Phones....

Phone restrictions.  That's what comes from abusing the privilege you've been given.  Texting during school hours?  Texting after you should be in bed?

I logged into Verizon to pay the bill and check usage on all phones to be sure we are not near going over our minutes/data.  Imagine my surprise when I saw huge numbers on my son's account.  So... I decided to review the text messaging.  One phone had over 1,200 text messages during the school day this month.  The other phone had over 40 text messages after midnight!  Not pleased.  The only text messages during school should be to me or maybe their brother/sister.  And there should be absolutely no messages after bedtime.

Both kids are extremely upset.  They feel I've invaded their privacy.  I'm the parent.  Part of my job is to monitor what they are doing.  I didn't read the text messages.  Only discover when they are being sent and received.

.
Digi-scrap kit by Raspberry Road Designs (Java Joe).  Watch faces, hands, and frames by Scrappin Cop.  Created using PhotoShop Elements 6.  Not the best layout but how I feel at the moment.

Pondering...

I'm been thinking on the things I'd like to accomplish in 2010. Not resolutions. Resolutions are broken so often. I'm talking about goals. I have several on my mind right now.

First, I want to get into college. I did the financial aid paperwork online a couple weeks ago. I prepared my application for the local university but have not submitted it yet. There are so many questions I have and until today I didn't really know where to go. I'm going to go the university this week and see an adviser about where to start.

Second, photography. I want to continue taking hundreds of pictures. Pictures of cats and trees, birds and window frames, adults and children, whatever comes my way that looks interesting. I'd like to be paid for the time I spend taking pictures. I often feel the pictures I take aren't good enough but lately, I'm happier with what I see.

The third goes along with the second. I wish to be fluent in PhotoShop and PhotoShop Elements. All the geeky little add-ons, filters, patterns, brushes, layers, those I want to use with an artistic eye.

Fourth, is to continue something I started this year but lost focus on. I want to continue to lose weight. I need to do this for my health, for my children, and for our future. I can do this. God is bigger than what I see here. He's bigger than this addiction to food I've had for most of my life. I can do this with his help.

Which leads to the Fifth. I want to run a 5K in 2010. Run. Not walk. No set date. Just in 2010. I've walked many 5K's in the past (mostly 1990's). It's time.

Sixth, I wish to be a better influence for my children. Is all that I do helping them? Am I walking the walk or just talking the talk? In order to lead my household by example, I have to be on the right page. Not the easy page. I've spent too many years on the easy page.

Seventh, HTML/CSS. I wanna remember HTML and learn CSS. It's time to build web pages again. Or at least my own blog layout.

Lastly, but definitely not last, where do I stand when it comes to God? There are days I feel so far away. This was a year of changes for us as a family and for me personally with God. I stayed angry most of the year at God and not particularly happy with my church family. The move we made in September to a different campus did wonders for my attitude and my growth. But I want to grow closer to God. Quiet time and devotion time have to be included in my schedule to make this happen. I have time for everything else. Why do I have so much difficulty putting time for God in there?

Hero Arts Web Site and Stuff

First, Hero Arts is revealing their new web site on the 15th. They make beautiful rubber stamps and have fabulous stamping ideas! And they have a a fab blog too!

Chaz and Breezy are out of town at a conference. Actually, they're way outta town! As in outta state and several away. They got to go to a YMCA Christian Values Conference. 5 days in the Blue Ridge Mountains! I'm thinking I wanna go next year!

Summer school will be over Thursday. It's been busier since they have 4 times as many students as they have had in previous years. But I did get a little bit of crafting time. Made some lanyards to sell, a couple necklaces, 130+ tags to write on, and about 20 handmade cards using pictures I took and modified or rubber stamps. They turned out great!

I got to see the last episode of Eli Stone online today. I really enjoyed it. I'm sad that it's over and disappointed that there are no more episodes. Still not sure what to do about my general boycott of ABC.

I'm sitting in my favorite coffee shop reading blogs, facebook, listening to music and thinking I really should eat an earlier dinner tonight.

And today, I'm thankful to God for the summer work and believing He will provide the rest of the summer. I'm grateful the kids got the opportunity to go to this conference (and a friend too).

ah ha!

