Randomosity

I can't believe it's been nearly 6 weeks of school already. The girls and I are getting used to the early hours. It took awhile, but we do like getting home earlier in the evening. I now wake up at about 4:30 am to pray and then get in the shower about 5:00. We leave at 6:15 every morning. It's nice and quiet first thing in the moring and is a nice start to the day. I'm going on my first home visit with one of my students tonight. Please pray for this young girl; she is so close to accepting Christ as Savior. I can see a little more light revealed each day in the questions she asks. She loves our morning Bible class and is excellent at scripture memory.
Amber has her first visit at the vocal therapist on Oct. 4. The insurance has approved this, Praise the Lord! There will be some co-pays and other incidental costs involved but we are confident the Lord will supply. Please pray for her as she is experiencing her first real bout of depression. Alot of stuff going on at school right now, and then with her not being able to sing and having to limit her talking.....well, those of you who know her can only imagine how difficult that is!
This weekend will be a busy one. We are taking Ashley (and a few friends are tagging along as well !)to Busch Gardens Fri. night. Alex is going with a very good friend (Pam at MidnightMusings)and her son to Build a Bear. She is very excited!
Can't believe next week it will be Oct. already! Christmas will be here before we know it. I think I need to start making lists.......

Short and Sweet

You Scored an A

You got 10/10 questions correct. It's pretty obvious that you don't make basic grammatical errors. If anything, you're annoyed when people make simple mistakes on their blogs. As far as people with bad grammar go, you know they're only human. And it's humanity and its current condition that truly disturb you sometimes.

The It's Its There Their They're Quiz

Freedom Friday

That's what today feels like. This has been my first official week off of school. Today was my first day to go in the pool. Only after I cleaned the filter, vacuumed and hosed off the deck, but it was still fun. I even managed to read a few pages of a western I checked out when I was at the library the other day. Alex has been working diligently sorting through things in her room; clothes that don't fit, toys she has outgrown, things she's ready to give up. Today I made a quick run to the community help center and donated quite a few things. Some we have saved for a few girls at church. I promised her I would get her room painted before vacation next month(we leave on July 6) so it needs to be cleared out before I begin. She has a good head start before I go in there.
Tonight is graduation at school. That means hair and makeup today. Oh well, I'll get an idea of what it will be like for Ashley next year. I can't believe that this year Amber will be 21, Ashley will be 18, and Alex will be 11. Where has the time went?
Tomorrow I plan on going to a few yard sales. Haven't done that in over a year. Then stop and pick up some fathers day gifts. Can you believe it's that time already?
There is a load of Alex's clean laundry on my bed , and I'm headed there now to fold and put away.
Just a thought
Ashley told me a little of a conversation she had with our dear friend Pam. Some of it was concerning how Christian women in the church have lost their graciousness. I thing alot of it is because we have tried to be the Holy Spirit, convicting people to do what WE think is right. Questioning motives,accusing and none of it with the intention of helping, only of pointing out what is seen as wrong in their eyes.
This week I have been reading in Proverbs . We as Christian ladies need to seek wisdom, which would first lead us to clean up our own life, and that testimony would shine so that anyone around us would see Christ. After nearly 23 years of marriage, I finally learned that I cannot be my husband's conscience. They really do look at how we live our lives. 1 Peter 3:1,2 is a wonderful verse. And today I read Proverbs 1:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness: there is nothing forward or perverse in them.
This is wisdom, and it is not offensive, self serving or forward. I need to pray for this every day. Even more so to treat my family with gracious words and manners. Sometime it seems easier to be polite to total strangers than to the ones who are closest to us. Pray with me that I can be a gracious light of Christ's love, especially to my family.

Thankful Thursday

After reading quite a few blogs today, I thought it might be easier to know what to post if each day followed a pattern of sorts. Many blogs today were "thankful" so here goes.
Things I'm thankful for.....
*my salvation
*a hard working husband who is faithful
*children who know Christ as Savior
*my dogs....I LOVE BICHONS
*long time friends
*self tanning lotion
*mineral makeup
*incense, no I was not a hippie
*no matter what size I am my shoes always fit
*chinese food
*my church and Pastor
*my Chiropractor!

