Homeschool Moments

Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:51:00 +0000

Finally a day where I can have a few moments to just relax and blog :). It hasn't been anything to serious about being busy just little things like going to the Laundromat, MOMS Club meetings, grocery shopping, a field trip, family visiting and in between all that schooling the boys and making dinner LOL.

We also went to H&R Block to get our taxes done, since hubby finally got his unemployment W2 in. Everything else came in pretty quickly but that seemed to take it's time. We won't get any money though till the fourth so I am patiently waiting. We are getting a decent amount this year thankfully. We so need it. I plan on getting a new computer since this one is getting super slow even after I wiped it all out. This one will go to the boys (with careful monitoring of course). Then we will get some things done on the Jeep that needs to be done (like struts and maybe an added leaf in the back since it sags a bit) and of course I will be getting next years curriculum with some of it too. I usually get most of it from www.rainbowresource.com .

Also with the money we get back we plan on putting some away for a small vacation. Nothing really big but my mom owns a small house up north further and we plan to spend a few days up there and find little things to do while we are there. It's always a relaxing time when we go there. We haven't been on family vacation (even a small one) in about five years! This is something we really need.

Granted we could just put that in the bank and save but we really do need this time together and it will be well worth it I think :). But the rest of the money will be put back and we will save as much as we can because you never know what can happen. Trust me when I say I know all about that LOL. I hope everyone is doing well! So far we are. God Bless!!!

From Overwhelmed to Relief and Joy!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:51:00 +0000

It has been a stressful few days but also good. Well as you know the Jeep decided to have issues and we were praying it would be an easy fix. Well when we went in a day later to see what was up we were told it looks like it's going to be a big issue. They thought it might be the front differential. They said it would cost any where from $500-$700 and maybe even more!

Another thing is we found out that on our budget plan that we are on with the electric company was going up. So instead of paying $86 dollars a month it is now going to be $122 a month! With hubby making very little money and it's not practical for me to work right now (with only having one vehicle) money is very tight.

Then yesterday while the boys were doing dishes water was pouring out of the bottom cupboard where the sink is at. So I was thinking ugh not a busted pipe too!! I cleaned everything out and dried up everything.

On the good side my mom had offered to help pay for the Jeep, and the "busted pipe" was not a busted pipe after all. We have a hole (which we need to get something to cover it) where a sprayer used to be and while the boys were doing dishes they must have some how poured water down that hole causing all that water.

Also we got a call from the place fixing our Jeep and low and behold it wasn't the front differential that was messed up! It was exactly what my husband thought it was. Which was a wheel bearing. They also had to replace the rotors and a couple of other minor things and it's going to cost us a lot less than the $500-$700! My mom is still going to help us but at least it's not as much as what was originally thought! Praise God!!

Still not sure what to do about the electric bill but one day at a time and I am just happy with all the other good news! We are still struggling but God has and will get us through everything I know. I just need to remember that it isn't about me and to focus on Him and know that He will take care of it all! It may not always be how I would do it but God's way is always the right way and I just need to let Him do what He does.

I have other things going on as well like babysitting on Tues. for my two nephews, Big Sister Training for the MOMS Club® and today we went with friends within the MOMS Club® to an Art Museum. They had a kids section. One room was with toys and other cool things to play with (like old typewriters that the boys got a kick out of) and another room full of craft stuff and painting. After they did that for a while we walked around the museum. It really was a lot of fun.

Well that is my adventures from just this week alone LOL. At least it is ending up ok. I hope things are going well for everyone else too! :) I sure hope to start blogging more again. Things just seem to get hectic around here. But I do plan to blog when I get a chance. Thanks for those who still read this blog.

Going On's

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 23:47:00 +0000

Not much going on today. Our Jeep is hopefully getting fixed (and hoping it's not too expensive) and hubby is now at work. We borrowed my moms truck for now. We are so blessed that she has the means to helps us out and does so when ever we need it. I don't know what we would do without her! Because of the Jeep problems I wasn't able to go to a MOMS Club event today. One I really wished I could have went to but we have to do what we have to do right?

Well hubby has decided not to take the new job. There were different reasons he decided not to and I understand why. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. He is also looking into a position at his current job that is days and makes a dollar more than what he is making now. He first wants to see what it's all about before he decides to try for it though.

As for the weekend we really don't have anything planned that I know of right now. Sunday after Church we are going to check on how our Jeep is going. We take our vehicles to hubby's cousins shop. He usually gives us a small discount (usually on labor) and does the job right. So nice to have people in the family that can do these things. Granted we still pay for everything but he gives us a little break anyway. Can't blame him he has to make money too. :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I may not post during the weekend. I figure that is family time but if I get a moment I may still post but not sure. Besides maybe I will have more to talk about by then LOL. At least more interesting? Or maybe not who knows LOL.

The Jeep and Prayers

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:55:00 +0000

Well today started off well. I did some school with the boys then we went to Create and Play (MOMS Club event) and had fun making Styrofoam snowmen and then we came home. Then we spent some time with hubby (dad) and then we had dinner.

Then hubby calls from work and the jeep is acting up. He thinks it has something to do with the caliper. We are hoping it's an easy enough fix (please pray for it to be!) because tomorrow he has a plant tour at the place he may start work at and then right after that he has to go to his job now.

Thankfully my mom is letting us borrow her truck while hubby tries to figure what's going on with the Jeep. I really do hope it's nothing too serious. We really can't afford it. Granted I know my mom would help if we needed it but it's not something we like to do you know?

So if you are thinking of us please pray for hubby to find that this new job is a good start and pray that the Jeep is an easy fix. I am just trusting God to get us through since He's gotten us through a lot of things before and I am sure He will get us through this. Extra prayers are always helpful though :).

