Catching Up!

Happy 17th Anniversary!!!!



May 29, 2008




Yes, I'm still alive and I'm finally back! It has been VERY busy since my last post. *Update: the "talk" has not happened yet...she seemed to have lost interest. I was all prayed up and ready to go, but didnt' have a peace about bringing it up. Since then she asked "Now why do we need that cord again?" Which was immediately followed by "Do you have any idea how I could make a hot air balloon for my pet shop pals?" So....NO, we haven't had the talk. I'm answering questions as they come..and will be ready when the time is right!




Here's my "May" in a nutshell:

*had a surprise class baby shower at school...Fun!

*had a teacher baby shower and a church baby shower in the same week (which means 2 cakes in the same week...yum...but way too many calories! And FYI...ALL my thank-you's were written within 1 day of the shower...YEA!)

*had awards day (My sweet Abby received the Esther Award for her class- what a humbling honor !)

*cleaned my classroom, packed all my stuff, and moved it home for storage because I don't know when I will return to teaching

*had my glucose sugar test (the dreaded orange drink) and passed!

*had my teeth cleaned (yuk! but went well)

*watched my niece (who was just Abby's age yesterday) graduate from high school

*headed to the beach with my sister and brother-in-law for a fun-filled memorial day


(which leads to the following:)

If you listen to Rick and Bubba, you may have heard of Paul Thorn (Mission Temple Fireworks Stand, Burn down the trailer park, etc.) I love Paul Thorn! He's one of those crazy, down to earth, funny entertainers. I mentioned to Scott that we should try to go see him live (we have NEVER been to a concert together-don't ask me why). He begins searching the web site and discovers that he's going to be at LuLu's on May 25 (our 17th Anniversary!!!!) Pack your bags was the only next logical step. I mean, Paul Thorn, Lulu's, our anniversary, and memorial day...it could not have been any clearer if an airplane had written in the sky!

I kept hoping that I would get a chance to meet him, tell him that I had driven 4 hours while 7 1/2 months pregnant, and maybe get a picture. We got there a little early (while he was casually doing a sound check). I just walked right up to the stage and said "Paul, I'm your biggest fan, drove 4 hours to get here, we are celebrating our anniversary, could I please get a picture with you....the following is the result of that conversation.............

No, this is "not my baby daddy"....but it is a hilarious memory for us! Scott laughed so hard, as did I....this is soooooo Paul Thorn!!!!

THE Question!!!!!!

May 8, 2008
I was "tucking Abby in" for bed (as usual) when she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I have a question....How do you know when it's time to have the baby?" Ummmm............
This led to some gentle answers, simple analogies, etc. which led to more questions:
*Where does the cord come from?
*How do you know when you are pregnant?
*How does the pregnancy test work?
*How does the baby grow?
*How does the baby come out?
Oh Lord, I am NOT ready for this! My sweet little girl (who STILL believes in the tooth fairy, Santa, and everything naive) is asking QUESTIONS! WHY is she asking questions??? Can't they just stay young and innocent forever? I was so caught off guard. She is not quite as mature as some other children her age (for which I am thankful!) She seemed satisfied with my answers and I told her if she had any more questions I'd be glad to answer them. I kissed her good night, made it down the stairs, when I heard her voice...."Mommy, I have one more question. How does the baby get in your stomach?"
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Uh, we'll talk about it tomorrow ok? "
"Will you remember?" she said.
"Yes, I'll remember! Good night!"

Is today "THE" day? Please pray for me. I do ask for the Lord's wisdom and words to handle this subject that I wasn't quite ready to talk about (maybe she gets her naivet`e from me?)

Any moms with experience out there? HELP!!!

Tagged!

April 24, 2008
Did I ask to be tagged? Did you read my previous blog? HA HA
Here goes (from Distybug) 7 random facts about my childhood:

1. When I was in 5th grade, I played Ngana (the polynesian child ) in South Pacific. Yes, polynesian children have dark skin and dark hair. Yes, I had fair skin and blonde hair. My mother dyed my hair black....it turned green! Great memories! I still know the song I had to learn in French!!!!!!

2. I cracked my left elbow in 1st grade by turning a cartwheel in our yard, falling, and landing on a rock.

3. I broke my right wrist and forearm in 4th grade by wrecking my bicycle (which led to my mother being questioned by the doctor since I apparently "easily" break my arms?...DHR anyone?)

4. My older sister and I used to play "Charlie's Angels" by riding our go-cart through the neighborhood....(one of our favorite games!)

5. I always wanted long hair when I was little, only it wasn't going to happen. THIN, short hair is all I had (Abby is reliving this "dream/nightmare" with her short/thin hair and wanting long, lustrous locks!) My granny would clip a towel on my head so I could pretend I had long hair. I would wear it all day long, swing it over my shoulder, climb the tree in her front yard like I was something! I miss her!

6. In 1st grade I got in "trouble" when my teacher left the room and I went to the front of the class to lead all the students in "cheers". (Did you all know that I was a cheerleader, and now Abby is on a competitive cheerleading squad? Maybe she's more like me than I realized!)

7. My lips stayed chapped all the time when I was young. My mother saw me waiting for the bus one cold day. I was licking my lips in the cold wind. No wonder they were chapped all the time! She told me to stop, the chapped lips got better. (I am still addicted to chapstick though!)

I tag ANYONE who reads this blog! You have NO choice! You can NOT unsubscribe! ha ha

I didn't subscribe dad' blast it!