Hope your Christmas was amazing. We had a great day. The kids got plenty of clothes. Their dad sent them money. They will gradually spend that.

Chaz got me Animal Crossing City Folk edition. Breezy got me smelly stuff from Bath and Body works. We especially liked the Dancing Waters fragrance.

I'm sitting at Martellis (my favorite place other than Hobby Lobby, Books a Million and Liberty) looking up information on ACCF.

Wish you all a Happy New Year in case I forget to check in before then. You'd think I'd get here more often since I come to Martellis a couple times a week. Guess that's what makes the Twitter feed good?

Merry Christmas....

I'm sitting with a friend at Martelli's enjoying coffee, conversation, and a surf around the net.

The surfing part found this unique piece at Etsy. Absolutely fabulous. And pretty reasonably priced too for the uniqueness.

I have only 2 gifts left to purchase for Breezy. A pair of straight leg jeans and a hair straightener to go. My little girl is becoming a girly girl although she'll deny it! LOL

Chaz's gifts are done. I picked up the Zune two weeks ago.

It's been a good lead into Christmas though. I got several gift cards. Walmart, Target, Joann's and Martellis. The Walmart one went on gasoline (ugh) and food. Martellis was half used this morning. I didn't expect anything but got majorily blessed. I'm so grateful. :o)

My sister was supposed to come down today. Things have changed and now the kids and I will spend the weekend by ourselves which isn't necessarily a bad thing. We'll get a little shopping done. I'm going to take them to the mall and give them money to purchase gifts for each other. I'll probably give them money to spend for me. Who knows what delightful thing I might get? LOL

Christmas day, after gifts are open, we'll visit friends around the west side of town. Quiet and busy. Tis good.

Almost time to head out. Merry Christmas!

I forgot to post this last night so here are my thoughts/happenings for the last week. Imagine my surprise when I could get to Blogger from work. *thud* LOL

- - - - - (yesterday's post) - - - - -



Yeah, I know it sounds lame but am I inspired or what? My mind kicks into overdrive when I see some of the beautiful things made on etsy.

Thanksgiving was good. My mom and her husband, my brother and his SO, my sister and her 2 sons, and Breezy, Chaz, and myself. Everybody brought something (or several somethings) and nobody slaves over a stove for hours before dinner. What more can you ask for?

Friday, my sis wanted to go Christmas shopping so I joined her. It's going to be an Alabama Christmas around my house. Chaz wants a Zune and Breezy wanted "a shiny ring." I managed to get the ring but missed the special on Zunes at Radio Shack.

Saturday was Casting Crowns, John Waller, and Leeland. I had no idea that the song I've been singing for weeks was by Leeland. The concert was hemmed in prayer. Someone from Premier Productions came out before the concert started and prayed over the concert. John Waller led off with a song called "blessings and curses." It really gets you thinking whether you're speaking blessings or curses over your own life, the lives of your children, friends, family, etc. Leeland was great. Casting Crowns. They were phenomenal as always. This is the 5th time I've seen them. Music that worships God and makes you think at the same time about your walk and how you are affecting others. Their second set after the World Vision break was great. Before they ended, they prayed over the audience. Prayers for children, families, marriages, youth, pastors. It was awesome.

I got to go to dinner with PB and RF before the concert. The company was fabulous. The food delicious. Can't ask for much more than that. :o)

Chaz has been moved up to Varsity full time as of yesterday. He's been catching grief from some of the guys because he's been floating back and forth from JV to Varsity. He's getting huge amounts of play time as well. I told him that it took everything I had to keep from saying something to several young girls who were mouthing off about him during the first game. Breezy said the same thing about some of the JV boys who were complaining. We both decided we didn't want him to catch more grief over being a "momma's boy" or having his sis stick up from him. He told us last night that had that occured, he would have turned around and told them "at least my mom and sister care enough to stick up for me." How cool is that.

Breezy has her first chorus performance coming up. She's not particularly pleased about the dress but she looks so good in it. This afternoon, a friend from church is taking Breezy out for the evening. They are going to visit the friend's beautician and have their nails done and maybe Breezy's hair cut/colored (normal colors). Breezy is so excited.

