There may not be words to adequately describe how blessed my life has been, in spite of myself. I hope these memoirs in some way reflect God's unsurpassed love and faithfulness.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Life is good.
There will be oodles of new info in this post. And if you know me, that means it will be lengthy.
Go to the bathroom and grab your snugli.
Jaron's first day of first grade was, "Torture." But to quote him accurately and to do it justice, I'll have to type it like this: "TOR-tuuuuuuuuuuuuure...*gasp*"
The second day, he got to play BINGO so that made it all better and Jaron is now the biggest fan of first grade you ever saw. At this rate, I am not sure I can endure all the emotional highs and lows of first grade.
Jaron and I were shopping for school supplies and I found the absolute coolest composition notebook EVER! It had a pencil drawing of 2 dinosaurs on it and was oh!-so-very first grade boy. He took one look at it and said it was 'lame-o.'
Yes Ma'am. That's right "lame-o." I think he hit a worm hole on the way out of kindergarten and warped right into junior high...
OY!
Chris has OFFICIALLY turned in his notice at RL. He is a new man. It's amazing what light at the end of a tunnel can do for a man. Truly.
He starts his new job on October 1. The benefits for Chris and the kids are terrific. What's more is he will work M-F 8-5. You say, "SHUT UP!!!" I say, "No, I will not shut up!"
Ladies and gentlemen, that's about as normal as normal gets for the O-bunch. Thank you, God, for answered prayers.
March 17, 2009 = my very first day at my current job.
August 27, 2009 = the very first day that I felt like I didn't stink at it. Today, I began to really feel my stride in this job. I might even be pretty decent at what I do.
The day started out early. I went in at 7:45 after dropping Jaron off at school. I went to the bathroom ZERO times today. I ate ZERO lunch. I had a cup of Jo. I worked solid until 6:30pm tonight BUT>>> I don't stink at what I do. I might actually survive this.
5 months, 10 days = leaving survival mode.
We are about to get a hefty pay cut. I am working really hard at this 'Trusting God for provision" thing. I do feel like we are smack dab in the palm of His mighty hand, so much so that I envision the "Bringin' Home a baby Bumblebee" song when I think about it. All except for the stingin' and smooshin' part... That would just stink!
But>>> this pay cut is considerable. He will provide.
Life is good. God is better.
I love God.
Also, in the background of my living room as I type this post is one of my absolute favorite sounds on earth. Yep, you guessed it NFL football. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Nothing is a soothing as the sound of an NFL game. I absolutely love it. So glad another season has begun...
Go to the bathroom and grab your snugli.
Jaron's first day of first grade was, "Torture." But to quote him accurately and to do it justice, I'll have to type it like this: "TOR-tuuuuuuuuuuuuure...*gasp*"
The second day, he got to play BINGO so that made it all better and Jaron is now the biggest fan of first grade you ever saw. At this rate, I am not sure I can endure all the emotional highs and lows of first grade.
Jaron and I were shopping for school supplies and I found the absolute coolest composition notebook EVER! It had a pencil drawing of 2 dinosaurs on it and was oh!-so-very first grade boy. He took one look at it and said it was 'lame-o.'
Yes Ma'am. That's right "lame-o." I think he hit a worm hole on the way out of kindergarten and warped right into junior high...
OY!
Chris has OFFICIALLY turned in his notice at RL. He is a new man. It's amazing what light at the end of a tunnel can do for a man. Truly.
He starts his new job on October 1. The benefits for Chris and the kids are terrific. What's more is he will work M-F 8-5. You say, "SHUT UP!!!" I say, "No, I will not shut up!"
Ladies and gentlemen, that's about as normal as normal gets for the O-bunch. Thank you, God, for answered prayers.
March 17, 2009 = my very first day at my current job.
August 27, 2009 = the very first day that I felt like I didn't stink at it. Today, I began to really feel my stride in this job. I might even be pretty decent at what I do.
The day started out early. I went in at 7:45 after dropping Jaron off at school. I went to the bathroom ZERO times today. I ate ZERO lunch. I had a cup of Jo. I worked solid until 6:30pm tonight BUT>>> I don't stink at what I do. I might actually survive this.
5 months, 10 days = leaving survival mode.
We are about to get a hefty pay cut. I am working really hard at this 'Trusting God for provision" thing. I do feel like we are smack dab in the palm of His mighty hand, so much so that I envision the "Bringin' Home a baby Bumblebee" song when I think about it. All except for the stingin' and smooshin' part... That would just stink!
But>>> this pay cut is considerable. He will provide.
Life is good. God is better.
I love God.
Also, in the background of my living room as I type this post is one of my absolute favorite sounds on earth. Yep, you guessed it NFL football. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Nothing is a soothing as the sound of an NFL game. I absolutely love it. So glad another season has begun...
