any takers...

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

that's a big number...

Today is Stephen's birthday!

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

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

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

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

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

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

upon the first day of the week...

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

problem...

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

It keeps shutting down or booting me off.

Which is slightly frustrating. Not to mention time consuming.

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


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

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

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

Sometimes....I hate being a parent!

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

And...the responsibility is frightening!

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

And that...is overwhelming!

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

not quite wordless wednesday...

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

Sadly, I got no good ones this year.

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

have patience with me...

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

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

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

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

happy 4th of july,,,

MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE

SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY

OF THEE I SING...

LAND WHERE MY FATHERS DIED

LAND OF THE PILGRIM'S PRIDE

FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE

LET FREEDOM RING!!!!!

Our fathers' God, to thee,

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

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!

upon the first day of the week....

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

—Psalm 127:3-5

michaela's first blog post...

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

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

and I have wished and wished...

that for my birthday...

I get lots of money...

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

She still says "No!"

I could really use a wish right now!!!

not quite wordless wednesday...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Dance recital week...

stay tuned for weekly ramblings!

give me the toddler years any day....

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...

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...

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...

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

it couldn't get here soon enough...

SUMMERTIME

FUN

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