too old to stay up so late

I had a great weekend but am getting old. I had two late nights and now am paying for it. So pathetic! I went to dinner with some friends on Friday night. We didn't meet up until around 9 and then sat and talked for hours after dinner. Then the girls and I headed up to Columbus yesterday to help celebrate cousin Will's third birthday. The cousins had a blast playing. We put them to bed and Emily and I built a fire (that is an whole other story) and just sat and talked. It was great... and relaxing.... but today.... right now at 6:23, I am so tired. Two nights of being up past 1:30.... just can't keep it up. How sad. I am old. UGH. So now I am home, and after a hot shower, I am sitting here in my sweatpants. YES.... right where I want to be!
Tomorrow will be busy- lots of schoolwork to get done with Nevaeh... laundry... and then packing for our trip. Arizona here we come!!

Nations crumble from within when the citizenry asks of government those things which the citizenry might better provide for itself. ... [I] hope we have once again reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.
Ronald Reagan

I was reading some of his quotes today. What a great leader. I love his harsh words about big government. I love that he knew that the government was "the people". Let us have freedom and liberty. Don't tell us what, where, and how to spend our money. I am quickly losing trust in any of these politicians. Just keep me safe and let me keep more of my money. Thanks.

the greatest pet for us

My sister sent my girls their own Zhu Zhu pets today. I had heard about these at Christmastime- only knew that they were the hot item and that is about it. Nevaeh has been begging for one- and has even been saving her money to buy her own. Aunt Debbie came to the rescue! She saw them at the store and decided to pick them up for the girls- not even knowing how badly they were wanting one.
They were watching and waiting for the mailman to come today. He finally came and they ran outside to get the package. I was so glad that I was not the one who had to go out in the cold to the get the mail today! (too bad our December electric bill came though.)
These little hamster are quite cute. The move all around, make funny noises, and twitch their noses. They may even do more that I am not really aware of yet. All I know is that these are my kind of pets. Run on batteries... don't poop or pee... don't need to be fed. No vet bills. No weird smells or vomiting. No cages or messy papers to catch the droppings. Awe- now this just might be the greatest invention for me. I think animals are great- love them... I just know that pets are not my thing. Sad, I know.... but its the truth.

TUESDAY

I am so excited. Nevaeh's reading is getting SO much better! Shew! I am pumped to see her not struggling so much- and to see her actually enjoy it. YES- hard work for her and me is paying off.

Today is Tuesday- that means it was cheap day at the already cheap seats at the theatre. I took the girls to see Old Dogs. Pretty funny. I love the cheap seats- but I hate seeing how gross the actual "seats" are... dirty, and stained.... ooh. I think the older I get, the more dirt and germs makes me ill. Anyways......
Tuesday also means it is American Idol night. My girls love this show and ask every day if it is going to be on. When I was younger- and even through my older years while living at home- Tuesday was "taco" day.... my dad worked late on Tuesdays so we would always meet him at Taco Time for dinner on Tuesdays during his "lunch" break. I wish Kentucky had a Taco Time- but only if the Taft's owned it. All other Taco Times are just not the same.

We woke up to a bit of snow today- and it is bitterly cold.

I bought a book today... looking forward to reading it on the plane to Arizona- theology book. Yes, I am a dork.

Man, I sure wish I had a crisp meat burrito and a green river right about now. :)

My girls

As my girls get older, I am beginning to really see the distinction and personality they each have-

Nevaeh- she is BIG hearted. Cries at sad parts of movies, hates to see people sad, and is very aware of trying not to hurt other peoples feelings. She is that way around me- and I hope to God she is like that when I am not around. I know she is not at her full potential in this- simply because of being only 8 and still pretty selfish by nature- but my plan and heart's goal is to nurture this in her so that she will be a good friend to others and will even befriend those that may seem hard to love when she is older.
Nevaeh is also almost fully out of her shell. She no longer is inhibited by her own self. She is more confident and is gaining more confidence every day. She is also a fantastic big sister. She is (for the most part) patient, kind, and cares about her sister. She hates it when she cries. Just tonight, Jesslyn fell off the stool and immediately had a big bruise. Nevaeh was there before I was- making sure she was okay. Jesslyn has no idea how great Nevaeh truly is. One day, you will know.