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Sting
We all went to Corpus Christi about two weeks ago. There were lots of fun moments. The kids had never seen the ocean, and they had certainly never tasted it or felt its magnificent hugeness - so we went.
What a fun trip, and not a moment too soon!
One of the tragically funny moments on this trip was when Avery got stung by a jellyfish.
Preceding this awful event were no fewer than 300 conversations with the kids about jellyfish. Avery had fretted so about the existence of jellyfish.
It was all I could do to convince her to get in the water. Then as the 4 of us huddled close to the shore, of course it was Avery who got it...
She shot out of the water and said something BIT me!!! And I looked at her, and like the caring, concerned mom I am said, "I don't see anything. You'll be fine."
She griped for a bit and then no amount of coaxing could get her back in the water.
A couple of hours later, she got in the bathtub of our hotel room and there it was a 3-4 inch long red, angry stripe. I examined it and knew what it was. In all my horror, realizing that "Mom-of-the-Year" was definitely in the bag, I told her I was sorry and asked if it still hurt. She said it wasn't too bad, but then looked at me sort of like a beggar and asked, "You're not gonna pee on me, are you?"
See? When I told you that we had no fewer than 300 conversations about the jellyfish, the remedy for a sting was discussed multiple times. Jaron was so impressed at the idea that you could PEE on something and make it better... Avery was not so much impressed as she was disgusted.
I assured her that no one was going to pee on her. Sweet relief! Poor baby. So in the end, my forgiving sweet little darling has moved past my lack of concern for her in the trauma of a jellyfish sting.
She was fine and all was well.
Another Jellyfish Comment by Jaron: "Avery, if it wasn't for jellyfish, we wouldn't have any jelly. And I know how much you love jelly..."
What a fun trip, and not a moment too soon!
One of the tragically funny moments on this trip was when Avery got stung by a jellyfish.
Preceding this awful event were no fewer than 300 conversations with the kids about jellyfish. Avery had fretted so about the existence of jellyfish.
It was all I could do to convince her to get in the water. Then as the 4 of us huddled close to the shore, of course it was Avery who got it...
She shot out of the water and said something BIT me!!! And I looked at her, and like the caring, concerned mom I am said, "I don't see anything. You'll be fine."
She griped for a bit and then no amount of coaxing could get her back in the water.
A couple of hours later, she got in the bathtub of our hotel room and there it was a 3-4 inch long red, angry stripe. I examined it and knew what it was. In all my horror, realizing that "Mom-of-the-Year" was definitely in the bag, I told her I was sorry and asked if it still hurt. She said it wasn't too bad, but then looked at me sort of like a beggar and asked, "You're not gonna pee on me, are you?"
See? When I told you that we had no fewer than 300 conversations about the jellyfish, the remedy for a sting was discussed multiple times. Jaron was so impressed at the idea that you could PEE on something and make it better... Avery was not so much impressed as she was disgusted.
I assured her that no one was going to pee on her. Sweet relief! Poor baby. So in the end, my forgiving sweet little darling has moved past my lack of concern for her in the trauma of a jellyfish sting.
She was fine and all was well.
Another Jellyfish Comment by Jaron: "Avery, if it wasn't for jellyfish, we wouldn't have any jelly. And I know how much you love jelly..."
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Meet the teacher
Tomorrow I take him to meet his first grade teacher.
Will he love her right off the bat?
Will she love him?
What will his school year be like?
Will there be good kids in his class?
Will he love school the way I did?
Not worries really as much as they are ponderings.
My prayer for you, sweet darling son, gift of God, and marvel of all marvels is that you will be covered with the favor of God every place you go, with everyone you meet, and through all that you experience.
My love, I know I cannot protect or shield you from all the trials that will come, but I pray you never feel that you've tread the path alone.
My friend, my prayers go with you to all the places I cannot.
My son, you are a jewel and a treasure, may your first grade year be filled with God's grace and countless blessings.
May God, your Creator and King, cause His face to shine upon you and your first grade year be filled with the warmth of His love.
Amen.
Will he love her right off the bat?
Will she love him?
What will his school year be like?
Will there be good kids in his class?
Will he love school the way I did?
Not worries really as much as they are ponderings.
My prayer for you, sweet darling son, gift of God, and marvel of all marvels is that you will be covered with the favor of God every place you go, with everyone you meet, and through all that you experience.
My love, I know I cannot protect or shield you from all the trials that will come, but I pray you never feel that you've tread the path alone.
My friend, my prayers go with you to all the places I cannot.
My son, you are a jewel and a treasure, may your first grade year be filled with God's grace and countless blessings.
May God, your Creator and King, cause His face to shine upon you and your first grade year be filled with the warmth of His love.
