Giving it away

Let me just list some of the things I've been up to lately...

~ Taking care of 3 rowdy little boys
~ Working part time for our church preschool program
~ Selling Avon
~ Running a playgroup
~ Helping in Josh's classroom
~ Running a high school small group
~ Cooking, cleaning, laundry... I could go on and on :o)

You get the picture! So as I was looking over some of these things I realized that I was doing way to much and not doing a very good job at any of them. I've decided it's time to say no and just focus on the most important things in life... my family.

I'm only going to have these kids in my home for a short time. I need to make the most of my time with them. I want to teach them the things they need to know about life. I want to take time to just sit with them and read. I want to love on them as much as possible!

I'm giving up playgroup and told Josh's teacher I can't help in the classroom this year. Hopefully this will lighten my load some. I think it will be nice to just take a breather and focus on my kids and church preschool. Pray that I will have the courage to say no when other opportunities arise. It's hard for me but this is the season I'm in and I need to live in it!!

First grade... a world of difference!

The title pretty much tells the story for me. Josh started school a few weeks ago. He was pretty excited and ready to go back. Thank goodness!

I don't know if you all remember but last year we almost had to drag him crying each day. It broke my heart and I almost gave up! I was ready to take him to counseling because of it.

This year he has said things like "I'm glad I don't have to go to that baby Kindergarten again." Or "Good thing I already know my way around this school." It's too cute!

It's been such a blessing to watch him grow and enjoy school. Now he wakes up and asks if he can go to school each day. I can't wait to see what 2nd grade holds for us!

Our trip

We're back! It was a crazy whirlwind trip and we made it. We got to Palm Springs around 1:00 on Saturday and Jeff got me settled in the room. He then took off to set-up with the rest of the guys and they had a trade show and then a meeting. I didn't see him again until almost 7:00. In that time I visited the outlet malls, got some lunch and watched a movie in the room.

From about 7:00 until 11:00 we were downstairs in the dinner/celebration event. It was nice and they recognized Jeff for all he had done with and for the company. I was glad they took the time to make him feel appreciated after all he has done around there. He's been with them for almost 10 years now!

It did pay to gamble a little because Jeff won just over $100 the first night and about $20 the next day. He tried a couple different slot machines and his theory really does work... As soon as you hit something and make a profit or as soon as you loose the most you're willing to loose, stop right then. Otherwise you will sit there and waste away all your money. You have to know going into it that it is what it's called, a gamble. You have to be willing to loose and not feel guilty about it. That's why we always set an amount and stick with it. So anyway, it was nice to win some money to help pay for the gas and a couple meals!

We got back home around 2:00 on Sunday. It was nice to just get-away and be with Jeff. A casino is not where I would have picked but hey, it was free and the hotel was really nice! So a girl can't complain, right?

A little get-away

Well, Jeff and I are getting away for the weekend. It won't be a big trip and Jeff's going to have to do business while we're there but it's still going to be fun. We'll be away from home and the two older boys. We haven't been away from the kids since Seth was about 6 months old. It's going to be great but it will also be sad not having them with us.

Hope the rest of you have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday. Before I go I'll leave you with this picture...

Because what would a nap in your swing be without Mr. Carrot Head??

The Line of Life

On Friday I sat in the pick up line at school waiting for Josh. There was a fairly long line in front of me but nobody was behind me. I sat watching the birds, parents, kids and the crossing guard. I was in my own little world thinking about my day.

When I looked back in my rear view mirror I noticed a line had formed. There were probably 10 or more cars behind me. I started thinking about how many times I'm sitting in the "line of life" just daydreaming and a line starts to form behind me. People just watching and waiting. Wondering what my next move will be. How I will handle a situation or what I will say when my patience is being tested. How will I react when life is tough or if it will change when life is going good.

I hope I set the example in my life that God has asked of me. I hope when people are rude, I answer them in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. I hope when I'm tired and feel like I can't do it anymore, I continue to show that the Lord is my strength. I hope when the rain comes I get out my umbrella and let the drops roll off watching for that next ray of sunshine to peek through the clouds! That I continue to praise in the good times and bad.

Titus 2:6-8 (NLT) ~ In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teachings. Teach the truth so that your teachings can't be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Random Thoughts

1. How does a family of 5 have so much laundry?

2. Why do I feel like my clothes don't fit even though I've lost weight?

3. How come we have so many spiders when the bug guy was here about 2 weeks ago?

4. Is Jacob going to be one tough kid or what? Living with two big brothers gives him lots of bumps and bruises!

5. Why do people get cancer?

6. Why does God ask people you love to move half way around the world?

7. Why do Jr. High and High school boys feel like they can fart anywhere, anytime in front of anyone?

8. Where do my kids put all that food they eat?

9. How was I blessed with such wonderful friends and family??

You know... bologna birds!

Today on the way home from school Josh said "I think I would eat these kinds of birds... Turkey, Ostrich and Bologna."

I just started cracking up laughing thinking of a bologna bird. Then I had to explain where bologna really came from without getting too descriptive.

It gives a whole new meaning to "When pigs fly!"


Yes, I did sing this little song in my head when checking my spelling... "cause Oscar Meyer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A.