What I struggled with: We were invited to a skating shindig and had to turn it down. That was kinda hard. Good thing is we suggested the park instead and that is now a go!
What my family thought: Williams main thought of the day is that "Heroes was awesome tonight!" What profound input he has. He wants to add that "It is better to burn out than to fade away." Whatever!!
What I have learned: Letting go a bit and letting God take control is kinda a good, freeing feeling. Tomorrow I hope to take some of my extra time (earned from not worrying so much) and get into the Word!
What I want to learn: I want to yearn for God the way I do for material things. I want Him to overtake my thoughts instead of thinking about "stuff"
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Day Three!!
What I struggled with: Selfishness! I honestly had trouble giving the money we have saved thus far to church today. We had decided that was what we wanted to do with what we saved and I am ashamed to say that it was hard. I felt like I had sacrificed to get the money and I should be able to save it for myself. This is not the attitude I was wanting to develop from this! I also think I am spending too much time on what I can do to teach our family and myself through this and not letting God do and teach us what He wants us to learn from this.
What my family thought: William said it was hard for him today because there were several times he started to run out and buy something and had to stop himself. He is also wondering what we are going to do for date night tomorrow since we can't go out to eat :) I told him I am sure we can think of something :+)
What I have learned: I really need to make sure that I don't let this become something other that what it set out to be. One of our main goals in doing this is to simplify our lives more so that God can come through clearer. I may be making the act of simplifying more complicated than it needs to be. I think I am over thinking and planning and I need to sit back and let God be God!
What I want to learn: I would like to learn where I need to cut back on time obligations. The class that I went to that started this whole thought process, I have not been able to make it back to because of other obligations that have popped up! Pretty pathetic huh!!
What my family thought: William said it was hard for him today because there were several times he started to run out and buy something and had to stop himself. He is also wondering what we are going to do for date night tomorrow since we can't go out to eat :) I told him I am sure we can think of something :+)
What I have learned: I really need to make sure that I don't let this become something other that what it set out to be. One of our main goals in doing this is to simplify our lives more so that God can come through clearer. I may be making the act of simplifying more complicated than it needs to be. I think I am over thinking and planning and I need to sit back and let God be God!
What I want to learn: I would like to learn where I need to cut back on time obligations. The class that I went to that started this whole thought process, I have not been able to make it back to because of other obligations that have popped up! Pretty pathetic huh!!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Day Two!!!
What I struggled with: A couple of things have been on my mind today. First is that I don't want anyone to think that I honestly compare our little exercise to the millions that are starving and suffering. I just want our family to be thoughtful of those in circumstances other than ours. I also want us to look at simplifying our lives so we are more able to focus on what is important.
Second thing is how much I am already trying to justify cheating. I would think, just one quick stop or one little thing really is okay. Luckily I have Brianna to keep me on the straight and narrow.
What my family thought: Well, it hit the girls a bit more today. Tori wanted to buy a tshirt at her meet today. She accepted what we had all decided, but I think it was hard for her. Brianna helped me shop and cook today. When we do our biweekly grocery shopping, we usually stop at Starbucks first and we had to skip that. They are still really excited though. I think it is one of those things where you want to help, but don't know how. They feel like they are helping in some way.
What I have learned: Today I have learned about living and planning for not just today, but down the road. William and I talked about how when you strip away our conveniences, we are forced to stop and look at where we are and where we want to go. I think too often we just go down the road until it dead ends, never really knowing where we are at. Brianna and I talked about what need money fills for our society. She thought that it was a need for control. I can definitely see that.
New Category.....What I want to learn: I want to experience stillness. I want to be able to hear His still, small voice. That is hard to do amid such chaos.
Second thing is how much I am already trying to justify cheating. I would think, just one quick stop or one little thing really is okay. Luckily I have Brianna to keep me on the straight and narrow.
What my family thought: Well, it hit the girls a bit more today. Tori wanted to buy a tshirt at her meet today. She accepted what we had all decided, but I think it was hard for her. Brianna helped me shop and cook today. When we do our biweekly grocery shopping, we usually stop at Starbucks first and we had to skip that. They are still really excited though. I think it is one of those things where you want to help, but don't know how. They feel like they are helping in some way.
What I have learned: Today I have learned about living and planning for not just today, but down the road. William and I talked about how when you strip away our conveniences, we are forced to stop and look at where we are and where we want to go. I think too often we just go down the road until it dead ends, never really knowing where we are at. Brianna and I talked about what need money fills for our society. She thought that it was a need for control. I can definitely see that.
New Category.....What I want to learn: I want to experience stillness. I want to be able to hear His still, small voice. That is hard to do amid such chaos.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Day One!
Whew! What a fiasco my quiet day with Kalli turned out to be!! Okay, let's see how day one went.
What I struggled with: It was so hard, after a long, rough day to not swing into Taco Bueno and pick up dinner. Again, it is the convenience thing. It is a bigger part of my life than I would have ever thought.