- - - - - (end yesterday's post) - - - - -

Well, it's Friday and I'm grateful. Chaz played soccer last night. He's seriously disheartened. He was on JV and got to play quite a few games with the Varsity and was playing the majority of those games. He was officially moved to Varsity on Wednesday and spent less than 22 minutes on the field. He wants to move back down to JV and feels as if he wasn't need.

Breezy had such a good time with our friend. Her nails are a lovely shade of dark blue. Her hair has been trimmed/cut and highlighted slightly. She looks like a million bucks. Oh wait, she always does! LOL. They also made a trip out to the mall and she got a pair of straight leg jeans. Boy is she excited about them. She says they are the most comfortable pair of jeans ever. She revised her Christmas list (did she have one?). She wants another pair or two (if on sale) of them. That may be doable.

I spoke to my two sisters who both live in this area. It looked like we weren't going to get together for Christmas at all due to conflicts in schedules and/or transportation. It's settled now and everyone will be coming to our house on the Sunday before Christmas. The kids and I will get to attend the first service at church and my Mom will work half the morning. Our hopes are my youngest sister will be able to get off work. We'll say a prayer for that.

Today was supervisor visit for work. She got here before I did (and I get to work around 7:30) and was already meeting with our nurse. I guess she did everything she needed to before I got here because I only spoke with her for a couple minutes. *shrug/head scratch*

Well, I'm outta here this time. We have soccer tonight and nothing to do tomorrow but clean house and put up the Christmas tree. Sleeping in is on the agenda. *s*

whoa...

God is good all the time. Even in the middle of my stuff, He's good.

School is going well. Report cards come home this week. Chaz made the soccer team. He'll be alternating between the Varsity team and the Junior Varsity team. Breezy is singing with a youth band at church and they'll get to sing at the church's FunFest on Wednesday. They've been practicing hard.

I'm actually typing this entry from my laptop. Yes, once upon a time I said I'd never own a laptop and if given one, I'd sell it and buy a desktop. But over the last few months as I think about college and convenience, a laptop was looking more and more sound. 2 weeks ago today, I thought abut that vow (yes, that's what it was), I realized I needed to break the vow. So I prayed and asked God to forgive me for making the vow and broke it. A few days later, I was visiting a friend and the conversation turned to computers. I told her I was looking to buy a laptop with my tax refund check in February. She offered me a computer to use until then and pulled out a Sony Vaio laptop. As we were cleaning her stuff off the hard drive, she looked at me and asked if I would be offended if she offered me the laptop. She said she'd understand if I said no because I wanted to pick out my "own" laptop later. I accepted! This computer is so much more than anything I would have bought with my tax refund. The screen is huge! There is still warranty left on it and it's transferrable. (Already got a new battery for it) What a blessing! She's the bomb-diggity! She told me that since she uses an apple it's harder to transfer back and forth to the Windows platform. Yah! Thank you for my friend and thank you God!

Casting Crowns is coming in concert next month. A friend and I decided to go but had not purchased tickets yet. Today, I got a phone call from someone who said he had 3 tickets to the concert that were available. They had been given to him to bless someone else. Whoa! Yah! So, my friend and I and the friend who gave me the laptop are going to see Casting Crowns next month. My favorite group!

We are doing the Truth Project at the church. Last night we saw the "how great is our God" video done by Louie GiglioThis" is a great description of it by Kyle (google is your friend). WOW! God is so cool. And to think the stuff that holds us together is Laminin and it's shaped like a cross and the cross holds us to God. Dude. Way cool.

Work has been busy. But I discovered something last week that I didn't think about for the first two months of school. My computer was changed out over the summer from a full size (HUGE) monitor to a flat one. What a difference in the clutter on my desk. There is none! I moved my pampered chef pen/pencil holder to a side desk and when I come in the office, my desk is clean. It's a pleasure to come to work and see the desk empty. The days have been flying by. I'll look up at the clock and it'll be 12:20 p.m. and I wonder where the first 4 hours went! It is good!

