Vision Questions for 2009

1. What skill do you most want to learn this year?
Maybe learn some new dishes (that are CHEAP). But more importantly, learn the skill of, um, BEING PATIENT (is that a skill or a virtue or what??)
2. What is one skill you already have that you’d like to improve this year?
turkey sounds. no kidding.
but really, i don't know so much a bout improving it (I think it's already perfected).
i think i'm a decent teacher. and am super frugal. so maybe a frugal teacher? i could go out on the road w/ that? a traveling frugal teacher show?
shoot, this is supposed to be serious. okay. a'hem.
i want to be more organized w/ my frugality techniques. like, finding/cutting a coupon does you no good if u let it expire. etc.
3. Name three books you most definitely want to read in 2009.
1.the bible
2.sacred marriage (started last yr, never finished)
3.a praying wife. and finish the other ones i started in '08.
4. In what specific area do you most want to encourage your spouse?
one time i read an article about a dad... he was talking about how his wife & him are supposed to be a team. only he feels like she's the coach & he's on the team. and i laughed. but then felt really guilty. becuz i talk a big talk about how we're a team, but then i'm constantly yelling to him that he's up to bat.
i would like to remind him that he is the lead of our relationship. and encouragement does not come from my words, yet from my deeds. and i've become increasingly conscientious about how my actions have been a reminder to him that i want to be in charge. but i really don't. really. i want to encourage him to feel comfortable in his spiritual role as the head of our home.
What are some ways you can do this?
by being a constant reminder that i am to submit to him. and that doesn't mean, "honey, you make the decision." but then when he decides to buy a black microwave instead of a white one, that i sulk for 5 years until that one breaks (or until he gets tired of my pouting & buys a white one). that's not a true story...but it sounds true, doesn't it?
i would never ask one of my kids to do something that's new to them, then criticize how they did it. so why should i do that to my spouse.
i will PRAYERFULLY practice not only my role, but practice being a support to the role that God has given jeff.
5. Think of one of your major life goals. What will you do this year to make you one step closer to reaching that goal?
believe it or not, in my life, i set goals. and i've reached them all. no joke. they were (marry, be a mom, and be a teacher). i've done them all.
but i'm not teaching right now. and i miss it HORRIBLY.
6. Name your kids’ biggest strengths. What are some ways you can specifically nourish those strengths?
Flynn has a God-given artistic gift. I'm not just being a proud mom. She does things artistically that far surpass what is age-appropriate. I see that in many areas in her little life. I'm going to work extra hard this year to give her opportunity to develop that. And I don't just mean buying new paints for our art carts. She needs a new avenue to explore her skills.
Gabe is very musical. Most of the songs he 'sings' are only recognizable by their tune (thank God he can carry a tune, because you certainly can't understand his words!). For a while now, when he hears piano, he will put his fingers up, as tho he is playing one. He got a guitar from santa & is REALLY into it.
I would like to see what our options might be (financially) to pursue lessons of some kind.
7. Name your kids’ most prominent weakness. What are some ways you can encourage their ability to overcome it?
Something I've noticed in Flynn, in just the last couple of weeks, is that she's starting to REALLY care what other people think of her. That's okay to a certain extent. I'm afraid that her self conciousness could be partly due to the fact that we trained her so hard to behave & be aware of others & their feelings. It's great to have a well-behaved child, but not if it means breaking their spirit.
Lately, she has started to get dressed, or accessorized & she paused. I can tell she's thinking. Then she'll ask me, "Do you think _____ will like my shirt?" etc.
It pains me. I want her to like herself first. And others accepting her as a bonus.
How can I do this? For starters, Jeff & I need to lay off our discipline. We've recognized & agreed that we've been too strict on her. We've made a perfect child & that only does everyone else good. Not her.
I want to build up in her an esteem that comes from her knowing that her worth lies in God. That she IS beautiful & that thinking that she is, is what's important. I really could care less what others think about me (to an extent) & I pray that some of that rubs off on her. She needs to be secure in herself. To grow into being a healthy whole... so that she's not constantly seeking validation from others.
Gabe's weaknesses are not as easy to pinpoint. He has some 'difficulties' going on. And we're in the process of diagnosing those, so we can move forward.
Gabe has a strength, that is also a weakness. And that is that his love language is touch. He loves to be loved on. But it also works against him. Disciplining him has been a challenge. And even things done out of love seem to aggravate the process.
I believe that we are encouraging others to help us help him to overcome what he has been fighting against.
But I certainly don't want to get caught up in the process & forget about the one we're fighting for.
What I've already seen us doing is re-evaluating some of the stuff we found important before. And deciding which battles are worth picking.
