Well, last night was the first night I have slept in nearly a year. I awoke at 3 to nurse Kate (mommy home? mommy home? mooooommmmmmyyyyyy hooooooommmmmeeeee?)
yes, I'm home Kate.
And then back to sleep and got up at 6:15.
Devotional and coffee and about to get OFF the computer.
God is sooooooooo good.
KEEP praying. PLEASE.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Finding our way
Well, we did bible study and talked about well, a lot.
Doesn't seem like much I know, but for someone seeking harmony,(remember harmony not balance) it was wonderful!
We talked about school and what they wanted to learn and honestly. It was just a few words from a few people that got me on the way. I spent a lot of time looking around blogs and really enjoyed some new ones I had never been to. Kris's and Tree-Climber's. What is her name anyway??? Lol
I think I would like her. Where does she live Lisa?
Anyway...seeing everyone's schedule, Wendy's telling me to seek peace instead of balance and Tiffany telling me at the skating rink to just start with ONE thing. (You may not think that was big but it WAS Tif. It was like getting permission to just do one thing and that was okay.)
And also Wendy telling me to list my 6 priorities for the following day before I went to bed. Didn't matter if 36 things made the list....you still just pick six. That way you have your plan.
Sloan made me change it to seven since she likes that number better, lol.
Okay, so seven priorities.
HA! WHO doesn't know that God comes first, and school comes next? (in terms of study in homeschooling)But somehow they just weren't making my list.
But manna is only good for one day and you cannot think that the Word of God just sporadically will sustain you. You must take it in daily.
So please, don't just shoot up a prayer for me, for us. Please add us to your serious prayer list that I may find my way back to listing my priorites rightly.
It sure does feel good. Blowin' the dust off the math books and getting to the library.
Who cares about the magazine! If it is supposed to get done, it WILL! Right?
Lauren wants to learn about the United States, Rachel loves to do just about anything and Sloan loves Geography, grammar and writing.
They all love to read so we're off to the library later today to search some good reads out and all is homeschooly on the Western Front.
At least at the moment!
Doesn't seem like much I know, but for someone seeking harmony,(remember harmony not balance) it was wonderful!
We talked about school and what they wanted to learn and honestly. It was just a few words from a few people that got me on the way. I spent a lot of time looking around blogs and really enjoyed some new ones I had never been to. Kris's and Tree-Climber's. What is her name anyway??? Lol
I think I would like her. Where does she live Lisa?
Anyway...seeing everyone's schedule, Wendy's telling me to seek peace instead of balance and Tiffany telling me at the skating rink to just start with ONE thing. (You may not think that was big but it WAS Tif. It was like getting permission to just do one thing and that was okay.)
And also Wendy telling me to list my 6 priorities for the following day before I went to bed. Didn't matter if 36 things made the list....you still just pick six. That way you have your plan.
Sloan made me change it to seven since she likes that number better, lol.
Okay, so seven priorities.
HA! WHO doesn't know that God comes first, and school comes next? (in terms of study in homeschooling)But somehow they just weren't making my list.
But manna is only good for one day and you cannot think that the Word of God just sporadically will sustain you. You must take it in daily.
So please, don't just shoot up a prayer for me, for us. Please add us to your serious prayer list that I may find my way back to listing my priorites rightly.
It sure does feel good. Blowin' the dust off the math books and getting to the library.
Who cares about the magazine! If it is supposed to get done, it WILL! Right?
Lauren wants to learn about the United States, Rachel loves to do just about anything and Sloan loves Geography, grammar and writing.
They all love to read so we're off to the library later today to search some good reads out and all is homeschooly on the Western Front.
At least at the moment!
Stream of Thought
It is 4:20 a.m. and yes, I know where my children are.
A know a woman who is very successful and has two small children. She is admittedly a high bar achiever but recognizes it and endeavors to keep it in check. She is also a strong Christian. She helped me tremendously yesterday when she changed my perspective somewhat when I was discussing that ever elusive "balance" I was seeking. She told me to replace that word with "harmony". Peace in knowing that today the balance is tipped too heavy on one side but tomorrow we can tip it the other. Life is not balanced! It is an ever swinging pendulum.....PEACE no matter our circumstances is the goal....
I love Law and Order. I just-can't-help-it.
I am getting organized! Eventually the mess really starts to tick me off and I go crazy. My car is clean and the front porch is half done. Lauren's room looks great and I am keeping on going.
My friend invited me to go on a free four day Disney cruise next weekend. It is the right time and I actually COULD but don't know if I actually WILL.
Kate can completely talk and understand everything now. She even gets in trouble like the other girls. When I call a "meeting" and all the girls come running in and line up for the lecture, Kate sees them and comes running up to get in line with them so she can "get it" too.
I think she is quite well adjusted.
She was a bear at the skating rink and I will never take her again if she hasn't napped first.
Next issue has two pieces that are sure to be my all time favorites. Well, one for sure, the other if it comes out well.
I am ready for something different in life but I don't know what.
While waiting for the next stream I noticed my bookshelves. I guess I have more organizing than I thought!
I am thinking about joining the Y...but don't know if it is just one more thing I won't do.
A know a woman who is very successful and has two small children. She is admittedly a high bar achiever but recognizes it and endeavors to keep it in check. She is also a strong Christian. She helped me tremendously yesterday when she changed my perspective somewhat when I was discussing that ever elusive "balance" I was seeking. She told me to replace that word with "harmony". Peace in knowing that today the balance is tipped too heavy on one side but tomorrow we can tip it the other. Life is not balanced! It is an ever swinging pendulum.....PEACE no matter our circumstances is the goal....
