living graciously

it's not much, but it's a start....

2011-06-13T22:38:00.002-04:00

Dance has ended for the year for Michaela
(except for the summer workshop she will be attending :)
She had a great year at the new studio..and she LOVES Pointe!
She is looking forward to next year's classes!

Dance has ended for Emma forever!

Emma decided halfway through the year that she no longer wants to take dance. Which is fine. It is her decision. Her sister does not understand the decision, but 'different strokes'. We all have to find our own niche in life.
She finished out the year and did a great job at recital.
But she has moved on.....

To horses of course!
Today was her first riding lesson!
She learned three 'seating' techniques
She trotted...She even did some tricks:)
I think that face says it all!!!!

i have not fallen off the face of the planet...

2011-01-07T19:12:00.002-05:00

but when you spend between 50 and 60 hours a week toggling between computer screens at a job you DESPISE, the last thing you want to do when you get home is look at a computer screen.

I think I understand why the mechanic's cars are never fixed and the carpenter's personal projects are never get done!

So just know that I am back.

And that I would like your prayers---please pray that the job I have applied for works out!

catch a falling....

2010-12-14T20:33:00.003-05:00

snowflake!

or maybe just sticking her tongue out at me!!!

how many more years of this???...

2010-12-06T22:31:00.003-05:00

This is what Math homework looks like in our house!

family tradition....

2010-12-04T21:25:00.004-05:00

Today was the day I planned to head out with Steve and the girls to look for the perfect Christmas tree. The weather had other ideas for the day...a nice covering of fluffy wet snow! But we were not daunted. Freezing temperatures and a little snow were not going to mess with our family tradition.

So we bundled up~~~some of us matching better than others~~~ and headed out to Sleepy Hollow Tree Farm.
There were snowball fights....fatherly ambushes...
and lots of laughter!
After the snowballs stopped flying, the tree hunting began!

Emma found her 'perfect' tree...
but we decided to leave it and let it grow a little bit more before we took it home...

and we chose this one instead!
and as tradition has it, Steve grabbed a handsaw and began cutting into the tree trunk. After a few minutes, the tree was still standing and Steve was worn out. So, rather than spend the next 30 minutes trying to saw through the trunk, he wimped out and called Troy over~~within seconds the chainsaw cut through the trunk and the tree came down.

Soon, the snow will be melted and the branches dry, and we can transform this huge evergreen into our family Christmas tree.

on the eve of thanksgiving eve ....

2010-11-23T20:06:00.003-05:00

Today was a extremely long day for me. I woke up at 4:30am and left the house at 5:10. I made it to work with a few minutes to spare. 12 hours later I walked out of the Humana building, exhausted and worn out! The 4 block walk to the parking lot was endless and the drive home felt like it would never end. Walking through the front door, sitting in the big comfy couch, and talking to the girls (and Steve) was all I wanted to do.

But my family had other plans for me!!! As I opened the door, I was welcomed by the smells of dinner cooking. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole had all been prepared by Steve and the girls this afternoon. What a great 'Welcome Home.'

Now Steve is on his way to work, Mac is cleaning the kitchen, Emma is taking a shower, and I am sitting with my feet propped up...counting my blessings!

we just replaced an ugly brass and glass fixture,
the new one definitely needs to be raised

I am so thankful for my family!

moving...

2010-11-22T20:57:00.007-05:00

I cannot believe I forgot to post about Emma's award from school! I always remember to write about the embarrassing things, and yet forgot to take the time to brag on my little girl when I had the chance! Bad, bad Mommy!

Each month at Locust Grove, children are honored during announcements and presented a certificate at an assembly for accomplishments in various categories. Two weeks ago Emma Shea was honored for her poem about moving. She was declared the 'winner' for the 2nd grade writing category. YAY EMMA!!!!

**Below is the poem she wrote completely by herself. Ms. V told me that Emma would pull it out every day for several weeks and add to it; trying to incorporate the literary devices they had worked on in class. She began the assignment the week after we moved away from Northern Kentucky. For weeks, she begged and begged to move back to our old house. This poem reflects the heart break she was feeling being separated from 'what she knew' and the acceptance of her new situation.

MOVING

Shattering in my tears
When we went to the new house.

The new house was cold and dark
Like the woods
Thinking on the floor
that we could never be sadder.

Why did we have to go
My backyard is big
I'm missing my old school
I'm missing my friends.

Liking my new house now
Liking my new school now
Liking my new backyard now
Liking my new room now.

friday frivolity....

2010-11-19T23:11:00.003-05:00

Having not worked a full~time job in over 7 years..

I had forgotten how important week~ends were.

It didn't take long to remember the relief...

that a clock striking 4:30 on a Friday can bring.

And the dread surrounding setting the alarm on Sunday night!

Retirement...Sweet Retirement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well from what they keep saying at H....., this is my last week end of freedom.

Annual enrollment for Medicare started on the 15th...

and therefore, mandatory overtime has begun....

and over the next 2 months, I will be seeing more of my co-workers than my family!

I have already said my good byes and asked them to please not forget me...

or replace me with a better model.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last week I asked Steve if he wanted to hire someone to paint Mac's room...

of course, since he loves painting so much, it took him a half of a millisecond to say yes!

Steve, the painter, came and primed the lovely paneling tonight...

and he has just left.

he will be back tomorrow to paint the Teal Zeal onto the walls...

but Steve doesn't know what time!

Um...it is my last Saturday of not working for weeks...

I do not want to see the morning hours.

I sure hope that doorbell doesn't ring at 8:00.

Because I would hate to have to wake up...

errr....well roll over...

to nudge Steve out of bed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not too much has happened this week...

work for Steve and I...

school for the girls.

Next week looks like more of the same.

with a trip to Alabama to break up the monotony...

and of course the IRON BOWL on Friday!

I wonder if we will cheer for the Tide with 5/6th of the Hunters

or with the blue and orange with the rebellious 1/6th of the family:)

Shhh...we will be cheering for the Crimson Tide ...

because we need a place to stay while we are there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am off to bed...

sleep has been calling me for a while...

and I think I am going to answer him now!

Sweet Dreams!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

girls stripping...

2010-11-18T20:31:00.004-05:00

wallpaper... girls stripping WALLPAPER!

you didn't think I would actually have a post about strippers did you???!!!

The house we are 'trying out' to see if we want to buy in the future was built in the late 80s. It is a good house, but it is really stuck in a time warp. There are things that MUST be changed if I am going to live here~~~even if we decide not to buy it.

Exposure to U.G.L.Y. has to be limited.

Exhibit #1:

This hideous mauve and green wallpaper covers the walls of the master bathroom...and even the walk-in closet! A decorator's failure I do believe.

What made the concept even more of an eyesore ... the mauve blinds in the bathroom bay window and the matching curtains left in the master bedroom.

PURRRRRTTTTTTYYYYY!!!!

Thankfully, these beautiful girls spent their Sunday afternoon stripping the U.G.L.Y off of the walls.

And they had a great time...

except for the 'smelling like vinegar' part!!

I am just tickled ~~pink~~ mauve that my bathroom has taken a step closer to this century!!

fashionista...

2010-11-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Last week we surprised Emma with a trampoline.

Late afternoon on Saturday, we hooked up the trailer and headed out to pick it up from Ms. Robin's yard.

A few hours later we arrived home (because we had to stop and eat at OG before picking it up). Although it was pitch black outside, the girls wanted to set it up. So we found the perfect spot and while the girls came in to bundle up (because it was almost 50 and 'freezing'), Steve began unloading the pieces.

Emma could not find the winter hat she was looking for, but she found her scarf so I wrapped her up in it. About the same time I offered her a chef's hat to wear (because it is a little too big and would cover her ears), she found a sun hat and put it on her head. Real purty!!!