And remember that above all, our children seeing their parents' marriage as a united front, is the most beneficial thing we can do for them.
8. What is one of your strengths? Think of some specific ways you can exercise it this year.
I am very administrative (read: bossy). I can be (used to be) very organized. And probably the biggest strength is my creativity.
Whenever I read those traits, I instantly think of teaching, as it incorporates all of those attributes.
But also good parenting comes from those, if channeled properly.
I hope to tune those strengths into good home management. Put the unimportant things on the back burner & use my time wisely, first, on the things that help our home run smoothly.
9. What is one of your weaknesses? Brainstorm some ideas on how you can overcome this deficiency.
I battle anxiety. And some days it seems to be what's in charge of me. God is the sole provider of my peace & carefreeness. So, if I don't start my day off with Him & time spent 'with' Him, I can forget about relaxing at all (at any capacity).
My anxiousness can sometime lead way to negativity, if I let it. Which can snowball into a desperate feeling of there's nothing we can do about it.
There are some things you have no control over. And at that fork in the road, you make the decision, do I buck up & deal. Or do I go down the path of letting our battle consume us?
My practical ideas include:
prayer - a time in the morning, when I resolved to start my day (which effects the days of so many others) with God. Praising Him & asking Him to be in charge of my life, my world, & my family. To give me the 'things' I need to love others.
water - it sounds so stupid. but i get too busy to even drink sometimes. and dehydration leads to fatigue, and fatigue will feed into any problem you have potential of having.
attitude - keep working toward what i've been working toward my whole life... and that's NOT LETTING THINGS BOTHER ME. i can't. literally. if something bothers me, my blood pressure goes up. and widowing my hot hubs & leaving my kids w/o a momma, becuz i can't let things roll off my shoulder, seem PRETTY SILLY. right? i'm actively working toward a solution for this. short of a personality transplant. ;)
10. Think of an important relationship aside from your spouse and children. How will you nurture that relationship this year?
i instantly think of God here. and that would be the relationship more important than ALL others (including spouse & children).
nurturing it includes:
prayer
time reading the bible
meditation (a scripture of the day, muttering it under my breath all day, in line at the store, in the car)
sharing Him w/ others.
11. Name a few ways your physical health could be improved.
see nine.
i also need an exercise regiment. and becuz of lack of finances. lack of space. lack of time. it constantly gets shoved to the back burner.
12. Name a few ways your family’s financial health could be improved.
we've actually tweaked & creaked a budget. there's not a lot more that can change aside from more income.
i think that this year will be the year we see more freedom with that. and that's me having faith that full time work will come my way.
when that day does come, there will be a big temptation to spend. and we can't. we have to be responsible with what God gives us. that means sticking to our budget, even when my income doubles. we have lots of swimming to do until we reach debt-free shore. and right now, we're doggy-paddling.
some things we are committed to:
keeping our cars for years & years until they literally die
buying a modest house, whose mortgage won't be a lot more than the cheap one we have
not adding things to our monthly payments
financial freedom through no debt
13. In what way do you want to draw closer to God?
i blogged about this yesterday, but I want to know Him so strongly that i start to see His attributes THROUGH me. that even i am shocked when i see my actions reflecting Him.
14. What is one area of home management that frustrates you? Think of some specific ways you could improve your attitude about it.
disorganization. it gives me anxiety. it LITERALLY can make me sick. it's a waster.
ways to improve my attitude? i dont' know that i should feel differently about it. becuz not being organized can reak havoc on our home.
15. We're going to make a family mission statement.
16. Name one specific thing you could do with your spouse this year that will deepen your intimacy.
We have been so good about praying together EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, and sadly, we've slacked as of late. It might not immediately seem to negatively effect us, but how could it not??
I'd love to take a weekend trip away w/ Jeff. We have NEVER done this since having kids (all we've gotten away together has been a night). It would be nice to pack up some stuff & head out of dodge. And concentrate on just each other all weekend. But financially, I don't see it happening this year.
17. What is something that is continually undone in your life? What will you do to fully complete it this year?
I have lots of 'projects' that I start & don't finish. They might be small but I would like to finish them. Esp scrapbooking. I'm losing memories that should be documented. I would at least like to finish my kids' baby books.
18. In what ways will you be involved with your local community?
I don't know. I'd like to think that my work in my home church positively effects the community.
19. What is one thing you’d like to accomplish by your birthday this year?
Losing 20+ more pounds.
20. Think of three words you’d like to describe your 2009.
Health. Wholeness. Contentment.