Hello Again

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:39:00 +0000

I know I've been gone a while again. This time it has been because my computer was acting up and I had to have someone do a total restore on it for me. For some reason I was having troubles doing it on my own even though I've done it in the past. After that I still had to download other things and updates to it. Hopefully I worked out all the kinks in it. :) Come tax time when we get our money I am going to get a new computer hopefully. Nothing too expensive but something that isn't as slow as this one can be LOL.

The boys had a very bad cold also in the time of my absence. It wasn't the flu but they felt miserable just the same. Coughing, sore throat and headache never feel very good. But they are both fine now thankfully. Also I am happy to report that I did not get sick! I washed my hands vigilantly while I took care of them. I wasn't sure if that would help or not since they did breath on me a few times LOL. All in all though I have remained healthy.

In other news I was contacted by the higher ups (International) of the MOMS Club and they asked if I wanted to be a Big Sister and I have accepted. Basically I would keep track of eight chapters of MOMS Club and what they are doing (from reports they send me) and then I would make a combination report and send it to some people from International. I would also answer questions to these chapters if they have any. I would also get their newsletters and I would review them to make sure everything is just right. The newsletters are only once a month so that won't be too big of a deal and I am on the computer a lot anyway with different things so answering questions won't be too hard either. It's too bad I don't get paid for any of it though (LOL) since it's a non-profit organization. But on the upside I can put all this on a resume if I ever do have to go back to work.

Hubby is looking into a new job. The job he is at now isn't one that he will be able to move up in. From what he's heard there are people that have been there 20 years and still making the same pay he is now! But this new job opportunity he should have a chance at moving up in. It starts at 25 cents less than what he is making now but they work more hours (45-50 hrs a week.) and it will be days. Which is what he wants anyway (he works later afternoons now 4:30 P.M.-1:00 A.M. and a lot of times till 3:00 A.M.) so he can spend more time with the boys.

He went today for an interview and they said they might set up a tour of the plant on Friday for him and then he would take the drug test. After all that he would start working there. I guess it starts off like a contract job but after so many months (or so) they hire you and the pay goes up a bit then too. So we shall see how that goes. He's grateful to have the job he has now but it isn't what he had hoped it would be. Granted this new job might not either but hopefully it's at least a step up. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that he makes the right choice about this job.

Anyway I hope everyone is doing well. Hopefully I will be blogging more again without any more computer problems! I've missed it!

Teaching Responsibility and other Parenting Advice Needed

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:42:00 +0000

Finally, a day of nothing much to do! It seems the past few days has been running around doing something. Not that what we did was bad or overwhelming per say but it's nice to have those days where we don't have to do too much. The only thing we have to do today is go to Church so the boys can practice being in their Christmas skit for Sunday.

Since Hubby has to work the wife of one of our pastors (LOL I almost put one of our pastor's wives. Would have had you wonder what kind of church I go to huh? LOL) is going to pick up the boys for their dress rehearsal.

My oldest son has a couple lines he says in the play but he lost the paper that tells him what he is supposed to say. I know I probably should have put it away myself but I thought since he is 10 he could be responsible with it. I guess that is not the case. Then he was supposed to ask for another one last Sunday but he forgot to ask. So hopefully he will remember to get it this time around. Ugh I just don't know what to do with him.

He doesn't even seem to be worried about it. That is only till I mention it. I know this little skit isn't super important but I want to teach him responsibility. Is it just the age or am I really doing something wrong here? Any suggestion? I would gladly listen to any. Maybe I am just over thinking this or expecting too much from him?

It's not like we do everything for the boys. In fact I am always trying to get them to do things on their own like working out their own arguments, having them pay for things and counting money, approaching people (have done this at a early age so they wouldn't be shy like I was/am) and asking them questions or what not, doing their school work and only asking when they need help and so on. This summer we are even letting our oldest (Would do it with my youngest too but he doesn't want to) go with my dad to Arizona for a couple weeks. Also this summer my Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law are going to show them how to work their corn stand so the boys can take it over and run it for them eventually. So it's not as though we have been coddling them.

If you have/had a ten year old please tell me if this is just a phase? He seems to be less responsible about things now then he was before, he likes to think he knows better than everyone else and doesn't seem to know where to draw the line with sarcasm. The thing though is I don't think he tries to be that way. I really think he is oblivious to it. I know the sarcasm is our fault (us being parents) because we tend to be sarcastic ourselves and I know that part I need to work on before I can work on it with him. Everything else though I just don't know what else I can do. If you have advice please post it. As I am at a loss.

Bah Humbug to Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 01:18:00 +0000

It has been snowing on and off all day today. I know a lot of people love the snow but may me...not so much. If we could only have it one day a year and that day be Christmas day then I wouldn't mind it so much. It's not even the snow I hate but the cold that comes with it ugh. I just do not like the cold!

I know this might seem strange to some but it takes me longer to warm up in the winter then it takes me to cool down in the summer. I know I am odd LOL. If I could I would so move to a warmer climate. Unfortunately I have a husband who loves the winter and the cold it brings. I know opposites are supposed to attract and all but come on LOL. Because of this he will never really want to move out out of state. Unless of course it's to Alaska or say the North Pole. Neither of which I would like to move to. Visit maybe (if I have 100 layers or so on) but move? NO WAY!

I never really knew how sensitive I was to the cold till we (my mom, brother and I) moved back to Michigan after my parents divorced. Then again we never really lived any where that had extreme winters. We did live in Germany a few times but none of the places we lived seemed to ever get as cold as it does here. You would think though since I have lived here since I was fifteen (and now I am 34) I would have gotten used to it, but sadly I haven't. If anything I seemed to have gotten more sensitive.