When she saw the chef's hat, she looked at me appalled!
"MOM!!! I can't wear that. That would look silly!"Oh, and this doesn't??!!
~~~~~~
For more Wordful Wednesday posts, go to
Parenting by Dummies

parenting--part 2...

2010-11-16T21:37:00.011-05:00

A few months ago, Michaela was told by a young man that I "make all of her decisions for her" and that I "control her." Of course my first reaction was to laugh and to think that if I truly did control her and make her decisions I would certainly have a lot less to worry about. And if I was a "puppet master" for my children, parenting would definitely be so much easier! But the comment made me look at myself as a parent and consider my role in my children's lives.

My conclusion...parenting is hard...sometimes I hate it...and I question my decisions often.

But I also realized that raising happy, well balanced children requires being successful...in two concepts that are complete polar opposites of one another.

First, as parents, we make decisions for our children. We teach and we discipline so that we can instill family values, ground our children in faith, and create stability and security in their lives. We spend years creating a home that represents safety. Family is where we teach our children to seek comfort. We spend years making choices that will ground our children in an assurance of their worth and value. Our unconditional love is the basis for forming strong roots.

Then, as soon as the roots have taken hold, we take a step back and we begin preening their wings so that they can take flight and begin a life separate from us. And letting go is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Taking a step (or 20) back and allowing Michaela to make her own choices, her own mistakes 'hurts my heart'. Often I (choose to) forget that she is a young adult and that she has to make her own choices, whether I agree with them or not. I want to alleviate the hurt and heartache that are inevitable as she matures and makes more of her own life choices. I want to keep her in the safety of my heart so that she does not look back on her life and say, "If only I had/hadn't.....". I want to continue strengthening the roots because that is simpler---for me. But I know that controlling all of Mac's choices is not what is best for her. I realize that one day (all too soon), she will drive away and begin creating her own home. So, as her parent, I must continue to guide her and make choices for her~~that is my responsibility~~but I also must remember to step back and allow her to make more of her own decisions~~~and to be there to support her... in the joy or in the sorrow of her choices.

Boy!!! Letting go is heartwrenching.

Success as a parent comes when we recognize that the roots we have been nurturing are stable and that we realize when it is time to step back and do what is necessary to strengthen the wings. We must know that if we have done our best, although they have flown away, their roots are strong and well grounded within our hearts and homes.

Man, why didn't anyone tell us parenting was so hard!!!

parenting....

2010-11-15T22:29:00.003-05:00

I originally posted this in June, but due to 'life' I never finished the second part. So I am re-posting this and posting the 2nd part tomorrow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 our choices, whether good or bad, will shape and mold the character of our children for the rest of their lives.

And that...is overwhelming!

Several months ago, Michaela was told that I......

happy halloween...

2010-11-01T10:29:00.000-04:00

upon the first day of the week...

2010-10-31T22:42:00.001-04:00

¹ How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

² How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

³ Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

⁴ my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

⁵ But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

⁶ I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13

fun filled family fridaysaturday

2010-10-30T22:01:00.003-04:00

Today we all slept in until after 10AM...It was GLORIOUS! Then we rushed around and headed out the door to drive up to Florence. With the sun shining and clear blue skies, we enjoyed an afternoon at the Ferguson family farm. We explored the farm by hayride, we hid from one another in the 5 acre corn maze, and we looked for pumpkins in the pumpkin patch. After petting the animals and taking a pony ride (Emma) we hurried over to a presentation of Chicken Little, starring Emma's friend Madeline as Ducky Lucky. After many hugs and congratulations, we said our goodbyes and headed to Mall road for Michaela's favorite thing (and the thing Emma and I detest the most)~~~~shopping. After several trips to the dressing rooms, we paid for the final selections and then headed to dinner at Don Pablos on the river to stuff ourselves with salsa and fajitas. (YUMMY)!!!Truly a great Fun-Filled Family ~~Friday~~ Saturday!

friday frivolity...

2010-10-29T22:46:00.004-04:00

I just returned home from a night out with my husband.
He met me downtown after I got off of work...
and then we headed to Cardinal Cafe...
(yes that would be a Uof L establishment---Mac is appalled!).
After dinner we headed to Central Park...
where we began a Ghost Walk through historical Louisville.
We had a great time hearing the stories of some of Louisville's famous ghost...
and saw some great old Victorian houses!
What is the word for dinner and a night out without children...
Is it 'date'?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On this walk I found the where I want to live!
A sweet area known as Floral Terrace.
The houses are mid sized Victorians...
with a sweet cobblestone sidewalk...
and beautiful courtyard front yards.
I think I could trade land for a house with character...
and a neighborhood with history.
Now to convince the family that a move into the city would be great!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While Steve and I were out on our date, Michaela and Emma went to a Halloween party.
Food, friends, and a hayride...
and of course a bag full of candy!
No need to go trick or treating on Halloween now!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bus driver left Michaela yesterday morning...
Drove right past her without stopping!
Thankfully Steve was home and could drive her to school.
Of course when I found out, I called the bus garage to find out why.
I was polite!
I just wanted to see if there was a problem.
What I didn't realize was that when the individual I was speaking to put me on hold and contacted the bus driver...
her conversation broad casted over the radios to all the bus drivers.!
And even better...
some of the people on the buses also heard the dispatcher asking the bus driver if she had forgotten to pick someone up!
Michaela also became aware of this...
when various people asked if she had been left by her bus driver...
and if her mother had called in to ask about it.
She is really happy with me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I realize it is dark...
and there are no street lights or house lights at the end of our street...
but really...
Come on!!
Michaela has been standing at the end of the street for almost three months.
In the same spot...
At the same time...
Nearly every day.
Common sense should lead someone to stop and check!
The bus driver's explanation to Michaela later that day...
"It is really dark out there and I didn't see you...
You need to carry a flashlight and shine it so I know to stop."
and then she went on to say...
"And you need some pepper spray. It is really dark out there and I am afraid someone can get you while you stand and wait."
Yeah...that is something you should tell a young girl who stands on a dark country street corner at o'early in the morning by herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve finished painting the dining room this afternoon...
he vacuumed while I read Emma a story tonight...
and he is now busy replacing the beautiful (i.e. ugly) light in the dining room...
I knew there was a reason I kept him around!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The house we are living in was built in the late 80s...
and I am sure at the time the fixtures were 'in style'.
But a few decades have past...
and things that once looked good now belong ~~in the garbage~~ somewhere else.
Slowly...we are trying to bring the house out of the 80s and into this century.
Not quick enough for me!
If I never see brass and glass again...it will be too soon!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am still in training for my job.
It has been three weeks so far...
and I still have three more weeks to go.
I realize that handling Medicare is tricky...
and that accuracy is crucial...
but 6 weeks!!!
Really????
At least it is paid training!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow morning we are heading back up to Northern Kentucky.
We are going to grab some lunch...
do some shopping in stores I am familiar with...
visit a pumpkin patch and corn maze..
and see Emma's friend in a play.
And of course visit my drive-thru friends at Skyline Chili!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is going to drop into the 30s tonight!!!
I am going to go open some windows in the bedroom...
and put an extra blanket on the bed.
Great weather for sleeping under a bunch of quilts!
But I better go do it before Steve gets in there...
because he is a 'cold weather wimp"...
and freezes if it it is below 70 in the house.
Shhhhh!!! don't tell him the windows are open.

renea...this one is for you!

2010-10-27T21:20:00.002-04:00

To my Alabamian friends....

I cannot believe...

2010-10-25T21:03:00.012-04:00

It has been 3 weeks since I have posted!

Life is busy .

I have begun my new job which has created the need for an adjustment in the daily schedule and responsibilities. Steve has quit his 2nd job, but now gets to do all the taxi-ing and appointments. Today he got to experience driving up north for Mac's Ortho appointment, a shopping trip to Jo-Ann Fabrics for Emma's Halloween costume material, and a few other stops all before driving back down here, dropping the girls off, and leaving for work! Tomorrow he gets dance practice duty. Now if I can just get him to sew Emma's witch costume I would be good to go:)

As the responsibilities shift and we tweak the day to day stuff, we can give a sigh of relief as we live like a family again and finally find the "normal" that we have been missing for so long.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

not quite wordless wednesday...

2010-10-06T22:39:00.009-04:00

Today was the day Emma had been dreading for weeks~~~the day she had to run ONE MILE for her fitness test at school. She has been running around the backyard to 'train' for it. She has been talking about it incessantly. She has been stressed about it because she 'isn't fast'.

Her Daddy and I have been reassuring her and reminding her that she ran over 2 miles in England with no problem. We were promptly told, "Yes, but that was sooo long ago." But the completion of the run is a state requirement and there was no escaping it.

So this afternoon, Steve woke up after 4hours of sleep and we headed to the school to cheer her on.

At 12:50, she was on her mark...ready to go!
Going strong at the end of her first lap...only 5 more to go to cross the finish line a 'winner'.By the 3rd lap she was ready for some motivation to finish...so along came her hero to help her along the way.
and 11minutes and some odd seconds later...she crossed the finish line!!!!

Not too shabby!

friday...

2010-10-01T23:50:00.001-04:00

Just got home from our OCHS's football game against SOHS!!!!

Way to go Colonels~~~40-19.

Now it is off to bed!

upon the first day of the week...

2010-09-26T14:09:00.004-04:00

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.
Romans 3:24-25

friday frivolity...

2010-09-24T23:23:00.007-04:00

We just returned from our Fun-Filled Family Friday...

and when I looked at the clock I was shocked to see that I have almost ran out of Friday!!

Shew!! Glad I got this posted before the clock struck midnight.

Because I am not sure Billy C. could go one more week without my wit and insight :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have lived in Oldham County for only 2 weeks now...

and I have seen more people I know around town...

than I had the entire 10 years I lived in Northern Ky. ---COMBINED!

I think that must mean it is time to move somewhere where no one knows us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was offered a job today...

It is a 6 month contract job with Humana...

an Enrollment Verification Specialist...

sounds glamorous doesn't it?

translated= someone who sits in front of a computer all day looking for discrepancies in enrollment forms!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve is more excited that I got a job offer than I am I think...

because my gainful employment means his 2 week notice at the zone.

Ever since I told him I have seen joy and happiness in his eyes...

He almost skipped around the house :)

I think the anticipation of a good night's (day's)sleep has him giddy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We bought a tv last week...

and I signed up for Netflix again...

and the drama that is occurring in the Martin household is NOT just on the television!

Steve is in the other room laughing hysterically...

Emma is coming into my room every 2 minutes sighing and moaning...

the cause of these fits of emotions???

Why the British car show TOP GEAR of course.

I think I have concluded that "Is it over yet?" is just as annoying as "Are we there yet?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela has an orthodontia appointment on Wednesday...

so we will be making the drive back up north...

and probably not a moment too soon!

I am pretty sure that Skyline's profits have taken a nosedive since I have moved away!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma has not taken the move very well...

she keeps asking if we can please move back...

she wrote a poem in school about the move...

and she tells me daily, if not hourly, that she misses her friends and old school so much!

She even told us tonight that she could move in with Madeline and we could come visit her.

