It is with pride and victory that I announce to you that I have slain the last fly in this house. The doors will no longer be open for longer that 1.2 seconds. People better move quick.
Scratch that......I just saw another one....hold on......got 'em!!!! Yeah!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Flies and a Foot Massage
I am being plagued by flies. Maybe it is because my darling children stand with the door wide open and just look outside. Every time I kill one, another one shows up - SICK!
I just got home from running errands. While I was out I decided to get one of the massages I just got for myself. You see....Greg lost an hour's worth of massage because I fixed the dryer in 4 minutes after he had been fighting with it for the previous 1.5 hours. So to save him the heartache of actually rubbing my back (and so that I could actually get a good massage) I bought a package at the Chinese place in the mall. Now...I know what you are thinking. Probably the same thing Greg thought when I told him...are they going to be in business in a week? Why would you get something like that at the mall? Well, I had the guy to a test run on me BEFORE I bought anything. And he was good and strong (very important). And it was buy one, get one free. Hello? Could anyone pass this by? Heck no. So......I went to get a foot massage today. I did not get it from the guy as he was doing someone else (that sounds terrible), but after he was finished with the other person he came over to Jadyn who was sitting so nicely by me and attempted to get her to let him massage her feet. Now picture this is you will....he speaks NO English and clearly, Jadyn speaks no Chinese. He picked her up and set her down on the chair next to me. I knew what he was doing, so I was not alarmed by his actions. He then tried to get her to take her shoes off. She just kept looking at him like what are you doing? Then she scooched off the chair, and he went and put her back on. She looked at him, pulled her feet up to her chest, holding her shoes and yelled no. Then she looked at me and with tears in her eyes said she wanted to take a nap. If you know Jadyn, you know that a nap is her excuse to get out of whatever she does not want to do. So I held her in my lap and told her she did not have to have her feet rubbed, but that one day she really would want to have it done. She was not believing me. In the meantime Grant woke up from the dreamy nap he took the whole time I was in there. What he saw when he woke up was the Chinese lady doing my feet, not his momma. He went ballistic. When the Chinese lady got up and tried to take him out of the stroller I thought he was going to have a coronary. I quickly scooped him up and instead of enjoying the last few minutes of my massage, I sat with my precious angels on my lap. I guess this is what happens when you move away from your babysitters. Maybe I am just lucky that I got to have the few minutes I did get.
I just got home from running errands. While I was out I decided to get one of the massages I just got for myself. You see....Greg lost an hour's worth of massage because I fixed the dryer in 4 minutes after he had been fighting with it for the previous 1.5 hours. So to save him the heartache of actually rubbing my back (and so that I could actually get a good massage) I bought a package at the Chinese place in the mall. Now...I know what you are thinking. Probably the same thing Greg thought when I told him...are they going to be in business in a week? Why would you get something like that at the mall? Well, I had the guy to a test run on me BEFORE I bought anything. And he was good and strong (very important). And it was buy one, get one free. Hello? Could anyone pass this by? Heck no. So......I went to get a foot massage today. I did not get it from the guy as he was doing someone else (that sounds terrible), but after he was finished with the other person he came over to Jadyn who was sitting so nicely by me and attempted to get her to let him massage her feet. Now picture this is you will....he speaks NO English and clearly, Jadyn speaks no Chinese. He picked her up and set her down on the chair next to me. I knew what he was doing, so I was not alarmed by his actions. He then tried to get her to take her shoes off. She just kept looking at him like what are you doing? Then she scooched off the chair, and he went and put her back on. She looked at him, pulled her feet up to her chest, holding her shoes and yelled no. Then she looked at me and with tears in her eyes said she wanted to take a nap. If you know Jadyn, you know that a nap is her excuse to get out of whatever she does not want to do. So I held her in my lap and told her she did not have to have her feet rubbed, but that one day she really would want to have it done. She was not believing me. In the meantime Grant woke up from the dreamy nap he took the whole time I was in there. What he saw when he woke up was the Chinese lady doing my feet, not his momma. He went ballistic. When the Chinese lady got up and tried to take him out of the stroller I thought he was going to have a coronary. I quickly scooped him up and instead of enjoying the last few minutes of my massage, I sat with my precious angels on my lap. I guess this is what happens when you move away from your babysitters. Maybe I am just lucky that I got to have the few minutes I did get.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Just in Case You Were Wondering
We are doing fine. Things are not "normal", despite living very near Normal - the city. Things are just different than what we are used to. I think that this change is going to be good for our family once we let it. Our home is homey now - thanks Mom! It is going to take some time and that is OK too. Each day gets a little better. God is good and we are relying on Him to give us each day what we need (our daily bread).
