Happy Halloween!!!

We are all "tricked" out, and the kids have been "treated" very well!!!  I got home from work today and started on the AMAZING chicken tortilla soup.  It was sooooo yummy!!!  Even better than McAllister's!!!  I will share the recipe with all who want it.  I'll post it on the blog in the next day or so and you can "copy", then "paste" it to another file from there.  

The whole fam came over, and we did not have near the crowd tonight that we usually do.  I think there were about 15 of us here???  We were actually missing quite a few.  We ate and talked and laughed and ate some more.  Good times.

We walked down three streets so the boys could get lots and lots of goodies!  And they did!!  We ran into several friends of theirs, the older two, then a little girl from Jonah's class, so they all got to trick or treat with friends.  That was fun.  I told you what they were last night...it was really cute.  Instead of wrapping Graham's head, I just put red paint on a gauze pad and taped it with medical tape to his forehead.  He told people he'd been shot in the head.  =)

Todd, Mimi, Big Daddy (aka "BoBo") and myself took them around the neighborhood.  I walked off all the soup that I consumed at dinner.  Might as well...I ate my heart out.  It was really good.  The best neighbors ever stopped by, Trav and Katie Katie, and they went to the haunted house with Todd, Big Daddy, Drew, Graham, and Jonah.  Drew won the bravest child award.  Graham and Jonah cried.  I'm not sure why...nothing really happened, Graham said, it was just pretty scary.  Drew got chased by the man that was holding the leaf blower, he chased Drew around in circles several times, and other than scaring him, he did fine.  It really is creepy.  I don't blame Graham and Jonah for crying.  Even if they did know that it was all fake.  Noah didn't want to go.  He opted to stay home, and I opted to stay with him.  My feet hurt.  

Well we had a blast tonight.  I am exhausted and will probably go to bed in a few minutes.  I have choir practice in the morning and want to get a decent amount of sleep.  I am tired.  Happy Halloween!!!!!  

What We Got Tonight

Okay, so I was busily preparing dinner when our doorbell rang.   Graham went to answer it, and no one was there.  Drew said, "Oh, man!  I hate it when people do that!"  I asked, "What?"  Drew answered, "Ding dong ditch us!"  I about died laughing.  We proceeded on with dinner, and afterward, one of the boys was walking by the door and saw something.  They opened it, and this is what they found.

One sheet of paper said, "BOO!  From the CES 4TH GRADE PHANTOM!!!"

Another sheet of paper was with it and said this:

Good evening!  You've just been BOO'ed!

Since this is time for goblins and baths,

For Halloween spirits, for ghosts and for cats,

For weird happenings, and witches brew,

These are the things I wish for you...

May the only spirit you chance to meet

Be the spirit of love and friends, warm and sweet.

May the only goblin that comes your way,

Be this CES 4TH GRADE PHANTOM you must give away.

"'Tis much better to give than receive", goes the old verse

And something this easy won't empty your purse.

It's your turn to pass a treat and a "BOO"

Because now the CES 4TH GRADE PHANTOM....

Is little old YOU!!!

So by this time tomorrow, pick two friends who are sweet,

and give them each a Halloween treat.

You have only one day~so you'll need to hurry~

Leave a treat on the doorstep, ring the bell and scurry!

Signed,

The CES 4TH GRADE PHANTOM

Isn't that adorable???  So of course we got into the "spirit" of things and immediately took action.  We scrounged up some Halloween candy and I printed out some more sheets with the BOO poem.  I wrote 2 more BOO sheets for the kids to hang on their front doors~this so they won't get BOO'ed twice.  Graham, Drew, Jonah, Noah and I jumped into the Burban and took off.  He chose to BOO Abigail Riley and Justin Motroni.  His little heart was racing.  And I do mean RACING.  He hid in the perfect spot at both houses and waited until the door shut to come running back to my car, parked three houses down.  His little legs were bookin' it.  Too cute.  I told Drew next year he is SO doing this next year!!!

An update on the scare factor at home: the spider, the lizards and the snakes have NOT struck again.  The boys seemed to have forgotten about it.  I'm almost disappointed.  You watch; tomorrow night they'll get me so bad I'll wet myself.  Maybe I shouldn't write that...you know...jinxing, and all that.  

I talked to Graham's teacher today, not only will Drew be in the town Spelling Bee, but Graham will be his opponent!  Among other kids too, but Graham told his teacher he really didn't want to have a face off with his brother.  Wasn't that sweet??  They DO love each other, they DO!!!  I'll keep telling myself that, maybe I'll convince myself.  

I've had a busy week~I've worked a lot, mostly all day, but I'm loving it.  It's been crazy, and I've not really officially "cooked" all week~as in I haven't pulled anything out of the freezer, thawed and marinated it, but we've had decent meals, so it hasn't been too bad.  I've worked in the front office all week at CES.  It's definitely been interesting, especially today.  More about THAT another time...well then again, maybe not.  I'll just forget about it.  Let's just say I've been singing these words to myself all day: "Love them like Jesus".  It's a Casting Crowns song.  And NO IT IS NOT A STUDENT, believe it or not.  Alright, enough said on that.