And let me tell you...there have been a few moments today that the idea has been VERY tempting :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I guess I had better hit publish before Friday becomes yesterday!

But I want to leave you with this picture taken this evening at Target of Michaela's choice for her Halloween costume...
because it has been awhile since I have embarrassed her...

...well on the blog anyway!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

not quite wordless wednesday...

2010-09-22T21:34:00.008-04:00

He came loaded with weed eater and pruning shears...

ready to conquer the jungle that had overtaken the front landscaping!
He cut...

He 'weed eated'...

He uncovered...

and what he found was enough holly bushes for a subdivision full of landscaping beds...

I think there was a buy 1, get 12 free sale!

a sweet wrought iron fence outlining a small courtyard area...

and hours and hours more weeding and planting to be done!!

...which will have to wait until the record 95* September weather passes!

slow and steady...

2010-09-21T21:13:00.006-04:00

***I found my card reader in the strangest place....my camera bag!!! The thing about being organized is to remember that you are organized and look in the most logical place first!"***

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are in the new house. And by 'in' I mean our stuff is EVERYWHERE...waiting to be put in it's proper place. Slowly, very slowly, it is feeling more like home. Along with organizing the inside, we have had to attend to the jungle that has taken over the landscaping around the house.

Yesterday...the front yard! Today...Cali's world got a little smaller.
and she has no clue that her wandering days are over!

so much for that organized move...

2010-09-20T22:26:00.002-04:00

I cannot find my photo card reader to upload the pictures I took today :(

And with as many cords and cables that I have in a basket (because I was told we may need them at some point) you would think there would be at least one that would work to hook up my camera to the laptop. grrrr!

I thought I was so organized with this move.

***sigh***

sigh

2010-09-08T22:25:00.002-04:00

* we have moved

* as of 1:00pm this afternoon, we no longer own a home

* Emma began her first day at her new school this morning

* there is furniture and boxes and stuff EVERYWHERE in this house

* I am NEVER moving again

* I have just now successfully installed our wireless internet

****sigh***

mmmm...the smell of brownies fills the air....

2010-09-04T17:04:00.006-04:00

What could be better?

open windows...

curtains blowing in the crisp autumn breeze...

the smell of brownies filling the air.

Wait! Brownies? I'm not baking brownies....

a. I dislike cooking...I despise baking

b. even if I did bake (see above), everything in the kitchen is packed.

Where or where could the smell of brownies be coming from?

Oh!!

Cali seems to have found a way to entertain herself.

And from the way she darted out to her water bowl, I do not think she enjoyed her adventure.

7 years old!!!!!

2010-09-02T20:22:00.002-04:00

and sporting new wheels!!

Happy Birthday, Emma Shea!

not quite wordless...

2010-08-25T09:47:00.000-04:00

Last Wednesday...
Emma bounded out of bed at the crack of dawn...
ready to begin her new school year.

The 'first day of school' outfit was put on...
teeth and hair were brushed...
lunch box was packed...
first day of school letter was hidden...
and the school bag was loaded with supplies.

The clock clicked 8:20 as the sound of a passing school bus filled the air.
Hugs and kisses were given...
pictures in front of the magnolia bush were taken (for the last time)...
and with a wave good bye and a swoosh of the bus doors closing...
my baby girl started down the road towards her first day...
in the 2nd grade!

any takers...

2010-08-24T20:25:00.002-04:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The inspection has been completed with no major fixes to be made.

The appraisal was conducted and exceeded the selling price.

The preliminary papers have been signed and the PENDING sign is in the yard.

The buyer's loan is in underwriting and signing on the dotted line is just around the corner!

mia...

2010-07-31T14:52:00.003-04:00

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...

2010-07-26T22:45:00.003-04:00

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...

2010-07-25T23:59:00.000-04:00

"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...

2010-07-15T22:06:00.002-04:00

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

2010-07-12T22:15:00.003-04:00

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...

2010-07-07T22:30:00.003-04:00

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...

2010-07-06T22:46:00.003-04:00

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,,,

2010-07-05T23:02:00.000-04:00

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....

2010-07-04T23:22:00.001-04:00

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...

2010-07-02T22:31:00.006-04:00

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!!!

not quite wordless wednesday...

2010-06-30T22:33:00.002-04:00

Could it be???

Is this proof that Michaela actually does know what a phone is for??

Is this truly a picture of her participating in the lost art of TALKING on a phone???

Did she finally learn that the buttons on the phone, when pressed in a sequence, will allow her to HEAR another human beings voice???

"Phones~~~they're not just for texting anymore!!!!

the end...

2010-06-29T23:39:00.010-04:00

Dances were danced...

awards were won...

and tears were shed as good byes to friends were said.

With the completion of Nationals in Tennessee, Michaela's place on the Spirit Dancers came to an end.

The experience allowed Michaela the opportunity to improve greatly as a dancer... and was definitely interesting at times.

But the costumes are in the dress up box and the ribbons are tucked away..because life brings change.

Yet with change comes growth... and new adventure and experiences!!!!

friday frivolity...

2010-06-25T23:05:00.002-04:00

Another week has come and gone...

Only 8 more weeks until school starts...

The summer is going by too quickly!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve and I just finished spreading mulch in the front yard...

22 bags of smelly black shredded mess.

I dislike the process...

but I like the results....

for the day or two that the color is still there and there is no grass all in it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have a showing this weekend...

and an Open House on Sunday.

So tomorrow morning we will be making sure everything is in its place...

that the beds are made...

and that there are no loose pieces of clothing lying about!

Because even though I do not know these people...

I would really rather them NOT see our unmentionables!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Along with getting ready for the Open House tomorrow...

I will be loading Michaela, Emma, and a friend into the van...

and heading to Sevierville, Tennessee.

There will be an abundance of fun in the waterpark...

great memories made with friends...

oh, and some ballet, tap and jazz will be taking place in between splashing in the pools and soaking in the sun.

Because after all, we are actually going down there for a dance competition!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve still has not looked at the car to see the extent of the engine damage...

He priced out parts for the worst case.

Let's just say...I am hoping for the 'best case'!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We went down and registered Michaela at OCHS on Wednesday...

She will be taking AP World Geography, Advanced English, Algebra 1, French 1, Practical Science, a mandatory Study skills and ILP class for half the year and an elective the second half, and PE/Health.

I think that should keep her busy enough!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am very proud of Mac this week...

she took a situation where she was not being treated right...

and chose to move on.

Luckily she was only slightly upset!

Because I am not ready for the broken heart yet!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma's friend invited her to attend VBS with her...

So she has been busy all week with Madeline.

She had a great time...

but was VERY tired this morning.

There was no jumping out of bed and getting ready in a few minutes like there was Monday morning!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am staying busy with tutoring...

I have 4 students now...

and just had info for 3 more sent to me.

Emma told me to quit tutoring...

She says I am always gone for AN HOUR!!!

What will she do when I am gone for 40 hours!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterday, I began working with a 16 year old that is autistic...

as he was reading to me about CPR out of his favorite book, a school Health textbook, he suddenly looks over at me and asks, "Do you think that victim is seeing a bright light right now or is he already in heaven?"

Yeah, never quite know where the discussions will take us!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is almost midnight...

so I should try to get some sleep.

Because I have a 4 hour drive tomorrow...

and it is not a good idea to fall asleep while driving!

Which I reaffirmed on my trip to Alabama last week!!

GOOD NIGHT!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

one step forward...two steps back...

2010-06-23T22:52:00.006-04:00

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!???!!!

SERIOUSLY!!!???!!!

REALLY!!!!!!????!!!!!!!!!
Steve's car blew up as he was driving into work this afternoon!

Maybe a head gasket...Maybe the transmission!

ARE WE EVER SUPPOSE TO GET AHEAD????????

drama queenking

2010-06-22T22:10:00.002-04:00

When I was pregnant I desperately wanted a girl. When people would ask what we were hoping for, I would give the expected "We don't care. We just want a healthy baby." response. But deep down I was terrified that I would have a boy. I had no idea what I would do with a son that liked bugs and trucks and sports. I did not know how I would relate to wrestling and fighting and 'boys being boys."

Don't get me wrong, I would have loved my sons if that is what I had been blessed with. Scared out of my mind, but filled with love.

Thankfully God blessed us with two girls.

Some friends said that their boys were so much easier to raise than their girls. And others said that the opposite was true. There was no consistency in the experiences. Yet in all the conversations with parents of daughters, there was one word that was used incessantly~~DRAMA! "Girls were always mixed up in some drama." "Girls were drama queens!" "Drama. Drama. Drama." And while I am raising Mac and Emma, I certainly agree. Drama is a part of our daily life~~~ Drama about friends. Drama about clothes. Drama about boys. Drama about their mere existence. It is never clear when the drama will unfold, but there is surety that it WILL reveal itself. And often!

Many Academy Awards and Oscars could be awarded for performances in the Martin Household!

And Emma may actually have won more in her short 6 years than her 13 year old sister!

While the word drama was always used when discussing girls, I have recently learned that teenage boys are just as moody, just as temperamental, and can create just as much drama as any girl. I learned first hand that drama IS NOT limited to the female gender!

And can I just say, macho egos along with pouting is so not attractive!!

So watch out girls, you are in danger of losing your DQ crowns to the up and coming Drama Kings!

friday frivolity...alabama edition...

2010-06-18T21:48:00.008-04:00

Steve decided to drive home tonight and surprise Emma Shea...
She is very excited to see him!!!!

Goobers wouldn't let me take a picture of them!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They are in an intense game of Hangman
Not sure who is winning!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had a great trip to Alabama...

It is always great to be able to spend time with friends...

remembering old memories...

and making new ones!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memories of friends helping each other ride a two wheeler...

which Emma learned last year, but was too afraid to do it again until Carley helped her!!

Now she is a pro!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memories of friends going fishing together...

a first for Mac and Emma.

Can you tell how thrilled Emma was with her experience!!!

She lasted an entire 5 minutes!!!!

Mac lasted about 8!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memories of the 'big catch'...

a 'fish stick'!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memories of Jake giving Michaela casting lessons....
I don't think she was a very good student!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memories of meeting a new friend...
but we didn't invite him home with us!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Secrets whispered...
which with these two is S.C.A.R.Y.!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Swim lessons given...
and no one drowned!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And a few games of 'chicken' played...
with LOTS of cheating!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And then our time ended and good byes had to be said :(

I sure wish Kentucky and Alabama could be a few hours closer!!!!

the journey...

2010-06-17T23:39:00.007-04:00

It was a hot June evening; Flag Day, 1991. Steve stood at the front of the church with sweat forming on his forehead~ partly from the oppressive heat and partly from the nervousness he felt about the life changing step he was preparing to take. The seats of the auditorium were filling as the music played softly in the background. With each click of the clock hand, the anticipation of a life together grew. Finally the moment we both had waited for for 4 years had arrived. As the music crescendoed, my father lifted my veil, said "You did good." and then the doors opened. With my arm intertwined with my father's, I walked down the aisle towards my future.

And with vows repeated and " I Dos" said, our journey as husband and wife began.