I love Law and Order. I just-can't-help-it.
I am getting organized! Eventually the mess really starts to tick me off and I go crazy. My car is clean and the front porch is half done. Lauren's room looks great and I am keeping on going.
My friend invited me to go on a free four day Disney cruise next weekend. It is the right time and I actually COULD but don't know if I actually WILL.
Kate can completely talk and understand everything now. She even gets in trouble like the other girls. When I call a "meeting" and all the girls come running in and line up for the lecture, Kate sees them and comes running up to get in line with them so she can "get it" too.
I think she is quite well adjusted.
She was a bear at the skating rink and I will never take her again if she hasn't napped first.
Next issue has two pieces that are sure to be my all time favorites. Well, one for sure, the other if it comes out well.
I am ready for something different in life but I don't know what.
While waiting for the next stream I noticed my bookshelves. I guess I have more organizing than I thought!
I am thinking about joining the Y...but don't know if it is just one more thing I won't do.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Kate Trained.
Okay, I got cut off in the video but this is not me displaying Kate's verbal prowess which is MARKEDLY better than this mess, but instead an example of loving training, consistent application, and her unregenerate spirit! God is so good and I am so thankful that as much of a sinner as I am, that I am trying to raise these kids in the power and admonition of the LORD! She'll get there! ANd perhaps it will help her one day to know that she can make it with her own precious arrows! I am feeling better thanks to all my wonderful friends. Thank You! (especially tonight for Steph, Am and Chewhi)
The Passing of the Scones
Ann was a natural and loved to get her fingers in the cutting in of the butter. Scones are easy to make and always a favorite. No one bakes anymore so I told her what I tell my girls: a few signature recipes and you will be the HIT!
Funny things she says
So you know that mag is nearly to print when I blog this much.
Kate is speaking fully on now. Not when you want her to of course, but in long complete sentences when SHE wants to.
While Rach was upstairs still asleep, Kate wanted her DOWNstairs with her so she stood at the base of the stairs and yelled at the top of her lungs:
"Raaaaaaachullll, Raaaaaaaachullllll, come downstaaaaaaiiiiirrrrs,and I will go potty on the potty for youuuuuuuuuuuuu.
To Sloan on any given occasion: "Get off me Sloan. Stop it. Stop kissing me. No kissing."
Mommy, whatchoo doing? Whatcha doing mommy? Wanna play a game?
To me when I reprimanded her yesterday: "Be nicer Mommy."
And my personal favorite: At church last week when we were standing in worship and Kate had had enough:
"Sit down right there Mommy. NO praying. NO singing. I too big. How aboooooowt, donut time?!"
No wonder they quit the donuts. Poor kid. Are you guys just throwing those all away?? What a waste!
Kate is speaking fully on now. Not when you want her to of course, but in long complete sentences when SHE wants to.
While Rach was upstairs still asleep, Kate wanted her DOWNstairs with her so she stood at the base of the stairs and yelled at the top of her lungs:
"Raaaaaaachullll, Raaaaaaaachullllll, come downstaaaaaaiiiiirrrrs,and I will go potty on the potty for youuuuuuuuuuuuu.
To Sloan on any given occasion: "Get off me Sloan. Stop it. Stop kissing me. No kissing."
Mommy, whatchoo doing? Whatcha doing mommy? Wanna play a game?
To me when I reprimanded her yesterday: "Be nicer Mommy."
And my personal favorite: At church last week when we were standing in worship and Kate had had enough:
"Sit down right there Mommy. NO praying. NO singing. I too big. How aboooooowt, donut time?!"
No wonder they quit the donuts. Poor kid. Are you guys just throwing those all away?? What a waste!
Kate Trained. haha.
Yes, this is the longest post of all time.
Well, I made it To and THROUGH church. Lol
I am glad I went. I mean, it makes me feel a little guilty NOT going when there is a whole family room there for us. And though again, I realize it is not just for us...so far we are the only ones using it! It is only the second week after all though...So though I may be a little dry at the moment, I keep trying. I guess I shall try to bring guests each week so I am held accountable to go. Poor Doug. Well, at least I know he knows I love his teaching. Lol It is just sooo hard with Kate. I have to remember it is for a short time. Man I am so impatient! I did it three other times, WHAT is my problem?
The service? Uh...I have no idea. Can you believe it? ME. LOVER of God's Word to the nth degree. Is that how you spell Nth?
Anyway, I have no idea. Am said it was GREAT and that he was AMAZING. So, maybe we could call it the Osmosis Room and pray really hard???
So as SOME of you know (and you know who you are, ;)) I need PURPOSE so I see that instead of feeling alone in a glass cage (remember John Travolta's old Boy in the Bubble movie? Yeah, a little like that) Today when some people walked by they looked in (amazingly last week, no one did) and when they looked in they pointed and smiled, laughed or waved. I just smiled and waved back but in that moment I felt different. I don't know why mankind must conform. I am the ultimate non-conformist. Or so I like to think. But you know, how about some one way tint people? JUST KIDDING. It is totally cool and I totally love it and well, if I am the fish in the fishbowl, than SO BE IT. I keep telling myself....it is worth it in the end.
I love the non-worldliness in the kids....and the maturity at such a young age. No biting comments, no mean spiritedness, no hitting or being hit, etc. etc.
Mainstream Christian teaching is just not for us. Some programs teach as if the kids already come from the world..you know MTV teaching. God is not "cool" or "hip" or "rock and roll". I do not think Calvary teaches this way. I believe that if they teach adult church the way they do, they surely take the kids church pretty seriously. Feel free to fill us in, whomever.