I cannot wait for tomorrow night!!!  I haven't cooked yet, and I haven't even grocery shopped.  I'm planning on doing the shopping tomorrow morning when I drop the boys off, and I'll cook tomorrow afternoon before I get them from school.  I told LC I would NOT be working  tomorrow, needless to say.  I also have to buy stuff for the kindergarten Fall Fest tomorrow.  Jonah and Noah are going to be SOOOOOO excited!!!  It's really cute...there's going to be face painting, story time, a pumpkin toss, a campfire and singalong complete with s'mores and hot chocolate, and a few other things.  It's all put on by us kindergarten room moms.  Well, all THOSE OTHER kindergarten moms since I work now.  I'm going to be walking around, taking pictures.  =)  For 15 minutes, then I'll have to leave and go to work.  

Okay, well, I'm going to go have some ice cream now.  I have earned it from this week.  And especially after I stood in line for an hour and a half so I could do my duty as a UNITED STATES OF AMERICA citizen, and vote for the woman (GUESS WHO?!?!), I mean MAN I think should be our next fearless leader.  Love to all.  Bon soire.

On Marriage...

I get this every morning...little nuggets of good ideas and thoughts on marriage.  With them crumbling all around me right now, I thought I'd share this one.  

Ten Ways to Show Respect

•  Do not complain about your finances or his ability
  as a provider

•  Do not continually "have a better idea"

•  Do talk to him in a pleasant tone

•  Do speak highly or compliment him in front of others

•  Do allow him to do tasks his own way and then
  thank him when he is finished

•  Do value his opinions

•  Do support his decisions

•  Do try to fulfill his requests

•  Do thank him for providing for your family

•  Do avoid the words, "I told you so"

Here's a link if you're interested in getting the email: http://www.growthtrac.com

My Morning Devotion

I really enjoyed this morning's devotion, and wanted to share it with you all.  Hope you like it.

October 28, 2008

 

A View Through Sarah Palin’s Eyeglasses

Kelli Regan, She Speaks! Graduate

 

 “Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’”

Luke 18:42 (NIV)

         

Devotion:

In the midst of the media storm surrounding the upcoming elections, there’s one news item you may have missed. An economic crisis is upon us—and Sarah Palin is at the center of it. What’s the cause of this crisis I’m talking about? Her glasses. 

In less than one month’s time Sarah has become a household name. Everyone has an opinion about her. But whether you’re Republican, Democrat or Independent, there’s one issue regarding the vice presidential nominee on which the majority agrees. We love her glasses! I suppose not since Ben Franklin invented bifocals have spectacles captured our fancies so. 

Women (and even men) are flocking to their opticians in search of Governor Palin’s Kawasaki 704 series designer specs. In less than two weeks, the Japanese company that manufactures the $375 frames received 9,000 global orders. That’s more than they normally produce in a year! I’m no economic analyst but there’s no way supply can meet that demand. 

According to Governor Palin’s optician, she selected her now-famous frames from hundreds of choices. I’ve worn glasses almost my entire life and know what a difficult decision this is! After much searching she selected just the right pair for her—and the rest, as they say, is history. 

I imagine many of those buying frames like Mrs. Palin’s will later regret their purchase. Something about their new glasses will look “off.” Maybe the frames won’t flatter their face shape, match their personality, or complement their coloring or hairstyle. Why? Because eyeglasses simply aren’t an off-the-shelf purchase. One size does not fit all.

Sometimes we do this with our faith. We see movers and shakers in our church, in our favorite ministry, or in our Bible study who appear to have it all going on. They glow under the spotlight, and we think they must know or have something we don’t because…well…just look at them. So we not only admire their godly ways, we try to emulate them as well—we try to “wear” their faith. We might try to copy how they pray, or worship, or talk, or sing, or have devotions, and so on. But when we do, something doesn’t fit quite right. 

That’s because nothing is more one-of-a-kind than our walk with the Lord. While we can learn from our Christian brothers and sisters, we can’t order up elements of their walk to accessorize our own. To do so is to lose sight of what God wants from us more than anything: our individual devotion focused on Him. He wants us to love Him with a sincere faith that’s custom-made with our own unique personality, passion, experiences and gifts.

Have you been borrowing someone else’s faith? Do you want to be custom-fit with a prescription of your own? Go to Jesus, the One who gives sight to the blind. And when He asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” respond, “Lord, I want to see.” (Luke 18:41) 

As popular as they are today, Sarah Palin’s glasses will become yesterday’s news. While much of our attention is fixed on who will lead our country come January, we must remember politicians come and go. But there is one leader who has, does and will stand the test of time: Jesus. As we set our sights on the future, let’s never forget on whom we need to fix our gaze. And let’s offer Him our one-of-a-kind devotion. 

                                                                                                                                                                          

Dear Lord, I give you my heart. Open my eyes so I may see and help me stay focused on You as the ruler of my life and the hope of my eternal future. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 

At the Feet of Ordinary Wise Women by Angie Conrad, et al

 

The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life by Louie Giglio

 

Application Steps: 

During the remaining days leading up to the presidential election, become an educated voter, but maintain an eternal perspective.

 

Reflections: 

Have you been striving to mimic aspects of someone else’s walk instead of developing your very own?

 

Are you caught up in the popularity of your faith more than the sincerity of it?