What my family thought: I am not really seeing much here yet. Today was mostly a trial for William and me. The girls are still really excited to be participating in this exercise. They will start to feel it more tomorrow afternoon when they have to help me in the kitchen with trying to get cooking and freezing done for the month. We decided to try and cut out convenience foods so we are making muffins, breads and granola bars as well as the dinners.
What I have learned:
1) Again, I rely too much on convenience products. I think this will be a huge struggle over the next 29 days.
2) Today as I drove with Kalli to the doctor, I thought about the moms in the world that can't just plop down a $10 copay and take their child to the doctor when their mommy radar says that something is wrong. I thought about all of the moms that have to sit and watch their child die of starvation or some other disease that is no big deal to us in the US. Today I have learned to be thankful that I have access to health care for my children.
3) Money, whether you have it or not, plays a big part in our lives. If we have it we are trying to figure out what to do with it, if we don't we are trying to figure out how to get it. What is it about money that we are looking for to fill in a part of us. Maybe to buy stuff. I don't think so, because we all know that the stuff is temporary. Possibly happiness and approval. I am really not sure. I guess it is something to think about!
I'll check in again tomorrow!!
What I struggled with: It was so hard, after a long, rough day to not swing into Taco Bueno and pick up dinner. Again, it is the convenience thing. It is a bigger part of my life than I would have ever thought.
What my family thought: I am not really seeing much here yet. Today was mostly a trial for William and me. The girls are still really excited to be participating in this exercise. They will start to feel it more tomorrow afternoon when they have to help me in the kitchen with trying to get cooking and freezing done for the month. We decided to try and cut out convenience foods so we are making muffins, breads and granola bars as well as the dinners.
What I have learned:
1) Again, I rely too much on convenience products. I think this will be a huge struggle over the next 29 days.
2) Today as I drove with Kalli to the doctor, I thought about the moms in the world that can't just plop down a $10 copay and take their child to the doctor when their mommy radar says that something is wrong. I thought about all of the moms that have to sit and watch their child die of starvation or some other disease that is no big deal to us in the US. Today I have learned to be thankful that I have access to health care for my children.
3) Money, whether you have it or not, plays a big part in our lives. If we have it we are trying to figure out what to do with it, if we don't we are trying to figure out how to get it. What is it about money that we are looking for to fill in a part of us. Maybe to buy stuff. I don't think so, because we all know that the stuff is temporary. Possibly happiness and approval. I am really not sure. I guess it is something to think about!
I'll check in again tomorrow!!
Here Goes.....
It is with much fear and trepidation that I announce that today is the day we begin our 30 Days of Nothing. I am fearful of being held accountable for it!!
Today should not be too bad as the three older girls are off with their day to Bring Your Child to Work Day at his company. They were very excited to go, especially Emaleigh who has waited for two years to finally be old enough to go. Kalli was not thrilled that everyone left without her, but she is dealing.
Okay, lesson 1:
*I spend a lot of money on convenience How do I know that? Well knowing that I can't buy whatever has led me to spend hours trying to plan for the month. Mostly in the food department. I am going to try once a month cooking this month. That way I will cook from scratch, staying in the rules, but still be able to save some time during the week.
Wish me luck!!
Today should not be too bad as the three older girls are off with their day to Bring Your Child to Work Day at his company. They were very excited to go, especially Emaleigh who has waited for two years to finally be old enough to go. Kalli was not thrilled that everyone left without her, but she is dealing.
Okay, lesson 1:
*I spend a lot of money on convenience How do I know that? Well knowing that I can't buy whatever has led me to spend hours trying to plan for the month. Mostly in the food department. I am going to try once a month cooking this month. That way I will cook from scratch, staying in the rules, but still be able to save some time during the week.
Wish me luck!!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
30 Days of Nothing
The title of this post is a bit deceiving. It would best be called 30 days of less. Starting this coming weekend, our family is going to go through an exercise. We have decided what is necessary spending and we will attempt to buy nothing extra. Now, let me clarify necessary spending. Of course gymnastics is not necessary spending and could always be dropped, but since it is a skill that Tori is trying to develop, it would be disruptive to stop for only a month. I am talking more about the eating out, Starbucks, taking the tollway (for the girls and I), etc. It does not sound like a lot, but think it will end up being more than what we think. The girls are really excited about doing it.
Our purpose is two-fold, we want to remind ourselves how blessed we are at the same time turning our attention to the needs of others and frankly I am curious at how much money we throw away each month. I am going to use this blog to help hold myself accountable. We are going to have different activities as a family each week. Week one will be to have a beans and rice day. We will study they way that many people in other countries have no money for food and we will make a feeble attempt at seeing how it feels to have our choices to restricted to these staples. The next week we will wash one load of laundry outside by hand. Just another experience in less. The third week we will have a no electricity day. Cold water, candle light, cooking outside on the grill and no computer will be the highlights that day!! The girls are pretty excited about this day, but I think we will all be in for a little bit of a shock. The final week we will spend one night all together, sleeping on the floor. I am hoping that by doing these activities, we will not only turn our eyes towards others needs, but also see some of the benefit in some of these activities.