Anyway, God is not fun and games He does not "change with the times" I do not believe you should teach to the culture UGH, I despise that. Let God be God..we don't have to get him in line with the awful CULTURE of the day...He is timeless, the ALPHA AND OMEGA...when did that start getting treated so lightly?
Ok, I am rambling and so am moving on...
MY POINT: Instead I choose to chronicle Kate's training with you. Yes, we're Kate training. Why do I think that is so funny? So what do you think? A blow by blow training of a two year old. All you need to survive this is Tequila and a switch. Haha. So here is it how it goes: (if you've made it this far)
IF you train a child YOUNG then you don't have a bratty kid when they're five, Capice? Or better yet, a disrespectful one when they're 12. I was noticing this child in a class recently. The teacher was speaking and directly at the child's table. The child was slouched over the table with her head in her hand and COMPLETELY turned away from the teacher. He was standing practically over her. I actually thought he was going to say something for a minute. It was terribly disrespectful. And I am not calling this girl down. She could have had a stomach ache or her cat could have just died, what do I know? I am not judging it I am just pointing it out as the "even if it is not fair, they have to" example. Too tough? Yeah, well..you do it your way, I'll do it mine.
The point is that it was ALL I COULD DO to not say, Sit up and look at your teacher when he is speaking! I mean, I was close. I probably actually would have if I hadn't asked if we were bothering the class by being there. (we were sitting at a table and listening to his teaching) and the other teacher not teaching answered: Well..... so I left. Lol And stood in the middle of the lobby with Kate. Ha. Someone put a chair in the lobby for us please. I guess I need church drive through. Do not repeat what you read in this blog people. I mean it. :) Though half of you there read this anyway.
Ok, back to Kate. So training her young. First, we are just getting her USED to it. She spotted this dog in the kids room and said" Play with doggie, play with doggie so the teacher who was SO SWEET said come on in...blah blah, and I set Kate down which of course set Kate off. Now I KNOW that people can judge that as spoiled, overprotected or insecure but Ann Marie who was standing there said, totally true to form as my personal encourager, "Aren't you GLAD she's like that?" I could have kissed her. Literally. And the answer is YES. I am glad that she is wary and cautious of others. She is not desensitized to being in large groups of people or kids. She's not "used to it". She takes her time getting used to people. And every one of the girls did. They never did the things the other kids did and they are BEST friends. They don't fight. Yes, you heard me right. They DO NOT FIGHT. Or yell at each other or me...or tell me 'no'. Well, Kate does, but NOT for long.
Her big thing now is No Mommy, not yet....No Mommy...not yet.
Praying, eating, bath time, bed time...No Mommy, not yeeeeeeet. Funny.
Ok, BACK to training. Bored yet? Good. So YES, I let her wander a bit in the Family room because she spends the first 20 minutes crying to leave and go home and bye bye time and doughnut time...and then she holds me and begs to nurse which I normally do but today I realized if ANYONE just glanced back there they would SEE me nursing so then I decided to just-say-no. Uh.....you can imagine how that went. Hey, the nursing room is pretty nice too!
So I let her wander after crying because hey, she is NOT crying and exploring a bit. I point up to Pastor Doug and say: "Pastor Doug" and she says Pastor Dug. And "music" and "praying" and "church" and SIT DOWN. And today she did. She cried, got held, wandered and then SAT DOWN. And that is the beginning, brethren.
Blessed sitting. She looked through her books and when she tried to get me to read them, I said NO. Mommy is reading her bible. And she said "Bible?" Yes, Bible.
And when she tried to narrate her book I said NO. We are in church. NO talking. Shhhh. ON and on this goes, week after week until she can sit quietly and mind completely. Because even if a child does not want to mind, they must. Even if what they are doing is not FAIR, they must.
But Kate is two....and I am not going to insist that she sit the whole time, and not look at a book, color, or play with a stuffy. No...she is TWO people and twos are made for walkin'. (get it? twos are made for walkin'? hahahahaha. I am so funny.)
So this is how we train, with love, discipline, and REALISTIC expectations of their abilities. Nothing worse than little Christian drones.
So...that's Kate training 101 for today. See you next week. Bring me an apple. :)
Well, I made it To and THROUGH church. Lol
I am glad I went. I mean, it makes me feel a little guilty NOT going when there is a whole family room there for us. And though again, I realize it is not just for us...so far we are the only ones using it! It is only the second week after all though...So though I may be a little dry at the moment, I keep trying. I guess I shall try to bring guests each week so I am held accountable to go. Poor Doug. Well, at least I know he knows I love his teaching. Lol It is just sooo hard with Kate. I have to remember it is for a short time. Man I am so impatient! I did it three other times, WHAT is my problem?
The service? Uh...I have no idea. Can you believe it? ME. LOVER of God's Word to the nth degree. Is that how you spell Nth?
Anyway, I have no idea. Am said it was GREAT and that he was AMAZING. So, maybe we could call it the Osmosis Room and pray really hard???
So as SOME of you know (and you know who you are, ;)) I need PURPOSE so I see that instead of feeling alone in a glass cage (remember John Travolta's old Boy in the Bubble movie? Yeah, a little like that) Today when some people walked by they looked in (amazingly last week, no one did) and when they looked in they pointed and smiled, laughed or waved. I just smiled and waved back but in that moment I felt different. I don't know why mankind must conform. I am the ultimate non-conformist. Or so I like to think. But you know, how about some one way tint people? JUST KIDDING. It is totally cool and I totally love it and well, if I am the fish in the fishbowl, than SO BE IT. I keep telling myself....it is worth it in the end.
