Homeschool Housewife

UFT Flyer trial.

2012-02-25T15:43:00.000-06:00

If you regularly subscribe to my blog please ignore this post. I am attempting to change links in HTML and I am no good at technology. However I need to show it to someone else. And this is the only place I know to do this. Announcing Details of The Ultimate Field Trip 2012

Hello HEART Members! You may have met Michele Moore at the HEART Expo or you may know Ann Goodman as a friend and member of our wonderful group, but did you know they are Travel Agents who specialize in Disney Destinations and Cruises? As Magical Travel Specialists with 3D Travel Company they would like to share information about an exciting upcoming event at Walt Disney World JUST FOR HOMESCHOOLERS!

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Homeschool Family Owned and Operated

Making Dreams a Reality since 2005

Announcing The Details of The Ultimate Field Trip!

Now enjoying our 8th year of Fun at Walt Disney World® Resort.

In 2012 we're partnering with The Homeschool Lounge and Magical Mouse Schoolhouse to bring you the best Disney has to offer!

Breaking News!! Steve Barrett (author of the Hidden Mickey Guide and also known as the Hidden Mickey Guy) will be our special guest at the Mega Meet!

Getting To Know The Group

This year The Homeschool Lounge has provided us with an online group where we can chat freely in relative anonymity from the non-homeschool world. You can also interact with us on Facebook, Twitter and of course, by emailing Michele Moore or Ann Goodman directly. We welcome your questions and comments and every opportunity to improve and grow to meet the needs of our attendees.

Grabbing Educational Opportunities
We have great (free!) options for all of the families attending provided by Magical Mouse Schoolhouse, where Disney IS School. Not only that, they will help us provide multiple fun and friendly educational options for you to explore at home before your trip.

Our Resort of Choice for 2012

Disney's Pop Century Resort!

No one is required to stay in the same resort to participate in UFT 2012 - but it does increase your chance of participating in spontaneous pool time, bus line and food court fun!

Sample Pricing for your family can be found here.
Get exact pricing for FREE by requesting a no-obligation quote from one of our team.

We apply every discount available to your package at first opportunity - even AFTER you have booked!

As soon as you're serious about considering The Ultimate Field Trip, your first step is to Get a quote for YOUR family with multiple resort options onsite and links sent to your inbox to look at pictures of each resort. We want you to have what is the best option for YOUR family!

About Our Events

All of our events are 100% optional. We do have a completely free, online sign up, which allows us to plan well and make sure there are an adequate number of giveaways for our attendees, but we recognize that for many families this is a trip packed full of amazing options and it may not be possible to do everything!

Dinner at Pepper Market
September 3, 2012

Prior to our Mega Meet, many families will be enjoying dinner at Pepper Market. We'll have multiple hosts set up to greet families as they enter Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and head over to enjoy a meal that's one of the best values on property, with excellent food prepared to suit every palate, allergy and preference.

UFT Mega-Meet

September 3, 2012

Our opening event in 2012 will be held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center in a private room. Our annual Mega Meet is where every family is able to pick up their itinerary hot-off-the-press, commemorative giveaways and specialty items created just for their children. This years Special Guest is Steve Barrett - The Hidden Mickey Guy!

Magic Kingdom® Park Scavenger Hunt

Meet up with other families for the Magic Kingdom® Park Scavenger Hunt! We'll be gathering together in one location and heading out in teams. Families will be given the option of staying together as a unit or sending off their teens for the teen-team.

Magic Kingdom® Park Dole Whip Drop In

Super casual yummy fun can be had at the Dole Whip Drop In, created by popular demand! We'll meet in Adventureland and share the treat as a group.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot

We'll be saving space as a group and getting goodies.

Illuminations is a breathtaking fireworks, laserlight effect, music and spectacular nighttime event! The only thing that could make it better is enjoying it with your family and UFT friends!

- As we grow and chat with our attendees, secure sponsors and keep an eye on Disney happenings, we will add events. Final dates and times for all events besides September 3rd events (which will remain as planned) will be announced when Park Hours are released and you will be able to sign up for events at that time.

Update! Park hours were just released! UFT Events will be updated on our website this week! Michele Moore or Ann Goodman will let you know as soon as we have our online sign up available for you and your family.

Michele Moore and Ann Goodman Magical Travel Specialists with 3D Travel Company

www.3DTravelCompany.com

Michele Moore

Click HERE for a FREE QUOTE from Michele

(281) 825-2817

Michele.Moore@3DTravelCompany.com

Ann Goodman

Click HERE or your FREE QUOTE from Ann

(281)555-9999

Ann.Goodman@3DTravelCompany.com

Perspectives, perceptions, personalities, and persecution...

2012-02-23T03:34:00.000-06:00

Today I went to Chick-fil-A and the music is now, because of a corporate decision not Christian music like it has always been. It is Christian INSTRUMENTAL music. And I was upset, because I felt like this was a Christian company bowing to the pressures of the world. Not owning it and saying, we are doing this because we love all our customers or we are doing this because it is a business decision not a faith one and sometimes it is the price of doing business that we have to make hard choices and walk a fine line. What I was most upset about was that it seemed sneaky. Like we would hear familiar tunes and not notice with all the other noise that the message was missing. It makes me sad. So I posted something on FB and I received a private message from a man I have known pretty much my whole life. He was the boy who popped my bra on the playground in 3rd grade when I was feeling self conscious about being the only girl wearing one. He was the young man who made me laugh ALL the time through high school. He was the man with children who I would run into occasionally in our home town, and every time I would smile and get a big hug, chat for a few minutes and remember how goofy he has always been.

Recently he has occasionally made comments on Facebook about being gay. Well, I SAW them, but I didn't know. IS he? Or is he being his goofy self? Because your just sometimes don't know. But tonight he let me know in his private message that he is indeed gay. That he has struggled with it since his childhood. But that he is also a Christian. And he cannot in good conscience go to Chick-fil-A because they proclaim themselves to be a Christian company, but they speak and support hate against who he is. He was respectful, but you know that message had to be hard to write. Because I could have been one of those people. The haters. I could have railed at him, quoted scripture, and done what many people I call friends would have done. I also think there has to be hurt there, that people who proclaim themselves as followers of the same God don't see him for what he is. Not the gay part, the Brother part. The Christian brother needing love, even if acceptance is near impossible.

I don't pretend to know what he has gone through, or what his thoughts are. But responded the best I could. I hope it came out right. It was long winded because, geez... I don't do short.

The fact, biblical fact, of it is homosexuality is a sin. So are a lot of things. And we are ALL of us sinners. Maybe we are forgiven, but we are STILL imperfect. I have said before and I will say again, I do not believe we are born gay. God would not make it impossible for us to live how He has called us to live. There HAS to be free will for the whole thing to be true and to work. If there is no free will, and we have no choice, then we cannot choose Him. However, I DO believe that because we live in a world corrupted by sin there is something corrupt in the very essence of who we are. From the very beginning. Maybe it is something that we have a chance, but no control like being predisposed to breast cancer because our mother, aunt, and grandmother all had it. You can't choose not to have it, you either do or you don't and you just never know. Or maybe it is something that every day gives us a choice, a hard choice, an almost impossible choice. For most of my family we battle with addiction, different kinds. Some people battle depression, or mental issues. Some battle violent tempers or psychopathic tendencies. And some battle sex things. None of these things, as much as we want to rationalize that they are, is better or worse or easier or harder than another. Sin is equal. To be a drunkard is a sin, to become a drug addict is because believe me when I say they put drugs before everything, family, job, friends, and especially God. To divorce your wife and marry another or to have sex before you are married, sin. To be depressed and not CHOOSE joy? Sin.

