The Poston Post

Hair Care

2011-09-28T00:20:00.007-05:00

Ok, I'm just going to say it. Here goes. I'm really going to say it now. Don't freak! Ok. *deep breath* Right. I-haven't-shampooed-my-hair-in-10-days! Wow. That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Now, before you get completely grossed out, I have been cleaning my hair, just not with shampoo, etc.

Let me back up a bit. The last few months, I've been researching better ways to care for my hair and face. All of these nasty chemicals they sell us CANNOT be healthy or safe. Plus, I'm too cheap to keep shelling out loads of cash for stuff that isn't working well.

Anyway, I decided that God had to have created stuff that is better in all ways. In my searching, I came across this post by a lady named Quinn on her blog, onjustacoupleacres.blogspot.com. She posted pics of her hair before she started her new routine, then at 3 weeks, and again at 9 weeks. It just kept getting prettier and curlier.

Are you ready for the secret? Baking soda. Yep, that's right. The stuff we use to keep our fridges from being stinky. You can use it 2 ways. 1) Mix it with water, pour the mix over your hair, then rinse. 2) Wet your hair, work a handful of the dry soda into your scalp and hair, then rinse. I use the 2nd method.

Oh, my gosh! My hair is so soft, smells so great, and seems healthier that it has in years. I am convinced. The baking soda cleans without stripping the healthy oils. That's right. No conditioner needed! Oh yeah, baby. Mama's got a new love!!!!

BTW, feel free to sniff my head when you see me next. :)

My Soapbox

2011-09-22T00:06:00.006-05:00

I don't really have a name for this post. I can't settle on any one emotion enough to choose. I was just reading the post a friend of mine wrote about the 4th of July on her blog. I thought back to hanging with her family at American Village that day, and how special that day is every year to our family. You see, my Dad was in the Navy during Vietnam; his brother, my uncle, was in the Army. My Pawpaw's brother was in the Army during Korea. My husband is a Marine, and so is our son; my father-in-law was in the Army. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, there are strong traditions of military service in all the branches of our family tree. Our love for our country runs very deep.

That is why I will never understand why parents do not teach their children. It's not the school's responsibility to train our kids to look up to and respect these men who have sacrificed so much and would have given more had it been asked of them. When they reach school-age, our babies should already know the Pledge of Allegiance and how to put their little hands over their hearts. They should thank the military people they run into at the store or the gas station. These children are not born knowing to be respectful, to be thankful, to be appreciative; they are taught...or not.

Unless and until these families lose someone in the service of God and country, they will never know how it breaks our hearts when people are afraid of our guys because of their experiences, suffered on behalf of their fellow Americans. Most people will never know what it costs us as their wives to watch our strong husbands struggle to readjust and then to see them have to accept that they will never be the same men they were before. I hate that my husband, who was willing to kill and to die for these people, has to stand and watch them giggle and joke during our national anthem.

You can insult me, make fun of me, whatever. I can handle it because I really don't care what you think of me. But, please, please, do not EVER make the mistake of insulting my husband, his fallen friends, or our country. For that, I will get ugly. I have absolutely no problem telling you to get up off your ungrateful behind and shut your mouth during the Stars and Stripes. The reason you have the right to be disrespectful is because of our military and their extreme sacrifices. Let me be very clear on this, just because you have the right to do something does not make it acceptable for you to do it. Our guys also have rights. One of them is the right to be respected.

Now, I've said my piece and counted to three. And that's all I have to say about that.

From My Sister

2011-08-29T10:49:00.004-05:00

Let's become little old ladies together-
we'll stay up late looking at photo albums,
telling 'remember when' stories,
and laughing until our sides ache.

Let's become eccentric together-
we'll be the kind of old ladies who wear silly hats
and get away with behaving badly in public places.
And if anybody should ask how long we've been friends,
we'll say, 'Oh, forever- since before you were even born!'

Let's become little old ladies together-
because a friendship like ours
can only grow better through the years.

Jennifer Fujita

Kiki, you started our bond by being my very own Baby Crissy doll. You were my very first best friend, and you always will be. I love you!

The Wild and Free Pigs of the Okefenokee Swamp

2011-02-20T22:15:00.001-06:00

Wild Hogs

Some years ago, about 1900, an old trapper from North Dakota hitched up some horses to his Studebaker wagon, packed a few possessions -- especially his traps -- and drove south. Several weeks later he stopped in a small town just north of the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. It was a Saturday morning -- a lazy day -- when he walked into the general store. Sitting around the pot-bellied stove were seven or eight of the town's local citizens.

The traveler spoke. "Gentlemen, could you direct me to the Okefenokee Swamp?" Some of the oldtimers looked at him like he was crazy. "You must be a stranger in these parts," they said. "I am. I'm from North Dakota," said the stranger. "In the Okefenokee Swamp are thousands of wild hogs." one old man explained. "A man who goes into the swamp by himself asks to die!" He lifted up his leg. "I lost half my leg here, to the pigs of the swamp." Another old fellow said, "Look at the cuts on me; look at my arm bit off! Those pigs have been free since the Revolution, eating snakes and rooting out roots and fending for themselves for over a hundred years. They're wild and they're dangerous. You can't trap them. No man dare go into the swamp by himself." Every man nodded his head in agreement.

The old trapper said, "Thank you so much for the warning. Now could you direct me to the swamp?" They said, "Well, yeah, it's due south -- straight down the road." But they begged the stranger not to go, because they knew he'd meet a terrible fate. He said, "Sell me ten sacks of corn, and help me load it in the wagon." And they did. Then the old trapper bid them farewell and drove on down the road. The townsfolk thought they'd never see him again. Two weeks later the man came back. He pulled up to the general store, got down off the wagon, walked in and bought ten more sacks of corn. After loading it up he went back down the road toward the swamp.

Two weeks later he returned and again bought ten sacks of corn. This went on for a month. And then two months, and three. Every week or two the old trapper would come into town on a Saturday morning, load up ten sacks of corn, and drive off south into the swamp. The stranger soon became a legend in the little village and the subject of much speculation. People wondered what kind of devil had possessed this man, that he could go into the Okefenokee by himself and not be consumed by the wild and free hogs.

One morning the man came into town as usual. Everyone thought he wanted more corn. He got off the wagon and went into the store where the usual group of men were gathered around the stove. He took off his gloves. "Gentlemen," he said, "I need to hire about ten or fifteen wagons. I need twenty or thirty men. I have six thousand hogs out in the swamp, penned up, and they're all hungry. I've got to get them to market right away." "You've WHAT in the swamp?" asked the storekeeper, incredulously. "I have six thousand hogs penned up. They haven't eaten for two or three days, and they'll starve if I don't get back there to feed and take care of them."

One of the oldtimers said, "You mean you've captured the wild hogs of the Okefenokee?" "That's right." "How did you do that? What did you do?" the men urged, breathlessly. One of them exclaimed, "But I lost my arm!" "I lost my brother!" cried another. "I lost my leg to those wild boars!" chimed a third. The trapper said, "Well, the first week I went in there they were wild all right. They hid in the undergrowth and wouldn't come out. I dared not get off the wagon. So I spread corn along behind the wagon. Every day I'd spread a sack of corn. The old pigs would have nothing to do with it."

"But the younger pigs decided that it was easier to eat free corn than it was to root out roots and catch snakes. So the very young began to eat the corn first. I did this every day. Pretty soon, even the old pigs decided that it was easier to eat free corn. After all, they were all free; they were not penned up. They could run off in any direction they wanted at any time."

"The next thing was to get them used to eating in the same place all the time. So I selected a clearing, and I started putting the corn in the clearing. At first they wouldn't come to the clearing. It was too far. It was too open. It was a nuisance to them." "But the very young decided that it was easier to take the corn in the clearing than it was to root out roots and catch their own snakes. And not long thereafter, the older pigs also decided that it was easier to come to the clearing every day."

"And so the pigs learned to come to the clearing every day to get their free corn. They could still subsidize their diet with roots and snakes and whatever else they wanted. After all, they were all free. They could run in any direction at any time. There were no bounds upon them." "The next step was to get them used to fence posts. So I put fence posts all the way around the clearing. I put them in the underbrush so that they wouldn't get suspicious or upset. After all, they were just sticks sticking up out of the ground, like the trees and the brush. The corn was there every day. It was easy to walk in between the posts, get the corn, and walk back out."

"This went on for a week or two. Shortly they became very used to walking into the clearing, getting the free corn, and walking back out through the fence posts." "The next step was to put one rail down at the bottom. I also left a few openings, so that the older, fatter pigs could walk through the openings and the younger pigs could easily jump over just one rail. After all, it was no real threat to their freedom or independence. They could always jump over the rail and flee in any direction at any time."

"Now I decided that I wouldn't feed them every day. I began to feed them every other day. On the days I didn't feed them the pigs still gathered in the clearing. They squealed, and they grunted, and they begged and pleaded with me to feed them. But I only fed them every other day. And I put a second rail around the posts." "Now the pigs became more and more desperate for food. Because now they were no longer used to going out and digging their own roots and finding their own food. They now needed me. They needed my corn every other day. So I trained them that I would feed them every day if they came in through a gate. And I put up a third rail around the fence. But it was still no great threat to their freedom, because there were several gates and they could run in and out at will."

"Finally I put up the fourth rail. Then I closed all the gates but one, and I fed them very, very well. Yesterday I closed the last gate. And today I need you to help me take these pigs to market." -- end of story -- The price of free corn The allegory of the pigs has a serious moral lesson. This story is about federal money being used to bait, trap and enslave a once free and independent people. Federal welfare, in its myriad forms, has reduced not only individuals to a state of dependency. State and local governments are also on the fast track to elimination, due to their functions being subverted by the command and control structures of federal "revenue sharing" programs.

How to Give a Cat a Pill

2010-10-06T22:41:00.002-05:00

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth, and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm, and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open, and push pill to back of mouth with right fore-finger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse in from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees. Hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler, and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail; get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth; set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel, and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil, and blow down the straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill is not harmful to humans; drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm, and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage, and put cupboard door back on hinges. Apply icepack to cheek, and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away, and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve cat from tree across road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine; bind tightly to leg of dining table. Retrieve heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of steak. Hold head vertically, and pour two pints of water down throat to wash down pill.

14. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for SPCA to collect cat, and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

Unknown Author

Oh...My...Yumness!

2010-07-14T15:38:00.002-05:00

I am enjoying my first homemade loaf of GF bread. Wow! I was very skeptical about this at first, but am now a happy convert.

I used the Gluten Free Pantry "favorite sandwich bread" mix. Too tasty for words.

Nolan's Cheddar

2010-01-27T00:36:00.001-06:00

Very funny. Thank you, Daniel Russell, for sharing.

Fun Phone Menu

2010-01-23T01:00:00.001-06:00

I stole this from my friend, Michelle. (Thank you for sharing, friend.) You have seriously got to try this. Too funny!

Call the Nestle Crunch Hotline at 1-800-295-0051. Eventually, they will ask if you want to continue in English or Spanish. Just wait quietly for about 6 seconds, and you will smile. Promise! Just keep listening; then press 4. Listen to the options... press 7. If you comment here after listening, don't give it away.

Other great quotes

2009-12-20T11:40:00.001-06:00

An evidence that our will has been broken is that we begin to thank God for that which once seemed so bitter, knowing that His will is good and that, in His time and in His way, He is able to make the most bitter waters sweet.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1

It is not by telling people about ourselves that we demonstrate our Christianity. Words are cheap. It is by costly, self-denying Christian practice that we show the reality of our faith.

Jonathon Edwards

Great quote

2009-12-20T10:45:00.001-06:00

Jesus' life was a storm of controversy... To avoid controversy is to avoid Christ. W can have peace, but it is a servile and carnal peace where truth is slain in the streets.

