Stormy's Journey

Thanksgiving is a week away!

2012-11-15T23:57:00.000-06:00

Here it is a week before Thanksgiving! Where has the year gone? So many thing have changed in my life. I have so much to be thankful this year. My kids are all healthy and Roger is working!

Roger spent 4 months unemployed. This was a journey for our family. We learned to rely on God more than ever. He provided everything we needed. Our bills stayed paid, we didn't do without much. Though we did learn a lot about being good stewards of the money God Blesses us with. We learned about what was important and what wasn't. We have made a lot of changes in how we spend money and what we spend it on. We want to glorify God in all our spending habits. Roger started work 2 weeks ago. He received his first check today. He is working contract work with IBM. He really seems to like it a lot, however it is a temporary job. We know that God has a plan and he has provided very well for us. If this job is meant to last then it will otherwise God will provide something else.

Chris has moved into a group home. This is a good move for both him and for our family. He can learn the things he needs to learn.This was a major decision for our family. God blessed us the whole way. That has led to many many changes in our house hold. We love Chris and we miss him very much. We also know that he is in the best place for him to mature. God opened a lot of doors and really blessed our family through the whole process.

Bob is doing ROTC in high school. He really likes it. He is in the drill team, which is very neat. He loves hard work, especially out doors. He has his permit now so he drives with Roger some. He has really done a lot of growing up this past several months. I am very proud of him.

Bekah is in 3rd grade. She is such a brainy child, so much like her father. She has a spunk to her. She has her own personality and loves to show it! Sarah is in 1st grade. She is a reader. And still so sweet.
Both girls spend hours playing outside, riding bikes and hanging out with friends. They are so happy and content. Such beautiful young ladies.

As many of you know I have struggled a lot with depression. I take every day one day at a time. I spend time in prayer and reading my Bible daily ( or at least most days). So many things have changed I feel like I am rediscovering who I am. I have daily check lists that I mark off as I complete tasks. It is really helping to have a list to look back when I get distracted ( which is often). My eating and sleeping are better than before but still off keltor. Everyday is a process. Some days I succeed some days I don't as much. But I know that God has a plan and that he is taking care of me. I have hope that he gives me the rope I need work my way out of this deep place I have been in for so long. I am reminded daily of God's beauty all around. I see so many ways that God blesses me and my family and am beyond greatful. He provides all my needs, comfort, peace, contentment, love. My faith is in him.

Independence Day

2012-07-03T22:11:00.000-05:00

Fireworks are going off all around! Such a joyful time to celebrate America! No summer school tomorrow! An evening planned with friends. Sounds like a peaceful way to celebrate the holiday.

Be safe! And may you be blessed this holiday week!

God has a plan!

2012-07-03T00:09:00.001-05:00

We survived VBS. Had a great week. Very busy. The kids made some awesome crafts and had a lot of fun. I have been enjoying having my niece the last couple of weeks. She is a very interesting person. She has kept me on my toes! I am back to planning and working on the woman's retreat. I had surgery on my foot to remove a piece of glass that has been there for over 1.5 years. It had become very painful for me to walk or even wear shoes. My foot is still soar but it is healing nicely.

Roger is looking for a job. The last one the contract ended. He has some wonderful prospects. I am praying for him. I know that God has a plan and a timetable. I am trying to be patient and wait on God, though at times it is difficult.

Bob is almost done with summer school. Chris is doing really well. Both boys are preparing to go spend a couple of weeks with Grandma. I am excited for the break, but also it is good for them and for Grandma.

The girls are pretty normal 6 and 8 year olds. Bek loves to be anywhere with her friends. The pond, the pool, playing at friends homes. Sarah also likes to go but also likes to be home some. She likes spending time with Mom.