While there have been many bumps (and some really deep potholes) along the way on our 19 year journey, the scenery has been beautiful, the adventures breathtaking, and the destination exquisite.

Thank you for loving me completely and for doing all that you do unselfishly.

I pray that this journey with you continues forever and a day.

down south...

2010-06-16T18:14:00.002-04:00

Headed down to the ~~great~~ hot state of Alabama to visit my dearest friend and her family.

Have had a great time...

but we have to head home in a few hours.

We will enter the land of our 'own kind' at about 2:30AM...

You know...the land of YANKEES:):):)

friday frivolity...

2010-06-11T17:15:00.002-04:00

Dance recital week...

stay tuned for weekly ramblings!

give me the toddler years any day....

2010-06-08T22:55:00.004-04:00

As individuals, we go through various stages in our journey through life. Some stages, such as the beginning of our careers or marriage to our 'soul mate", we enter willingly; with anticipation and excitement. Other stages, like trading in our 'cool' car for the dreaded mini van, come with much opposition. We rationalize improbable options. We avoid the obvious at all cost. But eventually reality hits us, and we reluctantly give in to the inevitable.

And we don't like it! Not one little bit!!

I have pretended that it cannot possibly be happening. I have dug my heels in and fought the next stage with every ounce of strength I have. But my foothold is slipping and the fateful is unfolding in front of my eyes.

Denial is no longer an option!!!

So if you see me and my hair is a little grayer, the worry lines are taking over my face, and I have developed a nervous tic please don't run away from me! Please come hug and comfort me. Pray with me for the strength needed as I am forced to embark on this new stage of life. Please! Please! Please! help me as I become the mother of a daughter...

with a boyfriend!!

reconnecting with the world...

2010-06-05T22:18:00.005-04:00

This was all I saw after giving Michaela her texting privileges back...

With a thank you and a smile she was off to the backyard to reconnect with her 'electronic world'!

Anyone want to guess who she is texting???!!!!????

friday frivolity...

2010-06-04T14:08:00.002-04:00

Just call me crazy...
I am off to Indiana...

with FIVE teenagers in my van...

3 giggly goofy girls and 2 pestering boys!!

Pray for me :)

what every car needs...

2010-06-02T23:57:00.000-04:00

Steve thinks we may need to invest in one of these soon!!

it couldn't get here soon enough...

2010-06-01T18:54:00.002-04:00

SUMMERTIME

FUN

HAS BEGUN!!!!!!!!!!!

let freedom ring....

2010-05-31T22:39:00.005-04:00

On May 5, 1868, General John Logan officially proclaimed a day of remembrance for fallen soldiers. On May 30, 1868 flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, marking the first observance of Memorial Day.

Over the years, community observances of Memorial Day have diminished. Where parades and memorial services were once held, silence filled the air. Groceries stores were filled with people purchasing food for gatherings with friends, with no thought to those that have shed their blood on battlefields throughout the decades. Parks and lakes were filled with workers thrilled to have a day off of work, while the cemeteries filled with the graves of the fallen remained empty. Our freedom is taken for granted, and those that have given their lives to defend those freedoms have been forgotten.

Today, as we see the red and white strips of the American flag, let us remember the battles waged and the lives lost.

Let us remember...

as we spend this Memorial Day enjoying good food and friendship to take a moment and remember those that have given their lives defending the freedoms we enjoy.

Let us remember...

as we spend the day creating memories with our friends and family, to say a prayer for those that have lost loved ones on bloody battlefields.

On this Memorial Day let us remember...

that blood has been shed to ensure us of the freedoms we hold dear.

Let us remember ...

that a great price has been paid for the freedoms that we take for granted.

Let us remember...

that our freedoms are not free.

friday frivolity...

2010-05-28T23:45:00.004-04:00

Looked at the clock and was surprised to see that Friday was almost gone...

So I sent my husband away from the computer so that I could ~~write~~ ramble!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This post was actually supposed to be written from Alabama...

after the graduation of my friend's oldest daughter...

but life events prevented us from making t down there!

Instead we sat and watched the ceremony live on the computer.

and I was able to sit and wonder where the little girl that let me sit on her bed and play with her and her play food went...

and cry in private!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The countdown for the end of the school year is down to 2 days...

2 days until no more alarm clocks...

2 days until no more homework!

2 days until I have a 2nd grader and a HIGH SCHOOL-er!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And if having a high schooler didn't make me feel old enough...

I feel REALLY old when I read FB status from former classmates announcing the births of their first grandchild!

Yup! Grandchildren! OLD!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would like to take this time to thank the individual that borrowed my carpet cleaner...

and put it back on the garage shelf without bothering to clean out the sludge from the tank...

after over three years in the garage...

the smell was priceless!

or stomach turning, repulsively nauseating.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela came home from school and laid down on the couch...

within minutes she was sound asleep...

For the rest of the evening she was lethargic and pale.

I think she is having withdrawal from not texting for the last week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma is so ready for school to be over...

she is outside playing from the moment she gets home from school...

and stays out as long as we let her.

She cannot wait to be able to stay out until it is too dark to see!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have a question for the new singing artist I hear on the radio...

Is there a reason you have to say your name in the song, often multiple times?

If your good, we will remember your name without hearing it in your songs!

Seriously, can you imagine listening to "I Can't Drive 55" and in the chorus hearing Sammy sing, 'Vaa-aaan Haleeeen'!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I guess I should close this out and hit PUBLISH.

Tomorrow is a fun filled day of laundry!

And if I am lucky...

I will be able to continue doing laundry through the holiday weekend!!!

Oh if I can only be so fortunate!

for sale sold!!!...

2010-05-26T12:28:00.009-04:00

My friend recently asked if Steve and I were rebuilding our house before we put it on the market. We weren't...it just felt like it at times! The minor fixes, putting in new molding, painting, and organizing (and the not so minor tiling), seemed to take forever. As one project was started, another project would come up that had to be done before the first could be completed. A one step forward and two steps back sort of thing. Progress was also slowed because between his two jobs, Steve was only home a few hours a week. And as hard as I tried to work him every minute he was here, he insisted on sleeping a few hours a night.
But the hard work has paid off. The realtor says the house will show really well.
And with our first showing tomorrow afternoon, the real fun begins! The idea of strangers traipsing through my house and critiquing my home is unnerving to me. I feel like I am under inspection.
So I will pray for a timely sale.

And, of course, spend all morning making sure everything is in it's place---or at least hidden from sight :)

remember when...

2010-05-25T22:13:00.004-04:00

Remember when we could go days with little to no sleep? We could stay up all night studying (or doing nothing), grab a Mt. Dew, and head out the door running--going all day at full speed!

Well...those days seem to be a thing of the past!

After staying up and sewing curtains for the kitchen until the wee hours of the morning, running around getting the house 'staged' for the real estate photographer, tutoring a hyper 5th grader, and playing chauffeur for the girls, my 3 hours of sleep have dissipated.

I am completely out of steam.

The only place I want to be is...

Getting old stinks :)

friday frivolity...

2010-05-21T09:28:00.007-04:00

Another Friday, another week complete.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another week filled with house projects and organizing...

but with a FOR SALE in the yard to show for the endless work!

Finally!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
School is coming to an end...

only 6 more school days...

and then I will be the parent of a 2nd grader...

and a HIGH SCHOOLER!

How did THAT happen!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the reasons we have continued taking dance classes at MJM Studio is that we have never had to worry about the music chosen or the costumes...

until this week.

Michaela's dance team has been invited to dance at a minor league baseball game...

the jazz teacher decided the girls were going to wear dance shorts and t shirts...

um, dance shorts are basically underwear and mac does not own a pair.

So...Michaela told the studio owner that she would not be dancing due to the inappropriateness of the costume.

Standing up for your morals can be difficult sometimes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am pleased to say that after explaining the reason Mac would not be dancing...

Mary Jo sent me an email apologizing, stating she 'must have lost her mind' to think that the shorts would be appropriate.

She thanked me for 'keeping her in line'...

and has sent an email to the dancers changing the costume!

Standing up for your morals can be rewarding sometimes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma has had another coughing episode.

For the last year she has developed a horrendous cough a few times a month...

which nothing relieves and stays with her for weeks.

This week we had had enough...

so she went to the Dr's.

The Dr heard wheezing in her lungs...

Steve had horrible asthma as a child...

and now Emma has a rescue inhaler!

Definitely NOT one of the traits I wanted Steve to pass on to her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was Emma's Fairytale Ball at school...

I braided yards of yarn last night...

and today Rapunzel went to the ball!
I am not sure if she found her prince!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am off to get ready for bed.

Tutoring tomorrow...

and mowing and mulching...

if we could actually have day without rain!

Or even just a few hours of dry weather!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a great weekend!

not quite wordless wednesday...

2010-05-19T16:17:00.004-04:00

It is F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. in the front yard!!!!!!

The sale price is depressing. We will still make a profit, but not as much as we would have a few years ago....definitely a sign of the economic times!

The only thing better will be...

i know, i know...

2010-05-18T22:06:00.002-04:00

Realtor coming tomorrow...

Moving out my armoire---to make the bedroom feel bigger...

Finishing up the 'little things'....

Tomorrow...

FOR SALE!!!!

*** and then maybe I can think and write something with sustenance.

upon the first day of the week...

2010-05-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

In HIS time...In HIS time...
God makes all things beautiful...In HIS time.
Lord please show me everyday...
As your teaching me YOUR way...

That YOU do just what you say...

In YOUR time.

ahhhh...

2010-05-15T00:43:00.003-04:00

4.5 hours with no electricity!

It is amazing how dark it can get when an entire subdivision, with no street lights... out in the country, looses electricity!

The kids had a great time playing outside until 11:30 with the spotlight from our neighbors work truck lighting their way.

While Emma and T and H rode bikes and scooters, I was able to have some adult conversation in my driveway with a few of my neighbors.

Emma, petrified of the dark house, reluctantly came in and was asleep within seconds of hitting the bed...dirty face and all.

The break was fun...

but I am so thankful to have the fan blowing on me and the sump pump running!!!!!

joy that knows no bounds...

2010-05-13T22:55:00.001-04:00

After five years of fertility medicines, doctors poking and prodding, and various medical procedures....

August 14, 1996 wiped away the years of disappointment, frustration, and sadness.

August 14, 1996 became the best day of my life.

As I held my new daughter in my arms and prayed a prayer of thanks to God for allowing me the privilege of this precious child, I was filled with a love that I never knew existed....

a love that knows no bounds...

a love that is all encompassing and never ending...

a love that can only be known when you become, "Mommy".

As my precious daughter grew, so did the love in my heart.

I could not imagine sharing that love.

I could not imagine loving another as much as I loved the sweet child that had stolen my heart.

But the love that encompasses the heart of a mommy is a love that expands...

it is a love that has no limits.

On September 2, 2003, my heart was filled with more love than I knew was possible...

a new love enveloped my heart...

and I sent prayers to my heavenly Father thanking Him for entrusting me with the precious life I had just been given...

as I became "Mommy" to another beautiful daughter.

September 2, 2003 was the best day of my life.

And this beautiful Sunday morning, as I awakened to the sounds of my two beautiful daughters wishing me a Happy Mother's Day...

I once again lifted a prayer to my God...

thanking Him for allowing me the privilege of knowing these two beautiful souls...

thanking Him for allowing me the privilege of being loved by these two innocent hearts...

thanking Him for allowing me to the privilege of loving these two beautiful girls...

thanking Him for allowing me to be their "Mommy".
~~~~~~~~~~
originally posted Mother's Day, 2009