R. C. Sproul

Girls' Night

2009-12-11T21:57:00.002-06:00

I so love Fridays. It's not because it's the end of the week; it's not because Scott's going back to work. It's because I get to go to Crissy's for Friday night with my girlfriends. I need the fellowship some Fridays more than others. Tonight, I desperately needed the love and encouragement and complete acceptance. Thank you, dear friends. For my friends who were unable to be with us, WE MISSED YOU!

My Babies

2009-10-08T15:08:00.002-05:00

My children are my heart. I think that's why it's so painful when they are growing up and starting to pull away. At times, it feels like someone's ripping your heart from your chest. The easing of responsiblity from your shoulders to theirs is a wonderful, painful process. It's also a bit of a relief. The teething, stomach issues, teen angst, friend drama...I will miss none of these.

Scott's New Job

2009-09-29T14:50:00.001-05:00

Yep, you read it correctly. Scott's no longer a yardmaster. He's moving back to a ground position at the railroad. He's scheduled to start work October 14. Until then, there's no paycheck. Aaahhhh!

Ok, Kim. Breathe. Remember, God has always provided our needs. Whew!

Please pray for me. Sometimes I forget His faithfulness, and I panic. Remind me of the Gospel whenever you see me. Pray for us as God brings us to mind.

Hmmm. The Spirit is settling my heart as even as I type.

This is one tired baby!!!

2009-09-28T16:30:00.000-05:00

Rainy Days & Mondays Always Get Me Down

2009-09-21T13:45:00.001-05:00

Well, today started out already pear-shaped. I woke up w/ a headache & went back the bed. Then Scott woke me w/ the news that Bren had a wreck on the way to his 1st day at his new job. UGH!

On the good side, Ellas & Gracie have been terrific today. Scott has been sweet & understanding. We've even done schoolwork! Yea!

I am seriously looking forward to going to Crissy's this evening. Loads o' laughs. I'm outa
Here. Gotta finish edumacating the yunguns.

2009-09-19T19:38:00.001-05:00

Wooo, it's been a long day. We set up Ellas' new bed & cleaned his room while he was at the Jensens. Talk about messy! He HAS to be related to Fred Sanford.

Fixing the Wonky Picture

2009-06-22T19:42:00.011-05:00

Have you ever looked at a picture, and known immediately there was something wonky (something not right), but you were unable to pinpoint what it was? That's what it's been like in our school room for a while now.

It is so frustrating to know that there is a problem with your child, and yet not know what it is. I have known for several years that Ellas has learning issues, but I didn't know what they were. Until this year, it has not hindered him too much in school, so I wasn't in a tizzy to get to the bottom of it. This year, however, has been slow and agonizing for both of us. Lots of tears, but very little learning.

Our pediatrician believed me when I said there was a problem, but was also at a loss as to what it could be. He has tested Ellas for many things over the years, with no diagnosis.

All I could think was, "Am I crazy? Do I WANT something to be wrong with my sweet little boy? Am I damaging him by not knowing? How much therapy is this kid gonna need by the time I'm through 'teaching' him? Please, God, give me wisdom. Show me what to do for my precious son."

Now over the years, Scott and Crissy have agreed that there was something wrong. Like me, they weren't sure what. Lately, Scott has said that we needed to have Ellas checked for dyslexia. You see, Scott is VERY dyslexic in a couple of different areas. He was starting to notice similarities between his issues and Ellas'.

So, I scheduled a conference with Debbie Landry, our fantastic homeschool administrator, who has been such an encouragement to me. She pointed me to the Alabama Scottish Rites Foundation. They have taken dyslexia/literacy as their cause. Because of their fundraising, they offer free testing, free evaluating, AND provide a free 2-year video-based curriculum. Woohoo!!!

Turns out, Ellas is dyslexic! Our issue has a name! We know how to fix the picture. Ellas can get the help he needs. Thank you, God, for providing for us. Thank you, God, for loving my baby even more than I do.

My Sangria

2009-03-16T22:06:00.003-05:00

Well, my lush friends have been begging (Yes, I said begging!) for my sangria recipe. I don't know if they like it that much, or just want to make it themselves to drink alone...in secret! *Gasp!!!* ;D Well, no matter the reasons. I have decided to share this lusciousness with the world. Aren't I great and generous?! Yes, I thought so too. Well, here goes.

Ingredients:
1 bottle red wine (I use Lambrusco.)
1/2 cup brandy (Don't use the good stuff. You can't taste it anyway.)
1/2 cup peach schnapps (This you can taste. DeKuyper's is the best.)
1/2 cup sugar
12 0z can of Sprite or ginger ale (Sprite makes it sweeter.)
1 small can of mandarin oranges (juice and all)
2 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 can pineapple chunks (Use all of the juice.)
1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice (Doesn't matter which.)

Directions:
Mix it all together in a one gallon pitcher. If you can, let it sit overnight in the fridge before you serve it. If you can't, it's fantastic anyway.

***THIS STUFF IS VERY POTENT! DO NOT DRINK THIS WHEN YOU HAVE TO DRIVE ANYTIME SOON! SIP IT SLOWLY! THE FRUIT IS ALSO FULL OF ALCOHOL, SO DO NOT GIVE IT TO THE KIDS!***

One Shot, One Kill

2009-02-14T23:09:00.003-06:00

My husband is the most awesome man on the planet!!!!!! He really is my hero. Let me tell you what my Marine did tonight. I was sitting on the couch, watching a Britcom when movement caught my eye. A mouse ran under the coffee table and then under the entertainment center. I told Scott, and he got the bb gun ready. When I tapped the side of the tv cabinet, the mouse stuck his little gray head out for a look around. Big mistake! My man shot him in his little mousy head!!!! Oh, yes he did girl! Woohoo!

I am telling you, my man is phenomenal. He really can do anything! He's done this kinda thing before. This same situation happened about 4 years ago. Only that time, the bloody bb rolled to a stop at my feet after passing through that nasty little mouse's head. Ugh!

Oh, btw, I took the carcass outside to see if one of the 3 Siamese kittens who adopted us this morning would know what to do with it. Akia, one of the cats, just about took off one of my fingers trying to get a good hold on the mouse. LOL

My favorite room

2009-02-06T17:31:00.001-06:00

I have 2 fave rooms in my house. Our bedroom a fave and really great because Scott designed and decorated it around my likes, favorite color, and place. I love the ocean, the water, the lighthouses, the different shades of blue. He also built a waterbed for me for my back. Loverly!

My other fave room is the living room because that's where we spend the most time. It's a comfy relaxed room for us to be together, watch tv, play games, etc. Super fun with my 3 crazy guys!

With the right friends and a couple of fuzzy navel drinks, I'll sing for anyone, anywhere.

2009-02-06T01:37:00.001-06:00

Annnd nowww, ladies and gentlemen, here to grace our ears with her sweet vocals, the artist known as KIM!!!!!

Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics

Barracuda by Heart

Turn Back Time by Cher

If I could tame a wild animal

2009-01-26T14:52:00.001-06:00

Sow and cubs, Denali National Park by B Mully (B Mully)

I have 3 wild animals now: a husband and 2 sons. I firmly believe that males of our species are never COMPLETELY tamed and housebroken. Given the chance, they take every opportunity to pee outside or do some other guy thing. LOL

Truth and Pain

2008-12-16T11:10:00.003-06:00

Truth: God is always good.

I know that this is so, even when it doesn't feel true. God is:

loving,
just,
merciful,
righteous,
gracious,
all-powerful,
all-knowing,
trustworthy,
kind.

He is our awesome Father! He has good things for us. So, why is there pain in our lives? Because He loves us. That's what I know to be true. I don't understand it, but it is not necessary for me to comprehend in order for it to be so.

Like a child, I know that He loves me even when I don't understand. I can crawl into His lap, and, calling Him Daddy, tell Him where it hurts. He is always ready to comfort and cuddle. Snuggle with our Abba, Daddy today. Join me in our gracious Father's arms.

Random Updates and Musings

2008-12-11T22:52:00.004-06:00

A lot has happened in the month since my last post. So here is a rundown:

1.) I have seen Twilight 3 times, and I am trying to figure out where to get the cash to go see it again. Does that make me obsessed? Don't answer that! I don't want to know. :)

2.) We had 24 people at our house for Thanksgiving! I absolutely loved it. So much fun. We were packed in like sardines, but God graciously provided good weather. This allowed the kids to eat on the back deck and play outside. They had a blast, and so did the adults. We talked and laughed for long time.

3.) I had to take Scott to the ER Saturday, November 29th because he was having chest pain and high blood pressure. (Totally unrelated to my Twilight obsession. LOL) The ER doc said that his heart rhythm and thyroid function are both abnormal. We have to follow-up on those. He was given medication to help with his heart in the meantime.

4.) Wednesday the 3rd, Brendan took Ellas to piano. Ellas got out of the truck but left the door open. Bren leaned over to close it, and when he looked out, couldn't see Ellas anywhere. Bren assumed he had gone into the church for his lesson and started to leave. Meanwhile, Ellas had dropped a lightsaber and had bent down to retrieve it. Bren's bumper knocked him over and snagged his coat, dragging him a little ways. However, it also prevented Ellas from being run over by the wheels. He ended up with bad roadrash on his right side and ankle, and that was the extent of his injuries. God is very good to us!!!

5.) Scott went to the cardiologist Monday, the 8th for a stress test, an EKG, and a heart ultrasound. The doc reviewed them and said that they looked good except for the arrhythmia, but she wanted him to be seen by another cardiologist. So we went downstairs, and that doc told us that, except for the arrythmia, his heart sounded good. However, he wants to do a nuclear stress test to confirm that Scott's heart is fine. Both docs said that thyroid problems can cause heart issues. Who knew?!

6.) Wednesday the 10th, Scott went to our primary care doc for thyroid blood tests. We were supposed to get the results today, but didn't hear from the office. I'll call them in the morning.

7.) We found out yesterday that Scott's mother, who died when he was 2, had a lot of trouble with her thyroid. Family medical history is very important to know!!! It can play a huge role in diagnosing and treating Scott's problem.

8.) We found out not long ago that Nancy, my friend and Bren's girlfriend's mother, has cancer on and in her thyroid. She's having surgery on the 16th to remove the tumors and at least part of the gland. They're not sure how extensive the cancer is. The docs have said that it has likely been there for years and is a very slow-growing form. Pray for their family.

9.) I am trying to plan a little getaway for our family, but can't find dates that will work. The trip is paid for; I just have to finalize the dates. ARGH! I'm calling them tomorrow morning to get this settled and off my to-do list.

10.) I am STILL wanting to go see Twilight again! If anyone wants company to see it, if you pay my way, I will be more than happy to keep you company! Sad, I know. ;)

That's all I can think of right now. I have to go to bed. I have a full day tomorrow. Lots of stuff to do.

Twilight Test

2008-11-16T21:10:00.002-06:00

I have taken the Twilight Test and have discovered that I am like Edward. Take it, and let me know who you are.

2008-11-13T22:32:00.002-06:00

see more pwn and owned pictures

What...Huh...Well...I mean...What the heck?! Where does he think we get the extra sunshine? When I read this the first time, I laughed. Then I thought about what he actually believes is happening. Wow! Poor guy.

God is Good...All the Time

2008-11-05T13:00:00.003-06:00

Now that a democrat is our president-elect, does that mean that God doesn't love us anymore? Is the US a nation forsaken by God? NO!!! Guess what! God is still in control, even when we don't understand what He's doing. His meticulous providence is still present and active in America.

If you haven't read 4theluv's blog, you really should. His commentary is convicting and accurate. Go to www.for-the-luv.blogspot.com. Be sure to let me know what you think.