Life stays pretty busy.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about priorities. I keep trying to change mine to better myself and to be closer to God. I have once again removed all the games from facebook. It is amazing how easy it is to get back hooked on the games without even trying. It is a daily struggle to keep my mind on God. I struggle with reading my Bible. I often wonder why it is such a struggle when I fully believe in God and know that He is all knowing. He is the answer to everything. Through him all things are possible. I guess here lately my faith has wavered. Kinda. I know God provides and I know he is in control. But why is it I don't seem to be able to read and study his word? I find that I let the things of the world weigh me down. It is easy to worry and stress about how we are going to pay bills, how each of my kids is growing up, focusing on the negative. I can find all kinds of things to stress and worry about, but it does nothing if not shorten my life. I know that God clothed the flowers and the trees , the birds and the animals. I know that he provides our needs, so why do I worry about them? The answer is I am human. And sometimes I have to be reminded that He is in control and is in charge. My faith is in him and I know that he has a plan.

vbs womans retreat, new bedrooms

2012-06-12T18:17:00.000-05:00

Preparing for VBS! I am in charge of crafts this year. Honestly I love it. It is a lot of work but I am loving have a purpose and a direction to take up some of my time. I have 4 classes with 12-25 kids per group. I was given the book with all the crafts associated with this years theme, which has made it easier. I didn't have to come up with stuff all on my own. I have been enjoying the work. I sit and work on it a while, then I go off and work on house work or running kids around and the like.

I have also been working on this years Woman's Retreat for my parents church. It is coming together nicely. In September it will be a wonderful weekend.

Girls are coming home on Saturday! I have been through all of Bekah's clothes and weeded them down. She also got to move bedrooms. Across the hall. I think she will like her new room. It is done and ready for her. Bob moved into her old bedroom. Her new bedroom is a dormer room , meaning there are low ceilings on both sides of the long narrow bedroom. Bob was in there but has gotten to tall, and bumps his head often. I think the change will do both of them good. She always freezes and the the old bedroom is the coolest upstairs and the new bedroom is the warmest upstairs.

Date night, swimming, and goals for the future

2012-06-09T22:51:00.002-05:00

Last night my amazing husband took me to a drive in movie theater. I had never been to one before and only had what I had seen in movies to compare too. We saw the movie ' Snow White and the Huntsman' It was good. We both enjoyed it. The weather was amazing. we rolled the windows down and opened the sunroof. First of all the stars were beautiful on a clear night. The temp was in the low 70's and upper 60's. We had a wonderful evening. We got to talk and spend time together. It was different that normal movies in that we could talk and enjoy the weather and enjoy each other.

I have been spending time in the pool. We have a neighbor hood pool. I have never had one before. It is amazing, I don't have to do the upkeep and yet I can swim daily if I would like to. I have been going 3-4 days a week. While in the water I have been working on water aerobics, that i have learned in classes in the past. My legs are soar, but it feels good to be moving again.

I have gained so much weight, so I am working on it. I know I know I have done this in the past, and I have said this in the past as well. I am trying. I get discouraged easily,but I picked myself up and shook my self off and I am trying again.

Boys are doing well in summer school. we have 4 more weeks. Girls are having a blast with Grandma.

A blog come back

2012-06-05T19:13:00.002-05:00

It has been a really long time since I have written! I was hung up on facebook and other technology. But that being said I am working on getting back to where I need to be with God and the rest of my life.

I have gotten rid of my smart phone, now all I have is text, phone and my email comes to my phone. I kept the things that I use and that I need to keep in communication with the kids schools and such.

I am working on revamping our budget and spending habits. It amazes me that Roger is making decent money and yet we are living paycheck to paycheck and then just barely scraping by. I have started tracking our finances and really working on getting some accountability. I am very prayerful and trusting of God to give us direction and wisdom as to how to reform our spending habits.

I am working on our eating habits. We all need to eat better. Both Roger and I have some health challenges that would be greatly improved is we ate better and lost weight. We would also feel so much better. It seems we eat out all the time, and when we are eating at home it is junk food. I am sure that it also affects our moods and attitudes, which could use some serious overhauling.

I am finishing up planning the Woman's Retreat for my parents Church. I am really excited about that. I am also teaching childrens church once a month and am in charge of crafts for VBS. I really struggle with reading my Bible regularly. I feel like I am able to pray ok. But I desire growth in Christ, and a closer walk with God.