I heard about this from a fellow blogger and teacher of the Simplicity class I have mentioned before. I think we are all excited, but I must admit that I feel I have already cheated! In preparation for the month, I went ahead and bought us season passes to Hawaiian Falls and went and bought $300 worth of clothes over the weekend. Is that not pathetic!
I am praying that this will be a benefit to all six of us! I will keep you posted.
On to a different topic. What an awesome sermon we heard at church today. It was over how we need to notice people to make a difference. Not just out of the church but in as well. I reminded me of that song by Casting Crowns, "Does Anybody Hear Her".
Does Anybody Hear Her"
She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away
If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her
He is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
How different would our world be if we noticed people. I think of stories on the news and in the paper about people that have gone unnoticed until they cry out so loud that we can't help but notice. How many times have we ignored someone's cries because we don't take the time to hear them. I am so guilty of this. I pray that I will slow down and listen and notice people.
Well, enough for today!
Later :)
Our purpose is two-fold, we want to remind ourselves how blessed we are at the same time turning our attention to the needs of others and frankly I am curious at how much money we throw away each month. I am going to use this blog to help hold myself accountable. We are going to have different activities as a family each week. Week one will be to have a beans and rice day. We will study they way that many people in other countries have no money for food and we will make a feeble attempt at seeing how it feels to have our choices to restricted to these staples. The next week we will wash one load of laundry outside by hand. Just another experience in less. The third week we will have a no electricity day. Cold water, candle light, cooking outside on the grill and no computer will be the highlights that day!! The girls are pretty excited about this day, but I think we will all be in for a little bit of a shock. The final week we will spend one night all together, sleeping on the floor. I am hoping that by doing these activities, we will not only turn our eyes towards others needs, but also see some of the benefit in some of these activities.
I heard about this from a fellow blogger and teacher of the Simplicity class I have mentioned before. I think we are all excited, but I must admit that I feel I have already cheated! In preparation for the month, I went ahead and bought us season passes to Hawaiian Falls and went and bought $300 worth of clothes over the weekend. Is that not pathetic!
I am praying that this will be a benefit to all six of us! I will keep you posted.
On to a different topic. What an awesome sermon we heard at church today. It was over how we need to notice people to make a difference. Not just out of the church but in as well. I reminded me of that song by Casting Crowns, "Does Anybody Hear Her".
Does Anybody Hear Her"
She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even knows she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away
If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her
He is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
How different would our world be if we noticed people. I think of stories on the news and in the paper about people that have gone unnoticed until they cry out so loud that we can't help but notice. How many times have we ignored someone's cries because we don't take the time to hear them. I am so guilty of this. I pray that I will slow down and listen and notice people.
Well, enough for today!
Later :)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wicked!
Oh, today has been so fun! I took Brianna to see the Broadway musical "Wicked". What an outstanding performance. It was awesome. I enjoyed spending time with Brianna. We got to talk together on the trip to the performance hall. We had great seats and the three hours just flew by! Wicked is the story of how the two witches in the Wizard of Oz came to be. Great story!!! We had a great time!
Then I got to go and watch Tori do her tumbling class. She is in a higher level class now and is doing really great.
I am pooped and looking forward to the weekend, but I wanted to just check in and also leave you a picture from today!!
Later :)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Date Night!
Okay, I mentioned last week about trying to simplify my time and I spoke a little more about it yesterday. I said I was going to walk tonight while Tori is in her gymnastics class. Well....I had an even better idea. William is going to meet me there and we are going out to dinner together and then walk together! Wooohoooo! I would say this is excellent use of my time, being able to spend it with the most wonderful man on earth! As you can tell, I am really excited.
On Thursday, Brianna and I have tickets to see "Wicked". We have awesome seats! Both of us are really excited. She had really wanted to see the show so we got tickets in December for her birthday. We are going to go out to lunch together first so if you have any suggestions, let me know!
Today Brianna still has one co-op class and Tori is supposed to go to a movie watching party, but I am not sure we are going to make that yet. Then of course William and I have our date.
May you have an outstanding, blessed day!
On Thursday, Brianna and I have tickets to see "Wicked". We have awesome seats! Both of us are really excited. She had really wanted to see the show so we got tickets in December for her birthday. We are going to go out to lunch together first so if you have any suggestions, let me know!
Today Brianna still has one co-op class and Tori is supposed to go to a movie watching party, but I am not sure we are going to make that yet. Then of course William and I have our date.
May you have an outstanding, blessed day!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Being.......
Ever heard the phrase, you can't be all things to all people? This has been one of my life motto's. With four kids and homeschooling, I really don't see how one could think any differently. What I have realized today is that I need to reevalute what I am to whom.