Our Fun Night!

2008-10-25T23:24:00.001-05:00

Update!

2008-10-22T00:02:00.002-05:00

BREN DOES NOT HAVE VIRAL MENINGITIS!!! Thank you God! The doctor did some tests and determined that Bren's neck was sore from the football game Friday night, not illness. The good part is that the achiness and stiffness is all but gone. Woohoo!

Poor Gracie, however, is still sick. Her temp is not so high these days (102 vs 104). Her symptoms cycle: first neck pain, followed by fever spike, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Very draining on her poor little body. It's been going on for 11 days now.

Crissy talked to the doctor today. He wants to Gracie to see a pediatric rheumatologist. He is now starting to suspect possibly juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Please pray with us that she will get well and does not have RA.

Continue to pray for continued healing for Crissy's mouth and jaw. She is still experiencing pain, just not at the level that it has been. She is tired of hurting and wants relief.

My foot is better. I still have to soak it, remove the scab, and irrigate with alcohol. Needless to say, it still hurts when I do that. ;) Most of the time, I don't notice my incision during the day. At night, if I have done too much, it burns and throbs.

My, aren't we a pitiful bunch! Progress for us is slow but steady. We covet your prayers still. Thank you for the emails, comments, and calls asking about us. We enjoy being reminded that we are loved.

More Craziness!

2008-10-19T10:42:00.002-05:00

Well, life hasn't calmed down a bit since my last post. Keep in mind, this has all happened at the same time.

We've had a women's retreat that was too fun. We had a blast and really opened up to each other. Very good time, and well worth it.

Crissy's had an abscessed tooth. The infection spread to just under her right eye. She had surgery to remove all infection from the bone and soft tissue and to pack the empty space left behind with bovine bone chips. Yep, that's right. Cow bone. LOL I told her last time that she was now officially a heifer. :) For some reason, she didn't think that was nearly as funny as I did.

Gracie has been sick with viral meningitis. Yep, you read it correctly. Meningitis. Now that brings up some scary thoughts. Bless her heart, she's been sick for a week and a half now. The viral kind is a milder form than the bacterial. However, both are HIGHLY contagious. You can't do anything for viral except treat the symptoms. No hospitalization needed, unlike bacterial. The problem is that the symptoms are identical. Only tests can tell which you have.

I think Brendan is coming down with it now. Friday afternoon, he mentioned in passing that his stomach hurt. Towards the end of his game Friday night, he told me that his neck hurt. Today, still hurting and feeling bad. ARGH! So, tomorrow, we will go to the doctor to see what he has to say. This means no activities for us for a week or so.

One of my best friends from high school contacted me out of the blue last week. We haven't kept in touch in 12 years. She located my blog through the blog of a mutual friend. What makes this such a God-thing is that just a few days before, I had tried to find her again. She's been on my mind a lot lately. Love you Denise! I'm glad we're getting to know one another again.

Monday is the homeschool faculty meeting. We're supposed to turn in grades. Am I ready? Nope! Haven't even started. I have to do the grades for my boys AND for the class we teach at Co-op.

I guess I need to go off-line and get busy. I have to email the grades today. Fun. NOT! lol

Ugh!

2008-10-06T17:59:00.002-05:00

My foot is driving me crazy! It hurts, AND it itches like mad! There is no in-between unless I am asleep. I need to sleep more so that I don't go insane from the itching. :(

I am going back to the doctor in the morning for a recheck. Hopefully, it'll be good news. I am still soaking and bandaging it like I was told. I quit taking the antibiotics though. I know, I know. The doc prescribed them, so I should take them. I quit, however, because they always cause a pretty severe issue for me. No more details on that! lol

Just keep praying for me to finish healing quickly. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement so far. I even had a dear friend bring us supper Saturday evening! The timing was perfect, and so was the food. Thank you, Babs!

My Life Lately

2008-10-03T19:09:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm back in Blogland. I've been tired, busy, stressed, etc. However, I have decided to blog anyway. :)

I'm gonna start now, and I'll stop when my hands are tired.

*Wednesday of last week, we drove all day to my in-laws in North Carolina. They live 5 miles from the Virginia state line. We had been there for 45 minutes when Crissy called to say that Pawpaw had died. We spent Thursday on a whirlwind tour through the area, seeing family. We left at 8:30 that evening and drove all night. After getting home at 3:30 Friday morning, we had to be in Jasper before noon for the funeral.

*My grandfather's funeral in Jasper, let me just say "crazy people!!!" Crissy was stalked by our weird 3rd cousin. When he got bored with that, he started after me. UGH! I have to say that the funeral was what we expected. I'm so glad that God prepared our hearts. People have asked us how we are doing and are shocked when we say fine. It was typically them. No more to say about that.

*My family and Crissy's spent the night Sunday night at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. We ate supper at the Big River Grille, followed by dessert from Ben & Jerry's for some of us and shakes from Cheeburger-Cheeburger for the rest of us. Monday was spent at Rock City and Ruby Falls. Lots of fun. Crissy and I hadn't been since we were little.

*I'm limping and walking with the use of a cane. I had a painful plantar's wart removed from the ball of my right foot Tuesday morning. It's uncomfortable, but not nearly as painful as it was before I went to the doctor.

*Brendan is at his football game in McCalla, and I'm at Crissy's with friends. Kinda stressing over the fact that I'm not there. I'm glad that he's getting to play considering that he broke a finger playing catch with Ty on Wednesday. We spent Thursday afternoon at our family orthopedist's office getting his finger splinted. Fun times!

Now aren't you glad that you aren't in my blood-family?!

2008-09-21T23:38:00.001-05:00

This for my dear friend, Kim Hill. See. You aren't the only one. At least you weren't on television when you ran into the pole. ;) Remember, there is always a bright side to things.

How To Give A Cat A Pill

2008-09-16T15:22:00.003-05:00

How To Give A Cat A Pill
1. Pick up cat and gently cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth, and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm, and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open, and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth, and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel, and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil, and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm, and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door on neck, leaving head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage, and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold compress to cheek, and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw t-shirt away, and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve the darn cat from across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie the little @@###@^$'s front paws to rear paws with garden twine, and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Retrieve heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically, and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash down pill.

14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell, and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

How To Give A Dog A Pill
1. Wrap it in bacon.

2. Toss it in the air.

This Life Sucks!

2008-08-28T10:18:00.002-05:00

You know what? I am tired of this life. I am soooo ready for Heaven. Now don't misunderstand me. I'm not suicidal. I just know that this life is not where we are meant to be "happy". Our reason for being is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. This life is not my final destination. Thank you, God!

Mom died 4 years ago this week. I didn't realize it until Crissy called to check on me. (Thanks a lot, Sis! lol) For those of you who know Mom's story, enough said. If you don't, call me when you have lots of time. When Mom died, Crissy and I were not devastated like her siblings expected us to be. We had been grieving her loss for 2 years at that point. The Mom who died in August 2004 was not the Mama who raised us. That person was already gone, dead in her sin and mental illness. When she actually passed, we then grieved the death of who she could have been, the knowledge that she wouldn't be whole this side of Heaven.

Now our aunts and uncles are experiencing this. Both of Mom's parents (Nanny and Pawpaw) have Alzheimer's. Teddy (Mom's brother) called this morning to say that Pawpaw has been on hospice for a week. (Thanks for the email, phone call, whatever to let us know.) His O2 sat (blood oxygen saturation level) is down to 86%, and he's putting out more fluid than he's taking in. This means that his organs are shutting down, breaking down. The hospice nurses are giving him 7-10 days max. Teddy told me that he and our Aunt Denise have already grieved the loss of their father, that who he was is gone already because of his Alzheimer's. I know what he means. It is a heartbreaking thing, to grieve someone while their body still lives.

Now, the question is what to do about Nanny. Nanny and Pawpaw have been able to stay at home only because the siblings have hired sitters to stay with them around the clock. With Pawpaw gone, we don't know how she will respond. She knows her kids and their spouses, but she doesn't know us, our kids, or most other people anymore. I really expect for her to be gone by Christmas.

Anyway, that phone call from Teddy is how we started our morning. I need coffee, but, most of all, we desperately need your prayers. Please pray that:

1.) the selfish anger and hurt that I feel for not being kept in the loop will be soothed by the Holy Spirit.

2.) the grief of losing our Pawpaw, and possibly Nanny too, will be comforted by the knowledge that they are both believers.

3.) the logistics of husbands who work nights and sons who have mandatory football practice will be worked out with the least amount of stress.

4.) God will show Crissy and I how to respond and comfort with love and compassion.

Dear friends, please pray for us this week and next. Every time God brings us to mind, know that this is a prompting of the Spirit to lift us up to the Throne of Grace. I thank God for you, my friends. I know that we will feel your love and prayers for us this coming week, just as we did when Mom died. I thank you for loving us and for the way that you take such good care of us.

Drainage Fail!

2008-08-26T16:05:00.002-05:00

This is too funny! Can you imagine what's going through this driver's head?! LOL!!!

Here's Something For the Kiddies

2008-07-21T11:50:00.001-05:00

2008-07-21T02:44:00.002-05:00

Here's a little look at comedy from when I was in school.

Camp Cornerstone '08

2008-07-16T20:23:00.002-05:00

Here are the few pics that I took this year. Enjoy!

Poor Baby

2008-07-16T20:09:00.002-05:00

Here's a self-portrait from when Brendan had all 4 wisdom teeth removed a couple of weeks ago. He was pitiful! He was seriously funny though, coming out from under the anaesthesia. He told Scott, in a very loud voice, that his nurse was hot and had a sweet frame. lol Anyway, he's fully recovered now.

Who Am I?

2008-07-15T21:03:00.003-05:00

I took a personality quiz that I found on Missy's blog, and here are my results.

General Description
As a Driver, you create activity and set the pace within your family and among your friends. Due to your desire to produce results, you quickly take charge by defining goals and delegating tasks. You are not afraid to take risks or impose your will through strong action in order to move ahead.

Typical Areas of Strength
Drivers, like you, are bold, direct, confident, competitive, often pioneering, assertive, frank, independent, and responsive to new challenges. You excel by having the freedom to define a direction focused on results.

Typical Areas of Struggle
You may be impatient, insensitive to the feelings of others, frustrated with details and routines, a poor listener, impulsive, too blunt, or overbearing.

Your Preferred Activities
To maximize your talents, you look for situations in which you can have a high level of independence, with obstacles to overcome, challenges to meet and solve, without many details to handle.

Your Communication Style
You communicate directly and forcefully, getting to the bottom line quickly. As a result, friends and family may see you as demanding, impersonal, and dominating.

If you want to take the test, here's the link. It only takes a couple of minutes.

www.careerdirectonline.org/personalityID/

My Top 3 Fave Quotes

2008-07-15T15:27:00.002-05:00

I'm not really gonna blog. I'm just going to post my favorite quotes. I got these from the great Reverend Doctor Burt Boykin. lol (Burt, I love to yank your chain!)

1.) It is impossible for a believer, no matter what his experience, to keep right with God if he will not take the trouble to spend time with God. Spend plenty of time with Him; let other things go, but don't neglect Him.
J. Oswald Sanders

2.) To encounter Christ is to touch reality and experience transcendence. He gives us a sense of self-worth or personal significance, because He assures us of God's love for us. He sets us free from guilt because He died for us...and from paralyzing fear because He reigns...He gives meaning to marriage and home, work and leisure, personhood and citizenship.
John Stott

3.) He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.
Aeschylus

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2008-07-12T11:13:00.002-05:00

Crissy and I have a friday girls' night every week. Our women friends bring their kids to my Crissy's house out in the country. The kids play outside, catching fireflies, building forts, swinging over and into the creek. You know, the fun stuff that we all did as kids that only require imagination and no electricity. The moms fix dinner and serve the kids. Then we sit around the kitchen table and talk, laugh, cry, whatever is needed that night. We always leave reluctantly, knowing that we are loved, appreciated, supported. I am way closer to these ladies than I am to most of my family. We have been doing this for around 10 years now, and keep adding new friends to the mix. Some friends have moved away and are starting their own friday girls' night with their new friends. Our hope and prayer is that this will sweep the country. All women, regardless of politics or class, need this affirmation that what we do as moms and wives and sisters is important and necessary. God has given us a sacred trust, that of raising Godly men and women. We need to remember that we matter and are relevant even on days when the focus of our conversations is potty traing a reluctant two year old. So, please, come join us. We would love to have you and your little ones.