So today I am revamping my blog and setting up for regular posts, setting and achieving goals. I want to start meal planning and cooking at home. I want to improve our finances and live more for God. I also want to have a closer walk with God.

So until another day I pray for blessings on everyone!

too many adjustments ---down

2011-10-26T22:26:00.000-05:00

My dear friend told me tonight that I needed to blog, she was in the dark. To be truthful I guess the reason I haven't blogged is because I have been down and dumpy. I am so greatful that Roger has a new job, I am just beyond ready for him to start. We are praying he will be starting the first of next week. I know that God has a plan and a timetable. I think that I have just been down, ready to have me time. I know that is selfish.

I am not currently going to the gym. I got discouraged because of money, and inability to pay for another month at crossfit. Although I was discouraged before that. The crossfit is so much harder here than in Texas, It was very difficult on the wod times were double from what I was used to. Also there weren't as many modifications, and I was expected to do more. I know that is me whining but without a local Chiropractor it is hard to think it is okay to do stuff knowing that I don't have Mark to fix my back and hip. I quit going the day I tweaked my hip doing box jumps. I know that I need to get over myself and get back to moving. We have 24 hour fitness membership that we had gotten in January, that is good for 2 years. They have water aerobics classes 2 days a week. I am going to go in the morning and see how they are.

I have not been eating well and been really struggling with that. I know that what I eat directly affects how I feel. then I beat myself up and think well it really doesn't matter any way. Only it does. I know in my head that I feel so much better when I eat right, but sometimes I get into a funk and eat what I want when I want. I am a food addict, always have been.

In times of stress I fall back into my old habits of eating and not taking care of myself. For what ever reason I have taken this job loss really hard. It has been so difficult on me. I know that it is Roger whom was out of a job, but it effects the whole family. I am his wife and his biggest fan. When he hurts so do I. Unlike all the other times in our lives that we have been without work, I always took everything in stride, and always have and always will rely on my faith to carry my through. This time my faith is still in tact, but my sense of security has not been there. Unlike times in the past we currently have 2 houses in 2 different states. We have used up all savings. We are fine, God has definitely provided for us. God has been amazing. I guess it has been hard to watch the bank dwindle and there is nothing I can do about it. I trust in God and he has always provided and is still providing.

We moved to Missouri a little over a month ago. I am starting to get to know some of the ladies from church, and a couple of ladies in the neighborhood. But I terribly miss the friends from Texas. I also have a wonderful dear friend that is in Oklahoma. She checks up on me and prays for me daily. Making a 500 mile move is life changing. It is like living in a completely different world. I have had to find my way around and discover new things here. I love it here, The weather , the beauty is all around me. I drive down our street and see God all around me. There are signs of fall in its splendor of color all around. There are hills, and lakes and parks. Life is very peaceful here. Our church is amazing, It feels like home. I guess there just has been a lot of adjustment and I am having trouble with all the adjustments all at once.

The beauty all around

2011-10-19T23:01:00.000-05:00

We are so blessed. Roger has a new job he will be starting next week! The job is in Overland Park, Kansas! So we get to stay here in Missouri! I am very relieved and delighted for him.

The weather is definitely different in Missouri than in Texas. This week we have had lows in the 30's and highs barely in the 50's. Brr, my Texas blood isn't quite used to the change yet. The trees are so beautiful. In the 9 years we lived in Texas I don't believe I really ever felt like I could watch the seasons change. We have a large maple tree in our front yard. I have watched it from my couch turn from a vibrant green to spots of red and now is it over half red with some of the green still. I am amazed at the beauty of watching that tree. It reminds me that God can do anything. It is so amazing. I would post pictures of this tree but my camera on my phone hasn't been working. I got it fixed today, and will add some pictures! All around us there are trees of all kinds that are all changing colors and different colors. It is truly a beautiful autumn around here. There are lots of fall flowers in bloom everywhere as well. It is so beautiful and peaceful. The people that lived here before us created lots and lots of flower beds all around the house. They are so lovely. I always wanted a beautiful place to pray that I could really see the Beauty of God all around me. I can here. I have fallen in love with this area in the 5 weeks we have been here. I am preparing for the coming winter, making sure we have warm clothes, and shoes, since we have lived in Texas I have some shopping to do!!!

