A funny thing happened on the way to the treat basket...

Today when we got home from school Jeb decided to tee-tee off the porch (as usual). Caleb insisted he join in the fun...a few minutes later when Jeb and I were swinging I did notice the puddle on the porch near the rails. He did it! We ran over there and cheered him on and I ran inside to get an M & M. It is never too early to start rewarding the idea of putting it somewhere other than the diaper, right? I gave him his treat and of course, Jeb needed one too. So, in that brief instant when I was on my way to the treat basket and back I guess he figured..."Hey if she likes some pee, I may get an entire pack for a poop." I came back out and there it was ...tracked all over the porch. What in the world would I do with all the "spare time" I spend cleaning up messes.

Hey, my new steam mop arrived and so far I have cleaned all our tile, the wood floors a few times and even steam cleaned my couches! We are germ-free for winter's beginnings!

The stitches are out and Jeb is looking mighty fine! In case you missed it, Monday we went to the ER. We were there 3 hours, and in it for 200 bucks, for 5 stitches. He was playing bucking bull on my bed and the bull got the best of him ...or shall I say the foot board of the bed did.

Today...

I was sharing with Jeb at lunch that I was glad it is the weekend b/c I was so tired. His reply: "I know you work so hard, I love you." WOW...kids do notice things that you do!!

We had fun at the park with some buds and cousins lately.

Cay and I are enjoying some nice walks at least once a week now that Jeb is back at school. I must be boring to walk with because he always falls asleep on me!

Cay had a meltdown, the largest one I've ever seen from him to date, today when Jill had to leave with her I phone. He is one techno-nerd.

Reflections on Esther and life...

Well, I have had a hard time wrestling with God over what to do this fall. I wanted to be in a small group, or lead one, or something, but nothing was weighing heavy on me to do or be a part of. Then, I started thinking about how much I miss relating to other women. Since I have been working and kids have been in school there is very little time now to just hang out with other moms like I used to...sooooo, I re-joined the Women's Bible Study at my church and they were studying Esther. I was not pumped about that since I don't have time for all that homework and I don't particularly like Old Test. studying and I after all this book of the Bible doesn't even talk about my main man--Jesus. But something kept telling me that if I would just get myself together and show up and make myself available that He would meet me there and having something for me to hear, learn, and grow. I got my hair blown back this morning. I loved it. I called two gals that I know and told them to come join us and I really think they ARE!

I am impressed with a few things that Beth Moore had to say:
A. YES, it is indeed "TOUGH TO BE A WOMAN."
B. That though God's name is NOT in this book of the Bible, it is ON IT...HIs work is all through it.
C. He CHOSE NOT to make himself the star of this miraculous story b/c quite possibly he wanted us to see that He sometimes uses VERY ORDINARY people (and women in that day were chopped liver BUT he found great value in their influence) to accomplish miracles for Him and with HIS help.
D. It offers HOPE To us that God indeed does have a plan--a purpose--for us. ..that part of our abundant life is allowing him to use us at such a time as this.
E. Providence--According to Webster (not a theological dictionary might I add),God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny. What a thought. God uses both mundane and trivial events and people ...nothing happens by chance.
F. Coincidences--Miracles where God prefers to remain anonymous. I'm going to chew on that this week.
G. She also talked about how when we don't feel God's presence and power in our lives that does not mean he is not there. He usually is there and is working and when we finally realize it we have a huge personal revival.

Ephesians 1:11 (New American Standard Bible)

11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things with the purpose of His will...

Philippians 2:13 (New International Version)

13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

It helps me to write this out...sorry that you had to hear it, but it's gotta be good for you??

Our certified inspector will be here for HOURS on Thurs. I am prayerfully hoping that she finds our home to be suitable and that the kids don't act like heathens. This is really one of our last steps in becoming foster/adoptive parents. I can't wait to see when/if/how God will use us in ministry. I don't know when my "such a time as this" moment will be...but I do know that God's purpose RIGHT NOW is for me to mother and disciple the two kiddos I have RIGHT NOW! What a privilege. A day really never goes by when I don't think that my mission field is purposeful and wonderful.

I am supposed to be coming up with 3 ways I think that it is tough to be a woman---just three! Can you help me narrow it down?
I think the main way that I feel that is tough to be a woman is to keep BALANCE. I want to be a great Christian, wife, mother (and this one is quite consuming), daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, friend (to people of all ages--kids, my elderly neighbors, my own peers), servant... volunteer, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, teacher, pet-owner, homeowner, bill -payer, laundress, maid, cook, and did I mention having FUN and enjoying life MYSELF ...some days I totally feel like I just can't do it all or I totally flopped in one area...everyday I try to get up and "make it up" in that arena!!! uggghhhh....