 

Power Verses:

Ephesians 2:18-19, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (NIV)

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Tuesday's Musings

As you can probably tell from the lack of blog postings, I've had yet another crazy week.  I'm recovering from whatever junk I had...and although I really didn't feel good on Monday, I really felt like I needed to go to work.  So I did, praise the LORD.  When I got there, they were soooo shorthanded.  They're still short one teacher's assistant, and both the gals that work in the front office were not there.  One was sick, the other had a sick child.  LC (my boss lady) asked me to stay yesterday and to come in this morning and work the office both times.  I obliged.  It's been YEARS since I've sat at a desk and answered the phone.  Some things you don't ever forget...it's true.  By ten o'clock today I had everything figured out...some by trial and error, some taught.  My phone voice came back very quickly.  And my ability to act like everyone's best friend while on the phone answering some RIDICULOUS question.  Seriously, people, have you nothing better to do than sit and complain????

So, while that was fun, I've been busy this week.  And so far it's not stopping, I have a full day tomorrow, and probably Thursday, as well.  I will have to make time to stop and make our Halloween dinner for Friday night, however.  And figure out something for dessert.  Unless someone reading this blog would like to make and bring dessert.  Or a couple bags of tortilla chips.  We're having chili made by my sister Lisa, and I'm making chicken tortilla soup.  Yum.  I just have to find a recipe for it.  If you have one, feel free to share it with me in the comment section.  One thing: it has to be like McAllister's chicken tortilla soup.  I don't want it tomato based, and so far that's all I've found on FoodNetwork.com.

I cannot wait until Friday night!!!  I am going to have, trick or treating with me, one clown, one injured soldier home from Iraq, one baseball player and one football player.  Guess who's going as what?  Well the clown is not hard to figure out...the one, the only, the amazing DREW!  Ha ha, laughing as I write that. Graham will be the injured soldier home from Iraq complete with a bleeding head wound, Jonah will be the football player and Noah is the baseball player.  It's simple.  We went with what we had, except for Drew's clown ensemble.  I bought him a wig and a red nose.  Aunt Trish bought him some glasses with a moustache, and I think he has some gadget he's going to carry~like a water squirter or something.  

I will be going as a tired mom.  Well, not really.  I'll be pumped up by then!  I'll load myself with good food and some caffeine, and I'll be fine.  We'll also be making our annual trip to the Haunted House in the Woods in Collierville.  Lots of caps there.  Sorry.  The Woods is a neighborhood down the road from us, and every year there's this house that puts on an amazing show for us all to see.  There's a graveyard, and usually some sort of chainsaw action going on.  The boys don't really go up to it, they just stand across the street and laugh.  

One year my sister and her husband Jim went with Todd and the boys...me and the little ones stayed behind.  Lisa went up to get some candy from the man standing at the front porch...he may have been dressed like a ghost or something, but she went to get candy because Graham and Drew wouldn't.  So when she got up there, she held open their bags for him, and next to him was a coughin with what she thought was a fake dead body.  The body jumped up and Lisa started beating the poor man half to death with one of the boys' goodie bags.  She was trying to put him seven feet under, as Medea would say.  Don't ask...if you haven't seen it, it's not worth the explanation.  I'm quoting my favorite movie of all time, The Diary Of A Mad Black Woman.

I'm thrilled that all this is falling on a Friday night this year.  I really think that trick or treating should occur on Friday nights every year.  It's too hard to have to try and get them all home and bathed and non~sugared by bedtime.  They've never gone to bed before 10 in years past...the deal was that they had to wake up "happy" the next morning.  And sometimes breakfast the next day consisted of....you guessed it.  Chocolate.  I know.  Sometimes I'm a really bad mom.  I've even been known to let them having chips for breakfast.  GASP.  Don't tell, okay?

As I write this, my kids are watching It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  I love this show.  Thank you, Papa, for calling to tell us about it being on.  I didn't know.  Haven't had the t.v. on all day.  Can you tell?  Well, I'm going to go for now, Noah's asking me to read him a story.  And I am in need of some cuddle time with all my sweet babies.  Two of which are sitting in the floor playing Phase 10.  Can you guess which ones?  Good night.  

Sunday

I am so bummed that I am at home sick and my family is at church.  I hate missing church.  My week seems to be awful when I do, but I really felt like I just needed to stay home and rest and try to get over whatever junk seems to be settling in me again.  I am praying I'll feel better tomorrow.  I really do not want to have to call in sick.  I have seen what being shorthanded is like, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.  Really.  

I may not be at church today, but I have had some quality time with the Lord this morning!  I have had devotion, and sat and read the Bible and prayed for a long time.  It was a really nice quiet time, one that usually doesn't happen.  I cannot ever seem to find quiet long enough to do this.  If I do it early in the morning, I'm usually falling asleep while I do it, and that is no way to read the Bible.  I asked God to help me find my best time of day...and commit some time to Him.  My life is so much better when I do....I'm calmer, in a better mood, a better wife and mom, this list could go on.  

I read the book of Ephesians this morning.  I love the New Living Translation!  This is a beautiful translation of the Bible...it just flows so nicely, and it's so easy to read.  I've always been an NIV fan, but I like NLT more now.  I picked out a new Bible for Christmas in fact!  My dad and I went to Lifeway one Friday and picked out Bibles for the boys from them for Christmas, and I got one too!  I love new Bibles....the one that I picked out is called The Sanctuary.  It's turquoise and brown~my favorite colors~and there's a strip of brown leather in the middle.  The turquoise part is fabric.  It's really quite pretty.  I can't wait to get it!