Reflection Questions for 2008

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

That's hard to narrow down... there are a few....

being able to afford a "new" car for Jeff,

Flynn & Gabe in the same school now & that being a success (esp w/ the allergy),

our hair donations,

good jobs,

HEALTHY family -- extended & beyond,

another clean screening for aunt alice,

the norris' coming back to MO,

there are a lot of best things ;)

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

Gabe's speech delay & trying to get him some help
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

Gabe starting preschool, he LOVES it
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

Not finding a full time job
5. Pick three words to describe 2008.

healthy, blessed, happy
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2008 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).

fun, safe, happy
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2008 (again, without asking).

probably the same (we are almost one person ;)
8. What were the best books you read this year?

the Bible; I started RAISING SPIRITUAL CHAMPIONS and MAKING SUNDAY THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK but I didn't finish either of those
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

family.  and definitely, friends.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

my hair! ha!  I have also really come to terms w/ some flaws... or parts of my life that need work (or meds! ;)
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

I hope that I grew ;)  I definitely "honed in" on some spots that I need help with.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

another part of God's greatness has been revealed.  i'm learning so much about Him & how unconditional He is. (that's a lot to learn from!!)
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?

I lost about 13 lbs in the last 5-6 weeks.  Hoping to lose about 20 more & get stronger.
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

I think friendships are stronger.  And Jeff & I are in an awesome (yet eventful!) place in our relationship.  Parenting is getting 'easier' (altho Gabe is not easy) & that puts less strain on your marriage. 
15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?

laundry, NOT.  I love when I have a day where the 'other' stuff in my life doesn't get in the way of my home-mgmt.  When I have supper on the table & happy sounds in my home.  It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it makes me super happy.
16. What was your most challenging area of home management?

organization!!...feels like fighting a losing battle.  your WHOLE home is based around organization...and if someone tallied up, the hours wasted (looking for stuff!) by us, it would no doubt make me ill.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

looking for things.  2nd on the list is reading blogs. ;)  that has changed a lot in the last month or so, things have gotten so much busier, i'm unable to keep up.
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

spending time one on one w/ my kids.  going on dates with them.  and staying up late hanging out w/ jeff.  THOSE are the things that I will never ever never regret doing.  and my kids will remember time spent w/ us forever.
19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

not to dwell on the negative.  it can destroy you.  love people for who they are, or if you can't, concentrate on the loveable.  it does your heart good.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2008 for you.

"Just when you think you've seen all the great in life, it gets even sweeter."

Questions 'stolen' from Simple Mom, one of my favorite blogs.

