minute of every single day. All day-every day....and they are probably excited to have a little break from me.

They will have a week of FUN and learning more about God, and eating smores, and fishing, playing, getting dirty, not brushing their teeth, throwing clothes all over the cabin......

And me, I'll be enjoying long workouts at the Y, reading a stack of books, taking a nap, catching up on Email, having a date or two with my husband, or just doing NOTHING!!!!!! My laundry will be cut in half, food will stay in the fridge longer than 5 minutes, and I can clean the house and it will STAY THAT WAY.

Last year when they went I had a million plans, scheduled myself too much, and was an over-achiever. This year.....NO WAY- I've got no plans and I'm keeping it that way. I need REST. I want to use this time so I'm a better mom when my kids return. I fervently pray for them daily, for their safety and for God to grow their knowledge of Him during this time at camp. I pray for me to grow in patience, wisdom, and love so I can be the best mom I can be.

Now...I need to go, I have an appointment with my couch, a book, and some major CHILLaxin!

Girl's Night Out

2009-06-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last night was GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

Having friends is good for the soul.

We have 23 kids between us-we don't get out much! We had so much fun!

Some of our kids had a sleep over-while the ladies were out on the town.

We ate dinner at Houlihans and then went to Starbucks. We laughed so much and talked until our throats were sore.

I got home at midnight, which is way past my bedtime. I can't even stay up until midnight on New Years Eve!

The best part was when our friend Dawn stopped in for a quick hug-her husband was just diagnosed with cancer and he has been in the hospital for 10 days. She was on her way back to the hospital to spend the night with him. We all got to give her a hug and maybe for just five minutes she could get her mind off of the trials her family is going through.

To the people at Houlihans who wanted a nice, quiet dinner out.......we are very sorry for our loud laughter and non stop picture taking-we are mothers of many children who rarely get to go out, have a meal where we don't need to cut up someones food, clean up a spill, or get interrupted 52 times. Be thankful we only get around to a girl's night out two times a year!

(These are two of my friends: Julia and Kimberly)

Thank you God for friendships that endure over time-sister's in Christ who love each other and make time for each other.

The Orange Dork Suit

2009-05-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

The 5-K was a huge hit. The rain stayed far away and it was such a fun night. This is my son who did the 5-K in 29 minutes and won 2nd place in his age group. Might I add he had no training schedule for weeks leading up to the 5-K, he just put on his running shoes and did it cold turkey last night. NO FAIR!

I saved a child's life at the 5-K, good thing I was there. Okay..so I put a band aid on his scrapped knee....still, he might have bled to death if I wouldn't have used my skills to help him. Beyond that we had no major medical mishaps.

I forgot all about getting my picture taken in my dork orange suit....I was busy saving lives people, I didn't have time for silly pictures...however, don't be sad! In the above picture if you look behind my son you will see a bright orange glowing person (a fellow worker). Don't stare at the picture for too long you might burn your retinas. But you get the idea of the dork-ness factor.

Here is a picture of the kids running in a 100 meter race

I think this next picture is so funny- my husband better not quit his day job to become a photographer. Here is my nice arm in the picture of my son crossing the finish line- I was trying to high five him.

Finally, my kids often hijack my camera and when I try to upload pictures onto my computer from the memory card I find surprises like these:

She deserves having this pictures put in the public forum for all the world to see. :)

In closing, my husband and son have been downstairs for two hours trying to learn the Axle Foley song from Beverly Hills Cop on our keyboard. They found it on YouTube and now are obsessed with learning it. They are getting close! We live an exciting life around here don't we?

Friday Report

2009-05-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

How can it be Friday again already? I wonder why it is that when you are a kid time goes V E R Y slowwwwww and when you are an adult...time goes VERY FAST!

Life can slow down already.

So it is Friday- everyone loves Friday. Our church is having a big 5-K event tonight. They have fun things for kids and a 100 meter kid race. Usually I WOG (walk/jog) in the 5-K but this year I'm "working" by carrying the medical radio. (I'm a nurse) so they position us throughout the course and we wear BIG BRIGHT ORANGE VESTS..that you can see from a mile away- they say MEDICAL on it ! We have cool ear pieces that make me feel like I'm in the FBI or CIA....or secret service. Very cool! We all communicate to each other during the race and respond to any medical needs. (Hopefully there are none!) Anyway, so no wogging for me tonight...I already did my 4 miles this a.m. so I'm good. I can indulge in a hot dog or two guilt free! :) Now, we are just praying the rain holds off for us!

Maybe I'll surprise all 7 of you and have my kids take a picture of me in my BRIGHT ORANGE DORK OUTFIT tonight. :)

So the nurse thing...yea, I am an RN...but I haven't worked officially in about 5 years. When I did, I worked at one of our local hospitals on the cardiac floor. I worked nights 7 p.m.- 7 a.m. that about killed me! I only worked per diem- one shift a week, once my kids were born, but when I did work, I'd have to stay up all day to care for my kids, work all night, and then come home and stay up all day to ...yes....care for my kids. I used to be so tired, it took me the whole week to recover from that crazy shift. One time I was so tired after working all night and being up so long, I was giving my kids, who were babies at the time, baths..and I looked down and oooops...my daughter was in the tub with her socks and diaper on. I was too tired to realize it. Not good!!!! I was scary back then. One time I fell asleep as I was waiting behind a school bus who was picking up kids in front of me-on my drive back home from work.

I keep my license current, just in case....you never know. I doubt I'll go back to ICU or cardiac nursing-too intense and stressful, but Hospice nursing sounds like something I'd be good at-if my emotions could hack it (my husband thinks not). But for now, I'm thrilled to be a stay at home mom, and I use my nursing skills on the medical response team at church and at events like the 5-K. Good enough! Plus, it comes in handy when I have a sick kid, puking cat, or injured husband.

Happy Friday......God bless any of you who come back here more than once...I ramble so much, I feel sorry for you. :)

Rest and Recover

2009-05-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

I'm in a rest and recover mode. After a very busy year of homeschooling, running kids to activities, teaching Bible study, and the usual hectic stuff that comes during the months of Sept-May....I'm LOVING the down time. I'm two weeks into our summer break and I'm finally just now starting to feel calm and relaxed. The first week I had a million projects that I couldn't seem to get to during the crazy school year.

We changed my son's bed from a loft bed into a normal bed, and I painted his whole room a new color and we cleaned really well and went through his drawers and closet. I love to get rid of stuff!!!!!

I went through all of our school curriculum and books and got rid of a bunch of stuff we don't need at the used book sale our homeschool group has each year. Then I went through all of my catalogs and planned our next year of school and made a list of the books I need to buy. I'll place my order in the next few weeks. I like to get my school books early so I can go through them, make my plans and set up our schedule early....then I am all ready to start in Sept. This is our 7th year of homeschooling coming up-6th grade WOW!!!!

We planted our garden, power washed our deck, weeded our landscaping, put mulch around all of our trees, cleaned the garage, and I cleaned out our storage closet downstairs. I feel on top of my game now!

This past weekend we duck sat our neighbors ducks. They have a really nice duck condo down by their pond. So we would just go over 2 times a day to feed them and give them fresh water and let them out to swim in the pond.

Yesterday the kids and I went and volunteered at the Humane Society. We took dogs for walks and played with the cats. I love going there. Then we went to the Library. My kids are reading like crazy right now. I love to read too and I have a book I'm almost done with and then 4 more waiting for me when I'm done. I'm also reading the book of Job in the Bible right now.

So, that is the update. Sorry for my rambles. My brain is coming out of a fog of hectic and crazy schedules and we are enjoying a slower pace, days with no place to be, and free time.

Sunday Stuff

2009-05-17T12:13:00.001-07:00

I love Sundays.

I love Sunday School and church! I love seeing friends and worshipping God together.

Our kids have been having so much fun today. They make each other a treasure hunt. They hide clues all over the yard and draw maps. Then they leave a surprise at the end of the treasure hunt.It has kept them busy for hours yesterday and today. Brooklyn left Braden a dollar at the end of his hunt yesterday- that is so cute. He gave it to God today! Doesn't that just warm your heart?

Today she left him a small bag of M&Ms at the end of his hunt. He left her a coupon to play a board game together-which they did.

Now they are out in our Suburban playing "Rocket ship" they sit in the seats upside down and pretend they are flying into space. They are so creative. I heard Braden ask Brooklyn if she would be his flight attendant today in the rocket ship.

Some days it seems they want to rip each other's eye balls out, other days they get along so well. That is a great thing about twins, they always have a playmate!

I have a stack of books to read- I get so excited about books. A sweet friend handed me a book today at church-she bought it for me, just because she knew I loved books so much. I can't wait to read it. She bought me: Too Small To Ignore-Why the Least of These Matters. It is the story of the President and CEO of Compassion International and how he became involved. We sponsor a Compassion child-Shivan who lives in Uganda. I have her picture on my nightstand in a frame. I consider her one of my children. I love her so much and pray for her often. I love to get letters from her-and write her back! I've been praying that God will make a way for me to go meet her someday in Uganda.

Soon I'll go out on PATROL to check on all of my animal friends on my 4 mile walk. :)

My heart is heavy with prayer needs of so many people in my life today- I'm praying for my sister's health, friends with cancer, lost souls, my husband's knee that is really hurting, and my friend Krysta (Hi Krysta) who is adopting a baby!

Psalm 131:2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul.........

Happy Sunday!
Kelly

Little Miss Perfect

2009-05-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

While the kids were playing outside today- I started to fold laundry on my bed. I flipped on the TV to turn on CNN and see what was going on in the world (sometimes I really don't want to know)......but THE LITTLE MISS PERFECT beauty pageant was on......WHAT????

It was one of those reality show type deals, and I sat there with my mouth WIDE OPEN and gasping! Are you serious? These little girls were about 5-10 years old, totally made up, fake tans, BIG hair, nails, and posing in skimpy type clothing. The mothers were WORSE and so hard to watch. They swore at their kids, put total pressure on them, yelled, and just got so wrapped up in their daughters beauty....I just seriously don't even know what to say.