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

2008-07-09T21:23:00.005-05:00

Have you ever had a friend that you lost touch with and missed desperately? I have a couple of them. One such friend is Tom, from college. He was part of my friend group in Marion. He and I, along with Barbara, Jason, Denise, Shawn, Little Bit, Patrick, Jesse, Beck, and others hung out and went everywhere together. Our group was inseparable.

After college, I lost touch with all of them. I haven't talked to or heard from them since. A few years ago, I got a call from Tom when he was moving from New Orleans to Birmingham for his work. A couple of high school friends- Denise, her hubbie Brad- and I went down to help him move. It was cool having meals with Tom at my parents' home and with other friends. Then Scott and I moved to South Carolina, and we lost touch yet again.

Out of the blue, Tom emailed me the other day. He and his family live in Tennessee now. He's married to a girl named Kim (weird, huh?), and they have a 5 year old daughter named Kiersten. Kim and Tom met in '99 here in B'ham where they worked for the same company.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this. I am so excited to have heard from him. I checked with Scott before I emailed Tom back, and he was fine with it. I have really missed my friends from school. It's wonderful to have one of them back.

My New Fave Music Artist

2008-07-01T01:24:00.002-05:00

As the title says, I have a new favorite musician. Her name is Sara Bareilles. Man, is she good!! Her music and voice remind me A LOT of Rachel W. I wonder if Rachel listens to Sara? That would be cool.

Anyway, I added a few of Sara's songs to my playlist. Be sure to check them out before you leave here. Enjoy!

Wow!

2008-06-30T21:41:00.002-05:00

What a miraculous thing is the human body! After watching this short video, thank God for His mercies and blessings on you. Thank Him for His wonderful engineering of the body to be so resilient. Thank Him for His goodness. Give praise to the Creator!

Our Trip: Day 2

2008-06-05T23:57:00.002-05:00

Well, today was a slow day. We took it easy but had a lot of fun. A professional bass fishing tournament started today. About half of the contestants are staying at our hotel; the other half are at the inn next door. I don't know if you've ever seen the boats and trucks owned/operated by these fishermen, but they are seriously cool. Neat designs, cool color schemes, you name it. These guys are very outgoing and friendly too. They were quite the chatty bunch as they passed out koozies, lanyards, baseball caps, patches, etc. Ellas was a very happy camper! I took some pics that I will post as soon as I figure out how. lol

We went bowling before lunch. That was loads of fun. I'm pretty sure that Scott hasn't been in at least 10 years, maybe longer. He's pretty good at it. I won the first game, and Scott won the next two. Ellas was either on fire or in the gutter. No in-between for him. Bren... well, let's just say he had fun, but he won't be turning pro anytime soon. :)

We came back and watched movies in the room for a while. Then it was time for the cookout by the pool. Apparently, our hotel does this all summer long, and today was this year's first one. Fun times!! Ellas swam while Scott and I talked. Bren fiddled with his mp3 player. After our delicious free burgers, for dessert, we went to a fantastic McDonald's that is loaded with all kinds of memorabilia. They have old toys, signed sports equipment, Elvis and Beatles' gold records framed with autographs, too much stuff to name. Again, I have pics to post.

Now, the guys are in bed, and I need to be. We have to get an early start tomorrow. We are going to a bug museum before we head home. Again, fun times!

Scott's B'day Trip

2008-06-04T22:59:00.002-05:00

Hello all! I am blogging from our hotel suite in Decatur, AL. The guys are asleep, and this is the only downtime I've had today. Today is Scott's 43rd birthday. He decided that, for his special day, he wanted our little foursome family to go away for a few days. His work is stressful, and he's tired. Anyway, it was my job to present him with a variety of destinations, a workable budget, and a list of fun outings/activities. So, how did we decide on Decatur? Well, I'll tell you.

When Crissy and I were growing up, we were poor. Now I'm not talking about
couldn't-get-our-allowance-occasionally kind of poor. I mean the kind where mom's wondering how to feed a family of four the next few days until payday with 1 pound of dry beans, a jar of peanut butter, and 2 columns of saltine crackers. (True story.) The really cool part is that God always provided and that we, as kids, were completely clueless as to the extent of our situation. Anyhoo, mom would always try to think of fun and inexpensive entertainment and daytrips. She heard about Point Mallard water park through some friends and decided to give it a whirl. It was so awesome and affordable that we went back many times over the years.

The park is owned by the city of Decatur and is the location of America's first wave pool. How cool!! They have always run discounts and specials of all types. Back then, it was half price if you were on staff at a school. (Mom worked at Jefferson Christian Academy for no pay so that Crissy and I could get a terrific education.) Nowadays, Mondays and Wednesdays are half price all day long. Our family got in for $29.50. You can't beat that with a stick!

As for our plans for tomorrow, I'm not sure. We'll figure it out over breakfast. Well, I'll post again tomorrow night with the fascinating details of our day. LOL

Flaky Mom

2008-05-22T22:55:00.004-05:00

I know that this will come as a huge surprise for you, but I am not a wonderful mother. Want to hear a few of my funny and slightly scary anecdotes? I knew you did.

Brendan was about 5 months old, and I had to run to the store. I was a mile or so down the road when I realized that I had left Bren asleep in his crib. I rushed home, terrified that something bad had happened in the minute or so that I'd been gone, and he was still snoozing. I called Scott at work completely convinced that I was the most horrible mother on the planet.

When Bren was 2, we lived in Atlanta. Our cocker spaniel needed to go out, and I let Bren stay inside playing. A couple of minutes later, I tried to go back inside, but Brendan had locked the door. I tried to explain how to unlock it, but he just couldn't get it. I had to call Scott to come home from work to unlock the door.

Ellas was about 3 months old when I accidentally locked myself out of our house in Leeds. Ellas was in his bouncy seat on the coffee table, and I could see him through the living room window. Crissy came from her house to unlock the door for me.

God is good to protect my children from their mother. LOL

I Love Lucy

2008-04-17T22:01:00.009-05:00

Have you talked with me lately? If you have, you will have noticed that my brain has stopped functioning properly. Ordinarily, I am logical and organized, a list-maker. The last week or so, not so much. I have become a total ditz! I guess I am on overload. Do you ever have so many trains of thought that you just kinda short- circuit? It's like my poor old grey matter has finally reached the limit of what it can handle. I've been dreaming up plans that are worthy of the "I Love Lucy" show. I keep expecting a hot latin guy to come in and say, "Lucy, you got some 'splainin' to do." Ssshhh! Don't tell Scott. ;) lol I guess if Scott and I are Ricky and Lucy, then Chris and Crissy must be Fred and Ethel. LOL!!!! I have definitely lost it. That reminds me of a little ditty from when we were kids:

They're coming to take me away. Haha!
They're coming to take me away. Hoho!
To the funny farm,
Where life is grand.

And on that bizarre note, I am going to bed. See ya!

Tissue Issues

2008-04-03T20:37:00.002-05:00

Okay. Crissy has blogged, and I feel that I must respond.

Apparently, Kim H and I are at opposite ends of the toilet paper spectrum. She buys the inexpensive stuff in bulk and in anger. Maybe she's angry because she's chafed or has "fuzzies." Just something to ponder.

I also buy in bulk. However, this does not make me angry. Instead, it comforts me to know that I will never run out of my favorite bathroom staple. It is necessary to me to have plenty of my toilet paper in order to do what I must with a sense of comfort and security.

My favorite brand is so important to me that I always keep a roll in my van. I travel with it in my suitcase, traincase, or bookbag. I make sure that it is near in case of tissue emergencies. I have a hard time using other brands.

I don't like the wax paper kind or the sand paper type either. It must be strong but soft, absorbent but thick, 2-ply but also quilted. I am not loyal to a brand in a lot of areas, but when it comes to toilet paper, brand is everything.

I once heard a comedian say that when he was broke and had hardly any food, he knew life was going to be okay because he had good toilet paper. I totally understand that. Pay the little bit extra, and get the good stuff. Think of all the sh** your rear has to put up with. We sit on it constantly, talk about it meanly, blame ill-fitting clothes on it. Our rears tolerate a lot. We owe it to them to buy the good stuff.

Many Things

2008-02-24T16:56:00.002-06:00

I have a lot to post. Okay, here goes:

Our trip to NC was fantastic. We all went to the circus in Greensboro one night. The kids had fun, but I hafta say that I'm pretty sure that Bob, Scott's dad, had as much or more fun than the kids. lol He was like a kid in a candy store. Very fun to watch and be around.

Every day was something new without being too much. We ate supper at different places each night. The siblings took turns hosting the entire family. Now for those of you who don't know the dynamics of the group, here's a brief tutorial. They are a blended family. Bob is the dad, and Scott and Kelly are his kids. Judy is the mom, and she has 3 kids- Pam, Mike, and Brian. Now for the sibling families. Of course, there's Scott, me, Bren, and Ellas. Kelly is married to Garth, and Glenn, a senior in college, is her son. Pam is not married and lives with Bob and Judy. Mike is the battalion fire chief in Reidsville and is married to Debbie. They have 2 sons-Shane, who died in a car wreck 3 months after my mom died, and Corey who's a senior in high school. Needless to say, it takes courage and a lotta food to have a family dinner.

Everbody just adored the "twins". That would be Ellas and Gracie. They were pampered and spoiled, without mercy for their poor parents who had to deal with the aftermath. We tried to do school and succeeded for about 3 days. Then the books got put away, and we were "on vacation" for the rest of the trip.

We left Bob and Judy's to meet Crissy and her bunch at Beech Mountain to ski and vegitate. We skied Tuesday all day and again on Wednesday evening. We had soooo much fun. I love the fact that our kids ski without fear or hesitation. THEY DON'T EVEN USE POLES!!! They get off the lift, point their skis down the mountain, and off they go. It is the most amazing, and sometimes scary, thing to watch.

A week after we got back, Ellas had his tonsils and adenoids removed. He is on some amazing medicine for pain. (That would be liquid Lortab.) He takes it every four hours and sleeps a lot. Thanks for all of the prayers. He is definitely feeling better. He got a pop on the butt this evening, so he IS better. :) He's finally starting to eat a little applesauce and pudding. Just continue to pray for all of us.