Small Group/Spelling Test/Weirdo
Greg and I joined a small group at church last week. We didn't know what to expect, but when we got there we were all congregating in the church's cafe. They assigned us to a group and then gave us an ice breaker exercise to do. While doing that, I was sizing up the others, trying to figure out who would be in our group. There were quite a few that I thought would make a good fit for us. Then the time came to separate into groups. The first group went, the second group went, then the third group included all the people I thought would be in our group - and we were still sitting in our seats. What was going on? So we broke out into our group. We did another exercise to help us learn each others names and the conversation started. What we found out was this group was especially selected because they all have some spanish background and one of the ladies husband really only speaks spanish and this would be easier for him, because the others in the group could understand him. I found myself thinking - are you kidding me? What have we got ourselves into? I can only speak a very little spanish and Greg speaks none. Then the talking continued and I started talking about what we were looking for in our small group and one of the guys started telling us that this is exactly what they would be for us! What a total blessing and praise!! Then I started thinking some more....Greg has always wanted to learn spanish. What a great way to learn - talking with new friends about our Lord Jesus! So I know I left there very encouraged and looking forward to this week. Actually this week, we are having dinner at the church first (a welcome dinner).
Every week Jacob has to take a spelling test. 14 words and 8 challenge words. He has done such an amazing job on his tests! Last week he got a perfect score! YAY Jacob! This week he also spelled every word correctly but was marked down on 2 word because of his penmanship. I thought - come on, give the kid a break - but then the teacher did say that they have to use proper D'Nealian handwriting skills. But since this is the first time Jacob has ever even seen D'Nealian I though she would cut him some slack. Whatever.
Tonight Greg and Jacob went to an Illinois Wesleyan football game. So I am sitting home alone with the other kids. Just a minute ago, some guys just knocked on my door and I was hesitant to answer, but I did. They were asking if my neighbors "were colored" and then asked if we ate steaks. I told him we did but we had our own cow. I just wanted him away from my door, since it is dark out now. UGH!
Every week Jacob has to take a spelling test. 14 words and 8 challenge words. He has done such an amazing job on his tests! Last week he got a perfect score! YAY Jacob! This week he also spelled every word correctly but was marked down on 2 word because of his penmanship. I thought - come on, give the kid a break - but then the teacher did say that they have to use proper D'Nealian handwriting skills. But since this is the first time Jacob has ever even seen D'Nealian I though she would cut him some slack. Whatever.
Tonight Greg and Jacob went to an Illinois Wesleyan football game. So I am sitting home alone with the other kids. Just a minute ago, some guys just knocked on my door and I was hesitant to answer, but I did. They were asking if my neighbors "were colored" and then asked if we ate steaks. I told him we did but we had our own cow. I just wanted him away from my door, since it is dark out now. UGH!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Night in the Life...
Tonight we were heading out to go to an informational Cub Scouts meeting, when we stopped to talk to our next door neighbor. He is a teacher and the football coach at Normal High School. His name - Bryan Thomas - and guess what he goes by? Yep, you guessed it - BT. How ironic is that - that our neighbor has the same name as my brother? Weird I know. So while Greg and Jacob were at the meeting, the rest of us went shopping. As we were walking out of Walmart, Grace and I had the following conversation:
G: What does bitch mean?
M: What?
G: What does bitch mean?
M: Where did you hear that?
G: The lady by us in the store said bitch that baby about Grant.
M: Well, that is a swear word and not one I want to hear come from you.
and on we went. What the heck kind of place am I living in? Some random woman in Walmart teaching my angel daughter to swear. AGH! The upside of the night was that Jacob decided he did want to join Cub Scouts. This after he told EVERYONE he saw when we fist got there that he was NOT joining, he was just checking it out. Now we have Grace interested in Girl Scouts and we are going to have a "Pacifier-like" shakedown (Vin Diesel movie "The Pacifier").
G: What does bitch mean?
M: What?
G: What does bitch mean?
M: Where did you hear that?
G: The lady by us in the store said bitch that baby about Grant.
M: Well, that is a swear word and not one I want to hear come from you.
and on we went. What the heck kind of place am I living in? Some random woman in Walmart teaching my angel daughter to swear. AGH! The upside of the night was that Jacob decided he did want to join Cub Scouts. This after he told EVERYONE he saw when we fist got there that he was NOT joining, he was just checking it out. Now we have Grace interested in Girl Scouts and we are going to have a "Pacifier-like" shakedown (Vin Diesel movie "The Pacifier").
Friends
God is so good!! I mean, you all know that already, but He really knows just when to send a blessing my way. I wasn't really having a BAD day today, but not really a good day, just a day, and low and behold, God blessed me through 2 friends (old ones, not new ones - not old in age though!). In the span of about 20 minutes, both of these precious ladies called me to check on me. One said I was on her heart to pray for and wanted to be my "prayer warrior" - what a blessing that is for me! The other friend has the same "problem" with her son that I have with Grace. They do not like school and leaving home. She was calling to see how Grace was doing with school and to chat. Another blessing!
NOW - I am emotional, OK, crying. I truly have such great friends and am so very sad to have left them. If you are reading this and you are one of my precious friends (and you know who you are) - I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Thank you for your friendship, your thoughts and most importantly, your prayers. I know God is working in my life right now and I also know that it is very painful, but I know He has great plans for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans for a hope and a future. What, where, when and how is up to Him. I just know I plan to keep on following where He is leading and trusting that His plan is bigger and better than I could ever imagine!