Anyway, I read out of the NLT this morning, and here are some verses that stuck out:

Ephesians 1:19~22 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him.  This is the same mighty power (20) that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.  (21) Now he is far above any ruler of authority or power of leader of anything else~not only in this world but also in the world to come. (22) God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 

This passage reminded me of our nation...the election is only 9 days away, and this is all that the media is talking about.  I for one am tired of hearing about it all....God knows who is going to win, and no matter who it is, we'll have to rely on Him for strength during this time.  Even if it's not the one we vote for.  All things are planned by Him (Jeremiah 29:11) and all things will work out for the good of those who love Him (can't remember that reference, or else I'd put it).  We just have to trust and believe and have faith that GOD IS IN CONTROL.  

This next one was one that I took advantage of immediately about our country and the state that we're in...

Eph. 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.  

We should all remember this in the next 9 days about who God wants as the leader of our country.  This next verse also applies...

Eph. 3:16 &17 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  (17) Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  

Will you join me in praying for our country over these next days?  We are so blessed to live in a country such as this one, and even though we've taken God out of everything, He still longs for us to love and serve Him.  I am reminded of the Israelites...these were God's chosen people, and though they repeatedly turned their backs on Him, still He loved them.  God has had mercy on us so many times already, I can't help but keep praying that once again, He'll have mercy on our us. 

Beautiful Lyrics

If you are able to go my music playlist, click on Praise To The Lord, The Almighty and enjoy the music with the lyrics. This is the most beautiful song I have ever heard, and it's an old hymn that's been around forever. Since 1680, I think. He wrote this song while sitting at a riverside admiring all of God's creation. Hence the first line. He wrote many others, sixty I think, but this one is the most recognized of them all. He died at the age of thirty from tuberculosis. Travis Cottrell is the angelic voiced man you'll hear singing.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,
Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Ah, Blessed Weekend

I got my weekend off to a great start.  Well, sort of.  Papa wanted to take the boys to a football game last night, and last night was FACS's last home game, so that's where they went.  They ate hot dogs and corndogs, and who knows what else.  At least I think they ate hot dogs.  I know Graham had a corndog~he told me so the minute he came home.  The sort of part is because I'm sick and don't feel all that great.  

Todd and I took advantage of another child~less night (thanks a ton, Mimi and Papa!), and went to Slayden to eat catfish.  Surprisingly enough, we did not talk about our kids~not even once, if I remember correctly.  That is huge for all your people who have kids and go out on "dates", then spend the whole time talking about kids.  But we didn't.  Actually at one point, our food was taking so long that we were running out of conversation.  Not really, but we both got kind of quiet, and laughed about it saying they'd better hurry, our conversation was running dry.

Todd is working for the sherriff's department all day today and wanted to go to bed early last night.  He had to get up at 6 and leave 30 minutes later to be at the substation at 7.  So we came home, and he immediately retired upstairs to shower and shave and go to bed.  I stayed downstairs and watched a movie by myself.  It would have been pretty sad except that it was an awesome movie, and Todd probably would have hated it.  It was August Rush.  If you haven't seen it, I strongly recommend it.  It was so good, that the kids could even watch it.  I think there was one bad word, hence the PG rating, and the child in the movie was a byproduct of a one night stand, but you don't see any of that in the movie.  Seriously, get it.  It's worth it.  Plus the kid in the movie reminded me of Graham throughout the whole thing.  I really think Graham is musically (and otherwise) gifted.  He can pick up any rhthym and is constantly going around tapping out beats on whatever stands still long enough.

I got up at 8 this morning, and sat and watched the food network.  My favorite channel!!!  I watched an hour, then got up and started cleaning out my kitchen cabinets and drawers.  That brings me immense satisfaction....cleaning out and organizing.  I haven't done anything like that since school started, and now that I work I don't have lots of time to do stuff like that.  So this was a much needed thing that needed to be done today.  I have this cabinet that I call the homework cabinet....it's kind of an everything cabinet.  Our medicines are at the very top, cups are below on one side, on the other side is my room mom information and folders with bring home papers from school, and on the bottom is a basket with paper, a ruler, crayons and markers.  On the other side is where we keep all our batteries and my cd's I listen to in the kitchen.  This is the biggest cabinet I have in my house, also, in case you couldn't tell from all that I keep in it.  So you can imagine what it looked like since August.  I could create my own forrest from all the papers Jonah and Noah have brought home since August.  I threw away a trash bag full of stuff....and yes I did get rid of some of their papers.  I have to do that, or I'm convinced I'll get roaches.  I've heard they like paper.  

Then I tackled my junk drawer, silverware drawer (that gets crazy messy), and the tornado closer.  I could not even get in the tornado closet if there was one, so it was in desperate need of a cleaning.  I put games up, organized puzzles and pieces that had gotten knocked out, and straightened up my supply shelf.  This is where I keep all the extra school supplies the kids need throughout the year.  Plus it's where our games (and theirs!) are, our coats are in there, there's a fire safe, and I also keep my wrapping paper in there.  This is a huge closet, too.  We were blessed with that in this house.  We have tons of storage space...I knew I'd need it with 4 kids.  Praise God for extra room, you know what I'm sayin'?!?!