Amen.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
You betcha
You are reading the blog of a very happy woman who is married to a soon to be fireman.
for better or worse
for richer or poorer
in sickness and in health
as long as we both shall live...
This is definitely one of those 'better' days with an undeniably 'poorer' wallet = 'richer' life twists!
p.s. firemen are so dreamy!
for better or worse
for richer or poorer
in sickness and in health
as long as we both shall live...
This is definitely one of those 'better' days with an undeniably 'poorer' wallet = 'richer' life twists!
p.s. firemen are so dreamy!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
The ring.
Tonight she pranced around the living room with my wedding ring on. Her face lit up with the suggestion that she could wear it.
She carefully slipped it on and as it engulfed her tiny finger, she beamed with delight.
Her joy took me back to my own childhood.
I remember thinking as a little girl that there was no more beautiful or perfect thing in the world than my mother's wedding ring.
I would ask my mom if I could have it someday, not really understanding the meaning behind it or the depth of the covenant it represented.
I asked her each time she took it off and put it on the kitchen windowsill to wash dishes if I could hold it for just a little while and keep it safe for her. She obliged.
Years passed and the day came when I was to become engaged. Our engagement wasn't well-planned or lengthy. I don't remember being concerned about having a beautiful ring, or any of the normal things a bride-to-be concerns herself with...
But on the evening that Chris and I were engaged, my parents gave us the single most valuable gift I have ever been given. My mother's wedding ring of 30 years.
Even today when I think back to the moment that my parents extended this priceless and sacrificial gift to Chris and I as he knelt on one knee before me, I weep. They wanted more than anything for our love to last, to the point that they gave us the most meaningful token of enduring love and covenant I had ever known.
I found myself hoping tonight as Avery whirled around the living room that someday she'll remember my wedding ring with the same fondness. I want my ring to represent to her the covenant her parents made, the unconditional love and support Chris and I share for her, and security that she'll always have a soft place to fall no matter where her decisions in life take her.
As a little girl, taken by the sparkle in my mom's ring, I couldn't have understood all of that in the same way I do today - but I knew it was special. Tonight, as Avery danced in dainty, giddy loops around my feet, she knew it was special too.
She carefully slipped it on and as it engulfed her tiny finger, she beamed with delight.
Her joy took me back to my own childhood.
I remember thinking as a little girl that there was no more beautiful or perfect thing in the world than my mother's wedding ring.
I would ask my mom if I could have it someday, not really understanding the meaning behind it or the depth of the covenant it represented.
I asked her each time she took it off and put it on the kitchen windowsill to wash dishes if I could hold it for just a little while and keep it safe for her. She obliged.
Years passed and the day came when I was to become engaged. Our engagement wasn't well-planned or lengthy. I don't remember being concerned about having a beautiful ring, or any of the normal things a bride-to-be concerns herself with...
But on the evening that Chris and I were engaged, my parents gave us the single most valuable gift I have ever been given. My mother's wedding ring of 30 years.
Even today when I think back to the moment that my parents extended this priceless and sacrificial gift to Chris and I as he knelt on one knee before me, I weep. They wanted more than anything for our love to last, to the point that they gave us the most meaningful token of enduring love and covenant I had ever known.
I found myself hoping tonight as Avery whirled around the living room that someday she'll remember my wedding ring with the same fondness. I want my ring to represent to her the covenant her parents made, the unconditional love and support Chris and I share for her, and security that she'll always have a soft place to fall no matter where her decisions in life take her.
As a little girl, taken by the sparkle in my mom's ring, I couldn't have understood all of that in the same way I do today - but I knew it was special. Tonight, as Avery danced in dainty, giddy loops around my feet, she knew it was special too.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Full Top Bunk and Empty Top Rack
Tonight he lost his other top front tooth and decided that he wanted to sleep on the top bunk of his bed for the very first time.
He writes - with very clever spelling, I might add - words like "Submarine" and "Self-destruct button" on his artwork.
He is perpetually more energetic than you can imagine.
He is in love with dirt - so much so, that I doubt the love affair will ever end. I - on the other hand- am so over his love for all things dirt-y...
He is a happy kid, but never will you find him happier than when he's out in the backyard in just his underwear climbing a tree or digging in the mud. He hums while he plays and makes the most realistic sound-effects.
His kisses make my heart go pitter-pat. He wraps his arms around you so tight when he hugs you.
He still hates cleaning his room and is beginning to think that bathing and brushing your teeth are overrated.
He loves his baby sister and wants to protect her from everything one minute and knocks her silly over something stupid the next minute.
He is absolutely, positively the most wonderful little boy a mother could ever ask for!
He writes - with very clever spelling, I might add - words like "Submarine" and "Self-destruct button" on his artwork.