field trip...

2010-05-11T22:47:00.004-04:00

Today in Social Studies Michaela's class visited a Holocaust museum located in a local Cincinnati Hebrew school.

Moving. Depressing. the words used to describe the experience. Not as overwhelming as walking through Auschwitz was, but the experience will definitely stay with her.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Frivolous tidbit she learned on her field trip...

Mac: Some of the students were switching classes while we were there. They looked at us rather strangely.

Me: I am sure that is just you feeling self conscious. If the museum is located in the school, I am sure they have seen people come to walk through it before. I realize you crossed the river, but Kentuckians look just like Cincinnatians.

Mac" OH! and you know how we go to Chicago for our 8th grade trip... They go to ISRAEL!!! I.S.R.E.A.L. mumbling under her breath.. Chicago!. They go to Israel!! Israel!!! Whoopee Chicago.

moving forward...

2010-05-10T23:22:00.002-04:00

Comps are being looked at...

a sale price is being computed...

the sign in the yard is closer!!

Now...anyone in the Northern Kentucky area want to buy a house?????

upon the first day of the week...

2010-05-09T23:40:00.001-04:00

Thank you Lord for allowing me to become a Mom and hear the words, " Happy Mother's Day. I love you Mommy."

friday frivolity...

2010-05-07T22:41:00.002-04:00

Seriously???

90 degrees today....

60 degrees tomorrow!!!

colds and sickness the day after.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I picked up 3 new students for tutoring this week...

It has been fun planning the lessons...

and all of them are really good kids.

Thankfully, because if I wanted to teach unruly kids I could go back into the classroom!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why is it...

that we have lived in this neighborhood for 10 years...

minus the 3 we were out of the country.

and there have never been other girls for Michaela to play with.

Now that we are planning to move...

there have been two girls over here every day this week!

Ironic!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ohhhh!

that flash of lightening was rather close!!!!

I think I will shut the computer down.

Because being zapped by lightening isn't on my To Do list!

not quite wordless wednesday...

2010-05-05T21:48:00.002-04:00

As I was packing pictures...the stacks and stacks that should be in albums already... I came across Steve's first grade picture.

Does it remind you of anyone?????
Right down to the freckles across the nose.

emma-isms...tuesday edition

2010-05-04T22:47:00.002-04:00

Emma Shea was on a roll today! There is never a dull moment when she is around...moments I would like to lock ~~her~~ myself inside a padded room and bang my head...but never a dull moment!

10:45am

After getting her 'wires' (palate stretcher) removed today, the hygienist and Dr. Bert went on and on about how good Emma is and what a sweet little girl she is. And because she was so good while they removed it and took the impression for the permanent appliance, the hygienist snuck (sneaked??) her 3 Starburst---after Dr. Bert left the conference room of course:). Not being able to chew gum or sticky candy for the last couple of months has been the most difficult part of the orthodontia for her (because is, and has always been, a junk food junkie). So when she saw those colorful wrappers sitting in her hands, her face became a portrait of pure joy. She could not get out to the van quick enough to open them up and plop the chewy sweetness into her mouth.

Door closed. Seatbelt buckled. Wrappers flying. And then nothing but "MMMMMmmmmm"

And then, with a mischievous grin and a look of 'no good', she says, "Hee hee hee! I cannot wait to tell Michaela I got to eat chewy candy. She is going to be so jealous because she can't eat it still. But I can. heeheehee

Sweet and good??? More like evil and devious :)

8:00pm

Today I had to tutor two new students, so I was going to be home late. I talked to Emma before I dropped her off at school and explained that Michaela would be babysitting her until I got home. I told her that if she acted ugly (which is the typical behavior seen when Mac babysits her) she would spend tomorrow in her room. Before leaving today, I wrote her a note reminding her to make good choices.

So needless to say I was not pleased when I came home and heard that she was in her room due to a fit she threw outside.

ME: "Emma Shea Martin come down here now!" (All 3 names--she knew she was in trouble)

with tears streaming down her face, she comes around the corner and down the stairs.

EMMA: "I'm sorry. I forgot what you wrote on the note."

ME: " ??"

EMMA: "I forgot the rules you wrote in the note you left."

She forgot the rules I wrote in the note!!!???!!! Because no screaming, no ugliness, playing nicely...are new concepts to her???? Concepts she has never been taught???? HOW did I miss teaching those lessons the last 6 years!?

9:15pm (i.e. every night)

"Emma, go jump in the shower."

"AGAIN!!!! I just took one last night."

"GO!! Now!"

" Why do I have to take a shower EVERY night? Do I have to wash my body again too"

"Yes, that would be the point of taking a shower...washing off the dirt."

"Ewww. I. don't. like. taking. showers."

20 minutes pass..I still hear the shower running.

"Emma you need to get out of the shower."

"Okay, I need to wash my body."

"What have you been doing for the last 20 minutes?"

"Playing!"

Washes her body. Gets out of the shower. Wraps up in a towel and comes downstairs.

"Emma you needed to wash your hair also."

"I did."

"You washed your hair with your hair still pulled back and the ribbon bow still in?!"

"Yes! I just washed the bow too!"

I am pretty sure she takes after her Daddy!

i'm back....

2010-05-03T22:25:00.004-04:00

Okay, so I have dug my way out of the rut I was in and refocused my priorities. After taking almost a week off from posting I should have a thought provoking post about attitude and motivation, but instead I am linking a completely ridiculous youtube video that made me laugh!

I cannot believe the products that people think up!!!!

upon the first day of the week...

2010-05-02T01:31:00.003-04:00

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah
Psalm 62:5-8

2010-04-28T21:38:00.002-04:00

I am still here...

slowly digging my way out of this rut I have fallen into...

