Today was a wonderful day. We had plans to go to Edisto and watch baby turtles come out of their nest and make their way to the ocean and then meet up with a step brother that I had not seen in about 15 years. Once again, I say that it was a wonderful day, but I just felt a little off all day and couldn't put my finger on it. It could have been that I was functioning on about two and a half hours of sleep (still am by the way) but upon further examination, I think it is something different.
Remember that I had not had any contact with this step brother in 15 years. The last time I saw him I was an 18 year old kid just finishing my freshman year of college. Now after all these years we finally meet up again and introduce our families to each other. He and his wife have a lovely twelve year old daughter and it was very nice to hear how they have been doing.
Then it came my turn to introduce my family and fill in the last fifteen years. I have never claimed that my little family is normal, but I have never considered us to be weird either...until today. It wasn't anything anyone said or did, as everyone could not have been nicer, it was just the thoughts that were running through my head as I was trying to explain my family.
First I had to explain why my husband was not with us. See, I am married to a truck driver who owns his own small business and raises honey bees on the side. He left for work at 2:00 this morning. (So far not too normal...but not too weird, right?) I did finish college, with an accounting degree but I have decided to stay home with my children rather than work outside of the home with my degree. I also attended technical college after getting my Bachelors and trained in massage therapy. I don't exactly get paid for that either, but I do pull out my massage table and chair every now and then for friends and family. (So now I realize that I am sounding a little bit strange.) Joe and I have four children, all boys. (This is where it starts to sound a bit weird, even to my ears.) Their names are Noah, Jonah, Micah, and Ezrah. Not only have we decided that I will stay home, we also educate our children at home. Monday was Noah's first day of third grade at home, Jonah is in K4, and Micah is doing preschool work. (At this point I want to reassure people that we do not belong to any sort of religious cult.) Add to all of this that Noah's new hobby is knitting, Jonah will not leave home without wearing orange, long pants, and a hoodie, Micah is either tickling strangers or hiding from them, and Ezrah is always attached to me because I can't put him down without Micah loving on him a little too much. Then you have the nearly forty assorted chickens and turkeys in the backyard, the rabbit, the dog, and the newly acquired cats. Yep, I think we have reached weird.
The thing is though that this weird is our normal. I honestly would not change anything (well maybe the chickens) about our life. This is who we are and as much as it seems random, we live this way on purpose. The world is full of normal...I think from now on I am just going to embrace the weirdness, because that is who we truly are. And I will not even console myself by saying that it could be weirder, because I am sure if it can then we will eventually be there!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Southern Boy
I found individual bags of Planters salted peanuts on an amazing sale this week at Walmart. Of course you know I had to buy an entire case of them. I was thinking that they would be great quick snacks for the boys and that Joe would be able to take them in his lunch. Jonah pulled out a pack of them this morning and wanted to know if he could have some of those "pecans" in that pack. I opened the pack and told him he could have them but that they were not pecans, they were peanuts. He tasted a few and then we proceeded to have this argument discussion:
Yes, I am raising a full fledged southern boy!
"Momma you are wrong, those are pecans"
"No they aren't, they are peanuts."
"Just taste one Momma and you will see."
"Jonah, I have tasted them and I know that they are peanuts!"
"Nope. Peanuts are supposed to be soft, and these are crunchy!"
"Jonah, these are not boiled peanuts, they are roasted. They are supposed to be crunchy."
"Well why would anybody want that when they could have them boiled?"
Yes, I am raising a full fledged southern boy!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Hair
This post is a little different. It is not about the funny things the boys do, or about my husband, or about Little Joe's Trucking. It is all about me...and my hair...or lack thereof.
A couple months ago my hair started falling out. At first I thought it was just the normal thinning that usually happens after I give birth. I soon realized that there was nothing "normal" about this amount of hair loss. I was loosing handfuls at a time. Thinking that this was some type of hormone imbalance I went to see my OBGYN. She checked me and said that she suspected a thyroid disorder and sent me to my family doctor. My family doctor did blood tests to check for thyroid disease, lupus, and something else that I can't remember. He was sure to tell me that these were just tests to rule out those things because he was pretty sure that I "just" had alopecia. The next week he confirmed that all of my blood work came back normal (Thank God) and that he did indeed believe that I was dealing with alopecia totalis.
Basically what this means is that I am a perfectly healthy soon to be bald woman. The bald doesn't bother me nearly as much when I put it in that context! Over the past few weeks we have tried cutting my hair several times to reduce the appearance of the balding, but since my hair has never been really thick to begin with, the baldness is happening very quickly.
I still have a good bit of hair around the edges of the sides and at the nape of my neck. The front and top is pretty much gone. Yesterday I finally got what hair I have left cut really really really really short. I have never been that vain about my hair and I did not think it would bother me to be without it but I am coming to realize that the saying "It is only hair" is much easier to say when you have plenty of it. I started crying when I was in the beautician's chair yesterday...over hair!! How silly is that?
Joe went with me to get my hair cut and has been such a good husband through all of this. He saw how upset I was and asked me what I wanted to do. The first thing that came to mind was to buy a wig, so that is what he took me to do. I never thought that would be the route I would take, but I tried it yesterday. I have to say that the "wig people" were incredibly kind and made the process actually fun. Joe even hung in there the whole time! I picked a wig as close to what my hair used to look like as possible, but my next one may be much different. There are so many great options!
However with all of that said, I am getting more and more comfortable with the no hair version of myself and I may decide to not wear the wig at all, or maybe I will just wear my bandanna, or my hat, or maybe my hair will start to grow back (they did say that was a possibility). The truth is I don't know what will happen as I get used to this new look so don't be surprised if you see me sporting long red spiral curls...it is still me under there!