He is perpetually more energetic than you can imagine.
He is in love with dirt - so much so, that I doubt the love affair will ever end. I - on the other hand- am so over his love for all things dirt-y...
He is a happy kid, but never will you find him happier than when he's out in the backyard in just his underwear climbing a tree or digging in the mud. He hums while he plays and makes the most realistic sound-effects.
His kisses make my heart go pitter-pat. He wraps his arms around you so tight when he hugs you.
He still hates cleaning his room and is beginning to think that bathing and brushing your teeth are overrated.
He loves his baby sister and wants to protect her from everything one minute and knocks her silly over something stupid the next minute.
He is absolutely, positively the most wonderful little boy a mother could ever ask for!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
blah
I have been working full time for a little over 4 months now and find myself going through the heart-wrenching phase of realizing that I am falling out of touch with my children.
My heart hurts.
I worry that they may never remember how I was always available to them at a moment's notice - no matter what...
I can no longer tell you how many green beans they ate at lunch or where that glob of 'what is that anyway?' on her forehead came from.
I don't know how it happened, but there are muddy footprints in the living room carpet. I do know those feet though- and for once, Jaron's muddy footprints make me smile...
I am slower to wipe the fingerprints off the glass doors nowadays.
I can't tell you the last time I built anything with Jaron out of Legos.
She can't wear clothes out of the little girl's section anymore - how did she grow up so quickly?
These are the types of sacrifices that you simply cannot put a price tag on.
I knew what I was signing up for when I took this job. The 'reasons' it was the right choice to make are still valid.
The truth? My mom was a fabulous stay-at-home mom and I don't remember any of the day-to-day stuff from my childhood. What I do remember is being overwhelmingly loved, certain of the fact that my parents were in my corner, and 100% secure because of that.
That, I can do.
My heart hurts.
I worry that they may never remember how I was always available to them at a moment's notice - no matter what...
I can no longer tell you how many green beans they ate at lunch or where that glob of 'what is that anyway?' on her forehead came from.
I don't know how it happened, but there are muddy footprints in the living room carpet. I do know those feet though- and for once, Jaron's muddy footprints make me smile...
I am slower to wipe the fingerprints off the glass doors nowadays.
I can't tell you the last time I built anything with Jaron out of Legos.
She can't wear clothes out of the little girl's section anymore - how did she grow up so quickly?
These are the types of sacrifices that you simply cannot put a price tag on.
I knew what I was signing up for when I took this job. The 'reasons' it was the right choice to make are still valid.
The truth? My mom was a fabulous stay-at-home mom and I don't remember any of the day-to-day stuff from my childhood. What I do remember is being overwhelmingly loved, certain of the fact that my parents were in my corner, and 100% secure because of that.
That, I can do.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Camp E.D.G.E. VBS and you're invited!
Well if you are ages 3 years old to 6th Grade, that is.
When: July 27-31, 2009
This year, we have chosen to conduct a Penny Push to benefit the Potato Project, where every nickel we raise will purchase one pound of produce to feed America's hungry. Our goal is to raise enough to purchase 10,000 pounds of food! Start saving your loose change now!
If you want your kids to go on an action-packed, adrenaline-filled expedition to Camp E.D.G.E. -where kids learn to experience and discover God everywhere, then register your sweeties at this site:
http://cokesburyvbs.com/firstkids/ce
Just click on the Participant Signup button, fill in the fields, and submit the info.
Once you have registered, I will send you all the informtaion you need.
See you there!
The best part? Your kids will be safely tucked away learning about God with kids their ages while you and your hubby cruise the riverwalk, er, whatever you call it.
When: July 27-31, 2009
- On July 27 from 5:00pm-7:00pm we will be having a Kickoff Swim Party (free of charge) at College Hills Swim and Racquet. Please come and enjoy this time as a family together. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fixin's, and refreshments will be provided.
- Beginning July 28-31 from 5:00pm-8:00pm an amazing group of volunteers and FirstChurch staff will assemble themselves at 37 E. Beauregard in great expectation of your precious children.
This year, we have chosen to conduct a Penny Push to benefit the Potato Project, where every nickel we raise will purchase one pound of produce to feed America's hungry. Our goal is to raise enough to purchase 10,000 pounds of food! Start saving your loose change now!
If you want your kids to go on an action-packed, adrenaline-filled expedition to Camp E.D.G.E. -where kids learn to experience and discover God everywhere, then register your sweeties at this site:
http://cokesburyvbs.com/firstkids/ce
Just click on the Participant Signup button, fill in the fields, and submit the info.
Once you have registered, I will send you all the informtaion you need.
See you there!
The best part? Your kids will be safely tucked away learning about God with kids their ages while you and your hubby cruise the riverwalk, er, whatever you call it.
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