I love the non-worldliness in the kids....and the maturity at such a young age. No biting comments, no mean spiritedness, no hitting or being hit, etc. etc.
Mainstream Christian teaching is just not for us. Some programs teach as if the kids already come from the world..you know MTV teaching. God is not "cool" or "hip" or "rock and roll". I do not think Calvary teaches this way. I believe that if they teach adult church the way they do, they surely take the kids church pretty seriously. Feel free to fill us in, whomever.
Anyway, God is not fun and games He does not "change with the times" I do not believe you should teach to the culture UGH, I despise that. Let God be God..we don't have to get him in line with the awful CULTURE of the day...He is timeless, the ALPHA AND OMEGA...when did that start getting treated so lightly?
Ok, I am rambling and so am moving on...
MY POINT: Instead I choose to chronicle Kate's training with you. Yes, we're Kate training. Why do I think that is so funny? So what do you think? A blow by blow training of a two year old. All you need to survive this is Tequila and a switch. Haha. So here is it how it goes: (if you've made it this far)
IF you train a child YOUNG then you don't have a bratty kid when they're five, Capice? Or better yet, a disrespectful one when they're 12. I was noticing this child in a class recently. The teacher was speaking and directly at the child's table. The child was slouched over the table with her head in her hand and COMPLETELY turned away from the teacher. He was standing practically over her. I actually thought he was going to say something for a minute. It was terribly disrespectful. And I am not calling this girl down. She could have had a stomach ache or her cat could have just died, what do I know? I am not judging it I am just pointing it out as the "even if it is not fair, they have to" example. Too tough? Yeah, well..you do it your way, I'll do it mine.
The point is that it was ALL I COULD DO to not say, Sit up and look at your teacher when he is speaking! I mean, I was close. I probably actually would have if I hadn't asked if we were bothering the class by being there. (we were sitting at a table and listening to his teaching) and the other teacher not teaching answered: Well..... so I left. Lol And stood in the middle of the lobby with Kate. Ha. Someone put a chair in the lobby for us please. I guess I need church drive through. Do not repeat what you read in this blog people. I mean it. :) Though half of you there read this anyway.
Ok, back to Kate. So training her young. First, we are just getting her USED to it. She spotted this dog in the kids room and said" Play with doggie, play with doggie so the teacher who was SO SWEET said come on in...blah blah, and I set Kate down which of course set Kate off. Now I KNOW that people can judge that as spoiled, overprotected or insecure but Ann Marie who was standing there said, totally true to form as my personal encourager, "Aren't you GLAD she's like that?" I could have kissed her. Literally. And the answer is YES. I am glad that she is wary and cautious of others. She is not desensitized to being in large groups of people or kids. She's not "used to it". She takes her time getting used to people. And every one of the girls did. They never did the things the other kids did and they are BEST friends. They don't fight. Yes, you heard me right. They DO NOT FIGHT. Or yell at each other or me...or tell me 'no'. Well, Kate does, but NOT for long.
Her big thing now is No Mommy, not yet....No Mommy...not yet.
Praying, eating, bath time, bed time...No Mommy, not yeeeeeeet. Funny.
Ok, BACK to training. Bored yet? Good. So YES, I let her wander a bit in the Family room because she spends the first 20 minutes crying to leave and go home and bye bye time and doughnut time...and then she holds me and begs to nurse which I normally do but today I realized if ANYONE just glanced back there they would SEE me nursing so then I decided to just-say-no. Uh.....you can imagine how that went. Hey, the nursing room is pretty nice too!
So I let her wander after crying because hey, she is NOT crying and exploring a bit. I point up to Pastor Doug and say: "Pastor Doug" and she says Pastor Dug. And "music" and "praying" and "church" and SIT DOWN. And today she did. She cried, got held, wandered and then SAT DOWN. And that is the beginning, brethren.
Blessed sitting. She looked through her books and when she tried to get me to read them, I said NO. Mommy is reading her bible. And she said "Bible?" Yes, Bible.
And when she tried to narrate her book I said NO. We are in church. NO talking. Shhhh. ON and on this goes, week after week until she can sit quietly and mind completely. Because even if a child does not want to mind, they must. Even if what they are doing is not FAIR, they must.
But Kate is two....and I am not going to insist that she sit the whole time, and not look at a book, color, or play with a stuffy. No...she is TWO people and twos are made for walkin'. (get it? twos are made for walkin'? hahahahaha. I am so funny.)
So this is how we train, with love, discipline, and REALISTIC expectations of their abilities. Nothing worse than little Christian drones.
So...that's Kate training 101 for today. See you next week. Bring me an apple. :)
Church Day
I remember when I used to always say Sunday's a comin'! I imagine that old feeling will return when Kate can sit quietly and I can really listen. Because listen you must at a Calvary Chapel. Teaching verse by verse is such a thorough and dare I say proper? way to teach. But you need to listen so for now I am really just training and straining. Lol Training Kate which is OH SO worth it in the end and Straining to hear the fullness of the teaching.
Someone out there is thinking CD I know. I know, I know!
I wonder if that teaching is scary to others. I mean, for me it is like HOO-YAH Grand Master Sargeant! Soooo what I like. Which is why I am there of course. But to hear: We teach the bible verse by verse to someone who has rarely cracked open the bible...well, I guess that could be a little daunting. Yay bible tabs!