NOW - I am emotional, OK, crying. I truly have such great friends and am so very sad to have left them. If you are reading this and you are one of my precious friends (and you know who you are) - I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Thank you for your friendship, your thoughts and most importantly, your prayers. I know God is working in my life right now and I also know that it is very painful, but I know He has great plans for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans for a hope and a future. What, where, when and how is up to Him. I just know I plan to keep on following where He is leading and trusting that His plan is bigger and better than I could ever imagine!
Monday, September 7, 2009
ANGER
I am ANGRY!!!!
I am angry at Greg (but still love him).
I am angry that Grace hates school (but thankful she can go).
I am angry that my boys are sick and the girls will be next (but thankful for Tylenol).
I am angry that my freaking internet won't work, an as such, I am stealing from someone else (and thankful for whoever they are and that they did not secure their line).
I am angry that I tried to turn on a light and the light bulb in missing (but thankful that the other lights work).
I am angry that I have a zit above my eyebrow from getting them waxed (but fortunate to not have had to pluck them).
I am angry that I am in a place that I know is right and I HATE IT (but so thankful to have my family back together)!
I am angry that I miss my friends (but thankful to have friends to miss).
OK...so the thankfuls came AFTER I wrote about all I am angry about. I certainly do have a LOT to be thankful for and sometimes need to vent about my anger to remember how good I have it.
I am angry at Greg (but still love him).
I am angry that Grace hates school (but thankful she can go).
I am angry that my boys are sick and the girls will be next (but thankful for Tylenol).
I am angry that my freaking internet won't work, an as such, I am stealing from someone else (and thankful for whoever they are and that they did not secure their line).
I am angry that I tried to turn on a light and the light bulb in missing (but thankful that the other lights work).
I am angry that I have a zit above my eyebrow from getting them waxed (but fortunate to not have had to pluck them).
I am angry that I am in a place that I know is right and I HATE IT (but so thankful to have my family back together)!
I am angry that I miss my friends (but thankful to have friends to miss).
OK...so the thankfuls came AFTER I wrote about all I am angry about. I certainly do have a LOT to be thankful for and sometimes need to vent about my anger to remember how good I have it.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Illinois Update
So it is done. We have arrived in Illinois. I am not really happy though. In fact, I have done a large amount of crying since the truck pulled out of my driveway 5 days ago. The movers came on yesterday and tonight Greg and I finally got the kitchen in working order. The bummer of this is that I have to start cooking - no more dinners out. I am soliciting all the prayers I can from anybody I know - so if you are reading, please pray for us.
My kids had a bit of culture shock on their first day of school. They were the only white faces in a sea of about 100 kids. I told them that there would be all different types of kids at their school but they were not prepared for this. Grace was hysterical and begged me to homeschool her and Jacob chimed in saying he wanted to stay at home too. Then I was very, very sad. Once they finally let us in the school, the kids had to sit in a straight line, criss-cross applesauce, bags in lap, absolutely silent until the bell rang to start school. As Grace was still crying, I went in and sat down with her. There was only one other student in her line - a cute little white girl. So, I asked her name and started talking (quietly) with her. All of a sudden a drill instructor (I mean, teacher) came up to me and told me that I was not allowed to talk in here. I was shocked that she would even speak to me that way. Not a very good first impression.
But today - after a day full of crying (me, not Grace) God blessed me with some visitors. 4 boys showed up at our door, welcoming us to the neighborhood. How sweet they were. They ended up staying and trading Pokemon cards with Jacob. What a blessing. They were a set of 9 year old twins and 10 and 12 year old brothers. How exciting!
I guess I better go and get to bed, as tomorrow brings a bunch more unpacking.
Some photo updates:
Kids bathing in the "new" tub - in which I will NEVER sit
First day of school 2009-2010 (outside the school)
The kitchen I am finally done digging out of
The kids playroom - still a disaster
Grant - hiding
My kids had a bit of culture shock on their first day of school. They were the only white faces in a sea of about 100 kids. I told them that there would be all different types of kids at their school but they were not prepared for this. Grace was hysterical and begged me to homeschool her and Jacob chimed in saying he wanted to stay at home too. Then I was very, very sad. Once they finally let us in the school, the kids had to sit in a straight line, criss-cross applesauce, bags in lap, absolutely silent until the bell rang to start school. As Grace was still crying, I went in and sat down with her. There was only one other student in her line - a cute little white girl. So, I asked her name and started talking (quietly) with her. All of a sudden a drill instructor (I mean, teacher) came up to me and told me that I was not allowed to talk in here. I was shocked that she would even speak to me that way. Not a very good first impression.
But today - after a day full of crying (me, not Grace) God blessed me with some visitors. 4 boys showed up at our door, welcoming us to the neighborhood. How sweet they were. They ended up staying and trading Pokemon cards with Jacob. What a blessing. They were a set of 9 year old twins and 10 and 12 year old brothers. How exciting!
I guess I better go and get to bed, as tomorrow brings a bunch more unpacking.
Some photo updates:
Kids bathing in the "new" tub - in which I will NEVER sit
First day of school 2009-2010 (outside the school)
The kitchen I am finally done digging out of
The kids playroom - still a disaster
Grant - hiding
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