I love our ladies Bible study on Wednesday nights. I always feel so refreshed after participating in class. There were 19 of us this evening, this is pretty normal, and there were some new faces and some faces missing for one reason or another. It is a wonderful group of woman I feel so very blessed to be a part of. Currently we are studying friendship. I am really starting to get to know these ladies and I am blessed with new friendships!

I finally got my sewing room / office set up! I have a very large room for this. I love the space it is over the garage on the 2nd floor with 3 of the kids bedrooms. I have room to set up projects and leave them out and not worry about them getting walked on or messed up on. Before I have had some sewing space but that space was in the middle of everyone and everything and I was unable to leave projects set out where I was working. If I did it would get buried, trampled or lost. Up here I have have lots of space and can set things out. The kids come in here some to watch tv on the extra tv, but they can come in and sit down and my projects aren't in the way. The space is quiet and peaceful. I have my office set up here as well. It is my space, my retreat location. And there is a door I can close and walk away!

I feel very blessed that God brought us to Missouri. I was nervous at first, but he keeps showing us over and over the blessing he has given us. I thank him daily!

2011-10-12T10:23:00.000-05:00

Hmmm... Where to begin?????? Life is full of all kinds of changes. As you know we moved to Missouri for a job.

  Two weeks after Roger started the job went away. So we are back to hunting for a job. It has been 2 long weeks since he went back to job hunting. I seem to be taking it very harshly. I am so proud of him he is working so hard at finding employment! He has some meetings this morning, God willing something will pan out. Through this whole process I am relying on God. I know he has a plan and a timetable. I have had many discussions with God over the last couple of weeks about my timing verses his timing. I have relearned that it is all him no matter what I say. I am not a patient person, I want things now. I am struggling with this unemployment, most of them have been easier to deal with, for some reason this one has really been hard on me. Maybe it is the fact that we have a house in Texas and a house in Missouri, maybe it is the dwindling money supply, maybe it is just a new world. I love it here, the weather is amazing! And yes I know it will be cold this winter but I love winter so I am excited.

  We found an amazing church family. that has a Wednesday night ladies group, and wonderful Sunday night small group, even a Monday night teen Bible study for the boys.

  We found a cross fit gym, Both Roger and I have been attending the onramp class , which is a teaching class to teach you how to cross fit, how to safely do the moves. It has been a blast. I am missing class this morning, this is day 2 of the blahs. My back is killing me after the workout on Monday. I tweaked the spot in my hip that always bothers me.

I started a Beth Moore Bible study with my dear friend Stacey, only I am struggling to keep up. I missed 1 day last week and a 2 this week. I am not a very disciplined person. I really struggle with keeping on track, I made myself schedules and a general plan for each day, but I don't seem to be able to keep up. I set aside time for the Bible study, a time for housework, a time for paperwork and email, a time for grocery shopping. The plan looks really good but the reality of me keeping is kinda a joke. I am not motivated to keep up with it. I am not eating correctly, and I am not sleeping very well. I know these things have a lot to do with why I am not keeping up. This is the first time in my life that I have me to deal with during the day, no kids. Roger has been home looking for a job, but frankly he worked from home a lot before the first round of unemployment in July. I am used to him being here.

Today I am completely alone for the first time in over 2 weeks. I am enjoying the peace and quiet. I think maybe I missed the gym this morning more because I needed the alone time than my back which is hurting but ..... That makes me selfish for wanting alone time. I think this is day 2 of poor poor me. Sorry I am dumping it all out there, but I need to release some of the anxiety. I don't like the down me, it is depressing and yucky.

Please pray with me that I will come out of my yuck and blah and go back to being the happy go lucky person I love being.

Many changes and with change many blessings!

2011-09-17T22:43:00.000-05:00

The past couple of weeks have been such a whirl wind! Through all the chaos and crazy days God has totally been in control and in charge.

