Mothers hold the world together when all seems set on its destruction.
-Pam Brown
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Summer Is Going Well (so far)
I've really been enjoying sleeping in a little bit more, relaxing about the house, and preparing Girls Camp things. I could do with a little less fighting, feeding, and breaking things.
New things in our lives:
* Summer hair for the boys - mohawks!! And of course they look dang cool.
* Shattered back door! I think we are going to have to "white-trash" it though. It's actually still in the frame, just spiderwebbed all over. I'm thinking we need to get some duct tape and tape it all to keep it in. Another bonus to that - it'll keep some of the sunlight out and help with the electric bill. :)
* The 3 biggest kids are starting up Judo again. Elizabeth has been doing it, but the boys took a break. And they are starting up again; mostly because Daddy will be there helping with the class.
* We've got the pool up - kids are loving it and spending lots of time in it!!! They've gotten a little bit of sunburn yesterday, but I found the sunscreen so today there wasn't a problem.
* Summer scheduling has started too. The kids have a limited time to play video games, and more time to play outside and in the pool. We've started the reading program at the Library and the kids all picked out some challenging books to read this summer.
* I was asked to be a YCL Leader again this year for Girls Camp. I LOVE doing it!!!! I have really come to love these girls and I really do enjoy them. Please pray for me though. :) We have a tough group this year. I'll need more patience!
* Bret is off work for the summer. I think we've ironed out the kinks with having him home. After a few years of this, we (meaning me) are handling it a lot better. He might do a little extra work for a guy at the Crime Lab. That would be nice.
* We are not heading to Utah like we usually do. The main reason is because our poor van will not make it. We are trying to run it into the group because it's paid for - but we can't make long trips in it. Not super reliable. But by not going, it works great because we are saving the trip for the winter. My nephew, Skyler, is getting baptized. So we'll get to attend that!!!!
*Produce is starting up again. I have a friend who has a friend who...... You get the idea. :) Point is, I can get boxes and boxes of produce for free or real cheap. I'm SOOOOO excited about this!!! (Bret isn't)
I got strawberries yesterday and made jam - yummy! Today I got squash, corn, and pears. Oh, and I also got green peppers yesterday. My plans for all this wonderful food? Well, I made the jam. I think I'll get some ice cream and make strawberry shakes for the kids. Then tonight we'll be having corn on the cob with dinner. I'll freeze some too for later. I'm cooking up some of the squash to make soup. I'll puree some to use in recipes. And of course bake some to eat. Tomorrow we'll have stuffed green peppers. And Bret LOVES pears!! So do the kids.
* Overall, things are really good for us - happy and healthy!!! We are together and loving it. What more can I say?!
New things in our lives:
* Summer hair for the boys - mohawks!! And of course they look dang cool.
* Shattered back door! I think we are going to have to "white-trash" it though. It's actually still in the frame, just spiderwebbed all over. I'm thinking we need to get some duct tape and tape it all to keep it in. Another bonus to that - it'll keep some of the sunlight out and help with the electric bill. :)
* The 3 biggest kids are starting up Judo again. Elizabeth has been doing it, but the boys took a break. And they are starting up again; mostly because Daddy will be there helping with the class.
* We've got the pool up - kids are loving it and spending lots of time in it!!! They've gotten a little bit of sunburn yesterday, but I found the sunscreen so today there wasn't a problem.
* Summer scheduling has started too. The kids have a limited time to play video games, and more time to play outside and in the pool. We've started the reading program at the Library and the kids all picked out some challenging books to read this summer.
* I was asked to be a YCL Leader again this year for Girls Camp. I LOVE doing it!!!! I have really come to love these girls and I really do enjoy them. Please pray for me though. :) We have a tough group this year. I'll need more patience!
* Bret is off work for the summer. I think we've ironed out the kinks with having him home. After a few years of this, we (meaning me) are handling it a lot better. He might do a little extra work for a guy at the Crime Lab. That would be nice.
* We are not heading to Utah like we usually do. The main reason is because our poor van will not make it. We are trying to run it into the group because it's paid for - but we can't make long trips in it. Not super reliable. But by not going, it works great because we are saving the trip for the winter. My nephew, Skyler, is getting baptized. So we'll get to attend that!!!!
*Produce is starting up again. I have a friend who has a friend who...... You get the idea. :) Point is, I can get boxes and boxes of produce for free or real cheap. I'm SOOOOO excited about this!!! (Bret isn't)
I got strawberries yesterday and made jam - yummy! Today I got squash, corn, and pears. Oh, and I also got green peppers yesterday. My plans for all this wonderful food? Well, I made the jam. I think I'll get some ice cream and make strawberry shakes for the kids. Then tonight we'll be having corn on the cob with dinner. I'll freeze some too for later. I'm cooking up some of the squash to make soup. I'll puree some to use in recipes. And of course bake some to eat. Tomorrow we'll have stuffed green peppers. And Bret LOVES pears!! So do the kids.