A couple months ago my hair started falling out. At first I thought it was just the normal thinning that usually happens after I give birth. I soon realized that there was nothing "normal" about this amount of hair loss. I was loosing handfuls at a time. Thinking that this was some type of hormone imbalance I went to see my OBGYN. She checked me and said that she suspected a thyroid disorder and sent me to my family doctor. My family doctor did blood tests to check for thyroid disease, lupus, and something else that I can't remember. He was sure to tell me that these were just tests to rule out those things because he was pretty sure that I "just" had alopecia. The next week he confirmed that all of my blood work came back normal (Thank God) and that he did indeed believe that I was dealing with alopecia totalis.
Basically what this means is that I am a perfectly healthy soon to be bald woman. The bald doesn't bother me nearly as much when I put it in that context! Over the past few weeks we have tried cutting my hair several times to reduce the appearance of the balding, but since my hair has never been really thick to begin with, the baldness is happening very quickly.
I still have a good bit of hair around the edges of the sides and at the nape of my neck. The front and top is pretty much gone. Yesterday I finally got what hair I have left cut really really really really short. I have never been that vain about my hair and I did not think it would bother me to be without it but I am coming to realize that the saying "It is only hair" is much easier to say when you have plenty of it. I started crying when I was in the beautician's chair yesterday...over hair!! How silly is that?
Joe went with me to get my hair cut and has been such a good husband through all of this. He saw how upset I was and asked me what I wanted to do. The first thing that came to mind was to buy a wig, so that is what he took me to do. I never thought that would be the route I would take, but I tried it yesterday. I have to say that the "wig people" were incredibly kind and made the process actually fun. Joe even hung in there the whole time! I picked a wig as close to what my hair used to look like as possible, but my next one may be much different. There are so many great options!
However with all of that said, I am getting more and more comfortable with the no hair version of myself and I may decide to not wear the wig at all, or maybe I will just wear my bandanna, or my hat, or maybe my hair will start to grow back (they did say that was a possibility). The truth is I don't know what will happen as I get used to this new look so don't be surprised if you see me sporting long red spiral curls...it is still me under there!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Bad Blogger
I have not done well with my blog lately, especially since I hosted my first give away and never announced a winner, or got the prize to the winner. There is a reason behind that. I posted that to enter the giveaway, you needed to comment on my post...but I had comments disabled for that post! Ooops, I guess my first giveaway was a bust. :-(
Because of my error and delay in announcing the winners, I have decided to award the prize to each person who commented on my facebook post that day as well as those who told me they tried to comment on my blog and could not. You each should be receiving a copy of the book Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most in your inbox sometime tonight.
I know it is pushing the time constraints a little since the 21 day prayer challenge starts tomorrow, but hey I am doing the best I can! I could promise to do better, but I probably will not be successful at that either, and I do not want to add "promise breaker" to my list of things I need to work on!
Anyway, if I have missed anyone who needs a copy of the book, please let me know and I will get one to you soon. Join me the next three weeks praying for our boys. I truly believe that we can change the world through our prayers for our sons. If you want to know more about this challenge, you can find it here; http://www.themobsociety.com/2012/03/change-the-world-pray-for-your-sons/.
Because of my error and delay in announcing the winners, I have decided to award the prize to each person who commented on my facebook post that day as well as those who told me they tried to comment on my blog and could not. You each should be receiving a copy of the book Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most in your inbox sometime tonight.
I know it is pushing the time constraints a little since the 21 day prayer challenge starts tomorrow, but hey I am doing the best I can! I could promise to do better, but I probably will not be successful at that either, and I do not want to add "promise breaker" to my list of things I need to work on!
Anyway, if I have missed anyone who needs a copy of the book, please let me know and I will get one to you soon. Join me the next three weeks praying for our boys. I truly believe that we can change the world through our prayers for our sons. If you want to know more about this challenge, you can find it here; http://www.themobsociety.com/2012/03/change-the-world-pray-for-your-sons/.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Noah
My first baby is growing up into such a big boy! It really hit home a couple weeks ago on Easter. The night before Easter I was up late trying to get the Easter Bunny goodies placed in baskets in each of the boy's rooms. I could not for the life of me find the candy that I had bought earlier to go into the baskets. I finally decided about midnight to forgo the candy and just make do with the other things I had. As I was getting ready for bed, I noticed a plastic bag behind the couch in my bedroom. I investigated and discovered that it was the candy that I had purchased to put in the Easter baskets. I did not remember hiding it there, but then again I don't remember half of the things that I do, so I just grabbed it up and stuck it in each of the baskets that I had already packed. The next day after Easter services, when the boys had a chance to investigate their baskets, I noticed that Noah was unusually quiet. Then we had this conversation...
Noah: Mom, did the Easter Bunny come see me?
Me: Well did you get goodies in your basket?
Noah: Yes 'Mam.
Me: Then why are you asking me?
Noah: You know how I like to watch Scooby Doo? Well on Scooby Doo they have a crew that solves mysteries. I don't have a whole crew with me but I can solve mysteries too. I found some candy in your room last week. I thought maybe it was from the Easter Bunny, so I hid it behind your couch to try and trap him. I just went and checked in your room and that candy is gone! But you know what is even more of a mystery? That same candy is what is in my Easter basket!
Me: Hmmm, what do you think that means?
Noah: Well either you have to buy the candy for the Easter Bunny to put in my basket, or YOU are the Easter Bunny.
