Yep, my blog is still not right... quite frustrating! I feel computer jinxed! Not only my lame-o blog but so far this week (Mon-Wed) I have spent 5 hours on the phone with The Salvation Army IT department trying to fix my computer problems in my office. A BIG HAIRY MESS. Apparently some things were changed and "upgraded" while I was on furlough. Everything was working fine until the "upgrade". The computers are always being "upgraded" but my brain needs some serious upgrading with computers. It is a foreign language and completely embarrassing and humbling when everyone else seems to know WAY more than I do about these things. I missed the part that I needed to have a Doctorate in Computers so that I can be a Salvation Army Officer. A necessary thorn in my side.
On a better note... the week started out good.
On Sunday I led/taught our "Family First" Sunday School on the 3rd Commandment. An almost full house for church. Paul preached a good sermon (you know the kind that make you feel both bad and blessed!) I went to a baby blessing shower after church for a friend, and then cooked and delivered dinner to one of our young ladies from the Corps who just had a baby. Ann asked me nicely if I would bring her baby home to spend the night. I told her that babies belong with their mommies and assured her that soon enough we'll have our own!
Monday was quite productive at the Corps and I finally feel caught up from furlough. I'm sure the feeling won't last long! But I enjoyed it for all it's worth. The kids and I actually watched Oprah Winfrey together because I had seen that the subject matter was on simplyfying your life. I wanted them to see it for themselves instead of just hearing mom always complaining when there is beginning to be too much stuff/activities again. We felt pretty good about our family after some of the families featured on the show! I hate to compare, but you all would've too!!! One family hadn't eaten a meal together for 2 years! WHAT?!?! It was great the conversations that we had because of the show. Bottom line for us... Do and have only the things that really matter to God and your family. The rest are worthless idols.
Tuesday am at the office was my main chunk of IT time, I won't even go there. Spent the afternoon packing for David and Paul's trip and making MORE "Valentines" with Ann and Hannah. They are on a roll. In the evening I had some good special time with Elijah. Most grateful for it and I'm learning as a parent that these things can't be "staged" and planned for... they just happen and I better be available!!
This morning was Home League and a great one at that. We are up to 11 ladies who regularly attend and boy is it a great group of Christian women. I remember being so discouraged a couple of years ago at our lack of attendance and just some not so good group dynamics. God is so faithful despite my wanting things to happen "right now this very minute". We also have 3 other outreach groups that meet at least monthly so we can minister to the ladies on the fringes of the Corps. The girls made their own PBJ sandwiches when we got home for lunch. Ann does a good job, Hannah eats as she goes and dug into the peanut butter so much that she now has her own "Hannah contaminated" jar. Yuck. This afternoon is Youth Activities. The troops are working on their Space Exploration badges.
Paul got Hannah's potty chair all ready for her potty training boot camp day on Friday. We set it in the bathroom to get her used to it before her crash course. She has already been using it all the time! It's her new favorite hobby. She has an audience almost every time because her brothers and sister stand right in front of her and cheer her on. They are even dumping it in the big toilet for her so she can flush. I didn't know it would be such an exciting event in our home!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Boy does time fly! I've been home for a few days now, but being extremely busy coupled with sharing a comptuer with 3 guys has left me ignoring my blog, but... I'm baaaaack!
We had a great vacation visiting with my parents, brother (and his girlfriend) and good friends from long ago! We took 2 days to drive down to Napa, CA and 2 1/2 days to drive back. We actually had a great driving time! I'm thankful our kids are such great travelers! They sure were wound up in the evenings though after sitting all day. Those poor motel beds...
The highlights of our trip were the Jelly Belly Factory, a Blue Grass Band at Pizza Hut (walking distance from my parents house), Grandpa's Lathe workshop, Grandma's computer Star Wars video game, and a fabulous trip to San Fransisco with my whole family, including a walk on the Golden Gate bridge. And for me, visiting with 2 of my best friends from Highschool, Tiffany and Terry... who I only see every few years, if that. I didn't get to see my childhood friends (since 1st grade!), Kelli and Nikki, because we just could not get our schedules coordinated! I did get to see them in May 07, though... so I won't complain.
Dump session........There has been so much to keep up with these last few days. Both at home and the Corps (church). I can't even think straight and have literally been carrying paper and pen with me everywhere so I can write down everything. I just don't trust myself this week to "remember" it all! Not a good feeling at all. But I know it will pass. David is finally finishing his Destination Imagination committments, with the final State competition being next weekend. I'm glad! David's Baseball season has just begun though! (Elijah does his sport, soccer, in the fall). March through May is a busy month at the Corps... Vacation Bible School, Audits, Easter, Mother/Daughter and Father/Son programs, Migrant Workers, and more on top of regular Corps programming. And oh yeah, a baby coming in mid-April! I can't wait for him/her to arrive so I can rest! (he!he!)