I don't know if it is just because I am a wimp (which I admit I can be LOL) or because my normal temperature is only 97.6 but I do have a hard time staying warm. You would think since I am over weight that it would insulate me more but it really doesn't LOL. Most people can stay warm by putting on more layers but nope not me. I could be in multiple layers and blankets and still feel like I am freezing. I would much rather have the hot humid summers we have than the freezing cold winters. Yeah I know I am weird but I am ok with that LOL. I think I am going to be like a bear and hibernate till spring and say a big BAH HUMBUG to winter!

Imperfect Family

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:55:00 +0000

I try not to complain too much on this blog but man today was a rough day. I don't know if it's just me (maybe I am being grouchy or what) but the kids really drove me nuts today. I love being a stay at home/homeschool mom 99% of the time (well ok more or less) but there are moments I feel like ripping my hair out.

For some reason today I had to repeat myself more than twice to get them to settle down or do something. Then of course they wanted to whine about doing their school work. It just seemed like they had to push my buttons.Now I guess I really shouldn't complain because they really are great kids. They hardly ever argue and usually (notice the word usually) behave and listen to me. Today wasn't one of those days though.

Nobody seems to believe that the boys can act up. I have friends tell me all the time oh your kids are so well behaved. All the moms in my chapter of MOMS Club also love the boys and they get invited places all the time. Don't get me wrong I am glad they are well behaved and glad people like them but it feels so weird when they compliment our parenting skills LOL. Because they do misbehave at times or make wrong decisions. I don't want people to think we are all perfect. I am far from Mrs. Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver or any other family show of that era and my family isn't perfect either.

My oldest is at that stage where he thinks he knows everything and will argue with me (or at least try to ) about anything and everything even if I know better. Either that or he gets very sarcastic and even though he isn't trying to can come off like he is disrespecting me. So I have to try and correct him in that area. Don't get me wrong he is a very loving and compassionate person. He would do anything to help anyone out. There are times though that he and I butt heads.

My youngest....well he is likes to be clingy and whiny at times and though he's gotten better in the whiny area but when he gets tired it comes back with a vengeance. He is also a very loving compassionate person but sometimes (especially with his school work) he likes to be so clingy and wanting me to do everything for him or with him.

Then there is me who sometimes gets moody and no matter what anyone does it seems to be wrong LOL. Sometimes I can be the biggest kid in the room. I want it done my way and even then it might not be good enough. I too have a big heart and a compassion for people and would do anything for family and friends. But there is another side of me that isn't so nice and very hormonal. I call her Mrs. Dragon and when she comes around it's safer for everyone if she stays in her room by herself till she gets over herself.

My husband...well anyone who has a husband knows there are things you can complain about a husband. From not putting their dirty laundry in the hamper to not helping out more with the kids. But I digress. My husband is a a good man and does more than a lot of husbands but he isn't perfect either.

I really hope no one thinks we are a perfect family. If they were to come in our home they would be so sadly disappointed. They would see kids and parents that argue sometimes and do things not all that great too. I am really ok with being imperfect (well if you asked Mrs. Dragon you might get a different answer LOL) and I don't judge anyone else for their imperfectness either. We all have our issues and that is ok. Thank goodness God loves us anyway LOL.

How I went from complaining about my kids to imperfectness I don't know. I told you I am a rambler and tend to write all over the place. A writer I will never be LOL. Good thing I just write a blog for myself and not for anyone else. If you read it I thank you and hope I don't confuse you too much with my many twist and turns. If no one reads it then hey at least I have my own little diary LOL.

Always Busy

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:25:00 +0000

Boy did this weekend go by so fast! Then again we were busy. It was a good kind of busy though. Sat. I went to the local parade/craft show(we weren't in the parade) to get MOMS Club® advertised. What was cool about that though was that we were inside the high school. It was the school my husband went to when he was teenager. What else was neat was that we were kiddie corner to the wall (every year Seniors of that year painted a wall) that hubby and his friend painted for their senior year. Let me tell you even though I didn't go to that school it brought back memories when hubby and I were teenagers! It really doesn't seem like it's been 17 years since we started dating (12 years of marriage). It was very nice to have those memories again.

After I got home from that and after lunch we left to go to another parade where my sister-in-law and brother-in-law lived. It was so cold but we watched it and the boys got more of what they (think) need....candy! LOL. It was fun though. I have to say I am so grateful for the family we have. Hubby's family has always felt like my family too. I love them as much as I love my own family.

Speaking of my sister-in-law and brother-in-law please keep them in your prayers. They are going through something right now (nothing bad :) ) and could use some prayers. I don't want to get into it too much so I am just going to ask for prayers for them. Thank you.

Sunday, we didn't go to church. Poor hubby didn't sleep well the night before and the boys ended up sleeping in. I think they needed the sleep anyway. So instead we went to visit my mom. We had a nice dinner together and enjoyed each other's company.

Today I had to get to the board meeting for MOMS Club® to make sure all the business is taking care of. We also started to talk about our end of the year banquet we have. It's not till June but we want to discuss ideas and stuff for it. It is the best time for us moms of the club! We get to dress up and feel pretty and really enjoy ourselves. I can't wait to see what we plan. It's all a surprise to the members till we sent out the invites and what not!

After the meeting I ran and did grocery shopping and came home and spent some time with the family and made an early dinner. Since hubby works afternoons now we have a pretty early dinner so he can eat with us. I feel it's important for us to eat together.