I'M BACK!

I was going to have this really cool post about 3 baby raccoons I rescued, with the pix to prove it, but my computer ports won't accept my new camera. So... now after all this time you are stuck with another MeMe. Here goes.

How it works:

1.grab the book closest to you
2.open it to page 161
3.find the fifth full sentence
4.post the title of the book and the author's name
5.post the text of the sentence to your blog
6.don't search around for the coolest book you have, use the one that is really next to you


The book next to me is" "The New Spirit Controlled Woman"
Author: Beverly LaHaye

Page 161, fifth full sentence says: "The day when every little girl had a baby doll to cuddle and to mother has swiftly passed."

I can't tag anyone to do this as I am so late everyone in creation has been there and done that. Actually, page 161 was a title page, so I went to the next full page. If you have ever read the original "Spirit Controlled Temperment" by her husband Tim LaHaye, you would enjoy this. I am almost finished. Maybe I can finish while I watch Alex swim this week.
I missed a ladies fellowship at church this evening. My head feels like a bowling ball on a noodle. Any minute I'm sure it's going to roll off. After a week of continous painting at church, it feels as if someone has surely swithced my former head for one that must be made of lead. See, I'm rhyming and not even trying!!!

I did start tutoring today. A young girl going into 2nd grade next year. It will be every Tues. and Thur. It was an answer to a need that I hadn't even asked God for yet. I didn't know how I would be able to keep up my faith promise missions without a paycheck for the next two months, but the Lord supplied! And I didn't even have to search this out, they came to me!! When God supplies, he supplies completely.

I'll post more later.....I think my head just rolled under the desk..........

Even more about me

***You Have A Type A- Personality***


You are one of the most balanced people around
Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want
You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you.

When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back
Whether it's hanging out with friends or doing something you love!
You live life to the fullest - encorporating the best of both worlds


Do You Have a Type A Personality?
http://www.blogthings.com/doyouhaveatypeapersonalityquiz/

My Mr. Right

His age? 44

How tall is he? 6'3"

How long did you know each other before you got together? we met when I was 16, then wrote letters for 2 years. He was in Virginia and I was in Ohio

What physical features attracted you to him first? He was tall!

Eye color? Blue

Hair color? Used to be blond, now a light brown with some white!

Hair style? any way it wants to

Normal outfit? Dress clothes for work each day

How did you meet? A very good friend of mine introduced us when I came to Florida to be in her wedding

How serious is it? very serious!

Are you "in love"? defenitely

Do your parents like him? Very much!

Do his parents like you? Yes

Do you trust him? with everything

Would you share a toothbrush with him? EWW, NO

Would he let you wear his pants? LOL They would come up to my chin

Do you have a shirt of his that you sleep in? Nope

Do you like the way he smells? Yes

Can you picture having kids with him? I have good memories of having his children, but picture having more? Not on your life!

What bothers you the most about him? He is so smart and gifted that he thinks everyone should be able to do the things he does, he doesn't realize I'm not as smart as he is!

Does he have a temper? Yes, but has learned to mostly keep it under wraps

Are you happy to be with him? Oh, Yes

Does he embarrass you in public? Even after 22 years,sometimes, yes

Does he smoke or do drugs? Nope

Does he have any piercings? no

Any tattoos? No, he thinks they are disgusting

Does he have any scars that you know of? Quite a few from his wild and crazy childhood, but the one I am most familiar with happened with a pair of rubber handled pliars!

Is he a party dude or stay at home? He is quite content to stay at home but loves to visit with family friends

Is he outgoing or shy? HaHaHaHaHa. Maybe just a little outgoing.