I had to run not walk to my blog to vent about it. Just the title alone LITTLE MISS PERFECT......what does that mean? WOW......I can honestly say, I would NEVER and I mean NEVER EVER EVER want that life for my daughter. I would never want her to feel her identity is wrapped up in her outside appearance and the judgments of others. Those girls were already starting to compare themselves to other girls, many had CELL PHONES and were all wrapped up in the attention.

I could go on and on and on.....but I won't....I had to turn it off after 10 min. UGH!!!!!!!

It will be a HARD reality when Little Miss Perfect finds out, she isn't at all perfect (as none of us are) and that it is so shallow and worthless to put your hope in your appearance and the praise of others. I felt so bad for them. The girls didn't even look REAL...they looked so scary and fake.....the moms were RIDICULOUS-dancing, trying to coach from behind the judges, clapping really loudly, and if their child didn't do well YELLING AT THEM. NICE!

Enough said.....CNN would have been better than this!

VICTORY! One small step for animals!

2009-05-12T09:39:00.001-07:00

VICTORY VICTORY !!!!!!!

This is an update from my last post about the pet rescue-bunny saga.

I went out on my 4 mile walk this a.m. (my husband teases me now that I'm not walking for exercise-I'm going out on PATROL) I checked on my new bunny friend-after I left a NICE note on the owner's door last week asking them very very nicely to please find some protection for the bunny in his cage, and letting them know they could buy an attached food dish that screws into the cage so the bunny wouldn't tip his food and not have any to eat all day. I was as nice as I possibly could be in the note, I figured I would get more reaction with being nice and supportive rather than being rude (which I sort of wanted to be!)

So, today was my first patrol since the note- and VICTORY...the bunny had an even nicer-bigger cage, an attached food dish filled with food, a new little house inside his cage where he could go for protection and safety, and a big tarp and board over the top of the cage to protect him from sun and weather. AWESOME!!!!! I giggled like a school girl! I just felt so happy and such satisfaction. I thanked God because I have been praying all week that the owners would have compassion and respond to the note in a positive way and they totally did.

One small step for animals- we can't fix every problem in the world, but if we just do ONE THING, SOMETHING, it really really makes a difference. That was the lesson I learned after all of this.

I feel like Mother Nature when I go out on my "patrols"....I pass a ton of different animals when I walk (since I'm walking out in the country)....they are used to seeing me, since I go almost daily. Three horses come running towards the fence when I walk by, I always tell them Hi, a cute cat greets me each time, a very cute dog comes and gives me licks and lets me pet him, a mom cow and its baby, and of course the bunny. :)

It made me think- what if we all had our 4 miles to patrol daily- to check it out, keep it clean, protect animals and help others along the way. I'm sure the world would be a better place.

:) As for today, I'm pleased and thrilled. Next up, my kids and I have our eye on a nest of four baby Robins, one already fell out of the nest and my daughter saw it and put it back in the nest...they are really small still and have no feathers, so they aren't ready to leave their home. They are right under our second story deck so we have a clear shot out our sliding glass door downstairs. It is really fun to watch the mom Robin come back with worms and see their little heads pop up for food.

Pet Rescue

2009-05-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

So, every day (usually) I have this 4 mile walk outside that I take.....it is all out in the country. I drive my car to the starting point and take off from there. I love it, it is really peaceful and quiet.

I passed this house that had a bunny cage with a cute little black and white bunny in it. The cage was just propped up against their shed, with NO PROTECTION at all for the bunny from the sun or rain. Just a cage. NICE!! So, it started to sprinkle on my walk today, I barely made it back to the car before the rain started pouring down. I drove home upset, thinking about that poor bunny. I got home, did a few things, kept thinking of the bunny. Finally, I swear God pulled me up off of the couch and gave me the idea to ACT!!! I told my kids about the bunny and they said "Lets do something"....so I grabbed a tarp we had in the garage and clothes pins and we jumped in the car, drove to the house- I got out in the pouring rain and put the tarp over the bunny (who was SOAKED!!!!!!!!) (GRRRRRR!!!) and pinned the sides down really well with clothes pins. It worked GREAT. I didn't even care if someone from the house came out or saw me (they didn't).....then I drove away!

Why are people such IDIOTS??? That is so mean! I walk by there almost daily, so I'll be monitoring the bunny!!!!!!!!! I feel so much better knowing it has protection, at least for now. Wonder what they people will think when they come out and see the tarp? I HOPE THEY ARE CONVICTED!!!!

In other news.......I started a reading program for the summer for my kids. It isn't summer yet, but why not start now? They LOVE to read and they need to keep busy all summer and have a way to earn some money. I told them for every chapter book (approved by me) they read they get $1.00.....every third book they read, I get to pick. I'll have them read Heroes of the Faith books or biographies, or classic stuff. They are really good with their money, they tithe off the top and then usually put it right into the bank. There are a few small things they each have been wanting to buy so this gives them the chance to earn some money-and read a bunch at the same time.

We just started this on Monday and I already think I'll need to appeal to Congress for a bailout, because at the rate they are going already, I'll be broke. They stay up late into the night reading, and constantly say, "I LOVE this book" which makes me so happy! My daughter has already read 5 big chapter books and is on her 6th one IN ONE WEEK, and my son is on his 5th book. The books I chose for them were Joan of Arc and The Revolutionary War (Landmark books).

The Project Cycle

2009-04-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

I can't seem to climb out from under all of the projects!

I saw a show on dust mites and had to take action! I ripped all of the sheets off of all of our beds, vac'd the mattress, washed the sheets, scrubbed walls...along the way to the laundry room I stopped for a drink and see the grime in the fridge, had to Lysol that. On the way to get the Lysol saw crumbs on the floor, had to attack that. Went to the garage to get a screwdriver to fix a closet handle, saw the dust all over the rug and shoes thrown everywhere, had to stop and tackle that project. Walked into the mudroom saw chipped paint on the wall, note to self, "Touch up the paint"......went to get a pad of paper to start a list of notes to self, saw the junk drawer was junky, had to de-clutter......threw away 10 million lifeless pens, 52 erasers, 120 lose staples in the bottom of the drawer that stabbed me every time my fingers ran across them.Went to grab the garbage can for quicker disposal of junk, saw the garbage can was filthy, had to stop and Lysol out the garbage can.....went to grab the Lysol...and well you can see my crisis.....

The projects never end! NEVER! Is there such a thing as project A.D.D. ? I can't stay on task.......

For now, my dust mites are dead and the Lysol company can pass on the bail out, I keep them in business.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Stay off the roads!!!

2009-04-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

We saw a SCARY SCARY thing last night. We were driving home from Bible study (Bible Study Fellowship) (The kids and I) at 9:45 p.m. and we passed a semi- and the driver was READING a book while he drove.

NOW THAT IS SCARY! Enough said!

Did any of you see the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on Sunday night about Irena Sendler? She was a Polish Social worker who saved about 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of the Warsaw Ghetto and put them in willing Polish families who pretended they were their own children. She was so young when she did this and went through GREAT RISK to smuggle them out. Several of the other women in her group who were helping got caught and went before the firing squad.

People who show these kind of unselfish, brave acts amaze me. To go through such danger and risk -but to be determined to do what is right, they are such heroes. I really love hearing stories about brave people who helped save Jewish people. I love The Hiding Place-Cori Ten Boom, I love Anne Frank, I love Shindler's List. These people are amazing to me.

God blessed Irena for her courage, she lived to be 98 years old. The other heroes are the families who took in the Polish children as their own. It was very dangerous to do that, yet they did it, and the show said they loved the children so very much and if the children were reunited with their real parents after the war, the adopted families cried and were distraught.

Irena's story was unknown in America for a long time. A group of Kansas students were doing a project on The Holocaust and found the story and brought it to light. They were able to meet Irena in person when they raised enough money to fly her to America and speak to their school. The students made several trips to Poland to see and interview Irena, and later they made a play, "Life in a Jar" to honor her. (Irena placed every child's name she smuggled out in a jar along with the name of the family she placed that child with so she could track them down later to be reunited with their families, then she hid the jar.)

Amazing stupidity -The semi driver reading a book (risking the life of others because of his selfish behavior)

Amazing courage - Irena Sendler (saving the life of others because of her unselfish behavior)

What a contrast!

Good Bye Vacation-Hello Life

2009-04-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

The vacation is over (stay at home vacation)- back to life.

It is a rainy and cold Monday to start off our week. Sometimes that is better, the sun and nice weather doesn't distract us from all we need to get done in a day.

We had to get up at the crack o' dawn and take our pet bunny to get "fixed". We adopted her from the Humane Society and that is their rule. We got her when she was only a few months old so we had to wait until she was full grown and 6 months old.

Back to homeschooling today. It is VERY HARD to get focused after a long break. 5 weeks left until SUMMER BREAK. We are trying hard to finish strong and we are on a good pace to finish out all of our 5th grade curriculum.

My brain is on over-load with planning. I'm in charge of organizing a big going away party for our Sunday School teacher and the details are keeping me up at night. I wish my brain had an off/on switch, so I could turn it on during "business hours" and then turn it off at night and on weekends. I'm a hyper-organizer...to the point of OCD...I have to think through every detail and idea, and plan things down to every small detail. It usually serves me well to be that organized- it is also my curse.

Finally, my husband and I went to an AWESOME parenting conference at church Friday night and Saturday morning. We learned hands on skills and tools to train up our children's HEARTS..not just raise robots but work on hearts, so they will respond to their conscience not just wait for mom and dad to prompt them. It was really inspiring. Now the trick is to try and remember it all and not respond to my default attitude of frustration, but to breathe, step back and do the skills they taught us.

Sometimes I just want to say, "Just do it, because I'm the mom" I get tired of explaining and going the extra mile to teach a good value or characteristic. It pays off in the end-but takes perseverance and hard work. We learned great ways to teach your kids to honor others (honor is doing more than is expected). How to have honesty under pressure, how to teach kids to deal with the wrong choices they make, and how to teach kids to make choices based on CONVICTIONS not emotions.

