5 Random Facts

Five Random Facts About Me.....

1.  I didn't go to Kindergarten.  However, I did end up with a college diploma and a successful job.  So parents who don't want to send their kiddos to preschool.....your kiddos will be just fine!

2.  I still get weak in the knees when listening to a Rick Springfield song.....ahh first loves :}

3.  I am terribly afraid of geese.  Like paralyzing afraid.  I once left Katie to fend for herself at Walnut Point because I thought they were coming after me.  I did wait with the van until she got to it.

4.  I am an introvert even though I consider myself a people person.  I have to spend time by myself to regroup and decompress because I get overwhelmed at times. 

5.  My mom didn't make me go to high school on "Bad Hair Days". I would never let my girls get away with this.   

Bad, Bad, Bad!!!!!!!!!! Evil if I must say!!!!! 



Good Hair Day!!!

Sunday Social #3

1. 1. What is your favorite thing about Spring?
2. The flowers growing, trees budding, and sitting outside on my deck. 

2.  What is your favorite kind of flower to grow or receive?

I love to grow geraniums (red of course) and I love to receive any kind of flower, because they just make you feel special.

 

3.  What is your favorite nail polish color?

I wear a lot of red or bright pink.

 

4.  What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I just like to be outdoors.  I am not an athletic type person, so I guess my favorite outdoor activity would be lounging.

 

5.  Do you have any fun Springtime plans?

Nothing really planned except for Katie's proms and musical.

 

By the way..... this is what Spring is looking like here.


 

 

 

 

Blessed Sunday

 

Proverbs 31:  She looks well to the ways of her household  and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

So what is is idle?  I look at my home and see the mess and chaos and wonder "Am I lazy?".  No, I am not.  I am extremely busy and go from activity to activity for my children, husband, and job. My household is more than my home, it is the people in it.  It is the extended family that I love.  When I am at work, I am still looking over my household when I use my lunch hours to run to the grocery store, pay bills, etc.  I am in contact with my children by texting to know that they are home, safe, and getting prepared for what evening activities we may have.  I am planning dinner in my head, and rushing around to get it on the table before 8 pm. 

 

I feel guilty when I sit down and read or work on a hobby. There are so many other things that should be done, but these are things that help me to refuel. If we are not meeting our own needs for rest, we have nothing to give.  Why does the Proverbs 31 woman scare us so much?  Because we compare ourselves to her without looking at all of our circumstances.  As women we tend to say...."Of course, I can do that too."  and when the entire picture doesn't look perfect, we judge ourselves and others by the ideals we set in our minds.

 

We need to give ourselves permission to not assume that we are not the "perfect woman" by our outward appearances, but by our hearts and where we are aiming to be. 

 

Having a Blessed Sunday and a wonderful week dear friends!!  

 

 

It's OK

It's OK.....

That I let Katie paint a wall in her room and didn't even bother to go look at it.  It's her room anyway.

That if it is a good picture on my blog or facebook, I probably didn't take it.  However, it may have been from my own camera or phone.  So, we can see what or who the problem is.....

That I want to complain on a daily, if not hourly, basis about the lack of Spring weather in Illinois this year.  I was not happy with snow on my deck and van this morning.......boo boo boo!!

That I can't wait to get away with the hubby and friends this weekend.  Oh, and I have not mentioned this to my kids yet, since they are not invited.

That if I am wearing a watch, do not ask me what time it is because I do not set them.  The battery is probably dead (if it is even in there).  It is a fashion statement only. 

Have a wonderful Thursday!!!

Spring To Do List



Spring To Do List

Dye Easter Eggs with koolaid

Take an updated  family picture

Start a regular walking routine

Start my tomato plants early

Plant strawberries

Buy the big plant that I look at every year for my deck

Get a comfy lounge chair for my deck

Get rid of that stupid swing set this year!!!

Talk Katie out of buying a duck at Rural King :) 

Sunday Social on a Monday #2

1. Favorite thing to do on a rainy day?

Read, read, read.  I also used to love to sit on the couch with a blanket and watch soap operas, but all of my favorites are off the air....sniff sniff.

2.  Favorite thing to do on a Summer weekend?

Definitely the pool!! Nothing like getting your tan on while gabbing with friends.  I also enjoy hanging with the other softball wives at the games on Saturday nights.

3.  Favorite Spring accessory?

Sandals on the nice days and flats on the not as nice days.  I also enjoy wearing my capris again.

4.  Favorite way to spend a Winter day?

Inside.  I don't care what I'm doing as long as I don't have to go out and be cold.  Have I mentioned before how much I hate winter? 

5. What is your favorite season and why? 

Summer.  I like to be warm (bordering on hot).  I like to be outside and I like to be tan.  I know it is not good for my skin, but I like it anyway.

6.  Best birthday you ever had?

Anyone who knows me, knows I love all my birthdays!!

Blessed Sunday

 

 

Acts 14:23  And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

 

What an amazing Sunday.  Doug was appointed as an Elder in our church.  Being an Elder is an honor and a responsibility.  It was beautiful watching the other elders praying over Doug as he knelt before the congregation and God.  The congregation and Doug both recited vows to each other....and then we prayed.  I am so proud of my man.  My Christian husband and Christian father to our girls. 