Roger started a new job in Overland Park Kansas, on Monday. As a result we moved our family to the Kansas City Area. We came and found a wonderful home that is perfect for our family, we are able to live in it while our House in Texas sells. We have gotten the kids enrolled and started school. Everyone is adjusting very well. I have a good chunk of our boxes unpacked, though there is a long way to go. Every day I make more strides and get more put away and done. We have found a wonderful church, with an amazing Woman's group. We have been blessed with a wonderful neighbor family that just loves our kids and loves having them around playing all the time. They have been such a blessing. Everything about this move, including the job, the house, the movers. and every detail you could possibly come up with God has provided and blessed us immensely!

Currently I am listening to the thunder and the rain. It has been rainy most of the week. The temps are so much cooler than in Texas. It is taking some getting adjusted to the climate difference. I am loving but have figured out that my body is not yet adjusted. I have froze for a couple of days. We have struggled to get out of the 50's and 60's for 3 days now. So amazing. We have had to turn our heater on at night to take off the chill in the house.

For the first time in my life it is just me during the day. Roger is gone to work, the kids are all gone to school. I am back to the dilemma I have pondered all summer long. Only for the first time I have experienced the quiet. I am going to have to figure out some things to do during the day. I get up with the kids, get them and Roger off for the day and I do all my house work, and by 10:30-11 I am done. I can only do so much decorating and unpacking. I am planning on getting my sewing machine set up this week.

I am very excited about the woman's retreat next weekend. It has been such a blessing to plan I am praying that the retreat will be just as much blessing to me and to all the wonderful ladies that are attending.

It is late and I am tired. God bless!

2011-09-11T23:09:00.001-05:00

Today has been a long day.

Church was wonderful! The boys arr really excited about teen Bible study on Monday night. The girls loved their classes. Roger and I enjoyed class and the service.

We got Beks room put together. She is so excited!

Rog starts work tomorrow, I have an appt at 11 to get Chris enrolled. Going to enroll girls firsy thing in morning. Bobby will be later in the day.

I am very ready to have house put together, so I can go back to normal kinda stuff. Like quilting, housework, crossfit, and Bible study.

A whole new world

2011-09-10T22:49:00.001-05:00

We moved to Lee's Summit, MO this week! We moved because Rog got a job here, he starts Monday!

We have been greated with such welcome and loving people. One neighbor brought us us dinner last night as well as some yummy goodies
The girls have started making friendd, Chris has been exploring the neighborhood. Bobby has bern surprised that we have such beautiful country all around us.

I have spent 2 days moving and unpacking boxes, it is a slow process but it is coming a long.

Tomorrow we are going to our new church. The minister has been here 3 times now. The kids are excited about it.

Monday i will get kids enrolled in school.

God is so amazing. We have been so very blessed through the whole process!

So many changes in our lives

2011-09-05T18:30:00.000-05:00

We have had one of the hottest summer I can ever remember! But even though it has been so very hot I had a wonderful time with my kids, we stayed in the ac and hung out.

Roger lost his job in July so we was with us, lots of family time, such a blessing!

School Started 2 weeks ago, then the world took a dramatic change! A week and a half ago Roger got a job. It is in Overland Park, KS. It is a really good job with really good pay and good hours. We did a lot of prayer and made the decision that this was where God was taking our family. In the past week and a half we have made major decisions. Rog and I went to KC for most of the week and found his new office. We found and bought a house, we found a wonderful church family, and a crossfit gym so that I can continue my workouts. We are now completely packed, thanks the help of my amazing family. The house we are buying the owners are allowing us to move into the house and rent it while our house here in Texas is on the market and sells. Roger left today , he will be doing a home inspection and things with the new house this week before he starts his new job on Monday the 12th. Once he has the keys, the kids and I and all of our things will be following him and moving in.

I cannot say the amount of blessings we have experienced in the last 2 weeks. It is like we threw puzzle pieces in the air and God brought them back down in perfect completeness! I am so in awww of our wonderful Father. He has completely moved mountains over and over this past 2 weeks!