I have fought my entire life to not become addicted to things. Some I have succeeded so far with, drugs and alcohol. Others I battle with daily. OCD behaviors, control issues, caffeine, sugar, food in general, video games (Castleville is of the devil), so many seemingly little things, but they can distract me from God and bring me down. I fight continually against depression. It seems so much to be a natural part of who I am, at my very core to much of the time be sad. I fake it really well, sometimes I even fool me, but deep down I have some serious self loathing. And I feel often times that I cannot help it or control it. Is that how my friend feels? I can see how he would believe he was born that way. Forsaken from the start.

He is not. I am not. YOU are not. Even while we are still sinners Christ died for us. RIGHT NOW. In the mess you are in, the mistakes you are making, you are not beyond saving. And my friend? He is absolutely still a Christian. He does not have to be perfect or even acknowledge his every sin to be forgiven. God will work on him, just like He will work on me.

Tonight on Glee a boy who was gay tried to kill himself because he felt alone and wrong. The thing that saddens me is that some people would have condemned with scripture. And did it in the name of my God. The entire thing has made me think, what if it were my son? What if that was his hard thing? Well I just don't think you would want to be the person who condemns him in front of me. I don't think you want to be the person who says ugly things about my friend either. And I don't think I am going to eat at Chick-fil-A any more. Might as well give my money to Raising Canes. The chicken is just as good, the bread is fabulous, the sweet tea is ever flowing and at least they don't pretend to be one thing and then be another instead.

Expectations...

2012-02-14T01:42:00.003-06:00

Today my mom, the boys and I ran some errands and afterward stopped at Culver's for lunch. Have you been to Culver's? If not Google them, if there is one in your area, stop what you are doing and GO. Order the Team Scoopie Meal of your choice, skip the fries and get Cheese Curds. You get a free ice cream with the meal!! How much better than a Happy Meal toy is THAT???? And if you save the little green thing on the side of your bag? 10= a FREE Team Scoopie Meal.

But I digress... We were sitting there, enjoying our free ice cream and there was a table of men nearby. I wasn't eavesdropping at FIRST. They were talking loud. But then I was. Because I honestly could not BELIEVE what they were saying! It was like being privy to a man's brain for just a moment. Let me tell you, they are BROKEN. Not all men, but those guys at the table, broken.

They were none of them, studly gorgeous or dramatically sexy. Not ONE. In fact they were quite ordinary and somewhat unattractive. But the conversation was all about how they expected women to look a certain way, or they weren't interested. Now we are not talking, she has all her teeth. NO not at all. In fact they were talking about a girl in the office who was "kind of attractive," but she has short hair. GASP! So Wimpy, Slightly Balding, McDorkybutt with the skinny mustache? Well, he would ask her out, IF she grew out her hair.

I bet she is CRYING from the loss! That she is so close, and fell short! Or, maybe that is WHY she cut her hair.

They went ON and ON about why is it so wrong for them to like what they like and demand no less? And Wimpy, Slightly Balding, McDorkybutt speaks up AGAIN, (seriously ladies, he is the total antipackage, not even SMART) and says how he was talking to a woman he knows and expressed these SAME OPINIONS, and SHE (are you ready for this?) DISAGREED WITH HIM.

Called him SHALLOW! The NERVE!

And all his friends? Old Man McChubbybutt, Video Game McSkeezy, and I swear an older version of Howard Walowitz all AGREED! Because geesh, why should they settle? And what is wrong with these women that they just don't get it.

You have no idea how I just wanted to stop by and say something on my way out. Or maybe write a note and slide it across their table as I left. Something along these lines...

Dear Gentlemen,
The reason women globally and universally do NOT agree with your theories, and perhaps a large part of why none of you are married is because YOU are shallow morons.

If a woman is attractive, smart, funny, talented, kind, athletic, exciting, OR a good cook, why should SHE settle for any of YOU? You who care so much about the length of a woman's hair or the size of her backside will skip and run the first time she gains 10 pounds or cheat the first time she gets a bad hair cut. Why would she not instead pursue a man of character who would stand by her side when cancer has stolen ALL her hair, and who would still look at her and find her beautiful because of who she is inside. A man who would look at her rounded figure and realize she looks as she does because she has lovingly provided him with children who will bring him joy the rest of his life.

Why WOULD she settle for you? She wouldn't. Grow up. Gather all the molecules in your meager brain, and get a clue. YOU are not the catch you believe yourself to be. And the girl at the office? Who lost all the weight, got contacts, and was "on the right track"? She heard you were interested, and THAT is why she got the hair cut in the first place. Just another smart move on the part of a woman with better places to go.

Enjoy your lunch and spending time with men of like minds.

Michele

But I didn't say that, or write it. I just FUMED over it, and said it to my mother. Where my boys heard. And both my boys? Wonderful young men that they were? Said those men were morons too. Because really? What does the length of a woman's hair REALLY matter?

To be fair, I have also heard of women who are equally flawed believing they should be able to treat a man however she wants, disdain, disrespect, and demand of him and HE should always treat her like a princess. And when those men? GOOD men don't? They leave, move on and claim they "deserve better." They rarely find it. (SHOCKER!)

We deserve to be treated as we treat others. We deserve to be judged as we judge others. We deserve to be loved as we love others. Not one bit better, and quite a bit of the time? Since life IS NOT FAIR, we don't even get that.

So, look around Bloggy Buddies. Where are YOU acting entitled? Especially today, on this day that celebrates love?

Cause for me, it was eye opening. And I am going to go appreciate my husband a little more. Cause he loves me long hair or short, thin or fat, grumpy, weepy, and sweet. And that is better than ANY flowers or candy or jewelry ANY day, but especially today.

Who do you want to be when you grow up?

2012-02-11T19:58:00.000-06:00

Tonight on Facebook a sweet girl from my homeschool group did one of those little question things, where you answer 4 or 5 questions and it tells you who you will marry, what Disney character you are or like this one, what super hero you would be...

When I was a little girl, I LOVED Wonder Woman. That was the only night a week I was allowed to eat in front of the TV. She was beautiful, smart, had a good job, and I was sure if I spun around enough times that ONE DAY I would transform into a short, young, slightly chubby version.

I mean SURE, I wouldn't get to fly the invisible plane RIGHT away, but I would be an apprentice, a side kick, and when someday she married Steve Trevor I would step in and continue to save our country.

That is a reasonable dream right? To some day spin my way into super-herodom?

But now, I have realized. Spinning just makes me dizzy, and I fall over air without being dizzy. Spinning makes me fall over MORE, it does not turn me in to a super hero.

So, what DO I want to be when I grow up? You know, not NOW as I get closer and closer to FORTY, but when I grow up. Surely someday that will happen... Eventually?

Right now I have no idea. Right now? I am pretty happy being a mom, a wife, an AWANA leader, and helping families experience the magic of a Disney vacation without all the stress. But maybe I should have a plan. Something...

Maybe... Cathy?

Red night...

2012-02-09T15:06:00.000-06:00

Last night was red night at AWANA. Every year we do 5 color weeks as part of the Wordless Book. Last week was black and it was fun, but this week? Well red is pretty serious, because red represents the blood of Christ.

Each week we encourage the kids to wear the color of the week. We offer extra points to spend in the AWANA store... We send reminders... But usually they forget. I know it doesn't seem important, what color the kids wear. But really? It is part of THEM preparing for the lesson. They have to think! Ahead of time. They know what the color is for, they have done this every year, but when they pull that red shirt out of their closet, they are opening their minds just a little to what God is going to deliver that night.

To encourage the girls to participate my husband Dwayne volunteered to embarass himself. Now some of you may have husband's who are hams or a bit of a clown. THAT IS NOT MY HUSBAND. He is kinda quiet. Never needs to be the center of attention, but he absolutely loves these girls. And for them? He is willing.

