mia...

Michaela has a summer project to complete by this evening (her mean mom's deadline), so I am sitting at the library listening to the sounds of noisy children as I use the free wi~fi. After becoming frustrated with the internet connection continually cutting on and off and the laptop opening 50 new tabs and then shutting down, I decided to just shut off the internet. We went ahead and ordered our new cell phones with 502 area codes, so canceling our CB account just seemed like the sensible thing to do.

And in theory, it was a practical decision. In reality...not so much!!!!!

It is amazing how much I rely on the internet throughout the day. No googling of information, no checking of bank statements or bills, no movies at 2 in the morning, and no access to my blog:( I realize I have lived more of my life without the internet than I have with it; that I found phone numbers and information by using phone books and reference books for several decades, but the internet has made trips to the library for reference materials obsolete and has spoiled me with the convenience and ease of typing in a few words and having pages and pages of information to scan through.

Ahhh...the simple life! Boy do I miss the convenience!

So, until our house sells, I will be enjoying a nice ice cold Dr. Pepper every day as I sit at McDonalds... and take advantage of the free wi~fi they provide!

Cuz' the eye twitching and nervous tics from internet withdrawals are becoming unbearable:)

that's a big number...

Today is Stephen's birthday!

Of course we spent it apart...him in OC, us 'up north'...

but as soon as he was awake, we called to wish him a happy day.

Emma was appalled that he was working on his car "ON HIS BIRTHDAY"...

and then informed him, "Wow!!!! 29 IS A VERY BIG NUMBER!!"

Yes Emma, 29 is a very big number...

and 44, his true age, is an even BIGGER one!!!!They say the memory is the first thing to go!!!

upon the first day of the week...

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;
For the LORD GOD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:2

problem...

Internet...or computer...is having issues.

It keeps shutting down or booting me off.

Which is slightly frustrating. Not to mention time consuming.

I am going to go to the library tomorrow and check to see which is the problem!


Good thing my computer geek, i mean husband, is coming home tomorrow night!

why didn't anyone warn us??!! ...pt.1

Over the last several months, I have had various conversations with friends about parenting. We have talked about the joys our children have brought us and also about what our lives would be like if we had not taken on the role of parent (more time, more money, less stress, less love). These conversations, along with comments recently made to Michaela, have had me thinking about myself as a parent~~~ a lot. And after much self evaluation, I have come to a conclusion.

Sometimes....I hate being a parent!

And while I do not enjoy the bickering and arguing or the attitude and disdain, the dislike does not stem from these behaviors. My feelings of disdain comes from the magnitude of responsibility that raising children entails! We, as parents, have been entrusted with the nurturing, educating, disciplining, and spiritual and emotional well~being of these little souls. We, as mommy and daddy, are responsible for forming their knowledge base and value system from infancy! We, as mom and dad, create the foundation for what they will make of themselves as the grow and mature!

And...the responsibility is frightening!

Doubt, second guessing, and regret often follow decisions. Discipline often ends with "What ifs." and "I shouldn't haves." We continually question "Am I being too strict?", "Am I pushing too hard?", or "Do I expect too much?" as we make choices or give encouragement. Our task as parents is daunting. The ramifications of are choices, whether good or bad, will shape and mold the character of our children for the rest of their lives.

And that...is overwhelming!

Recently, Michaela was told that I......

not quite wordless wednesday...

I just realized I never posted pictures of Emma Shea in her dance recital.

Sadly, I got no good ones this year.

But we still have the memories of the CAROUSAL RIDERS and FEED THE BIRDS dance!

have patience with me...

It is amazing how much more I can get accomplished when I have a lot to do? I have always been more productive when I am working/taking classes full-time. I know that I only have a set amount of time to finish a task, so I get it done. When I am 'not doing anything' or working just a few hours a week, I tend to put jobs off. I think, " I have plenty of time to do that later!" and later turns into tomorrow...or next week. Time seems endless and responsibilities suffer.

I have been working on a post (actually several because my thoughts went on...and on) but I have procrastinated. Because I am only tutoring 16 hours this week, I felt like I had plenty of time. But somehow time rushes by and the day disappears. And after the girls go to bed, I am left with one thought...bed.

So as my Tuesday comes to a close, my posts are once again not completed.

Which means if I want to finish my writings, I either need to get focused and disciplined about my responsibilities... or go back to school full time:)

happy 4th of july,,,

MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY

OF THEE I SING...

LAND WHERE MY FATHERS DIED

LAND OF THE PILGRIM'S PRIDE

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE

LET FREEDOM RING!!!!!

Our fathers' God, to thee,

author of liberty, to thee we sing;
long may our land be bright
with freedom's holy light;
protect us by thy might, great God, our King

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!

upon the first day of the week....

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

—Psalm 127:3-5

michaela's first blog post...

I have pretended that the airplanes in the night sky are shooting stars...

which is a lot since we live in a flight path!

and I have wished and wished...

that for my birthday...

I get lots of money...

because my Mom is being mean and will not buy me the new cell phone with the data plan that I WANT...no NEED!!!!
I even told her I would pay her in the future...as soon as I have a job.

She still says "No!"

I could really use a wish right now!!!