Monday, June 23, 2008
Milestones
We've had a few lately. We celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary this past weekend, which for me marks the milestone that I've now been married longer than I was single. Steve has a few years to go before he reaches that milestone.
In just a few weeks, we look forward to celebrating Brad and Ashley's FIRST anniversary with them. Brad commented to me over the weekend that I will likely be a grandma in three or four years. LOL. At least I have time to let the idea settle :-)
Trevor and Shane are away at their first overnight camp. Gulp. I've thought about them ever since they left--wondering constantly what they're up to--but positive they're likely having a blast!
We have a nanny this summer. We've always some sort of child care program for school-aged children. We LOVE our nanny! The boys are having an amazing, awesome summer.
I've been released from physical therapy--THREE WEEKS EARLY! Surprise, surprise--I was a GOOD patient! I followed all the orders and did all the exercises. :-)
At one point last week, THREE of our cars were in the shop for repairs. Happy anniversary, huh?
My camera lens is broken, so it might be a few weeks before I put up new pictures of the kids.
Well... some of that was just news... not necessarily a milestone! Just checking in since I've been too busy to blog lately.
In just a few weeks, we look forward to celebrating Brad and Ashley's FIRST anniversary with them. Brad commented to me over the weekend that I will likely be a grandma in three or four years. LOL. At least I have time to let the idea settle :-)
Trevor and Shane are away at their first overnight camp. Gulp. I've thought about them ever since they left--wondering constantly what they're up to--but positive they're likely having a blast!
We have a nanny this summer. We've always some sort of child care program for school-aged children. We LOVE our nanny! The boys are having an amazing, awesome summer.
I've been released from physical therapy--THREE WEEKS EARLY! Surprise, surprise--I was a GOOD patient! I followed all the orders and did all the exercises. :-)
At one point last week, THREE of our cars were in the shop for repairs. Happy anniversary, huh?
My camera lens is broken, so it might be a few weeks before I put up new pictures of the kids.
Well... some of that was just news... not necessarily a milestone! Just checking in since I've been too busy to blog lately.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Memories...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
I've been Scrapbooking :-)
Here are two of my favorites...
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Just Enough Grace
I really enjoy reading my friends' blogs. It's a great way to keep in touch with them in the midst of the busy lives we all lead. To say I'm a little behind is a huge understatement, considering I'm just now getting around to reading something
Sally wrote on April 16th!
Just enough grace...
She's right, and so is Heather.
I can look back on so many times when by human standards, there is just no way I could have made it through. And yet, God in His love for me, gave me just enough grace. One step at a time.
And He is good--all the time. Even when I don't get it, like it or I fight against His plan.
Iron sharpens iron--thanks, Sally and Heather!
Sally wrote on April 16th!
Just enough grace...
She's right, and so is Heather.
I can look back on so many times when by human standards, there is just no way I could have made it through. And yet, God in His love for me, gave me just enough grace. One step at a time.
And He is good--all the time. Even when I don't get it, like it or I fight against His plan.
Iron sharpens iron--thanks, Sally and Heather!
Labels: Just Thinkin'
Maria Sue Chapman
Today Steven and Mary Beth Chapman buried their five year old daughter, Maria, after a tragic accident. Two months ago, Steven shot this video for his blog. It reminded me of why I want to live with passion and purpose. I want to live fully in each and every moment I have with my children. The time passes all too quickly and there are no guarantees for how much time we have together.
My prayers are with the Chapman family in their time of loss.
Labels: Just Thinkin'
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Shane's Version of Cinderella
Shane's class at school has been talking about fairy tales. They have looked at different international versions of famous fairy tales and how different cultures impact the way a story is told. It was a pretty natural conclusion then, for the teacher to give an assignment to the students and have them write their own version of a famous fairy tale.
In preparation for this assignment, Shane looked at the basic details for the fairy tale and then decided which cultural reflection he wanted to emphasize. We LOVED the results!! LOL!! (p.s. notice that he included an exaggerated version of one of his own chores, and that he managed to throw in his love of guns too!)