We are officially having our Christmas Dinner tonight. Our Prime Rib that we stuck in the freezer during our flu, and all the fixings that were supposed to go with it to begin with. So what, we're two months late, better late than never! I still can't figure out though why it took us this long to get around to it?!
Well, I better go. I really need to fiddle more with my blog because it is still won't do what I want. I think I need professional help!
We had a great vacation visiting with my parents, brother (and his girlfriend) and good friends from long ago! We took 2 days to drive down to Napa, CA and 2 1/2 days to drive back. We actually had a great driving time! I'm thankful our kids are such great travelers! They sure were wound up in the evenings though after sitting all day. Those poor motel beds...
The highlights of our trip were the Jelly Belly Factory, a Blue Grass Band at Pizza Hut (walking distance from my parents house), Grandpa's Lathe workshop, Grandma's computer Star Wars video game, and a fabulous trip to San Fransisco with my whole family, including a walk on the Golden Gate bridge. And for me, visiting with 2 of my best friends from Highschool, Tiffany and Terry... who I only see every few years, if that. I didn't get to see my childhood friends (since 1st grade!), Kelli and Nikki, because we just could not get our schedules coordinated! I did get to see them in May 07, though... so I won't complain.
Dump session........There has been so much to keep up with these last few days. Both at home and the Corps (church). I can't even think straight and have literally been carrying paper and pen with me everywhere so I can write down everything. I just don't trust myself this week to "remember" it all! Not a good feeling at all. But I know it will pass. David is finally finishing his Destination Imagination committments, with the final State competition being next weekend. I'm glad! David's Baseball season has just begun though! (Elijah does his sport, soccer, in the fall). March through May is a busy month at the Corps... Vacation Bible School, Audits, Easter, Mother/Daughter and Father/Son programs, Migrant Workers, and more on top of regular Corps programming. And oh yeah, a baby coming in mid-April! I can't wait for him/her to arrive so I can rest! (he!he!)
We are officially having our Christmas Dinner tonight. Our Prime Rib that we stuck in the freezer during our flu, and all the fixings that were supposed to go with it to begin with. So what, we're two months late, better late than never! I still can't figure out though why it took us this long to get around to it?!
Well, I better go. I really need to fiddle more with my blog because it is still won't do what I want. I think I need professional help!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
What Really Goes On In Our Home!
We had a little fun this morning... You'll notice the Teddy Bear on the floor beneath the big red ball. The kids set a trap. Everyone had their turn, however Hannah got upset about it and ran into her momma's arms. I did of course have a chance to snap a picture!
Pic 1 is the trap ready to go
Pic 2 is the trap in progress
Pic 3 is the trap causing a crying Hannah.
(She's okay and happy now!)
Pic 1 is the trap ready to go
Pic 2 is the trap in progress
Pic 3 is the trap causing a crying Hannah.
(She's okay and happy now!)
Friday, February 13, 2009
This Week!
Oh my, some weeks are so packed full! Here are the some "highlights" that mostly have to do with Officership but I still think might be interesting to most of you. It's my life!
Sunday started with a very good, Spirit led, BUT very interesting church service. A good one, but in my 11 years of Corps Officership... something I've never encountered and a call I've never had to make.
Monday was a DPC (Divisional Program Council) meeting I had to go to at DHQ (Divisional Headquarters). For me a two hour meeting turns into an all day event because I have to drive nearly 2 hours each way to DHQ and spend the morning and afternoon situating all the children in their schools and activities. I consider Paul absolutely unavailable on Mondays because on top of an already busy schedule on Mondays, he is filling in for the Store Manager who has Mondays off. I sometimes wonder if I was appointed to DPC because "they" thought I had nothing better to do (?!?!).... but I'm glad to help and be a "voice" for Corps Officers. I imagine I'll have to ask permission to resign after the baby is born, unless they're okay with me bringing a baby and nursing in the middle of our meetings. This momma won't leave her baby all day.
Tuesday was me in the office trying to play catch-up from missing my Monday morning, and then me at home trying to play catch-up from missing my Monday afternoon.
Wednesday was disturbing!! We had our "Protecting the Mission" aka "Safe From Harm" training session for our Youth Pastor and our other youth leaders/helpers. As always, I walk away from these meetings disgusted and paranoid about the world we live in! Sexual predators, child abusers, and bad adults who want to harm our children. They tend to lurk around churches and Christians want to be so "forgiving" that these predators take advantage and harm church children at an alarming rate. I am so grateful that The Salvation Army has such high standards for those working with the youth! Our own standards are better than the state's standards and far better than the majority of churches. That afternoon, I gave my own children another talk about all that kind of stuff. I even have them practice yelling "Don't touch my ******!" and "You're not my mom/dad!" I want my children to always know that they have the right to say no to people and they have the right to not do something that they don't want to do.
Thursday started with an early pre-natal apt., then CBS, stop by the office with the girls to do a few things, and then in the evening another painfully fabulous visit to John, LMT (thank you, Miss Stacie!). I came home so out of it that Paul had to cook dinner. He dug around in the freezer and pulled out some stuff. It was all I could do to stay awake during dinner for visiting.