I tried to gently inform him that yes, Mommy and Daddy were the Easter Bunny for this house and that we did special things for them at Easter under the disguise of the Easter Bunny because we wanted them to experience the excitement and anticipation and because it was fun for us to watch them enjoy it. I also warned him that he was not to tell any of this to his brothers because they deserved a few more years of excitement before they found out on their own. I told him that if they asked he was to say that he did still believe in the Easter Bunny, because when one stops believing they then stop receiving. After my detailed explanation, I asked him how he felt about all of this. He responded with, "Well, I still have some questions about Santa, but I think I will keep those to myself!"
I tell you, this kid is too smart for me. I knew that I was in trouble when he was in Kindergarten and I was drilling him on sounds. I asked him which of the four did not belong, Peaches, Peanuts, Potatoes, or Carrots. He responded with peaches because they grow on a tree and everything else grows under the ground. Now in second grade I wonder how long I will be able to home school him since he is coming up with questions everyday that take me half of the night to find answers for. I have to say "I don't know" entirely too many times during the day. I'm hoping since I have wasted time tonight recording my thoughts, one of you will be able to help me out with today's questions.
1. When you are riding down the road there are yellow reflectors dividing the two lanes. What are the sporadic blue reflectors that are in the middle of the lane for?
2. If there was a tornado, would you be safer in a plane above the tornado or on the ground under the tornado?
3. Since it seems that Jonah may not be allergic to as many foods now, where did the allergies go?
4. If hot air rises, then why is it colder on a mountain top than on the ground?
If anyone could help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it!
Noah: Mom, did the Easter Bunny come see me?
Me: Well did you get goodies in your basket?
Noah: Yes 'Mam.
Me: Then why are you asking me?
Noah: You know how I like to watch Scooby Doo? Well on Scooby Doo they have a crew that solves mysteries. I don't have a whole crew with me but I can solve mysteries too. I found some candy in your room last week. I thought maybe it was from the Easter Bunny, so I hid it behind your couch to try and trap him. I just went and checked in your room and that candy is gone! But you know what is even more of a mystery? That same candy is what is in my Easter basket!
Me: Hmmm, what do you think that means?
Noah: Well either you have to buy the candy for the Easter Bunny to put in my basket, or YOU are the Easter Bunny.
I tried to gently inform him that yes, Mommy and Daddy were the Easter Bunny for this house and that we did special things for them at Easter under the disguise of the Easter Bunny because we wanted them to experience the excitement and anticipation and because it was fun for us to watch them enjoy it. I also warned him that he was not to tell any of this to his brothers because they deserved a few more years of excitement before they found out on their own. I told him that if they asked he was to say that he did still believe in the Easter Bunny, because when one stops believing they then stop receiving. After my detailed explanation, I asked him how he felt about all of this. He responded with, "Well, I still have some questions about Santa, but I think I will keep those to myself!"
I tell you, this kid is too smart for me. I knew that I was in trouble when he was in Kindergarten and I was drilling him on sounds. I asked him which of the four did not belong, Peaches, Peanuts, Potatoes, or Carrots. He responded with peaches because they grow on a tree and everything else grows under the ground. Now in second grade I wonder how long I will be able to home school him since he is coming up with questions everyday that take me half of the night to find answers for. I have to say "I don't know" entirely too many times during the day. I'm hoping since I have wasted time tonight recording my thoughts, one of you will be able to help me out with today's questions.
1. When you are riding down the road there are yellow reflectors dividing the two lanes. What are the sporadic blue reflectors that are in the middle of the lane for?
2. If there was a tornado, would you be safer in a plane above the tornado or on the ground under the tornado?
3. Since it seems that Jonah may not be allergic to as many foods now, where did the allergies go?
4. If hot air rises, then why is it colder on a mountain top than on the ground?
If anyone could help me out with this I would greatly appreciate it!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Steps To Tears
Step #1...
...pick sweet peas out of the garden.
Step #2...
...shell said sweet peas.
Step #3...
...cook sweet peas until tender.
Step #4...
...puree peas, strain to remove skins, and mix with expressed milk.
Step #5...
...cry because you don't know where the time went.
How can it seem like just yesterday that we were bringing home a newborn and now I am preparing baby food for him? For the past week, Ezrah has been grabbing at our food and smacking his little lips while we are eating in front of him. Going by his cues, he is ready for something other than milk. So I will spend my time making baby food and preparing for his next milestone... but that doesn't mean that I will not shed a few tears because it is all happening too quickly for me.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
April Fool's Day
I had so much fun with April Fool's day this evening. Nope, I did not announce that I was pregnant. I made cupcakes for dinner.
Jonah was so excited to see that we were having cupcakes for dinner! Noah on the other hand was a little worried...
Noah: Is that all we are having?
Me: Yes, that is what I made.
Noah: But sometimes cupcakes hurt my tummy, and I don't think that many of them are good for us.
Me: Well that is what we have. I really hope it doesn't hurt your tummy.
Jonah: They aren't gonna hurt MY tummy! Yippeeeee!!!
Poor Jonah was not happy to learn that the cupcake he was so excited about was really just a tiny venison meatloaf and all of that yummy icing was actually mashed potatoes and food coloring!
After getting over the initial shock and getting past the idea of eating fluorescent potatoes, the boys decided that dinner was good after all.
And since my crew were such good sports about it all, I decided to give them real cupcakes for dessert!
Aren't they beautiful!
Noah: Is that all we are having?
Me: Yes, that is what I made.
Noah: But sometimes cupcakes hurt my tummy, and I don't think that many of them are good for us.
Me: Well that is what we have. I really hope it doesn't hurt your tummy.
Jonah: They aren't gonna hurt MY tummy! Yippeeeee!!!
Upon Micah's first taste he realized something just wasn't quite right.