Honor is doing what I asked you to do (obedience) and then.....look for something to do extra (honor). For example- You tell your child to please set the table (obedience) and then tell her when she is done, find one thing she can to to honor the family.....and let her come up with a way. An example would be to make little cards for each family member or set flowers on the table. They gave us the idea to tell your kids to "Do an honor check" when leaving a room they have been asked to clean up. They are to clean it all up the correct way and then give it one last look and do something extra to honor the family. It gives kids the idea to do MORE than what is expected. Can you imagine having an employee for example, who did MORE than what was expected of them? What a great trait! We can't wait to teach this to our kids.

To get great info. on parenting you can go to http://www.biblicalparenting.org/ They have a weekly email they send out with GREAT tips. I usually shy away from email stuff, who needs more STUFF IN YOUR EMAIL BOX...but this is worth it. They also have great resources on the website. We bought several books at the conference. I've already read one and it was very helpful with hands on, actual skills and tools you can put into practice NOW.

Happy Monday!

Stay-Cation

2009-04-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

We are on a Stay-Cation! Usually we go away during this time each year, it is our last fun filled week before my husband's crazy work schedule picks up for his busy season May-Oct.

This year, to be prudent with our finances, we decided to stay at home and enjoy a Stay-Cation instead. It has good points and bad points. I still have to cook, clean, and do laundry during the stay-cation...that stinks. But I love sleeping in our own beds and having a slower pace than vacations usually bring. Last year we went to Florida and did the whole Disney crazy for 10 days. That was A BLAST, but not at all relaxing. We were on the go constantly and stayed up really really late to watch fireworks and electric light parades and then got up early to hit all of the parks. You know, the whole "hurry up and wait" thing that comes with vacations.

This stay-cation has been actually nice. We went mountain biking on Saturday for two hours and then enjoyed dinner together. Today my husband took our son to his work to work on a boat they have at work that everyone can use this summer. My daughter and I went to PetSmart to look at all of the animals they have there. Simple, cheap fun! It is rainy and icky out today but it is supposed to be 60 Wed.-Fri. so we will hit the trails again and put more miles on out mountain bikes. We've been playing games, watching movies, and just enjoying some quality family time.

Not a bad deal at all. Saving money can be fun!
P.S. I've been logging my workout miles since Jan. 1 and yesterday I hit 150 miles walked/ran since Jan. Hooray!

Encouraging Words

2009-04-05T12:39:00.001-07:00

Today after church as we were driving home, my 10 year old son told us that a man at church, who goes to our Sunday School and we've been to his home before to have a Sunday School Christmas party and to go Christmas Caroling around his neighborhood said some really nice words to him. They must have really stuck with our son, because this was quite awhile after it happened.

He told us with a big smile on his face that Mr. Wagoner always says hi to him and shakes his hand and today he told our son that he enjoys seeing him each week, that he is a nice boy who is very clean cut, and he is going to be a great man someday. Such simple words but they left a huge impact on our son. Our son said, "Mom, he told me I'm going to be a great man someday" I'll just never forget the smile on his face as he retold the conversation.

It means the world to me that people invest in our kids. Just simple things. Simple words that are spoken, that encourage and inspire. It inspires me to speak LIFE into the kids I'm around. To take the time to SEE them and then speak words of encouragement into their lives. You never know how it can inspire them. I'm going to call Mr. Wagoner right now and tell him what his words did for our son and thank him for taking the time to notice a 10 year old boy each week. He probably doesn't even realize how much my son recognizes that every week Mr. Wagoner notices him and goes out of his way to say hello.

I hope we can all be a Mr. Wagoner this week!

Spring Break News

2009-04-04T11:18:00.001-07:00

Well so far there isn't much "break" in the Spring Break..... but we are only just beginning, so there is plenty of time to "break". Yesterday we met a great friend and her daughter for coffee and then I took the kids to the Family Film Festival showing of The Tale of Despereaux (Thanks Traci for the heads up.) (Traci is one of my 4 readers :) ) It was cute. Not as cute as the book but still worthy of our time. Today I had Bible study (every Saturday at 6:45 a.m. today was the last one until after Spring Break) and then I went to the Y for a long workout. I love when I get to go on Saturdays because my husband is home with the kids and I can take my time and not feel so rushed. When I got home from the Y, my family was already hard at work doing yard work. I jumped in when I got home and we got so much done. We trimmed all of our bushes and shrubs and cleaned up leaves in the flower beds. FEELS GREAT to get that done.

There also isn't much "spring" in Spring Break....it is decent out, 50 ish and sunny. Not nearly as bad as all of my family and friends in Wyoming who are having their 5th blizzard in the last 4 weeks. I can't believe how much snow they are getting. We are supposed to get snow tomorrow night. NICE!!!!

Later we are hanging out in front of the big screen as we watch MSU in the Final Four! Go STATE! ( I don't normally watch a bunch of basketball, but when it gets down to the finals, it gets exciting, so I'll tune in.)

Happy Saturday.

3 Cheers for Spring Break!

2009-04-02T11:49:00.002-07:00

Today officially begins Spring Break.......why........

BECAUSE I SAID SO.

I'm the mom/teacher and I woke up this morning and decided, "We are on Spring Break"

I can't take it another minute....I need a break, the kids need a break. We've been working non stop since Jan. plugging away at the homeschool curriculum, making great progress. But the days go so fast, the weeks go so fast. I just need the time warp to stop.

So, we are reading The Tale of Despereaux together and enjoying life for the next week and a half. (That is a REALLY cute and exciting book by the way, I highly recommend it.) We have a week or so off alone, and then my husband has a week off. We plan to go mountain biking a lot while he is off, play, and REST. We want to enjoy the family time and slower schedule.

I don't want to answer the phone for fear it is someone who needs me to do something. I have a few offers to meet friends for coffee or at the park, but I just need to be careful to not suddenly have a full schedule again-even though it is all fun stuff. I want the break to go SLOW..........and to rest and refresh my mind, spirit, body. Our Bible study is off for a week and we have no piano lessons for two weeks. I have a stack of books to read and a new exercise video to try out. We have bikes to ride, parks to visit. Staying up late, sleeping in.

Ahhhhhh I feel myself relaxing already.

Food for Thought

2009-03-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at Sunday School, our teacher made a comment that has stuck with me.

Straying away from God is natural, staying grounded and close to Him takes work.

That is such a great statement. We sort of think it is the straying that would take work, that it would be obvious and we could easily avoid it.

It is true, staying grounded and close to God does take a lot of work, it is GREAT work, but it is hard. It is a daily thing, needing to pay close attention to giving God quality time and effort. Keeping holiness at the front of our minds so we make good choices moment by moment.

You have to be focused and intentional. Satan will use distraction as a means of straying away from God.......have you ever been on a floaty in the lake or ocean...you just relax a little bit and before you know it you are way out there, far from shore. I think that is just like Satan, when you aren't paying attention, you slowly drift, little by little. You don't realize it, because you are busy enjoying the view and drifting off in your mind, heart, and in your life-being distracted by life and all there is to do.

Proverbs 10:25 The righteous stand firm forever.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

2009-03-26T05:16:00.001-07:00

What is with the messes lately?

I can't get away from them.

Last week I spilled Cranberry Juice down the front of the inside of my fridge. It took FOREVER to clean up. It was a sticky mess.

I think I cleaned up 5 episodes of cat puke last week alone.

Yesterday my son broke a plate as he was getting it down from the cupboard and it shattered in a million pieces all over, at the same time he flipped the spoon I had been using to stir the chili in the crock pot and it flung chili all over the walls and cupboards.

Then, not 2 hours later.......I was trying to hurry and make muffins for my family and I was digging in the spice cupboard and the container of corn meal fell out and spilled all over the counter and the floor. That stuff makes a MESS.

Earlier this week was the biggest mess of all; my son begged to make muffins all by himself, I agreed...he did a great job UNTIL he went to place the filled muffin pan into the hot oven and he dropped the muffin pan UPSIDE DOWN in the oven......the spilled muffins were all over the inside of the oven and the oven door BAKING!!!!! I'm still trying to fully clean up that mess.

These messes don't include the time last week when the neighbor's dog got into our trash and drug it all over our garage and yard. The time my diet Pepsi spilled on the carpet, and cleaning up the toothpaste on the bathroom rug.

Wonder what today will bring?

These are the Days!

2009-03-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

Wow parenting isn't for wimps!

Being a stay at home mom and homeschooling mom can kick your buns some days. I feel like I talk talk talk talk all day long.....

Braden please don't sing opera at 7 a.m.

Brooklyn please stop bugging the cat.

Stay on task.

Get your work done.

Is your math done?

Go outside and play.

Yes, you can have a snack.

On and on and on it goes......sometimes by the time my husband comes home from work at night, I'm so talked out I just feel like going straight to bed and staring up at the ceiling with a blank stare....and I don't want to chat. :)

In the mornings, I need a few minutes of quiet before my crazy begins.....the kids don't see it that way, they like to start the morning by jumping right in, being LOUD, slurping their Cheerios, and SINGING OPERA. It takes a lot of willpower for me to just be calm, count to ten (or twenty) and just ask them to be quiet for a little while.

Right now my kids are playing with a balloon in the hallway, being loud, diving, laughing........I'm thankful they are healthy and can play and that they have energy. I suppose in a few short years I'll have a house full of quiet, when they are gone and moving on with their lives. I'll be thankful for the noise while I have it.

The Birthday Sharer

2009-03-18T06:25:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAILEY

This is my beautiful niece Hailey. We share a birthday together (March 21).

This year she will be 16 years old.

Hailey lives in Wyoming and I live in Michigan, but we try really hard to keep in touch through emails, phone calls, and text messaging. :)

One of the many reasons I love to go back home to Wyoming is to see Hailey. She has such a funny sense of humor. She is meek and quiet, she loves God with her whole heart. She is passionate about horses and photography. She is a loving sister to her 8 brothers and sisters. She makes an awesome lemon merengue pie! She is thoughtful, wise, patient, helpful, and a perfect example of how a teenager doesn't have to be rebellious and sassy.