Does anyone remember when they thought the Bible was boring? Honestly now, I do not know how some of us (especially me) became Christian. Take a look at some of our pasts and you will be one step closer to believing in election.
I remember when I was saved. The very day. I was seven. I was in my room in Ct. I must have heard something at church. My parents used to take me and drop me off and pick me up ALONE. So God obviously had a plan for me because I always wanted to go. They STILL don't go so there ya' go with God's plan again....Anyway, I ardently prayed for the Lord to come into my heart and save me. And He has been actively pursuing me ever since. Did I say actively? I mean RELENTLESSLY. Man, I truly hope he remembers my sin no more so I can just fall at his feet and rest one day.
I must have heard the phrase "prayer closet" when I was that young because I had this cabinet like closet that you had to step into...over a short wooden front. In other words, the doors didn't come down to the floor so it was a great little hiding spot. It had a little shelf on one end and since I needed a "prayer closet" I figured that would do just fine! I used to light CANDLES in there and keep a little bowl of candies and try to read the bible alone when I was seven. (head shaking) I should have burnt the whole house down. WHERE were my parents when I was doing all this???? But the enemy had his eye on me and knowing he could not have my spirit, I imagine he knew he could rough me up pretty good. And he did. It is the only thing the enemy can do do a Christian; make them less effective. But I can see God's hand MIGHTILY all through those years and Christians, Christianity and God's presence were always there in one form another. I always knew it. Always felt it. I was constantly being drawn back in.
That is one of the reasons I so strongly believe in once saved always saved. Because I my friends, am living proof. There is of course that old thing called GOD'S WORD that also teaches it. But many poor creatures think you can lose your salvation by being "too bad" or not walking with Christ. ANd it is heretical to teach such a thing. If living a lifestyle of sin causes you to lose your salvation then I guess I am not saved right now! My seven year old confession meant nothing! All those years of seeing God's Hand in my life while I walked amongst the dead were a lie!
No bretheren, even the Christian who is entangled in deadly sin is still going to heaven.
I am feeling old these days...not like me at all and while everyone is so excited about the new church and new ideas and new new new, I still find it hard to get plugged in. I try, but it never really seems to work out. (no commenting on this last line, guys it is not a commentary on anything I am just blogging)
Sometimes I think I get caught up thinking I should be doing "this" or "that" but God has other plans. What I am gifted at is not utilized in the day to day church operation is all I can think and I need to embrace that. It is hard not feeling utilized by God but also I imagine not so pleasant for Him to have to drag me to the job He wants me at as I dig my heels in where I think I should be. I need to bloom where I am planted? I think Amy says that..
So...this Sunday and every day for the rest of my life...I yet again, surrender all.
Someone out there is thinking CD I know. I know, I know!
I wonder if that teaching is scary to others. I mean, for me it is like HOO-YAH Grand Master Sargeant! Soooo what I like. Which is why I am there of course. But to hear: We teach the bible verse by verse to someone who has rarely cracked open the bible...well, I guess that could be a little daunting. Yay bible tabs!
Does anyone remember when they thought the Bible was boring? Honestly now, I do not know how some of us (especially me) became Christian. Take a look at some of our pasts and you will be one step closer to believing in election.
I remember when I was saved. The very day. I was seven. I was in my room in Ct. I must have heard something at church. My parents used to take me and drop me off and pick me up ALONE. So God obviously had a plan for me because I always wanted to go. They STILL don't go so there ya' go with God's plan again....Anyway, I ardently prayed for the Lord to come into my heart and save me. And He has been actively pursuing me ever since. Did I say actively? I mean RELENTLESSLY. Man, I truly hope he remembers my sin no more so I can just fall at his feet and rest one day.
I must have heard the phrase "prayer closet" when I was that young because I had this cabinet like closet that you had to step into...over a short wooden front. In other words, the doors didn't come down to the floor so it was a great little hiding spot. It had a little shelf on one end and since I needed a "prayer closet" I figured that would do just fine! I used to light CANDLES in there and keep a little bowl of candies and try to read the bible alone when I was seven. (head shaking) I should have burnt the whole house down. WHERE were my parents when I was doing all this???? But the enemy had his eye on me and knowing he could not have my spirit, I imagine he knew he could rough me up pretty good. And he did. It is the only thing the enemy can do do a Christian; make them less effective. But I can see God's hand MIGHTILY all through those years and Christians, Christianity and God's presence were always there in one form another. I always knew it. Always felt it. I was constantly being drawn back in.
That is one of the reasons I so strongly believe in once saved always saved. Because I my friends, am living proof. There is of course that old thing called GOD'S WORD that also teaches it. But many poor creatures think you can lose your salvation by being "too bad" or not walking with Christ. ANd it is heretical to teach such a thing. If living a lifestyle of sin causes you to lose your salvation then I guess I am not saved right now! My seven year old confession meant nothing! All those years of seeing God's Hand in my life while I walked amongst the dead were a lie!
No bretheren, even the Christian who is entangled in deadly sin is still going to heaven.
I am feeling old these days...not like me at all and while everyone is so excited about the new church and new ideas and new new new, I still find it hard to get plugged in. I try, but it never really seems to work out. (no commenting on this last line, guys it is not a commentary on anything I am just blogging)
Sometimes I think I get caught up thinking I should be doing "this" or "that" but God has other plans. What I am gifted at is not utilized in the day to day church operation is all I can think and I need to embrace that. It is hard not feeling utilized by God but also I imagine not so pleasant for Him to have to drag me to the job He wants me at as I dig my heels in where I think I should be. I need to bloom where I am planted? I think Amy says that..