Allergy Testing Update

We are disappointed with how little we learned from Flynn's testing.
Um, newsflash, she is still allergic to milk (thank you Cap'n Obvious) & that's all we know.
The allergist told Jeff that it's not good to test them for more than one thing (I've never heard that).
When Jeff recommended the blood testing, he told Jeff that we won't learn much more about the severity of her dairy allergy. Again, confused.
He's usually very knowledgeable. I'm just hearing some things that I've never heard before (which always makes me doubt). I'm also disappointed because we're wanting to get some answers.
Oh yah, he told Jeff that the best way to find out if she's allergic to shellfish is to just "give her some & see how she does."
H E L L O ?
Think it's time for a new allergist?

Pray for Flynn (allergy testing!)

Right now, Flynn is at the allergist's office getting the scratch test. We've NEVER done the scratch test for her dairy allergy (first allergist we had said too risky??).
We have reason to suspect that perhaps her sensitivity is decreasing?? This is not based on the fact that she has INGESTED dairy & had improved reaction (not true) yet that she survived a whole year of a preschool setting sitting among other children who are eating DAIRY & to our knowledge, has not reacted.
Also, she used to regularly have skin/contact reactions -- to what we were never sure (dairy on others hands/faces coming in contact w/ her?).... she RARELY has these types of reactions.

What she has had tho, has been reactions to food made with CHOCOLATE that is supposed to be dairy-free. So, I'm hoping that she'll be tested for some of those specific ingredients (chocolate liquor, cocoa, cocoa butter).

She also had a reaction the other day (a pretty bad skin reaction) to a 'boo boo device' ... one of those things you keep in your freezer, that's filled w/ a gel that is cold to hold on a booboo. She had fallen flat on her face & asked for the "car" to put on her booboo. So, after 4 or so minutes of holding it on the booboo, I pulled it away to assess the booboo. She was swollen, red, & welted EVERYWHERE the booboo laid. Like an outline of the car. Bizarre. So, apparently yet another allergy (latex? plastic?).

Pray for:
-decreased milk allergy (hey, if you're so moved, pray for completely healed from allergies!)
-NO other allergies found
-no asthma symptoms today

Thank you!!

PS Why am I not with her? Gabe's pretty sick. And I'm home running the sick ward. Thankful for a hubby who has this week off! :)

When I Said "Whose Next?" I Meant US

So there it is. The new 'do for each of us. I still can't believe I have short hair. After all these years.

Flynn actually looks like she was MADE for this hairstyle. Just when I thought she couldn't be ANY cuter, she went & surprised me.

She wasn't nervous, but right after the first cut, she looked like she was going to burst out into tears. I don't know if it was all the attention, or emotion from seeing it really happen (after so much talk).

Ask her where her hair is going & she can tell you exactly where.

And she's just as excited about being a girl with PIERCED EARS! She keeps looking at them in the mirror. And was so tough while getting them pierced. I tell ya...this girl. She is a keeper!

Hair Today....

It's going to be gone tomorrow. Yep, tomorrow's the Big Day.

Flynn isn't the slightest bit nervous, but I AM! Part of me is sad about saying good bye to my own long hair. It's been such a part of me for so long. Of my 35 years, my hair has been long for about 30 of those years.
And there's some finality knowing that I will most likely not grow it out again (I've never liked long hair on 'older' women). Plus, the grey is starting to take up residency. Gray hairs replace the dark brown CURLY hairs. And, I certainly wouldn't have long hair if it wasn't pretty healthy & yah, curly.
The biggest part of me that's sentimental about this, is to see my gorgeous girl's gorgeous hair go bye-bye. Her hair is so pretty, it's so healthy. And altho it's mostly a pain (takes about 45 minutes to comb out), I've loved fixing it & seeing it in curls & down.
But she is making her own decision. And 6 mos ago, when she mentioned having short hair, I explained hair donations to her & she was right on board. She understands that her hair will be made into a wig for someone who has lost theirs. And she & I both think it's pretty neat.

Now, back to my pursuit of a cute curly cut.

to be continued....

Long Winter's Nap

Do you hear what I hear?:"Do you SEE what I see?"