Jesslyn- she is my silly one. Loves to show her "bare buns" to us anytime she can. She sings, and dances, and takes a thousand pictures a day of herself on my computer. She changes her clothes... all day. She still loves to snuggle and crawl in my lap when she is tired. She is social. Loves friends and is not really too shy... at least with those her same age. She also asks me the toughest questions. She wants to know why and how of everything..... she just asked me how many hairs I think she has on her head- when I told her I did not know- she said "God knows... and I think I have about 500." She is going to be a deep thinker. (at least I hope).

I am thankful to be blessed with two happy and healthy little girls. I already dream about us shopping together, talking about boys, and having lunch. The job of being their mother is so exciting and yet I am overwhelmed by all that I hope to teach them in these next formative years. Their eyes are on me. They are watching... and taking note of who I am as a mom. This challenges me and makes me strive to give it my best. So help me God.

Thankful.

I was thinking about today about a hard time that Joel and I had in our marriage. Not to get into lots of details, but we were at a crossroads. Things were not going well and we were about to go our separate ways. (thinking about this... it seems like yesterday, but is also hard to even believe- because of how well things are between us today). Joel had told me we were over- but he had someone who deeply loves him, who told him with strong, hard, tough love- to man up and remember those vows and to basically knock it off and be a man. This person was my father. My father loves Joel- and loved him enough to be truth to him- to tell him with tough love exactly what Joel needed to hear. Joel and I still talk about this from time to time and we are both thankful for the courage in my father to confront Joel. It was the turning point. Joel has never been the same. Starting later that day, our marriage began to be healed. I believe my dad was obedient to Christ- and confronted in love. I am so thankful my father did that. I know it was hard for him. Joel is thankful my father did that. Love confronts. Love is tough. Love is honest and true.

I don't remember if I have posted this pic before- I may have because I love this picture. It makes me laugh out loud every time I see it. We are all singing Bohemian Rhapsody- well, everyone but my sister in the middle! I love this. I love my family. I have been blessed with a family who thinks generationally- and because so, I am reaping the benefits and blessings from it. SO THANKFUL.

Some people are just plain CRAZY. Either that or it is me... I guess that is quite possible.

I can't stand people playing the victim.... drives me CRAZY.

I do not want to live life thinking it revolves around me. It is easy to do- but I want my world view to be much bigger! I am going to try and work on this for this year of 2010.

Even in tough times I can live stress-free.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We do not earn rest but we receive rest. Rest is not being lazy, sitting on the couch, taking a nap- it is being able to live life and rest in knowing He is in control.

For those of you who know me even a little, you know I love Mark Driscoll.... I love listening to his sermons- he has an amazing ability to teach. I do have another pastor that I really like and am now having to try to find time to add his podcasts to my day. He is also from Seattle- Judah Smith. Joel really likes him so I have started listening. He is teaching on Galations right now on freedom... one thing I loved that he said was that "if you see freedom as doing whatever you want whenever you want you will soon be living the biggest life of bondage. I know this to be true.

I love my husband. ♥

My addiction

I love coffee. I drink at least a few cups a day. I really like it from a french press.... just black. No cream. Piping hot. I love the smell of coffee. This makes me feel old.... especially since it is common for me to make some in the afternoon as well as the morning. That means I am old.

Candy Canes and Presents

Christmas has come and gone (makes me a little sad still).... so I was going through my pics today and wanted to post these. First off, I love candy canes. I love this picture of candy canes. Second, we had way too many presents. I started buying early this year which means I just end up buying more. .... and you will have to ask Joel why the box of shoes is already open. Let's just say that he is worse than the kids at waiting until Christmas morning!

As I type this, my kids are sitting next to me playing restaurant with playdough and their dolls. It is quite cute and funny to listen to. Just glad they are playing nicely together. It warms a momma's heart and could end in just a second!