And since my crew were such good sports about it all, I decided to give them real cupcakes for dessert!
Happy April Fool's Day, hope you had as much fun as me!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
21 Days
If you were to ask me if I pray for my sons, I would immediately assure you that I do indeed pray for them every day. However, upon a closer look I probably can't claim all of the time that I pray for them as actually praying for them. For example, the prayer that I utter as my children walk the aisle to the front of the sanctuary for children's church...
... is probably not as much of a prayer for my children as it is for me! On a serious note, I do want to be committed to pray for my boys, I want them to grow in the Lord and become men of God. That is why I am so excited about a challenge that my new friend Angela let me in on. It is the 21 Days of Prayers for Sons being held May 1-21, 2012. It is a challenge for mothers of boys to pray "purposefully and passionately for the hearts of your sons" and is based on the book, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most .
If you would like to join me on this challenge, you can learn more about it and sign up here. As a bonus, if you sign up and share this message with others via some form of social networking by midnight tonight (3-22-12) you can receive a free e-copy of the book. (The link should give you all of the regulations.)
If you miss the deadline for the free book, all is not lost! You can still sign up for the challenge, and I have the opportunity to give one of themultitude of readers four readers of this blog a free copy of the e-book. Simply leave a comment before midnight on 3-30-2012 (either here on this post or on Facebook) telling me what area you think our sons need prayer the most and I will enter you into a random drawing for a chance at winning a free e-copy of the book.
I do believe that praying for our sons is the way to change our world. I look froward to this challenge not only for the 21 days but for the transformation in the way I view my prayer life for my children. If you do not have boys in your life or do not want to join the challenge, could I ask you to pray for me, that I will be able to be the godly mother that my boys need?
Dear Lord, please do not allow my children to announce to the congregation that the smoke alarms went off in the house three times this morning before a breakfast of pop tarts was finally served; and please help Micah refrain from pulling hairs out of the pastor's beard; oh and Lord, if you could, it would be great if no one noticed that Jonah is wearing red snow boots with his wrinkled church clothes. Thank you, Amen
... is probably not as much of a prayer for my children as it is for me! On a serious note, I do want to be committed to pray for my boys, I want them to grow in the Lord and become men of God. That is why I am so excited about a challenge that my new friend Angela let me in on. It is the 21 Days of Prayers for Sons being held May 1-21, 2012. It is a challenge for mothers of boys to pray "purposefully and passionately for the hearts of your sons" and is based on the book, Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most .
If you would like to join me on this challenge, you can learn more about it and sign up here. As a bonus, if you sign up and share this message with others via some form of social networking by midnight tonight (3-22-12) you can receive a free e-copy of the book. (The link should give you all of the regulations.)
If you miss the deadline for the free book, all is not lost! You can still sign up for the challenge, and I have the opportunity to give one of the
I do believe that praying for our sons is the way to change our world. I look froward to this challenge not only for the 21 days but for the transformation in the way I view my prayer life for my children. If you do not have boys in your life or do not want to join the challenge, could I ask you to pray for me, that I will be able to be the godly mother that my boys need?
Friday, March 16, 2012
Kid Sayings
My kids crack me up without even trying. They truly are some of the funniest people that I know. Here are some snapshots of conversations from the past week...
Noah: Why does your speedometer go all the way to 120?
Me: I guess it is so I can tell how fast I am going.
Noah: Soooo the people who made the speedometer did not know it was going to be put into a minivan?
During a conversation about bullies and how our words can be harmful:
Me: Micah you need to be very careful with that big mouth of yours so that no one gets hurt.
Micah: Yep, 'cause I got sharp teeth in there!
Me: Jonah, get your shoes on.
Jonah: I can't find them.
Me: Where did you have them last?
Jonah: On my feet.
Oh how I love these kids and I can't wait until Ezrah can join in to keep the laughs coming.
Noah: Why does your speedometer go all the way to 120?
Me: I guess it is so I can tell how fast I am going.
Noah: Soooo the people who made the speedometer did not know it was going to be put into a minivan?
During a conversation about bullies and how our words can be harmful:
Me: Micah you need to be very careful with that big mouth of yours so that no one gets hurt.
Micah: Yep, 'cause I got sharp teeth in there!
Me: Jonah, get your shoes on.
Jonah: I can't find them.
Me: Where did you have them last?
Jonah: On my feet.
Oh how I love these kids and I can't wait until Ezrah can join in to keep the laughs coming.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Happy Birthday Granny Faye
Today was Granny Faye's Birthday.
Flowers were some of her favorite things.
We spent part of our day planting some in her memory.
The little boys thought playing in the water and dirt was so much fun.
As the day went on Noah said, "I think Granny would like these."
I know she would have liked them, and I know she would have liked being here to plant with us...and today more than ever, I would have liked that too.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Time Caspule
This morning as I was hurrying the kids through breakfast I checked my calendar to see what the day looked like and was reminded that it was leap year day. I tried to remember what I had done last leap year day but since I can't even remember what I did last week, there really was no use wasting time on that. Since looking back wasn't doing any good, I thought about when the next leap year day would be. I was shocked to realize that by the time leap year rolls around again, my first born will be on the verge of being a teenager and the little baby that is attached to me 24/7 will be getting ready for Kindergarten.
Aaaack! Where does the time go? It is like that saying that the days are long, but the years are short. Some days (especially when Joe is on the road) it feels like bedtime will never get here, but then I look at my growing children and wonder where the time has gone.
In four years will I even remember the hectic crazy days of homeschooling a second grader, entertaining two preschoolers, caring for an infant, and running a small business? I would like to think so, but since I can't even remember last week...