2 kids, eating a 'special' Christmas breakfast
(sweetened cereal!, a real treat! Santa left in their stocking!)

What a mess!:

(hey! ck out my new ring! thx jeff!! :)

Gabe, checking the goods in his stocking:

Flynn, America's next Hannah Montana ("Hannah Muntanna"):

My REAL gift:

Excitement, NOT contained:

Christmas Eve @ church:

I think our BEST Christmas so far. And now, time for a long winter's nap...

or what most call, BEDTIME.

Greetings From Our Family

Hope it's merry!

Two More Days...

The excitement's in the air. And at any given moment, Flynn can spit out the exact count of days until she wakes up to see that baby under the tree...you know, the one that praises herself for the poo poo in the potty.

Gabe's along for the ride this year. He's pickin' up what we're layin' down -- just not to the full realm that Flynn understands it. He knows he's getting presents. He knows he's getting to eat lots of cookies. In his world, that equals bliss.

Know what I really hope they get? That this isn't about them. That it's about Him. That tons of years ago, God gave them the ultimate gift. The one that doesn't run on batteries, or take an hour to untwist & untwine from a insanely taped box.

Can you imagine being there? Can you imagine being Mary? Knowing that you were not only about to give birth, but it wouldn't be with an epidural...or even running water. That you'd be responsible for bringing God to earth. And you'd be the one putting band aids on His boo boos?

I hope that through these next few days, those last minute gifts, or my kids' sugar high hyperactivities, or throwing together a last minute dessert I forgot about, don't derail me from the reason we wear red & green.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”- Luke 2:11-14

They're Home

Some of you inquired about my somewhat sneaky post, wherein I scratched out the CA address for my sister & her family.

'Tis true. They are home. And without divulging a whole bunch of info without permission, I will put your fears to rest by telling you that everything is fine. But things are not always as they are depicted to be. There.

Anyway, I'm happy that my sister & brother in law kept their promise to themselves & their family when they said that if it didn't work out, they'd be back.

All is well that ends well.

And all is well that ends with your sister & your girls, home safe in your home state.

Enter Circus Music

For about a year now, Jeff has started a circus theme, whenever things start, well, seeming like a circus. Like they tend to... a lot.
You know, do do dodi do do do do do do....

Someone could've blasted circus music last night. In our car. On our long trip back from Grandma's house in Arkansas (I couldn't have made up that line if I wanted to).

You see, Gabe's been potty trained for about a year now, but BMs? -- not so easy to hold.
And me, I've been prone to car sickness my WHOLE life. And it doens't take much when I'm riding in a car, to make me queasy.

So, when Gabe yelled up to us (as we were 30 minutes from home, had been in the car for 6 hours), "Me gotta poo poo! Me SICK!!!!"
My response to Hot Hubs was, "Pull off at the next exit" & I gave an encouraging, 'You can hold it Buddy' to my boy in his 5-point harness.
"NOOOOOOOOO, Me SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And.
Was.
He.
Ever.
...and when I turned around to start the unbuckling process, we were still on the hwy (which I HATE).
But, the boy said he had to go.
But, the really bad things is,
he already had.
Went, that is.

So, when I turned around (car still going down the hwy), to sit him on our in-car potty (yes, I'm a germ-phobe & keep a potty seat in the car, for such occasions), I had no idea, that his undies were, um, full.

Until his hands went in them. And my hands went in them. And the smell filled our car. And here came the heaves.
Gag.
Gag.
Gag.

And before I knew it I was yelling, "PULL OVER, I'M GOING TO PUKE."
And I did.

Oh yah, did I mention the 100 MPH winds?

Ever seen puke blow sideways??

I have.

Right onto my open door.

And,
if we were a reality show. Like I think we should be.
The last few seconds of that episode, would've panned back to that particular spot on I-55.
To Gabe's Spidey & Friends undies.
Where we left them.