Yesterday we were so blessed with an amazing send off from our Church family. We have so many friends here and we will miss them all. We know that God is moving in our lives and that he is completely incontrol. We are moving to Lee's Summit MO. New home, new job, new schools, new life. And our holy Father is completely in charge. What an amazing feeling!

2011-08-25T01:52:00.001-05:00

Foot ball practice went well. He said it was fun but his back is really bothering him tonight. We will take this day by day. I lift him up in prayer daily.

Bobby is almost done with 3 hours of algerbra homework. It is almost 2am. I have been helping. He still has geography homework but forgot his book, so he will have to do it during study hall tomorrow. We are now 3 days into highschool, je says this is gonna be hard. For the first time in his life he is gonna have to break down and study and do homework. Always before it was easy and he completed it in class or study hall. I feel for him, i always had to study hard to get passing grades.

He is done bedtime!

Chris football?

2011-08-23T23:03:00.001-05:00

Chris is dying to play football! Everyone except me thinks it is a wonderful idea. He will have to maintain 80% or above in all classes, he will have a lot of rules to follow, lots of exercise and hardwork.

Maybe i am wrong.... and i have been wrong now and then but........ he struggles to complete his work- very easily distracted. He throws a fit at the drop of a hat when things dont hoe HE has planned. He hates to work, and exercise is a joke for him. Now there are positives, he is a big boy, he has anger and frusteration problems, but he is a wimp. I love him so much and we have been through so much with him. I worry he will quit, get hurt, or be really discouraged. I dont want any more negative in his life.

I am praying for my boy. Practice is at 645 in the morning. He is determined to play. I will send the money with him in morning, though i am not settled with this.

Back to School

2011-08-23T00:07:00.001-05:00

Been a crazy and hetic day. Bobby said highschool was very different, but had a great day! He was completely worn out.

Chris said it was overwhelming but sooooo much fun. He was excited to have homework.

Bekah said there are a lor of rules, but it was an ok day.

Sarah started kindergarten, she was upset she had to get up early but so excited she sat on the curb 30 mins watching for the bus.

All my babies are in school. I was crazy busy today with doc appts, missing shot records, runni g errands and groceries. However tomorrow should be much calmer i hope!

I have a large list of projects in store for myself. Some organizing, some baby blankets for friends, my challenge quilt, to name a few.

I am still recovering from diverticulitis, so i wont be going back to the gym for 2 weeks. I hated the gym at first, but oh i miss it so much. I am a crossfitter! It is tough, intense, and it stretches me beyond my wildest dreams. It is a challenge, something new everytime. But i feel like i actually accomplished something after each work out. Something to be very proud of.

I am so proud of Roger, he is working so hard at finding a job. He has been unemployed a month now. He has had a couple phone interviews, but nothing yet. He is not discouraged, he is keeping his head up.

We know that God has a plan for our family, and whenHe is ready He will reveal his marvoulous plan.

There's not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus..... NO NOT ONE!!!!

2011-06-26T22:07:00.000-05:00

There's not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!
None else could heal all our souls' diseases:
No, not one! no, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide 'til the day is done:
There's not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! no, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! no, not one!

There's not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! no, not one!
No night so dark, but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! no, not one!

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! no, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! no, not one!

Was e'er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! no, not one!
Will He refuse us the bliss of heaven?
No, not one! no, not one!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/992#ixzz1QRS3JU7r

Tuesday

2011-05-10T17:31:00.000-05:00

Yes Sunday was a rough day. But I have some wonderful friends and family that encouraged me and reminded me that I love serving my family. It is not always about me. It is about God's plan for my family. And that I am so very blessed with the ability to serve them, it wasn't long ago that I wasn't able to. And even if it was a day to honor moms, I was doing my job of taking care of my family. They mean so much to me! I also hurt my sweat husbands feelings with my post. And for that I am sorry. I never meant to hurt him. I was frustrated and looking for attention. Stacey , my mom , Lynn, and Lori you ladies mean the world to me. I am so blessed to have you in my life and to encourage me when I get down. Thank you.