Hailey, I will always cherish the summer you and I got to take a long evening horseback ride in the mountains all by ourselves at the ranch. What a great bonding time that was! We both love the outdoors so much and to share that with you was really special.

Hailey hates to be the center of attention, so she is hating that I'm highlighting her on my blog today (Hi Hailey) but I wanted to honor her and tell her I love having her as a birthday sharer. And as a private, inside joke, Hailey...I'm sure you are asking yourself "WHY" as you read this post today. :)

I love you so much Hailey, happy 16th birthday!

The Truth Project

2009-03-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday our family gets together with 4 other families from church to have a meal and then the adults participate in Focus on the Family's THE TRUTH PROJECT.

Each week each family trades off bringing a part of the meal. This week we had "breakfast night" and our family brought the main dish (egg bakes) and the 4 other families brought drinks, side dishes, and dessert.

We have 12 kids between all of us, and I love that kids are welcome and can see their parents praying together and doing a Bible study together.

We all eat dinner and then the kids go downstairs to play and we have 2 girls from our church that come each week and eat with us and then they babysit all of the kids.

We share prayer requests, pray, then we watch The Truth Project DVD for that week. There are 14 weeks total, we are on week 6. This is an OUTSTANDING study. They are about an hour long. After we watch, we discuss what we just learned. We always have such great conversations. Our family looks forward to this night each week. It is so great to spend time with other people who are like minded and learn together.

To learn more about The Truth Project, you can go to Focus on the Family's website at
Focusonthefamily.com enter The Truth Project in the search bar.

Repent and Be Baptized

2009-03-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."

This is my daughter -age 10 being baptized by our pastor. This is a horrible picture. We video taped it and you can see really well on there. She is reading her testimony in front of the church congregation here. I especially loved that our kids, who are twins, wanted to be baptized at the same time. Our son comes next.

Here is our son. He started his testimony off with, "Jesus says to be baptized, so I want to be baptized." He knows it isn't for salvation, but it is an act of obedience, a public declaration of your faith.

I thanked God all night long, that I had the privilege as a mother, to see my children take this step.

Our family attended a different church for 12 years. My husband went to church with us, but was not saved yet. Things started to get stagnant at that church. The pastor rarely seemed to open his Bible and teach from it, we heard more personal stories than truth from God's Word. God started to speak to my heart about changing churches, but after 12 years at the same church I was afraid. People get comfortable and resist change. I was afraid my husband wouldn't want to change churches, since this was all he had known. But God kept after my heart. I KNEW we needed to leave, and God very clearly spoke to my heart one day, saying, "The salvation of your husband and children depend on this move." Then I knew we had to leave.

I approached my husband and told him what I was thinking, but didn't tell him what God had spoken to me. He told me he had been feeling the need to change churches too. AMAZING!!!!!!!!

We prayed so hard that God would lead us to the right Bible preaching church, one that boldly, without hesitation preached the truth. I desperately didn't want to be homeless- and church hopping, I needed to find our church home right away.....and God was so faithful. He led us to the church we currently attend, and the MINUTE we walked in, we both knew that was our church home. Our pastor is a godly and wise man, who boldly preaches the truth each and every Sunday. We are all very involved there and have developed very meaningful relationships.

God is faithful and His purpose prevails, because last night I felt like His promise to me, "The salvation of your husband and children depend on it" came to pass. A year after stepping foot into our new church, on Christmas eve. my husband was saved, and he was baptized on March 7, 2007. My children accepted Christ when they were 7 years old, and last night, on March 8, 2009 they were baptized.

What is God telling you to do that you are resisting? Maybe you are fearful, maybe you don't know all of the facts so you aren't moving......I'm here to tell you, when God speaks to you, OBEY right away.....great blessings are in store.

Psalm 33:11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.

I've fallen and I can't get up!

2009-03-07T13:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday it was 64 degrees in Michigan and very nice! I had endless energy. I got so much done.

Today it is cold and rainy- I can't get off the couch. I've taken 3 naps so far. I'm not even kidding.

Now, to give credit to myself- I did get up at 5:30 a.m. like I do every single Saturday morning, to go to Bible study. I get home at 9:30 and usually I am motivated and ready to go.

Not today. Nope. I can't get it together. Our whole household is lazy today, including the pets. It is the perfect day for that I guess. Rain does that to people.

My husband went over the kids' math from yesterday. We homeschool and my husband is in charge of the math. 5th grade math is over my head. He has a math and physics degree, so it is up to him to teach fractions and percents. This is his accomplishment for the day-doing math with the kids. Math gives me a head pain!

I did do some Bible study and we watched a movie together. But beyond that......NOTHING.

I don't really plan to get off of the couch anytime soon. My husband and I planned to go on a date tonight, but he is still in his pajamas. :) He just came upstairs and suggested we get pizzas and call it a night. Now you are talkin!

Don't forget to SPRING FORWARD. There is no SPRING anywhere around me today....not in the weather or my steps. At least something will be springing!

I'm a Rebel

2009-03-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

I'm a rebel. I don't mean to be ...I just am.

I think people will gasp when they read the list of things I've never done- I'm almost anti-American.

1. I've never had coffee ..and don't plan to at this point in my life. I'd probably like it with all the fancy creamers, but why start now?

2. I've never watched LOST (this show seems to have a huge number of fans-I'd maybe like it, I just don't want to get sucked in-so I never started watching. I'm a bit curious about the hoopla.)

3. I've never watched The Bachelor. (Again...anti-American-it seems everyone watches this) I thought the idea of it was dorky so I never started to watch......again, to not get sucked in.

4. I hate Sushi (blah)

5. I've never watched 24. Again, huge fan base-I always have Bible study the night it is on, so I never could watch.

6. I really don't like TV all that much....I'm sort of ADD with TV. Too many other things to do. I barely can sit and watch a movie with my husband. My mind wanders and I miss half of the movie. Every so often, I enjoy one, but rarely. ( I do love the Jason Bourne movies and I focus and pay attention during those. :) )

7. I don't really like meat. I eat chicken and turkey a lot, but I'm not into red meat. Steak sort of grosses me out. Sometimes I'm in the mood for it, but not very often.

8. This one will shock America. I don't really like to shop. GASP! If I have a purpose, a need, I go and get exactly what I need, maybe browse quickly, but that is the extent of it. I NEVER just go to the mall and wander....I always have to have a purpose and goal. I go right in, get what I need and GET OUT.

9. Now...BOOKS....I could browse and shop for books for HOURS. (And I do.)

10. Finally.....my kids have no clue who popular teen stars are.....and we are trying to keep it that way. They have never even heard of Brittney Spears (she isn't a teen-I realize), they don't watch Hannah Montana, I don't even know who to mention in this post because we just don't watch those types of shows.....they do know who Lassie is, Laura Ingalls, and Tom and Jerry :)

I have my own addictions. Diet Coke, pasta, reading, exercise, Peanut M&Ms, Chinese Food......

To add to the random blabbing- my kids (age 10) are getting baptized at church on Sunday night. I'm so excited for them. They asked to be, after hearing a sermon on the book of Acts. It sparked great conversation. We took them to baptism classes at church so they would learn the reasons why you should get baptized, what it means, and what it doesn't mean. They prepared their testimonies and spoke privately with the pastor. They are ready. We feel they fully understand and it is of their own choice- so they are ready! I'm praying that this will be a special thing between them and Jesus. I pray they will feel His presence.

God's Will

2009-03-01T13:21:00.001-08:00

I LOVE Sundays. I love learning more about God and I love worshipping Him. I really love being around like minded people who love God too. Our church is such an inspiring place to be. As big as it is, everyone really makes an effort to get to know other people and try to notice the new people.

Today in Sunday School we were asked, "How confident are you that you are in God's will at this time of your life?"
1. Not at all confident
2. Fairly confident
3. Very confident

For once I felt I could answer that with a VERY CONFIDENT. I know I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing right now. That feels really great. I don't have a lack of peace about any areas in my life right now.

I know I'm supposed to be homeschooling my kids. I know I'm supposed to be at the church I'm at, in the Bible study I'm in. I know I'm supposed to be in my role at church (on the medical response team, leading a women's Bible study in the summer, and teaching Sunday School for kids in the summer.) I know I'm supposed to be growing in my relationship with my husband, working on submission and respect. I know I'm supposed to be a prayer warrior and growing spiritually. I know I'm supposed to be guiding my children and protecting them from worldly things. Teaching them diligence and values. My family is my primary ministry during this season of my life. I can't let anything distract me from that.

When I don't have peace about an area, that is when I know I'm suppose to change directions and seek God's direction again. But, for now, I love the peace that comes from being right where I'm supposed to be.

Our Sunday School teacher said many people don't even know God's will for their lives, so how can they know if they are in it?

Colossians 1:9 helps to sum up God's will for us:
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience...............

Find out what God's will is and then ask yourself often if you are in it. I love walking so closely with God that I know when he prompts me to change direction, pull out of something, add something in, change something, do something. I love the gentle ways he convicts me of sin, or urges me to pray for someone. I'm trying to tune in and hear his still, soft voice.

Thawing Out

2009-02-28T13:21:00.001-08:00

Finally we see some sun in Michigan! All of the snow we have had has almost melted away. Everything is soaked, brown, and lifeless, but at least the sun is shining.

I've been reading some great books lately. I love to read, however I go through spurts. I will read one book after another at a really fast pace, then I burn out and down pick up another book for months.

I just read Three Cups of Tea and now I'm reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. I suggest both of them!

I've been such a homebody lately. I love to be home, especially when it is cold and snowing out. I have no desire to be out and about in the crowds, ducking from the germs that are going around. The only places I tend to go are the Y for my workouts and church and Bible study. Once nice weather hits, I usually like to be on the go, taking the kids to the park or going bike riding. For now, I enjoy a slower pace. My kids seem to enjoy it too. They are content to play with their Legos or Knex. They find things to do.