Let it SNOW!

I used to be really involved in politics... I have recently lost passion for it but this morning I checked online to see what was going on in the world, and it frightens me a bit. People are losing jobs, unemployment is getting higher by the month, and taxes continue to go through the roof. ...... and the scariest of all is now they are taking over healthcare. Does anyone really trust them to do this? I understand people want healthcare but how stupid are we to give them one more thing to take control of. The have schools, medicare, medicaid, and social security.... all which are going down the drain.... but we are stupid and want to give them one more thing. I guess we deserve what is coming our way. Government controlling us all. Boo.

On a happier note, it is snowing here today. Has been all morning and it is BEAUTIFUL! Spent the morning doing schoolwork, then working out with the wii, and now heading back to some more schoolwork with the kiddos.... and some piping hot chocolate will be in the schedule sometime today.


Joel is crazy busy at work- review time for all the employees... if you can, please say an extra prayer that he reaches each deadline and with the accuracy expected of him.

Today was a great day. I met up with two other ladies for lunch at Chuck E Cheese..... not my first choice but perfect when you have to take the kids with you and you are hoping for some adult conversation. These ladies are two of the most "real" people I know. What you see is what you get. Totally refreshing for me to have people like that in my life.

This is day three in a row of working out for me.... yesterday I ran for ten minutes straight... that is a SUPER big deal for me. It is amazing how much better I feel after getting my butt moving...... even though every day I dread it. I hope to really reach my goal of running a 5K in 2010. I better really get busy..... and better get some good shoes. I am always up for any reason to get new shoes.

It is supposed to snow quite a bit tomorrow... I hope it does.

This is totally random but I have been thinking about lots lately... I wonder what my kids will think of me in ten years.

Alive and Well

These are lyrics from a Kenny Chesney song he did with Dave Matthews. Love the words. Good to remember.

So damn easy to say that life’s so hard
Everybody’s got their share of battle scars
As for me I’d like to thank my lucky stars that
I’m alive, and well

It’d be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I’m alive

And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessin' can’t you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I’m alive, and well
I’m alive, and well

Stars are dancin’ on the water here tonight
It’s good for the soul, when there’s not a soul in sight
But this boat has caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I’m alive, and well

And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can’t you see
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Now I’m alive, and well
Yeah I’m alive, and well

Galatians 6:7-9 (English Standard Version)

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.


This really challenges me. I realize even more how important these words are..... because I firmly believe that whatever seeds I am sowing now, could be reaped now or many years later.... this means that what I sow can have an impact on my kids and all the way to their kids. I desire to sow love, kindness, faith, trust, etc..... sometimes sowing those are easy, sometimes quite challenging. If I live my life realizing that how I react, how I act, what I do, what I believe in, and how I live my daily life are all like seeds that I throw to the ground.... whatever I throw to the ground will be what is harvesting later. This makes me want to live more aware of those seeds I am tossing to the ground.

Back to the grind today... and feeling good!

House is clean, laundry is almost caught up, decorations are down, the kids' schoolbooks are spread out all over the kitchen table, I worked out, showered, paid some bills...... oh and organized our horrific closet. (getting rid of some things we no longer wear)! I feel good..... ready for the new year! Although now that I am taking a minute to sit down, I am tired. :(

back to life, back to reality

It is Sunday evening... Christmas is over, the trees and decorations are down and put away... now what? We have been out of doing school for well over a month and tomorrow is the day we start up again. I am sad about all the festivities being over, but also am craving to get back into some sort of schedule, get my kids back in bed earlier, and getting things accomplished. It has been an amazing few weeks.... seeing family, hanging out, watching movies, making cookies..... so great. I love every minute of it and never get tired celebrating the season.
It is amazing how a new year can make you think differently. It makes me want to strive to be better. In everything. As a wife, mother, friend, daughter, etc.
As for now, there are just a few hours left in the day.... I am relaxing.. gearing up for a week of getting back in the groove. Usually easier said than done.