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T18:10:00.000-05:00

I was always raised that Mother's day was a day to honor your mother. I have an amazing mother and through the years I have aquired 2 more mothers. All are very wonderful woman. And women I look up to in many ways. As a mom I now understand a lot more about Mothers day.

As an adult I have discovered that I hate Mothers Day, my birthday, My anniversary and any other days that are supposed to be about me. You see in my life that is not that way it works. Those special days are just another day. Bills to be paid, laundry to be washed and folded and put away, dishes to be done. Meals to be cooked, kids to referee, husbands to take care of.

I assign my kids chores and that goes really far..... not. Sometimes they are very good at doing them and other times life gets in the way. Now if you know me you know that my house is not emaculate, there is always laundry to fold and dishes to do. I have often dreamed of having a clean house that the children clean up after them selfs and do it without thinking about it. I have dreamed of having other people in my house do things for me to make me feel special, but you see they don't know how to do that.

Today I missed church because of Chris, he was in a mood. So I paid bills, balanced the check book, washed tons of laundry and folded it and put away. I have washed about 5 sinks full of dishes. I cleaned up the pantry. I have been working on cleaning the kitchen. I will be fixing dinner shortly. I have moderated fights between kids, I have been the parent on duty so my darling husband could take a nap. It seems to me to be an ordinary day in my life.

So yes today has been difficult there is no refuge on Facebook, because everyone is so happy about mothers day, and yet for me it is so depressing.
I did get a lot of drawings my kids made. I got a begonia from Bekah, A flat of pansies that I bought from Bobby. And some ugly flowers I bought from the other 3 kids. And those things are very wonderful and mean a lot to me. But as far as a day off to relax and let everyone serve me that is just not in the cards. For the most part never has been and to my knowledge probably will never be. The hype is all about our mothers and yet there are mothers that just keep on living life and doing what needs doing.

As an adult I have learned to appreciate all the sacrifices that my mother made on my behalf, so I could be a kids and have fun. I love you MOM

Spring is in the air

2011-03-08T21:48:00.000-06:00

I have made a lot of changes here lately. I have cut my calorie count considerably. I have started taking Alli, and I am doing South Beach diet. I have joined a gym. I am really excited about the changes. I need my health and my mobility back. Roger is eating with me and has joined the gym as well. After spring break I will be adding some training.

Life is improving.

The kids are doing well. Grade cards came home today. Bekah has all straight A's, Chris is passing all classes which is a wonderful thing. Bobby didn't bring his home, still in the locker. He says he is passing all of his classes. Sarah is still struggling with school. She wants to spend time with me and not go to school, only when we are home together she really wants to play and spend time alone and not with me. It is a challenge but we are working through it.

We are enjoying the nice weather. Kids love the trampoline, and the swing set and playing outside. We love living in the country and yet in town. The kids love having their own rooms. And I love having the kids have their own space upstairs! Makes the downstairs more adult friendly. We have been in our new house just over 6 months, We love it you.

More snow pics - Snow is so beautiful!

2011-01-09T19:10:00.000-06:00

Bobby took these!

This is the little gravel road on the outside of the neighborhood.

Some beautiful trees on the gravel road.

My van in the snow.

One of the fields on the gravel road. Bobby was trying to take a picture of the snow covered trees in the background.

Snow

2011-01-09T16:04:00.001-06:00

Kids have had a wonderful time playing in the snow. We have a couple of inches of really wet snow. It appears that the snow has stopped falling for now. The storm is supposed to continue until early in the morning!

Bekah waiting for snow to fall in her mouth!

Sarah

" the lightning" Bobby running and sliding in stree

Bobby and Chris walking around in the snow!