I am a wife to my fantastic husband. I realized a couple of weeks ago that even though I am pretty patient with my children, I was not in any way patient with William. I guess it is just that feeling of he will love me no matter what that made me start to neglect my treatment of him. When I would get upset with anyone, he bore the brunt of my frustration. Granted that is one things spouses are there for, to vent, but I was not displaying the respect and kindness when venting that I would to a complete stranger and this is my soulmate! Anyway, I became aware of this and have worked hard to correct it. So again, I am a wife, friend, (any kids stop reading now!)...lover and more to William.
I am mom to four wonderful daughters. Something I have recently realized with them is that in choosing to have four children, I give up the right to stay at home many nights. When you have 4, just doing one extracurricular thing at a time adds up to not being home much during the week. I had been really bothered by that, but I have excepted the fact that they each need to have an outlet and I need to provide it. I am also trying to make better use of our time at home and our waiting time. I am going to stop sitting on my bumpkin during gymnastics and walk around the neighborhood right next to the building. I am going to plan better so that we are not waisting time waiting!
Now I have talked about all of this to get me to this point.....I am a member of the body of Christ or church. This has been my aahhaa today! I have always tried to do "my part" at church. I am seeing that "my part" really has been more providing for my girls since I have tried to stay involved with what they do. We had a sermon and service today based on us as a fellowship. I see that I have failed here completely! I have my few friends from church that I try to keep in contact with, but other than that I mostly get in, get done what needs to get done, and get out. I think a lot of this comes from an anger I have deep down with any assembly. Not to get into details, but this comes from growing up and I think it is still there. Sometimes it is hard to realize that first the church is made of humans who mess up and second that if there is a problem with the church and I am part of the church, then I am part of the problem! I love my church. It was really hard for William and I to find a church and we were so blessed to find RE. There are outstanding people there. I have neglected this part of who I am and what I need to be to others.
Anyway, thanks for sticking with me this long! Probably most of this was rambling, but I needed to put it in writing for myself. What do you think? Do you take the time to not just be the worker bee, but to immerse yourself in the body?
I am a wife to my fantastic husband. I realized a couple of weeks ago that even though I am pretty patient with my children, I was not in any way patient with William. I guess it is just that feeling of he will love me no matter what that made me start to neglect my treatment of him. When I would get upset with anyone, he bore the brunt of my frustration. Granted that is one things spouses are there for, to vent, but I was not displaying the respect and kindness when venting that I would to a complete stranger and this is my soulmate! Anyway, I became aware of this and have worked hard to correct it. So again, I am a wife, friend, (any kids stop reading now!)...lover and more to William.
I am mom to four wonderful daughters. Something I have recently realized with them is that in choosing to have four children, I give up the right to stay at home many nights. When you have 4, just doing one extracurricular thing at a time adds up to not being home much during the week. I had been really bothered by that, but I have excepted the fact that they each need to have an outlet and I need to provide it. I am also trying to make better use of our time at home and our waiting time. I am going to stop sitting on my bumpkin during gymnastics and walk around the neighborhood right next to the building. I am going to plan better so that we are not waisting time waiting!
Now I have talked about all of this to get me to this point.....I am a member of the body of Christ or church. This has been my aahhaa today! I have always tried to do "my part" at church. I am seeing that "my part" really has been more providing for my girls since I have tried to stay involved with what they do. We had a sermon and service today based on us as a fellowship. I see that I have failed here completely! I have my few friends from church that I try to keep in contact with, but other than that I mostly get in, get done what needs to get done, and get out. I think a lot of this comes from an anger I have deep down with any assembly. Not to get into details, but this comes from growing up and I think it is still there. Sometimes it is hard to realize that first the church is made of humans who mess up and second that if there is a problem with the church and I am part of the church, then I am part of the problem! I love my church. It was really hard for William and I to find a church and we were so blessed to find RE. There are outstanding people there. I have neglected this part of who I am and what I need to be to others.
Anyway, thanks for sticking with me this long! Probably most of this was rambling, but I needed to put it in writing for myself. What do you think? Do you take the time to not just be the worker bee, but to immerse yourself in the body?
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Wow, did we get some rain last night! Bad weather used to really scare me, now for some reason I enjoy it more. Now don't get me wrong, I am not wanting a tornado to touch down around the house, I just don't get as freaked out. Our backyard is a lake again, but I'll bet the grass greens up!
We are moving the girls bedrooms around. I must tell you, I have an addiction to rearranging! It used to be so bad that I would have to give William a map when he got home from work to find his way around the house :) Anyway, I do it much less now, but I still am always looking for a better way to do things. We have moved Brianna and Tori out into what was the school room. They have a couch and tv to hang out and watch movies. I really think it will work great when they have friends over because the couch folds out into a bed. Kalli and Emi now have their own rooms. Kalli sleeps much better alone and Emi, though she wants to sleep with someone, kicks and talks in her sleep all night. Sooooo, this morning we all slept in until 8:30. I can't remember sleeping this late in a long time! Brianna and Emi are still asleep and it is now after 9am. I am hoping this keeps up.
Today we are going to finish moving things. I am really excited that I don't have to get ready for co-op on Monday! I love it when things start to wind down for the summer.