Oh and between that I of course did school with the boys. I swear I need some clones of myself LOL. Anyway I wanted to get to the Library today but I didn't get a chance to. Maybe tomorrow after I go to the Laundromat to do our laundry.

As you can see not too much has changed for me LOL. I am still as busy as ever. Maybe one day I will slow down. I do get some downtime but I notice if I am stationary too long I become antsy and irritable LOL. So maybe that is just how I am supposed to be. I love being involved in things. I am slowly learning to take breaks here and there though LOL.

Sorry I know I rambled on through this but just like my life I tend to rush through things....It is who I am I guess. Hopefully you understand what I wrote LOL. Thanks for listening to me LOL.

Can you say Busy?

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Today is a busy day. Earlier today I had to go to Calendar Planning for MOMS Club®. That is where we plan the calendar for the next month. Then later a friend of mine from the Club is going to pick the boys and I up for her Hanukkah party that she is having. I've never been to one so I think it will prove to be interesting. I love learning different things.

It's funny how now that I am older I love to learn more then I ever did as a kid. I remember as a kid if it had something to do with learning something I didn't want any part of it LOL. I don't know if that was just me or because I went to so many different schools and felt like I was always behind (I was an Army Brat) so I just didn't want to learn anything. It's funny with the boys if they know it's school related then they don't want to learn about it but if it's something they came up with. Like learning more about WW 2 then they are all for it LOL. Maybe I should just take their cue and let them lead the way and find ways to teach them without them knowing it LOL.

Tomorrow is another busy day. I have to go to a local parade thing to promote the Club (thankfully we will be indoors in this cold!)and then later we might go to my Sister-in-laws to watch another parade. But I think it will all be fun.

Sunday is of course church but not sure what else we have planned. Sometimes we just stay home and sometimes we go visit family. Either way I know it will be good. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and maybe not as busy as I will be LOL.

More About Me and MOMS Club®

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Here is another little update about me. I have been a part of MOMS Club® for almost six years now(in June) and I have been Secretary two of those times. This past year I decided that I would run (we have an election every year) for President and lo' and behold I was elected! It was between the founder of the club and I. I heard it was a close race but it was a secret ballot so I don't know how close it really was.

It is something I never would have thought about doing before. When I first joined I was just a member and planned to stay that way. But then I had a friend within the club that pushes me (nicely pushed) into being a coordinator for Create & Play. Even though I didn't think I could do it (because me crafty? no way!) I tried it anyway and found I loved it. I also got to know someone within the club that at first didn't particularly care for and soon we became best of friends! (Let me tell you it was a God thing for sure :) )

After a while I got in the groove of things and thought ok I can do this but I would never be on the board! Well about four years later I had another friend (my now best friend) really (again nicely) pushed me into going for Secretary. Well no one ran against me so I got it! I realized I really liked doing it! Never thought I would like to take notes (hated to in school) and being organized (in my real life I am so not an organized person though I wish I was.).

So I ran again the next year but this time I didn't get it. I was ok with that though. After all I should give other's a chance to do it. Well a few monthly later the person who got it had to return to work so she had to step down. No, one else was volunteering for it so I took it over once again. Again I loved it.

That term was running out and then this time all on my own I decided I would run for President. I decided that I've had people push me into things and I ended up liking it and hey it was time for me to step out of my box without having to have someone push me into it. So I ran and was elected! My term will be over June 30th but so far, even though there has been some bumps in the road, I have enjoyed it.

I really believe God has put me in these situations to help me grow and go outside my comfort zone. Sure it was uncomfortable and hard at times but I am not doing things I never would have thought about doing. I don't know what He has prepared for me but I am willing to follow where ever He takes me.

Next year I don't plan on running for anything and just be a member for a while (maybe a coordinator) but who knows maybe God will have other things planned. I just have to wait and see.

Updates on Life and Homeschooling

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:15:00 +0000

Wow it's been a long time since I posted anything. The last post I see was back in March of 2009 and now it's almost the end of 2010. I doubt anyone will read this but that's ok I'll still post LOL.

Hubby just got a full time job recently. It has been over two and half years since his last employment let everyone go. This new job isn't the best job and it does pay less than his unemployment did but we are very thankful for it! Today his insurance will kick in. God I know has a plan for us and just like always we will get through!

Homeschooling, we are now in our sixth year of homeschooling. It's been a long road and a lot of learning. Both for the boys and myself. We are still learning as we go. I can't believe it's been this long already. We've had our ups and downs and I am sure that will continue but it's all been worth it.

My oldest is now ten years old! He will actually be eleven in March. The boys are growing up to be individuals of their own. My oldest is a lot like me and sometimes that makes us argue more LOL. He isn't a bad kid he just likes to think he's always right just like his mama used to (and sometimes still thinks) when she was a kid. He is very smart and very much a visual and auditory learner (also like me) he likes to try and be as independent as he can be. He does a lot of his school work on his own and only comes to me for help or to check his work. But there are times he still wants to just hang out with mom (and dad too LOL). He plays guitar and loves video games and Lego's!

My baby boy (though he isn't a baby any more LOL) will soon be nine years old (in Jan.). He is my little clown. He loves to make people smile and will do anything to get a laugh out of people. He doesn't care if you are laughing at him or what he just wants to get you to smile. He is proving to be very artistic too. He loves to draw and plays bass guitar, and guitar. He is so amazing that when hubby shows him how to play something he can pick it up almost immediately. He is a very hands on and visual learner (like his dad). He likes to see something done and then do it. He still loves to be cuddled and likes mom and dad to be around. In school he likes me to be right there with him over his shoulder. It isn't that he can't do something but likes to make sure it's right. He is learning to do more on his own though.