Anyway, I decided that instead of making a styrofoam frog for leap year, I would spend that time with each of my children asking questions to be put into a "time capsule" to be opened next leap year day. Here are some of the questions I asked:
How old are you?
What is your favorite color?
If you could spend one day doing anything you wanted, what would it be?
Who would you spend it with?
Where is your favorite place?
What do you think you will be like in four years?
What is important to you today?
If you have never asked your children any of these questions, I would advise you to do so. I was amazed at their answers. Even Micah (three this week) was very sure of what he wanted to say! I let the older boys answer for Ezrah, but I have four boys here that think they are going to be just like their Daddy in four years.
The boys also helped me fill out my own questionnaire. When we got to the "What do you think you will be like in four years?" Noah piped up and said, "Well, I think you should be nicer." I couldn't help but laugh. It is such a Noah thing to say, and I think that it proves I am doing something right if my kids realize that I can't be "nice" all of the time.
So that was our leap year day activity. We just have to wait for Daddy to get home and fill out his questionnaire, then put the whole packet on the top shelf of the closet to pull out on 2-29-2016...if I can remember it...do you think there is an app for that?
Aaaack! Where does the time go? It is like that saying that the days are long, but the years are short. Some days (especially when Joe is on the road) it feels like bedtime will never get here, but then I look at my growing children and wonder where the time has gone.
In four years will I even remember the hectic crazy days of homeschooling a second grader, entertaining two preschoolers, caring for an infant, and running a small business? I would like to think so, but since I can't even remember last week...
Anyway, I decided that instead of making a styrofoam frog for leap year, I would spend that time with each of my children asking questions to be put into a "time capsule" to be opened next leap year day. Here are some of the questions I asked:
How old are you?
What is your favorite color?
If you could spend one day doing anything you wanted, what would it be?
Who would you spend it with?
Where is your favorite place?
What do you think you will be like in four years?
What is important to you today?
If you have never asked your children any of these questions, I would advise you to do so. I was amazed at their answers. Even Micah (three this week) was very sure of what he wanted to say! I let the older boys answer for Ezrah, but I have four boys here that think they are going to be just like their Daddy in four years.
The boys also helped me fill out my own questionnaire. When we got to the "What do you think you will be like in four years?" Noah piped up and said, "Well, I think you should be nicer." I couldn't help but laugh. It is such a Noah thing to say, and I think that it proves I am doing something right if my kids realize that I can't be "nice" all of the time.
So that was our leap year day activity. We just have to wait for Daddy to get home and fill out his questionnaire, then put the whole packet on the top shelf of the closet to pull out on 2-29-2016...if I can remember it...do you think there is an app for that?
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Taste Of Love
I smiled and winked and said, "Well that is all the love I put in!" Jonah then picked up a large peice of the crust and said, "See this yummy part Daddy? That is called the love!"
I thought Joe was going to fall out of his chair laughing and I suddenly could not see past the tears that filled my eyes. If any of you knew my Grandmother, you know why this affected me so. Granny Faye's favorite part of anything was the crust. You could always tell when Granny had been into any pie because the crust would be missing all the way around. She would claim that it just fell off, but we all knew what really happened. It is strange that simple things like pie crust can make me miss my grandmother the most.
Tonight I am thankful for family recipes, laughter, and sweet memories. However, I am most thankful for the four little boys who constantly bring those sweet memories to life while creating new ones of their own. I never look at pie crust without thinking of Granny Faye, and now I will not be able to look at it without thinking of her as well as Jonah's definition of love.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
I Have Finally Done It!
What have I done?
Four kids and nearly nine years later, I now weigh less than I did when I got married. As of this morning I have lost a total of 70 pounds. It is not where I need to be by any means, but it still feels good to reach this mark.Why have I done it?
After Ezrah was born, I knew that I had to get healthy. I refused to be insulin dependent at the age of 33. My children deserve a Mom who has the energy to play with them and is healthy enough to be around when they reach high school.How did I do it?
There really is no magic formula. I simply practiced portion control and stopped eating when I was full. I still eat the same foods I used to eat, I just don't eat as much of them anymore. I have been trying to walk at least three times a week. My Mom has been walking with me and that is such a big help. When she can't join me, I let Noah and Jonah ride bikes while I try to keep up with them carrying Ezrah in his sling and pushing Micah in the stroller. That has to be the best workout ever!When will I reach my goal?
Never. I do not have a goal of a certain amount of pounds or a certain size that I want to be. My goal is to make healthy choices for myself and for my family everyday for the rest of my life. I would love to hear any tips you may have on what, why, and how you have made healthy choices in your lives. This is a work in progress and I can use all the advice I can get!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Surplus
I have already mentioned that we have been going through a tough time lately. We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but financially things were probably as close to being as bad as they have ever been. It took everything we had just to keep our business afloat. Small business ownership is not fun at times. Not only was our family depending on the success of our business, we had drivers and their families depending upon it as well. In order to keep our business in operation, we chose to put fuel in the trucks rather than a paycheck in our pocket. It was stressful. It was hard. It made me cry.
It is also was one of the best experiences I have ever had.
Until Valentines day I had not stepped foot into a store this YEAR, except for when I went to purchase a gift for Noah's birthday. That is right, we went for nearly 45 days without buying groceries, household supplies, or anything else. I learned over the past few weeks that we can survive on so much less than what we use. I planned my meals from only what I had in the pantry and freezer, and while they both were looking quite a bit barer by last week, we could have certainly gone longer if I had just been a little more creative! My Mom brought over a few things for the kids (hot-dogs, bologna, and fresh fruit occasionally) and while I am grateful that she did, we were fine without it. What I am most grateful for is the resourcefulness that she taught me growing up. She taught me not to be wasteful and to use what I had. I feel so blessed to have had parents and grandparents who instilled in me a good work ethic and taught me skills that I need in order to make it through the tough times.