A Hillbilly Cinderella
5/21/08 by Shane, age 9
Once upon a time in West Virginia in the mountains, there was a big house that was owned by a greedy woman with one daughter and one stepdaughter. The stepdaughter was forced to do a lot of work for the greedy woman while the regular daughter got to play around the house. The name of the stepdaughter was Cinderella. The other daughter was named Peacock and the mom was named Miss Cinderbell.
One day there was a letter in the mail inviting every single girl in the mountains to go to the castle that was five days away over in the flatlands. The invitation was for a party so the prince could pick who he was going to marry.
Cinderella's stepmother and stepsister decided that Cinderella would have to stay home while they went to the party. While they were gone, Cinderella had to scrub all the baseboards in the house, and the floors too, if she had extra time.
So, the stepmother and stepsister went to church to find themselves a date for the prince's party. Cinderella finished all the jobs they gave her and then decided to get ready for the ball.
Cinderella put on the nicest party dress she had and put on her work boots. Then Cinderella grabbed some car keys and went outside and got into her pick-up truck with the gun rack in the back window.
Cinderella drove all the way to the party and went into the party. When the Stepmother and stepsister saw Cinderella's pick up truck, they decided to shoot Cinderella. They went into the party, and when everyone saw them with their pistols, they started screaming and running. Cinderella ran to the truck and grabbed a shotgun from the gun rack and ran back to the party. She found her stepmother and stepsister and told them, "Drop your pistols!"
Cinderella was a hero. Her stepmother and stepsister got sent to Alcatraz and Cinderella married the prince the next day.
And then she lived happily ever after.
In preparation for this assignment, Shane looked at the basic details for the fairy tale and then decided which cultural reflection he wanted to emphasize. We LOVED the results!! LOL!! (p.s. notice that he included an exaggerated version of one of his own chores, and that he managed to throw in his love of guns too!)
A Hillbilly Cinderella
5/21/08 by Shane, age 9
Once upon a time in West Virginia in the mountains, there was a big house that was owned by a greedy woman with one daughter and one stepdaughter. The stepdaughter was forced to do a lot of work for the greedy woman while the regular daughter got to play around the house. The name of the stepdaughter was Cinderella. The other daughter was named Peacock and the mom was named Miss Cinderbell.
One day there was a letter in the mail inviting every single girl in the mountains to go to the castle that was five days away over in the flatlands. The invitation was for a party so the prince could pick who he was going to marry.
Cinderella's stepmother and stepsister decided that Cinderella would have to stay home while they went to the party. While they were gone, Cinderella had to scrub all the baseboards in the house, and the floors too, if she had extra time.
So, the stepmother and stepsister went to church to find themselves a date for the prince's party. Cinderella finished all the jobs they gave her and then decided to get ready for the ball.
Cinderella put on the nicest party dress she had and put on her work boots. Then Cinderella grabbed some car keys and went outside and got into her pick-up truck with the gun rack in the back window.
Cinderella drove all the way to the party and went into the party. When the Stepmother and stepsister saw Cinderella's pick up truck, they decided to shoot Cinderella. They went into the party, and when everyone saw them with their pistols, they started screaming and running. Cinderella ran to the truck and grabbed a shotgun from the gun rack and ran back to the party. She found her stepmother and stepsister and told them, "Drop your pistols!"
Cinderella was a hero. Her stepmother and stepsister got sent to Alcatraz and Cinderella married the prince the next day.
And then she lived happily ever after.
Labels: Brag Alert, Just for Fun
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
What a great weekend!! My family treated me to a quiet day yesterday. I read a novel I've been waiting for some free time to get to (I hate putting down a good book!). Yes, I read the entire book in one day! :-) I highly recommend "Healing Promises" by Amy Wallace. It was definitely a page turner, and best of all, it included some great spiritual encouragement too. Now that I've read it once I'm going to go back through it for some quotes I want to write down.
One of the messages in the book is that there is strength in weakness. I'm not the type of person that really likes to be served. Matter of fact, I'd pretty much rather avoid it altogether.
The last couple of weeks have been an unavoidable reminder of the fact that I definitely have limitations though. My scars on my arm are healing way faster than the muscles and nerves are, and I find myself getting excited by little things like being able to turn my arm enough to scratch my face.