Well, breakfast has arrived so everyone have a great weekend!!
We are moving the girls bedrooms around. I must tell you, I have an addiction to rearranging! It used to be so bad that I would have to give William a map when he got home from work to find his way around the house :) Anyway, I do it much less now, but I still am always looking for a better way to do things. We have moved Brianna and Tori out into what was the school room. They have a couch and tv to hang out and watch movies. I really think it will work great when they have friends over because the couch folds out into a bed. Kalli and Emi now have their own rooms. Kalli sleeps much better alone and Emi, though she wants to sleep with someone, kicks and talks in her sleep all night. Sooooo, this morning we all slept in until 8:30. I can't remember sleeping this late in a long time! Brianna and Emi are still asleep and it is now after 9am. I am hoping this keeps up.
Today we are going to finish moving things. I am really excited that I don't have to get ready for co-op on Monday! I love it when things start to wind down for the summer.
Well, breakfast has arrived so everyone have a great weekend!!
Friday, April 13, 2007
TGIF!!!!
Thank goodness it is Friday!! What a great day of the week:) We were going to head out camping this weekend, but decided to stay home instead. Now with the weather looking so yucky, I am glad!
We were looking over our summer schedule last night trying to decide what to do for vacation. Every year we get the girls together and pray for knowledge of where to go on vacation and then we draw from a hat. We put in N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW and home. When we pick a direction, we look at a map and find something that would be fun in that direction. One year we really wanted to go north and we drew east. We put the paper back in and prayed again (just in case He did not hear us the first time :) and we drew east again. We had a blast on that vacation seeing things that otherwise we would never have seen! Anyway, last night we drew for this years vacation and we drew home. Now, our rule for if we draw home is that we get someone to come in and clean the house before we start, we eat out the whole week and no regular stuff like chores, laundry, phone calls, etc. The girls were pretty bummed that we will end up vacationing from home, but I think it could be a blast. We decided to go with the theme of air, land and water. We will have one day of each! If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
I forgot to mention that the doctor called on Monday about Kalli's check up. She said that Kalli's anemic and she needs to add iron drops to her daily regime of vitamins. She said that kids usually become anemic at her age because they drink so much milk that they don't eat enough and milk has no iron in it. Kalli drinks iron enriched soy milk that has plenty of iron so she thinks there could be something else causing the anemia, but she wants to start here and see. Kalli will go back in about 6 weeks after taking these drops to see if this helped.
The Children's Place is having a great 4.99 sale. I ordered Tori an outfit and two shirts, Emi an outfit and Kalli an outfit and I paid $39 including shipping!! WooHoo am I excited!
Well, I guess I need to get going! The girls are waiting to start their math tests!!
Later Gator!
We were looking over our summer schedule last night trying to decide what to do for vacation. Every year we get the girls together and pray for knowledge of where to go on vacation and then we draw from a hat. We put in N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW and home. When we pick a direction, we look at a map and find something that would be fun in that direction. One year we really wanted to go north and we drew east. We put the paper back in and prayed again (just in case He did not hear us the first time :) and we drew east again. We had a blast on that vacation seeing things that otherwise we would never have seen! Anyway, last night we drew for this years vacation and we drew home. Now, our rule for if we draw home is that we get someone to come in and clean the house before we start, we eat out the whole week and no regular stuff like chores, laundry, phone calls, etc. The girls were pretty bummed that we will end up vacationing from home, but I think it could be a blast. We decided to go with the theme of air, land and water. We will have one day of each! If anyone has any suggestions, let me know!
I forgot to mention that the doctor called on Monday about Kalli's check up. She said that Kalli's anemic and she needs to add iron drops to her daily regime of vitamins. She said that kids usually become anemic at her age because they drink so much milk that they don't eat enough and milk has no iron in it. Kalli drinks iron enriched soy milk that has plenty of iron so she thinks there could be something else causing the anemia, but she wants to start here and see. Kalli will go back in about 6 weeks after taking these drops to see if this helped.
The Children's Place is having a great 4.99 sale. I ordered Tori an outfit and two shirts, Emi an outfit and Kalli an outfit and I paid $39 including shipping!! WooHoo am I excited!
Well, I guess I need to get going! The girls are waiting to start their math tests!!
Later Gator!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
You know how excited you get when you reach the last hour of an eight hour drive? That hour seems to fly because you have entered familiar territory and you see an end in sight! That is how I feel today! First of all, tomorrow is the beginning of the weekend and then after this week, we have only 5 weeks of school to go!! Yoohooo!!! I am ready for an awesome summer with the girls. I don't think we are going to travel as much this summer, we are going to spend lots of time hanging out around here. I think Kalli is old enough this summer that we will be able to do more all together.
The girls received their awards for LTC last night. They were very pleased with the results, though a bit disappointed that chorus (yes, the one I directed) got a silver. I don't agree with the final result, but such is life. I told the girls that a lot of times we don't get what we deserve, and most of the time that is a good thing!