I have an amazing family and we are doing well. We might not have a lot but we really do have a lot of love and blessings in our lives. I could go on and on but I think I have posted enough for now. I hope to blog more again soon. I really miss it. So until next time..... :)

Busy, Busy and Thoughts and Prayers Please :).

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:23:00 +0000

It’s been a busy few days here. Friday was the MOMS Club® meeting. It went pretty well. I was a big surprised. Usually it’s a little more chaotic but this time it wasn’t. It was nice :).

Saturday I had a headache for most of the day but eventually it went away and I went to a friends house where she was hosting a craft night and I learned a little bit about scrapbooking and she and another friend gave me some stuff to use :). I’d like to get more into it but man it can be expensive *sigh*. It was a lot of fun!

Sunday was Church of course and the rest of the day was pretty lazy. I went to bed late on Saturday night so I was tired most of the day Sunday. I even took a nap and still went to bed early! I was that tired LOL.

Today was really busy. First I didn’t realize till last minute I had a meeting within MOMS Club® for something we are doing on April 25th. So I had to rush to get out the door to get to that but it was nice. I got to talk with some friends too and that’s always nice.

After that we came home and hubby went and took some Library books back for me and then we were all off to the Laundromat to do laundry. Which is never really fun when you have a husband and two children along LOL. Especially when said husband is in a rush ugh!

Why was hubby in a rush? Because he wanted to get new tires put on our jeep. He had to get there (he called them earlier) before 4:00 p.m. to get them put on and balanced and what not. So he was a bit impatient at the Laundromat. Sorry honey I can’t force the dryers to dry faster LOL.

Just when I think things are not so busy something happens and we are out the door. That’s ok though because I’d think I’d be board without all the running we do LOL.

Hubby has his job interview tomorrow. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers that he can get this job. It might start off part-time and low pay but with it being a State Job it will get better. We will just have to tighten our belts more than we have already but I know we will get through till then. Thanks for the support everyone :).

Just some Thoughts on Things

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:41:00 +0000

Not too much going on today. It rained a little here but not too badly. The boys went outside for a little bit today to ride their bikes. Chord just got a new bike because his old one was getting a little small on him. Last year Jarod got a new one so I guess it was time for Chord to get a new one too :).

Well tomorrow is the Monthly meeting for the Moms Club® and that is when the President is going to announce she is stepping down. Hopefully it will all go ok.

I still haven’t decided if I want to run for Secretary again or not. I don’t think anyone else will want to do it LOL. I mean last year I was the only one who ran for it so by default I got it LOL. I really don’t mind doing the work. I like taking the minutes and doing all those things! Then again I like to play around on my computer too. I learned a lot about computers by just playing around with them. I could learn more I am sure if I took a class but I really have learned a lot by just playing around with them :). I think I learn better that way. Anyway I am getting off track here :). (I am good at that LOL.) But like I said what I don’t like about it, is some of the drama. I like my drama on TV not in real life LOL.

If I do run again and get it, it would be more experience I could put on a resume some day. It will give me two years of experience instead of one and again I will learn more about computers I am sure :). Maybe knowing what it will be like will have me more prepared for it this time.

The drawback is I really don’t like conflict. I’d much rather be the peacemaker and I really don’t understand why some people get in such an uproar about the smallest things. Why do some people have to jump down your throat and ask questions later? I mean sometimes if people would just talk things through they would find that no harm was meant and maybe it was an honest to goodness mistake. Instead we get the bickering and silliness and for me it just gets old quick.

Is it just me or are a lot of women like this? Maybe that was why I was such a tomboy when I was growing up. It’s no wonder I have only a select few of close female friends. I do have other female friends too but I wouldn’t call them close. I know there are a good many women that aren’t like this but man there seems to be a lot of women like that. I am not saying I don’t have faults (don’t even think I could count them LOL) but man this is just something I am not used to and don’t like. Am I the only one that feels this way? Maybe I am just weird and seeing things wrong I don’t know.

So as you can see I really don’t know what to do. I feel like I am caught between a rock and a hard place. I love doing what I do for the most part in the MOMS Club but is it worth all the stress? Should I just drop it and try to just enjoy being a member of the Club or should I try and stick it out and maybe get some insights and experience doing it? These are just some questions I have been asking myself. Any thoughts for me? LOL.

Maybe I should just wait and see if I get nominated. I could just run if I wanted to but if I just wait to see if I get nominated I can at least see if anyone wants me to run again LOL. Maybe no one will and then I won’t have to worry about it LOL. I wouldn’t have any hard feelings LOL. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. I just feel torn about what I should do. I mean if I was working I would have to deal with people (I have in the past LOL) but do I want to do it voluntarily? LOL.

More of my Ramblings :).

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:11:00 +0000

Not too much going on today. After how busy we have been I am ok with that LOL. We just had Science Club with the MOMS Club® but that was in the afternoon so nothing too much.

Friday is the Monthly meeting for MOMS Club® and our President is stepping down. Funny thing is she would only have three more months with elections coming up but I guess she is done. She is also going to drop out of the club. There have been some issues with her so maybe it’s the best thing right now. So the AVP is going to take the President’s position and we will have to get a new AVP.

I am still deciding if I want to run again for this coming election. Maybe I will wait and see if anyone nominates me LOL. The job itself isn’t really all that hard for me and I like doing that part of it but there are other issues I am not sure if I want to keep dealing with or not. Maybe since I have been through it all already I will be more prepared for it. The question is do I really want to or not? It hasn’t been a total disaster or anything just certain things that have got me thinking. Lets just put it this way. Sometimes if feels like I am back in high school. Make sense? It’s not everyone just certain people. What’s really weird is it’s people I have liked. So I don’t know what to do right now.