Sock Countdown

Every year, Flynn looks forward to the Sock Countdown (a bit of an advent...but I've narrowed it down -- now there are only 12 socks)

See the socks above her (doesn't she look like a baby??!!)
Last night's message in the sock said, "Girls paint Ho'Ho'Holiday Toes. Boys paint Ho'Ho'Holiday Rocks."
Other messages include DRIVE AROUND & LOOK AT LIGHTS. Or HOLIDAY SHAKE. Or CHRISTMAS CRAFT. Or READ THE STORY OF THE NATIVITY & SING AWAY IN THE MANGER. I count ahead & the nights we won't have time for an activity, they will just find a piece of candy, which is a REAL TREAT for my kids.

The 'socks' are basically mateless socks & mittens. It's a ribbon from Walmart's fabric dept. And regular old clothespins.

The truth is, I could certainly do it better. But the kids don't care. And I don't have time to handknit sweet little felt mittens with embellishments.

Greatest Feeling

this week was scratching out my sister's California address.

That's right-----
they're coming home.

For good.

I guess Flynn's birthday wishes must be pretty potent.

Perry Hodge Podge

You know that crafty modge podge stuff?...I always accidentally call it hodge podge.
But anyway,
here is some stuff for the grandmas to laugh at:

• a few weeks ago, Gabe started calling me AMY.... a couple of days ago, he referred to me as 'Amy' all day long. Until I scolded him & said, "Gabe, Amy is what other people call me, you & Sissy call me Momma." He said, "Oh."
• I used to call my parents by their first names. Except, their name was preceded by 'Big'. So, my parents were "Big Jim" & "Big S". It rubbed off on my friends who all started doing the same. Heather's parents were "Big Bob" & "Big L". And instead of saying, "Let me check with my parents", we'd say, "Let me check with my Bigs." We were such dumb teens & now, now, it's all comin' back 'round.
• Gabe will not write his name. For. Anything. Period. But, he willingly & voluntarily writes an 'F' & announced, "F for Finn!"
• In a discussion about heaven, Flynn said, "I can't wait, I'm going to see if I can hop on the clouds."
• I'm not ashamed, I have my shirt TUCKED INTO my pj pants. No lying.
• My dad, whose mispronounications have become endearing to me, pronounces SOY MILK as 'O Soya Milk.' And I'd have it no other way.
• Flynn was looking at some photos I had printed out for a frame. One was of the previous posted Mrs Claus photo. And when she looked at it, her eyes watered. I thought nothing of it, then proceeded on to the next photo. She quietly said to me, "Sometimes when I see a picture of someone with a red nose, like Grammy or Nana, it makes my eyes water." I tried SO hard not to laugh, as when I went back to the picture, sure enough Mrs C's nose was a bit on the rosy side. She acted very embarassed & so when a laugh did emerge, I was sure to squeeze her & tell her that I love her because she can make me laugh & making others laugh is a very good thing.
• Gabe can not just observe others riding his spring horse. He has to stand beside, a hand on the horse in action, or try to squeeze behind the horse.
• Flynn can tell you at any point in the day, just how many more 'til Christmas.
• And Gabe is not the slightest bit worried about being on the naughty list.

Not Ready

I woke up to notice Jeff not beside me. Which was strange. And when I got up to look for him, I saw both kids' beds were empty. I started to panic. No one should be awake so early. The cars were still here, he couldn't have taken them anywhere. And as I searched through the house yelling their names, I got the strangest feeling.

At some point, after I'd made phone calls, listened to the radio, turned on the tv, it became clear to me. And after preparing for it my whole life, it happened & I got left behind.

This was a dream I had Saturday night. And although, through the course of the dream, it evolved into me not being the main character, yet me watching this happen to someone else; it was still enough to shake me to my core & leave such an impression on it, that 30 hours later, I can't get it off my mind.

And I want to be sure that you are ready. That anyone who thinks my blog is of any interest, has read with their own eyes, perhaps something you'd never known before. It's the other side of what we live. A side that isn't talked about much.... it's not fluffy or heartwarming. It's not rainbows & doves & kittens & sunshine. It's not 'God Bless You' or 'Peace to You.'