Does he love his mama? yes

Would he hang out with you and your friends? Yes. Most of my friends are his friends also

Sing? When he sings beside me,he puts his fingers in his ears. I sing alto and it knocks him off key

More about me

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Getting to know me

Homemaking Meme.
Aprons - Y/N? If, Y, what does your favorite look like?
Yes, I wear a Coca Cola apron Amber bought me when she was in Penn. on vacation with my Dad
Baking - Favorite thing to bake:Cookies or brownies or any new recipe!
Clothesline - Y/N?
No.Alex and I have allergies
Donuts - Have you ever made them? No, I am addicted to Krispy Kreme
One homemaking thing you do every day:cook/dishes
Freezer - Do you have a separate deep freeze? Yes, and I love it, I like to buy at least 1 mo. worth of meat at a time

Garbage Disposal - Y/N? Yes, but don't use much, we are on a septic tank
What is your favorite homemaking resource? internet & my large collection of cook books
.
Ironing - Love it or hate it? don't really hate it, it's kinda a hafto thing
Junk drawer - Y/N? Where is it? Yes, one for almost each room!
Kitchen - Color and decorating scheme. Coca Cola theme,lots of black and white
What is your favorite part of homemaking? The way the house feels and smells after a good cleaning!

Mop - Y/N?
Yes. Usually on hands and knees, sometime with a mop
Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?
Don't wear them since we moved to Fla.
Oven - Do you use the window or open the oven door to check?
Like to open the door
Pizza - What do you put on yours?
I love ham and pineapple
Quiet - Read or blog or lay down!

Recipe card box?
Yes.
Style of house?
Tri level, brick and block,pool,fenced 1 acre yd.Lots of trees although we did lose 12 in the last 2 hurricanes
Tablecloths and napkins -
No, I do have a runner and placemats, Ilove to see the natural wood
Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?
Organized? Hahahahahahahahahaha
Vacuum - How many times per week?
Once
Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do per week?
Probably 6 or 7 but Ashley does her own
X's - Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
Yes. And if I do something that isn't on my list, I add it then cross it off
Yard - Y/N? Who does what?
My husband does all the mowing and I do all the hand weeding and the trimming. He runs the blower and weedeater but I have been known to do both of these
Zzz's - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Does checking all the locks, lights and kissing your kids count?

Cute or What?

Thought you might enjoy a beautiful basket of Bichons! This is one of the litters when I was raising puppies. This is something I truly enjoyed.

Who woulda thunk

If you have read Pam's or Ashley's blog you already know the Dr. believes both Ashley and Alex have Dengue Fever. This is almost too much to swallow! My Mom always says that if it's going to happen, it happens to us. The more God allows in your life, the more you can minister to others. Ashley does seem to be much better, Alex still has a way to go yet. Mike has been such a help, he arranged to work from home on Monday to allow me to rest up some from the crazy weekend, and then again today so I could catch up on things in my classroom. He also washed the dogs for me last night because my back was messed up from sleeping on the couch to keep an eye on Alex and her unworldly fever. What a blessing he is!

I hope I never need to test this

Would you survive in the wild? Your Result: Yesiree!....   You could live in the wild if you wanted to! You know what to eat, do, and stay away from! You could get shelter, food, water fast and easy-and the right treatments to injuries, snake bites etc...You know the outdoors like the back of your hand!!
Wouldn't last 2 minutes!.....
Maybe........
Not to sure...
Most likely you'll survive....
Would you survive in the wild? Quizzes for MySpace

Just So You Know, I Am Alive

I know the whole idea of blogging is to keep your friends and loved ones updated on your goings on, but since my last post, not much has happened. Not that I don't enjoy the mundane, somehow it just doesn't seem newsworthy. We did have a WONDERFUL night of fellowship last Sat. eve at the Rios' home. Johnny was there, and when you get him and Mike together, well you had to be there!
Amber is some better after a bad bout of bronchitis, but is now suffering from allergies. Hard to sing when you are all stuffed up. She is loving her independence at college, seems to be made for this.
Yeah! I found someone to help me paint the mural I have been planning on doing in Alex's room. I will try to post some before, during and after pix. I may need to do some organizing before the "before" pix...........
My next project will be our master bedroom. Mike bought me new furniture and a new comforter, which has been in the bag for over a year now! I don't want to put it on till I take down the wallpaper(which was up when we moved in) so everything feels new.
Then I want to finish laying the brick pavers left over from when we put in our deck. We want to use the extra to make a walkway on the other side of the screenroom near the pool pump. The summer just doesn't seem long enough!

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Honourable Lady Kimberly the Antique of Much Leering Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I'm not so sure I like this title......