Anyway on a different note. Hubby has a job interview on Tuesday!!! It’s for the rest stop (a state job). He would just do like groundskeeper things which he is ok with and hey eventually he would get decent pay we would have good benefits. It might start off as part-time or seasonal but we can make it through that. From what he said if it’s like that he could still collect some of his unemployment. Of course it would be less with what he would be making but it’s something right?! He really hated the school thing and there was no guarantee he would be able to get a job afterwards so this is probably a good thing he is doing. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers about getting this job!

Hello

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Hello Everyone, I know I have been gone a LONG, LONG time and I am sorry. We have just had a lot going on. We have had our fair share of illnesses and been busy with school. Seems we get really busy this same time of year every year with doing things.

I have been spending a lot of time with my camera :). A friend of mine in Feb. took me and the boys to take pictures of this one park that had flooded and then iced over. I got some really great pics :).

The boys with their friend

bridge near the park

I have many more cool pics of this park but maybe I will show those another time :)

Also in Feb. the boys had Science Club within the MOMS Club®

Then of course we have been doing school work as you can see it’s not the most fun thing for the boys LOL.

Then in March I played more with my camera….

Can you tell they are getting sick of me taking pics?

Also in March we went to the Natural History Museum. The boys had a lot of fun looking at everything!

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Then this past weekend (March 21) we had a birthday party for both boys. Since Jarod’s birthday falls so close after Christmas (Jan. 3) we decided to have a combined party for both boys. Poor Jarod has never had a birthday party because where his birthday falls and we just don’t have the money at that time. But he and Chord had a lot of fun this year with it! They had it at our local bowling alley! My Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law bought the cake but decorated it themselves (aren’t they awesome?!)

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Then today was Chord’s official birthday! Can you believe he is nine years old now?! I still can’t figure out where the time went. Anyway we took the boys to the Zoo today. It was a bit chilly but so worth it because there was hardly anyone there :). So we didn’t have to rush through it like in the summer months. We also got to hear an elephant trumpet a little and one of the Lions roared at us LOL. Well I wouldn’t say roar exactly it was more like it was calling or something. It scared Jarod though LOL. But it was the coolest thing to hear. Usually they are sleeping on the other side of the Rock so we can’t see them but this time one of them made an appearance. I only wish I took a video of it instead of just pictures. Anyway here are some zoo pictures!

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In other news, Harlow has decided to not continue with the schooling. He was having a rough time with it and it wasn’t making him happy and his negative attitude about it was rubbing off our family as well. So he is now not going to school but still getting unemployment and actively looking for a job. Even if he has to start from the bottom he is willing to do it.

Please pray that he can get into a Rest Area which would be a State Job. His friends brother works there and he told Harlow there will be an opening there soon. So pray that there is an opening and that he does get the job. Even if he starts off at a low wage it’s a state job so it will have good benefits and in the long run he will make better money down the road. So please keep thinking of us :).

I am sorry I have been gone so long. I also wanted to thank all of you who have commented or emailed me wondering how I have been. I really appreciate it :). At least I know I was missed a little LOL. I hope everyone is doing well!!!

Just My Ramblings

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:18:00 +0000

Still not much going on here lately. Just the usual day to day things. So I seem to be in a rut to blog about. The only thing I really did today was go to a Calendar Planning meeting (for the MOMS Club for next month) and go grocery shopping.

I did see an old co-worker I used to work with while we were out grocery shopping. I remember when I was pregnant with my oldest she and another lady would always bring me food LOL. She at one time brought me cactus to eat (without the thorns of course LOL). It was actually pretty good. Then again food seemed always taste good when I was pregnant with Chord LOL. What's really funny is I craved healthy things with Chord like Salads and veggies! Not that I have veggies when I am not pregnant but it's not my favorite things to eat LOL. But with Chord food was just so good LOL. Probably the reason I gained so much weight with him LOL. Well that and he was a big baby (10 lbs 7 oz and 23" long). Anyway I kind of went off the topic. But it was nice to see my friend. It's been a very long time since I seen her. She was always so sweet to me.

I can't believe next month Chord will already be nine years old! Boy does time fly by. I think I will have to give up blinking so as not to miss anything any more LOL. It just really does seem like that it was only yesterday I was in the hospital holding him and looking at him thinking how beautiful he was! Now he is going to be nine. What will I feel like when he is a teen or an adult. Where is the pause button when you need it? If anyone knows where it is please let me know LOL. Not that I want to keep them little forever but I want it to go just a little slower. Just a little.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

What I Have Been Up To.

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:46:00 +0000

Not much to blog about. Just been busy with everyday things and of course playing some more with my camera. I am checking out the things I can do with it. It's pretty fun but I think the boys are getting tired of me taking pictures of them LOL. Here are some pics I took recently of different things.

Jarod Playing the Wii

This is the back of one of our landlords sheds. Why I had to take a pic of it? Because I have a new camera and had to take a pic of something LOL.

Another pic just because LOL.

Chord doing some school work.

Even hubby let me take pics of him LOL.

and here is one of me.

I took more but this is what I liked LOL.

I Got a New Toy

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Well we did some shopping today. We got our taxes back and we decided to stimulate the economy a little :). We are still putting a good chunk of it away but hubby really did need a laptop for school and he also bough himself an MP3 player. The boys got a couple things and I got some much needed make-up. I am bad and only replace my make-up once a year instead of 3-6 months like it's recommended. I just can't see spending that much money you know? It's not like I use it a lot anyway.