It would have been relatively easy for me to apply for government assistance during this time. I am sure that right now we would still qualify, but if I don't HAVE to have it, I refuse to use it...and right now we don't HAVE to have it. When things got tight I pulled out the cloth diapers, canned tomatoes, and dried beans. My family has had healthy meals on the table every day. Actually the meals have been healthier than when I was getting to the store every week and buying the foods that they want but are not necessarily good for them.
Now I am not writing this for people to send us food, money, or to even feel sorry for us. I am writing it because I am amazed at the surplus that I did not even realize existed in my own home. Once my eyes were opened to it, I began looking at the surplus all around. We as Americans have become fat and lazy. We are used to having the best and most of everything. When times are hard, we still want what we are accustomed to getting instead of tightening our belt and adjusting our lifestyle.
I pray that I am able to keep my children grounded as my parents did for me. I pray that they will always find ways to adjust to the circumstances life throws at them without sitting back and expecting someone or some government agency to step in and provide a lifestyle for them based on what they think they need. I have found these past few weeks that what we think we need is just surplus that keeps us from seeing what is truly important.
It is also was one of the best experiences I have ever had.
Until Valentines day I had not stepped foot into a store this YEAR, except for when I went to purchase a gift for Noah's birthday. That is right, we went for nearly 45 days without buying groceries, household supplies, or anything else. I learned over the past few weeks that we can survive on so much less than what we use. I planned my meals from only what I had in the pantry and freezer, and while they both were looking quite a bit barer by last week, we could have certainly gone longer if I had just been a little more creative! My Mom brought over a few things for the kids (hot-dogs, bologna, and fresh fruit occasionally) and while I am grateful that she did, we were fine without it. What I am most grateful for is the resourcefulness that she taught me growing up. She taught me not to be wasteful and to use what I had. I feel so blessed to have had parents and grandparents who instilled in me a good work ethic and taught me skills that I need in order to make it through the tough times.
It would have been relatively easy for me to apply for government assistance during this time. I am sure that right now we would still qualify, but if I don't HAVE to have it, I refuse to use it...and right now we don't HAVE to have it. When things got tight I pulled out the cloth diapers, canned tomatoes, and dried beans. My family has had healthy meals on the table every day. Actually the meals have been healthier than when I was getting to the store every week and buying the foods that they want but are not necessarily good for them.
Now I am not writing this for people to send us food, money, or to even feel sorry for us. I am writing it because I am amazed at the surplus that I did not even realize existed in my own home. Once my eyes were opened to it, I began looking at the surplus all around. We as Americans have become fat and lazy. We are used to having the best and most of everything. When times are hard, we still want what we are accustomed to getting instead of tightening our belt and adjusting our lifestyle.
I pray that I am able to keep my children grounded as my parents did for me. I pray that they will always find ways to adjust to the circumstances life throws at them without sitting back and expecting someone or some government agency to step in and provide a lifestyle for them based on what they think they need. I have found these past few weeks that what we think we need is just surplus that keeps us from seeing what is truly important.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Straw
It has been a rough couple of months here for us. Between drivers quiting, major mechanical breakdowns, lack of work, and legal issues, we have had about as much as we can take financially and emotionally. I have held up pretty well through all of it, believing that things will get better even if I can't see it at the moment...until tonight. Tonight was nearly the straw that broke the camel's back.
Joe is trying to replace a motor in one of our trucks and had been back at the shop working on it all day today. It is unusually cold here right now, in the twenties with a crazy wind that will knock your feet right out from under you. In order to stay warm at the shop, Joe has a primitive but effective homemade wood burner that he uses. I had just warned him this morning to be very careful with the fire, since we do not have luck with that and also because we are under a red flag warning for our county due to dry conditions and the crazy wind. When Joe finally knocked off this evening and came into the house he said that he would not have been able to work back there if he had not had the fire going, but not to worry because he had put plenty of water all around the fire to make sure that it did not get out.
About 2:00 this morning, Joe woke me in a panic. He said for me to get up and look back at the shop and tell him if he was seeing things or if our shop was on fire. I ran to the window and saw a flickering glow all over the area where our shop is. I immediately felt sick to my stomach and thought that for the first time in my life I was going to faint. Joe was standing there in shock and asked me again to tell him that he was not seeing what he thought he was seeing. The only thing I could say was "hurry, hurry, hurry". He threw on his overalls and ran out the door. He had walked home from the shop that evening, so he used my van to get back there quickly. I checked on all the kids and then grabbed my jeans and tennis shoes (Yes, I remembered to put shoes on this time!) to run back there and help him. As I was walking out the door, I thought about calling 911. I could not stop the panic and tears as I ran back inside to grab my cell phone. I turned it on and was dialing 911 when I saw Joe headed back up to the house in my van. My first thought was that it was no use, that it was so bad he had not even tried to put it out. Everything was a total loss. I ran out to the van and Joe was smiling....yes, SMILING! Turns out Joe had left the lights on at the shop and the wind was blowing so hard that it was literally shaking the entire shop and therefore giving the effect of flickering firelight.
And I thought that children took years off of your life...turns out that it is husbands that do the most damage!!!
It has been nearly an hour, and I still can't sleep. I keep thinking back to that moment when I truly thought all was lost. At that moment I could not see a way out. I could not see how it would get better. I could not see a silver lining. I certainly could not see myself laughing about it in the next five minutes. Now looking back, I can. I gaineda few a lot of grey hairs tonight, but I also refreshed my perspective on things.