We were able to go to church last night for the first time in about three months. The girls had swimming and then gymnastics which made us unable to go. I had really been a bit restless with my church experience. We had talked about looking elsewhere for a place to attend. We have really discussed and prayed about the right thing to do. Our main concern was that our 12 year old and our 5 year old really have not found their "place". Brianna is pretty laid back and rolls with the punches, but it was really bothering Emaleigh (5). She does not seem to have any problems making friends anywhere except for at church. I must admit that when we invited everyone her age a year ago to her birthday party and only two even bothered to RSVP or come, I was pretty discouraged. She has never been invited to a birthday party of anyone her age at church except one sweet little boy! Pretty discouraging! Anyway, we have decided that we are needed where we are at and can use it as a lesson of what we should be with our church family. I do however hope that they can both find some friends there. I remember growing up that was where my best of friends came from! It was great to be back last night!
I attended a class last night about simplifying your life to further the kingdom. I have thought about simplifying before, in fact I have read many books about it, but never for the purpose of living a more Godly life! What a great thought! I really started to think about where we were in this picture. We have simplified our stuff. Every few months we go through and get rid of any excess and it feels pretty good. Last night has shown me though that we are hoarding something else now in its place, activities. We are gone all of the time and though it is for good things, how can we further the kingdom if we never slow down to experience it! I am really glad that I was able to attend this class. The girl that teaches it is such an inspiration! She had a baby just about 2 months ago and yet she is there, very prepared and ready to go. Boy do I feel bad about my whining about being too tired! I am going to start praying about where to cut back on our commitments and see what happens!
Well, I had given the girls a 5 minute break and I thought I would spend a couple of those minutes typing, but it looks like my 5 went into 10, so I guess I need to skat!
Later!!
The girls received their awards for LTC last night. They were very pleased with the results, though a bit disappointed that chorus (yes, the one I directed) got a silver. I don't agree with the final result, but such is life. I told the girls that a lot of times we don't get what we deserve, and most of the time that is a good thing!
We were able to go to church last night for the first time in about three months. The girls had swimming and then gymnastics which made us unable to go. I had really been a bit restless with my church experience. We had talked about looking elsewhere for a place to attend. We have really discussed and prayed about the right thing to do. Our main concern was that our 12 year old and our 5 year old really have not found their "place". Brianna is pretty laid back and rolls with the punches, but it was really bothering Emaleigh (5). She does not seem to have any problems making friends anywhere except for at church. I must admit that when we invited everyone her age a year ago to her birthday party and only two even bothered to RSVP or come, I was pretty discouraged. She has never been invited to a birthday party of anyone her age at church except one sweet little boy! Pretty discouraging! Anyway, we have decided that we are needed where we are at and can use it as a lesson of what we should be with our church family. I do however hope that they can both find some friends there. I remember growing up that was where my best of friends came from! It was great to be back last night!
I attended a class last night about simplifying your life to further the kingdom. I have thought about simplifying before, in fact I have read many books about it, but never for the purpose of living a more Godly life! What a great thought! I really started to think about where we were in this picture. We have simplified our stuff. Every few months we go through and get rid of any excess and it feels pretty good. Last night has shown me though that we are hoarding something else now in its place, activities. We are gone all of the time and though it is for good things, how can we further the kingdom if we never slow down to experience it! I am really glad that I was able to attend this class. The girl that teaches it is such an inspiration! She had a baby just about 2 months ago and yet she is there, very prepared and ready to go. Boy do I feel bad about my whining about being too tired! I am going to start praying about where to cut back on our commitments and see what happens!
Well, I had given the girls a 5 minute break and I thought I would spend a couple of those minutes typing, but it looks like my 5 went into 10, so I guess I need to skat!
Later!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Hooray! I love Wednesdays, it means that the weekend is coming!! Yesterday I got the house cleaned from top to bottom, the girls school went wonderful and I had time to play with the babies for a couple of hours....NOT!! I did get some laundry done and the girls got their school done, but the house is still a mess!
Tori started a more advanced tumbling class last night. She was the youngest one and looked so little compared to the other girls in the class. She looked overwhelmed from the beginning, but she stayed in the class and did pretty good! She had trouble on the trampoline, she gets nervous and jumps for several minutes before she does her handspring and it gets her so worried and upset that she falls. I had to walk out because I get nervous watching her jump for so long to prepare. She seems to do much better on the floor than the trampoline. I guess it is the floor that matters though! I sat there watching these other girls do a back tuck and I wonder if I will ever be able to stop being so nervous and just watch!! Her coach told her she was a super trooper for hanging in there!
Kalli and Emi had a rough night last night, thus I had a rough night last night. I really need to come up with a sleeping solution that works better, those two just can't sleep together.
Today Kalli has a gym class with me at noon and the other girls at 1. Then Tori has a lesson at 2:30. She goes back for more tumbling at 5pm and then we are going to head to church. We have our first youth group parent meeting tonight! I can't believe my biggest baby is going into the youth group!