After those things, I came into the living room and cleaned out their art cart and desk.  I have this multi shelf 10 drawer cart on wheels that I dubbed 'the art cart'.  I went through all the drawers and pulled out all their halloween and fall coloring books and fun pads, so they all thought it was Christmas when they came home.  I also cleaned out the desk that serves as a sofa table/desk for them and threw away a bunch of stuff, and restocked it with new paper.   Thanks, Big Daddy for all the paper....we're still using all of it!!!   I think you gave us all that paper three years ago??  

I organized all their crayons and markers, and threw away dead ones and broken ones.  I don't mean dead...I mean markers without ink.  They all thought they'd died and gone to heaven once they got home.  It's true...these are my kids.  This type stuff brings them joy as much as it does me!  I can't help it.  I'm a simple person.  

They asked for friends to come over once they got home, so Graham rode his bike to a friend's house and brought him back home (plus his little brother 30 minutes later....his dad sent him too...guess he thought I needed one more kid in the house), and Drew asked his friend over.  They're all being really good.  They're going home in about an hour, so it's not too bad.  They played outside for a long time, then they went upstairs to have a 'sing off'.  I don't know.  If you have a question, ask Graham.  They must not have liked it b/c they came downstairs awfully quick after they'd started it.  =)

Jonah and Noah have a friend's birthday party to go to tonight, so in a while, we have to go buy a gift, and I'm going to drop them off at the YMCA for Kolby's party.  That statement just makes me want to cry.  My babies aren't babies anymore.  I can't believe I'm taking them and dropping them off.  But they don't want me to stay.  They'll be fine, it's just me being my crazy self.  

Well, if I've bored you to tears, sorry.  I wanted to write a little while it was somewhat quiet in the house.  It doesn't happen often, so I have to take it where I can get it.  Hope you all have a blessed weekend....

Funny Story

I had a funny story to tell you but canNOT remember what it was for the life of me. I really did...just the other day I was telling the ladies at school that I was eating with something one of them did or said, and their answer was...."write that down!! That's hilarious!" Imagine that...something hilarious at my house.

Drew started chorus this morning! He was soooo excited! He's finding 'his place' at school this year, it seems. He also won his grade level spelling bee and gets to go to the Town Hall's annual spelling bee on December 9! AHEM all the grandparents! There will be refreshments to follow. Drew is the first member of my family to join the school's chorus, and I'm so proud of him. I'm out of time and will have to write about the funny story another time...maybe later today!!

I Cannot Wait Until Friday

I can honestly say that statement without shame.  It's been a week.  I refuse to say b*d, but it's been a week.  There is this one little friend I have in kindergarten (not in my kids' classes, thank the LORD) that wasn't there today.  When his teacher came out of the lounge, she looked at me as if to say, "Good?  Okay?  Bad?"  And I gave her a thumbs up.  When I told one of the TA's how good they'd been minus that one child, she said this: "He's not here because he's been suspended for the SECOND time."  You could have knocked me down with a feather.  Kindergarten?  Suspension?  Twice???

How sad is that?  Poor child...I've come to the conclusion that if your child is undisciplined, it's due to a lack of caring on the parent's part.  Or maybe even it's a lack of love.  I mean, who doesn't get upset at their kids' behaviour?  I know I'm always mortified to hear something bad about one of my kids.  It's just embarassing, and I feel it's a bad reflection on me.  I've been asked by his teacher to pray for him~apparently he has either no family life, or a bad one, and I think it's sweet of her to even ask me to pray.  Sadly, some teachers just don't care about their students, but this lady is not one of them.  When I told her today that her class had a great day, her reaction was astounding.  She said, "Great???  Wow!!!"  Enough said on her class.

I've broken up fights this week, calmed crying kids, consoled them over losing their tooth at the table, just about rubbed my fingers raw from opening ketchup, assigned AB Patterns at the kindergarten tables, listened to someone badmouth me the second I turned around, almost got food thrown on a couple times, slid and just about busted my rear end, wiped up spilled milk off the table, off a child, off me, listened to a child complain about how my kid bugs her and she can't stand the sight of his face (Brooklyn and Graham), lectured on how to stand in a straight line, on how to be nice to your fellow classmates, on how we shouldn't use certain words in life or at the table, just to name a few (a very few) examples of what I do every day.  Add to that the stuff I do at home everyday, at the end of the day, I am beat.  Maybe it won't be this bad forever.  I keep on thinking that eventually I'll get used to being gone all day.  Maybe.  Maybe now.  Who knows?

I think I'll stop for now.  I don't want you to get the wrong idea about how I feel about my job, I really do love it.  The turkeys.  Just joking, they're not...well, not all of them.  I'll be glad for the weekend.  I do great all week, but there's just something about Thursday that gets to me every week.  Plus it's a rainy, cold night.  I need some coffee and a good book.  Doesn't that sound yummy?  Jonah just asked me to write, "Jonah For Mayor".  Go figure.  Bon Soire. 