PS

The Lord brought something to me tonight and I thought I'd share. Nothing real deep or theological but here goes.
When I saw the scripture verse from a previous blog, Psalm 63:1 and after reading Rita's blog , I started thinking about being in need. The verse says "my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee". In our society today, we in America rarely deny our flesh. I can't honestly tell you the last time I was really thirsty. I mean since the invention of bottled water and having a 7-11 on every corner, we don't know what it is to really need water. Then there is that whole thing of filling up on the wrong stuff. I can speak from experience. I love to drink Coca Cola. I could go days without water, and because the consequence of that decision isn't immediate, my body would be harmed without me knowing I had caused any damage.
I said all that to say this. Sometimes I fill my life with things that make me feel full but don't nourish me spiritually. Not bad things, just not the best thing; God's best. And when you're full ,good nourishment doesn't taste as good as it should. The artificial stuff has covered up it's goodness.
I think I am going to schedule some "planned neglect" so maybe I can sharpen my thirst and hunger for the things of God.
Simple, I know. That's how God speaks to me, I get simple.

Caught the Crud

OK this will be short. I have been under the weather or rather I feel like I have been under the wheels of a rather large truck for over a day now. Went to bed at 8:30 last night, unheard of for me, and woke up at 2:00 am with a 101 fever and body aches. Then the whole nose and eyes and sneezing thing. Was able to teach all day today. Took Sambucol twice, Airborne and Gelsemium. I think this won't last too much longer. On the bright side, I have found a new item for my morning praise list....... tissues with lotion in them.

Rise and Shine

Psalm 63:1 O God, Thou are my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is;

Since I started teaching this year, I have come to appreciate the early mornings when I can have time alone with my Lord. That isn't to say I enjoy getting up before the sun; I love sleeping in!! But being a wife and mother there are few minutes in the day I can actually call my own. Even being in the bathroom with the door shut leaves no expectation of privacy! Alex has been know to slide things under the door for me to view. I don't know where she got the idea my arms were even remotely long enough to reach said items but that doesn't deter her.
Now I am consistently up and awake at least 45 minutes before the rest of the family rises. I am getting ready for the day, but I use this time for silent prayer and thanks to God. It is so absolutely quiet, and saves me from the many distractions that pop up otherwise. I have experienced answered pray that I know was just for me; requests and supplications that I know were just between my Father and me. One thing I asked Him for was strength. I cannot do all that is expected of me and not be exhausted and bitter. I tried at the beginning of the year; my strength wasn't enough . But God's strength is unlimited. He has shown me things that for years I have been doing wrong. Probaly He showed me before but I wasn't quiet enough to hear Him.
These early morning chats with God have been soul changing for me. I don't know if the family has noticed yet, but I can feel the difference. God has helped me put things in perspective, still have ALOT to work on but I am confident if I keep talking to God first every morning, He will help me work on these.

Bittersweet

That is the best word to describe this weekend. I loved having Amber home. Her visit ended Sat. with a trip to TIA. She made it safe to Pensacola and begins classes next week. She made some decisions for Christ while at home; I think being at home and back at church gave her some much needed time to rest and reflect. For that I am so grateful to God. I hated seeing her leave however. Do you ever get used to this? Rita, I don't know how you do it with your children all over the globe. Alex didn't take her leaving well either. She has a very soft heart.
Praise the Lord!! One of the ladies of our church ; who before had been sure of her salvation, accepted Christ as Saviour on Mon. night at the college days services at WestGate. She gave her testimony and was baptized after this mornings service! Then to top it off, Bro. Rossiter announced that he and Leona have surrendered to start a new church. This answers our churches prayer to plant a new church. I knew he was ready but it is so hard to let them go. He is the most awesome youth pastor. You can only imagine all the crying that went on this morning!
This will be a short post. I'm still dealing with alot of emotions and don't want to start crying again. All day long it's either been me or one of the girls! Poor Mike!

Stuffed to the gills!