We are trying to decide if we still want to go camping this weekend! It sounds fun, but a weekend home getting things done sounds fun too!! Well, I am off to impart my wisdom on my girls!!!
Tori started a more advanced tumbling class last night. She was the youngest one and looked so little compared to the other girls in the class. She looked overwhelmed from the beginning, but she stayed in the class and did pretty good! She had trouble on the trampoline, she gets nervous and jumps for several minutes before she does her handspring and it gets her so worried and upset that she falls. I had to walk out because I get nervous watching her jump for so long to prepare. She seems to do much better on the floor than the trampoline. I guess it is the floor that matters though! I sat there watching these other girls do a back tuck and I wonder if I will ever be able to stop being so nervous and just watch!! Her coach told her she was a super trooper for hanging in there!
Kalli and Emi had a rough night last night, thus I had a rough night last night. I really need to come up with a sleeping solution that works better, those two just can't sleep together.
Today Kalli has a gym class with me at noon and the other girls at 1. Then Tori has a lesson at 2:30. She goes back for more tumbling at 5pm and then we are going to head to church. We have our first youth group parent meeting tonight! I can't believe my biggest baby is going into the youth group!
We are trying to decide if we still want to go camping this weekend! It sounds fun, but a weekend home getting things done sounds fun too!! Well, I am off to impart my wisdom on my girls!!!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
What A Mes!!
Okay, now that we have survived another busy week and weekend, I look around my house and think what a mess! I am not sure when it happened, but somewhere between the beginning of April and today, a tornado must have passed through my house. It is amazing that the outside remained unscathed, but the inside is almost destroyed! I am thinking that the Red Cross is not going to come in and help me with this disaster, so I guess I should get busy! Hope to survive to post again tonight!
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Monday, April 9, 2007
Hooray!!
Hooray!! Today is the last day of coop clases before the summer. I really enjoy getting to participate in the coop, but it is a lot of work and I am looking forward to a break. The girls have had a great time doing it this year also. They should get their yearbooks today, which they are very excited about!
Monday's tend to be hectic because after coop, Tori has gymnastics. Tonight after her regular gymnastics class she has a two hour break and then another lesson to try and help her get her back handspring. He told her on Friday that she was doing about 1 out of 3 on her own and on the floor. He said he thought that she should be able to get it this week. I worry that now she is going to stress so much now about trying to get it this week that she won't! Oh well, I guess we will see. They have moved her up a level in her tumbling so she can go ahead and start working on the back tuck. I have been nervous enough watching the handspring, I am not sure I can handle more!!
I am so glad that I listened to William and did not plant all of my veggies before this weekend! My lettuce likes the cold, but I am thankful my tomatoes did not have to try it out. I am enjoying the cool snap though. I know that a few months from now we will be melting.
I have been so worried about Emaleigh not having friends her age at church. I talked to her Bible class teacher this weekend at LTC and found out that this particular class just has a different makeup and it is not just Emaleigh! That makes me feel better. I just need to help her find someone to hang out with.
Oops, just saw the time and I need to skat and get ready for coop!!
Have an awesome day!!
KRisti
Monday's tend to be hectic because after coop, Tori has gymnastics. Tonight after her regular gymnastics class she has a two hour break and then another lesson to try and help her get her back handspring. He told her on Friday that she was doing about 1 out of 3 on her own and on the floor. He said he thought that she should be able to get it this week. I worry that now she is going to stress so much now about trying to get it this week that she won't! Oh well, I guess we will see. They have moved her up a level in her tumbling so she can go ahead and start working on the back tuck. I have been nervous enough watching the handspring, I am not sure I can handle more!!
I am so glad that I listened to William and did not plant all of my veggies before this weekend! My lettuce likes the cold, but I am thankful my tomatoes did not have to try it out. I am enjoying the cool snap though. I know that a few months from now we will be melting.
I have been so worried about Emaleigh not having friends her age at church. I talked to her Bible class teacher this weekend at LTC and found out that this particular class just has a different makeup and it is not just Emaleigh! That makes me feel better. I just need to help her find someone to hang out with.
Oops, just saw the time and I need to skat and get ready for coop!!
Have an awesome day!!
KRisti
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Happy Easter!
We have survived the girls LTC convention this weekend and are drawing to a close of Easter, 2007! Brianna and Tori had a great time this weekend. They both did good at Bible Bowl. Brianna is pumped for next year and has already started studying. They were both in drama and that went well also. My chorus group sounded outstanding (just my humble opinion!!). We really all had a great time. I got to visit with some people that I do not normally get to talk with. All four kids had fun.
Kalli had her 2year old well check. She is still quite small for her age tipping the scales at 22 pounds! Everything else looked great. She got 4 shots so Friday night at the hotel, she was a bit fussy and did not sleep good. Saturday she felt much better.
Easter has been quite relaxing around here. We grabbed breakfast out and then all watched "Facing the Giants" together. It was a pretty good show. What it lacked in the acting department was made up for in the message!