A Funny Story

The kids have all gotten into the habit of "who can scare Mommy the most", and there was another episode this morning. We have all these little toy snakes and spiders (snakes, not bad...spiders EWWWW). So, the other night, as I was making down my bed, I pulled back the covers and there on my pillow was this HUGE black spider. I swear I almost screamed. Phyllis, I'm getting paid back from scaring you last year, remember??? I took the spider and THREW it down the stairs as hard as I could. Of course Todd heard it land, and got up to see what it was. When he got close enough to see the legs, he just DIED laughing.

I've come to know what to expect, but last night they got me again. This time with a lizard in the pile of clean sheets I was putting on my bed. A lizard I was NOT expecting. Graham got me once again this morning, with the same lizard, but where, you ask? In the coffee cup cabinet. It's a wonder anyone stayed asleep after that. Who knows where it'll strike again? Until then...BEWARE if you come into my house.

Between that and Drew lurking behind every corner, it's fun times as always in the Goodwin house.

My Blog's Title

You know, my life is truly crazy. Hence the title of my blog. It has been a whirlwind weekend and past 2 days! I can't believe tomorrow is Wednesday. I am trying to get registered to take a test so that I can apply for a different job within my school. Don't worry...I'm not wanting to quit what I'm doing, it's just that everyone else really wants me to have this very different job. Good news: I can take a test and be interviewed for the position. Bad news: test is in January, and don't know if said job will be "held" for me. I figure if it's meant to be, it'll happen. If not....well, then it won't. And I'm honestly fine either way. I am happy with my little job. I'm feeling lots of pressure about it, but in a good way. It's nice to feel wanted and valued.

That said...I cannot believe it's almost Wednesday. I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. And it was CRAZY in the cafeteria today....we were VERY shorthanded. The good thing about that is that the time flew right by. Do you like my emphasis?? I had a very brief interview with the Boss Lady at school, then came home and got on the internet to print out all the forms I have to send in for this test.

I can't help but wonder...am I ready to work full time? I think I am. I really love being there, the only part that scares me a tad is my time management for my home life. Will I be able to work AND feed the hubby and kids AND keep the house neat and clean AND do all the laundry? Bottom line is I think I'll have to enlist everyone for help, but I really think I'll be able to manage it all. That's right...keep talking, Jen, talk yourself into it. There's a possibility that I could start working full time in February, and with the way my time flies, that'll be here before I know it. It wouldn't hurt at all if you pray for me...I can always use the extra prayer, and it'll bring me peace. I know I would love it....I just need peace about possibly giving away all my spare time. Of course the extra moolah would be nice. Wouldn't it, TODD?!?!

We'll see what happens...until then....I gotta go get my babies!!! And cook dinner!!! Then go to the PTA meeting tonight to see what Drew gets for being a top reader in his school's readathon!!! Then come home and put the sheets back on the bed, then...nevermind. I'll stop. I'm overwhelming myself. =)

What I Am Counting Down For Next August!

Next year in August, they will be in my city!!! I cannot wait...Christa, it's our third annual Living Proof Live Event together...you up for another sleepover?!?! We're gonna have to get up early...I want to be in the FRONT. Praise God. Enjoy Travis Cottrell's beautiful voice singing,
Jesus Saves. Yes HE does.


New England Nights Tour 2008 from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Monday AGAIN???

I have yet to figure out where my time goes. And I have yet to figure out how I ever get anything accomplished. My house is straight right now....not clean, but straightened, there is a difference. I got up at 7am this morning and hit the floor running. I tackled the HUGE mountain of laundry before I even made lunches. Dognabit, I HATE it when I don't do laundry all weekend. Hence the mountain I had to hike over to get to the washer and dryer. Hopefully by tonight my house will be clean. I'm going to get the boys to help me again...they did this last week to pay for their "treats" I'd bought them at Chucalissa village.

Anyway, back to my dilemma. Since I've been working the past few weeks, I haven't quite gotten into a routine of my day. I have really got to start getting up earlier so I can be dressed when I take the boys to school. As it is right now, I don't do that until after I get home from taking them. So the valuable time I have to myself in the morning is spent getting ready. I could start using that time to do more laundry or clean, or whatever else needs to be done. Before I know it, it's time to go.

The other thing that is flying by are my weeks. They are CRAZY!!! I realize when Monday comes, but before I know it, it's Friday. And the weekend? Forget those...they fly by as well. So, I say all this to remind myself to slow down and appreciate the time I have with my family. One of my favorite nights has become Thursday night...a.k.a. family movie night. That seems to be the best night for the boys to watch a movie and stay up a little later than usual. And they LOVE it. Last week we watched Flubber, who knows what it'll be this week.

Well, I've wasted time here, so I really need to go!!! You'll hear from me again soon, I promise. Love to all.

200th Post!!!

It just seems like it was a few weeks ago when I'd reached 100 posts, and now here I am all the way up to 200.  Holy macaroni, I am quite the talker, huh????  

We had soooooo much fun last night!  We went to see Phil Wickham in concert!!!  Todd was in heaven.  Fee and Meredith Andrews were with him....I really loved Meredith, but Fee was LOUD.  So was Phil, but Fee made my head hurt.  I know, I'm getting old.  Go ahead and make fun.  That's what Todd said, too.  That boy Phil is a spaz.  He reminded me of some little kid that has ADHD.  I don't mean that in a rude way, but I've seen how those kids act; they can't be still for anything.  He was shaking at some points during the show.  He made me tired.  It was a great concert, though.  

