tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226182392024-03-13T11:40:36.210-05:00What I've Learned TodayWhat I am Learning in my walk with the Lord and anything I find interesting or want to remember.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-78123313205196660842013-08-16T15:58:00.001-05:002013-08-16T16:42:21.846-05:00Made it myself<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qn_a_TzLPSc/Ug6ch3EgmmI/AAAAAAAAAX0/gB4T_P7_QdM/s1600/2013-08-16+15.27.40-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qn_a_TzLPSc/Ug6ch3EgmmI/AAAAAAAAAX0/gB4T_P7_QdM/s320/2013-08-16+15.27.40-1.jpg" /></a><p dir=ltr>check out this mesh wreath I made for my front door. after we painted the door red I needed in new decoration. I bought the materials at Hobby Lobby on sale and it took me about half an hour to put it together. Pinterest inspired creativity! I bought a wreath form and some mesh burlap wrap and used floral wire to bunch it on around the form in soft pouffs. I also bought some wired burlap ribbon with red/white gingham ribbon and wrapped it around the wreath. I used some of the fall flowers to make a small floral decoration and made a bow to put on the wreath and used more floral wire to make a hanger. Voila, new door decoration! Some hot glue secured the ends and bow. I love it!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQSltdXG598/Ug6cisrMz1I/AAAAAAAAAX8/qkqusx1K3H4/s1600/2013-08-16+14.34.35-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQSltdXG598/Ug6cisrMz1I/AAAAAAAAAX8/qkqusx1K3H4/s320/2013-08-16+14.34.35-1.jpg" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07661190589097843008noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-63451808368641970822009-07-22T22:01:00.002-05:002009-07-22T22:10:04.076-05:00Yes two post in one daySo this really sucks. I got the calendar for the school year and on the back it has the logos for all the schools in the district including the new school the girls will go to, and it sucks. The Foxes. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SmfUGZS8NyI/AAAAAAAAAWw/zM9SKBvrJaY/s1600-h/FE_Logo.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 232px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SmfUGZS8NyI/AAAAAAAAAWw/zM9SKBvrJaY/s320/FE_Logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361487087742498594" /></a> Really, that is a good mascot? I mean it is better than the carps but not by much, what was wrong with the Hippos (Jo's favorite) or the bulldogs(Je's choice) I realize the Hippos were a long shot since it was a write in but still the bull dogs was on the list...Foxes, really why? <br /><br /><br />I just did a swagbucks search on it and there is already a school in Massachussetts with that same school name and mascot. Now were copycats...or is it copyfoxes?Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-7624482795004589092009-07-22T21:46:00.002-05:002009-07-22T21:58:04.334-05:00Game FaceTonight the girls were winding up their sillies as we finished reading a chapter in Little House. I warned them that they better get to bed quickly before Daddy got back. (He was on a Sonic run--he had a coupon for a free Rt 44 and likes their diet dr peppers with rasberry). Somehow they got on the idea that Daddy doesn't spank, at least they couldn't remember a time when he did. I couldn't either, we don't have to use that often, but I was sure he had done it. When he got home he took a quick shower and I was in the bath when he walked by, "Are the girls having a slumber party in Je's room?" <br />"No, are they both in there?" I could then hear the giggling over the attic fan when I stopped to listen. <br />I mentioned to him the girls earlier conversation, but said I didn't think he needed to do it just as a kind of funny incident. <br /><br /> <blockquote>He said, "So I need to get my game face on? Cause I'm not feeling it"</blockquote><br /><br />I nearly bust a gut, it was pretty funny when he said that. He went in to calm down the chaos. Je started out of control laughing. The kind kids do to get away with noise but still have a plausible "can't help it" quality. She got a swat which seemed to quickly settle her down. I heard a second girl get her swat (which is good since sometimes the second child distracts her father...just ask my sister about the time she got out of it). I checked on the girls after I got out of the bath and they were both much subdued. I bet they'll sleep now and not giggle.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-75477391272403165112009-07-11T22:17:00.005-05:002009-07-11T22:45:27.010-05:00Still here just inert--so no real newsSo I didn't forget about the blog, I just haven't felt like posting anything lately. Like in two months. Stuff goes on...I probably could have blogged about stuff like the mascot choices for the new elementary school. AT the parent's meeting in May the principal passed out ballots with several options and mentioned that Carp was her favorite. UGH! Since the school name is Farley I don't see that working. I thought carp would become crap and the mom sitting next to me said her kids already called Farley Fartly. So when the superintendent was collecting the ballots she asked if I voted for Carps and I told her no because I was afraid we'd be the Fartly Craps pretty soon. She laughed. So has everyone else who's heard that story. The superintendent hates the carps so I doubt that will happen but I haven't heard the verdict yet. <br /><br />I could also have blogged about Je's new glasses. She complained of not being able to see the smaller words on signs so we made an appointment for after school was out in May. I really didn't think she needed glasses but we were going to check it out. As we went through the exam Je was supposed to read the letters from the chart. Jo could see the letters