We are in the last few weeks of hibernation. Soon I'll be getting my garden ready, weeding, mowing the 3 acres we have, tending to my rose garden. Summer is busy. I'm going to savor the slower season. I like to get my house in order before summer hits. I go through closets and drawers. I am ruthless with getting rid of stuff. I'm not a pack rat at all. I go way the other way, and throw stuff out that would make people gasp! I hate clutter. I like everything to be caught up and organized and then when summer hits I focus on outside chores.

For now, I'll stay inside snuggled in a blanket with a cat on my lap. I'll be a book worm and enjoy life until we thaw out and slave labor begins again. :) Happy Saturday!

Changing Grumble into Grateful

2009-02-23T06:22:00.000-08:00

The sun is shining in Michigan. That is a rare thing around these parts. Usually during the winter it is gloomy and cloudy.

I've been in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) for 9 years. This year we are studying the Life of Moses. We are currently in Numbers when the Israelites grumble about not having meat and wishing they could go back to Egypt. I'm a children's leader for BSF-I teach 1st and 2nd graders. Tonight at BSF we will be talking a lot about grumbling verses being grateful. I've been very convicted lately about grumbling. I grumble a lot about laundry-it never goes away. But, I need to be grateful (the opposite of grumbling) that I have clothes, a washing machine, a family who wears the clothes. It is all about perspective!

I thought I'd do a post about things I love and am grateful for. I want to be a person who sees the cup half full, and appreciates the things I have, big or small. I'm going to change my grumble to grateful!

Things I'm Thankful For:

1. My husband's job (We know many people who have lost their jobs -I'm very thankful.)
2. Being a stay at home mother/homeschooling mother.
3. Having freedom to go to church and read our Bibles.
4. Having healthy kids (We currently have several friends who have children with cancer or serious illness.)
5. That we have 2 vehicles-so I have the freedom to go places during the day.
6. That I have a healthy and happy marriage. (Again, I currently have a few friends who are going through serious marital problems.)
7. That we have a church that preaches the truth.
8. That we live in a state that is so homeschool friendly.
9. That we are not in debt.
10. That I have peace, contentment, and joy.

Changing grumbles into grateful all starts with my attitude, and how I choose to see things.

Dark Days

2009-02-15T16:10:00.001-08:00

I've been watching CNN for updates on the plane crash in Buffalo, NY. I have such compassion for the families of the victims.

My dad died in a plane crash 15 years ago. I know what they are feeling. When I hear of a plane crash, my heart skips a beat, and I just feel such sadness.

My dad was a pilot. He flew an air ambulance in Wyoming. The night he died, he wasn't even on call to fly, but he took the call anyway and went. He was flying home from a small town in Wyoming with a critical heart patient, a paramedic and a flight nurse. He was 3 minutes from the airport. The air traffic controllers lost them on radar. There was no mayday call or signs of problems. They were just gone. The weather had suddenly turned bad. It was April 6, and there was a sudden snow storm. It caught them all off guard. My dad had flown in that type of weather so many times, he was very skilled. He was a flight instructor so he knew how to get around it. The airport was unable to send search parties out to see if they could see the plane anywhere, because the weather was so bad. They needed to wait until the weather cleared.

We waited almost 8 hours-all day long, to hear news. All we knew was their plane had been lost on radar. It was the worst 8 hours of my life. Waiting, wondering, praying.....I pictured my dad sitting in the middle of no-where waiting for search parties to come and get him. I figured he just landed the plane because of the bad weather...I was in denial. My mom and sister knew he was dead, they just felt it. I didn't.

8 hours later, a helicopter was sent out and in a short time we heard the news. They found the plane. It had crashed into the side of a mountain. All were dead. I was devastated and shocked. I ran to the bathroom and threw up. It was the worst time of my life.

My dad died 5 months before my wedding. My fiance and I flew back to Wyoming for the funeral and to be with my sister and mom. One of the hardest things I've had to do was board a plane right after my dad died in the crash. I was so scared and felt a sense of panic. I cried the whole way home.

During the week we were home for my dad's funeral, we had the opportunity to board a helicopter and go to the crash site. By this time the NTSB had removed the plane. We just HAD to go....we needed to go there and see where he crashed. I can't explain it. We landed and saw a charred mountain ridge. It was very hard. We were all in shock so things didn't really register...we were walking zombies really. The heavy snow that was on the ground the day he died, had all melted now. We walked all around, each of us on our own. We each tried to deal with this tragedy. As I walked in one area, I looked down and saw something glimmer in the sun. I stooped down to see what it was, and it was a watch. It was my dad's watch. This was a MIRACLE and God's personal blessing to me. It was in great condition other than a broken clasp. My dad was wearing it at the time of the crash. I have no idea how it ended up where I found it, and in such great shape. It was a miracle I just happened to look down and it glistened in the sunlight to catch my eye. I treasure it. I carried it on my wedding day. It is one of my dearest and personal possessions. It helped me to cope and it made me feel like my dad was with me on my wedding day.

The NTSB investigated the crash and a year or so later we found out that the de-icers were not working properly on the plane.

It has been 15 years since this day. I still remember every minute of it. I remember every emotion. I have such sympathy for the families of the plane crash victims from this week. I've been praying for them. Dark days turn to happy days again. It just takes time and God's healing touch.

Party Prep

2009-02-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

My daughter and I have been very busy over the last few days. We have been planning a nice Valentine dinner for my husband and son for tonight.
It all started with homemade invitations.

We gave these to my husband and son on Wednesday so they could prepare their schedules for the party on Friday night.

Yesterday Brooklyn made place mats and table decorations.We planned our menu. Brooklyn chose baked white fish with lemon, homemade macaroni and cheese, cheese biscuits and heart shaped brownies and ice cream for desert.

Next we cleaned the house. (Braden got in on the action)
Next Brooklyn and I went to the store and purchased all of our items for dinner. Then we baked the brownies and set the table.

Now we just have to wait until my husband gets home from work and we will serve the boys a nice Valentine's dinner. My daughter has loved planning this all by herself. I hope it teaches her to enjoy serving others. I want our home to be filled with happy memories. It is a lot of extra work for a busy homeschooling mother, but it is so worth it.

Valentine's Day

2009-02-09T05:40:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to be intentional with teaching my kids how to love and serve others. I really want that to start within our own family.

I came up with a fun idea for my daughter and I to do together this week. We are going to plan a nice Valentine's dinner for my husband and my son. We will make homemade invitations to invite the men in our lives to come to a Valentine Party on Friday night. Brooklyn and I will scour the cookbooks to find a nice meal to make them, and we will go to the grocery store together to find all of the items we need. We will make all of our decorations and table settings. On Friday we will work together to create a beautiful table and environment. My daughter really loves to do this type of thing, and I hope this will create in her the desire to make her future home a sanctuary and place of love. It all starts right here, with our own family. Serving them and doing something special together. I want my kids to see their brother/sister relationship and special and a blessing. I want them to enjoy spending time together (they do) and learn to do special and loving things for each other. I believe, if they can start there, then serving their own husband, wife, and children someday, will come easily.

I'll have pictures after the big party on Friday. I hope you will come up with fun ways to show your own families how much you love them and how special they are.

Bad Economy Doesn't Have to Mean Bad Hair!

2009-02-02T10:28:00.001-08:00

Times are tough for people, especially those in Michigan (where I live.) My husband is one of the bosses at his company and this year they had to lay people off for the first time ever. We are not sure what this next year may bring, so we are in conservation mode at our home in terms of finances. We are just being very careful and thinking before we spend. We would rather have money in the bank than "stuff".

Being the Proverbs 31 woman that I strive to be :) I'm doing my part. I usually get my hair cut every 5 weeks-so I changed that to every 8. I go to a really nice place to get my hair cut, I think my hair girl, Kathy does a great job. I'm willing to go cheaper, but feel since I changed to every 8, I'm already saving money. I used to get my hair colored every 8 weeks-but decided I could save a bunch of money and do it myself. (eeeek) My hair lady tried really hard to change my mind on this. She said she had never seen any one's hair look right, after they did it on their own, plus it is always dry and frizzy. (Scare tactics.) This decision saves me $40 every 8 weeks. I think that is a wise move.

I hit the store and studied my options. I decided on Clairol Natural Instincts. 20-B Cinnamon Stick. This color seemed close to the color Kathy used on me. It was normally$9.50, on sale for $5.50 and I had a $3.00 coupon. So for 2 bucks I could have hair color????? That seems like a no brainer. It was really easy to use and I think the color looks great. It is really even and shiny and my hair feels really soft. I can't tell a difference. I'm feeling quite proud of my frugal-ness!

Next I decided the very expensive vitamins have to go. We are big into vitamins at our house. My husband, the kids and I take them every single day. We spent big bucks on good vitamins (because our Dr. encouraged us to buy the expensive kind-that you can only purchase from a Dr.'s office). Hmmmm.....do you think this is a ploy? We spent about $100 to get all of our vitamins and they do last about 2-3 months, but still.....

The store I shop at had a "Buy one get one free" deal on good vitamins. I went for it. I spent $30 instead of $100. That seems like a deal to me. We will see if we notice much of a difference, but how can you really tell the expensive vitamins verses the cheaper brands?

I really want your opinions on if more expensive is always better? I'm starting to wonder. I've purchased salon brand shampoos that are SOOO EXPENSIVE before and don't really see much of a difference from good old Pantene products.

Something to ponder....but for now, I'm feeling happy I have good hair in a bad economy and extra money in savings because I made a few small changes. For the record, I'm never willing to give up my Diet Coke for a cheap version. I draw the line right there!

Sensitivity

2009-01-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

I have a love/hate relationship with my sensitivity. On one hand, I'm extremely compassionate. I love deeply. I feel things at a deep level. A simple news story will send me to my knees in prayer for days. I feel so badly for people going through pain, hardships, or turmoil. I HATE when people hurt. I want to FIX IT ALL right now. I lose sleep often, pondering how I can fix someones troubles or help them. I try to be intentional with showing my love to people and I try to find tangible ways to make a difference.