Also, can you help me name our farm? I am on to something like Providence Acres...which J tells me is a loony bin in CA..but I told him that somedays we have so much to do around here that I feel loony? I am still open for ideas???

The "New Kids On the Block" are here!

The new baby goats have arrived. Mary had twins, boy and Oconee Belle. We are not naming boys since they will not be here long term! Kong has twins, Foxie and big boy. Wallflower has twins, Rose (our big girl) and little Jr. Jr. is the smallest and skinniest. His sister is seriously outdoing him! We have one more left to kid out--Triple Cheese our enormous girl. She is going to have 3 for sure! It is fun to have such cute and gentle animals in our care. The boys love going to visit them each day even if it has been a muddy mess. Sgt. is with all of them and Sherman is with the girls without child on the other side of the fence. Everyone is adjusting to being apart. They stay in the corner of the fence as close as possible!

Fun at the beach with family...ONE LAST TIME!

Well, we took quite a spontaneous road trip to the beach to visit family and briefly enjoy the sun and sand again. It was obvious we were back "home" at the beach instead of at the "highfalutin" beach we'd been to twice before this summer: there were 2 rebel flag swimsuits (bikinis and trunks), men wearing boots on the beach, cigs smoking everywhere, and an ALMOST fist fight where the cops came and everything. I had a good laugh over that! Still, I think the beaches here are the BEST for walking, having a breeze, water just the right temp, etc.

We had a lot of fun visiting with the cousins. My nephew has the best giggle and it was good to hear that sort of uncontrollable laughing this time of year when I can get so bogged down with work and business and cold weather coming. And, he played a good soccer game while we were there. Jeb loved taking his bike to a neighborhood and riding all over. He is really, really into bike riding now. We ate some good food , and the kids had so much fun running around and swimming in the ocean. My dad's sailboat was cool to see and visit and it is docked at a nice, peaceful marina. I hope he can enjoy it for many, many years.

Caleb got to meet one of his aunt's for the first time. She was crazy about how friendly he was and he was friendly that day. He was walking up to people all over the beach ( I mean right up to them) and smiling and waving at them. It was cute. I told them he was running for office next fall to look for him and be sure and vote.

We got to visit my sister's church while we were there and the message was great, as usual. I meet very few folks who love the written word as much as I do. Her pastor is one of them. He loves reading. There bulletin is about 4-5 pages back to front of text--things he's read and wants to share and other prayers, and church biz too, but mostly what he's read! WOW! Here is some good stuff I thought was poignant that I'd like to reflect on:

The end of a one of his prayers: "Holy Spirit we humbly ask that you might make Jesus more real to us this day that we might love him more dearly and follow him more nearly throughout our week. Amen"

Quest for Joy 15 statements in the Search--from John Piper...I took the ones I liked and I thought I'd chew on for a while....

2. Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly. (it doesn't just happen all the time)
3. Resolve to attach all known sin in your life. (attack it not just see it/ask for forgiveness and move on...attack it...)
8. Preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself (I must memorize more of the Word to have it there to preach to myself!)
9. Spend time with God-saturated people who help you see God and fight the fight. (yup--it is time for Wed. morning study again-yeah!
14. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others (witness--yes, it is hard...yes, it is loving yes, I need to do better...Mercy--yes, be patient/forgiving with folks...
more in my next post...that is all I can chew on right now....

09/09/09 and feelin' mighty fine...well, in general in life anyway!

Today is my big day...I am busting right on through the 30's. I have to say that all my dreams and aspirations for my life at 30ish are indeed coming true. I am blessed to know God and have a personal relationship with him that is an anchor in any life storm & my eternity is all shored up (what a bonus); I have two healthy children (who are also unbelievably handsome and funny); a fabulous, devoted hubby with integrity; overall good health; both my parents alive and well...still married and still fun to share life with; all my siblings and I speak, love, and enjoy each others company, many great nephews and NIECES; 2 grandmothers still with me to enjoy and love; supportive and loving aunts and uncles and fun cousins; wonderful in-laws, sis-n-laws and bro in-laws; a church where I still see miracles and life change happen, where people are authentic,and where I feel loved, accepted, and can have a meaningful place to serve and share the gospel; good friends that are truly more than just people to have fun with, but people to go through life ups and downs and celebrations with; just enough "paid" work that I enjoy (I like teaching...really I do...and it is funny that I was a teacher cadet drop out--I told my Mom I would NEVER teach); a mother-in-law that want to and enjoys keeping my kids so I can make money and don't have to worry about the boys AND she makes at least one lip-smackin' meal a week that I don't cook or clean up; a home I love every square inch of; and I get to be with my boys at home --what a privilege; we have just enough money to be comfortable and enjoy life but not enough to fight over and worry about; I have lots of places to plant plants, time to play tennis (seasonal opportunity only) and walk (most days); good books a waitin' on me; a new-to-us camper and great adventures in it this past year; AND I enjoy our "lawn- ornament" animals we have added to our family. I really AM where I pictured myself being...where in life I really hoped to be at this age...and that brings a lot of satisfaction and peace. I give God all the glory for answering my prayers and blessing me beyond belief. I cannot count my blessings ENOUGH! I could go on and on and I am sure that I left something or someone out that really brings meaning to my life but it was fun to think about what really makes my life tick at this point and to get it all down on paper for me and my kids one day!