So, he made a deal. If 100% of the girls wore red (or pink) then Dwayne would allow them to paint his nails red and he would wear red lipstick all night. There were rules... They could bring extra shirts, but leaders could not. The fabric of the shirt had to be red or pink, it could not be a white shirt with red words and count...

When I posted it on Facebook to let people from our church know I had a sweet friend express concern. Because Deuteronomy 22:5 speaks against men being clothed as women and women being clothed as men. I spoke to our Children's Pastor, and we decided to go ahead. Not because we think God's Word is in any way irrelevant, but because we truly did not see sin in this. Sin lives in the heart. And when God speaks of how we dress as men and women, we believe He is talking about what is in our heart just as much as He is talking about our actions. Because if I wear jeans which are culturally acceptable for a woman to wear, but I am doing it in my heart to look more masculine, then I am sinning. But if a Scottish man wears a kilt, out of pride for his heritage and manhood, then there is no sin.

My husband and the other men who participated are manly men. They would NEVER choose to wear lipstick or nail polish. Ever. But by willingly embarassing themselves and acting OUT of character, they got the kids interested.

And 100% of the T & T girls wore the red or pink. So did 100% of the boys T&T. And most of the Sparks. So when we as leaders, or they as clubbers looked around our AWANA square they saw Christ's blood covering our club.

When it was council time? They came in and listened without interruption (have you EVER seen 30 girls listen for 30 minutes without interruption?), they didn't wiggle, they didn't hardly even stop looking directly at my face when I did my lesson. The lesson was good, sure. But it wasn't THAT good. It was God. He had taken that crack in their busy thoughts and prepared their hearts and minds for the lesson they needed to hear.

Red night is always a little emotional for me. To think about how my Savior chose to suffer for ME. To think about how my God gave His Son, for ME. It is humbling like nothing else could be. And looking out at my girls, I saw in their eyes that a bit of that reached them too.

Next week is white. The men have agreed to wear a white veil if we get 100% white shirts, and the game is going to be a team competition to see who can design the best toilet paper wedding dress. But none of that will take away from the message. That through the sacrifice of Christ, we can be new, clean, and free of sin. Cleansed in preparation to be the bride of Christ. I cannot WAIT to see what God will do!

Pride...

2012-02-07T18:24:00.001-06:00

Lately God has been working on my pride. It is no fun.

I think part of it is, I am holding things in or talking to friends more than I am talking to Him. I guess I feel like He KNOWS it. And He does... I also feel like I know He is with me. Which He is. But I haven't been talking to Him. Listening for Him, yes. Talking back? Not really.

Not because I think He wouldn't want to hear... My mind knows He isn't tired of hearing from me, that just because He knows where I am, how I am doing, what is happening doesn't mean He has stopped wanting me to talk to him about it. I think I just don't know what to say to Him. It is just too big.

Scripture tells us in Romans 8:26-27 that In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

But just because we don't need words to be heard and understood by God, doesn't mean we aren't supposed to TRY.

Once, years ago I was messing up my life pretty good. I was being a jerk to people who loved me, reacting poorly to the idea that some people DIDN'T like me, and just making wrong choices. My dad saw it all, knew it all, but he waited for me to come to him. To start complaining. And then he asked me to go sit in the garage to talk. He probably said, "come talk to me while I empty the dryer", or "I am listening, but follow me while I do something." Something every day and ordinary that had me follow him to a private place. And there in the garage where no one else could hear my daddy told me how much he loved me, but he also told me I was messing up. And that I needed to get it together. He looked me in the eye and said, "Not because I tell you, I love you no matter what. But you need to turn this around because I don't think you could handle it if one more person stopped liking you. And you are headed down that road."

Proverbs 16:18 says Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

I don't think I have been overly prideful lately, but I almost think God is pushing me to fall just a bit.

Nudging me into the garage for a chat. Nothing BIG, just normal (like my dad and the laundry) but right now in my life those little things are feeling pretty big.

Yesterday we took baskets and sweet letters to the nursing staff at the hospital where my dad passed away. Writing the letters last week was hard. Really, really, hard. Because how do you put into words how thankful you are to the person who stood by you when your dad passed away? Who held your hand when you called the rest of your family?

I thought I was better, but geesh. Walking into the hospital? Going back into the ICU? It was even harder. I was almost in fight or flight mode. I cried a little, but pulled it in. Cried again a little later, and pulled it together again. It was a tough day.

Today when I woke up if you had asked, I would have told you I was fine. I had an appointment I had to go to across town at 1, and as I was blow drying my hair I got an email. Again, nothing that is a big deal, just a little stumble to my groove. And after yesterday? My groove was pretty much non existent. So I drove to the appointment. And when I got there? All I wanted to do was sit in my car and cry. I haven't hardly cried this entire time! But THAT was my moment??? I felt so stupid. So, I cried a little, and pulled it together. Did the meeting, got all the way home, and made a huge mess of myself melting down for all the little ways my pride had taken a hit in the last few weeks.

And then I cried for the real reason. Because my daddy isn't here to tell me HE is proud of me.

So, now it is up to me to just talk to my Father in Heaven. To tell him all my troubles, and listen to his council. To hear Him say He is proud of me when I don't have any pride of my own left.

Stress? I eat stress for BREAKFAST!

2012-01-31T15:59:00.001-06:00

I do. Really. And it explains why I have indigestion and acid reflux. :0)

I am one of those people who worry. And stress. And then hold it all in until I explode crazy all over everywhere.

Today I went to the doctor because I have the early stages of an ear infection, and it hurts. Worse than that though? I also cannot hardly hear out of it! And you have to be on top of your game when you deal with children. Deaf on one side is manageable if you are always like that.

See if you are permanently deaf in your right ear? Your left ear perks up to try to compensate, your eyes start scanning for signs of subterfuge or trouble like the point man on a SEAL team, your nose starts twitching like a bloodhound to smell cookies being eaten 15 minutes before dinner. But those Spidey sense take time to cultivate!! If one day you just WAKE UP with one ear hurting and not working? No Spidey senses. Not one! But the evil children? They can sense weakness. They can tell as they are just waking up and rolling over in the morning, that something has changed in their favor. By the time they sit down with a bowl of cereal, they know where you are weak and have already formulated a plan with other area children to bring you down!

So, I had to go to the doctor. She would not give me magic ear drops though. No bionic ear transplants either. Just boring old antibiotics. That are going to take DAYS to work. She apparently has no children.

But, while I was at the doctor? It was revealed that in addition to my temporary half-deafness I also have extremely high blood pressure. Like when the nurse saw it on the left side? She did it again. And when it still seemed insanely high she switched arms. And then she said, "It's even HIGHER on THIS SIDE!" with a little panic in her voice. I just laughed. Because I eat stress for breakfast. Of course when the meal is big my blood pressure goes crazy throwing a party in celebration!

Still the doctor came in an fussed at me. Because I don't take blood pressure medicine. I have TRIED it. Several kinds. Even several kinds together. And with or without it? If I am calm my blood pressure is fine, but if I am stressed it is crazy high. It cannot be contained I tell you! So why spend all that money and take all those pills that don't work? Seems silly. So I don't do it. Makes sense right?

Apparently not to a medical type person. So I came home with a brand new super cheap pill that she thinks will work to bring my blood pressure down. But, just in case she also prescribed Xanax to take at bedtime. Because apparently she thinks I need a chill out and be a happy medicine. And I probably do.

This thing, losing my dad... It has been tough. Because I have to just keep going. You can't just BE SAD. Life keeps moving forward and dragging me with it. So I hold it in until I can take a minute and just deal with it, but then when I have a moment to deal? I can't get it to come out. I can't just cry until it feels better, it won't come!