On the other hand I am completely sensitive and my feelings can get hurt so quickly. Today I'm struggling with such a dumb thing, I can't even post about it, because you would laugh. But someone hurt my feelings and it bummed me out. It was something said in passing and I'm not even sure how it was meant, probably not in a malicious way. I still take things so darn personal that I'll spend the next five hours trying to figure it all out. I hate that I'm such a people pleaser sometimes. I hate that I don't have thick skin and can't brush things off so quickly and easily.

Another friend said something to me a few weeks ago, that I'm still thinking about. It hurt my feelings then and it still does. I'm sure she wouldn't even remember she said it. Why do I waste my time on this stuff? I'll move on, in time. I try to not hold a grudge. I try to not repay hurtful words with hurtful words. I don't ever bother to tell the people they have hurt me.....I wonder why that is? I hate confrontation and I hate to cause a stir...so I drop it with them, but the wounds stay with me for awhile.

I'm glad Jesus understands that words hurt. I'm glad He knows my heart and can help me move forward and forgive and forget. In my own power I can't....so I rely on His perspective and what He thinks of me more that what others think. But is it too much to ask that people THINK BEFORE THEY SPEAK and speak life and encouraging words to people? I want to be that kind of a person. Build up rather than tear down!

Peace and Quiet

2009-01-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

Some days (most days) it is hard for a mom to get peace and quiet. Since we homeschool, I'm with my kids nearly 24/7. It is a blessing and I love it, however,some days, I just want to finish my thoughts. I try to do my Bible study and I get interrupted 10 times. I go to the Y to workout for just an hour and I get 3 cell calls. I dedicate my life to my family, and my kids are very important to me. I know in a few short years, the house will be so quiet, I won't know what to do with myself. I'll have too much time to think. I'll miss the days when there was constant wrestling, requests for things, questions, and stories to tell.

I'm keeping that in mind, when I get frustrated. When the weather is so cold, that we can't venture out much, I am trying to cherish my time with my precious kids. I'm thinking of my new blog friend, Krysta who wants a baby so badly and would LOVE to hear "Mom" a million times a day. It is all about perspective. I'm choosing to have a happy heart and enjoy the interruptions. I'm choosing to respond in a kind way, and to smile and enjoy the ride.

I have a heavy heart today. I've gotten many prayer requests via email today and many of the situations are down right depressing. I'm going to sneak down into our guest room later and spend time with God. I'll take the burdens of these prayer requests to Him and leave them there. Knowing He is in control and will answer them, according to His perfect time and perfect will.

I wonder how many times little hands will knock on the door to ask me a question. How many times to I interrupt what God is doing to ask Him a question and tell Him something. He never grows weary of me or my questions or requests.

The Secret Service

2009-01-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

As I watch the Inauguration, I enjoy keeping my eyes on the Secret Service. For a few brief hours this past summer, our family had a great opportunity to meet VP Dick Cheney and his Secret Service. Mr. Cheney is from my hometown of Casper, Wyoming. He has many friends there and he went to Casper over the summer to have a small fundraiser for the Republican Party. My kids and I (my husband had to stay behind in Michigan to work) got to attend along with my sister and her husband and family. This is a picture from that visit. There was only about 50 people at the fundraiser so we got an up close and personal visit with the VP and had an hour prior to his visit, to meet with his Secret Service and ask questions.

This is my daughter and VP Cheney. He was very nice and really enjoyed the kids. He shook their hand and they could get a picture with him. Mr. Cheney's wife Lynn was there, along with their granddaughter. It was really exciting to meet them all.

The best part for me, was the Secret Service. I love all that CIA/FBI/secret agent stuff. We had to get security clearance a few weeks prior to the event. They did background checks on everyone. A few days prior to VP Cheney coming in, the Secret Service arrived in their black Suburbans and scoped out the place. My sister and her family live on a large piece of land along with their in laws (good friends of the Cheney's since high school) and other family members. They have a huge, very nice barn and meeting room right on their land, and that is where the event was held-so we got to see all the action.)
Huge bails of hay were set up at the entrance to the barn, so when the limo carrying the VP arrived, they could back it right up to the hay maze and he would get out and be protected. They set up many phone lines in the barn area. One that had a direct line to the White House. They cleared out many rooms in the barn, for safety reasons. They set up a sitting area, that was safe and protected, should the VP need a private area to rest. They sent Secret Service along the route the VP would take from the airport, to check for areas that they may need extra security. All bridges would be blocked off and police would be stationed under the bridge in the water for protection. Secret Service planned out a direct course to the hospital and closed off a wing there, should he need to be rushed there in case of any emergency. Some of his staff arrived a few days early and began to set up all the communications and the stage area where he would speak.

We learned that when the new VP and President come into office, they are weighed and measured and at least three custom podiums are made for each one. The one above is for smaller events, you can see the skinny base. It is made of solid lead and is bullet proof. If they speak at a large event, they have a full body podium, where they can hide behind it, in the event of an emergency. I thought that was really interesting.

The seal of the VP is not placed on the front of the podium UNTIL the VP is ready to use the podium. You can see in the picture above, it is not there yet.

The day of the event all of the Secret Service arrived early with dogs and combed the place for explosives and other things. We sat on my sister's front porch and watched the sniper gear up and climb the hill behind my sister's house and get into position. He looked EXACTLY like sagebrush. You would have never known he was there. We had to all go through security screening before going into the barn area. Everyone had to go inside when the motorcade arrived.

The Secret Service men and women were very nice. They smiled and gave special Secret Service pins to the kids. But, when the VP arrived they were ALL BUSINESS. They were very alert and watched every move you made. It was very exciting and an honor to be there. I'm thankful for the once in a lifetime opportunity.

I can't imagine all of the security details going on for President Obama. I'd love to know the inside scoop!

My Sister

2009-01-19T11:41:00.000-08:00

I spent a wonderful and peaceful 8 days in Mexico (Cancun) with my best friend in all the world (my sister) and 4 other friends. My sweet husband stayed home and took the time off of work to be with our kids. My sister's husband did the same. God bless him, because they have NINE CHILDREN. :) (9 great children...but still NINE children.) Our husbands rock, because they totally support our sister relationship.

My sister and I laugh at things that would bore the average person. We find humor in almost every situation. We have the same minds. We would be talking, and I would say a sentence and she would marvel that she was JUST THINKING THE SAME THING. That happened a lot while we were there. I love that.

I'm 42 years old, my sister is 41. So we are very close in age. We have always been close (except turmoil years in high school, when we used to chase each other around the house with sharp objects and when I would sneak clothes out of her closet and wear them to school and she would bust me and chase me down the halls of our high school yelling at me to, "Get it off NOW!") We laugh about those years. I have scars to prove our love. :)

She lives in Wyoming, I live in Michigan. So you know when we get together, it is a TALK FEST. I apologize to the nice couple who we sat next to almost daily (just by accident) on the beach. They probably were hoping for a nice, quiet rest in beach chairs, listening to the sound of the waves splashing...however, what they got was two sisters gabbing NON STOP. I'm sorry!

We had a 80's party in our hotel room (just me and my sister) one night...we had fake microphones and sang to silly songs on our Ipod. MATURE I know...but that is how we do things.

We got up daily at 6 a.m. to exercise. We exercised 6 days while we were there. Is that normal?

We had great quiet time, pondering what God was doing in each of our lives. Thinking through how we wanted our new year to look. Talking through how we could be better mothers and wives. We shared Scripture and things God was showing us.

I'm so blessed to have a sister that knows my heart and loves me for who I am. I adore her, and she is one of God's greatest blessings to me!

Friday Updates

2008-12-12T07:00:00.001-08:00

Our new pet, Willow is doing great. She has spunk and energy. I like that about a pet. Taking care of people and animals makes me happy. I'm sure that is why I went into the nursing field. Now I take care of kids and animals all day. My husband said we should get our own TLC program: Chuck and Kelly plus Eight (2 kids and 6 pets.)

I'm not sure if my cat wants to be friends or have Willow for lunch? We are being very careful just incase.

Yesterday, I almost drove off of the road trying to swirve and miss a squirrel. It ran right out in front of me. The roads were really snowy and slushy and I slid onto the shoulder of the road and almost spun out. Hope the squirrel appreciates me.

I think it is funny, I'm such a HUGE pet lover yet I'm married to this:

This is my husband and son. We went to Wyoming (where I'm from) for Thanksgiving and went along with my brother in law to watch him hunt for Elk.

If you can't beat em' join em'

I went along too, because I LOVE the outdoors, love the mountains, and love hiking. We saw A LOT of Elk, but couldn't ever get close enough for a shot. (Oh darn.) If they did, I would have just put my fingers in my ears -done the "La La La La...I can't hear you shooting an animal" thing and closed my eyes.

I LOVED IT so much. I love trying to find them in such a wide open space. Looking for tracks. Looking for them through binoculars. I felt like James Bond. Then we would see some from 300 yards away and sneak sneak sneak to where they were. It was so much fun and so EXHAUSTING. We hiked up some big mountains. The Elk totally had the advantage.

They are huge and a beautiful part of God's creation.

Happy Friday and spay or neuter your pet! :)

Why Volunteering is Bad!

2008-12-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Brooklyn and I volunteer each week at the Humane Society. We are HUGE pet lovers. We really enjoy doing this together. We are part of the TLC team there, and we provide lots of love and attention to all of the pets. We take the dogs outside to sniff and on a little walk. We play with the little kittens. We play with the pups. It is so much fun.

It is so heartwarming to go there. The animals are SO HAPPY to see people. They wag their tails, they jump up and down, and when we go into their kennels, they climb all over us and try to get their whole bodies onto our laps. They have so much love and they just want love in return.

Well...now to why volunteering is bad.

MEET MY NEW PET!
I'm a sucker.