* Overall, things are really good for us - happy and healthy!!! We are together and loving it. What more can I say?!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
My Backyard
I don't have the best looking back yard. But I love it!! Are you wondering why? :) Well, it's because I love birds and other little animals. :) I'm not a bird watcher type, with my binoculars (I use those for other things - wink wink) and stuff. I just like to fill my bird house full of food and see all the little birdies come and fight over it and tweet and dance around.
At this moment I have a bird laying in my grass with my sprinkler on. He is lifting his wing to let the water clean his "armpit." I have a hummingbird dodging in and out of the sprinkler and there is a family (4) of chipmunks pulling weeds out of the grass and running off.
Wildlife :)
At this moment I have a bird laying in my grass with my sprinkler on. He is lifting his wing to let the water clean his "armpit." I have a hummingbird dodging in and out of the sprinkler and there is a family (4) of chipmunks pulling weeds out of the grass and running off.
Wildlife :)
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wow
This morning my Mom sent me over to this site to check something out:
http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/
And this is what I found while I was there:
The trip to the grocery store that changed my life
by Robin on January 6, 2009
Thirteen years ago on a cold January afternoon, a trip to the grocery store changed my life.
The pressure of juggling the schedules of four teenagers was pressing in on my last nerve. Truth be told, something was always pressing on my last nerve. That day I still needed to grocery shop and do a mountain of laundry.
I left the kids at home and headed to the grocery store.
Inside the store, I pushed the cart up and down the isles trying not to mow down the huge display of spam. Who eats spam any more? How old is that stuff anyway? My mind was racing with nonsense when my buggy nearly hit the back of his heel.
I gasped and the gray haired man turned around.
“Hello, neighbor” he grinned.
Standing there, in a dark blue suit, crisp white shirt and a shinny red tie my neighbor Robert, looked completely put together.
“And how are you this fine day Robin?” He sounded surprisingly chipper for a man who’d just six months before lost his wife of thirty years.
“I’m okay Robert, how are you doing?” My voice dripped with pity. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you” he said looking down and stuffing his hands in his pants pockets. “ It was hard at the end. She put up a fight though.”
Suddenly, he looked right into my eyes. “It’ll probably sound terrible to you, but I’m kind of excited about starting over.”
Pregnant pause. What the heck do I say to that?
“Well, that’s good.” I stumbled. “So is there anyone in particular?”
“No, no, no. Not at all. I just know what I’m looking for this time. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but it would be someone exactly opposite of Sheila.”
Dear Father in heaven, could this GET any more awkward?
“I mean, I loved her” he added quickly, “but she and I had a rocky thirty years. She was, I guess you’d say, a little difficult.”
He forced a laugh. “She’d say the same about me. Anyway, next time, I want less drama. More peace. And more laughing.”
Time stopped. My chest felt heavy. I couldn’t breathe. This was a God Thing…
We said our good byes. I felt so sad. For Sheila and Robert.
But I also felt sad for my husband, Mike and for me.
The lights in the store were too bright. I looked at my feet. The floor was too shiny.
That’s how Mike would feel if I died tomorrow…
It was true and I knew it.
Uptight. That was me. Life as a rule overwhelmed me. Some days I went from drama to drama.
Finally getting to my car, shivering, I put my head in my hands and wept. Slowly the heater started to warm the cold air around me as I heard a clear message from God’s heart to mine.
If I die before Mike, I don’t want him to look for someone opposite of me. Like Sheila, I needed, less drama. More laughter. More peace.
That very day I came home and wrote down what I wanted Mike to say about me when I was gone…this is it…
*She loved God
*She loved me and the kids
*We always knew she was praying for us
*She made our house a home. Peaceful and safe.
*She supported me and encouraged me constantly.
*She was my best friend.
That list has become my standard. How do you want people to remember you?
Can I just say Wow!!?? This really made me think!
http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/
And this is what I found while I was there:
The trip to the grocery store that changed my life
by Robin on January 6, 2009
Thirteen years ago on a cold January afternoon, a trip to the grocery store changed my life.
The pressure of juggling the schedules of four teenagers was pressing in on my last nerve. Truth be told, something was always pressing on my last nerve. That day I still needed to grocery shop and do a mountain of laundry.
I left the kids at home and headed to the grocery store.
Inside the store, I pushed the cart up and down the isles trying not to mow down the huge display of spam. Who eats spam any more? How old is that stuff anyway? My mind was racing with nonsense when my buggy nearly hit the back of his heel.