in a mirror backwards and I had to hold my hand over her mouth to keep her from answering. She couldn't understand why her sister thought the Q was an N. It was then I realized maybe the girl needs glasses. Turns out she has an astigmatism and has always seen fuzzily. It is only now that she can read that she noticed. <br /><br />Speaking of reading, I am so proud of how well she has done this year. She started the year reading at a middle of kindergarten level and now she is zoomed to a middle of second grade level. She didn't really care if she could read earlier. At her fall conference she was not as far as we wanted her to be, but the teacher wasn't concerned yet. She indicated that Je was recently showing signs of catching on. Je had told me in Oct. that she didn't have to worry about learning to read until about 5th grade. I told her that if she couldn't read at the end of first grade I wouldn't send her to second grade. She seemed to think about that and take it to heart. She began reading chapter books and really found it to be fun. I have a reader. Now she reads signs as we drive around. It's fabulous!<br /><br />We've also added some daily review of math and reading to our schedule. I decided that I wanted to keep Je's math on track so we found time sheets and other resources to do at home. When I told her we were going to do it she said, "You mean I get to do home school?!" She was pretty excited about it. We aren't going to do full on homeschooling or anything and the girls don't really want to, but for the summer they are enjoying daily practice sessions. Jo had to get in on the act to get ready for Kindergarten.<br /><br />VBS went well. The decorations looked amazing, thanks to some great help from a couple of big work days we scheduled to build decorations. I just spent the time getting the materials together to make decorations and organizing the plans and turned the volunteers loose this year. It worked so much better I think I'll do that every year. <br /><br /><br />So we are just keeping on and keeping busy. We keep house, go to the pool, had swimming lessons, Je played softball with Shan as an assistant coach. I even learned how to operate the scoreboard and keep the official score book. She had fun and says she wants to play next year. The girls on her team all learned a lot from the first game to the last. They even made a run in the tournament at the end of the season. Life keeps us busy and that is a good thing. I'll check in sometime hopefully it won't take 2 months next time.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-1449287564056538862009-05-04T08:50:00.002-05:002009-05-04T08:53:56.587-05:00Chip off the old blockJe is selling value cards for a fundraiser for her new school. She went up to Pastor Bob Saturday morning at a VBS workday and asked him if he would like to buy one. He pulled out his wallet and had a $20 bill. He asked her if she could make change. Without skipping a beat she replied, "You can buy two with that." We all laughed and Pastor Bob remarked that she had a little bit of her grandfather in her. I laughed at it and enjoyed the reminder of my Dad.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-24298091969113261822009-03-12T09:46:00.004-05:002009-03-12T10:02:12.080-05:00Is it me?I realize that summer is a long way off as is the next school year but ever since mid February it feels like we are just around the corner from the end of this year and the beginning of next. Seriously folks, it is only March. I am feeling pretty good about my handle on my chaos today so I have time to post. The house is pretty clean, (left over from weekend guest and hosting bunco), the laundry is caught up, and the big projects I have are too big to start today before our weekend. Isn't that strange? <br /><br /> I believe I have completed this round of redecorating. You know how a project multiplies? I bought paint to redo the girls bath last spring and put new lights in the entry and hall. That highlighted the need to repaint the hall/stairways. Which in my house starts at the bedrooms and continues down two flights of steps through the front entry to the familyroom and down another set of steps to the basement. When I finished that I had enough paint to do the kitchen and dining room. Which left the living room the odd place out. I got more paint and Mom made new curtains for the living and dining room since they have to match. When I painted the kitchen it led to a new border and curtains. Then sheers for the entry and back door. Whew! The ever expanding project. <br /><br />Now I look at our bedroom and think, it hasn't been painted since we moved in 8 years ago and maybe it's time. Jessa's room needs some touch up because she puts her feet on the wall by her bed so ......<br /><br />See a new round of projects. First, I need to clean out the girls closets which will take some time because we are going to purge toys. Oh the weeping and wailing...I want Shan to help but that means doing it when the girls are around. I forgot to take before pictures of the house so after pics won't mean anything. But trust me it looks great, (in my humble opinion) <br /><br /><br />One of my new rules is to purge excess stuff. I've taken at least five loads to Goodwill of stuff from my house that I don't need anymore. It feels great to streamline and have stuff fit in the closets and cabinets. This is probably the first time that all my clothes fit in our room and aren't located in either the basement closet or one of the girls closets. I am setting a goal to keep it that way. Somewhere I read that whenever something new comes in something old of the same basic size/volume has to go out. I am not ready to commit to that totally but it is a good rule of thumb.