This is Willow. She is only 6 weeks old and was born at the H. Society. Her mom is still there. Brooklyn and I totally fell in love with her. She loves to snuggle. She has been handled a lot so she really enjoys being held. We already have 4 cats and a bird. Oh ...what is just one more pet?

My husband totally approved the purchase. Bless his heart! He understands me and my sickness with animals. Brooklyn and I totally high fived as we drove home with Willow, our new pet.

She completes me. (Until the next time I go volunteer and find another pet I MUST HAVE)

The Final Chapter-The Birth Story

2008-12-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to the final chapter of A Birth Story.

Sorry to have kept you on the edge of your seat (or not.)

I left off at going into labor on July 3. Imagine breathing, epidurals, pain, and a long night, and that gets us to July 4.

Because baby A (my daughter) was positioned correctly in the birth canal (that being head down) I was able to have a natural delivery. Baby B (my son) was breech (is that how you spell that?) but they said not to worry, they could "turn him" in utero. OUCH...but okay, you are the physician. Do what you gotta do!

I gave birth to my daughter first, and she was just so CUTE! I had one second to peek at her, and had to move on to having baby two. Baby boy was breech still so they turned him with a mighty force and it HURT! They did a quick ultrasound to make sure he was in the proper position and then turned to put on new sterile gloves (thanks) and in that short moment of time, he flipped to breech again and came flying out FEET FIRST. He got stuck with his shoulders above his head IN MY BIRTH CANAL (ouch). The whole situation became a huge emergency. They shoved my poor husband out the door, the room became a frenzy of rushing and medical terminology you never want to hear. Being a nurse, I understood every single word they were saying...."call the code team" " call the NICU" I saw the Dr.'s faces and I just knew it was a serious moment. The last thing I remember was calling out to Jesus to save my baby.

I woke up a few hours later in recovery and saw all of my family all around me. I wondered why they would let so many people in my recovery room, and then instantly thought my baby boy had died. I found out that he was alive and doing okay. ALL PRAISE TO GOD.

He had gotten stuck in a dangerous breech position, this was the first time my OB Dr. had delivered a baby in that particular breech position. Her job was to hold the umbilical cord so it would not prolapse and cause brain damage. Another Dr. rushed in and had to break my baby's arm to get him out. He had an apgar score of 2 and had to be intubated at delivery. Meanwhile, I had a HUGE grapefruit size hematoma from all of the trauma. OUCH again. We all stayed in the hospital 5 days. My son was in the NICU the whole time, but my daughter was in the regular nursery and we got to spend a lot of time with her in my room. I went up to see my baby boy as much as I could (but had to go via wheel chair because I could not walk due to the hematoma.)

The twins weights were 6#9 oz (boy) 5#9oz girl- HELLO that is more than12 pounds of baby in there!

I'm thankful every day that God spared my son and that he is now ten years old. Our kids are the best gift God has given us, beyond His salvation.

Birth Story Part 2

2008-11-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

Greetings!
Sorry I've kept all two of you waiting for part two. :)

As I sit by the fireplace watching the snow fall down, I thought now would be a good time to blog about part two.

So....I last left off with finding out we were having TWINS. Today as I was going into the Y to exercise, a cute mom was going in too, and she was with her cute little twin daughters, about 2 years old, both wearing little pink coats. I held the door for her and she said, "Thank you so much no one does that anymore." I told her I had twins too, so I remember how I needed an extra hand from time to time. We had a quick chat about the blessings of twins, and she was encouraged that I made it through the hard years of having little tots. :)

Okay..so back to the story. So..I left off being in SHOCK that I was FINALLY pregnant, after all that waiting, praying, and pleading for a baby. We had an ultrasound appointment within a week after I found out I was pregnant. At this time, I just assumed there was just one baby.

Chuck (my husband) and I went to the appointment, and the whole way I prayed that the baby would be okay. I was only about 5 weeks pregnant. We got there, got all set up for the ultrasound and the Dr. came in. He started the ultrasound and right away said, "Oh there are two!" I didn't get it...I said, "Two what?" He replied with a laugh, "Two babies silly."

WHAT? I was in total shock......you would think after having multiple fertility treatments, I'd possibly get pregnant with more than one baby, but the thought JUST NEVER held in my mind..I just begged and prayed for one baby, never expecting God to bless us with TWO. I looked at Chuck and he had a huge smile on his face, but seemed a bit shocked too. I just couldn't believe it.

There they were...two perfect little sacs of peanut looking babies.....God's gift to us!

I was so happy to call my sister and tell her "I'M HAVING TWINS!" What fun that was, to tell people.

The Dr. wanted us back in one week to re-check the babies. He told us that usually one of the twins won't make it past this next week. I was DEVASTATED to hear that. Once I KNEW there were two babies, I WANTED THEM BOTH so badly. I prayed every single day for God to protect them and save them.

The next week we went back. I was so scared to hear bad news. I was already in love with both of my babies and didn't want to lose either one or both.

The Dr. started the ultrasound again, and this time said, "Oh there are now three" WHAT???? Every time I go, he keeps adding a baby.

So..now I'm pregnant with THREE? I'm scared to go back the next time, and have four, five, when will it end?

I was so grateful my twins were okay, and now I had three....but, the next time we checked the ultrasound, the third baby had not made it. I was so sad, but so thankful the twins were still there. I trusted God with his sovereign control over our lives, and just felt thankful to be given the blessing of twins.

To this day, I still think about that third baby. Wondering what it would have been- a boy or girl. Wondering about what that baby might have looked like and how our lives would be, with triplets. However, I refuse to let sadness overtake me, when I've been so blessed with the twins we got. I am excited to maybe one day, see that baby in heaven.

Well, now our adventure started with being pregnant with twins. I felt great until 7 weeks, and then the throwing up started...but through it all, I would thank God every single day, for the gift of being pregnant. I would throw up constantly and then in the next breath thank God for the gifts.

One time I had to pull the car over on my way to work at the hospital to throw up. I was late to work because I was throwing up. I walked into work looking quite green. I had to run from patient's rooms to go throw up quite often. :) It was a rough time, but I felt so thankful. I really think the years of infertility gave me this outlook, and I'm thankful in hindsight for it.

I started reading the popular book, What to Expect When You are Expecting. Each week it would show the growth and development of the babies. I would pray for each of those developing organs each week. I just felt a huge calling to pray each day and each week for our growing babies.

At 20 weeks, I had to have stitches placed in my cervix. This was preventative so I wouldn't miscarry. My cervix was weak due to the fertility medications and after my Dr. consulted with his fellow Dr.'s they decided this was the best plan for the health of our babies. I was so thankful, once again, to God. When the Dr. went in to do the stitches (an outpatient surgical procedure) I was already dilated to 2 or 3 cm...and any more and I would have miscarried the babies. There would have been nothing they could have done. Any more dilated and they wouldn't have been able to put the stitch in. They caught things in JUST THE RIGHT TIME. I was so thankful! Yet again, God had proven faithful to us.

From here, I had an awesome pregnancy. I felt great. I worked until I was 30 weeks. I was measuring big (normal for twins) ..so at 30 weeks I measured more like 35...I just could not work the long 12 hour nights anymore. Being on my feet all that time was just not good for me or the babies. I started getting getting early contractions and had to go to the ER a few times. Finally, I just had to stop work. I was never on bed rest. I was pretty active at home (moving into our new house just 6 weeks before the babies were born.) I'm kind of like that in life.....I don't sit down for long. Even being huge pregnant with twins, didn't keep me down, sometimes to the dismay of my Dr.'s

At 34 weeks the Dr.'s took the stitches out of my cervix and figured they would see me by the end of the day for delivery. I didn't go into labor until 37 weeks (term for twins.) That is me, always a rebel.

On July 3, 1998 I went into labor and on July 4th delivered twins. The delivery story is QUITE A STORY - I'll tell that next time......my baby boy almost died, and yet again God was faithful to us and our babies. Stay tuned for the final installment of A BIRTH STORY PART 3.

Glory to God. He is faithful. Keep praying for what you desire in your life.....God hears you and will answer in His perfect time.

2008-11-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

Blog Pause

2008-11-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

I interrupt this blog, to just say how annoyed and embarrassed I am for the shallow-ness of some in America......I was at the Y today-sweating on the Elliptical Machine, while watching CNN.....you know what seems to be the important question of the day?

What Michelle Obama's style will be while in the White House. What she will wear, what designer she will choose.

Seriously?

Really?

While people are losing jobs, struggling, without health care, dealing with disease, while Cancer is still without a cure, while we are at war in Iraq?

Luke 6:45 For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Next up; My Birth Story Part Two! :)

Carry On.........

My Birth Story

2008-10-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

Halloween is always special to me. This is the day I GOT PREGNANT!

We had been dealing with infertility for 4 long years. It was a very painful time in my life. I wanted a baby so badly! We had gone through many tests, many treatments and a failed in-vitro. I was personally devastated, when the in-vitro didn't work. I was DONE and didn't want to try anything more. I was at a place, where I thought I'd never have a baby, so I gave up. Thankfully, my husband talked me into one more try. It took me a few months to agree. I finally gave in. I had a very negative attitude during all of the tests and treatments leading up to our final try of having a baby. This was a defense mechanism for sure. I didn't want to go through the pain of getting my hopes up only to be devastated again. We didn't tell ANYONE we were attempting one final try. The first in-vitro attempt, we told EVERYONE, and it was almost more painful to have to tell everyone who loved us and was praying for us, that it didn't work.

So, on Halloween day, 1997 we had our final shot. We both knew if this didn't work, we would be done. Financially and emotionally, we had to be done.

I left it all in God's hands, and I really did feel peace. I had come to terms with the fact that maybe a baby, was not in our future, for a reason. I trusted God and told Him I would praise Him no matter what. I think that was the KEY! Up until that point, I begged, worried, cried, and refused to totally give it all over to God. I was finally at a point, where I knew this was it, and God knew what was best for us.