Last night I wrote some letters to the hospital to praise the nursing staff at the hospital. I was doing ok, but I put the hardest one last, and I could tell as I typed and kept getting closer I was tensing up. Because Jessica? Well she is just my hero. When I wrote her letter I just cried through the whole thing. But my mom was there, hugging on me, recognizing my struggle and as much as I just wanted to sit there crying, I didn't want to upset her, or my kids. So without even really meaning to I pulled it all in.

Today? I feel like the tears are choking me. They won't come, but they are right there at the top of my throat. And when the nurse told me my blood pressure reading, I thought "That's all?" They were freaking out because I could have a stroke and I thought, "Wow, if they knew how I felt inside they would be thinking that was good!" I actually laughed at the situation. But the laugh doesn't ease the hurt or the hard.

So, here is hoping the chill out happy pills can either help with the hurt or help me let it out. And let's hope that antibiotic gets to work hard and fast, or that I develop some Spidey senses... Anyone have a radioactive spider I can borrow? Just for a second?

More Adult Onset ADD...

2012-01-29T21:23:00.002-06:00

And this time it isn't even ME!

Tyler received an Ipod Classic for Christmas a few years ago. About 18 months later it came up missing. We looked absolutely everywhere and could not find it. We believed maybe it had been stolen or he had left it when we were out somewhere. So for Christmas 2 years ago he asked for an Ipod Touch. I was against getting it for him because he had not been responsible for the Classic, but my mom kept talking until I caved and said she could get it for him.

6 months after that I was cleaning out my car and saw something shining just a bit under one of the seats. The sun was just at the perfect angle or something at the precise moment that I looked because that one glimmer is all I saw. I felt under there, but felt nothing. I kept feeling around though because I had SEEN that glimmer! Finally I felt the edge of something and pulled out THE IPOD CLASSIC! It had been under there well over a year. We had cleaned the car MANY times and never seen or felt it!

In his joy and glee Tyler told Colby he could have the Ipod Touch. Which was VERY sweet. Unfortunately, when we tried to load Cole's music and movies on there it kept glitching. We took it to the Apple store and they checked it over and recommended doing a full restore. So, Tyler put it in his pocket and we headed home.

A few days later I was sitting at the computer and had 15 minutes to work on it, so I asked Tyler to get the Touch for me. And you know what? HE COULDN'T FIND IT! I was pretty upset. I mean SERIOUSLY! This kid!

Over the next few months we tore apart the cars and the house looking. In couches, under beds, in the closet, under the seats... Nothing. I was mad, and Dwayne was too! He told Tyler on several occasions "You need to take care of your things better! I can't believe you lost ANOTHER Ipod! This is ridiculous!!"

Dwayne and I talked a few times about how we could teach him to be more responsible.

Then? Today I was changing the sheets and putting on a blanket I had not used in a while. It was longer than the normal sheets so I lifted the end of the mattress a bit to tuck it in neat. And do you know what I found? UNDER MY MATTRESS??? Where apparently Dwayne had hidden it from our son, to punish him for something?

Yup. The Ipod Touch.

All those conversations he was a part of? He had TOTALLY forgotten that he had taken it away. He TOTALLY forgot hiding it.

Pete's sake. This ADD? It is going to make me nutty. I need brains that WORK. Cause I can't count on mine.

Darn boys. All 3 of them.

Sometimes too late means more than on time would have...

2012-01-28T22:07:00.001-06:00

When my Dad was sick in the hospital and even after he passed away I had some people hurt my feelings. People I thought I could count on, people I would have called close friends... They just didn't show up! And it made me cry. Which made Dwayne mad. People are not allowed to make me cry.

So we talked. We considered. And we were pretty sure we were going to make some serious and drastic changes in our lives. Because I was so upset and hurt I really didn't want to see those people ever ever again.

Wanting something doesn't always mean it is feasible. You sometimes HAVE to see people. Because life moves on. Sometimes I wonder HOW life keeps just moving on. Doesn't the very core of the earth know my daddy is gone? Don't the birds singing realize? Why does life just keep moving on like nothing happened? But it does. Every morning the sun comes up and there is stuff to do. So I do it. And sometimes, those people are there.

When I saw them I buried the hurt. I pushed it down as far as I could. I smiled, I acted as normal as I could... And just kept moving forward. But the hurt was still there. It still is there. But now it is better, at least a little.

Better because one of the men in our Sunday school class gave me a note. Hand written, by him. No fan fare, no discussion. Just a note, I thought it was an AWANA newsletter or something when he handed it to me. Until I opened it during game time.

It wasn't a newsletter. It was a very sweet and heartfelt apology. Because he recognized he had let me down. And as my brother in Christ, he felt remorse. So he sat down and wrote me a letter. In pen.

This is a pretty big deal to me. The act of a man handwriting a note. Letters or notes from my Daddy or my husband have always meant the most to me. Men are people of ACTION more than words. And if they have words, they would rather say them then write them. Or tell someone else, so THEY can write them.

And the fact that this man, who is not leadership in our church. Just a guy in my Sunday school, saw my hurt and saw that he hadn't done anything to prevent it? That he took ownership for my hurt feelings and reached out to make it better? That means a lot. A really really lot. Maybe more than it would have if he had come to the hospital or visited my home after my dad passed.

So now I am waiting. Waiting for God to show me what is next. Because I really do believe that this man was used by God to let me know I wasn't done where I thought I was. Other places? God keeps convicting me. It is time to leave those people behind. But not here. Not yet. And that is ok. Because if He is keeping me here? There is a reason, He has a plan. And that is enough for me.

So this is what they mean by Old Timer's Disease...

2012-01-28T21:47:00.001-06:00

I have noticed that the older I get, the nuttier I become. And really? Well, let's be honest? At age 10 I was quite nutty enough for just about anyone to handle.

But here I am at 30 something, getting closer and closer to FORTY something. And I am seeing myself becoming compulsive about handwasher, flushing strange toilets with my foot, and losing the ability to remember things like I used to.

Like movies. I am the movie GIRL. I grew up in a house where we owned almost as many movies as a video store and what we didn't own we rented. When I was a teenager I WORKED in a video store and consistently amazed people with my ability to find the movie people were looking for.

Now I know what you are thinking, nowadays with things like IMDb and Yahoo Movies and other online movie resources, how hard could it possibly BE??? Well, back then the only time people heard about new movies was commercials and trailers. There was no Netflix, and Blockbuster was just getting popular. People came in and said things like, "I am looking for this movie... It was a commercial on this video we rented last month? It was a GUY and he was like an army guy or a cop or something? And then he meets this GIRL and she is that girl that was in the funny romance that came out last Christmas? I can't remember her name... She has brown hair? ANYWAY! He comes to her town and they fall in love while running from some drug runners who are chasing him because of what happened when he was doing the cop/army guy thing? Do you have that?"

And through a series of questions I would figure it out.

So today when we saw this trailer for This Means War at the movies?

I started thinking... What movie was that guy in? You know the one with the beautiful blue eyes?

And then I started picturing him... I think he was maybe a super hero? I remember a super hero suit... And then I started thinking Anne Hathaway was in it... And then I started thinking, Fabulous 4? Spiderman? Superman? Batman? Thor? Green Lantern? Nope. None of those...

So I kept trying to remember an Anne Hathaway super hero movie... Just heads up, there isn't one.

I could NOT remember to save my life. I remember there was something with him... It was funny! What was that funny movie? He wore glasses? But there was this time in a flannel shirt where he was saving the day... Maybe that was his super hero alter ego?

By the time we finished watching One for the Money I was getting frustrated. By the time I got to the car I was getting MAD. What the heck movie is he IN? Why can't I place him? What super hero movie am I MISSING???