<br /><br />Maybe if I control the chaos I can keep myself organized, my house reasonably picked up and clean and feel more on top of my life. <br /><br />It's a theory/plan I am hoping to prove this year.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-31655777447687142972009-02-21T13:11:00.002-06:002009-02-21T13:14:08.745-06:00And it beginsMe: put the bow in back<br /><br />JE: But I like it in front<br /><br />Me: do it anyway. <br /><br />JE: But this is America! I can wear my shirt how I want.<br /><br />Oy! Seriously! I told her I would cut the bow off. I am still considering this optionShelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-76773998677821476432009-01-23T22:31:00.003-06:002009-01-23T22:48:21.069-06:00Just my lifeOver the last several months I have been doing a lot of things rather than blog. Not all of them important or meaningful. If you've seen me in the last few weeks or really ever this is not news so feel free to skip this one. Really that is probably all of you<br /><br />I painted about half of my home: halls/stairways, family room, kitchen, breakfast area, and dining room<br /><br />I organized my storage room, cleaned out several cabinets, closets etc and took a huge load to Goodwill<br /><br />I helped with a couple of rental house cleanups<br /><br />I went on a couple field trips and supervised a couple class parties<br /><br />I directed the Christmas program at church and put together the scenery and costumes (sounds harder than it was)<br /><br />I rearranged some furniture<br /><br />I did regular housekeeping<br /><br />I cleaned the garage<br /><br />I re-read the Outlander Series (all 6 books and 6500 pages)<br /><br />I watched Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and Sports Night on DVD<br /><br />I refinished my kitchen table top and put it back in the kitchen, moving the old dining room table out and now it is waiting for my sister to claim it<br /><br />I deep cleaned my refridgerator and organized the pantry<br /><br />I cooked<br /><br />I finished Beth Moore's Stepping Up (on the Psalms of Ascent)<br /><br />(BTW--I just began Esther, and I really like it so far)<br /><br />Kept my usual committments at work, home, school, and church<br /><br />Started <a href="http://whativelearnedtoday.blogspot.com/search/label/wrestling">wrestling</a> season (Doesn't that say it all)<br /><br />Worked on Je's math, spelling and reading <br /><br />Worked on the committee to determine new elementary school boundries next year and learned we get to/have to go there (depends on the day how we feel--mostly it sounds great)<br /><br />Had Christmas<br /><br />Had the plague (I coughed my way from Thanksgiving to Christmas, got a head cold which moved to my chest and kept the cough alive, got what must have been strep, especially since a two weeks later, Shan went to the Dr with the same symptoms and it was strep)<br /><br />Nursed kids and husband through assorted illnesses<br /><br />That is pretty much it. I said it wasn't necessarily meaningful, It was just my life.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-3487418192964843132009-01-12T07:48:00.002-06:002009-01-12T08:01:39.699-06:00RememberingI've been reading through last January's posts because I thought I had posted about <a href="http://whativelearnedtoday.blogspot.com/2008/01/we-use-keys-for-kids-for-our-family.html">this</a> before. Twelve years ago today, my father passed away. It still is a wrenching thing. I don't like this membership I've acquired in the dead dad's club. I remember thinking at the time that this weird nothing is right with the world feeling will never go away. And it doesn't exactly. It eases a bit, and sometimes you feel fabulous but there is a niggling feeling that something is missing all the time. When I see my fabulous girls and know how he would have been as a grandfather, or with my nephews who would have been the coolest things ever. And I kind of hate the feeling that my life is diminished some because he is gone. I can never be as cool as it was. I hate that feeling. And I don't know how to explain it. <br /><br />Today, I am going to lunch with my mom to remember. Recently a causal friend of ours lost her husband after an illness. She has been spending time with my mom as she grieves. I guess the thing I want to remember most about people who are hurting like that is that even when I don't know what to do I will do something. The thought to spend some time, send a card, make a call. Even if it isn't much it will help.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-62661048909318286502009-01-12T07:25:00.003-06:002009-01-12T07:47:43.157-06:00I'm not deadThis is for <a href="http://harmsinoz.blogspot.com/">Hillary</a> whose <a href="http://whativelearnedtoday.blogspot.com/2008/10/quiet.html">comment</a> showed concern that I haven't posted for a few months. Things are good here, we're just trucking along with life. As usual, our days are filled with school, church, housework and other commitments. We were notified just before Christmas that we will be attending the brand new elementary school next year. I served on the committee to determine the boundaries and that was very interesting. We drive by the new school each day and take note of the progress they are making. Jo told me last week that it looks like they are doing a very good job building it, and she is glad since she will get to go to such an attractive school. (I am not paraphrasing folks) She also learned to tie her shoes last week. She decided it was time so she asked her sister to teach her. Such a proud parenting moment. Of course it was quickly dispelled by the bickering that followed the peaceful interlude of sisterly cooperation. Je has recently discovered the fun that learning can be. She willingly practices her spelling words and math facts. We had our annual Christmas