Tonight reminded me that things are not always as bad as we think they are, and if we give them time to work themselves out, instead of working ourselves into a panic, they usually will. So that is what I vow to do...give things time to work themselves out...stop panicking...and remember that one day I will be able to look back on this time and laugh...or at least smile!
Joe is trying to replace a motor in one of our trucks and had been back at the shop working on it all day today. It is unusually cold here right now, in the twenties with a crazy wind that will knock your feet right out from under you. In order to stay warm at the shop, Joe has a primitive but effective homemade wood burner that he uses. I had just warned him this morning to be very careful with the fire, since we do not have luck with that and also because we are under a red flag warning for our county due to dry conditions and the crazy wind. When Joe finally knocked off this evening and came into the house he said that he would not have been able to work back there if he had not had the fire going, but not to worry because he had put plenty of water all around the fire to make sure that it did not get out.
About 2:00 this morning, Joe woke me in a panic. He said for me to get up and look back at the shop and tell him if he was seeing things or if our shop was on fire. I ran to the window and saw a flickering glow all over the area where our shop is. I immediately felt sick to my stomach and thought that for the first time in my life I was going to faint. Joe was standing there in shock and asked me again to tell him that he was not seeing what he thought he was seeing. The only thing I could say was "hurry, hurry, hurry". He threw on his overalls and ran out the door. He had walked home from the shop that evening, so he used my van to get back there quickly. I checked on all the kids and then grabbed my jeans and tennis shoes (Yes, I remembered to put shoes on this time!) to run back there and help him. As I was walking out the door, I thought about calling 911. I could not stop the panic and tears as I ran back inside to grab my cell phone. I turned it on and was dialing 911 when I saw Joe headed back up to the house in my van. My first thought was that it was no use, that it was so bad he had not even tried to put it out. Everything was a total loss. I ran out to the van and Joe was smiling....yes, SMILING! Turns out Joe had left the lights on at the shop and the wind was blowing so hard that it was literally shaking the entire shop and therefore giving the effect of flickering firelight.
And I thought that children took years off of your life...turns out that it is husbands that do the most damage!!!
It has been nearly an hour, and I still can't sleep. I keep thinking back to that moment when I truly thought all was lost. At that moment I could not see a way out. I could not see how it would get better. I could not see a silver lining. I certainly could not see myself laughing about it in the next five minutes. Now looking back, I can. I gained
Tonight reminded me that things are not always as bad as we think they are, and if we give them time to work themselves out, instead of working ourselves into a panic, they usually will. So that is what I vow to do...give things time to work themselves out...stop panicking...and remember that one day I will be able to look back on this time and laugh...or at least smile!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
3:00 A.M.
Micah: Mooooma, I mnmnmnununungcucgmn my bed.
Me: (with one eye open) You peed in your bed?
Micah: No, I mnhjnbhgfthbnhguhunmn my bed.
Me: You pooped in your bed?
Micah: No, I minunubvbghftgyhnbjkm my bed.
Me: You threw up in your bed?
Micah: No, I minuhynmnfutchnjium my bed.
Me: (really listening now) So this has nothing to do with poop, puke, or pee?
Micah: No, I fell out of my bed!
Me: Well, go get back in your bed.
Micah: Okay.
It is 3:00 A.M. in my bedroom, welcome to my world!
Me: (with one eye open) You peed in your bed?
Micah: No, I mnhjnbhgfthbnhguhunmn my bed.
Me: You pooped in your bed?
Micah: No, I minunubvbghftgyhnbjkm my bed.
Me: You threw up in your bed?
Micah: No, I minuhynmnfutchnjium my bed.
Me: (really listening now) So this has nothing to do with poop, puke, or pee?
Micah: No, I fell out of my bed!
Me: Well, go get back in your bed.
Micah: Okay.
It is 3:00 A.M. in my bedroom, welcome to my world!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Ronnie
I remember the month that Noah was born. Joe and I had been married less than a year, were broke as could be, and found ourselves facing a mountain of unexpected bills and learning how to be parents all at the same time. Needless to say it was a stressful time for both of us. Toward the end of that month I found myself for the first (and so far only) time in my life writing a check to pay a bill that I knew would bounce as soon as it hit the bank unless a miracle happened. Then that night as I sat there pouring over my check register praying that there was a mistake somewhere, I indeed found a mistake...only it was not the good kind of mistake. Turns out our check was not going to bounce a little, but a lot!
That night is the first time I remember meeting Ronnie. I was crying my eyes out and sick to my stomach when a car pulled into the yard. Joe went out to see who it was and was gone for what I thought was a long time. When I had gathered myself together I went out to see what was going on. Turns out that Ronnie and Joe had done some trading or selling or whatever these guys do so frequently. (I have yet to figure out if it is a trucker thing or just a redneck thing, but they swap and trade like nobody's business.) I don't even remember what the object was that they were talking about but Ronnie pulled out a wad of money and said something like, "I know I owed you this from some time ago and thought I would bring it by" Joe had forgotten about it and since it was from before Joe and I had gotten married, I didn't even know about the transaction. Turns out it was just what we needed. I asked Ronnie and Joe recently if they remembered that night and of course neither of them had any idea what I was talking about, but it is one of those moments that I will remember forever....the night that God provided by sending a truck driver named Ronnie.
Over the years Ronnie has been a fixture in our lives. From him and Joe swapping tools or tires, helping each other out with mechanical stuff, and finally when Ronnie rescued Joe and I from Virginia (Do you remember my birthday trip gone bad?) and then started driving a truck for Little Joe's Trucking. He and his family put up with lots of long hours. Still, he was dedicated to the job before him. When I underpaid him, (Yes, I know it is hard to believe but I sometimes I do make mistakes!) he patiently waited for me to sort it out and when I overpaid him, he was the first to point out the mistake and make sure that it got right.