I was surprised to recently read that Rapture has become something that is believed in by just evangelical religions.

According to the Word of God, the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and that this event is the blessed hope set before us in the Scripture, and for this we should be constantly looking (John 14:1:3; 1 Cor. 15:51:52; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:13:18; Titus 2:11:14).

Hey, someone a long time ago must've thought so too -- graves are still buried facing the east.

No matter -- whether you believe that people are going to instantly be taken up (some films depict the clothing left behind, the cars left driving) --- or believe in a different order of events... pretribulation, post, etc., I feel confident in saying that most Christian religions believe that Jesus is coming again, the dead will be resurrected, and the problem of sin will be fully and finally resolved.

Isn't that a much better eternity to think of; rather than, you live, you die, that's it. ?

Maybe I won't be arround for Christ's return. Maybe I'll die today. Maybe you will. Either way, isn't it best to know what will happen if we do die?

I pray often for Christ's return. I don't want to be around to bury one of our parents...to see more sadness in this world.... for 50 more years of back pain. Hopefully that doesn't come across as morbid. But just reading a glimpse of the glory of heaven, is enough for me to be excited for it.

Why did I have such a real dream? Why did God lay it on my heart? I don't think it was the pork loin I ate Saturday for dinner.

How do you know you're ready for Christ? How do you make sure that once you live, you die, you can "firm up" plans for eternity in heaven?...

So easy. So important -- in fact, inarguably, the most important thing you will have ever done. Here's how:

Know & believe that Jesus Christ was God's son - sent to earth to rescue a world full of people like us, sinners.... SO THAT, we could have the promise of heaven for eternity.
In the bible, in the book of John (3:16) is says,
God loved the world so much that He sent His son, so that the people who believe, don't have to just die -- but that we can live FOREVER in HEAVEN. (that's paraphrased by yours truly)

Then it's ABCs (can you tell I'm a teacher?!):

Admit/Accept -- "God, I know I sin. I do awful things. Please forgive me for all the bad stuff. For the years of not always doing the right thing...

Believe -- ....You are God. You sent Your son Jesus who died for me & rose from the deal. I want Him as my savior, as my friend. I accept Him as the One I live For. I trust in only Him......"

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts (4:12)

Confess -- ...to others. No, I'm not suggesting that you get a bible & stand on the corner on a box, screaming to passers-by. But what I believe was of huge importance in the bible, is spreading the gospel. Best done by you sharing w/ others, just how you feel about Christ. My goodness, some of us go on & on about a new facial cleanser, or a new recipe or sport, more than we do about the guy who let himself be killed for us!
And those others you confess Him to. More beneficial if they don't believe. Otherwise, you're literally preaching to the choir. Certainly uplifting to other believers! (& easy & stress free!) -- however, not so much effectice, eh?!

If you happen to be reading my silly little blog ... and have never heard any of this stuff... will you email me? (tightwadmomma@gmail.com) Or maybe you've heard it all before, but are at a place in your life where it all just makes sense. Please let me know. God doesn't intend for you to make such a step then wander aimlessly alone in your walk. He wants you to be supported. And He wants you to keep learning.

Now, onto a post about my kids, baby poop, & all the other ridiculous stuff I usually talk about...

Woot!

I saw a contest about being thankful. I figured, why not, I'll ask Flynn what she's most thankful of & will type as she talks.
I was of course proud & pretty impressed as she rambled on & on about her allergy & how glad she is to stay safe. And of course, when she gave shouts out to her HomeBoy, God.

So, I was super excited to get a phone call that she was one of the semi-finalists. She didn't win the grand poomba, but won her category & 4 tickets to see our zoo all lit for Christmas (yay!).