 

 

 

1 Timothy 4:14  Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

 

Doug has made a major commitment to our family, church, and community by accepting this honor.  But this decision does not just affect Doug, it affects me and the girls as his family.  We must also rise to the calling to be the type of family that is worthy of Doug's appointment.  We must think about our walk with God, our witness to others, and our words and actions.  We will all fall short, as will he.  But picking ourselves up, being transparent, and asking forgiveness for our sins is mandatory. 

 

It has been a blessed Sunday for this family, I pray for a blessed week for all of you as well.

 

 



It's OK

That I am loving listening to all my "80's" music on my iphone.  It is funny how a song can take you back in time. 

That I am rediscovering how fun make up and beauty products can be.  I have painted my fingernails twice in the last month, and before that it may have been years. 

That I am so excited about meeting Candace Cameron at Hearts at Home this Friday.  Last year I got to meet Michelle Duggar, and a few years before that Lisa Welchel.  I know, I'm cool like that. 

That I am planning on watching The Bates Motel on A&E this coming week, even though it looks very disturbing. 

That during our sicky day on Tuesday with two girls home with the flu,  the puppy decided to be a sicky too and threw up on one the sickies.....ewwww!

Have a wonderful Thursday!!

Sunday Social on a Monday

1. What is one movie you are terrified to watch?

The Tooth Fairy…..I had to turn it off.

2. What is one TV show you have always wanted to get into but haven't yet?

Downton Abby….it is so gonna happen the next time I’m sick…lol

3. What is one daring activity on your bucket list?

I am not a daring individual.  However, I do have a surprise and very out of character plan for May.  A few people know already.

4. Would you ever travel alone?

Not by choice, but I could do it if I had to.

5. What activities do you like to do alone?

I like to shop alone and I like to have the house to myself from time to time. Other than that, I prefer company.

Blessed Sunday

 

2 Kings 19:29  And this shall be the sign for you:  this year eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs of the same.  Then in the third year sow and reap and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. 

 

A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine

 

Yucky day.  It started it with the typical "Spring Forward" shuffle.  Everyone acting like one hour makes getting ready impossible.  Left for church when it was actually starting (we live 15 minutes away).  By the time we got there (with scowls on our face) we would have missed 1/4 of the service, so we decided to go out to breakfast and church with our family in Charleston.  After breakfast, I felt sick.  Great.  So home we went. 

 

Ok, here is the blessed part.  When this momma is sick, my girls hang with me the whole time.  I came home, put on my pajamas and crawled into bed with my four baby girls for the rest of the afternoon and watched movies.  They make me feel so loved and cared for. 

 

Why is it that we forget that these little things make life worth living.  Families are our comfort in a crazy world.  The behaviors we teach are the behaviors we receive.  When my gals are sick, I always cuddle in beside them for the day.  Well, if I am able to be the one at home that day with them. It is what my Momma always did for me.  I have watched Katie do this same thing when both her grandmas were sick.  It is just natural for her.  It is comforting to know someone is snuggled in beside you, just because they love you. 

 

I am blessed to have this family of mine.  I wish that for all of you.  Have a blessed Sunday and a wonderful week dear friends :)

 

 

 

 

An Interview with the Younger Gals

Madi and Lucy working at the Pioneer village.

 

 
What they have to say.... And in their own words.....

What is your favorite color?
Madi- Blue, no black, no green, yeah green, well green and blue together.  Like lime green and light blue together.  Yeah, that's what I like.
Lucy- I like red.

What do you like to play or do in your free time?
M-Basketball and I like to draw.  Basketball and Draw.
L-I like playing Barbies.

Who is your favorite celebrity?
M- That's hard.  Jana Kramer.
L- Can it be a boy?  Jason Aldean

What is your favorite day of the week?
M-I like Fridays because that is the day before the weekend
L- February the 8th.  Oh, Friday

What is your favorite animal?
M-A dog and a cow.  I also like baby piglets
L- Donkeys named Jack

What is your favorite season?
M-Summer
L- Summer because I get a tan and go in the swimming pool.

Why do you love your mom?
M-This is hard....I love her because she gives me food and shelter. Oh and love.  Yeah, food, shelter, and love.
L-Because she is putting us on her blog.  Because she took us to the roller skates and she gives us food.  Because she shares and she lets me sleep in her bed and she gave birth to me and she letted Katie, Cassidy, and Madi hold me.  She lets us have Fred (the dog).  And she let me ride Raider (Uncle Jim's Dog) like a horse. 

Dressed up for Dr. Suess week....Thing 1 and Cindy Lou Who

                                                     

Its OK

It's Ok.....

That I overslept this morning and spent my first 20 minutes at work ranting and raving to my coworker, thanks Lori :)

That I have decided to learn to sew and knit at this stage of my life.  I bought myself a sewing machine for my birthday, even though I can't sew.....yet.  I also spent last night working on making myself a scarf using my new loom from Christmas (another present to myself).  I am really enjoying the knitting, but am still psyching myself up for sewing.  My Momma would be so proud.