Wiley and Phyllis (Papa and Mimi) came over to watch the boys while we went to dinner and to the concert.  It was nice.  We had my current favorite food, Mexican, which is always great.  We ate at La Hacienda.  It was muy delicioso.  I could drink their salsa.  It was all salt and cilantro, mmmmmmm.  I brought the leftovers home for my sweet Mexican boy, Drew.  He LOVES him some chips and salsa.  Okay, enough about food, I am making myself hungry.  

So here it is Saturday, and can I just say that I stayed in bed until 9:30.  My loud mouthed little Jonah woke us all up at 7:30.  They usually get up and shut their doors and turn on cartoons, but not so this morning.  They were all laughing and yelling at 7:30.  I went back to sleep though....for 2 more hours!  It was nice.  I haven't been sleeping well because our mattress stinks.  I really think we need a new one, because I wake up hurting every morning.  It's not right that my whole body aches every morning at 31 years of age.  That screams mattress to me.  

We're having a lazy day.  Todd was going to take the boys horse back riding this morning, but it turns out that it was actually last night.  So, right now they are down on the end of my street selling lemonade with our neighbor Kari.  We're about to have lunch, then we're having dinner at our church tonight.  It's a missions dinner, and Jonah and Noah are singing in a choir for their first time~have no fears, I will post about it.  Well, I have to go and find something to fix us for lunch!  All this talk about food has made me hungry!!!  Oh, and here a couple pics of Phil the hyper boy from last night.  Love to all!

Christmas in October

I made fun of my mom the other day for putting Christmas decorations up before Halloween.  BUT, she works in retail, and that's what they're doing in the shop she works in.  AND she wants it up before Thanksgiving...my sis is coming in town, and she usually does it the weekend after Thanksgiving, but doesn't want to take up that time with decorating.

As I'm writing this, I am sitting here listening to Christmas music.  I am not joking.  I LOVE Christmas music....Todd just bought a new Christmas cd, so I've been listening to that, but currently I am listening to our choir's Christmas music.  Yay!!!  It is beautiful!!!! 

So, Mom, I'm sorry for making fun of you for your early Christmas decorations...I am doing it too!!!

Happy Birthday Debi!!!!

Debra Lynn DeLoney (Dembra, as Big Mama used to call you) is the woman of the day~I posted a link you could read about her on an earlier post this week. Today is her birthday, she is turning 29...again. Ha ha ha ha ha....I'll let you think that, Sista. Remember who's the baby of the family. Yours truly. Kidding!!!

Debi, I hope you get a chance to read this today....I love you so much. I hate that you don't live closer to home. I miss you like crazy when you're gone, and hate that we can't be more of a consistent part of each other's lives. I especially wish you were here so you could babysit my kids. Not really...I'm just messin' with you. I am so happy that you are so happy with your life...I know God's taken you down some long roads, but He has given you the strength to endure life. Only by His amazing grace have you survived. I mean in some of your health scares (long ago and recent), and with Nicole's adoption. You have a gorgeous family, and you are living out your dream, being a part of broadcasting! Finally!!! It only took you how long to land that job?!?! Patience is one thing God has granted you, my sister.

I hope today you find some quiet time for you...the one who doesn't take that time for herself very often. I hope you find love, peace, and the happiness that can only come from one Source. I love you dearly, and hope your day is blessed.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.

My Husband

Two weeks ago, Todd and I celebrated our twelth wedding anniversary.  I have wanted to do this post ever since then, but I really wanted uninterrupted time to do so.  I have that time now.  Before I start, though, we found out that the biopsies they did on Todd turned out fine.  He does have a couple minor issues right now, but they're all treatable with vitamins and a prescription.  Praise God!  I'll take that.  God is good!

Twelve years ago, I vowed to spend the rest of my life with Todd.  Back when we were still dating, we both agreed that divorce would NEVER be an option.  For multiple reasons, mainly because at that point in my life, I was unsure of solid relationships.  I honestly didn't even believe in marriage when I was younger.  I've spent a lifetime watching marriages fall apart all around me, and the very thought of getting married did not appeal to me.  But God changed that in me when I met Todd.  I met Todd for the first time at kids' camp when I was around nine years old.  Give or take a couple years.  I didn't really know him, though, until I was a teenager and started going to the same church as him.  We were really good friends...I think we kind of secretly liked each other, because we were always joking around with each other.  I was always dating someone else, though, so we never went out.  

I think our first date was junior (?) year of high school...maybe our senior year, now that I think about it.  A friend and I agreed to each ask the other one's interest out to a movie, meaning she asked Todd for me, and I asked Lee for her.  Our first date was to see The Little Rascals.  I think we ate dinner at Huey's, then saw the movie afterward.  I don't really remember a lot of details, but I know that I laughed just about the whole night.  Including the way he asked me if he could kiss me.  I think he used the same line Darla used in The Little Rascals.  