I also got me a new camera. I know I really didn't need a new camera but I have been wanting something like this one for a while and I don't often buy things for myself anyway. It's cheaper than the one I originally wanted too LOL. I feel a bit guilty getting it but Harlow told me too LOL. Anyway it's a Fujifilm Finepix S1000fd. Here is a site with a pic of it....http://www.elitezoom.com/fujifilm-s1000fd-digital-camera.html if you want to check it out. Here are some pics I took with it today. I plan to play with it more tomorrow to see all it can do :).

Please don't mind messy kitchen LOL. We have been busy the last couple of days :).

Jarod and his dad :).

This is my favorite one I took. I still need to fiddle around with it to find things I like :).

Chord wanted me to take a pic of the "Star Wars" ship he built with his Lego's :).

Been a Little Busy

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:12:00 +0000

Yesterday was a pretty good day. I was originally supposed to have a board meeting (don't I sound so important? LOL NOT) with the other board members of MOMS Club® at our house but because of the weather (we got 5 more inches of snow!) only a couple of them showed up so instead we just had some girl talk while the kids played :).

It was nice because I got to vent some things out and felt better when I wasn't the only one who felt the way I did about a certain situation. Nothing horrible just something that has been bothering me. Well that and I have been PMSing anyway so it was nice to have other women to talk to lol. No matter how hard he tries my hubby just doesn't understand LOL. The poor guy :). LOL.

They got here around 9:30 a.m. and stayed still almost 1 p.m. LOL. It was really nice to have some friends over. It's been a while since I just sat and talked with some friends.

Today was a pretty busy day. Did some schooling early this morning and then off to one of the other moms, that was over here yesterdays, house for a new member breakfast with some newer members of the MOMS Club®. So again I got to just be with friends and this time I didn't have anything to vent about LOL. Just a nice time.

After leaving my friends house we were off to get our taxes done. We were pleasantly surprised about just how much we are getting back. Much needed but surprised all the same. I can get everything I wanted for next years curriculum for the boys. I thought I would have to really tighten the belt on that but I can spend what I normally do. Not that I am going to spend loads on it but I can spend more than I thought on it anyway. After we got home from that I finished up school work with the boys.

Tomorrow is the MOMS Club® monthly meeting so after making dinner today I had to get things around for the meeting. I had to get the sign-up sheets up and printed and get things around to send to the higher-ups (it's an International club).

Later tomorrow we are going to my brother-in-law and sister-in-laws home. My sister-in-law just found out she has lupus but the good news is that it's not the systemic lupus which is the bad one but it's the Discoid Lupus Erythematosus which generally just effects the skin. It can turn to the other kind but she will have to go and get tests every so often so they can keep an eye on things but otherwise she is in good health! So we will be visiting them tomorrow as well.

I am not going to complain on how busy I have been the last few days LOL. It's been a while since I've had a lot going on so it was all good. So what have you been up to lately?

My Friend!

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:41:00 +0000

I am so excited for a friend of mine. She just became Saved!! I am just so happy for her! See she was a total non-believer (I knew what that was like since I too was once a total non-believer) when I first met her.

When I first met her it was through the MOMS Club and she and I didn't start out on the right foot. It didn't have anything to do with religion or anything but I think we just had a big miscommunication. I got the feeling she didn't like me and she had the same feelings about me.

Time went on and we ended up having to work Create and Play together (a thing we did with the kids once a month). I kept having thing nagging feeling (I believe it was God telling me to :) ) that I needed to call her and work things out and apologize for anything I might have said or did that offended her. But before I could she ended up calling me. We got to be talking and found out that it was just plain silliness why we didn't become friends sooner.

She also became friends with some other Christian lady's in our Club at this time. Now none of us ever pushed or or "Bible Thump" her or anything (I hated that before I became a Christian and would never do that to someone). She knew our beliefs and sometimes she would ask questions and we would answer them to our ability.

Then she started to go to church. She started to go just for her kids sake. She learned to really like the church but still wasn't a believer.

Then this passed Sunday (this is from what she told me today) they had a sermon asking why are you here? Then she got to thinking afterwards that maybe she shouldn't come back to the church since she wasn't a believer.

Then after church there was a fellowship lunch she decided to go to. So she across from this church member and he started asking her questions about what she believed and why and what not. He wasn't being judgmental or anything just genuinely asking her questions and telling her that she didn't have to know the whole Bible to be a Christian or have read it all the way through to be a believer. All she had to do was to believe and give her heart to Jesus. She said it hit her then that she could believe. She let go of things and she said it was an incredible feeling!

I am just so happy for her! We were both in tears as she was telling me her story! I and the other members of MOMS Club have been praying for her. We never pushed her (she even said she felt so accepted by me and the others even though she wasn't a Christian at the time.) or bombarded her with things. We were there if she had questions and we answered them as honestly as we could. Her story is a little bit like my story How I Came to Christ . It's a bit long so don't know if you want to read it or not but it's there :).

Thanks for reading my blathering's :). I was just so excited and happy for her and I just had to tell someone LOL. I hope you don't mind too much :).

Just Another Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:51:00 +0000

Well it's been cold here in Michigan (big surprise huh?). So we still haven't been up to much this weekend. Saturday I wasn't feeling too well. I for some reason had bad acid indigestion and a headache. Sunday I didn't have the indigestion but still had the headache. So I didn't go to Church but hubby and the boys did. They play live music at Church so I didn't want to make my headache any worse.

While they were at Church I took a nap but it really didn't help my head much. I had taken some Ibuprofen when I first got up but that didn't help much either. So after everyone was home we had some lunch and headed over to my moms. She had some Aspirin I took when I got there and soon felt better.