program at church and she memorized her lines all by herself. I made a comment that we needed to work on them and she started saying them to me. Reading is so cool. The play went well even if she had to dash off in the middle to be sick. She had a little bug, but she made it to the restroom so the carpet was spared. Since I was directing the play, my mom ran to deal with Je and any mess, so I was spared as well. Thanks MOM! <br /><br />I've been thinking about posts for a while, mentally composing them in my head but lacked initiative to sit and type one out. I meant to return after the first of the year so here I am. Now that sounds like I planned a specific break, which I didn't but after a couple weeks it was nice to have a break so I just didn't worry about the blog. <br /><br />I laughed yesterday when I received Hillary's comment via email. I guess someone at least noticed my absence. M sister didn't even mention it over Christmas. Thanks for the chuckle Hillary!Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-55900202308937670732008-10-15T13:05:00.002-05:002008-10-15T13:14:07.935-05:00QuietI've learned today that I need some quiet. Before you all start laughing hysterically, hear me out. I picked Jo up from school at 11:30. At 1:05 my head tried to explode. Why you ask? There hasn't been a quiet second since. I had to run an errand after picking her up and she talked about the errand, the car, <a href="http://whativelearnedtoday.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-love.html">the lack of Jeep</a>, the friends we say on our way. At the store she asked about the movie playing in the bookstore, the books she saw, the coloring sheet they gave her...Now we are home and she has asked about what I will have for lunch, what time her sister will be home, is it early release day, why does she have to nap, when am I goig to eat, the microwave is beeping, five little pumpkins and finally she is talking about the Muffin Man. Wait, she discovered that Cookie Monster is teaching letters on her placemat and that is taking her off on a new tangent of made up verse. Ya'll thought I talked a lot? I am really becoming the quiet one. If she wants to know why she naps at age 5. It isn't always because she needs a rest, but Mama's ears NEED a break! Seriously! <br /><br />My mother is probably muttering something about kids and payback for my own past behavior. Okay I really get that. EEKS!Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-42780165384524848622008-10-02T07:52:00.004-05:002008-10-02T08:37:33.576-05:00Happy Birthday to My HouseholdBirthday extravaganza week is in full swing here. Shan's birthday is done, except his parents are coming. My birthday is here, but...when Mama's birthday is wedged in the middle it is less relevant. We are now gearing up for Je's birthday. She will be 7 on Saturday. This is a party year* so we are planning a "Red Carpet Movie Party". It was my sister's idea. We are going to get the projector and show the movie big on the wall, have popcorn etc. I haven't figured out a cake yet, but...that is the conundrum. To add to my woes in September, last week the sewer stopped draining so we had to have the plumber out to snake the drain. Not a huge deal, until, he found that there is a potential problem. So last week we were afraid we were going to have to dig up the sewer and fix it...for $3000. He came back this week and it may still have to be fixed at some point but right now it seems to be working and we can plan how to fix it rather than an emergency. So much better. I may never be a problem again so we may be okay. Then on Friday, we found that the oven doesn't work. Electricty isn't getting to the bottom element in the oven to tell it to heat. So I can't bake anything. We tried replacing the element, and it didn't fix the problem so we traced it to the computer board that runs the clock etc. We called the repairman, and it takes 5-10 days to get the part. So now cake baked in our oven this week. And the dinner I was going to fix easily for company this weekend? New plan. I will bake lasagna's at church and bring them home to serve. Fortunately, church is close. I am glad that October finally arrived. I'm hoping it will bring some relief. On the bright side, I got a beautiful new wallet from my mom for my birthday to replace the one taken when my purse was stolen. Checks, credit cards, drivers liscense, dress doll magnets, and other purse items have been secured and now I am just waiting for the purse I want to appear on ebay or buy it from the website for twice as much. The ebay seller I purchased the original from, is planning a trip to the factory this month so I will see what he finds. If he gets something close, I am in business. If not, I found it on a website that sells it for half the facotry price, but twice the ebay price. Not a bad deal, but you know I am cheap. I am feeling more optimistic all the time. Especially since I have a coffee/hot cocoa date with my BF today!<br /><br />*If you care, we allow the kids to have a party every other year for their birthdays and alternate so they don't have parties the same year, since their birthdays are only 6 weeks apart.<br /><br /><br /><br />For Ne-Ne<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SOTMW7Bd2bI/AAAAAAAAAQo/AFHdFpjX3To/s1600-h/Picture+072.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SOTMW7Bd2bI/AAAAAAAAAQo/AFHdFpjX3To/s320/Picture+072.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252547759593871794" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SOTOUvw11rI/AAAAAAAAAQw/0zrgtyb5Hms/s1600-h/Picture+071.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SOTOUvw11rI/AAAAAAAAAQw/0zrgtyb5Hms/s320/Picture+071.