Two weeks later, it was a Friday-opening day for hunting season. I was working as an RN at the hospital and had to work the whole weekend. We had a Dr.'s appointment that Friday. My husband said he would not go up to his sister's house for opening hunting season that weekend so he could go to the Dr.'s appointment with me. But, I told him "Why bother- I won't be pregnant anyway, and I have to work all weekend, so just go and have fun." I went to the Dr.'s appointment alone, KNOWING I was not pregnant. I had started to feel period type cramps a few days before, signaling to me that my period was coming. This was a sign I knew too well, after all those years of infertility. I knew I wasn't pregnant.

The Dr. wanted me to go for a blood test to see if I was pregnant. He said he needed to know, so I could go off of the Progesterone I was on. He told me to call the lab later, after 5 p.m. for the results to see if I was pregnant. All along, I had a bad and negative attitude. KNOWING I wasn't pregnant. I almost didn't even bother to go to the lab....why bother! I went anyway.

I had to be to work at 7 p.m. The old me, the anxious me, would have called the lab at 5 sharp to get my lab results. But this new me, didn't bother....I didn't call until almost 9 p.m. that night. I was sitting at the nurse's station and decided I might as well call to get the negative results, so I could move on with life.

I called....waited.....the lab lady on the phone said, "You are pregnant". WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I was in SHOCK! I made her repeat it...then I hung up and called back (and got someone different) and got the same results...I'M PREGNANT! I'm sitting at the nurses station....in shock.....with my jaw open. I finally jumped up from my chair and ran to my friend and fellow nurse and jumped on her, and screamed "I'm pregnant" WOW.

I called my husband up at his sister's house....he was asleep. (Hunters go to sleep early, so they can get up at the crack o' dawn to hunt) and I told him WE ARE PREGNANT! He was so happy but said he knew all along it would work this time. (He is so positive.)

Here I am...the happiest day of my entire life...and I'm at WORK ..for the whole weekend....working 7 p.m.-7 a.m. for 3 shifts in a row....with my husband out of town all weekend...but I still celebrated and thanked God for an amazing gift.

Two weeks later..we had an ultrasound..and found out we were having TWINS!

More of the story later.

Blogging Rambles

2008-10-29T10:58:00.000-07:00

Well, just as I predicted, I would have a hard time getting over to the blog to update. (I'm really not sure who I'm updating, because there are only 3 readers.) :)

Homeschooling is an awesome gift, however, wow....it takes diligence and work! This is our 6th year, and it is going really well. I have to really focus on keep our mornings open for SCHOOL ONLY...or we get carried away with other things, and don't do the job we should with our school. I don't answer the phone in the mornings, which helps, and I try and sit near my kids so I'm available to help them. In the past, I would find myself doing jobs around the house and then getting frustrated when they yelled out, "Mom I need help". I need the mornings to be all about them and school, and if I get chores around the house done, great, if not....they are my priority.

Trying to fit exercise in every week is a challenge. I make a point to get up and get my workout clothes on, so I'm ready to run out the door the minute we are done with school (at 1 ish)....then I'm home by 2:30 and hop in the shower...but by then it is 3:30 or so, and the day is 1/2 over. My husband comes home at 5:30 and we eat dinner. He works with the kids on whatever they missed on math during their lesson in the a.m. and then we read or play a game, and they are off to bed. The day goes SO FAST!

Tonight my daughter starts basketball practice, so we add that into our already FULL and busy schedule. But, she really really wanted to play, so I'm happy to cram it in. Tonight, after basketball I have to drop the kids off at our neighbor's church, where they will attend a Harvest party....whew!

I guess this is the season of life we are in.....busy and full lives. It is all good. I'm happy we have such great things to do, and happy I have good energy to do them all. If I didn't exercise, I'd be a slug and have no energy to keep up with my kids and our busy lives.

Finally.......I'm really enjoying BSF this year. BSF is Bible Study Fellowship. We have been a part of this for 9 years. I've been teaching the children in the children's program for 3 years. This year we are studying the life of Moses. I have 16 little 1st and 2nd graders in my BSF class this year. I adore them all. They are so excited to learn! My kids have been in BSF since they were 2 years old (they are 10 now.) I'm so very thankful for all they learn each week. We study the Bible together, and this year they are able to work on their homework on their own. It is teaching them to have a daily time in God's Word. I love that.

So, those are my rambles. Is anyone out there........reading my rambles?
Happy Fall!

Running like the wind.

2008-10-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

Lately I've felt like I've been running like the wind in life. There is always so much to do. I'm a perfectionist, so I always struggle with needing everything to be in its place, having a clean house, being caught up with laundry, serving healthy meals to my family, exercising, and on and on it goes. I place impossible standards on myself, and it drives me nuts. At least I'm aware of it, right?

I'm such a freak that I'm already buying Christmas gifts. I just hate for Christmas to sneak up on me, and for me to rush rush rush through the season and not be able to enjoy it and celebrate the reason we celebrate. We take 2-3 weeks off from our homeschooling in December, so I don't want to be out shopping with all the crazy people and crowds. I'd rather be at home, with a fire in the fireplace, reading to the kids.

It is hard to balance life and be a good wife, mother, sister, friend, daughter in-law, servant of the Most High God, and on and on the list goes.

I want to make the most of my days, and use my time wisely. Sometimes I just want to STOP being productive and just BE STILL and relax.

I'm a work in progress! I'm trying to be aware and intentional with all I do. Cutting out things that don't have eternal purpose.

Sin

2008-10-05T15:36:00.001-07:00

Church was so good today. Our pastor taught about the four words for sin that are used in the Bible.

1. To miss the mark. There is a target of righteousness, and no matter how hard we try, we miss every single time. (This particular Greek word for sin is used 174 times in the Bible.)

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2. Without righteousness- to act unjustly, to harm others. This Greek version is used 27 times in the Bible). It is a legal word, meaning acknowledging or declaring someone is guilty.

2 Corinthians 7:2

3. To slip and fall- accidental sin, not thinking about it, but we still do it. (Used 21 times in the Bible)

Matt 6:14 -15

4. To cross the line- transgressors, law breakers, INTENTIONALLY crossing the line even though we know it is wrong.

James 2:9-10.

Finally, something our Pastor said today, REALLY struck me......Hell is where all of your FILTH is exposed. There is no hiding it, no running from it, everyone will see it....

I'm so glad I'm not going there! I'm so thankful I recognize my sinfulness- all the different ways. All of my righteous acts are filthy rags to God, but he can make them right.

Do you call your sin what it is, SIN, or do you justify it, hide it, or rationalize it? I'm trying to be more aware of mine daily and keep a short account with God.

Blessings!

Treasuring God's Word.

2008-10-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it feels as if there is a storm going on all around us.

Gas prices, bailouts, divorce, cancer scares, sickness, death, pain, financial difficulty, and on and on it goes.......

I'm so thankful for the foundation of God's Word that is trustworthy in all circumstances.

Job 23:10
But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

Don't panic, pray! Stay in God's Word, believe what He says. Don't fear what everyone else fears, be still and know that He is God!

I completed a 1/2 marathon!

2008-09-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

Today was a GREAT day for me. A goal of mine was to complete a 1/2 marathon.

Today I DID IT!

My cute friend Renee and I walked and ran it. We mostly walked!

Our goal was to finish in 3 hours 15 min. Which would be a 15 minute mile pace.

BUT- we finished in 3 hours 19 seconds, which amazed us both. That is a 13.46 mile pace! YAY!

It was a great experience, even though my right hip is SCREAMING out in pain and I have a big fat blister.

I'm pretty sure I won't win any "pretty feet" awards in the near future either. My feet HURT right now.

Here is Renee at 5! We were feeling GREAT here. We had to wait until all the hard core-serious 1/2 marathon people passed so we could be geeks and take pictures of ourselves! :)

Here we are at the finish. Hot, sweaty and tired, but feeling VICTORY!

The Quest for Better Health

2008-09-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

I'm on a quest for better health.

I've slowly been making changes in our diet and lifestyle.

I am over 40 now you know. It is TIME!

Whole Wheat bread and flour
Healthy Peanut Butter (good bye creamy, tasty high fructose corn syrup Skippy)
Flax Seed
Purchasing better quality vitamins
Drinking More water
100% Juices (in moderation)
Homemade oatmeal for breakfast with sliced almonds
More exercise (I've kept an exercise log since Feb. and I've personally logged 220 miles of walking.)

I've started seeing a Dr. that is wise in the area of health: I just did a saliva test to check my hormone levels. I had 16 tubes of blood taken to test for everything from Thyroid health, Adrenal health to Cardiac health.

We have gotten rid of all the bad plastics in our house. I tossed out my favorite Nike water bottle!

Started using Organic foods as much as possible.

I'm a label reader. Virgin Olive Oil user, vegetable growing woman now!

My beautiful sister just gave me a NutriMill for a surprise gift. Now I can mill my OWN FLOUR! (Okay, it might help if I could find the wheat berries to actually mill. I'm learning all about this now.)

When you mill your own whole wheat, all the great nutrients are left in, so it is very healthy!

However......I'm a work in progress......I have a vice I can't let go of:

No ones perfect!

My first blog post

2008-09-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I fell for peer pressure. Here I am BLOGGING!
I've enjoyed reading blogs for a year or so. I've never wanted to start a blog, because I did not want to spend all the time it takes to keep one up. But, here I am anyway.

Who knows what I'll write about...I certainly have plenty of every day life stories.

More importantly-who knows who will read my blog. It might just be ME!

Things about me:
Yesterday was my 15th anniversary. :)

I have 10 year old twins, a boy and girl.

We have homeschooled since Kindergarten-this is our 6th year, we love it!

I am walking a 1/2 marathon on Sunday. This has been a goal of mine for a long time. I figured GO FOR IT. Now or never! My friend Renee and I are doing it together.

I love Bible study! I love to read, I love animals. I'm always trying to rescue an animal. Today it was a moth with a broken wing.

We have four cats and a bird.

There is that exciting enough to keep people coming back for more?

Stay tuned!