Anyway, that's enough for now. I am wonderfully made and wonderfully blessed. I have two healthy children (one of which turned 15 last week). I have a great job that I like almost all the time. I'm part of a beautiful church that preaches God's word and reaches out to others. We have a great home, a vehicle, amazing friends and family. God is good!

sunsets, rainbows, trees, life

It has been a good week. Slowest week of work ever. I only saw 5 kids the entire week. Really. So instead of taking care of kids, I helped in the office by sorting supplies, answering phones and taking muster (or attendance for those non Navy folk). It was good.

The prayer board is finished. A friend gave me some chicken wire and let me use her staple gun to put it together. It looks good sitting on top of my bookcase. I'll take a pic later and post it. Monday, I made 112 tags that I can use to put prayer requests and pictures on. Decided the back of the tags can be used for addresses too. I'll make a little box to drop tags in that have answered prayers whether yes, no or you must be kidding!

Wednesday I stopped by an antique store off of Navy Blvd and found an old Womans Day magazine from March of 1967. The picture of Easter eggs decorated as butterflies caught my eye but when I read the first article listed I knew I needed it. Title? "what tv is doing to your children" Um, that's good. Also found a farmers almanac from 1971 and a book of 55 community songs. Both are aged well and will make nice additions to clocks, cards, and collages. Not decided yet if I'll make copies and age the copies or use the originals. What to do what to do.

Today scored big too. I've been driving to school all week up and down the same road and today, I saw the perfect tree to put in my bedroom (I know it sounds funny but that's ok). I've been wanting a branch to stand in the corner of my bedroom and hang birdhouses, pictures and a couple little mushroom birds on. This tree had been cut down earlier this week (last week?) but not well. The leaves were all dry and falling off but the trunk hadn't been cut well. So I phoned a friend who brought his chainsaw and finished cutting it for me and he trimmed off the top 2 feet of it. We got it in my van but couldn't close the back so I drove all the way home with it open. No broken windows fortunately.

On the way home, there was the most beautiful sunset ever over Perdido Key off Lillian Hwy. And then, there was a double rainbow. It's the first double rainbow I've seen in years. Only the left hand side of it was visible but it was gorgeous. Got pictures of both. I'll get them uploaded later and add them.

God is so good. He brought rain, a trip for my kids to see their dad, a dead tree for my bedroom, sunset and rainbow, a job for part of the summer. I am blessed coming and going. Friends who care, who pray with me, laugh and cry with me.

One pair of friends we had dinner with last night. The husband was a friend when I was in the Navy way back in 1982. The wife I have met since they started attending our north campus. The kids swam, watched movies, and played while they and I discussed music and God. It was good.

The kids leave Wednesday. It will be strange for them not to be around. I talked to their dad a few days ago. He still didn't have his ticket back to the states. I let him know that he needed to be sure he came home to see them. I'm not sure what their reaction will be if he doesn't make it there. Say a prayer for them and their Dad. It's going to be an adjustment for all three of them. Breezy and Chaz are pretty well grounded in God and pretty opinionated as well. They've not seen him in 6 years.

What will I do with all this free time? I signed up for Blockbuster Access online. Star Trek Voyager is the word of the day. My goal is to make it through at least 2 seasons of the show while they are gone.

Also thinking about attending The Call in Nashville on 07.07.07. Haven't made the final decision yet but it may be the breakthrough I'm needing with God.

Today I'm thankful for my children, friends, and rainbows.

housewarming...

It was awesome. Every time God shows up is good. Yesterday was just another time God showed how good He is.

More people showed up than we expected. My sister was even here for it.

The kids had a blast playing the "moat." Chaz had his remote control hummer out jumping the piles of dirt and the moat. The kids were running around, up and down the piles of dirt and across the moat with play swords battling each other.

The "grownups" sat and talked about homes, kids and what is going on in our lives. It was just good. No other word for it. Good.

Church is good this morning. Amick led the worship. He did a new song that he wrote. First time we've heard it and wow, nothing like a little bit of power as you praise God. Pastor Ron preached this morning on God's Will and Grace. I have another visual from the sermon drawn with my notes to put to canvas/paper sometime in the future. I'm so grateful for the grace. I'm so grateful for the love. I'm so grateful for the forgiveness.