Well I finally googled it. And then used IMDb. And you know what? All my memories were right. They were just like 4 different movies!

The super hero... Well not EXACTLY... Star Trek. :0)

Anne Hathaway? Yup! He did that too! Princess Diaries 2 Royal Engagement

Saving the day in flannel? Sure. Unstoppable.

Funny and in glasses? Not an alter ego... Totally different movie. Just My Luck. :0)

That is the thing about getting older. You KNOW almost EVERYTHING. It is just all scrambled up and you can't bring it together in any semblance of normal that might make sense to anyone other than... Well, yeah, doesn't even make sense to YOU!

All I can say? Thank God for technology and the internet. It is saving my sanity almost every day!

And now I can look forward to This Means War in peace. So can you. You're welcome. :0) Night bloggy buddies!!

Seriously?

2012-01-27T19:36:00.005-06:00

Who does this happen to?

Today, I was getting slightly prettied up for park day. You know, new homeschool group and all... You can't go all scrunged up like you would with those people you have known for years.

So, I blowdryed. Put on clothes that matched. Then, moved on to a slight schelacking of my face. I had almost finished and called it acceptable. Just the mascara left. So I got the handy dandy curler... Put it on my lashes and squeezed. And then?

Well, then? I SNEEZED.

And yanked out half my eyelashes.

So now? Every time anyone is polite and makes eye contact?

I am going to be wondering...

Do they notice?

Can they tell?

Am I so lopsided I look like a circus freak?

OR it could be worse... They might think THIS IS HOW I ALWAYS LOOK!! They might NOT notice. And think I am lopsided and half bald on one eye NATURALLY.

Oh the horror.

Pete's sake. WHO DOES THIS HAPPEN TO???

So, keep your chin up bloggy buddies! It could be worse.

You could be a complete and utter dork like me.

Have mercy...

I mentioned the hurt, have I mentioned the love?

2012-01-17T20:11:00.003-06:00

I spoke the other day about some hurt, and some hard. A few days before that about some blessings. But I haven't mentioned the love...

There has been a lot of love.

From my family. Most of all. We have held together with a strength and sureness of purpose that would make my dad proud.

My husband. Dwayne is always there, just how I need him. Angry on my behalf, fielding phone calls I cannot handle, and holding me when I cry.

From my co-workers. These amazing women... I have to tell you, if you do not have a Kim, or a Carol Beth, or a Tara, or a Shawn, or a Char or really any of these ladies in your life? You life is lacking love, prayer, friendship, support, laughter, and just more wonderfulness than you can imagine. They have somehow been used by God to email, text, or IM at the very moment when I needed it. Living all over the country, seeing me only a few times in their entire lives, they have loved on me like you would not believe.

From our neighbors. My family has lived in this house for over 30 years, and many of our neighbors have been here as long or almost as long. Their visits, love, prayer, sweet words, hugs, and even food have been overwhelming. And being able to see in their faces that they loved my dad and will miss him too... It means more than they can know.

From my childhood friends. My very best friend Laurie has been my best friend since I was 5. When I was in the hospital on Friday when we didn't believe Dad would make it through the night I had a list of people to call. I had called the church earlier in the day, so I called the people who needed to know. I called Dwayne, I called work, and then I called Laurie. Even though we had not been able to make schedules work to see each other, had not chatted in months, but she was my person to call. And she was amazing. Days later when my dad passed, she was amazing. In addition to her, friends I have not seen in YEARS have let me know I am loved.

So, the rest I can handle. It isn't easy, and it hurts at a time when I have enough hurt to deal with, but I can handle it. Because I have people who let me know I matter. And for that, because of them, I am blessed.

Facebook is wonderful, but...

2012-01-16T19:05:00.000-06:00

It does not replace a personal relationship. Through the dealing process following my dad's death (not healing, we aren't there yet, we are dealing at this point) I have seen who my friend's are and who my acquaintances are. I have to tell you, it isn't the people I thought it was.

My friends have called, texted, emailed, stopped by, brought food and connected with me personally in large and small ways to help me feel loved. My acquaintances have been wonderful too, they have prayed and commented on Facebook and it was nice. I don't want to minimize those prayers, not one little bit. They got me through the nights at the hospital where I had to sit awake with my Dad. But it doesn't equal friendship.

I know that as a homeschool mom with a limited income it is tough to form and maintain friendships. We are busy, we don't have lots of going out money, and even if WE can work out the free time and the mad money, sometimes our friend's can't. That's ok. I know that I AM jealous of some of those Girl's Night's I see others having, but I am also reconciled to the idea that I am not in that season of life. Where I can go out regularly with friends. That is fine. The way I am handling that is to make it a goal to work toward, and that is enough for now.

It has been hard though sometimes. To not see the people I thought were friends, or hear from them. It has me evaluating some things, considering my perceptions, and contemplating changes. I don't know which changes I will actually do, but I know there will be quite a bit of prayer over the next few weeks. And quite a bit of chatting with Dwayne and the boys over the next few months, to decide where God wants us to be active and present. Mixed in with some evaluation of our own behavior to see where we can grow to be better friends ourselves.

I won't react out of emotion. I have heard that people who are grieving shouldn't make major decisions for a year. I don't know that I will wait that long, but I will give myself time. And give God time to heal my heart and show me where He thinks we belong, and who we belong with.

Until then bloggy buddies? Could I ask you, many of whom know me not at all, to pray? Losing my dad has been hard for us to get a handle on. Especially my mom. We are trying to keep moving forward, but sometimes? Normal is not just hard it is impossible. I have an AWANA lesson on Wednesday I am working on, but at this point I have no idea how I am going to get up there and teach anything... How I am going to just teach my children tomorrow when school resumes... How I am going to start sleeping through the night... And it is even worse for my mom. So, could you pray for peace and calm and strength and even courage? We could use a super sized dose.

Strong? Not especially.

2012-01-11T15:46:00.001-06:00

My daddy passed away yesterday.

I keep looking at that sentence. I don't like it very much. There have been so many blessings through the entire thing, and thinking of them moves me forward.

11 years ago my dad had surgery to repair an aneurysm and it had complications. Really? He should not have survived. He was in the hospital for weeks and lost part of one leg. He fought and made it through months of healing and rehab. To celebrate we went to Walt Disney World.

This is the smile that shows exactly how much my Dad loves Disney. :0) Pluto had just snuck up and given him a BIG OL' kiss.

Because he survived that surgery and all that went with it? He not only got to know my oldest son Tyler, his only grandson at the time, but also my nephew Nick, my son Colby, and my niece Kori.

The only reason Dad went to the hospital is because he was trying to quit smoking and had a nicotine reaction that made him shaky. When the EMT's picked him up he had a low fever. If he hadn't had the reaction, we probably would not have taken him to the hospital for a low fever. I mean really? Who does that? The reaction was the blessing that got him as much care as possible and gave him a fighting chance.
My parents let us know long ago what their wishes were. They had a living directive telling us what they would and would not have us do if things get bad, and how to handle things in their death. Every kid had a copy of all that and their will, so when it was time to make tough choices we knew what to do and there was no disagreeing over it. Since my sisters and brother and I tend to have a million different opinions, this was a true gift.
The nursing staff in the ICU was incredibly kind to us. They allowed us to take shifts so that Dad was never alone. They disregarded visiting hours and shift changes to allow us to be by his side, and they loved on us like you would not believe.
Dad should have passed away Friday night. We were told. We said goodbye, but Dad wasn't really well enough to focus on us or speak. By having those few extra days Dad recovered enough to see us all, allow us to care for and serve him, and tell us all he loved us.
When it was time for God to take my Dad it was extremely quick and painless. He was sleeping, and then he was gone. And I had the blessing of being beside him, holding his hand when he passed.