I will be back soon!

friday frivolity...

2010-04-23T22:04:00.004-04:00

I forced myself to stop ironing for a minute to write...

so I will have to make this a quick rambling...

because I LOVE ironing mounds of Emma's clothes!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week as gone by so fast...

not much has happened...

but it feels like we just began the week yesterday.

They say time flies when you are having fun!

Oh 'fun', is THAT what you call it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stephen started on nights Sunday...

so far so good.

Of course it doesn't really affect us here...

I just get a call at 11:00pm instead of 11:00am,..

and I don't talk to him on his lunch break.

Because (in theory) I am asleep at 2am.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve also got a part-time job this week...

because he was wasting so much time...

sleeping!

I am glad he finally is using his freetime wisely:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I also got a job this week...

tutoring part-time.

I have had two sessions so far...

and I hope to pick up some more students in the next few weeks.

I now remember why I wanted to teach!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela has the dreaded state testing next week...

I will be glad when it is finished...

because I am so tired of hearing, "Preped for the test." when I ask her what she did in school.

I now remember why I no longer want to teach!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma is working on money in school...

and she seems to have the same aptitude for Math that her sister has.

This is NOT a good thing!

I wonder if I get a discount for tutoring with my new employer?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma is having a great time with the warm temperatures and longer days...

she is outside long after the street lights come on...

if we actually had street lights out here in the country.

The thrill over homework has been lost to the thrill of the great outdoors.

Summer break cannot come soon enough!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela asked to be homeschooled again...

after another discussion about why I am against homeschooling...

she finally confessed that the only reason she would want to be HS'd is because she hates getting up in the morning.

I told her if she was HS'd we would still have to get up early and start lessons...

and she laughed.

I am not sure what she was trying to imply!

I love mornings...

as long as they start after 10am!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blogger has still not fixed the problem with my 'comments'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I looked for rooms to rent in Louisville...

because I think it would just be easier for Steve to have his own place near work...

and come visit us here once in a while.

No packing. No For Sale sign. No upheaval.

For some reason, he wasn't as excited about the idea as I was!

Kind of selfish of him don't ya' think:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela has her last competition tomorrow...

in Louisville of course...

because Steve is not working this weekend.

I have my Advil packed...

and am prepared for the drama-fest...

a.k.a. Dance Team Moms!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oddly, as I have sat typing this post...

the pile of ironing has not shrunk AT ALL!

As it seems the laundry fairy has taken the night off...

I better get back to the ironing board :(

Disposable clothes are looking better and better!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a great weekend!

not quite wordless wednesday...

2010-04-21T00:05:00.005-04:00

brace face

metal mouth

tin grin

railroad tracks

no matter what you call it...

the orthodontia fun has begun!

lady of leisure no more...

2010-04-20T21:46:00.003-04:00

While we may have an idea about where we are headed and the time we want to take to get there, God often has other plans for us. And as much as we like to think we are in control of our lives, He has ways of making His presence in the pilot's seat unmistakable. Sometimes with subtlety. Sometimes with a frying pan. But always unmistakable. And always in His time.

Unfortunatey my reminders often have to be a frying pan to my head..because I do not give up control easily. And I am not a patient person.

After giving up on the application I submitted a few months ago to a tutoring company, I had decided to just get the house ready to sell and look for a job (to fill in the time until I begin taking classes again) when we moved.

But God had other plans for me.

So after many years of being a lady of leisure, sitting around the house watching 'my daily dose of smut' and eating bon bons, I am going back to work!

Starting tomorrow I will be working for a company tutoring students in their homes.

I am not sure if I should be excited or dreading this :p

things i learned on a monday...

2010-04-19T22:26:00.002-04:00

Spring break is over. Alarm clocks and homework are part of our days again. And none of us faced reality this morning very graciously! But we went about our day with smiles and learned a few things in the process.

As I was out and about I learned that...

**my phone is usually silent for weeks on end... but the Monday after Spring Break week, when we are running around trying to get out of the door on time, it begins ringing non-stop at 8:00am {with wrong numbers and telemarketers}.

**it would seem, by the clothes OUAC did not purchase from me, that my child is the only little girl in the Northern Ky/Cincinnati area that wears cute smocked dresses. {grungy jeans are snatched up though!}

**when having a dispute with an utility company they have the ability to turn off the service, so they ALWAYS win :(

**it sometimes pays to listen to the commercials on the radio. It doesn't pay a lot, but at least Half Priced Books has the stack of books I needed to get rid of, and I have some cash I didn't have this morning.

**Michaela can act confused at the simplest request, but can carry on THREE Facebook instant message conversations and ONE text message conversation all at the same time---for over an hour!

**Banfield really has a stupid system for ending your pet insurance. I could not cancel the account (after being on hold for 25 minutes) because Steve signed the contract, but he could send an email and request cancellation. I guess when I talk to him, I will let him know he sent that email.

**errands are so much easier to deal with when the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and it is 68*!!!!

closer...

2010-04-15T23:23:00.001-04:00

Progress derailed for the last 2 days by a stomach bug...

but we are almost there!

terri...

2010-04-13T23:06:00.007-04:00

Have you ever had a person in your life that gives unconditionally? A friend that offers to help in a time consuming situation, even though they are in the midst of upheaval in their own lives. Someone that you may not talk to on a regular basis, but you can pick right back up with as if no time as passed.

Thankfully I do!

We met many years ago in the temporary living quarters on the base our husbands were working on. Her daughter and Michaela and her youngest son and Emma were the same ages. We both had taught school. And we were both non-military outsiders in a world where the military was (thought to be) everything. We became each others sounding boards; sanity in a world that often was anything but.

And then we got busy...with life. I starting working. She started studies towards her Masters. The time together became scarcer as our commitments increased. We would see each other on base and wave, but the time to just 'hang out' was limited. Yet, no matter how long we went without seeing each other, we could just begin conversing with no hesitation. And while I am not sure I showed it as much as I should have, I treasured the friendship. I valued the bond we had.

And then we moved back to the States.

But even with an ocean between us, she is still giving her friendship to me selflessly. In the midst of her own move back to the States, she offered to take care of the antiques we left in a storage unit in England. She endured the rudeness of a stranger as she retrieved the key and encountered furniture covered in mold as she opened the storage door. She took items to the chapel, washed mold off of dressers and chairs, and unloaded the storage unit as her own house was being packed up to be sent across the ocean---all without a second thought. (because when you are truly a good hearted person, doing for others is part of your nature.)

And I truly do not know how I will ever repay her unconditional generosity.

Terri, I am so thankful for the day I walked out of the TLF and met you. Your friendship was one of the bright spots of our 3 years in the UK. I am proud to be able to call you my friend.

THANK YOU!

smile

2010-04-12T23:28:00.002-04:00

"Mommy, why did you roll the window down and then back up?"

"Because Emma, there was a bug on the window that wanted to be outside."

"Oh Mommy!! You let the bug be free. You are a lifesaver!"
(insert a VERY dramatic voice and hand gesture)

My Drama Queen in Training!

just because...

2010-04-10T22:08:00.001-04:00

friday frivolity...

2010-04-09T22:25:00.004-04:00

It is the end of a long week...

and the beginning to an even longer one!

But all this fun house stuff will soon be done...

and then I won't know what to do with all of my free time:)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I took my last final this morning...

and I sighed a huge sigh of relief!

No more classes until after summer.

YEAH!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma began her Spring break a day early...

thanks to another stomach bug!

She finally stopped getting sick at 3:00am...

even though she told me this morning...

'I must be better because I did not get sick through the night.'

I guess she got to sleep through all the fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela was supposed to have 4 friends come up from La Grange this morning..

see above!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The girl's weekend has been postponed...

at least the stove and refrigerator will actually be in the kitchen when they come!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve came home tonight to paint...

but ended up turning around and taking Michaela to La Grange.

Because if the party can't come here, Mac will go to the party!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
But the paint and rollers will be waiting for him...

when he comes home tomorrow!

Sheesh...cracking the whip is tiring!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our Spring break is filled with such excitement...

Spring cleaning...

packing...

organizing and purging old stuff...

braces for Mac...

a For sale sign in the yard!

I know some have trips to Hawaii and Europe...

but we have so much more!

We have boxes, cleaning supplies, mowing and landscaping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma is asleep...

so I think I will watch a movie...

and then go to sleep...

And enjoy sleeping in for a change!

Sweet dreams

going with the flow...

2010-04-08T22:30:00.005-04:00

Sometimes life does not always go as planned.

Sometimes 6 year olds get a stomach virus for the second time in a 4 week span...

causing the 6 year old to miss eating Thunder cake at school...

and a play date with Madeline:(

And because the 6 year old is getting sick every hour-AGAIN...

the 13 year old sister has to cancel her girl's weekend...

which makes her and the 4 girls coming up to spend the weekend very sad.

And with the 6 year old getting sick---AGAIN...

the mother hopes to find 90 minutes to take her timed final for A&P by noon tomorrow...

and causes her to wonder why a 6 year old who has never had a stomach virus before, has had TWO in such a short span of time.

But we will go with the flow...

because things happen and plans change...

and whining won't get us anywhere anyways!

sad state of reality....

2010-04-07T22:29:00.001-04:00

23,000 teachers were given pink slips in CA

17,000 in IL, New Jersey, & FL are cutting teacher jobs & reducing salaries.