We are getting ready for tomorrow which will be our last coop day for this school year!! I am really excited to be done for the summer. The girls only have six more weeks of regular school and then we are going to have a totally awesome summer!!
Have a wonderful Easter!!
Kalli had her 2year old well check. She is still quite small for her age tipping the scales at 22 pounds! Everything else looked great. She got 4 shots so Friday night at the hotel, she was a bit fussy and did not sleep good. Saturday she felt much better.
Easter has been quite relaxing around here. We grabbed breakfast out and then all watched "Facing the Giants" together. It was a pretty good show. What it lacked in the acting department was made up for in the message!
We are getting ready for tomorrow which will be our last coop day for this school year!! I am really excited to be done for the summer. The girls only have six more weeks of regular school and then we are going to have a totally awesome summer!!
Have a wonderful Easter!!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Good Day!
Yesterday was Kalli's 2nd birthday. I still can't believe that she is 2. I am going to post some more pictures of her party.
Boy were we busy yesterday. Brianna had to finish getting a powerpoint presentation ready for a class she is taking. I was just amazed at what a great job that she did putting it together. She decided to do it over God's plan for our lives. She is such an outstanding servant of God. She inspires me often! Her name means "of great faith" and boy has she lived up to that. God has very special plans for her one day!
Tori had several gymnastics practices. She is doing better on her back-handspring so was in a much better mood! That was good for all of us :) She has another practice today and then is off for the weekend.
Speaking of the weekend, we have a leadership training convention to go to for the girls. They are really excited! They will participate in a Bible quiz competition, drama and chorus. It is something that they have done the past few years and have really enjoyed it.
Kalli has a doctor's appointment today for a check-up and shots. I am not looking forward to that.
My girls are such a blessing to me! There are days that I think I must be crazy, and then we have sweet days like yesterday and I see the light! I never imagined that being a mom would be so hard, yet so worth it!!
Later!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Pseudo Pain
I must admit that pseudo pain is something I never thought about before becoming a mom! I thought my days of stressing before try-outs and the frustration of trying to master new skills was far behind me. I find myself today on the verge of tears. Tori has taken up gymnastics for the last 10 or so months. She has found something that she really loves. Her coaches are working with her to advance through a couple of levels over the next year. She is really excited about this and is trying really hard. They all say she is a very hard worker and a joy to coach. Of course, this makes a mom feel really proud. You gotta love it when people love your kids. Anyway, there is a skill that she is trying to master and they have told her for about a month that she is on the verge of mastering it. She has worked very hard for hours trying to get this skill. She really wants to get this down. But is seems that every time she fixes one problem, another one creeps up. She was very discouraged after practice tonight and started crying. My body is aching for her! I see her doing what she is supposed to be doing and still struggling and it hurts my heart for her. I know that she will eventually get it and this is a good lesson in patience and perseverance for her, but man it is hard for the ol' mom!!
Time to get ready to watch LOST!!!
Kristi
Time to get ready to watch LOST!!!
Kristi
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Falling a Bit Behind!
Well, I think I have failed in my first attempt at blogging in cyberworld! It has been almost 2 months since I have posted anything. I will try and do better.
Things are moving at warp speed in our home. Kalli turns 2 this week. It seems like just yesterday that I was pregnant with her. She has grown so fast. Emaleigh is doing well. She is learning to read and actually enjoying it (most of the time). I have enjoyed it too and this is shocking considering the stress that came with teaching the other two to read. Tori is doing great in her gymnastics. She is working hard this spring to skip some levels over the summer. She would live at the gym if we would let her! I am glad that she has found her passion and gift. Brianna is also having a great spring. She is working to enter into an early college admissions program. She is fasinated with science and is a whiz in her algebra.
I have really enjoyed all of the rain we are getting. The grass and leaves are soooo green and pretty. Of course this means more lawn work, but it sure is pretty. We head out this weekend to a leadership convention that Brianna and Tori are involved in. It should be a fun little trip!
I really am going to try and do better with my posting! I think I may go right now and try to figure out how to add pictures!! Wish me luck :)
Kristi
Things are moving at warp speed in our home. Kalli turns 2 this week. It seems like just yesterday that I was pregnant with her. She has grown so fast. Emaleigh is doing well. She is learning to read and actually enjoying it (most of the time). I have enjoyed it too and this is shocking considering the stress that came with teaching the other two to read. Tori is doing great in her gymnastics. She is working hard this spring to skip some levels over the summer. She would live at the gym if we would let her! I am glad that she has found her passion and gift. Brianna is also having a great spring. She is working to enter into an early college admissions program. She is fasinated with science and is a whiz in her algebra.
I have really enjoyed all of the rain we are getting. The grass and leaves are soooo green and pretty. Of course this means more lawn work, but it sure is pretty. We head out this weekend to a leadership convention that Brianna and Tori are involved in. It should be a fun little trip!
I really am going to try and do better with my posting! I think I may go right now and try to figure out how to add pictures!! Wish me luck :)
Kristi
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