Today, our new campus in Fairhope starts. I'm praying my brother is called there. Sort of like I was called here 5 years ago. Yes, we've been at Liberty for 5 years now. It's such a cool thing. Family. Yes, family.

this morning...

I was thinking "how cool it is that God is in the small things?" I just can't get over the fish thing. God cared enough about Breezy's fish that He had a friend pick up two and "just happen" to have them in her car for 3 hours. If He cares that much about Breezy's fish, how much more does He care about me, Breezy, Chaz, and you?

Work was good today. My nurse made a run to the school warehouse several days ago to pick out a bigger desk, bookcase, chair, and storage cabinet for our offices. It was delivered this morning. The man who delivered it was really nice. Before he left, we offered him a cup of coffee that he took us up on. Sometimes, it's just nice to let someone know they are appreciated and he did a really good job hauling all that furniture in by himself (even with a dolly).

The kids are in the gym at church practicing to be a band. They have a name. They have talent. And they want to serve. Good enough. They finally get to practice together with real gear. Cool beans.

Me? I'm going to run by the house, check the mail and go have a cup of java. Yummy.

Other thoughts...

Yesterday, I ran by Walmart and talked to the guy who does glasses. When he saw the different strengths of the lenses, he suggested a contact for my left eye to correct for distance, then a pair of glasses to correct for near. That way there wouldn't be so much disparity between the eyes. I think the thing that has had me most aggravated about my current glasses is fact I can't really read out of the left eye. My eyes don't work together. My right eye is dominant although it is the lazy eye. When I get tired of reading with my right eye, I can cross my right eye and read with my left eye. Except that the script isn't to a point where I can focus on the words. So... When I get my eyes reexamined, he suggested the eye doctor where he worked at as she's pretty patient at getting the scripts right. Now to find out if Tricare will cover it.

That's all for now. Hopefully, when I get home, my ceiling fan will be installed so I can look at the really cool blades! LOL That will also mean I have better light in the living room so I can rubber stamp too!

Squirrels and birds...
This morning when I went out to throw birdseed for the birds, I encountered a little squirrel enjoying the remnants of yesterday's birdie breakfast.

Now I'm trying to decide if I want to feed the little birds and the lil squirrels. I need to look up and find out how to feed the squirrels without them becoming a nuisance. I'm considering buying corn and making a little holder with nails to put the corn cobs on.

As for bellas, I'm still waiting on Flowahbella and SistahoodBellas to arrive. The cards on SCS are just too cute and the thread in the forums about bellas just keeps getting longer and longer. I've been reading it on and off for three days and still haven't gotten to the end of it. What's up with that? LOL

Oh yeah... I totally missed making a post this weekend. My sister and her husband came down on Saturday to visit their son who is stationed at Corry and stayed with the kids and I until Monday evening. This is the first time she's come down for more than an hour visit since 2001. Normally, we meet at my other sister's house in lower Alabama. That sister also came to visit on Sunday and Monday (she went home on Sunday night). We played cards and sat around and talked. I took 2 ½ hours off on Monday, checked the kids out of school early and joined them in their wanderings.

I can't wait for worship this evening. I've been listening to Matt and Gabe from the last Night of Worship. It's good. Very good. Now if only I could figure out why it errors out at the end rather than repeating the entire cd I'll be set!

And do you ever feel like you've frightened someone? I think I freaked out my friend in Jax. I think he thinks I'm rather weird about God. You know, God has changed my life. Totally. My mouth has been cleaned up, my taste in music has changed (I can't believe I listened to some of the music I used to listen to in the 80's!), I'm more encouraging to those around me and a lot less negative, definitely a lot less depressed! (Read H E A L E D!!!)

Anyway... I'm off for now. I'll have to get in this blog soon and add a couple pics from the actually blogger page and add my tags as well. Later.

There is a God who loves me...

who wraps me in His arms...
that is the place where I'm changed
and that's where I belong

take me to that place, Lord
to that secret place where
I can be with You
You can make me like You

wrap me in Your arms
wrap me in Your arms

And he's changing me. From glory to glory.