We need to get our priorities in order. Athletes and actors get paid millions, but teachers, whom we trust to educate our kids, get no respect!

in progress...

2010-04-05T21:44:00.003-04:00

I started messing with my header in order to make it more 'springy', but forgot that my pictures and editing programs are not on the laptop due to the 'clean out' Steve did last week...

so this is it for now.

One day I am going to figure out how to make my own backgrounds!

spring beauties...

2010-04-05T17:12:00.001-04:00

easter eve...

2010-04-03T20:21:00.005-04:00

Due to our week being consumed by tiling, our Easter traditions have been neglected.

No shopping for new outfits.

No new summer dress shoes.

No nothing:(

But in the midst of laying the last pieces of the tile, we stopped and colored eggs.

Thanks to Cari we had some boiled eggs to use... We created colorful masterpieces... had some sisterly bonding time...
and even showed some team spirit. ( that would be Mac's UofK egg).

The baskets and eggs are ready for the Easter bunny to come...

and hopefully the bunny's helper finds some goodies for the baskets at the store he is at right now~~~ since there has been some priority issues!

friday frivolity...

2010-04-02T22:47:00.005-04:00

I just got back from driving Michaela to La Grange for a birthday party...

I will be driving back down in the morning to get her.

I think one day I am going to meet myself on Hwy 71!
~~~~~~~~~~~
So this week began like any other week begins for us...

worshipping God...

a Dave Ramsey session...

food and friends.

And for a little twist to our routine...

having to completely clean out the laptop...

because multiple viruses---attached to a PDF file--- were attacking the registry.

Whoever shared these little varmints with me, next time DON'T!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve took the week off to get the house ready to put on the market...

he has tiled, tiled, and tiled some more.

In order to tile the kitchen we have had to move everything out...

so the stove is in my living room...

and the refrigerator is in the hallway.

I just need a couch on my front porch to feel like a complete redneck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The kitchen has taken ALOT longer than we planned...

so the painting is behind schedule...

tomorrow we will have to work in warp speed to get as much done as possible.

I think Steve will be ready to go back to work so he can get some rest!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The kitchen looks really nice with the tile...

I had priced out travertine and we were ready to go pick it up...

but we thought we would go to the Tile clearance center and look around real quick.

They had a ceramic tile clearanced to .89/sq.ft...

which was $3.00/sq.ft cheaper than the travertine...

so I convinced myself I liked it.

Because seriously, why would I pay all that $ for beautiful travertine when SOMEONE else is going to get to enjoy it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I also found a 4 year old top of the line dishwasher on Craigslist...

in the right color...

for $100.00!!!

We haven't had a dishwasher since before we left for England...

long, ugly story...

and replacing it hasn't been a priority since we came back...

because when you are out of work and it is either eat and have electricity or buy a dishwasher, for some reason the electricity and food always won out~

but we knew we needed to put one in before we listed the house...

so I was excited to find a cheap one!

Because seriously, why would I pay all that $ for a new dishwasher when SOMEONE else is going to get to enjoy it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve has added tiling to the list of jobs he hates...

he even made the comment that he would rather be painting than tiling!

He must truly dislike tiling because thanks to the Navy, he DESPISES painting!

Can you tell what our lives have been consumed with this week...

I promise this is the last time I will mention tiling in this post!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela's week was slow...

No play practices. No performances.

She came home on the bus every day...

and only had dance on Tuesday.

It was so nice to be able to retire the Taxi sign for the van this week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emma has had a great time playing in the glorious sunshine we have had...

she wished for a swimming pool today.

Keep wishing baby girl, it may be back to 60 by next week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is the end of the grading term...

so Emma brought her report card home this week.

She is doing well...

still asks for some help with her Math papers...

but has increased by almost 2 grades in her Accelerated Reading program.

Quite impressive for a little girl that not too long ago had to be forced to pick up a book!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I take my finals next week...

and then I am taking a break for a few terms.

and I am very ready to not have to say, "I have to go study!"

Of course those words will hopefully be replaced with, " I have to go pack up the house!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Right now I am going to get some sleep so that I can get up and drive to La Grange to get Michaela, come home and help with painting and grouting, go get Easter bunny goodies, and figure out how to boil eggs for coloring ---without a stove!

Good night!

we will return to our regularly scheduled postings...

2010-04-01T22:06:00.003-04:00

tomorrow...

when I am not covered in thin set...

and the kitchen is completely covered with tiles!!!

And as a side note...

tiling goes on the ever growing list of tasks to be hired out!!!

mush...

2010-03-30T21:47:00.003-04:00

My brain, back, and knees,....

are mush...

and I think I will be having ~~dreams~~ nightmares about thinset, tiles, and grout!

The boss is calling for help with a piece of cement board...

so I better go so we can get to bed before 4:00am tonight!

perspective...

2010-03-29T22:56:00.008-04:00

I am always amazed when Michaela talks about a singer or group that she likes that I think is awful...

i.e Jonas Bros.; Justin Beiber

I often wonder what she hearing that I am not? What am I missing?

But I have concluded that as we age, our ears, rather than losing the ability to hear, our ears actually become more fine tuned:)

case in point:

When I was Michaela's age the series Fame came out and I LOVED it! I thought the cast was fantastic. Recently I found the series on Netflix. And can I just say that a few decades later, the singing isn't quite as fantastic as it was when I was 13. And the acting...a little less stellar than I remember. While I have watched some of the episodes (with the girls laughing about the clothes and hair styles in the background!) and hear Leroy or Coco sing, I am amazed at how dfferent they sound now. I wish that rather than hearing the flats and out of tune singing better than I did when I wore banana clips and stirrup pants, I still heard whatever it was I heard then!

I just cannot wait for the day when Mac looks back at pictures or reads a journal entry and says,"The Jonas Brothers???? What was I thinking!!"

friday frivolity...

2010-03-26T20:21:00.003-04:00

I had to sneak down here and do this real quick...

Steve came home tonight to see us...

He is leaving at 4:30 to go into work...

and the girls and I have to get up at o'dark thirty to be in Columbus (3 hour drive) by 9:00am for Rising Star dance competition.

Emma is very emphatically reminding us that "THIS IS FAMILY TIME!"...

so I better get back up there before I am missed (which since Daddy is home may actually be quite awhile:)!

We will not be home until after midnight tomorrow...

so see you Sunday!

failure is not an option...

2010-03-25T21:22:00.004-04:00

It was the job of my dreams. The brass ring that I was striving to reach. For years I did everything I could to obtain the coveted position. Success did not come easy. Failure followed failure which was followed by even more failure. It was frustrating and heart~wrenching to continuously fail, but I knew that I had to continue to try. I was convinced that I would never be content until I could wear the title. So I persevered. And finally, after 5 years of 'No-s', I finally received the call confirming my newly obtained title, 'parent'!

And what a job it is! It is a job that carries enormous responsibilities; whose successes and failures will effect the future of society. It is a job that is filled with joy, laughter, and a love that fills the heart beyond belief. And it is a job that has disappointments and hurts that can tear the same heart into tiny pieces. There are days you want to work 'overtime' and there are days you want to run out screaming, quitting on your way out. Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs we will ever do. It is a 24 hours a day/7 days a week position that requires commitment (no, not to a rubber room--although there are days!), dedication, and a strong determination to do your very best. Consistently. Even when we are tired of saying 'No'. or "You are not doing what your friends are doing." Consistent even when you are tired of being the boss and when the only answer you have is, 'Because I said so!" (and if you haven't said that to your child yet, just wait, you will.)

Sadly, many that have accepted this job are failing miserably. Some have accepted the responsibility, but only on a part-time basis. They are there in the early years, but cut back their responsibilities as the children grow older. Others it seems are not even part-timers, but more seasonal workers--showing up during the momentous occasions, but absence during the 'slow' times. And the disrespect our youth has for others and their lack of morality are evidence of the parental neglect that seems to be prevalent in so many households. Just read some of the Facebook pages and it will be evident that there is no parental monitoring or guidance occurring.

Many of you may be rolling your eyes and saying I am overreacting. You may be saying that I am an overprotective mother that smothers my child by checking her emails and Facebook page. That I am creating a sense of mistrust between Michaela and myself by going onto her Facebook account and checking the statuses that her friends are putting, and deleting friends that are inappropriate and foul mouth. But I believe I am doing my job as a parent. It is my responsibility to teach her right from wrong and to guide her as she matures so that she can make good decisions when confronted with peer pressures. And when I read a status on her FB page that is so disturbing and inappropriate I want to be ill, it is my responsibility to delete that individual and then discuss the reason why with her afterwards. Not ask her permission. Not just ignore it. But monitor, question, check up on, and teach!

Parents we need to step up. Our children do not have the maturity and experiences we do. It is our responsibility to nurture and guide them. Read what your children are saying on their social pages. Check their emails and text messages. Monitor their friends. Know where they are going and with whom. Be the bad guy and say,"NO!" when it needs to be said. We are not their friends...we are their parents. And when we accepted that position, we accepted the good, bad, and ugly that comes with it!

not quite wordless wednesday...

2010-03-24T23:31:00.003-04:00

Just got home from La Grange!

For the last day and a half my computer has had security and virus alerts popping up literally every 60 seconds. It was not our virus scan software, so I knew something was wrong, but I could not make it disappear.

And trying to accomplish something on the computer when this alerts keep popping up is somewhat useless---and aggravating!