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252549921234867890" /></a>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-4722089379199197182008-09-17T21:41:00.002-05:002008-09-17T21:59:55.031-05:00Get over itI have been feeling a bit worn down. I had to deal with some unpleasantness with the PTO and our big fundraiser. It was a difficult situation to navigate and a lot of rumors and lies were circulated about PTO. The people left among the scorched earth have been terrific at picking up the pieces left from the chaos and we are moving on to a great fundraiser. <br /><br />Then last week, I forgot to grab my purse when I was at church for the ice cream social. Some creep broke the window and stole it. So I have been having a great time trying to put my stuff back together, cancel credit cards, get a new liscense, a window repaired, etc. <br /><br /><br />Instead of feeling harrassed about the trials of this month, I am going to focus on the things that are blessings. I survived the PTO issue. Our PTO is stronger and more committed than before. <br /><br />Yes, I lost a purse I really liked and 10 bucks cash. The cards were all cancelled before much damage could be done. Our window was 100% covered by insurance. <br /><br />So I am going to get over it, and move on.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-18634268385264901172008-09-02T13:39:00.003-05:002008-09-02T16:13:15.296-05:00She did it!As summer ends, it is time for JE and her two classmates to move up to a new Sabbath School class. Her teacher decided to challenge the girls to memorize Psalm 121. They had the whole month of August to do it and she promised them a prize for completion of the memorization. We worked on it sporadically over the month, but not faithfully. A week ago, the teacher reminded me that she had just one week to say the passage, and that she had already purchased the prizes. Over the final week I worked with Je to memorize the passage. She kept leaving out a couple phrases. Sabbath morning she was much better. After Sabbath School she showed me this:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SL2sEc2iXKI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ogpoP4rxEbg/s1600-h/51kR6LaFzCL__SS260_.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SL2sEc2iXKI/AAAAAAAAAQg/ogpoP4rxEbg/s320/51kR6LaFzCL__SS260_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241534733793516706" /></a> Way to Go! She worked hard to get this. I had thought I would get her her own Bible for her birthday in October, but now this is even better!Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-65995164387209988672008-09-01T21:32:00.004-05:002008-09-02T13:39:28.886-05:00God will tell you what you need to hear<em>Update post meeting: The situation resolved itself as the leadership decided to resign. God allowed the best possible outcome for our conflict.</em><br /><br />My first official act as PTO president was to call an emergency meeting of the executive board/pancake breakfast committee. There has been great upheaval and harsh words from some on the committee to others that needs to be addressed in a very very permanent fashion. We have come to the conclusion that some changes in leadership of the fundraiser need to take place. We have 25 days until the fundraiser so this can't wait until a regular meeting. I have been on the phone and email all weekend discussing this and working through the details of this special meeting. Tonight, I sat down with my Bible and opened to a couple passages. I was expecting this but still amazed at how God speaks to me. I thought I would be directed to appropriate passages and as I was looking up old favorites I turned to the most recent memory work passage for JE. She was to learn Psalm 121 this month. (side note: she earned a big deal prize for this: her very own Bible!) It is a comforting Psalm:<br /><blockquote></blockquote>Psalm 121<br /><em>A song of ascents. <br />I lift up my eyes to the hills—<br />where does my help come from? <br />My help comes from the LORD, <br />the Maker of heaven and earth. <br />He will not let your foot slip— <br />he who watches over you will not slumber; <br />indeed, he who watches over Israel <br />will neither slumber nor sleep. <br />The LORD watches over you— <br />the LORD is your shade at your right hand; <br />the sun will not harm you by day, <br />nor the moon by night. <br />The LORD will keep you from all harm— <br />he will watch over your life; <br />the LORD will watch over your coming and going <br />both now and forevermore.</em>(NIV)<br /><br />Then I went to an old favorite from my teens Isaiah 41:10<br /><br /><em><em></em>So do not fear, for I am with you; <br />do not be dismayed, for I am your God. <br />I will strengthen you and help you; <br />I will uphold you with my righteous right hand</em>.<br /><br />and I was totally blown away by verse 11-14<br /><br /><em>"All who rage against you <br />will surely be ashamed and disgraced; <br />those who oppose you <br />will be as nothing and perish. <br />Though you search for your enemies, <br />you will not find them. <br />Those who wage war against you <br />will be as nothing at all. <br />For I am the LORD, your God, <br />who takes hold of your right hand <br />and says to you, Do not fear; <br />I will help you. <br />Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, <br />O little Israel, <br />for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, <br />your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.</em><br /><br />I am amazed that God knows what I need to hear. I do feel as if I have an enemy in this situation and I am not alone in this. It is a minority in power against the majority in labor. I also was comforted to be reminded that this is a little thing in the overall scheme of things, but that God cares about us in the little things. So while this may seem major league, it isn't, and God is going to help me through even this little bump in the road. Praise the Lord!Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-43355981117714670162008-08-24T13:43:00.001-05:002008-08-24T13:50:36.940-05:00Is she really five?Happy Birthday JO! <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SLGtHdbCqaI/AAAAAAAAAQY/PSlEYmpSfH8/s1600-h/Picture+027.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SLGtHdbCqaI/AAAAAAAAAQY/PSlEYmpSfH8/s320/Picture+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238158185277335970" /></a>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-33129520249989212572008-08-20T18:33:00.002-05:002008-08-20T18:47:57.715-05:00In First Grade Already?Je mentioned that she needed to bring candy for a boy in her school or he was going to give her a "paperclip shot". <br /><strong>Screech!</strong> <br /><strong><em> What did you say?...</em></strong><br /> <em>No, you do not have to bring him candy, nor should you. </em><br /><br />As we asked a few questions it turned out that this boy intended to bring a paperclip from home and use the end to poke her in the bottom. Thus the "shot". She seemed a little scared but sure that she had to give in. We all tried to explain that she didn't have to, no one can make you do this. By this morning she seemed to get it. I got a little more information out of her, and it seems that the incident happened on the bus. So I walked across the street to tell the bus driver that this had happened. She immediately knew the little boy in question, another first grader. She promised to take care of it. I had already emailed Je's teacher and she responded quickly that she would look into the situation. By noon, Je had talked to the counselor as had the little boy and the email said that his parents would be notified. I don't know the family or even their last name so I wonder how that will go. The bus driver told me when she dropped Je off that she and the principal had spoken to the little boy and that should encourage him not to repeat his threat. I was impressed by how seriously they take this at Je's school. They jumped right on to the problem and responded to my communication quickly. It is problematic that this little boy is only in first grade and already doing this. After school, Je told me that she knew of another little girl who'd been told to bring him candy or else. So far no one did, but this morning, Je was picking out some candy from her stash of parade candy. I made her put it back. <br /> We've all been bullied at one time or another. I worry about it especially with Je because she is so tenderhearted, and reserved. She doesn't always stand up for herself. Jo probably will stand up for herself and tell the bully to leave her alone. Je hopefully will learn to do the same. She heard the same message from her parents, Nana, her teachers, the counselor and bus driver. Maybe it will sink in if she hears it from several directions.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-26330138544093774412008-08-16T16:17:00.007-05:002008-08-16T16:47:19.435-05:00Remember <a href="http://whativelearnedtoday.blogspot.com/2008/04/box.html">this,</a> or <a href="http://whativelearnedtoday.blogspot.com/2008/04/we.html">this</a>? We finally got rid of them a month or so ago. It was nice to have the living room looking like a living room again. The girls didn't seem to mind having the boxes go, at first. A week or so after they were gone they started bugging us for the tents my sister gave them for Christmas a few years ago. (Thanks, Min!) I held them off through vacation and their visit to grandmas but today, they wore me down. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKdI71nBRwI/AAAAAAAAAQA/BqIE9FZcamw/s1600-h/Picture+106.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKdI71nBRwI/AAAAAAAAAQA/BqIE9FZcamw/s320/Picture+106.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235233284681713410" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And in case you missed the first day of school and were interested....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKdKPQ9Jk_I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/fJD9m2ITi8g/s1600-h/Picture+098.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKdKPQ9Jk_I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/fJD9m2ITi8g/s320/Picture+098.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235234717951431666" /></a> Every morning Je and Jo go stand on this rock in our yard. They call it the watching rock since they use it to watch for the bus. There goes any chance I had to get it out of my yard...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKdJrFrwGmI/AAAAAAAAAQI/bdZzl_lo-iw/s1600-h/Picture+101.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKdJrFrwGmI/AAAAAAAAAQI/bdZzl_lo-iw/s320/Picture+101.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235234096450378338" /></a>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-70598615025100676042008-08-13T20:28:00.002-05:002008-08-13T20:57:32.628-05:00So she isn't deafToday, being the first day of first grade for Je, I tried to entertain Jo. Mom gave me a couple coupons for Penney's, so we went to the mall to bum around. I figured it was going to be too hot to be outside much and the mall has an indoor play land. Jo wanted a pretzel and I had a buy one get one in my purse. She was specific in her pretzel demand, she wanted to get a cinnamon pretzel and eat it at the mall like she does with Nana. Okay. One time you get a pretzel to go and you never hear the end of it. We each ate about half of the pretzels and brought the rest home. Shan came into the family room this evening and seeing them on the counter asked me how long I was going to leave his pretzel there without telling him it was there. Jo heard him, and from her bed all the way upstairs said "That's MY pretzel!" Oh yeah she has no hearing problems at all. Two floors away and she is protecting her pretzel.