There are so many more... So many ways God loved on us all during this time. And when I freeze up, I start counting. I start listing. And it makes it... Easier? Better? No. Maybe possible. Yeah, possibly possible.

People keep saying how strong I am because I can put words together on Facebook, or because I was able to call my family, or because I am not crying all the time. Or maybe they say my faith is strong. I don't know that I am strong. I don't feel it. My faith IS strong, I can't imagine it not being. I can't imagine getting through this without faith, that it isn't all meaningless. How would that look? To lose someone you love and not know where they are going, or to believe that everything is random? To believe that all the blessings are luck or happenstance? I can't imagine.

So, strong? Me? Not especially. But God is, and He is holding me up just fine.

The best laid plans of mice and men...

2012-01-06T23:21:00.002-06:00

Or even homeschool moms...

I thought today I would find some time to post a bit of a flashback. A drama free post. And instead I am sitting in the waiting room of the ICU, crying and praying that my Daddy makes it through the night.

He was in the hospital, but doing better. And then he was BAD. Just in the blink of an eye.

And now the doctors don't know that he will be here in the morning. I can't hardly imagine a world without my Dad in it. Who will call me on all my crap? Who will love my boys and check on them so often it gets annoying? Who will call my Tyler his #1 grandson? Who will teach Colby in the continuation of his ornery lessons? Who will turn down the boy's bed each night? Or remind us when it is Tuesday at 7 and time to watch NCIS? Cause that is my Dad's stuff.

Wednesday night I did a lesson on the difference between prediction and prophesy. I did it because the whole 2012 thing is getting big news. The last verses I had the kids read was Matthew 24:36-44

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Reading that? The thing that really stuck? Not even JESUS knows when He will return. Fully God, but He is just waiting on the Father to tell Him. Sitting here tonight, I don't know why that comforts me.

I don't know that tonight God will call my Daddy home, I hope He won't. But I know that if He does, then it is because it is time. And God's time, while it might seem hard or wrong? It is always best. So we will pray, and rest in Him who is in control of it all. And be thankful that through His Son, we are able to speak our prayers directly to Him and be heard.

Time to catch up.

2012-01-06T00:42:00.001-06:00

Just a fair warning! One of my "resolutions" is to try and catch up on here. I actually DO go places and do things with my kids. And I DO homeschool. And there is other stuff besides the drama and the tests of faith. But I get busy, and I don't post.

Don't get me wrong, I have ALWAYS wanted to. Because a bazillion years from now, or you know like 4, when I need to look back a bit this is what I will have. I mean, let's be realistic. As much as I WANT to scrapbook? It is not going to happen until I quit homeschooling, my children move out, I stop volunteering at church, quit my job, and possibly hire a maid and a lawn guy. Oh yeah, and do that PeaPod thing where they deliver the groceries. Which means really? I have to win the lottery. And I have better chance of getting struck by lightning. SO, this is what I am going to TRY to do. Post stuff here. Like regularly.

I KNOW. Blog regularly. What a unique concept! Whatever is the world coming to?

Hopefully it lasts past February 1st. Cause that would be good.

Anyway, I issue the warning because if you subscribe? You might get some hinky blogs. Like maybe posts from 5 years ago with Colby all little and cute and you will think, wait... Why does Michele look so YOUNG? And VIBRANT? And less wrinkly??? (BOY! Do I wish I could say skinny!) And you need to know ahead of time, I will still be my old, tired, wrinkly self when you see me in person.

Time warps happen on blogs. Not so much in real life. :0(

My Honey Girl...

2011-12-29T23:55:00.000-06:00

In 1996 my husband Dwayne and I were engaged and had just bought our first house.

We had 3 dogs already, but when I went into the pet store I saw this little girl, and knew I wanted her to come home with us.

I know what you are thinking.

WHO ON EARTH WANTS 4 DOGS????

Well, see we already had a black pug, and he was SO amazing. Adding another seemed reasonable. I think it was because we didn't have kids yet. Because now? Years later? The idea of paying hundreds of dollars for a fourth dog sounds like insanity. But we did it, and I never regretted it.

Honey was all mine. She wasn't as ornery as our other pug, she never ran off and had us chase her for fun. She was always my shadow. Following right at my heels and ready to snuggle up next to me when I sat down. If I was sick? She would stay in bed all day with me. Never asking to go out, or jumping down to eat. She just came to us knowing her place was beside me.

When she had puppies? She would go and feed them and then come and want to get up on the bed with me. I had to sleep on the floor next to the kiddie pool the puppies were in so that she would stay close to them. She was a wonderful mother, but she wasn't willing to give me up to do it.

In 1998 she and I became pregnant at the same time. But she had 12 puppies and there were too many. They didn't survive. We had her fixed right after that. The vet told us to expect that she might mourn. She didn't.

She just adopted my son, Tyler as her own.

If Tyler took a nap on his blanket on the floor? Honey was beside him. When Tyler was trying to roll over? Honey let him grab her fur and tugged him the last of the way. She was the best second mom a 14 pound dog can be.

In the years since, Tyler has grown. Colby has been born, and Honey has stayed by my side. Slept in my bed and been my constant companion. She has been my little girl in a house full of boys.

But the last year has been hard. Really a little before that. She has been deaf about 2 years now, but less than a year ago she decided she didn't want to sleep in our bed any more. It was just to far away from the back door, the water bowl, and the food. Her vision has been fading and I think she worried she would get lost. Now, she sleeps in a dog bed next to the electric fireplace.

But that isn't all. She has arthritis. Espeically bad in her back and hips because she had hip surgery as a puppy. She has lost most her teeth and has to slowly eat canned dog food. And every time she goes out back she gets lost and barks so we know to come get her. She has lost control of her bladder and bowels and has trouble getting comfortable.

So, we are having her put to sleep in the morning. We talked to Tyler about it, and I told him that it was the best way to love her. Not to make her linger and hurt any more. But tonight? I don't want to. I don't want to let go. I don't want to be fair, or responsible. I just want to take her into my bed and have it be the way it was.

I know she is "just a dog," I know it is the loving thing to do. But tonight? I don't care, and my heart feels like it is breaking. Sometimes? Doing the right thing sucks.

Magical Memories Monday: Disney Hawaiian Style

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

In 2001 we took an evening away from the parks to head over to Disney's Polynesian Resort for the Hawaiian Luau dinner show. Now since then it has of course been updated, but even then it was a wonderful show.

Let me apologize now for the picture quality.

This is back when I had a 35 mm film camera, and zoom was grainy! :0)

There were dancers, music, and fire throwers and they were all so talented!

The show kept us all completely captivated.

Tyler at age 3 had a fabulous time. Below you can see him after he stole everyone's lei and again showing off his giraffe tattoo. :0)

The food was WONDERFUL. It started with a delicious bread similar to what is served at Kona and O'hana, but with pineapple in it, a lovely salad, and fresh pineapple. Like many other family style restaurants at Walt Disney World, the Luau is all you care to eat so when the pineapple was gobbled up our server brought more.

The main course was a rotisserie style chicken, ribs, fried rice, and broccoli.

One of the Magical Memories from this dinner was the broccoli. I know, right? Broccoli??? What is magical about that? Did it make me skinny? Did it grow a beanstalk when I hid it in my napkin? Was it especially delicious?

Well, no. But see, Dwayne and I are not big veggie people. We only like green beans, corn, potatoes, salad, and raw veggies like carrots, peppers and things. Broccoli is really not something that happens in our house. So Tyler had never experienced it. Ever.

When he saw it he even asked what it was. And then he asked if he liked it. Well, since I try really hard not to make my children have my same tastes and dislikes, I told him yes. Yes he DID like it.