So...this Sunday and every day for the rest of my life...I yet again, surrender all.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Oh Beauty...
Can you BELIEVE it is a commercial for AMBIEN sleep medicine?????
They did not.
TELL me they did not purposely wake up insomniacs to try to sell their product.
They stink!
They did not.
TELL me they did not purposely wake up insomniacs to try to sell their product.
They stink!
Good Morning Starshine!
This STUPID commercial came on at 5:00 in the morning and woke me up out some very coveted sleep. (Most you know but for those of you who don't, I rarely sleep, literally.)
It was a loud car alarm going off and for something called silenceyourrooster.com
I have not GONE to silent your rooster dot com but when I DO I think they will get a little lovely email from ME.
I know I should not have had the TV on but since I did, I think it is a rude time to run such a commercial (at 5:00 AM) so I LEAP out of bed because Kate, who currently has a cold, is sleeping and despises sirens of any kind. She is scared of them. So just like in a movie, I LEAP out of a dead sleep and start for Kate's room but then realize a horrible robber is right outside the house so I go to look out my window but then remember Kate plus I am still half a asleep so I end up doing this cartoon back and forth like wait no, wait no, wait...can you see it? MORE confusion when my brain finally makes the decision to LOOK and the car alarm is NOT going off…hmmm. So then I realize the sound is coming from the OTHER side of the room (where the TV just happens to be) and I think: What car is in the BACK yard with an alarm going off?
Finally- I realize the TV has the "alarm going off" and I've been duped...just like those disgusting cockroach commercials that have the bug seemingly crawling across your screen. Ha! Duping is NOT the way for you to get MY business. No, making me feel like a complete arse is not the way to make me your friend.
Now, I know you don't normally hear me post negative things but since I am not up and “attem” under my own free will, I am sure you will understand why YOU get to hear the "why" of it all. Lol
SO- GOOD MORNING STARSHINE! :)
It was a loud car alarm going off and for something called silenceyourrooster.com
I have not GONE to silent your rooster dot com but when I DO I think they will get a little lovely email from ME.
I know I should not have had the TV on but since I did, I think it is a rude time to run such a commercial (at 5:00 AM) so I LEAP out of bed because Kate, who currently has a cold, is sleeping and despises sirens of any kind. She is scared of them. So just like in a movie, I LEAP out of a dead sleep and start for Kate's room but then realize a horrible robber is right outside the house so I go to look out my window but then remember Kate plus I am still half a asleep so I end up doing this cartoon back and forth like wait no, wait no, wait...can you see it? MORE confusion when my brain finally makes the decision to LOOK and the car alarm is NOT going off…hmmm. So then I realize the sound is coming from the OTHER side of the room (where the TV just happens to be) and I think: What car is in the BACK yard with an alarm going off?
Finally- I realize the TV has the "alarm going off" and I've been duped...just like those disgusting cockroach commercials that have the bug seemingly crawling across your screen. Ha! Duping is NOT the way for you to get MY business. No, making me feel like a complete arse is not the way to make me your friend.
Now, I know you don't normally hear me post negative things but since I am not up and “attem” under my own free will, I am sure you will understand why YOU get to hear the "why" of it all. Lol
SO- GOOD MORNING STARSHINE! :)
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Old times
Good Morning!!!!!!
Well, I am feeling OH SO homey-Christmasy! I was SEARCHING the annals of the blog
(funny when I wrote the word 'annals' it reminded me of bible study. Anyone who has studied the OT knows HOW MANY TIMES that word is used in Judges, lol)
Anyway, I was searching for yes, you heard me right, the SCONE RECIPE!!!!
REMEMBER scones??? That was my old life. I wonder if anyone reading my blog that is fairly new ever scrolled back to the beginning...what they would think? A COMPLETE switch in life nearly overnight. Sad? Not sure...but my POINT and yes, there is a point, is that when I was searching for the recipe I saw all these old posts..cooking, baking, foccacia, M's choc cake recipe, quilt posts...AHHHHHH. The good life. Keepers at Home series...I miss those days!
But it is dark and grey out and seeing all those old posts just reminded me of
Y-O-U my homeschooling cohorts! All those old days of homeschooling fun and warm homey days. I endeavor to steal some of that back this year. And today we start by making scones and bread! We will teach Ann who loves scones and hopefully she can take that skill home and bribe her brothers into near anything. Haha.
It's rainy and bleak but my heart is filled with joy this morning.
Well, I am feeling OH SO homey-Christmasy! I was SEARCHING the annals of the blog
(funny when I wrote the word 'annals' it reminded me of bible study. Anyone who has studied the OT knows HOW MANY TIMES that word is used in Judges, lol)
Anyway, I was searching for yes, you heard me right, the SCONE RECIPE!!!!
REMEMBER scones??? That was my old life. I wonder if anyone reading my blog that is fairly new ever scrolled back to the beginning...what they would think? A COMPLETE switch in life nearly overnight. Sad? Not sure...but my POINT and yes, there is a point, is that when I was searching for the recipe I saw all these old posts..cooking, baking, foccacia, M's choc cake recipe, quilt posts...AHHHHHH. The good life. Keepers at Home series...I miss those days!
But it is dark and grey out and seeing all those old posts just reminded me of
Y-O-U my homeschooling cohorts! All those old days of homeschooling fun and warm homey days. I endeavor to steal some of that back this year. And today we start by making scones and bread! We will teach Ann who loves scones and hopefully she can take that skill home and bribe her brothers into near anything. Haha.