Today since I felt better I got back into my exercise routine (haven't been doing it regularly since the boys god sick) and we did some schooling of course and everything else we do in a days time LOL. Other than that not much going on. Sorry it's such a boring post LOL. Oh well I would rather have a boring post then a full of drama life post LOL. How was your weekend?

Twilight

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:58:00 +0000

After I kept hearing how good the book "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer I thought I would read it. I love reading and usually finish a book in a day or two if I have a moment or two I can read :).

I will say that it's a good book for it's target audience which is young adult. As for me I just didn't see what all the hype was. It's a teenage love story with a twist the main character falls in love with a vampire.

I don't usually read a lot of fantasy books so maybe that's why it really didn't appeal to me. Will I read the rest of the series? Probably not, unless, I can't find anything else at the Library I want to read.

It wasn't bad or anything but I guess after all the hype about it I was expecting something more. It had it's good moments but it just didn't have me wondering too much what would happen next. I guess that's why I read more suspense novels then anything else LOL.

My favorite authors are Tami Hoag, Iris Johansen, Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford and a few others. Anyone know of any other good authors I could read? Who is your favorite author? Have you read Twilight and if you have what did you think of it? Am I the only one who didn't love it?

The Gypsy in Me

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:29:00 +0000

Well not much going on here today. With hubby going to school (all at different times)and us only have one vehicle we haven't been out much. I don't mind too much though because I tend to be all over the place when I do have access to the Jeep. This makes me slow down a little LOL.

Today hubby didn't have class till six p.m. so we did have most of the day with him but it's been so cold outside (all though today was warmer than what it has been) that I don't even want to think about going outside unless it's necessary. I so hate the cold! What I would love to move from cold Michigan but alas I love my hubby and want to stay married, and he is such a Michigander LOL. So I am stuck here till he changes his mind LOL.

If it was up to me I would love to just travel around! That is one thing I really do miss about being an army brat. I miss moving (not the packing though LOL) and starting new. The only thing I didn't like about moving (besides the packing) was starting a new school. Mainly because usually the new school would either be behind where I was in the other school or ahead. So I felt lost for a while when we moved. But other than that I loved going to new places and meeting new people.

It's not that I don't like our life here (well other than the cold winters LOL) it's just sometimes I feel the itch to go some where new and experience something new. I wouldn't even terribly mind too much if we moved to some where just as cold LOL. (not terribly anyway LOL).

I think in that way hubby and our boys miss out a little bit. Every new state (or in some cases countries, only Germany for me though) there is a different feel and smell to it. An excitement of starting over. Getting to create a new you. Not really to change for people but away to really start fresh. I think I am a gypsy at heart. So are you more of a homebody (like my hubby) or a Gypsy like me?

All Better and Other Ramblings

noreply@blogger.com (Jody) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Thankfully the stomach bug was only a 24 hour thing. Unfortunately after Jarod had his bought with it the next day Chord had it. Harlow and I must have gotten some part of it because we both didn't feel so hot for a day or two. Neither of us got sick like the boys but we didn't feel too good either.

I am happy to say we are all better now. The last time the boys had the stomach virus it lasted two weeks ugh! Poor kids could hardly keep anything down then. I had to give them very tiny (like less than a sip) sips of water to keep them hydrated! So glad this time wasn't that bad.

Yesterday the boys pretty much felt all 100% better but that was when hubby and I didn't feel our best. So we didn't do any school Monday or Tuesday. Today was our first day back. It's good to be back in a routine and not dealing with sick kids :).

Harlow took his first quiz yesterday at school and he would have gotten all the answers right but he misread one of the questions so he just missed the one. See this is why I don't think test really prove anything and one of the reasons I homeschool. Not that I really have anything against testing all together but I wish it was done (for school age children not really collage) in a different way. I remember so many times that same situation would occur to me in school. I would know the answers but sometimes in the rush of time (getting it done before class ended) I would get them wrong because I either didn't understand the question fully or I misread it and got it wrong.

I do test the boys but if I know they really did know a certain answer I either point out the one they got wrong or I have them look over their paper and they figure out which one they got wrong. Either way the do figure it out themselves and usually get it right. If they still don't get it then I will of course mark it wrong and work on it some other time.

I realize teachers have a lot of students and can't go over it like that and I am not suggesting they do. But it is one of the reasons I do homeschool. So I know what they are learning and exactly know what they understand and what they don't understand. I know when something was just a mistake or if they really didn't understand something and go over it.

Sorry I have rambled on LOL. I don't know how anyone can really understand my blog since I tend to go all over the place when I blog LOL. I don't really plan out what I am going to blog about. I just type whatever comes to my mind at the moment LOL. That is how my mind works though LOL.

I always have so many things going on in my brain I end up jumbling everything together. It's like I am constantly thinking but of different things all at the same time. It's why I believe I have such a hard time getting to sleep at night. It's not that I worry about things. It's just I am always thinking of things. I can't seem to switch it off. It seems to have gotten worse the older I get.

I have to have the TV on to sleep. If I don't have it on my mind will wonder and think of things and it will be a very long night to say the least. I need the noise and distraction of the TV to shut my mind off. Instead of going all over the place my mind seems to concentrate on the noise (not really the show itself but the noise of it) and I can finally sleep. So glad the boys aren't like that. All you have to tell them is that it's bed time and they are soon fast asleep. Sometimes I really envy them for being able to that. They get that from hubby I am sure LOL. He puts his head on the pillow and usually he is out. Unless of course he has a lot on his mind.

Lookie there I started rambling off again. For those that read my blog regularly (well as regularly as I blog LOL) I thank you whether or not you understand it or not I thank you :). LOL. I hope you are all having a great week!