We dated on and off the rest of that year, mainly on, and we went to each other's proms.  When I left for college, he broke up with me, but not for long...we got back together in September, and in October is when he proposed.  Gosh, now that I'm writing this, it wasn't really that long.  Anyway, we were engaged for one year, and on October 4, 1996 we became husband and wife.  Our married life has not always been wonderful...the part people leave out about marriage is how hard you have to work at it.  But we've worked at it, and worked at it some more, and 12 years later, here we are.  We are by no means perfect...I get really cranky every once in a blue moon (just kidding, Todd!  More than that...waaaaaaaaaay more!), and I get snippy, and I get my feelings hurt.  And Todd is a grouch most mornings, and has to be woken up in a gentle and loving way.  He likes his socks folded a certain way, and he makes this annoying little noise in his sleep...but I love all of his ways.  I love HIM, therefore I love everything about him.    

God has blessed me with an incredible husband, one that is never lazy.  My pet peeve is laziness, and if you EVER hear me call him that, trust me when I say I am only joking!  He is the total opposite of lazy~he's the hardest worker I've ever met.  He's a man of integrity~the type that will rush to help an elderly person up from their seat, or to open their door for them.  He is old fashioned in the way that he thinks...he has high standards for our boys, and he teaches them to let ladies go first, always to be nice to ladies, to open their doors for them, and to treat me with respect.  He will not let them talk to me in a degrading way, and he hates it when they ignore me and will jump all over them in a heartbeat.  He's the only man on this earth that I compare to my daddy, and he is a lot like him.  

When I was a little girl, I always wanted to marry someone like my dad~someone who would put on a suit, a tie, and carry a briefcase to work everyday.  Little did I know that I would ever end up with a man who owns not a tie one.  I kid you not.  NOT ONE SINGLE TIE.  He owns a dress jacket, I think, but never wears it.  His idea of being dressed up is a nice pair of khaki's (with no holes) and a polo~style shirt.  What I didn't know at that time was how much he really is like my dad.  They have the same values, a lot of the same qualities, and some of the same attributes.  They have the same beliefs based on their faith, and they even enjoy some of the same things.  The only MAJOR difference is that Todd is a die hard sports fanatic.  My dad~um, not so much.  His idea of a sport is cutting the grass on a Saturday morning.  Love you Daddy, if you're reading this.  

I have been blessed with a wonderful husband.  He loves me, cherishes me, values me, respects me, and makes sure my boys treat me right.  I could not love anyone more than I love Todd Wesley Goodwin.  I love you so much, honey.  Thank you for being who you are, and thank you for what you do for us, as a family.  We all love and appreciate you so much~although after yesterday, I think the boys would appreciate it if you hired me a maid.  Okay, okay, not them, me.  I would appreciate a maid.  Ha ha, just kidding!!!

Some things I love about you:

Your ability to fall going up the stairs, instead of down

Your soft heart

Your kindness to others (except for when you drive...ha ha again)

Your integrity

Your ability to work so hard

Your non~laziness

Your smile

The way your eyes crinkle at the corners

All of your many many many many many scars

Franky

The way you don't get mad at me when I laugh at your small windpipes

They way you don't get mad at me when I laugh at you period

The way you stop and hold our boys when they say, "Dad, can I sit with you?"

The way your hands look

The roughness of them from the hard work you do

The way you're man enough to cry in sappy movies with me

You making me coffee

The way you worry about me when I go into bad neighborhoods by myself

The fact that you're my Todd~Todd (as in Tom Tom)~ and I meant G.P.S.

You coaching the boys in their sports

You throwing the football around with them in the front yard...along with Kari, Tyler, Walker, Harrison, Gretchen....

How you're willing to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone

How you know when I need to get out, and you tell me to do just that

The way you encourage me when I'm not confident in my ability

The way you make me feel about myself

This list could go on and on, but I'll stop here.  I do love you.  Thank you for asking me to be your wife all those years ago.  

Just Thoughts

Good morning! Do you ever wake up and just KNOW that the day is going to be beyond unbelievable??? In a good way, I mean. I woke up with that thought this morning~I could not WAIT to jump out of bed and spend some time with my God this morning. I was totally refreshed last night at Bible study, I think we ALL were, and we had church up in Christa's house!! It was incredible!!! I don't think I've ever experienced anything that personal from God...He gave me a little bit of knowledge last night.

That may sound weird to some of you, so let me explain. We were listening to a cd, each of us in our own quiet spot, just spending time in prayer and stillness before Him. I always doubt what I feel in my heart...I think it's God, and then my SELF will be saying, "No, that's not God, it's you." So, being a tad doubtful, I asked God to reveal Himself to me, just a little bit so that I wouldn't doubt anymore. And right after I prayed that, the man singing on the cd said something along the lines of, "God wants to reveal Himself to YOU tonight." I kid you not. How would that seem to you? It was weird to me too, if that's what you're thinking. I've NEVER experienced anything like that before. So, I took that and today I am rejoicing in that knowledge that He knows my every thought even before I do. It's humbling to know that the God of our universe loves and cares for us that much.

Anyway, I woke up KNOWING today was going to be amazing, and so far it has! I'm about to have to get dressed for work...my time is quickly running out, but I have so much more to say! I feel a two post day coming on, people!! I hope you are all blessed and encouraged today~I hope you can get away to a little quiet spot of you own, and spend sometime in stillness before Him. Last night the verse was, "Be still and know that I am God." I love that verse...I am praying for you all today. Much love!!!