This morning I packed in 6 errands before we had to go drop my mini-van off at the shop, AGAIN, to get fixed. I took the girls to the Library story time. I like to take them as often as I can. They love it and learn to sit quietly on their mats and listen to the stories. And might I say (brag!), they really do a great job keeping control of themselves despite the other children crawling all over them and yelling around during the story. Ann looks at them mortified while Hannah lets out a few No's and Stop! She is quite bold! I remember taking the boys when they were real little to the Springfield library for their programs. I love the Library!
The girls are both taking a nap now and when the brothers get home from school there will be a flood of Valentines all over the kitchen table. I will sit and watch them show me every single Valentine. Let's see... 4 children times 20+ Valentines each... 80+ Valentines! I better go research some describing words so that I'll have plenty of comments ready! Elijah was so excited this morning because yesterday he peaked in a bag and saw soda pops. He was so excited to think that he might get soda pop at his Valentine party. Too cute!! David was also excited because his teacher does such a great job with games at their parties. I'm disapointed I don't get to go... but I have no car! I am stranded!
I have a lot of packing to do to get ready for our trip. It's not so bad though because we're not camping. Just clothes, snacks and bedding. The kids are so looking forward to going! So are we, but we can contain ourselves better! They are thrilled to see Grandma, Grandpa, Beebee, and Mr. Cool Uncle Jacob. It will be a good trip!
Sunday started with a very good, Spirit led, BUT very interesting church service. A good one, but in my 11 years of Corps Officership... something I've never encountered and a call I've never had to make.
Monday was a DPC (Divisional Program Council) meeting I had to go to at DHQ (Divisional Headquarters). For me a two hour meeting turns into an all day event because I have to drive nearly 2 hours each way to DHQ and spend the morning and afternoon situating all the children in their schools and activities. I consider Paul absolutely unavailable on Mondays because on top of an already busy schedule on Mondays, he is filling in for the Store Manager who has Mondays off. I sometimes wonder if I was appointed to DPC because "they" thought I had nothing better to do (?!?!).... but I'm glad to help and be a "voice" for Corps Officers. I imagine I'll have to ask permission to resign after the baby is born, unless they're okay with me bringing a baby and nursing in the middle of our meetings. This momma won't leave her baby all day.
Tuesday was me in the office trying to play catch-up from missing my Monday morning, and then me at home trying to play catch-up from missing my Monday afternoon.
Wednesday was disturbing!! We had our "Protecting the Mission" aka "Safe From Harm" training session for our Youth Pastor and our other youth leaders/helpers. As always, I walk away from these meetings disgusted and paranoid about the world we live in! Sexual predators, child abusers, and bad adults who want to harm our children. They tend to lurk around churches and Christians want to be so "forgiving" that these predators take advantage and harm church children at an alarming rate. I am so grateful that The Salvation Army has such high standards for those working with the youth! Our own standards are better than the state's standards and far better than the majority of churches. That afternoon, I gave my own children another talk about all that kind of stuff. I even have them practice yelling "Don't touch my ******!" and "You're not my mom/dad!" I want my children to always know that they have the right to say no to people and they have the right to not do something that they don't want to do.
Thursday started with an early pre-natal apt., then CBS, stop by the office with the girls to do a few things, and then in the evening another painfully fabulous visit to John, LMT (thank you, Miss Stacie!). I came home so out of it that Paul had to cook dinner. He dug around in the freezer and pulled out some stuff. It was all I could do to stay awake during dinner for visiting.
This morning I packed in 6 errands before we had to go drop my mini-van off at the shop, AGAIN, to get fixed. I took the girls to the Library story time. I like to take them as often as I can. They love it and learn to sit quietly on their mats and listen to the stories. And might I say (brag!), they really do a great job keeping control of themselves despite the other children crawling all over them and yelling around during the story. Ann looks at them mortified while Hannah lets out a few No's and Stop! She is quite bold! I remember taking the boys when they were real little to the Springfield library for their programs. I love the Library!
The girls are both taking a nap now and when the brothers get home from school there will be a flood of Valentines all over the kitchen table. I will sit and watch them show me every single Valentine. Let's see... 4 children times 20+ Valentines each... 80+ Valentines! I better go research some describing words so that I'll have plenty of comments ready! Elijah was so excited this morning because yesterday he peaked in a bag and saw soda pops. He was so excited to think that he might get soda pop at his Valentine party. Too cute!! David was also excited because his teacher does such a great job with games at their parties. I'm disapointed I don't get to go... but I have no car! I am stranded!
I have a lot of packing to do to get ready for our trip. It's not so bad though because we're not camping. Just clothes, snacks and bedding. The kids are so looking forward to going! So are we, but we can contain ourselves better! They are thrilled to see Grandma, Grandpa, Beebee, and Mr. Cool Uncle Jacob. It will be a good trip!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