April 17, 2008
I am in full vent mode! Since last week I have been getting TONS of "junk" e-mail. It really irritates me (and I mean with a capital I in IRRITATE) when I go to check my e-mail and I have 37 incoming messages and only about 3 real e-mails! In extremely tiny print at the BOTTOM
of the page is the blasted little message (you've all seen it)... if you would like to stop receiving our e-mails, please click here to unsubscribe. When did I subscribe????????? I don't want to "unsubscribe" if I don't want something....I want to subscribe if I DO want something!!!! Anybody out there feeling my pain? You start a petition-I'll sign it.....a protest-I'll march....anything to STOP having to unsubscribe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Borrowing a blog....

April 14, 2008

I recently read a friend's blog "10 reasons why this day stinks!" (Everybody know who I'm talking about ?) I read it, laughed, and commented "Oh, we all have those days." Today was my day-so here's my list:
1. Scott was sick in bed (I hate it when someone in my family is sick-especially if it's me!)
2. We were out of "fresh" donuts for Abby's breakfast (don't even give me a lecture on healthy food choices)
3. It's April-I should be wearing cute spring clothes NOT trying to find something warm that will fit me!
4. I have a HUGE zit on my chin-and it hurts!
5. Abby has a project at school that needs shoeboxes. The shoeboxes we got out last night are apparently too small...only she didn't tell me that LAST NIGHT-she waited until this morning-right before we were getting ready to leave!
6. Abby was trying to carry 3 shoeboxes, stale broken donuts, a lunchbox, backpack, a bag of dry cereal (to make up for the stale donuts) down the stairs all at one time....and fell...and DROPPED the 3 shoeboxes, stale broken donuts (now broken even more), and began to cry when I began to yell "Why are you carrying all that at one time? Why is some of this stuff not already in the car?"
7. We were late for school ...which meant I missed Monday morning prayer...and I really needed it!!!!
8. My pants (that I picked out at the last minute) are too short and look AWFUL (only I didn't realize it until I looked in the mirror at school!)
9. I took my kids out to recess (in the cold) when it began to rain (of course!)
10. I wanted some mashed potatoes for supper...I turned the stove down too low...then mixed them, and apparently they were too cold...now I have cold, potato soup...HONESTLY-how do you mess up mashed potatoes??????????????

and #11-(just for Reformed Grits...my laundry baskets are no longer empty!)

Seriously, I'm not "looking at the half-empty glass"....this was just one of those Mondays!
Now here's the good news: I only have 4 more Mondays until I am home for good and summer starts! Hallelujah! I am very thankful for Lamentations 3:21-23(another one of my favorite verses)
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope; Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness!"
Can't wait for Tuesday!

PS...I must let you know that we are watching America's Funniest Home Videos and having a great time laughing....Could it be Tuesday already?

The Goodness of God!

April 9, 2008
Do you ever get truly awed and amazed at how good God is? How he answers specific prayers? How very personal He is? This past week God has just "showed off" for us. I am not returning to work next year so I can stay home with our precious new baby. We didn't know how it was going to work out, but we were just trusting God. He did an AWESOME work in our finances at just the right time. Coincidence? I think not. The only other big thing that was bothering me was the baby's due date (Aug. 7). I was so anxious because Abby was due Aug. 6 and wasn't born until the 17th. I just kept telling God (like He didn't know) but Abby needs some time with the baby before school starts, I don't want to have to worry about the stress of starting school and the timing of the new baby, etc..... Today I find out that school will NOT start until August 25 (2weeks later than planned...oops-I don't know if this is "public" information yet-so you DIDN't hear it from me:) Coincidence? I think not. Now whether Alivia ( for those of you who don't know her name is Alivia Scott...Livi for short!) is born "on time" or "late", we still get family bonding time without the worry of school! Look, God can part the Red Sea, but He can also answer prayers that are very personal, very real, and may seem very small. That's what amazes me about our God. HE CARES...and He is sovereign and knows what's best for us even when we don't trust Him. I love it when He "shows off!" :)

Psalm 139 is my favorite scripture...may it encourage you today!

"Our Song"

April 7, 2008
OK, I need to blog about the baby, the sonar, etc, but I just read Gayle's blog about her sweet song with her "honey" and it reminded me of a funny story about "songs". Years ago Scott and I were driving with some friends of ours and we were (believe it or not) talking about songs. I told Scott...."We don't really have a "song". We need a song!" (For those of you who don't really know us well YET, you will soon discover that we are not the mushy gushy types, we argue (strike through that-EXPRESS our OPINIONS) loudly and often- but all in the name of love. That's just who we are (take it or leave it).
Anyway-we are driving down the road when Scott says..."I do have a song for you." I was excited and curious when he put a CD in. Could it be a little Lionel Richie? maybe some Vince Gill? (These are the CD's that were in our car at the time.) Next thing I know out comes the lyrics from Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers (if you do not know who they are STOP reading this blog right now!!!! You are either not old enough to appreciate it or you don't know good, harmonious country music when you hear it!) Here's what came through the speakers:
chorus:
I did, I did, I did ( in 3 part brother harmony) not mean to mislead you
And I never intended for push come to shove
I don't, I don't, I don't have one thing against you
I just wish you were someone I love!

OK- some of you might have jumped out of the car and headed straight for the nearest lawyer's office and filed the papers. Not me....I've never laughed so hard in all my life. (Which is, I hope, what he intended in the first place). From that day on- that's been our song. Call it our "warped" sense of humor and appreciation for each other-but we just "get it". We have an understanding-
there is NO song that expresses what words could never really express. Scott is who I TRUST, RESPECT, APPRECIATE, and can't imagine a day without! But in the words of our song...."I just wish he were someone I loved!" HA HA HA


PS....You can listen to "our song"...just click the link at the top left of my blog (above our picture)
Sorry -we are NOT blog professionals! ha ha