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-35325654387673078032008-08-11T11:29:00.003-05:002008-08-12T14:55:20.419-05:00I Can't Decide If it is Beautiful or UglyThe kids spent the week at my inlaws last week. It was sooooooooo quiet around here. We (mostly I) eagerly set off Friday to go out there for the weekend. I looked up near the Elsworth/Lincoln County lines. I saw this:<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKHo1xsrJyI/AAAAAAAAAPo/2ynEWwMAQDg/s1600-h/thumb_716b43bd-28ec-4866-b831-c40f3e700e07.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKHo1xsrJyI/AAAAAAAAAPo/2ynEWwMAQDg/s320/thumb_716b43bd-28ec-4866-b831-c40f3e700e07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233720252552652578" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As we drove they seemed to multiply. I counted 22 at one point. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKHpFgm_t-I/AAAAAAAAAPw/RcCzhJ_pHNE/s1600-h/368438-xxs.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKHpFgm_t-I/AAAAAAAAAPw/RcCzhJ_pHNE/s320/368438-xxs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233720522843338722" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Then we topped a hill and as we came around the corner...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKHpZMK3JpI/AAAAAAAAAP4/6zMlWvH1AaE/s1600-h/05windfarm3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SKHpZMK3JpI/AAAAAAAAAP4/6zMlWvH1AaE/s320/05windfarm3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233720860954011282" /></a>There were hundreds and hundreds of them. I can't decide if it is a beautiful site or a really really ugly one. Seriously. It is awe inspiring. We both gasped when we saw them all. I don't know if they are part of the answer to the energy question or just a pipe dream designed to make us feel like we are doing better. I like the idea of using the energy that God provides, solar, wind, water...but I don't know if they can be a miracle cure to the energy problem. I have a sneaking suspicion that the answer is going to be more about conservation and using less energy than finding a new souce to replace current sources. Which means work and change for all of us. Can we do it? We'll see.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-15596845466239037702008-08-01T14:17:00.003-05:002008-08-01T14:26:16.929-05:00What Have I Done?!I eagerly went to PTO last fall for the first time. I volunteered cautiously for things, and added ideas to the discussion over the months. So I knew the other mothers a bit from that. The PTO president lives down the street across from my mom and knew that my kindergartner got off the bus there a couple afternoons a week. We had become friendly through this. So when she left a message on my machine yesterday, I wasn't alarmed. I was dreading the call a bit because, I knew, she needed volunteers for PTO. The last few years, the same group of moms have done the jobs in PTO because no one else would volunteer. Many of them are now burned out, and several have moved to other schools, or even out of district, and their kids have moved on to the middle school. So finding a new crop of parents has been a challenge. I think they had most jobs filled until recently when a sudden flurry of moves changed that. She had a list of PTO positions that needed filling. The easiest job on the list...PTO president. Seriously. I am the PTO president for my daughter's elementary school. On the bright side, I know from experience that the person in charge has an easier job than the person who does the pancake feed, or some of the other jobs. Thanks goodness. If I didn't have enough to do before...well I do now.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-88837875468197157532008-07-20T13:30:00.007-05:002008-07-20T13:45:57.184-05:00Vacation StopWe're on vacation! Yea! We stopped at Grant's Farm on our way to church camp. It was pretty hot, but we had a great time, the girls picked the pretty hats for a souvenir.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOFXUD6xDI/AAAAAAAAAPg/nEGj1w4yxY0/s1600-h/DSCN1948.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOFXUD6xDI/AAAAAAAAAPg/nEGj1w4yxY0/s320/DSCN1948.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225166628248536114" /></a> Mama and baby Clydesdale<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOE8fEoILI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/vtTJ52n7TIY/s1600-h/DSCN1937.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOE8fEoILI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/vtTJ52n7TIY/s320/DSCN1937.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225166167347830962" /></a> Clydesdale stallion<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOExclihpI/AAAAAAAAAPI/zfY_FVbVi4k/s1600-h/DSCN1926.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOExclihpI/AAAAAAAAAPI/zfY_FVbVi4k/s320/DSCN1926.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225165977702008466" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We even fed bottles to the baby goats, who tried to eat everything, our shoe laces, my shirt and shorts, Je's hair... <br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOEmFk_q9I/AAAAAAAAAPA/tBzyHY61AD4/s1600-h/DSCN1927.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SIOEmFk_q9I/AAAAAAAAAPA/tBzyHY61AD4/s320/DSCN1927.