And you know what? I was RIGHT! He DID! He ate all the broccoli on this plate and asked for MORE! He still loves it to this day. Disney magic has children eating VEGETABLES!

Dwayne and I however? Well we abstained. We, well, uhh... We wanted to save it for Tyler? Yeah! That's it! All about the cute kid! Nothing to do with my desire to avoid veggies. :0)

Then came the very best part. Dessert! Disney always does dessert right and this dinner was NO exception. Delivered on a tray that had a volcano in the center the cake was a big hit.

All in all it was such a fun night! A wonderful break from the parks and something we cannot wait to repeat.

Apparently we need some rules around here

2011-10-15T16:20:00.001-05:00

********** I wrote this a few months ago. Because sometimes you have to just GET IT OUT. Before you explode. I was asked not to post it at that time because it seemed argumentative. But now, in a calm and rational frame of mind? I am posting. This is no longer aimed at any single person, or any group, but the rules still stand. And I think rules are important enough to share. That way you KNOW if you break one. I wonder... What are YOUR rules?

Somehow there has been an idea develop that anyone can say anything at any time about the way I live my life and that it is ok. Because I tolerate it with a pretty high level of kindness.

I now find myself in the position of correcting this belief. Because really? It is just not ok. And really? My ability to be nice has about run out.

See I have a pretty bad temper and a very small, poorly made filter between my mouth and my brain. And all the crap I am NOT saying has been piling up against the filter until the poor thing is about broken and smashed.

SO, here are the new ground rules.

You may not tell me how to parent my children. Especially if you never see them and don't know them. My kids are FINE. (Just ask them!) And it is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
You may not tell me the many reasons why you don't think I should homeschool. Because YES I am qualified. I was raised by a public school teacher (who currently LIVES with my children and me), have an IQ of 165, did well in school when I was there, know my children better than anyone, and have them more of a desire to see them succeed in life than anyone else. They are MY children. You don't care more about their future than I do. When in question refer to rule number 1.
If you are in my family? Or even my friend more than you are his? You may not say anything ugly to my husband. You may come to me, and politely tell me what you think. Don't start crap with him. Because I hold him back when YOU are a moron (that happens more than you think) or when you treat me bad and enough is enough. Don't make me quit telling him to hush. You don't want to know what he REALLY thinks.
You should not judge me by your convoluted idea of what kind of person my faith makes me. Your relationship with God is YOURS, mine is MINE. Do not assume that I have a stick up my butt about every little thing you do, every drink you drink, every party you attend. I don't. I am not morally against drinking, although I rarely do it. I LIKE having a good time. And really? I could care less how you live your life until it begins to infringe upon how I live mine.
I do not leave my children with strangers. Ever. They are the most precious thing in my life and I treat them like that. I would not trust my diamond ring with a stranger, why on earth would I trust my children with one? The only acceptable baby sitters are select members of family and a few good friends. If you don't agree with that, that is fine. You may leave your children with whomever you like. Please refer to rule number 1.

In general, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't talk to me. Don't call, don't Facebook, don't email. I don't want to hear it. You may feel free to complain to your friends about me, especially if I don't know them.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Please know these rules are steadfast and will not change, but Dwayne and I as the management team DO reserve the right to add to this list whenever we see fit or you piss me off again.

Have a nice day! :0)

I can't fix it but it bothers me...

2011-10-07T17:45:00.000-05:00

I am seeing a disturbing trend among Christians. Some I personally know, some are on TV. There is this ideal that if we don't agree with everything a company or person does than they are not worth our time and don't deserve our money.

In the last month I have received emails from people asking me to boycott both Disney and Home Depot because they support homosexuality. A year ago it was Target and it has been all manner of different places through the years. And I get it, a little. It would be similar to buying stock in Phillip Morris if you are against smoking. But really, not. Because the stock you buy is a private decision, we rarely send out emails telling people which stock to buy, and also it really isn't a daily choice of one company over another. I mean if I don't go to Home Depot, I go to Lowes, if not Target than Walmart. But is Walmart better? Lowes? Probably not.

It seems like the world is running from one boiling pot to another, trying to make a difference, but it doesn't. By boycotting these companies we are not going to change their policy, we are just going to make ourselves look inflexible and holier than thou. Which I guess some of us are. You know some of those people right? Can't be just me.

And I look back to the way Jesus behaved. You know when he went into Samaria, he shouldn't have. All the "good" Jews would have avoided that place. Those people didn't do religion right. They intermarried, they lived lives of sin, they didn't follow the law. But Jesus not only traveled through, He stayed a while. Now, He didn't say they were right, and I am sure if they had a big ol' gay rally in the middle of town He wouldn't have been in the square with a sign. Come to think of it, I don't think He would have had a sign and been shouting against it either. People were convicted, just by being around Him.

Compare that to us. If we boycott these businesses, what message are we sending? Even if you say we are sending a message to the homosexuals, what message? That we hate you? Whoever one anyone to Christ by screaming hate? Cause that is what it is. Certainly isn't love. And what message are we sending to the average guy who makes his living at Home Depot? If he is a Christian, should he quit? It is hard.

I think that we as Christians are absolutely called to be different. A higher level of responsibility. Maybe we shouldn't be so judging of others while we do it though? Just a thought.

Magical Memories Monday: Being in the PARADE!

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

On Saturday we had a wonderful breakfast at O'hana and headed over to Animal Kingdom for the day. Before leaving home I had made matching shirts for our entire family. Black shirts with Mickey Heads in animal prints. They were super easy and turned out cute. You can see the kids in theirs here.

When we arrived at Animal Kingdom we stopped to say Hi to some characters outside the main gate. All of us were wearing our Ultimate Field Trip buttons, and they set off a conversation with the cast members that were there supporting the characters. They asked all about UFT, complimented me on our shirts, and asked how many people were in our group.

The next thing you know we were being asked to be in the parade!!!

We were told to meet at a gate over near Kilimanjaro Safari about 45 minutes before the parade was to start. They took us back stage where we were allowed to put all our things into lockers and were outfitted with vests and Mickey hats.

Then they loaded us on to our floats. Cole was SO EXCITED! Brer Rabbit was RIGHT next to us and of course he is from Splash Mountain, Cole's FAVORITE ride. :0) We waited just a bit for the parade to start, but before long we were ON OUR WAY!

Mom and Dad were on the lead float with Rafiki. Now I have to tell you, Dad was a little miffed that we forced him to do this. He wanted to go see the Lion King Stage show. But once he was up there? Waving to the kids? He had a great time!

My family was just a little further back on the Gator float.

We had a wonderful time being a part of the parade. Waving to the kids was my favorite part, but it was also amazing to me how long those parades are! The cast members and characters keep up this high level of energy through the whole thing, and I can tell you, your arm gets TIRED! :0) It made me appreciate all they put into the show when we are in the crowd.

This picture of Dwayne makes me laugh. I have NO idea what that face is about.

Ryan, Stacy, and Kori were on the Tiger float further back. They liked it too, but Kori did say despite the ear plugs they provided she thought it was loud. :)

Having this opportunity was truly a MAGICAL memory and since most of our family had just arrived the night before, it was a fabulous beginning to our family trip. All because of matching t-shirts and our Ultimate Field Trip button... I cannot WAIT until next year!

Teenage Talks

2011-09-28T21:49:00.002-05:00

I had the best talk with Tyler in the car on the way home tonight. He said, "Do you think as Christians we maybe judge people too much?"

The question came because there are a couple of kids that have a bad name at our church. Before we ever visited Gateway they had been labeled the "bad kids." Now to my knowledge they don't drink, do drugs, steal, or anything really BAD. They just don't always sit quietly and behave. That has, from what Tyler has told me caused them to be the first to get in trouble if something is going on. And at times? It isn't even them.