It's rainy and bleak but my heart is filled with joy this morning.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Houston, we have a church!
Welcome to Calvary Chapel of the Lakes!
Parking lot was full...
Meet and Greet Calvary Style! Coffee and dougnuts! You are not REALLY going to do away with those are you???
Children's Church? Check!
Note the kid being pinned to the table in the background while teacher's back is turned.
But our workers are friendly...lol
And in the end, we all stand and worship the Lord! You can't see me because I am in the..
FAMILY ROOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO! Thanks CCOTL! I KNOW it is not MY room but it sure does FEEL like it! I am back at church thanks to Doug and Lisa Teel and the great CCOTL family. Whew. It is all going to be OKAY. Lol
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Tea Anyone?
High tea was a HIT! What fun we had eating finger sandwiches, scones and clotted cream. (found out that was butter, a bit of a disappointment!)
We all donned our gay apparrel but of course as you can see in Lauren, you can put a girl in a dress...but that's about it! We all stuffed ourselves then off to the Christian store and finished up at the Candy Store! Had a great day! You all should really try it with your daughters...Chewhi, Ann wants you to come up here and do it with us!!
We all donned our gay apparrel but of course as you can see in Lauren, you can put a girl in a dress...but that's about it! We all stuffed ourselves then off to the Christian store and finished up at the Candy Store! Had a great day! You all should really try it with your daughters...Chewhi, Ann wants you to come up here and do it with us!!
Stream of thought
New church is up and ready to go! Anyone want to join me in a little Calvary Chapel of the Lakes? You know who you are! Looking forward to Sunday musings again...though with Kate in family room, for a while it may be more about training. NOT an easy task with a child that we, for all intents and purposes, have trained to think she hung the moon! (and now can catch it!Lol)
Jeff only made 8 cups of coffee this morning which means, according to our mug sizes, that we each only get one cup. Time to remedy THAT!
Speaking of which, in my coffee addiction which I fully enjoy and embrace, I got a new coffee mug yesterday (did you know I collect REALLY COOL coffee mugs? They have to be BIG and say amazing things.)
Anyway, my new one says: "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?"
I know! It is soooo good!
It is quiet in the house and I am looking at my husband when I type this.
Hmm. Gotta go. ;)
Jeff only made 8 cups of coffee this morning which means, according to our mug sizes, that we each only get one cup. Time to remedy THAT!
Speaking of which, in my coffee addiction which I fully enjoy and embrace, I got a new coffee mug yesterday (did you know I collect REALLY COOL coffee mugs? They have to be BIG and say amazing things.)
Anyway, my new one says: "What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?"
I know! It is soooo good!
It is quiet in the house and I am looking at my husband when I type this.
Hmm. Gotta go. ;)
Wanna Have a PARTY???
Well, it is REPRIEVE time...and I am ever so thankful! Chewhi's daughter Ann is here. HOORAY! And to quote: "For some much needed girl time." You see, she has two teen age brothers! Who are quite talented by the way...musically and in videography.
But anyway, the first two days were spent with my finishing up the Sept. issue and now it is GIRL TIME!
We are going to "high tea" today and then they are taking a beading class.
Very girly. Very exciting. Very...NOT BOY.
The entire direction of the magazine turned yesterday when we went to a special meeting. We realized that we were networking not with the wrong people, but also not with the right. We were networking with advertisers instead of those that needed us! Our new direction takes us fully into servant position and let's just hope the "build it and they will come motto" really works! So in the next few months, little changes here and there ensue and one day, we'll see a really great magazine based on how we can give give give.
Now: On to the important stuff! PLEASE let us have a girls night at my house! (Men: stop reading) I can do a really fun and CLEAN lingerie party through someone I met if anyone is up for such a thing. Anyone up for it? Or if you all are too chicken, we can just do a regular ol bring a dish and let's chat party. But this is old steph saying come on over!
Next Friday? No kids! Mine won't be here either!!!!
But anyway, the first two days were spent with my finishing up the Sept. issue and now it is GIRL TIME!
We are going to "high tea" today and then they are taking a beading class.
Very girly. Very exciting. Very...NOT BOY.
The entire direction of the magazine turned yesterday when we went to a special meeting. We realized that we were networking not with the wrong people, but also not with the right. We were networking with advertisers instead of those that needed us! Our new direction takes us fully into servant position and let's just hope the "build it and they will come motto" really works! So in the next few months, little changes here and there ensue and one day, we'll see a really great magazine based on how we can give give give.
Now: On to the important stuff! PLEASE let us have a girls night at my house! (Men: stop reading) I can do a really fun and CLEAN lingerie party through someone I met if anyone is up for such a thing. Anyone up for it? Or if you all are too chicken, we can just do a regular ol bring a dish and let's chat party. But this is old steph saying come on over!
Next Friday? No kids! Mine won't be here either!!!!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Musings on Kate...YES again! Gotta problem with that?
I am sure you are just plain sick and tired of hearing about wonderful Kate..but here is yet more Kate cuteness.
Her vocab is amazing though when she sees anyone she still pretty much just screams when they invade her personal space. Lol
She was looking at some pics that a friend was showing her yesterday of the fest and just narrating as she the woman flipped through them..
"Face painting, bouncing, children bouncing? children face painting?balloons? uh-oh balloons, catch balloons?
When I did something to make her laugh yesterday she giggled and said, "Funny. VERY funny."
Sloan went to get her from her crib yesterday and she was on her back looking up and saying: "Stars. Beautiful Stars. Stars are falling! Falling stars! Catch the stars!"