Still, today is rather stinky in and of itself...Jonas is sick...he has ear infections and sinus junk, I am sick with a sinus infection and Jeb has 2 terrible ear infections--hours at docs offices, 300 bucks in docs visits, and meds and antibiotics all around. Jeb started school today and I truly did miss him....the house was so quiet...Caleb was whiny...I am sure he will be sick soon...my students seem to all have stories that make me want to cry...AND I have to work this afternoon AND it is overcast...yuck. Birthdays are just not what they used to be! When I get done with work, I am going to get some Chinese food (what a treat to me!), and come home and snuggle with David Baldacci--my favorite author. THAT I am looking forward to! I am going to see my sis this weekend so that should be FUN AND J and I have a big date planned and sitters all lined up...it is just that this actual day stinks...and that is fine b/c the bigger picture is that Life is GOOD!

Gross and Good Mealtime Stuff

Jeb has discovered that he likes Mac and Cheese! WOW! I am thrilled...now I can add to his list of 7 things that he eats (Beef Cow (burgers), BBQ, Chicken Nuggets, Turkey, "Job Siters" (ham and cheese toasted, eggs/cheese toast, and PBJ)....plus Chick-Fil-A. He also will eat yogurt on any of the above--gross. BOTH my boys dip their chicken in yogurt?? Whatever. As long as they eat. Also, I have been trying to get more anti-oxidants in the boys as we have been sick and cool whether is coming. They think that V8 Fusion (of any flavor) is Kool-Aid, how great is that!?
Jeb has recently added a new cereal to his list of cereals he loves--Oh's! I forgot how good that cereal taste with yogurt.



2 Recipes that sound GROSS, but are REALLY GOOD!

Hot PINEAPPLE CHEESE CASSEROLE, My Mamanette loved making this!
1 lg. can chunk pineapple
1 stick butter, melted
1 tbsp. flour
1/2 c. sugar
2 c. grated sharp Cheddar cheese
Crushed Ritz crackers
Drain pineapple and place in casserole dish. Mix flour and sugar and pour over pineapple. Pour melted butter over mixture. Place a thick layer of cheese on top of mixture.
Top with a thick layer of Ritz crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.


Grape Salsa

* 2 cups red seedless grapes, coarsely chopped (about 1 pound)
* 1/2 cup anahiem pepper, diced - do not use the seeds! (about 1 pepper)
* 2 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
* 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1 clove minced garlic OR 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
* 1/4 tsp. Sugar
Can add green onions for extra taste


Caleb has discovered that he can kiss and likes doing it...but he is stingy with them. His first kiss (public) was to Granny, his great-grandmother. He kissed Mr. Ray (our 86-year-old neighbor) when we left today and surprised me to death. Mr. Ray was all smiles!

I have "fasted" and prayed about getting more into mopping with a happy heart. So, I have taken a week off and you should see the floors. One of the things about staying home that surprised me is that I thought my house would be so much cleaner--WRONG. Since 3 people are here all day getting into all sorts of things this place stays a wreck.

More NC Adventures...Part Deux

We had so much fun that 3 blog posts might be what it takes to capture what happened!
The group at Moore Cove Falls, Pisgah National Forest


Racing on the mountain top!



Making mud pies at Moore Cove Falls. I think they could have done this an entire day. Mama Faith was in charge of this very unsanitary restaurant.

We took the kids on a long ride all over the 90 acre campground area. They loved yelling and chanting "faster" and we had fun watching them!





The group at Looking Glass Falls.

Jeb loved playing in the CHILLY river.
J caught a snake, but the kids saw it first and they were quite ecstatic.
Cay can really get into a good ice cream. This was a 3 wipe job here.


Cay got a new phone--he was very proud. It has all the bell's and whistles!