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225165782547147730" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />they really liked it when we brushed their coatsShelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-21112094745708535872008-06-28T20:46:00.003-05:002008-06-28T21:07:14.730-05:00To tired to wiggleToday we painted a rental house for/with my mom and we are too tired to wiggle. Fortunately it was cloudy for most of the morning so it wasn't uncomfortable to paint. It has been a busy month around here. Not much blogworthy of note though. Je finally is beginning to enjoy softball. And a side benefit, she is improving. Nana came to a game and noticed how weird she was throwing sidearmed rather than overhanded. Je hadn't been too willing to practice with Daddy, so Nana told me to bring the bat and ball down the next time Je visited. So now, Je asks to practice with Nana, and she throws the ball correctly. She had a really good hit at the last game, with aunt, uncle, Nana, and cousins as witnesses. In her league, the girls get 4 pitches from the coach and if they don't hit a pitch, they get to hit off the tee. Usually, Je needs the tee. This time, she whacked it pretty good. She isn't committed to playing another season, but I think she is really having a good time. She could stay with the same coach, and since we really like his approach, we are probably going to give it another year. He is pretty low pressure, very positive, and a lot of fun. At a recent game, he brought a cooler full of water balloons for the girls to throw at him. They had a blast. That is probably the first time they had thrown that hard the whole season. Je played first base for an inning and did a pretty good job of stopping the ball, and going to first base with it. She only got the batter out once but her effort was great. That is one of my fondest memories from growing up. Lots of softball. We all three played for many years, and we had a great time doing it. Hours of catch with Daddy in the back yard, practices, games, sweating in the Kansas heat through a double header in July. Totally fun. Seriously. I want that for Je and Jo. Like my <a href="http://jsbrownbk.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-love-summer.html">sister</a> said recently I LOVE SUMMER!Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-88563699103365363382008-06-10T12:05:00.003-05:002008-06-10T12:33:44.835-05:00Back by Popular Demand<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SE65tL5Jv_I/AAAAAAAAAO4/i9ODOTm981U/s1600-h/DSC01011.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SE65tL5Jv_I/AAAAAAAAAO4/i9ODOTm981U/s320/DSC01011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210306004851998706" /></a>Okay, so only my sister noticed and requested a post but still. I probably talked to most of my audience since my last post. Only one mentioned the lack of post. I had a busy month. As school wound down and we had field trips and play days etc. VBS wound up. It was all VBS all the time for the last couple weeks. But its over now for another year. I take it as a good sign that I am thinking about next year already. I have to write the report on this year before I forget the things I want to do differently, but other than that, I can't get started until July when the companies release their themes for next year. I can't even get the material until November so I have a slight break.<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SE65HNPq1eI/AAAAAAAAAOw/irONNUq57kg/s1600-h/DSC00964.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_2DVG3_oH4Fg/SE65HNPq1eI/AAAAAAAAAOw/irONNUq57kg/s320/DSC00964.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210305352379848162" /></a><br /> Just enough time to plan for the Christmas program. Funny stuff. Our theme this year for VBS was a beach party. The church looked great decorated. We had kind of a crunch with that since I couldn't do that until Sunday afternoon. Usually, I work Saturday morning, then finish Monday morning. This year, there was a 50th anniversary party on Saturday, so we had decorating with everyone after the fellowship lunch. We ended the week with a taco dinner for all the families and a beach party complete with boardwalk games etc. We had a shooting gallery with water guns and ping pong balls on golf tees, face painting, lasso golf, ring toss, and a soak the surfer. Our answer to the dunking booth. For a special treat, we rented a snow cone machine. The kids loved it. The weather was gorgeous. Just 24 hours before we had been under all kinds of watches and warnings but it all cleared out, the wind died down and the temp fell to a beautiful summer evening. I have one year to rest up to do it all again.Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22618239.post-6244856338120836962008-05-16T10:53:00.002-05:002008-05-16T10:57:34.615-05:00<em>BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER<br /><br />'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ<br />that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'<br /><br />When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''<br />I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'<br /><br />When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.<br />I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.<br /><br />When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.<br />I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.<br /><br />When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.<br />I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.<br /><br />When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,<br />My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.<br /><br />When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..<br />I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.<br /><br />When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, <br />I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow! <br /><br />Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!<br /> by Maya Angelou <br /></em>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01885859354502969106noreply@blogger.com1