Well, my brain is starting to fog over. I have to take a break. I'll post more later. If you have any suggestions for posts, let me know.

our trip part 1

2008-02-08T22:49:00.000-06:00

okay, where to start? we are in north carolina visiting my lovely inlaws. we've been here since tuesday. our trip up was a long, but fun affair that lasted about 3 hours longer than it had to.

we loaded up and went to vote. then we had to go to a house on hwy 119 to return a guitar cable to one of bren's friends. aparently, he couldn't live without it until we got back. :) next stop? food world pharmacy to get a medicine that they couldn't fill on the day before. we got on the road a good bit later than we had anticipated.

we met crissy at the eden exit to get gracie and her things. this was fun. (i'm not being sarcastic. it was fun.)

now we were on our way. we got to the outskirts of atlanta with no problems or delays. then i see an suv in front of us that was leaning to one side. i was driving along trying to figure this out when i realized the lady had a flat on the front. i'm not talking about a low tire, i mean running-on-the-rim kind of flat. i leaned over scott, who was snoozing, to wave at this older lady so i could let her know that she needed to pull over. at first, she was completely oblivious. she had her head leaned back, and she was singing her head off. it was very funny. then, when she saw me waving like a lunatic from our loaded-down-like-the-beverly-hillbillies minivan, it scared her to death. anyway, we both pulled over and got out of our cars. scott offered to change her tire. (please refer to previous post about my wonderful hubby.) so we spent the next hour trying to decipher her owner's manual for her suburban. now this manual was for at least 6 different vehicles, so it got a little confusing. turned out her jack was under a side cubby in the back that wasn't labeled. we got her spare out from under the suv and in position. then scott discovered that she had the wrong kind of jack. at it's highest, it wasn't tall enough by about 4". we dug our jack out from under our jed clampett-style cargo area, changed the tire, and got back on the road.

we grabbed a bite to eat at the next exit, and i decided to catch a nap while scott drove. now, we were supposed to take I85 north out of atlanta. when i woke up, we were still on I20 and almost to augusta! after calculating our new route, we discovered that we had just added another hour and 20 minutes to our trip. aahhh!!!! needless to say, i didn't sleep anymore.

the rest of the trip was uneventful. well, except for the 500 DEAD SKUNKS on the side of the road! i swear, the skunk population was cut in half. not a lovely smell. anyway, we got here safely and in good spirits. the kids were terific, scott and i got along great. who said the age of miracles is past?!

more about our trip later.

love and miss ya'll.

More Powerful Than A Locomotive

2008-01-24T23:15:00.000-06:00

My man is awesome! He can literally do anything he sets his mind to do. Today, he's cleaned 76 viruses and threats from our family pc. He's reformatting it now. How awesome is that?! I know, I know. Some of you are not impressed. That's just what he's done today.

Everyday he works so hard and does so much, so well. He really is the best. He's handsome, smart, can fix anything, and HE'S MINE!!!!! Woohoo! Talk about blessings from God. We've been married for 17 1/2 years. Amazing. God really knew that I needed a man strong in will, spirit, and integrity.

That's enough for now. Superman needs his beauty sleep, and so do I. Hey, if he's Superman, does that make me Lois Lane?

My Confession

2008-01-06T22:29:00.000-06:00

Wow!!! Time has really flown lately. Our family is going to be so busy for the next few months. Lots of activities happenin'. It's so easy to get lost in the frenzy of the urgent and forget about or ignore the important. I am guilty of not making time for anyone else. I justify this sin of selfishness and pride because, after all, these things NEED to be done. They are IMPORTANT things. If I don't do them, they won't get done.

This morning, God showed me anew just how wicked my sin is and how it affects so many other people. I'm not an island. I don't live on a mountaintop, away from humanity. I have neglected my church family because it wasn't convenient or comfortable to temporarily step away from my creature comforts. I couldn't be bothered to call or email my hurting friend. I tried to make it sound like I was being considerate. You know the excuses I'm talking about:

"She's busy."
"Now's probably not a good time."
"She has a lot on her mind."
"She doesn't need me. She has lots of people to talk to."

All of those sound like I'm being a thoughtful, good friend, huh? I thought so too until God held the mirror of the Gospel in front of my face and made me look.

The truth is that I wasn't put here to be comfortable. My purpose for existing is not so I can check the items off of my list. I was not created for this world. My purpose, my reason for being is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. MOST OF THE TIME, THIS WILL MEAN STEPPING OUT OF MY COMFORTABLE BUBBLE!!! I have built a cocoon for myself that does NOT glorify God. When I am working on fortifying my comfy little nest, I am not enjoying God. I'm trying to enjoy Kim and Kim's works and Kim's righteousness. In that instant, God is nowhere in the realm of my thoughts or desires. Oh, how horrible that looks in black and white in front of my eyes!!

God, thank you for choosing me and loving me when I was Your enemy. Thank you for saving me from my own depravity and restoring me to Yourself. Thank you for forgiving me when I love myself more than anyone else. Thank you for the peace and rest I have in You. Thank you for not giving up on me, even when I've given up on myself. Thank you, Abba (Daddy), for your Son's saving work for me. I love you.

Our Christmas

2007-12-26T17:39:00.000-06:00

Okay, for those of you who are dying to know about our Christmas, here goes...

Saturday morning, we went to Mom's grave, and then we went to Nanny and Pawpaw's (Mom's parents). We spent the whole day with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and others that I'm not sure who they were. We played Dirty Santa, which is a lot of fun. Talked and ate. We went to my Uncle Teddy's for a while for a surprise birthday party for his wife, my Aunt Kay. Her b'day is the 24th. Kinda sucks, huh? We had a really good time. Not so much grief and pressure this year.

Sunday, after church, we went to my Aunt Karen's house in Vestavia. She is Dad's sister, and we gather at her house instead of Granny's in Jasper. It's more kid-friendly. We always have a blast there. We have several cousins our age. It's a more level field, conversationally speaking. We just have more areas of common ground, I think. Always a good time.

Monday, Dad and Granny came to our house, along with Crissy's bunch. Lots of fun chaos. It's terrific having the kids here. I dread a time when they won't come here for Christmas. Hope it won't happen. We had brunch, opened gifts, laughed. Fun times, fun times.

Tuesday, Scott was up early. He finally woke the rest of us at 10:30. (We value sleep in this house.) We opened gifts and had a fun time. It was neat to have our small, family gift-opening time on Christmas morning. That was the first time that's happened since before Ellas was born. We have revamped our Christmas schedule to relieve the stress. I liked this better.

Today, we went to Wal-Mart and got some good deals. I'm all about a good deal. The more I save, the more I like it. I learned that from my Mama. I've already started shopping for next year's gifts. YEA!!! My goal is to be through shopping before Thanksgiving. Who knows if it'll happen or not?!

Our USMC

2007-12-19T12:20:00.000-06:00

Check this out. This is so cool!!! I am incredibly proud to be from a military family. I am even more proud of my dear, brave husband who served his country and God for 15 years in the Marines. I always dreamed of joining the military, and married into it instead. I have no regrets and only good feelings about our servicemen. They are a dedicated, hardworking, sacrificial, special bunch of people who definitely have a specific call on their lives. Oorah, and Semper Fidelis!!! (Always Faithful)

Friendships

2007-12-15T15:03:00.000-06:00

Do you have friends who are fun, comfortable to be with, and constantly point you to the Gospel? I do. God has blessed me beyond my ability to understand and appreciate. I'm asking God for these friendships for my children. If you don't have this kind of friendship, I'm praying that God will change that for you. It is a treasure to connect to the brothers and sisters of the Kingdom, fellow children of the Most High. These siblings can encourage and connect with you like no one else on this earth. When these fellow believers are also family, the connection is tremendous.

Last night was a time of food, friendship, laughter, and shopping, made possible by a few other friends who watched all of the kids. I love spending time with these people. Crissy, Kim Hill, and I went to eat dinner, which ended with Brian and Melissa Mohr joining us for some fun conversation. We went to Target, where Kim Hill confessed anew her shoe obsession. We bought toys for our kiddies, and I got a decaf peppermint white chocolate mocha from Starbucks. Yumalicious!! We had so much fun, I didn't want to come home. But, we had to get our rugrats. Can you believe that the Morgans and the Davises didn't want to keep them overnight?! Talk about selfish! ;) I am tremendously thankful for my selfless friends who made last night possible. Thank you Steve, Laura, Michael, Michelle, and Quinn.

Do you ever worry and wonder about your kids' friends? I do, and it frustrates me. My mom never trusted my judgement, my friends, or anything else. 99.9% of the time, I was honest with her, even when it got me into trouble. I would tell her what I was doing, where I was going, and who I was with. She rarely believed I was telling the truth. Her lack of faith in me hurt, especially when I needed her the most. I don't want to be that kind of mom to my boys. I know that my kids are not perfect, but I want to trust them. Bren is getting older now and spending more time away from home with friends. I don't want to treat him like mom treated me because it drove me away from her. It caused me to get into more trouble than I would have otherwise. I know that I have to be realistic and know that my kids and their friends are sinners. I don't want to assume that they are all hellions and going to jail for criminal behavior. Where is the fine line between too much freedom and too much control? How do I balance on this beam of uncertainty? Pray for us, that God will show us how to parent and release when the time is right.

Contented, Yet Conflicted

2007-12-13T19:55:00.000-06:00

I'm feeling strange today, kinda schizo. Here are just a few of the thoughts swirling madly about in my head, yearning to get out.

1.) I'm missing Mom. It doesn't hurt as much. I wonder what she's doing right now. She always said that she wanted a chance for a long talk with Paul. Curious.

2.) I'm thinking about Dad and his girlfriend. Is he going to marry her? He says no very emphatically, but I'm not certain. I had a dream last night that they got married over the weekend, and that Crissy and I found out accidentally. Weird.

3.) My back hurts. Every once in a while, I do something that makes my back hurt like the dickens for a few days. I have no idea what movement triggers these spasms. Annoying.

4.) I wanna finish my Christmas shopping. I only have a couple more gifts to buy right away. (We are taking the gifts for Scott's side to them when we go up in February, so those can wait.) I'm starting to look forward to this last bit of shopping. Tentatively excited.

5.) I'm looking forward to going out tomorrow night. I am going out to dinner with a couple of friends, WITHOUT children. Woohoo!

6.) My ears hurt again!!!! Why, oh, why?! I took all of my antibiotics and did everything the doctor said to do. My ears are another part of my body that I am joyously looking forward to having perfected in Heaven. NO MORE EARACHES!!!!! Yeah, boy!

7.) My house is calm and peaceful for the moment. Ellas is watching a video before bed. Scott is watching a movie in our room. Bren is spending the night w/ a friend and going to a midnight movie w/ the upperclassmen. (Oh my goodness!!!) I am in the living room in my big comfy chair, typing away. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

So, how scary was that little snippet?! This is why I can't remember things and get distracted so easily. I already have a million things on my mind. Adding more? Not a good idea.

My Talented Friend

2007-12-08T10:58:00.000-06:00

I have a wonderfully talented friend, Jessica Wright. She is truly one of the best photographers I have ever seen. We went to the park this morning for our family portraits and had a blast. She took a lot of candid pics and some funny ones too.

Scott and I have only a few photos from when we got married. (We got married at the courthouse without family.) Jess took pics of our rings and of me sitting in Scott's lap. Scott then decided since it's the modern age, he should sit in my lap. Well, he did. It was fun and funny. We were all in silly moods.

I bribed Ellas with ice cream so that he would do his Macauley Culken impression from "Home Alone." It was so cute. Jess also got pics of him checking out the minnows and tadpoles in the creek. Fun! Bren, of course, was too cool to do silly poses. He had her take some relaxed, shirt-untucked, pics for his FaceBook page. The poses of the boys together are awesome. Ellas got into the spirit of things. He wanted his picture made in the hippo's mouth. (The hippo is a little tunnel toy on the playground.) It was funny to see the poses he came up with.

Jessica said that the pictures should be ready in about a week. She's going to post a few on her blog when they're ready. If she hasn't done your pictures yet, you should call to set up a time with her. She really is talented and fun. She makes it a relaxed, not stressful happening. Much better than a studio sitting!!!!

Many Things

2007-12-05T13:05:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I have an overwhelming feeling that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I know this is true all of the time, but sometimes I don't FEEL it. Do you know what I mean? Strange, I know.

I miss Crissy. We haven't talked for a few days because of schedule conflicts and both of us being too busy and distracted. I won't be able to really connect with her until Thursday or Friday at the earliest. Erg!!!! So annoying!