I gasped and the gray haired man turned around.
“Hello, neighbor” he grinned.
Standing there, in a dark blue suit, crisp white shirt and a shinny red tie my neighbor Robert, looked completely put together.
“And how are you this fine day Robin?” He sounded surprisingly chipper for a man who’d just six months before lost his wife of thirty years.
“I’m okay Robert, how are you doing?” My voice dripped with pity. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you” he said looking down and stuffing his hands in his pants pockets. “ It was hard at the end. She put up a fight though.”
Suddenly, he looked right into my eyes. “It’ll probably sound terrible to you, but I’m kind of excited about starting over.”
Pregnant pause. What the heck do I say to that?
“Well, that’s good.” I stumbled. “So is there anyone in particular?”
“No, no, no. Not at all. I just know what I’m looking for this time. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but it would be someone exactly opposite of Sheila.”
Dear Father in heaven, could this GET any more awkward?
“I mean, I loved her” he added quickly, “but she and I had a rocky thirty years. She was, I guess you’d say, a little difficult.”
He forced a laugh. “She’d say the same about me. Anyway, next time, I want less drama. More peace. And more laughing.”
Time stopped. My chest felt heavy. I couldn’t breathe. This was a God Thing…
We said our good byes. I felt so sad. For Sheila and Robert.
But I also felt sad for my husband, Mike and for me.
The lights in the store were too bright. I looked at my feet. The floor was too shiny.
That’s how Mike would feel if I died tomorrow…
It was true and I knew it.
Uptight. That was me. Life as a rule overwhelmed me. Some days I went from drama to drama.
Finally getting to my car, shivering, I put my head in my hands and wept. Slowly the heater started to warm the cold air around me as I heard a clear message from God’s heart to mine.
If I die before Mike, I don’t want him to look for someone opposite of me. Like Sheila, I needed, less drama. More laughter. More peace.
That very day I came home and wrote down what I wanted Mike to say about me when I was gone…this is it…
*She loved God
*She loved me and the kids
*We always knew she was praying for us
*She made our house a home. Peaceful and safe.
*She supported me and encouraged me constantly.
*She was my best friend.
That list has become my standard. How do you want people to remember you?
Can I just say Wow!!?? This really made me think!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
When I'm A Little Old Lady (in honor of Mother's Day)
When I’m a little old lady
Then I’ll live with my children and bring them great joy
to repay all I’ve had from each girl and boy
I shall draw on the walls and scuff up the floor;
run in and out without closing the door.
I’ll hide frogs in the pantry, socks under my bed
whenever they scold me, I’ll just hang my head.
I’ll run and I’ll romp, always fritter away
the time to be spent doing chores everyday.
I’ll pester my children when they’re on the phone.
As long as they’re busy won’t leave them alone.
Hide candy in closets, rocks in drawers,
and never pick up my clothes from off the floor.
Dash off to the movies and not wash a dish.
I’ll plead for allowance whenever I wish.
I’ll stuff up the plumbing and deluge the floor,
as soon as they’ve mopped it, I’ll flood it some more.
When they correct me, I’ll lie down and cry,
kicking and screaming, not a tear in my eye.
I’ll take all their pencils and flashlights, and then
when they buy new ones, I’ll take them again.
I’ll spill glasses of milk to complete every meal,
eat my banana and just drop the peel.
Put toys on the table, spill jam on the floor,
I’ll break lots of dishes as though I was four;
What fun I shall have, what a joy it will be
To live with my children, like they lived with me!
Then I’ll live with my children and bring them great joy
to repay all I’ve had from each girl and boy
I shall draw on the walls and scuff up the floor;
run in and out without closing the door.
I’ll hide frogs in the pantry, socks under my bed
whenever they scold me, I’ll just hang my head.
I’ll run and I’ll romp, always fritter away
the time to be spent doing chores everyday.
I’ll pester my children when they’re on the phone.
As long as they’re busy won’t leave them alone.
Hide candy in closets, rocks in drawers,
and never pick up my clothes from off the floor.
Dash off to the movies and not wash a dish.
I’ll plead for allowance whenever I wish.
I’ll stuff up the plumbing and deluge the floor,
as soon as they’ve mopped it, I’ll flood it some more.
When they correct me, I’ll lie down and cry,
kicking and screaming, not a tear in my eye.
I’ll take all their pencils and flashlights, and then
when they buy new ones, I’ll take them again.
I’ll spill glasses of milk to complete every meal,
eat my banana and just drop the peel.
Put toys on the table, spill jam on the floor,
I’ll break lots of dishes as though I was four;
What fun I shall have, what a joy it will be
To live with my children, like they lived with me!
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