When we had the fire at the shop last year, Ronnie just happened to call as everything was finally settling down. I told him that everything was okay but that Joe would have to call him back later because he was with the firefighters. Ronnie said that was fine and hung up the phone. Before I knew it, he and his wife Tina were pulling into our driveway wanting to know what they could help with. They did not ask if we needed them to come. They did not say, "Call us if you need us." They just showed up because they wanted to help whether we thought we needed them or not. That showed more of their true character and meant more to both Joe and I than words could ever say.
Ronnie decided last week that it was time for a change. It is a sad time for our family as he will be leaving Little Joe's trucking. I am still trying to explain to the boys why "Uncle Ronnie's truck" is still on the yard. It will take awhile before they associate that green Peterbilt with anything other than him!
However, with all of that said, I believe that everything happens for a reason and in its own season. We are grateful that God placed Ronnie and his family in our lives at the time that He did and wish him and his family all of the best in the future. They have certainly been a blessing to us and I am sure they are going to be a blessing to many others as they seek another venture in life.
That night is the first time I remember meeting Ronnie. I was crying my eyes out and sick to my stomach when a car pulled into the yard. Joe went out to see who it was and was gone for what I thought was a long time. When I had gathered myself together I went out to see what was going on. Turns out that Ronnie and Joe had done some trading or selling or whatever these guys do so frequently. (I have yet to figure out if it is a trucker thing or just a redneck thing, but they swap and trade like nobody's business.) I don't even remember what the object was that they were talking about but Ronnie pulled out a wad of money and said something like, "I know I owed you this from some time ago and thought I would bring it by" Joe had forgotten about it and since it was from before Joe and I had gotten married, I didn't even know about the transaction. Turns out it was just what we needed. I asked Ronnie and Joe recently if they remembered that night and of course neither of them had any idea what I was talking about, but it is one of those moments that I will remember forever....the night that God provided by sending a truck driver named Ronnie.
Over the years Ronnie has been a fixture in our lives. From him and Joe swapping tools or tires, helping each other out with mechanical stuff, and finally when Ronnie rescued Joe and I from Virginia (Do you remember my birthday trip gone bad?) and then started driving a truck for Little Joe's Trucking. He and his family put up with lots of long hours. Still, he was dedicated to the job before him. When I underpaid him, (Yes, I know it is hard to believe but I sometimes I do make mistakes!) he patiently waited for me to sort it out and when I overpaid him, he was the first to point out the mistake and make sure that it got right.
When we had the fire at the shop last year, Ronnie just happened to call as everything was finally settling down. I told him that everything was okay but that Joe would have to call him back later because he was with the firefighters. Ronnie said that was fine and hung up the phone. Before I knew it, he and his wife Tina were pulling into our driveway wanting to know what they could help with. They did not ask if we needed them to come. They did not say, "Call us if you need us." They just showed up because they wanted to help whether we thought we needed them or not. That showed more of their true character and meant more to both Joe and I than words could ever say.
Ronnie decided last week that it was time for a change. It is a sad time for our family as he will be leaving Little Joe's trucking. I am still trying to explain to the boys why "Uncle Ronnie's truck" is still on the yard. It will take awhile before they associate that green Peterbilt with anything other than him!
However, with all of that said, I believe that everything happens for a reason and in its own season. We are grateful that God placed Ronnie and his family in our lives at the time that He did and wish him and his family all of the best in the future. They have certainly been a blessing to us and I am sure they are going to be a blessing to many others as they seek another venture in life.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Potty Training
Micah is finally potty training. He has been peeing in the potty all by himself for about a week and in that time there have been no pee pee accidents. Not. A. Single. One! The pooping is another story altogether, but we are working on it and I am hoping that before long he will be pooping in the potty instead of his underwear.
Potty training is such an adventure. Every child is different. This morning Micah was holding the front of his underwear with one hand while fidgeting. My first thought was that he had stuffed his used chewing gum down there again (trust me that was not a pleasant day!) but then I remembered that my other boys used to "hold it" when they had to go to the bathroom but did not want to stop playing long enough to take a potty break. So, I asked him some questions...
Me: Micah do yo have to go potty?
Micah: No 'Mam.
Me: Then why are you holding your pee-pee?
Micah: I not holdin' it, I ticklin' it!
Someday I will learn not to ask the questions unless I really am prepared to hear the answers.
Potty training is such an adventure. Every child is different. This morning Micah was holding the front of his underwear with one hand while fidgeting. My first thought was that he had stuffed his used chewing gum down there again (trust me that was not a pleasant day!) but then I remembered that my other boys used to "hold it" when they had to go to the bathroom but did not want to stop playing long enough to take a potty break. So, I asked him some questions...
Me: Micah do yo have to go potty?
Micah: No 'Mam.
Me: Then why are you holding your pee-pee?
Micah: I not holdin' it, I ticklin' it!
Someday I will learn not to ask the questions unless I really am prepared to hear the answers.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Evangelizing
Noah is concerned about the state of his brother's soul. He is constantly telling Jonah how to be saved and explaining the importance of it to him. Joe and I have told Noah that God will work in Jonah's heart when he is old enough to understand, but Noah is a bit impatient. I overheard his newest tactic just last week...
Jonah don't you want to give your heart to Jesus? That way when you die you will get to go live in heaven with Jesus and Granny Faye. And pretty soon Mommy and Daddy are going to be living there too!I had to intervene at that point. I am glad that Noah has a burdened heart, but I see no need in rushing things!
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