I am seriously peeved that I have to leave the house in a few minutes. Kayla and Bren have a Key Club meeting from 2-3 at the church. Mel has to be picked up from twirling at 5. Ellas has choir at 5:30. Kayla has voice at 6. We all have classes at 6:30. Busy, busy, busy. I don't want to leave. I am warm, comfortable, pain-free, and having fun.

I hate money. Too much, not enough, it doesn't matter. It's just different sides of the same nasty coin. I HATE MONEY!!!!! Why does God have it here? What is it's purpose? Only He knows. I'm pretty sure that there will be no money in Heaven.

Sorry if this has been incoherent. This is what the inside of my head sounds like some days. Scary, huh?! :D

A God Thing

2007-12-03T17:24:00.000-06:00

I am sitting on the couch, relaxing with a cup of coffee and my laptop. This has been a terrific day! I have:

homeschooled 4 kids
cleaned house
gone to the bank and Sam's
gone Christmas shopping
eaten Chinese out with my family
stopped for milk
gone to piano lessons
picked up Melody from school
helped her with homework
finished laundry
made homemade lasagna
made pumpkin bread from scratch
helped Ellas and Aden with Christmas paperchains
cleaned the kitchen again....

I now feel tired. I didn't until I realized all that God allowed me to accomplish. Before you turn green with envy at my efficiency and productivity, this kind of day happens once or twice a year. I'm pretty sure that God gives me these days as gifts, reminders of how necessary He is in my day-to-day life. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I could never do this without yelling or some other sin on my part. This is what my family calls "a God thing."

Feeling Better and Now Conflicted

2007-12-01T15:01:00.000-06:00

I FEEL SOOOOO MUCH BETTER!!!!! Thank you, God, for antibiotics and doctors. Isn't it amazing what medicine can do? A good night's rest is terrific too.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I took a couple of days and did nothing. It was wonderful to relax and enjoy it.

We are decorating the church for Christmas tonight. I don't know if I'm going to be able to go. It's always so much fun. I just have so much to do here at home, and Scott is waking up early so we can watch the West Virginia/Pitt game together. I napped too long today, and now I have more work than time. :( I know that I can't just go for a little while. I won't be able to leave. I'll lose track of time, get distracted, etc. If I'm having fun somewhere, I don't want to leave and miss anything. I guess I'm not going. (heavy sigh) Ladies, have a terrific time tonight. Know that I'll miss you.

My Icky Day

2007-11-28T16:50:00.000-06:00

I'm feeling very melancholy today. Not very talkative. My throat hurts when I talk, and my ears hurt when I swallow. Sort of a bummer kinda day. I don't like feeling crummy. I went to the doctor's this afternoon. His brilliant, and silly, observation was that I would feel better by now if I had come in on Monday. No duh!!!! :) I felt fine Monday and Tuesday. A little congestion, but I still felt good. I now have antibiotics and cough medicine. Yea. (Not a lot of enthusiasm.) I know that I'll feel better tomorrow. I just have to wait it out Right now, I'm having a pity party, thank you very much.

Winter

2007-11-26T10:04:00.001-06:00

I love this time of year!!!! The cold & rainy weather, the decorations, the feel in the air, the smells, everything about it. When Scott gets back with the magnetic tape (long story), we're supposed to put up our tree. Ellas has asked me several times, "Mama, when's Daddy going to be home? Is he back yet? How close is he? What's Daddy's cell phone number?" I'm soooo bad 'cause I gave the number to him. lol Scott should be home in a minute.

This really is my favorite time of year. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas, and New Year's, it's a constant holiday ride for almost 3 months. WOW!!!! It's the only time of the year like it.

Scott's kind of a Scrooge. He just wants to be left alone 'til spring. We're so opposite! God is so amazing. He knew we would be good together. Cool!

My Dad

2007-11-24T23:14:00.000-06:00

Some of you know my Dad, some don't. I feel bad for you if you don't know him. He is a great guy. He's been a good father to Crissy and I. He's a terrific grandparent. Now, don't get me wrong. He's not perfect. He has his faults and regrets. But it is so cool how God has used him in our lives. Our kids think that he walks on water. He is so patient and sweet with them. I'm pretty sure that Dad is their favorite person on earth. To them, he is just lower than God. It is so sweet to see them around Dad. He also has a big heart. I love to see his tenderness, whether with the kids or the older people at his church. He constantly serves others. He is being sanctified, and I can see it happening! That is really neat. If you haven't met and talked with Dad, you are missing out on one great guy. I love you, Daddy.

The Way It Is in True Football Land

2007-11-24T15:12:00.000-06:00

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different than up North. For those who are planning a football trip South, here are some helpful hints:

Women's Accessories:
NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.
SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara, and a fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's what dates are for.

Stadium Size:
NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.
SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

Fathers:
NORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.
SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

Campus Decor:
NORTH: Statues of founding fathers.
SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

Homecoming Queen:
NORTH: Also a physics major.
SOUTH: Also Miss America .

Heroes:
NORTH: Rudy Giuliani
SOUTH: Bear Bryant, Herschel Walker, Peyton Manning, Bo Jackson, Kenny Stabler, Pat Sullivan, Bart Starr, Cadillac Williams, Sherman Williams, Johnny Musso, Joe Namath, et al.

Getting Tickets:
NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus.
SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus, make a large financial contribution and put name on a waiting list for tickets.

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game:
NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because they have classes on Friday.
SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few hung over students that might actually make it to class.

Parking:
NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for game parking.
SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

Game Day:
NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.
SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera and wave to the idiots up north who wonder why "Game Day Live" is never Broadcast from their campus.

Tailgating:
NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radio station with truck tailgate down.
SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking accompanied by live performance from the Dave Matthew s Band,... who come over during breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

Getting to the Stadium:
NORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in.
SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it is the state's third largest city.

Concessions:
NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda.
SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on it, filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

When National Anthem is Played:
NORTH: Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up.
SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

The Smell in the Air After the First Score:
NORTH: Nothing changes.
SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

Commentary (Male):
NORTH: "Nice play."
SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his friggin' legs."

Commentary (Female):
NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport."
SOUTH: "Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his friggin' legs."

Announcers:
NORTH: Neutral and paid.
SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in his eye because he is so proud of his team.

After the Game:
NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.
SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker, while somebody goes to the nearest package store for more bourbon, and planning begins for next week's game.

Nothing else in the universe comes even halfway close to the glories of Southern football!

Football

2007-11-24T13:24:00.000-06:00

I love football. I love everything about it. I love the passion, the colors, the concentration of the fans, the food, everything. This is something that Scott and I share, this passion. I am so glad that we do because we are so opposite in everything else.

We are sitting, watching the Kentucky/Tennessee game. This time we are both pulling for Kentucky. We don't always cheer for the same team. Scott bases his allegiance on playoff possibilities and the like. I just like some teams and not others. I don't always have a good reason for it.

As for the boys, Bren is a big football fan too. Ellas really could not care less. I'm hoping that this will change as he gets older. In sports and other things, Ellas reminds me of Niles Crane off of Frasier. He's a little different sometimes. Not necessarily a bad thing. Regardless, I love both my boys.

My Thankful List

2007-11-21T19:39:00.000-06:00

Here is a brief, and not exhaustive, list of what I am thankful for.

1.) My wonderful husband who not only puts up with me, but truly loves me. Loves me in spite of my lack of logic, no coherent train of thought, and horrible memory. Wow!

2.) My kids, nieces, and nephews who are eight of my greatest blessings in this life. (I am including Kayla and Melody because I feel like they are mine also.) Brody is snuggling with me in my big, comfy chair. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with love for our kids.

3.) My sister who is my twin in every way, except timing of birth. It is funny how often we show up in the same outfit without planning of any kind. We finish each other's sentences and can anticipate each other's needs/wants. Sometimes very spooky. G, our associate pastor, calls us Thing 1 and Thing 2.

4.) My church family who are so incredibly loving and accepting. There have been several times that I don't know how we would have made it without them. God definitely uses the church body to minister to us. Dad and Bren's wreck, Mom's death, Ellas' near fatal illness, these are just a few.

5.) Chocolate, a gift from God.

6.) White chocolate, a blessing from God.

7.) Dark chocolate. I am convinced this will be part of the feast in Heaven.

8.) My friend in Georgia, Tricia. Best friend in high school and beyond, she is as close as a sister to me. She calls my parents Pop and Mom. We are godparents to each other's kids. How have I made it the last few years without her?!

I just realized that I could go on for days and not finish. I'm going to stop for now.

Mysteries

2007-11-19T16:00:00.000-06:00

God is a mystery. Have you ever really thought about how much we don't know about him? It kinda makes my brain hurt. :) Everytime we have an infant baptism at church, Burt (our pastor) talks about how before God put the sun in space and hung the stars in the sky, He knew me!!!!! How awesome is that?! He thought me up and named me. He knew that I would one day be sitting on my deck, blogging about this. WOW! The Creator knows who I am. Doesn't that blow your mind?

Another mystery to me is how pain and sorrow is for our good. I have a dear friend who, a couple of weeks ago, lost her father and had her first child. I have another sister of the heart who recently had a miscarriage. Crissy and I are missing our Mama. Our grandparents have Alzheimer's. God has been teaching me that He has a plan. It's not important that I don't know, understand, or approve of it. He is in control.

After years of separation and pain, I have been reunited with my first Sister Chick friend, Tricia. Why did we have to be apart? My curiosity almost overwhelms me. What does God have in store for us? I'm almost afraid to be excited over this. What if He takes her away again? Then I feel my Abba Father's arms around me. I can hear Him whisper in my heart, "Trust me. I love you." Just that easily, He soothes my hurt and fear. God, I believe. Help my unbelief.

Sister Chicks

2007-11-16T23:10:00.000-06:00

Tonight, several of us ladies gathered at Crissy's for our Friday night ladies' night. These are so awesome. I would love for every woman to have this kind of circle of friends. We laugh, share, and cry together. Sometimes we even lovingly correct each other. It has always been a good thing. We call ourselves the Sister Chicks.

These get-togethers are always open-invitation to whoever wants to come, bring a friend, whatever. But recently, some people have commented that they feel left out and/or not welcome. Have we done something to exclude them? I don't know. Are they feeling unwelcome because of my selfish nature? I don't know. I do know that God has promised to show me my sin if I ask. Problem is, I don't want to know. How selfish is that?! Please pray for my sin to be revealed to me.

I miss our friends who have moved away (Angela) or have new schedules that don't allow them to come (Jennifer). I wish that my longlost friend (Tricia) could experience one of these ladies' nights. She would have a blast and would keep all of us in stitches.

If you don't have this kind of friendship, I will pray that God would share it with you. If you do have it, thank God for it because it's a blessing and a rarity. Pass it on. Look for ways and opportunites to develop these bonds.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-14T23:31:00.000-06:00

I LOVE THANKSGIVING!!!!!! Everybody comes to my house. This is a big deal because Scott is a major hermit! I get to do a lot of cooking and decorating. It is a fun, relaxed, easy day. Can't wait for next week!!!

My Friend

2007-11-14T22:18:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had a friend that you didn't keep in touch with for a while, then, when you did talk to them, you picked up where you left off? I have a friend that I was close to in high school. We lost touch for a couple of years, and I talked to her today. I know that it sounds cheesy, but I've always felt like we're soulmates or something.

She was my best friend for many years. We practically lived at each other's houses during our teen years. (I was a bad influence on her, of course. ;) ) I have soooo missed her. We have had a lot of fun together and shared many milestones.

She and her husband introduced me to Scott. That's a story in itself. The first time I saw Scott, he was not at his best. He was asleep on his couch in his running clothes, still sweaty from working out, AND he was so deeply asleep that he was drooling on himself. LOL He will never live that down!