So I took the computer down to Steve and he ran a virus scan on it after bible study---and wouldn't you know it, NOT ONE alert popped up!

GRRRRR

No virus, but my accessory pathway to word and excel has disappeared!

Computers are great!

So this is all you get today...

but tomorrow...

I am stepping up on a BIG soapbox!

frustration...

2010-03-23T22:00:00.004-04:00

Okay, I just had a post written and then....

FireFox crashed...

AGAIN...

and all that was saved of my post was the title.

GRRRRRRRR!

This never happened until I updated FireFox...

and now it crashes a few times a week!

Anyone else have a problem with FireFox?

***Which you could answer if comments actually worked on my blog page! :)

I am going to take it as a sign to shut down the laptop!

'much to be thankful for' monday...

2010-03-22T19:40:00.003-04:00

My blogger friend Linny, at A Place Called Simplicity, does a Thankful Thursday post each week. No matter what craziness is going on in their lives, she takes the time to list things that she is thankful for. A kick in the pants, stop your wallowing kind of thing. Today I need a swift HARD kick, so I decided that instead of allowing my thoughts to be consumed with anger and hurt, I would list the things that I am so thankful for--even if it isn't Thursday!

I am thankful for:

healthy husband and daughters
a home to live in
a reliable car to drive
a steady paycheck
health and dental insurance
Pepsi w/ lots of ice
a husband that can do handyman jobs--so we don't have to hire one
a husband that is patient with his perfectionist wife and just withstands the rants quietly
a friend, that even 1000s of miles away and in the midst of a crazy time in her life, offered (w/o being asked) to help empty our storage unit in England
the same friend for sensing that I was not in a good place with an unexpected situation and ending our conversation with three words, "God is good"--because at that moment, I certainly needed to be reminded that He is in control!
the daffodils that are blooming
that Michaela's play is finished
M&M MckFlurrys
that the nasty opossum did not run out in front of my van as I snuck out and got the above item
having a washer and dryer--even though I hate to use them:)
the smiles on Emma's face when she got home from school
being able to purge things without certain someones saying, "I may need that one day!"
25% off coupon for Sherwin Williams
prayer
my nice comfy bed--which I think I will go take advantage of
and mostly I am thankful for a God that is constant

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things ---Philippians 4:8

upon the first day of the week...

2010-03-21T22:06:00.001-04:00

Rejoice in hope,

be patient in tribulation,

be constant in prayer.

—Romans 12:12

our little 'candy kid'...

2010-03-20T12:51:00.002-04:00

Who can take a sunrise

Sprinkle it in dew

Cover it in chocolate
and a miracle or two?Willy Wonka...

Willy Wonka can!

friday frivolity...

2010-03-19T22:43:00.002-04:00

Gotta' get my Friday Frivolity done...

because if I don't...

the fans will rise up in protest...

refuse to begin the weekend...

until they read my weekly ramblings.

No??? Really!??!

Well, I will commence with my weekly ramblings anyway!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The week began nicely...

Bible study and sermons...

and no matter how many times we go over Daniel 10-12, it becomes no clearer!

a Dave Ramsey session...

and visiting with friends.

And of course hiding in another room studying while the crazy fans were in watching the UK game!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And then it was downhill from there!

Monday at 3:53 Emma woke up and told me her belly hurt...

I sent her to the loo to sit on the potty...

and a few seconds later I heard the sound no mother wants to hear!

The bathroom floor is clean and disinfected...

and she missed the cream carpet in the hallway!

What more can a mommy ask for at 4 in the morning?

Well besides sleep!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She is better now...

She was sick every hour...

for 14 hours...

too much information?

slept for two days...

missed two days of school...

I am ready for the truancy letter and visit!

but she made it though her first stomach bug!

and Michaela and I never got it...

well until now because I said that "out loud"!
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I finished my group projects at 5:13AM Tuesday morning...

Have I mentioned I hate group projects?

We presented it on Thursday...

and I am thankful to not have to work with my group again!

Why is it no matter how many times I say I will not do most of the work, I end up doing most of the work??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michaela's play opened on Thursday night...

Emma and I went to see it tonight...

It is cute...

and the kids are doing a good job.

Emma asked if we were going to see it tomorrow night with Steve...

and as tempting as that is, I think once was enough for me!

Shhh, don't tell Michaela I said that!
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I heard Michaela tell Steve she wouldn't be doing another play...

she was going to stick strictly to Ballet.

She said when you have a small part you sit around and do nothing A LOT...

and she has no desire to have a big part...

so I think her acting days are over:(

I am just proud that she stepped so far out of her comfort zone to get the part she has...

I guess I will let her snuggle back into her unobtrusive, blend into the background zone she finds so comforting!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve has worked overtime all of this week...

he is finally coming home tomorrow...

to begin painting and tiling of course...

You didn't think he was going to get to rest did you?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love driving around and seeing the nurseries putting trees out...

it means Spring is coming soon!

I may even have to mow the grass for the first time before March is over...

or shovel snow!

Ya' never know!
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This coming week is going to be just as crazy as last week...

ballet corp and two more play performances tomorrow...

project due in DMS class...

test in A&P...

dance classes, dentist appointments...

and a team competition in Columbus over the weekend!

And somewhere in there my family would probably appreciate some laundry being done.

I am tired just thinking about it all!

I guess I better get some sleep to prepare!

Have a great weekend.

dear mr. woods...

2010-03-18T19:46:00.004-04:00

Dear Mr. Woods,

The curtains are about to be raised as the opening of the 8th grade play, Willy Wonka, begins. But you are not there to share in the nervous excitement. Because of choices you made, you are not there to see the hours of hard work come to fruition. As the cast and crew takes their curtain call, you will not be standing on stage with them accepting the accolades of the audience. And it saddens me. It saddens me that you allowed alcohol to be more important to you than the students who were entrusted to your care. It saddens me that your addiction has clouded the joy that I am sure must have been there when you began sharing your joy of the theater with children. It saddens me that because you allowed a substance to rule your life, you are not there to encourage and congratulate the students as they go on stage this first night of performances. As I think about the memories this group of 8th graders will take away from this experience, it saddens me that the pride for a job well done will be tainted with the memory of your erratic behavior and your subsequent arrest.

And while I know you are denying the charges, I pray that you will get the help you need to overcome your self-declared alcoholism; control for yourself and for your wife. I pray that the accusations and rumors being Tweeted and Facebook-ed will not cause you any more troubles to have to answer to and overcome. I pray that you find peace and contentment within yourself so that you do not need to search in a bottle for your self worth. I pray that you can move forward and find yourself a better man next year as the curtain opens than you are tonight. And as much as I pray that you find solace for yourself, I pray strongly that you somehow make right the disappointment you brought to those 30+ students that watched you be handcuffed and taken away in a police car. I pray that you create an example of humility and regret; that you allow them to see that you are responsible for your choices. I pray that you somehow take this situation and allow a positive lesson to be taught; that somewhere in the midst of this ugliness, the children can learn that with accountability and honesty our failings can be overcome.

Mr. Woods, while you may not physically be in that auditorium tonight as the lines are said and the songs are sung, you are there in spirit. Your influence, both positive and negative, is with each of those students as they take on their roles and walk out onto the stage. You will forever be in the memories of those students as they think of Willy Wonka and their last year in middle school. You have left a footprint in each of their personal histories; an impression that will remain with them throughout their lives. Your behavior has changed them. Some a little. Some a lot. And they will take those changes with them as they go forward in their lives.

Mr. Woods, get help. Accept responsibility for your actions. Move forward so that the impressions you leave on the hearts of people in the future are ones of encouragement and strength. You cannot change the past, you can only try to make amends for your actions and strive to make your today and your tomorrows better than your yesterdays. Good luck to you.

Sincerely,
the parent of a disappointed candy-kid

living graciously

it's not much, but it's a start....

i have not fallen off the face of the planet...

catch a falling....

how many more years of this???...

family tradition....

on the eve of thanksgiving eve ....

moving...

friday frivolity....

girls stripping...

fashionista...

parenting--part 2...

parenting....

happy halloween...

upon the first day of the week...

fun filled family fridaysaturday

friday frivolity...

renea...this one is for you!

I cannot believe...

not quite wordless wednesday...

friday...

upon the first day of the week...

friday frivolity...

not quite wordless wednesday...

slow and steady...

so much for that organized move...

***sigh***

mmmm...the smell of brownies fills the air....

7 years old!!!!!

not quite wordless...

any takers...

mia...

that's a big number...

upon the first day of the week...

problem...

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

not quite wordless wednesday...

have patience with me...

happy 4th of july,,,

upon the first day of the week....

michaela's first blog post...

not quite wordless wednesday...

the end...

friday frivolity...

one step forward...two steps back...

drama queenking

friday frivolity...alabama edition...

the journey...

down south...

friday frivolity...

give me the toddler years any day....

reconnecting with the world...

friday frivolity...

what every car needs...

it couldn't get here soon enough...

let freedom ring....

friday frivolity...

for sale sold!!!...

remember when...

friday frivolity...

not quite wordless wednesday...

i know, i know...

upon the first day of the week...

ahhhh...

joy that knows no bounds...

field trip...

moving forward...

upon the first day of the week...

friday frivolity...

not quite wordless wednesday...

emma-isms...tuesday edition

i'm back....

upon the first day of the week...

friday frivolity...

not quite wordless wednesday...

lady of leisure no more...

things i learned on a monday...

closer...

terri...

***smile***

sigh

smile