Happy Anniversary

2010-12-31T00:00:00.000-06:00

8 years! My darling and I are celebrating our anniversary. In 8 years time I have learned a lot and grown up a lot. We have had good times and bad times, lean times and times of plenty. We have had trials and tribulations. But through all we have stuck together! I love you my darling and look forward to many more years with you>

12/31/02

quilts

2010-12-27T23:19:00.001-06:00

I have discovered a new hobby I really enjoy. I grew up with my mother as a quilter. She belonged to guilds, and small quilting groups. I was always fascinated with the quilts and the beauty of them, but frankly had no desire to ever make one! Last year when life was so difficult I made a quilt to keep my hands busy. It was relaxing and took my mind off the reality that had become my life. I am now to a point in my life where I have time and the desire to piece quilts. Over Thanksgiving my I received my pieced quilt called " My Stress Quilt" . from the owner of " Fantasy Barn Quilting" She is a wonderful woman who has her own business. She quilts quilts for other people. She has a professional room size quilter and does an incredible job. Any way She quilted my pieced quilt. It is yellow and blue floral 9 patches. Upon giving it back to me after quilting it, she taught me how to put my own binding on. Her and my mother inspired me to go back to piecing and working on quilts. So that is exactly what I have done. I had been given a large amount of fabric from my mother, when she was cleaning out her stash. I made a scrap quilt for Bobby. I picked mostly stars, moons, suns and planets all on black background. He his 14 and very into blacks, night time and purple. I added some purple sashing. I took my mothers ideas and made it my own. I completed it just before Christmas. I have called it " Night at 14". It took me 3 weeks to piece it. There are some flaws but I am learning and getting better with practice! I will be sending it to "Fantasy Barn Quilting" to have it quilted. In the mean time I have started a quilt for Christopher. I am going to go down the line in age order and make each of my kids a quilt. I am really enjoying being creative and working with my hands and fabric.

"My Stress Quilt"






"Night at 14"

December 2010

2010-12-04T22:48:00.000-06:00

Hard to believe that it is almost Christmas. This year has really flown by. Living in a new neighbor hood has been interesting in preparing for the holiday's. Things that we have always done are a drive to do now. Like the local Christmas Parades and such. Though there are things we have never done to do here, so it is a trade off. And we have a whole new set of lights to go driving around and see, ones we have never seen before. We put our tree up, the stockings up, and the kids bears out. My house looks nice and festive on the inside. This is the first year in many that we would like to put lights up on the outside of the house. I have a perfect spot above the front door for a wreath. We haven't decided what we are planning to do about outdoor decorations yet. We are still talking and deciding what we want to do.

It is hard to believe that we have been here in this house 3 months now! Most things are put away, the house is comfortable and has personality all around. I have set up a sewing room, where I am currently making some curtains for the kitchen, I have made a table runner, and am preparing to start making scrap quilts for all the kids, as well as participate in a quilting challenge with my moms, sisters, and a dear friend. I am really excited about the upcoming projects. Should keep me busy. I am also working on digitizing a bunch of old black and white family photos.

Roger works from home often, so we have an office set up for him to work, where for the most part he is not disturbed during the day. He is involved in a weekly Bible study. He also is preparing to be the Bible Bowl couch for LTC this year.

Bobby is doing great in school this year. His attitude is improving. He is still involved in Boy Scouts, and of course his interests lie with the girls. Chris is doing great. He truely is a different kid! What a miracle!!! He is involved with Boy Scouts, he is playing the tuba and preparing for a winter concert. He is doing very well in school except for math, which is improving. Both boys are gearing up for LTC. Bible Bowl practices start tomorrow, most everything else starts in Jan. Bekah is doing incredible in school. She is one of the best readers, and one of the best spellers. She loves learning! What a blessing! She has learned in the last couple of weeks how to fix her own hair. And is getting better all the time. Sarah turned 5 last month. Wow where has the time gone? She got to a mom's day out a couple of days a week. It has not been an easy transition for her. She has never really been away from me and has some major separation anxiety issues. We are working through it one day at a time. Both girls are preparing for the Christmas program at Church. Bekah has speaking lines, that she has had memorized for about 6 weeks. Both girls will be singing with their groups. They are both very excited!

Life is so easy and peaceful compared to where we have been. God has really blessed our family above and beyond. Words cannot even describe our feelings, and gratefulness to our wonderful father! Our family is growing together. The kids play together all 4 of them! God is so incredible!

Have a Blessed Day!