Tricia and her husband (Dallas) are Brendan's godparents, and we are the godparents to one of their children. Scott and Dallas were best friends too. Anyway, we have a lot of history. I really hope that we keep in touch this time.

football

2007-08-15T11:11:00.000-05:00

where do i start? i am one of a group of people who started a football team, basketball teams, and a pep squad. i don't know how these things happen, except that God orchestrates them. i had no intentions of doing any of this, had never thought of it. one day i get a phone call, and WHAM! here i am.

the football team, which bren is on, has their first game in a week. they are finally looking like a football team, instead of a bunch of mental patients in their "special" helmets. (they really looked funny their first month.) they are really a football team. wow!

i hope you come for a game or 2. we need lots of crowd support. the boys have worked really hard to get ready for this.

Our Trip Part 2

2007-08-15T10:53:00.000-05:00

we had a wonderful time at my in-laws. it was great to see everyone and renew those relationships. scott's family is fun and way more functional than many i've seen. we went to old salem which was a lot of fun. we also went to the world's largest furniture store, with over 1,000,000 square feet of shopping area. i'm pretty sure we walked every inch of it. (it's so large that they have a restaurant and atm inside the store.)

we are already planning our next trip. i can hardly wait.

Our Trip Part 1

2007-02-25T11:30:00.000-06:00

I am here in NC for a visit with Scott's family. We are having a great time. We have been to the world's largest furniture store, over 1,000,000 square feet. (No, I'm not kidding.) This store also has the world's largest chest of drawers, over 37 feet tall. There are picnic tables under it. I took pictures of it. As soon as I figure out how to post them, I will.

We have been to an old, working gristmill. That was very cool. They make the best pancake mix ever. That was a lot of fun too. They also had a little (and I do mean little) shop attached to the mill whare you could buy all kinds of food stuff that is made here locally.

Yesterday we went to Old Salem on the other side of Winston-Salem. That is a fun place to visit. We 're gonna have to go back because there's no way to see everything in one day. They have a children's museum, old toy museum, and a furniture museum of stuff from the 1700's set up in rooms like it would have been back then. There is also an old tavern where we ate lunch; they serve traditional German/Moravian food. All of the staff are dressed in period clothes. The food was out of this world, and there was way more of it than we could eat. They have a silversmith, blacksmith, bakery, too much stuff to list.

Last night we ate supper in Virginia. (Yes, I said Virginia.) Of course, Bob and Judy live on the NC/VA state line, but still. ;) (Bob is Scott's dad, and Judy is Scott's stepmom.) The place we ate was called Ham's and was pretty good. Brody would have a cow there. They have a large scale model train that runs on a track around the ceiling over your head. Too fun.

Today, I am cooking for the whole family. (That's 14 people. What was I thinking?!) I am sooooo praying that it turns out well. Some time today or tomorrow we are all going to have a family portrait made. We've never had one done. That's going to be neat.

Well, I have to go peel some shrimp for supper. I'll write more later. (I promise.)

Hi from Crissy

2007-02-21T12:58:00.000-06:00

Hi. this is crissy... not kim. she's pathetic. can't blog once in how many months? sad.

anyway... i'm blogging on her new laptop. why does she need a laptop? she doesn't blog.

they are packing to go on vacation. i'm here so i can help her.... see how much help i am?

i should go. and help... or something.

My Sons

2006-09-17T20:35:00.001-05:00

I want to update you on my boys. Well, I can't really say boys. Brendan is 5'9" and growing rapidly. He is such a man now. I've noticed that when we go anywhere, girls whisper to each other and smile at him. Thank God that he notices but doesn't let it affect him. He is growing and maturing in his walk with Christ also. This is so encouraging to me. I pray regularly that his future wife is growing too. It is very humbling to know that what I do and how I raise my sons will affect future generations. How awesome to be part of God's big plan.

Ellas is also growing up quickly. This boy is a trip. He has so many mannerisms and personality traits of my great grandfather who died when I was 8. Ellas is actually named after him. Weird, huh? Anyway, Ellas is constantly saying and doing funny things. Last week in his class at church, his teacher asked the class what they would ask God for if He told them they could have anything (like Solomon)? Ellas' answer: I would ask to trade places with Him. Hey, at least he's honest. This what we all do everyday. I, personally, try to make it look righteous. I also pray for Ellas' future wife. She's gonna need a good sense of humor. ;)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

How faithful is our God! He always keeps His promises. Cool!!!

Amazing Grace

2006-09-12T17:34:00.000-05:00

I have a very rich and full life. God has been very kind in surrounding me with people who love me and, most importantly, love Him. I am constantly encouraged by His patience and grace that my friends extend to me. God is so in love with me. Not the me that I think I am, but the me that I am in Christ. This is a good thing, because the me that I think I am is disgusting and vile, repulsive and unlovable. How incredible that the Creator and Perfect Father loves me!!!! I am humbled and astounded everytime I think about it, everytime He reminds me of it.

There is a hymn that has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found;
Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far;
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

How awesome is that??!! The Holy Spirit revealed the character of God to John Newton, and the neat part is that He reveals it to me too. I enjoy and look forward to more of the Holy Spirit's revelations.

Catchin' Up

2006-07-21T00:28:00.000-05:00

I know that it has been a while since I blogged. A lot has happened since then.

We had our version of VBS; it's called Camp Cornerstone. We had a blast!!! We had planned for 100 kids. We actually ended up having between 105-110 kids. There were rugrats everywhere you looked. I'm pretty sure they all had fun and learned a lot too. As a volunteer, this one week a year can be exhausting, exhilarating, and edifying. (Alright Steve Morgan, how was that ?) The kids are all so eager to learn and to please. There were no problems with the kids that I know of.

Dad's birthday was yesterday. He is now 57. He's much younger at heart, where it counts. My kids adore him, my husband looks up to him, and I love him to pieces. My Daddy is really a neat guy. Ask anyone who's ever met him, and they'll tell you all kinds of wonderful things about him.

My hubby is obsessing over our back deck. The problem is WE DON'T HAVE ONE!!! I know that this seems trivial in the grand scheme of things, but right now, in my house, this is a very big deal. He wants to build a deck to be proud of, that he can take the grandkids out on and say "I built this when your daddy was a young man, and look how good it still looks." Scott doesn't do things halfway. He wants perfection and is disappointed in himself if he produces anything less. What a wonderful blessing God has given me in Scott!!!

It's really late, and I have to be up in about 6 hours. I need to sleep now.

Today

2006-06-13T23:49:00.000-05:00

I had a really good day today. I got all of my errands run, movies to the library on time, ad in the paper for yard sale, permit bought for yard sale, allergy shots over quickly. I came home and got my kitchen purged of stuff that I don't need. All in all, it was a good day.

Crissy, her kids, Matt, and Josh came over to play. We got great pictures and video of the kids playing outside. Crissy had a new Big Wheel for the kids to ride. She and I were like Lucy and Ethel trying to put that thing together. The kids finally came into the living room just to watch us. It was a hoot.

Today was a really good day. Thank you, God, for the laughter of kids at play, the joy of a good friendship, the love of a good man, and warm goodnight kisses from a sleepy child. I am truly blessed.

Vacation Memories

2006-06-10T16:32:00.000-05:00

We have been back from vacation for a week now. Scott, the boys, and I went to Mobile and Dauphin Island and camped for a few days. It was fabulous!!! It didn't get too hot. We were right on the beach. We could bike to just about anything we wanted to do on the island. It was a lot of fun.

We went to the U.S.S. Alabama. It was the first time I had been in 20 years or more. The boys loved the submarine the best, I think. We spent hours crawling up and down ladders, learning and exploring.

We had some really good seafood while we were gone too. The first retaurant we went to was touristy but okay. The place where we ate supper our last night was outstanding. It was very small, right on the water, and was mostly a locals' kind of place. There were no souvenirs, no gift shop, no t-shirts for sale.

I kinda had my doubts about camping at the beach in June, but I'm really glad that we went. I hope we go back soon.

Old Friends

2006-06-10T16:19:00.000-05:00

I just had a visit with an old friend whom I hadn't seen in a year. It was so sweet to see her and her family. The kids are growing and healthy. She and her husband are doing well. It was just really good to see her and talk with her like old times.

I'm very sad about this relationship though. When she moved, she cut herself off from us completely. I still don't understand why. I'm trying really hard not to get my hopes up that this is a new beginning. I would love to have this friendship back.

My Husband, the Dyslexic Author

2006-05-23T20:49:00.000-05:00

Scott told me today that he was going to write a book about people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He's even got a title for it already. He's gonna call it "Terror on the Toilet." I'm sorry, that's funny!!

Dinkles

2006-03-12T15:23:00.000-06:00

Ellas is so funny. For those of you who don't know it, Ellas is my youngest child. He has a very vivid imagination.

He and Gracie spent the weekend with Dad. While they were there, they each got a stuffed rabbit. Ellas informed me in the van yesterday that he had named his rabbit Dinkles. His full name is Dinkles John Poston. How funny is that?!

When I asked him how he came up with that name, he said "My brain just thinks of smart things like that." Oh to have that confidence!

My Epiphany

2006-01-18T13:24:00.000-06:00

I have joined Crissy in her anti-Wal-Mart crusade. Now, I don't ordinarily get upset about the same types of stuff that Crissy does. However, there comes a time when you have to say "Enough is enough!" I think that I have reached this point. Let me explain how this epiphany came about.

Yesterday was a wet, soggy mess. I had to get out with both boys for our allergy shots that we receive on the other side of town. This is also the side of town where I do my grocery shopping. So I thought I'd kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I ran short on time, but I was able to get to 2 of the 3 stores that I needed to go to. I had a meeting; so I took the boys home and went to the meeting.

I know that you are wondering where Wal-Mart fits in to this. Well, I'll tell you. Wal-Mart has a policy of price matching other stores' ads. There are, of course, restrictions. (i.e. no Buy One, Get One Free deals, etc.) I hadn't been able to get to Publix and needed the stuff they had on sale. The sale ended last night, so I couldn't put it off until today. After my meeting, I headed to WalMart.

Now, our WalMart is only about 7 years old. It has been pretty well maintained, but poorly managed. The sales people are rude and ill-informed about the locations of merchandise. The sales people are not solely to blame for their lack of knowledge. The management makes them shuffle stuff around constantly. Very few things are in the same place 2 trips in a row.

I only had 8 things on my list. Surprisingly, they had everything I needed, but it took a scavenger hunt to find it. You see, they're remodeling. I needed a bicycle tube repair kit. The bikes were no longer there. The bike supplies (helmets, tires, etc.) were now next to the Electronics department. However, these things would only be there until today. They were being moved again. They have torn out registers, flooring, signs, whole departments. The Photo Center and Optical Shop are no longer there either. You couldn't get to whole aisles of stuff because of the buggies of stock that hadn't been put away yet. Of course, nobody knew where to put it anyway. AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I don't understand why a 7 year old store should have to be remodeled already. There's been no fire or flood. Nobody came in and shot the place up. I think that a lot of people have gotten fed up with them and started shopping elsewhere. It's defintely worth it to me to pay a little more just to avoid Wal-Mart.

Scott

2006-01-07T13:32:00.000-06:00

I have experienced God's grace and mercy today in a totally new and awesome way. I was shown my sin by someone who loves me and cares about what I feel and think. God really has blessed me with and through my husband, Scott. He is really growing in God's grace and mercy. It is a wonderful thing to watch.

Let's Play Catch-Up

2005-12-29T11:50:00.000-06:00

Okay, I know it's been a while since I really blogged so here goes.