The name they have made for themselves is known by all the adult workers, so that when they go into a new classroom? Well they are never given a fresh start, never given a clean slate. And it bothers Tyler just a little.

Tonight I had to talk to their sister. See she was one of my AWANA girls last year, and while she is spirited and has a similar reputation to that of her brothers? I LOVE HER. Is she perfect? No. But then not one of my girls is. But she is exuberant and fun and kind. Sadly her parents are unsure if she will be allowed to continue AWANA or if her brothers will be allowed to go to Youth. And at least part of that is because of the reputation that has been bandied about and how they are treated because of it.

And it is sad. Because that shouldn't be what we are like. We shouldn't judge. Not even in the face of evidence. We should love.

You know Jesus didn't tell people what they were doing wrong in general. He waited and let THEM TELL HIM. He asked some leading questions when He knew they would be effective, but that was done as a Savior who could read their heart. But when He was standing at the well? He didn't tell the Samaritan woman all she was doing wrong. He let her come to Him. When we decide what someone is doing is wrong, even for biblical reasons and we treat them differently because of it. Or even worse gossip about their short falls? Well we are acting more like a Pharisee than Jesus. And that is NOT who were are supposed to be emulating.

Know someone who is living in sin? Love them anyway. Know someone who says they are saved, goes to church, and is maybe even in ministry and is living wrong? Love them anyway.

The bible is VERY CLEAR about what we should do if we see a brother sinning. We should quietly talk privately urging them to change. If they will not hear us, then we should get a small group of believers and approach them again. Privately. We should not gossip, we should not decide how to punish them, cause that is just not our job. And if it is a child? Possibly an unbeliever? Well then we should understand they are young, they aren't held accountable to the same laws we are, and we should just love them. And hope that they see Jesus in us enough to want to come back again and again.

I am so proud of Tyler for seeing and knowing the wrongness when he saw it. And what a great talk we got to have because of it! So tonight I am going to pray that these kids come back next week. They need us, they need God, they need a loving church home, and we sure need them right back.

Magical Memory Monday: Magic Kingdom with My Boys

2011-09-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

This year the boys and I went to Walt Disney World a few days before Dwayne in order to be there for The Ultimate Field Trip. We arrived Monday just in time for the Mega Meet at the Polynesian, and the next day the boys and I got up bright and early to enjoy a day together at Magic Kingdom.

We arrived just in time to see the Magic Kingdom say Good Morning. This is just the best way to start your trip! The boys had never seen it before (have I ever mentioned early morning is not my friend?) and LOVED IT!

This is my Tyler with Colby on his shoulders.

I don't think it is possible to be happier than this!! :0) In Magic Kingdom? Even brothers can get along!

After we said Good Morning we headed up Main Street to the Bakery for breakfast. Because if you are going to get me up early enough for park opening? I will not probably get breakfast done too. Plus the Bakery is AWESOME.

I mean LOOK AT THIS!

This is the Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll.

YUM!!!

I know what you are thinking...

Is it REALLY that big?

Yes, yes it is.

It is HUGE. And delicious, and ONLY COSTS A SNACK CREDIT!!!

It was so big in fact that Colby had trouble taking a bite!

A knife and fork probably would have worked best, but HEY! This is Disney World. Where Cinnamon Rolls are made for giants and you get to eat with your hands and lick your fingers when you are done. :0)

After breakfast we headed over to Tomorrowland! The boys and I braved some pretty heavy rain to enjoy Stitch's Great Escape, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Carousel of Progress, and Space Mountain.

We got wet, but we had fun! Being with my boys, being able to be the fun mom... Well it doesn't happen all that often. But at Walt Disney World it does. And that is why I look forward to going back again and again.

After we finished up Tomorrowland we headed toward Fantasyland to meet my parents for lunch and some Philharmagic. It was a wonderful day, and just the perfect beginning to our trip. I can't wait to go back! Just 10 1/2 more months!! :0)

Choosing perspective...

2011-09-21T21:50:00.002-05:00

A while ago a friend called me, he had been reading my Facebook wall and his comment was something like that I seemed happy. That reading back, it seemed like I was doing really good. And that he was happy for me.

And I AM. I am doing good. Is life perfect? Nope. Is every day filled with joy and wonder? Nope. Not hardly. But I think for me I just reached a point where I couldn't keep doing it the way I had been.

In the spirit of keeping it real and probably oversharing I am going to tell you... I tend to have problems with depression. I have ALWAYS fought with it. I worry, I stress, I feel alone, I get sad, and then I just want to hide in my room and read book after book. If I didn't have kids and responsibilities? I would just hide from the world for months at a time. But I DO have kids, and they like to do things like you know... Eat. MORE THAN ONCE A DAY! So I get up. But even then I am not at my best. I am existing, and it seems like at times I am slogging through mud with each step and I really want to just go hide again. I am doing what I have to do so I can go back to bed. And that is just not good.

I still have problems with it, but I decided a while ago that in the midst of it all I was going to focus on the positives. Cause even if my husband loses his job and we lose our house, and my kids are acting like horrible heathens and I am overloaded and feel like the entire world hates me and nothing will ever be good again? There is probably still something to be thankful for. Like the fact that I have a husband who will never give up looking for a job, or who won't just abandon us in hard times. Or the fact that my children, while they are behaving horribly they are healthy and whole. And if I focus on that? Well sometimes it helps. It helps me remember that God has not abandoned me.

So I am choosing to look for the good. It isn't always easy, it is a choice. I will fail sometimes, others I will fake it until I make it. And hopefully it helps and makes me a better woman, wife and mom.

Magical Memory Monday: Hunting with the Hidden Mickey Guy!

2011-09-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

Typically the first day of the Ultimate Field Trip is all about the Mega Meet, but this year? Oh it was SO COOL! We had the chance to meet up with the Hidden Mickey Guy Steve Barrett and have a personal tour of the Polynesian Resort.

Above you see him with all the 3D ladies and Jodi Whisenhunt of Magical Mouse Schoolhouse. To the right you see him with all the kids. Believe me when I tell you the kids were JUST as excited as the grown ups! Hidden Mickey's are fun!

This is the Hidden Mickey the back of the Tiki's (shown in both pictures) head. And just the first of many Steve showed us in the Polynesian Resort.

Then we headed up the stairs where these were pointed out. Here is where it is good to know the "rule" about Hidden Mickeys. Generally, they should be 3 circles, the head circle should be bigger than the ears, and all 3 circles need to be touching. So while there are LOTS of circles here, there are only a few Hidden Mickeys.

The next place he led us was the resort check in desk. There are a series of paintings behind the cast members, but I am only going to show you one. This one has FOUR hidden Mickey's in it. (Want to find them in the other painting? Ask the Cast Member! They can often help.)

Ok, I zoomed in to help you see these. In the painting there is an out cropping of rock. On the left hand side of this picture you will see 3 grey circles toward the bottom of the rocks. Then almost directly below that there is a 3 brown rocks that form an upside down Mickey. Continue to the right in a straight line and there is a rock with a dark grey Mickey forming the top. UP and over to the right again, near the bottom of those palm fronds is the 4th and last Mickey in grey.

Did you see them?

Imagine the excitement of seeing them IN PERSON.

With the guy who researches THOUSANDS.

AMAZING!!!!

My kids and I had a MAGICAL time exploring the Polynesian with Mr. Barrett. He and his wife were beyond gracious and it was a pleasure to spend this special time with them. We will think of this memory every time we spot a Mickey hidden in the parks.

Are YOU interested in searching for Hidden Mickeys? Check out Steve's book!

You can purchase it online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble

or even on property at Walt Disney World!

You can also find Steve at his website and on Facebook & Twitter.