That I have become obsessed with coffee since I am denying myself coca cola for Lent.  Ummm, maybe my addiction is caffeine?

That I really hoped to wake up to Spring today, but had to see a bunch of slushy ugly snow again....sniff sniff.

That our puppy really did eat Katie's homework.  Well, chewed up her book.  Now we have to purchase two copies (Kindle so she could finish her assignment) and a replacement copy of a book she hates.

That I was not a nice momma this morning, but did remember to let my girls all know I loved them this morning before leaving.

Hope you are having a wonderful Thursday!!

Time to Read

 

It is what I do for a living.  It is what I do for fun.  The best of both worlds you may say.  I have a lot of favorite authors and genres of books that I love to read.  If I am reading for myself, I tend to read a lot of self help in the Winter by women ministry authors for the most part.  I read about being a better Christian, a better mother, a better wife, a better steward of my resources, etc. 

However, when Spring hits.....I read more fiction.  I love a good series because I hate when a good book ends.  I want to follow up with my characters.  I would love to know how Cinderella and Prince Charming really turned out.  I enjoyed the Hungry Games Trilogy last Spring and Summer.  I absolutely loved, loved, loved The Twilight series.  I cried when I got to the end of book four and it said The End. 

A cup of coffee or a coca cola and a good book is my way of relaxing.  Sitting in my chair on the deck is my favorite spot once the weather warms up.  I will move my chair to different spots to avoid a glare all afternoon sometimes.  In the winter, I prefer my big comfy bed.  Christmas break was a reading fest for me.

I have a Kindle now.  I thought I would hate it at first.  Then I started to enjoy it and now I love it!!! It can hold like 2000 books!!!! That is amazing, and I will probably fill it with 2000 books....lol.  Check out my Shelfari for some of my recent fav reads.  I won't post all my books that I read on it or it would be a revolving carousel....

At work I get to read to children.  Reading aloud is so fun for me.  I have fallen in love with so many more authors in the past few years.  I love the silly pigeon who wants to drive the bus and don't even get me started on Pete the Cat.  Oh and of course.....Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle.  The list goes on and on and on and on....

If I could just get the gals to love reading as much as me........

 

Blessed Sunday

 

So.....what do people who have been married for almost 14 years do for fun?? 

 

Go to Home Depot without their kiddos!!

 

Yep, that was date day.  Lunch at B-Dubs, Shopping at Home Depot, and visiting a friend at the hospital.  But as I said above, no kiddos!!   No, this is not how we always spend our date time.  We go to movies, out with friends, and sometimes just drive around in the country.  Ok, old people dates....lol

 

Doug and I are finally in a new season of life.  We do not have to always find a sitter to enjoy time together.  It makes me sad that our gals are growing up, but getting to know my hubby again is a privilege and benefit to this time in our lives. 

 

I love my gals....but I enjoy not having to tend to one million needs every other minute.  It is also nice not to have to sensor every word, make sure people are not eating gum off the bottom of the table at a restaurant (true story), or go to the bathroom and assist anymore.  Breathing room.......

 

Being a mom of preschoolers is exhausting. Being a mom of older children is exhausting, but in a different kind of way.   I have found that I enjoy high schoolers and find them incredibly funny.  junior highers are the weirdest people to walk the planet, and elementary kiddos are still sweet and cuddly for the most part without being quite as high maintenance as the preschool years. 

 

I am blessed to have spread my four girls out over the course of a ten year span, so I get to experience all of these age groups for a long time.  Doug and I have managed to postpone the empty nest until we are almost retirement age...lol

 

I am a young mom in one class and an old mom in another.  I have some experience with one child and am thrown new experiences with the others.   I love it!!!!

 

I complain a lot about our schedules being to jam packed, but it is a season of life and I know it.  I still thank God every day for these blessings on my life.

 

Have a wonderful and blessed week my friends

 

 

Doug said this picture was too old to use, I reminded him it is one of the only ones of just us.  I guess we need a photog session :}

 

 

 

 

Currently

 

 

Just in case you wanted to know.  This is what I am up to this evening......

 

Listening:  to the sounds of a house full of children.  K is out this evening, so Lucy is having a friend stay over....gotta keep it even ya know.

 

Loving:  That I got to hear K sing today for contest.  I know she was disappointed with her 2nd in solo, but I thought she was awesome as usual... #heartsofullitcouldburst

 

Thinking:  I am going to love curling up in my bed and watching Breaking Dawn Part 2 in a little while.  I have have already seen it once, but still can' t  wait!

 

Wanting:  To wear flip flops again, but I did get a cute pair of boots this week on clearance....score!

 

Needing:  To work on my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow.  It is really good, it is on the Book of Jonah.  

 

Like, Love, Hate:  Like that our sporting events are over for a little while, love that Spring is less than a month away, hate that I wish away 3 months of my life every year because it is winter. 

 

This currently is from Oh Boy Fourth grade, I like it for it's literacy ideas, but also because of fun things like this..