Another message in the book is "God is good all the time." It's really easy to focus on circumstances instead of God. Being flat on my back staring up at the sky after I fell, feeling an immense amount of pain, realizing that I couldn't get up by myself (oh yes---"HELP! I've fallen and I can't get up" has a whole new meaning to me!) and being embarrassed at being the center of attention--now there's a big opportunity I'd rather have missed! Not being available to help with a campaign that meant a lot to me when the opponent was more nasty than I've ever experienced--that was awful too--even worse than the physical pain. I hate letting down my friends.
All too often, rather than focusing on God's goodness, I'd just rather be the strong "in charge" person and get things done. Until my accident, I hadn't spent too much time focusing on spiritual things lately. I'm not saying that God caused this accident to punish me--nothing could be farther from the truth! I do think though that He gave me an opportunity to think about what is really important to me and allowed me to refocus.
I need Him more than I have realized of late and I'm glad I had an opportunity to be quiet and think about His goodness to me.
I'll have plenty of time to keep doing that too. Eight more weeks of physical therapy--and reminders of my physical weakness LOL. Time to whip myself back into shape!
None of that today though--this was a wonderfully quiet weekend with rest, relaxation and time with my family. Here are a few pictures from today:
My concession to the guys: a silly picture!
Derek was very proud of his new trick: a handstand in the recliner. LOL!
Happy Mother's Day to all my friends and family members that are moms!
One of the messages in the book is that there is strength in weakness. I'm not the type of person that really likes to be served. Matter of fact, I'd pretty much rather avoid it altogether.
The last couple of weeks have been an unavoidable reminder of the fact that I definitely have limitations though. My scars on my arm are healing way faster than the muscles and nerves are, and I find myself getting excited by little things like being able to turn my arm enough to scratch my face.
Another message in the book is "God is good all the time." It's really easy to focus on circumstances instead of God. Being flat on my back staring up at the sky after I fell, feeling an immense amount of pain, realizing that I couldn't get up by myself (oh yes---"HELP! I've fallen and I can't get up" has a whole new meaning to me!) and being embarrassed at being the center of attention--now there's a big opportunity I'd rather have missed! Not being available to help with a campaign that meant a lot to me when the opponent was more nasty than I've ever experienced--that was awful too--even worse than the physical pain. I hate letting down my friends.
All too often, rather than focusing on God's goodness, I'd just rather be the strong "in charge" person and get things done. Until my accident, I hadn't spent too much time focusing on spiritual things lately. I'm not saying that God caused this accident to punish me--nothing could be farther from the truth! I do think though that He gave me an opportunity to think about what is really important to me and allowed me to refocus.
I need Him more than I have realized of late and I'm glad I had an opportunity to be quiet and think about His goodness to me.
I'll have plenty of time to keep doing that too. Eight more weeks of physical therapy--and reminders of my physical weakness LOL. Time to whip myself back into shape!
None of that today though--this was a wonderfully quiet weekend with rest, relaxation and time with my family. Here are a few pictures from today:
My concession to the guys: a silly picture!
Derek was very proud of his new trick: a handstand in the recliner. LOL!
Happy Mother's Day to all my friends and family members that are moms!
Labels: Picture Posts
Thursday, May 01, 2008
What I've been up to...
I haven't posted lately... first because I've been busy... as always :-)
But a week and a half ago that busyness went to a whole new level when I had a fall on an uneven sidewalk (and NO--I wasn't reading my "crackberry!") :-)
Just walking, too fast, some agenda on my mind, not watching, and I hit the concrete.
YUCK. PAIN. Definite slow down.
I broke both bones in my left forearm. Had surgery a few days later, and have been resting--much to my surprise (and those who know me)--I've been very good. I only overdid it one day, and haven't again since.
So... I had muscle damage from the one bone moving around (must be the one with the longer plate and 8 screws), and I have weeks of physical therapy to look forward to.
I've had a huge amount of support and love from people I know through work, friends, and family. I have a friend that even drove all the way from GEORGIA to help out. Might be a while until things get back to normal (whatever that is).
Just wanted to let you know we're alive and well... well, for the most part :-)