Not sure what that was about but she has been trying to catch the moon lately too replete with reaching up as hard as she can and making uuuuuh! noises as she makes a big production of reaching with "all her might".
Not sure what her fixation on falling inter-planetary objects are but it sure is cute to watch!
Sometimes she outs with many full sentences and makes us all laugh:
"No, Sloanie! Put me down! No hold me! Stop it and let go!"
Well, yes maa'am!!!
She also LOVES to sit and read a paper, magazine of book. She'll get all situated and make a big show of reading it...she will babble on and on with proper inflection as if she is reading...sometimes the words from one of her books will pop into her mind and you'll hear snippets from whatever she read last...then she will look over at you to be sure you notice and say: "Are you watching? Are you watching me Mom?
Yes, Kate. I am watching. I am always watching beautiful you!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
I will survive!
Sonya sent this to me and I thought it was so cute! Better if you sing it to the tune...
I Will Survive (the first year of homeschooling)
First I was afraid
I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never teach
’Cause I’m not certified.
But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong,
so now I teach my kids at home!
We study math
and outer space.
I just kept on despite the fear
with a big smile across my face.
I bought a set of Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we’re nuts,
but they don’t even bother me
Come on, let’s go walk out the door.
We’re on the road now,
'cause we’re not home much anymore
My friends would frown and say we’d be unsocialized.
I heard one grumble
that I’d give up by July.
Oh no, not I!
I will survive!
As long as I know how to read
I know we’ll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn.
and I'll survive.
I will survive.
It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart.
Decided to attend
a play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many moms
who offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,
and so do we!
My kids are cool!
They’re not those chained up little people
stuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping by
don't you expect us to be free
I'm spending my time learning
with my loving family!
Originally written and produced by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris
Originally performed by Gloria Gaynor
Mercilessly altered with apologies by Natalie Criss
I Will Survive (the first year of homeschooling)
First I was afraid
I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never teach
’Cause I’m not certified.
But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong,
so now I teach my kids at home!
We study math
and outer space.
I just kept on despite the fear
with a big smile across my face.
I bought a set of Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we’re nuts,
but they don’t even bother me
Come on, let’s go walk out the door.
We’re on the road now,
'cause we’re not home much anymore
My friends would frown and say we’d be unsocialized.
I heard one grumble
that I’d give up by July.
Oh no, not I!
I will survive!
As long as I know how to read
I know we’ll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn.
and I'll survive.
I will survive.
It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart.
Decided to attend
a play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many moms
who offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,
and so do we!
My kids are cool!
They’re not those chained up little people
stuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping by
don't you expect us to be free
I'm spending my time learning
with my loving family!
Originally written and produced by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris
Originally performed by Gloria Gaynor
Mercilessly altered with apologies by Natalie Criss
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Other Side of it!
Hello dear blogging buddies! Here I am! There is SO much I could say but I really don't even know where to start! I love how the first pic shows the calm before the party. We had over 600 people show and were expecting only around three! The weather was perfection after forecasting torrents. THese are just a very few of the pics and not nearly the great ones..well, some are but Amy sent me some I need to get on here for you to see of your incredible kids. Suffice to say, it was a HIT and I am already getting started on next year! I have SO MANY great ideas and really blew my own table this year. Duh. I was too busy with everyone else's to think what I should do like a big sign that says: WANT TO GET YOUR KID ON THE COVER OF LFM...all sorts of ideas running through my head and a whole year to plan. I love parties. Lol We had about thirty vendors who set up kid's games with prizes, bounce houses and firetruck outside....everything else INSIDE!
Dr. J (Jason Buehller of Village Chiropractic) won the award for best booth. I should have posted his award, it was BEAUTFIUL. Kids had a blast...we had enough food and a good time was had by all. If you didn't come, you missed it. But I saw a lot of you there and I thank you for coming! Ok, to the real point. There is NOT ENOUGH coffee to be had at this point. Lol
Dr. J (Jason Buehller of Village Chiropractic) won the award for best booth. I should have posted his award, it was BEAUTFIUL. Kids had a blast...we had enough food and a good time was had by all. If you didn't come, you missed it. But I saw a lot of you there and I thank you for coming! Ok, to the real point. There is NOT ENOUGH coffee to be had at this point. Lol
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Good Morning
I am in the midst of crazed insanity but I tell you just ONE little day at church gave me hope! I know that it will all be okay! I have to get past this weekend and cut a few things out of my life....maybe downsize my intense need to fuel everything I do with nitrous, lol and just slowly build instead of build as fast and furious as I can.
Can uh, someone tell me how to do that please?
I'll be back on the other side of the First Annual Family Fun Fest and September's issue! See you then!
(or at church!)
Can uh, someone tell me how to do that please?
I'll be back on the other side of the First Annual Family Fun Fest and September's issue! See you then!
(or at church!)
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Auntie LMNOP Auntie LMNOP
We've had storm clouds rolling in every afternoon, I know, no big deal... this is Florida! This was 2 nights ago... I really wondered if we were gonna get something more. It was so weird, we had this beautiful blue beach sky and then these dark grey clouds just rolled in like a carpet... no in-between. And as I was standing there it went from hot, still, and humid to this cool wind whipping from underneath... of course then I began to see all kinds of happenings in that cloud.... here's some video. I'm not sure if you'll see it but there was spinning in the clouds but I think you can see where it's pooching (is that a word?) down in the second. Nothing comes of it of course (you would have heard by now). It was probably my imagination...or was it?
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