We (Crissy, Terri, and I) had a fabulous time in Destin. We read, slept, read, ate, read, shopped, read, played cards.... We really missed Angela, Jennifer, and Amber, but we managed to struggle through without them. ;) It turned out to be a good thing that Angela didn't come because Jennifer had Addie by c-section on Friday and Kaylee got really sick about then too.

We had a great Christmas. The boys really liked the stuff we got them. We have really scaled back the amount we spend on gifts. I have learned to say "I'm sorry, but we don't have the money to do that." (Really hard for me 'cause I like to spend money!) We only pay cash, no credit of any kind. This means less gifts and more careful shopping.

We realized that we were losing sight of the purpose for Christmas. God didn't decide that we needed another reason to get gifts or buy stuff. He sent His Son, the King of Israel, the Prince of Peace, Jesus, to redeem me. Why? Because death owned me. My sin was my master, my owner. I had to be purchased by blood. For me to be free from sin, Jesus had to sacrifice everything. He left behind comfort, servants, His position, everything that we works towards.

That just puts it in perspective for me.

Help!!!

2005-12-29T11:48:00.000-06:00

Crissy has threatened the life of my blog, so here's a post to keep her hitmen off of my poor, defenseless blog.

Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love ya, tomorrow!

2005-11-29T22:51:00.000-06:00

Well, tomorrow is the big day! Crissy, Terri, and I are going to Destin on a girl trip!!!!! I can hardly wait for morning to get here. I have packed, laid out my clothes for tomorrow, cleaned the kitchen, done laundry. In a word, I'm tired. I still don't think I'll be able to sleep well, though.

Dad and I went to Nashville Monday for his appointment with the orthopedist about his elbow. We got up there late afternoon, checked in to the hotel, and decided to get a bite to eat. Yep, you guessed it. We went to B.B. King's Blues Club. That was the most awesome place! We had a great meal and a couple of drinks while we listened to the band. It was so cool!

The band was terrific and very energetic. Kool from Kool And The Gang was in the audience. That night was really what the doctor ordered, so to speak. Dad and I were able to kick back and just enjoy the night. I have to say that that was the first time my Dad and I have ever gone out like that. Isn't that strange?! I mean, I'm 35. I have been an adult almost as long as I was a kid. You'd think that as much as Dad and I have in common in music and stuff like that we would have done this before. Nope. Monday was a first.

Dad got a great report on his arm. He has to go back Monday for another exam and x-rays. What a lot of people don't realize is that Dad could still lose his arm. Even after all of the surgeries (14 in 2 years), there are still no guarantees that he'll keep his arm. Think about that for a minute. Think about being 2 1/2 years out from the wreck, 14 surgeries, and there's still a 50/50 chance of keeping YOUR ARM!!! I can't even imagine it. I hurt for him every time he winces from the constant pain.

Dad's not the only one still hurting from the wreck. Rhonda is still in counseling for the anger and pain from losing her baby granddaughter, her own personality, her short term memory, her sense of humor. These are all things that she's identified to me as losses.

Bren has to go back to the doctor Monday about the pain in his knee that was broken in the wreck. Periodically, it will swell up and ache for no apparent reason. His wrist also still hurts sometimes. You know, everytime he, Dad, and Rhonda feel pain from the wreck, I get mad all over again. Then my Abba-Daddy reminds me that He hasn't given up control of our lives. Once He calls us to Himself, that's it. I don't have to be in charge anymore. I don't have to bear the pressure of life alone. My God takes care of me. He guides and protects me. That is so calming, so reassuring, so peaceful a knowledge. How can I stay angry, stressed, scared?

My Reason For Being

2005-11-18T17:36:00.000-06:00

Well, this has been a hard couple of weeks. There has been a lot going on in all of our lives.

Dad's test results came back normal, but he'll have to go back for cancer screenings every few months. His elbow replacement surgery went really well. He's not on pain meds anymore, which I think is amazing. If you could see the x-rays of what they did just a week ago, you would be amazed too. He's already back to normal, well, normal for him. ;)

A wonderful lady in our church lost her mom this last weekend. I don't care what your age or relationship with your mom, it's always hard to deal with. A day or so after her mom's death, she lost her daughter-in-law with whom she was really close. It has been a rough week for that whole family.

Crissy and I went to the funeral today, along with a lot of people from our church. The young woman who died was only 34 years old. Her oldest child is 1 year older than Bren, and her younger child is Ellas' age. I cannot imagine the conflict in a mother's heart, knowing that you're going to die and leave your kids and husband behind. I can't imagine being a teenager and losing your mom. I can't fathom the pain of losing a spouse. How must her parents feel burying their baby girl?

The youngest son of our former pastor died this morning from the injuries sustained in a terrible carwreck that he was in last night. He hadn't been driving all that long. Can you put yourself in those parents' place, getting that dreaded call at 1 AM? Knowing that your baby boy is gone?

Through it all, people try to offer comfort in the form of phrases.
"He is in a better place."
"She isn't in pain, isn't suffering anymore."
"He wouldn't want you to grieve/suffer like this."
"It was just her time to go."

I know that they mean well, but these things don't help. This only makes you feel more isolated, like that person doesn't know what you're going through. It makes you feel guilty for the anger over this loss. It makes you feel like a fraud. What we need at these times are for people to come, put their arms around us, and tell us that they love us. Be honest. If you can't think of something helpful to say, just say "I'm so sorry. I love you. You are not alone in this. I'm praying for you."

Don't try to make it better. There's nothing you can do to make it better, and that's the Holy Spirit's job, anyway. Jesus said that He was going to leave so that the Comforter could come to be with us. He has promised to never leave us, to never forget us. God doesn't get caught off guard. These things don't surprise Him. He doesn't have to go to Plan B because somebody messed up His Plan A. He is the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Father. What He wants for us when we hurt is for us to come to Him, crawl up in His lap, and say "Daddy, help me. I hurt. Make it better. Help me with this pain that won't go away." What better way to honor and glorify and enjoy Him?! This is why He made us; this is my purpose, my reason for being.

Our God Is A Great Big God.

2005-11-07T22:19:00.000-06:00

I am very melancholy tonight. Dad is supposed to have his elbow surgery on Friday. He went to the doctor today for a check-up, and the doctor found a potentially serious problem. Now he has to go to the doctor again tomorrow for more tests.

We have a young mother at our church who is dying of cancer. Her teenage daughter is in a class with me. All I can think about is how that mother is probably worried about dying and leaving her kids. I feel for the daughter because of losing Mom not that long ago.

I just feel very thoughtful and subdued right now. It's really hard for me to sit back and trust that God has it all under control. Sometimes I look around and wonder what God's plan is. How is this crushing pain what is best for me? Why did my Mama have to die? Why is Dad's life so hard sometimes?

On the other hand, the Holy Spirit in me prompts me to trust that my Abba, my Omniscient Father, has only the best in mind for us, His kids. It is sooooo comforting that when I'm scared, when my heart is breaking over what seems so pointless, my Creator has a Plan. We are not alone like we feel. He has promised to never leave us, to not forget us. The same God who put the stars into place in the sky knew my name. As He made the first light fall on the Earth, He already knew how long I would live. When Jesus was hanging on the cross and said it was finished, He had me in mind. How can I possibly feel alone when I remember all that He's done for ME?

Please pray for each other. Encourage each other. I'm pretty sure that anyone around me today didn't see my pain, my grief. Often we hide our pain from others, from people who would gladly comfort us if they knew we needed it. Love each other even when it all looks okay from the outside. Take the time to step outside of yourselves, out of your busy lives, and really see the people around you. God will reveal their need to you.

A New Day

2005-11-01T20:53:00.000-06:00

Well, today was the first day of this grading period for us in our homeschooling. We got a lot done. We've started a new unit study on the Earth. I hope the boys will like it. We'll be making a model of the Earth, a volcano, and other fun stuff.

It's always a challenge to take a subject, like the Earth's structure, and make it fun and informative for a kindergartener and an 8th grader. What a difference in learning!! It definitely takes some extra work and research, but it's worth it when my youngest looks at a picture of the solar system and can tell me something about each planet, the sun, etc. There's just nothing better for a teacher than that.

Shock and Awe

2005-10-30T14:25:00.000-06:00

You know, sometimes I don't see what's right in front of me. I take my life for granted, like I deserve it or something. It constantly amazes me that God knew me when He was creating the sun, moon, and stars. He didn't have a vague idea. He knew my name, the day of my birth, the day of my death, and everything in between. When He was telling Noah to build the ark, God had my life planned. How cool is that?!

If you really stop to think about this, God planned every detail in my life, no matter how small. He created, protected, and guided Scott to me. I didn't pick him; Scott didn't pick me. God chose us for each other. Everything in my past, in Scott's past, was preparing us for our life together. That just wows me everytime I think about it.

The next thought that I have is that God already has my boys' lives planned too. He is, right now, preparing their wives and in-laws. This is why Mom prayed for our future husbands from the time we were born. God had revealed a part of Himself to her, had told her that He knew what was in store for us. God is such an awesome Daddy!!!!!!

Sometimes, I can't help but talk this through. God's sovereignty amazes me. He humbles me. He soothes my fears. He is my foundation.

Lucy & Ethel strike again

2005-10-27T20:46:00.000-05:00

I feel that I am a fairly intelligent person. Yes, I can be goofy at times, but can't we all? Tonight I proved my goofiness to myself and to Crissy.

I was fixing red beans with ham for supper at Crissy's. Sounds simple, right? That's where you are wrong. I had soaked the beans, rinsed them, put them on to cook with the ham and the seasonings. All was going well until I decided to do what I've done before. I read somewhere that if you like for the beans to be soft, you add 1/4 teaspoon of (Here's where it gets messy.) baking something. You know how my mind works. If the recipe calls for baking soda, then baking powder should work too, right?! That's where you would be wrong.

Have you ever seen the "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy makes bread? For those of you who haven't, she makes the dough and lets it rise. When she goes back to check on it, it has tripled in size. This troubles her a little, but she carries on. She kneads the dough, etc. Finally she puts it in the oven to bake. When she takes it out, it just keeps coming and coming. You get the idea. That's what the beans did. When I added the baking soda, it foamed up like a science experiment gone wild. It was truly a sight to behold. I grabbed the pot and rushed to the sink. Crissy was laughing so hard she could barely stand up. She grabbed the spoon and scooped

8 inches of foam off of the top. It was CRAZY!!!! Everytime we put it back on the stove to cook more, it grew again. I have never seen anything like it.

Sometimes when Crissy and I get together, we are like Lucy and Ethel. We are goofy airheads who can't get it together, and it makes for a great time. Anyone who's around us at one of these times can't help but laugh at us.

Our husbands put up with a lot out of us. They look at us, smile, and shake their heads at our latest comedy of errors. Scott just read this and smiled. He knows it's true, and he loves me anyway. That is so cool to me!

The Poston Post

2005-10-27T13:54:00.000-05:00

This is my first post, obviously. I really have no idea what to say. Let me be more specific. I have so much running around in my head, I don't know what to say first.

I am so excited and scared about continuing to homeschool Brendan. He'll be in 9th grade next year, and I don't want to scar him for life. ;) I know that God has called me to do this. I guess I'm not just doubting myself, I'm really doubting God's sovereignty. When I put it this way, I know what I need to do.

Ellas' situation, on the other hand, is a no-brainer. He definitely needs to be at home to learn. He is very hardheaded when he makes up his mind about something. In school, the teachers don't have the time to persuade him to do what he needs to. I, as his mom, can use whatever means necessary to motivate him. :)

Crissy is now the head of the women's ministry at the church. For me, this means that I am now the behind-the-scenes-helper to the head of the women's ministry. It is a really exciting prospect to look at the women in the church and have a vision of what God wants us to be. It's really cool to be a part of that in any way.

Well, I have to get off here and go to Crissy's. The guys are up there, and we're supposed to be.