I realized this week that the kids and I have been back in the states for nearly 7 years even.

7 is a number of completion. A moving into new things.

I believe God is moving us to a new place, a new level of maturity, a new thing.

It is good. God is good!

-

Friday night was our first night to stay at our new home. As I crawled into bed, I looked at the wall opposite my bed and was startled. One of the kids had hung up a cross stitched picture I did for my Daddy before he passed away. It is a beautiful piece and has a short little poem about Dads. I'll have to write it down to put it here.

Also, my friend, Amanda, called. She said she had something she wanted to drop off at the house. The beautiful shelf that I had asked her to hold on Monday, then called earlier in the day to tell her to take off hold because I couldn't afford, she brought to me. She said she felt she was supposed to bless us. Blessed I am. She and I unloaded it and put it in the hallway. It's lovely.

After CR, the kids and I went to Walmart to buy food. There was only a turkey and a lasagna in the refrigerator/freezer.

And how did we inaugrate our new home? I picked up the bag holding the gallon of kosher dill pickles and promptly the bottom fell out of the bag. The jar shattered all over the kitchen/dining room floor. I didn't think I would ever get all the pickle juice and glass up.

Yesterday was the first day that we have spent at home for over 24 hours without leaving in over a year and a half. All day in the same place. Breezy and Chaz were not fighting. It was peaceful.

My sister and her two sons came to visit as well. We had fajitas for a late lunch and cheeseball and crackers for a snack.

We also had our first overnight guest. Chaz was so psyched. One of his best friends stayed with us and it was also one of the few times he got to spend the night somewhere other than home.

Today, we'll go home and cook that lasagna for lunch (Breezy will have chicken nuggets).

I was thinking and reading my Bible this morning as I waited for the kids to wake up. And I realized that for the past several years, I've been living as if I don't deserve anything. I bought cheap plastic shelves to hold the vhs/dvd collection because I was living in a slum trailer and thought it (and I) didn't deserve any better.

A lot of the motions I've been going through and the things I've been doing have been because I didn't feel I was good enough.

Yesterday morning, Chaz, Breezy, and I went to visit a friend at the flea market/antique shop she works at part time. I found a fabulous shelf thingie in her booth and a beautiful retro table in another booth. I asked her to hold the shelf thingie and talked with the owner about the table. I've no idea how I'll afford it but I'm definitely thinking about it. We've not had a kitchen table in nearly 4 years. Tv trays have been the order of business at our house.

And we are not preparing a house, we are preparing a home.

Just a few thoughts to go with everything else that is running through my mind this morning.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

I was thinking and reading my Bible this morning as I waited for the kids to wake up. And I realized that for the past several years, I've been living as if I don't deserve anything. I bought cheap plastic shelves to hold the vhs/dvd collection because I was living in a slum trailer and thought it (and I) didn't deserve any better.

A lot of the motions I've been going through and the things I've been doing have been because I didn't feel I was good enough.

Yesterday morning, Chaz, Breezy, and I went to visit a friend at the flea market/antique shop she works at part time. I found a fabulous shelf thingie in her booth and a beautiful retro table in another booth. I asked her to hold the shelf thingie and talked with the owner about the table. I've no idea how I'll afford it but I'm definitely thinking about it. We've not had a kitchen table in nearly 4 years. Tv trays have been the order of business at our house.

And we are not preparing a house, we are preparing a home.

Just a few thoughts to go with everything else that is running through my mind this morning.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

New Year Fun!

For New Year's Day, I did something I've never done before.... Got stuck in the mud. Up to the front axle of my van. In my sister's driveway!

It was a first for her as well. She says she's lived there for 14 years and no one has ever been stuck before. *sigh*

She had to have the neighbor bring his truck over and pull the van out using the rear bumper. It seems my van has nothing to hook a chain onto in the front. I'm grateful that her neighbor had a truck that was big enough to pull the van out!