I just about ate myself silly. All the girls are staying over at my sister-in-law's tonight, Mike is still at work,and I cooked this really great dinner. By the way it's 9:00 pm. I fried pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and stuffing. I't's probably one of my favorites. I was going to make cookie but now I'm too full and too tired! Ugh, now the dishes and the girls are no where in sight.
All in all this was a good week at school. Alex did great on all her tests. Even got a 94 on her book report. And I was able to re-arrange the desks in my class with the help of some high school boys to move my heavy things. My incision is healing pretty well. Wednesday was bad with swelling and pain, but today is much better. My kids at school are very helpful though, every time I drop something, one of them jumps up to get it for me!
Have a busy weekend planned: take Amber for haircut tomorrow, laundry,clean bathrooms,clean fridge,menu and groceries. Somethings that don't require a lot of brain work. I like!
Enough procrastination, the kitchen awaits.

Halfway Home!

I almost feel about Wednesday's as I do Friday's. The week is half over! For the first few days back it hasn't been too bad. But then Amber has helped, I'm not sure I should get used to it; I don't want to think of her leaving;( Mike is on call this week, won't be home till about 2:00 a.m. If I had know that sooner the girls & I would have had leftovers! hahahaha

I read Amber's blog after school today, told her it was awful close to preaching! but right on target. This is one of her pet peeves! We're gearing up for Parent /Teacher conferences this week . This will be my first one as the "Teacher" , please pray for wisdom for me. I pray daily for His wisdom, but sometimes first graders can't tell if you're flying by the seat of your skirt! I think parents will be a little more discerning.

We have a wedding we are to attend this weekend. Aren't these supposed to be happy affairs? The last one was great. They were a saved couple , they seem more like family than blood relatives. That one just felt right; that they knew it was for a lifetime. Have no idea what this one will be like. I don't know how the world can function from day to day thinking this is as good as it gets. If Christ hadn't saved me I'd probably be one of those crazy women you hear about, muttering to themselves or jumping off bridges! Well....I do mutter sometimes, I just don't expect any voices to answer back! lol

I would love to take some of those quizzes, one of my girls needs to show me how to post them on this blog! Only if they aren't too embarassing!

Running in place all day

Ever have one of those days when you go and go and still feel as if you haven't accomplished anything of value? This was one of those. I keep thinking of everything I wanted to get finished before school on Mon. but then have to realize we have had so much fun as a family I wouldn't want to replace that with more WORK!

First thing I did was get up early with Mike, he had to work today; on call this week. Then put some laundry in, ate breakfast, then went back to bed. I think that is where I went wrong!! But I certainly enjoyed it! Amber and Alex went to church with me today, Amber made some drawings for my classroom while I took down all the Christmas decorations. She has been such a blessing! We've had some really great talks- grown up talks. You know, girl stuff!

Been reading a book a very special friend lent to me, "Created to be his help meet" . Alot of it I know,some of it new and all of it thought provoking. I think the Lord has been trying to remind me that in honoring my husband I am honoring and obeying HIM. Sometimes that is hard to remember when I feel my rights have been stepped on Pray with me that I will show honor as God desires me to do.

Church tomorrow morning, looking forward to hearing Pastor Naill. We love him so much! Amber said at college she is more "church sick" than "home sick" !

Need to finish dessert for Mike and get clothes ready for tomorrow morning. Post to you later!

New Year...I'm finally here!

I know, I don't believe it either. It has taken Amber about 40 min to explain this whole Blog thing to me and my head is still spinning. I'm sure it will come to me, I'm a hands on person; I need to do before I learn. Later I'd like to post pix but for now this is all you get! We're missing church tonight. That mole I had biopsied was completely removed today- not feeling very comfortable just yet. I don't know when I became so squeamish about things, I thought I would hurl when I felt the tugging. It didn't hurt, just made me feel wierd. Things like this did NOT use to bother me.

I have ambivilant feelings about starting school next week. I love teaching the children and the interaction with the other staff at church, but am praying that the Lord will give me more strength. I need to be a better help meet for Mike. I hate feeling so tired all the time. Maybe If I am more organized......

Love having all my girls together, don't even want to think about Amber leaving. Traveling with the ensemble will keep her away for quite a while. But I know she is in God's will and held by His hand. No better place to be.

Alex is calling me, I promised to let her read to me. She has a book report due the first week back to school.

It's a new year, I'm excited to see how the Lord works in our families life this next 12 months!