Wanna check out her entry?:
http://stlouis.momslikeme.com/members/JournalActions.aspx?g=640988&m=3058977&grpcat=

Sincerely,
Proud Momma

Complicated Bubby

So today was an I.E.P. meeting for Gabe. I met with the special services coordinator & the speech & language pathologist. The goal of the meeting was to write an IEP so that Gabe's speech therapy could begin.

You know how I've complained a bit about this process. How for a year now, we've been actively pursuing therapy for him. How as a bit of an early childhood expert, I've known the criticalness of him learning language in the language window (for lack of a better term). It's killed me to know that he is now past the time where learning language is easiest & most effective.

So...feeling a bit relieved, having set the appointment for today, knowing his therapy could start as early as the week schools return from Christmas break, I went in super positive.

The SSC & SLP weren't to the point I had expected them to be at. As they wanted to learn more about Gabe & ask lots of questions.

Long story short, through lots of questions about Gabe's personality, his quirks (or at least that's what I had thought they were), his past, & his present, they're concerned about more than his speech.

There is some concern about sensory. I always just thought he was overly-sensitive or disagreeable.

The SLP also is concerned about apraxia -- which I had mentioned to the pathologist who evaluated him 9 mos ago, but she shrugged it off.

SO...
No he won't be starting therapy anytime soon. Rather, he will be evaluated AGAIN. This time not just by an SLP, but also a PT & a OT. After that, another IEP meeting. At which point, they will decide the extent of his therapy needed & exactly what type of therapy. That won't be until February.

I left a bit discouraged...glad that they're being thorough. But also a little disappointed that yet another month is going to go by with no help.

My boy just wants to talk.

And when I had asked him to repeat his teacher's names (I'm wanting him to start addressing them by their name when he 'speaks' to them), Mrs Peterson & Mrs Schmittgens, he said, "Micka Peeton & Micka Mickens." And I melted. Because "Micka Mickens" is the cutest thing I've ever heard in my life.

Total Randomness

Which is a true representation of my brain lately. SO much in my mind -- to do, to make, to finish, to organize, to buy, to return... It's a bit too much for a brain which was already pretty full to begin with.

Here are some great photos worthy of blogocity:

My girl, the artist. She took misc. stuff from the playroom & made a snowman.

My boy, also pretty artistic & is no stranger around the magnadoodle.

Said, "Me make E. Me make letter E."

And he did...

My boy, also obsessed with tools.

He sees his daddy working on stuff around the house ALL THE TIME.

And when at Pa & Nana's, never sees resting, just always hammering something,

sawing something, pouring concrete, you name it.
He has no choice but to be handy.

Flynn & our one-on-one time every nap (well, she still naps 1-2 days a week).

Said, "Take a picture of me upside down, so I can see myself upside down."

I didn't tell her that she could get the same results by turning a photo we'd already taken, upside down.

Plus, not near as fun.

Please don't remind me that I have only 15 days left to check off the rest of my list. But do remind me that there's nothing more fun than the looks on my kids faces when they walk into our livingroom Christmas morning, a room full of gifts, just FOR THEM.

Gobble, Gobble

Our church has a big Lord's Supper (Thanksgiving breakfast + Communion) every Thanksgiving.

Not sure how my short girl got shoved to the back row -- couldn't see her at all.

Right here, she could've cared less who could see her... except the friends she was trying to cut up w/ I guess (what IS she doing anyhow??).

Either way, it was cute cute cute. And who doesn't like to see their sweeties in the spotlight??

(Flynn back row, 4th from right; Gabe front frow, 3rd from right).

PePaw's Surprise

A couple of Saturdays ago, we were very sneaky & pulled one over on PePaw

(which was not so hard, he is his son's dad for sure!).

Flynn was so curious as to how a SURPRISE party worked.

And I told her ahead of time (which could've been risky).

But on his actual bday, after we'd called him & sang to him, she told me

(very curiously, new word), "Mom, I think PePaw knows about his suprise."
"He does??" (thinking, she let the cat out of the bag to him)

"Yes MOM!, He knows it's his birthday, WE SANG TO HIM!!"

Happy 60th Birthday PePaw!