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Standard black-eyed peas for "luck" with pork chops, rice, and corn bread. Yummy! Some cheese dip with chips. What more do you need to eat? Oh yeah, dessert. Tasty chocolate cake with chocolate icing and more chocolate for topping!

Sis and I played 13 games of 313. She stomped me 9 games. I don't think I've ever lost so bad at cards in my life.

Today we popped by the new house and I did a few dishes.

A trip by the Navy Exchange to exchange Breezy's shoes for the right size. After we left she discovered that she has two left shoes. I get to take that pair back. I must remind her that she needs to try on both shoes to ensure that this doesn't happen. Oh well.

I've managed to get an email out with our new mailing address. Updated our addy at the bank, Paypal, amazon, and ebay. Ordered an updated driver's license. oh yeah, my military pay thingie also. I need to contact everyone else to finish that up. The post office would be a good place to have started.

Drove by the old place. The former landlord, it appears, plans to rent it out again!!!! DMV says they can't do anything about it.

Anyway, guess I need to start figuring out what to feed the kids before they are starving.

Tomorrow's agenda? Unpacking!

Happy New Year!

The kids had a New Year's Eve party hosted by a couple who work the youth at church. There were about 12 kids. After midnight, they gave the boys a ride home and the girls got to spend the night.

I popped in to say hi, left with one of the other adults who picked up the college length twin bed that I had left beside the trailer when I moved out. Helped her get it loaded at the old place and unloaded it at her place.

Had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. It's so nice to have a decent restaurant on this side of town. The soup and salad were great as always and the blondie brownie with coffee was yummy!

We finished getting moved out of the other place today. My neighbor who also goes to church with us took pictures of it in the event the landlord wants to be difficult. When we moved my bed frame, we discovered an opening about a foot long in the corner of the room that lets you see the siding from the trailer!!

I also walked around the trailer for the first time in forever. It's seriously leaning to the back left corner. I didn't even realize just how much until I started cleaning about 3 weeks ago and noticed a slant to the floor. But after getting the furniture out, it's like WHOA!

I plan on calling the DMV on Tuesday/Wednesday to report it. Did ya know that the DMV handles regulation of mobile homes? Neither did I until Friday.

As of today the kids will have new nicknames. Talia becomes Breezy and Skif becomes Chaz. Talia and Skif were names from my favorite books and as I no longer read the books and have gotten rid of them, I felt it was time for the kids to get new nicknames. Now all I have to do is remember them!

Later today, we'll be back at our new home unpacking. I'm so excited about finally being unpacked. I still can't get over the fact that I've not been completely unpacked since 1989!!! Mind boggling to say the least.

And did I say how grateful I am??? I am so grateful to the Lord for this new place and for my amazing children.

Happy New Year!

moving...

Moving. Wow. It's going well. God sent an angel to help me!! RF is fabulous. No judging. Just asked what needed to be done and started. Phenomenal attitude about moving and straightening things out. She asked me about zones and I sort of looked at her like "huh?" Zones, you know that you want to use for certain things... books, music, crafts, games, linens, etc. Oh, those. Um.. books over there and dvd's over there! She's going to help me get it all set up.

As I was thinking about this yesterday, I realized that I have not been completely unpacked since 1989. I have had stuff in boxes or shoved in closets in some form or the other since 1990!! And I wonder why it's so hard.

I am really excited though. I know God is preparing us for the future, whatever it may hold.

And while at times I would like to have a husband in the picture, what kind of wife would I make when 3/4 of our meals were eatten out or on the run? When my home looks like a bomb dropped on it?

I am grateful that He is faithful and this is being revealed to me. I have spent most of my life running from the home and lately, I have felt as if I belonged at home but where we were was so bad that I couldn't force myself to be there for anything other than to sleep and even that was difficult at times.

On other notes, I am beginning PRISM again in January. Starting with the first lesson again. This time, I intend to actually follow through with the lessons that go with the program.

Also plan on making time for the kids and I to have Bible study time together. And for me to have more quiet time. We'll actually have a place where we can be comfortable as we study.

And lastly, I plan on praying "Surprise Me God" as much as possible. I know there are days that I may forget but God showed me so much in the last 30 days that I might have missed or not been open to.