Life is…
an interesting adventure down a road that I never seem to see the next curve or bump before it happens.
My motto that I have been clinging to of late is, “Life is not about weathering the storm but learning how to dance in the rain.” Not sure where the quote came from but it truly describes where I am. A huge storm has been raging around me these last few months. There have been many changes and many surprises along the way. One that has never changed is that I know God is with me even in the midst of trial and pain.
I have learned a lot about myself these past couple of months. I learned that I can manage my household bills. I have learned that I can make decisions with out having to second guess myself every step of the way. I have learned that I am surrounded by a family that loves me just as I am. I have friends that would do just about anything for me (as I would do for them). I have a church family that has been there for me in a way that I kind of thought no longer existed.
Being married to a minister, I saw the sometimes very ugly side of the “church”, the politics, the power struggles, the selfishness of people only wanting their way, not God’s way. But my church family at Eastpoint has shown me that there are churches that really do strive to accept people where they are, warts and all as some people say. I feel so blessed to be a part of God’s family. God has blessed me in so many ways these past few months. I am do grateful for the blessings but I am also grateful for the growth in me that has come from the pain.
If you have been one of the people that has stood by me, prayed for me or given me an encouraging word, THANK YOU!
Add comment November 4, 2009
Stacy
Time Flies
…when you are having fun?
I did not realize that it has been almost 2 months since I have posted here. Wow! Amazing what happens when I no longer have a laptop. That is a whole story all by itself!
Couple of updates: Cyndi’s first surgery went very well. They got the whole thing out. It weighed a little over 3 pounds. The great news is there was NO CANCER to be found in the tumor!!
On Monday she is having her second surgery to remove the tumor by her kidney. This one will be done laprascopically(i know that is not spelled correctly but spell check had no suggestions). The doctor is supposed to be using the robot to assist in the surgery. If you are a Grey’s Anatomy fan it is the same robot that was in one of the last episodes last season. The kids and I are going down on Friday to celebrate Cyndi’s youngest’s birthday and ust spend sometime together.
The kids have been spending the summer between both sets of grandparents. They are currently with my in-laws. This time they will been gone for 2 weeks. I miss them bunches but I know they are having fun. They went fishing last week and are taking a trip to the beach this week. Then they are home again for 2 weeks. This summer has flown by so quickly. It seems they just got out of school and we are already having to think about school supplies!
My oldest got to spend four days getting to know her way around her new school. The middle school she will be attending does a “puppy” camp over the summer for the incoming 6th graders so that they can learn how the school is set up and meet some of the teachers and administrators. It is called puppy camp because the mascot is a Husky. She has lots of fun and made a new friend or two. She is really excited about starting 6th grade.
With the kids gone, hubby and I enjoyed a quiet three day weekend for the 4th of July. We both donated blood on Friday. Rented a couple of movies. Could not even bring ourselves to finish Paul Blart: Mall Cop. We thought it was that bad. Hubby made some really great burgers on Saturday. I made home made french fries. I have not made those in so long.
Well that is all for now. The kids just called.
Add comment July 7, 2009
Stacy
My BFF
If you know me IRL or on facebook and twitter then you know I have been asking for prayers for my BFF.
To catch you up, Cyndi went to the doctor on Monday, April 27th, with pain in her abdomen that had gotten progressively worse over the past few weeks. A CT scan was ordered and it was discovered that she had a mass the size of a cantaloupe or honeydew depending on which doctor looked at it. She also has a much smaller mass by her left kidney. After meeting with a GYN oncologist and a urologist it was decided that the best course of action was to first remove the large mass and in a 2nd surgery remove the mass by her kidney. The reason for this decision was to limit the exposure to possible cancer cells. The urologist said that in his experience 9 out of 10 cases like this are cancer.
So today she went in to remove the large mass. Surgery went well and the large mass was not cancerous. That is a HUGE praise. She is now resting and hooked up to the medicine pump to help with her pain.
I just want to share a couple of things that show me that God has been in this every step of the way. Cyndi had her annual physical back in Aug of last year. Both her regular doctor and her OB/GYN missed the growth near her uterus. Because they missed it the mass by her kidney was found before it had grown enough to start causing trouble with her kidney. Also Cyndi was a candy-striper when she was in high school. The doctor she worked for all those years ago is a family friend and she took her scans to him so she could have a second opinion. She called him on Tuesday of last week and was able to see him the next day. Also Cyndi’s husband works for the county where they live and has enough time accumulated that he will be able to be off from work while she recovers from both of the surgeries. For those of us that have kids, that is huge.
I did go down last weekend to see if I could help get things done around the house so her husband would have less to worry about while Cyndi is in the hospital. I don’t really think I got a lot done but I know it helped both of us to be able to spend some time together. See if we had not moved back to Orlando last year, then I would not have been able to go last weekend to spend time with her.
Though there are times that I can’t make sense of what God is trying to accomplish in my life, I know that whatever may come happens for a very specific reason. Some things thrown my way have been really hard to deal with but knowing that God has a reason and that He will never leave my side makes it easier to get through the hard times.
So praise the Lord with me that Cyndi’s surgery went well. And pray with me that her recovery is quick and that the 2nd surgery goes well as well.
Add comment May 8, 2009
Stacy
Tags: cancer, Facebook, friends, God, Praise, surgery, Twitter
busy
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY
That is what I have been lately. I don’t feel like I get a chance to catch my breath these days.
The kids had a good spring break last week. They spent the week at Grandma & Grandpa’s house. They got to have Italian Ice one day at Rita’s over in the Town center. They fell in love with the mystery flavor. One day my brother took them to see Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D. They also saw Marley and Me, Beverly Hills Chihuahua (don’t know if that is spelled correctly), Igor, City of Ember, Happily Never After 2, Open Season 2 and maybe a couple of more. I love the Red Box machine. You can’t beat a buck for a movie.
I am now officially a soccer mom. With 2 of my 3 kids playing soccer that means no sleeping in on Saturday until May. Buddy is just out there having fun. Bug is out there really learning what soccer is all about. Maybe by the end of the season I will at least have a clue as to how the game is played. Bug’s team did not score a goal in their first game but one girl playing goalie did have enough aggressive stops during the game to earn the team slurpees at the next game.
This weekend is going to be busy too. Good Friday service at church on Friday, soccer games Saturday morning, and Easter on Sunday. I should also mention my best friend and her kids are coming up this weekend as her hubby has to work the whole weekend. I also am taking dinner to friends from church. My friend just had major surgery and is recovering well. Oh and I can’t forget that we are hosting Easter dinner at our place. So there will be 18-20 people eating and celebrating Easter at our place on Sunday. I am looking forward to everyone being here.
Well I am going start paying attention to American Idol. Danny already sang and set the bar pretty high.
Add comment April 8, 2009
Stacy
Tags: American Idol, Easter, family, friends, soccer
A late start
So it is that time of the week again. What time you ask? Well….
Head over to MckMama and see what everyone else did NOT do.
So last week I was on my game and keeping track of things that I did not do. But this week I NOT, really I did NOT keep a list. Start a new job tends to make things fall by the wayside.
I did NOT sleep until 12:30 yesterday and miss church. Not me.
I did not go to Urgent care on Saturday for a swollen foot only to find out that I have a UTI. Nope.
I did not go to Wal-Mart in search of cute ladybug push pins for my cubicle. Nor did I try to color coordinate the items I did not purchase for my cubicle. Who does that?
I did not teach my oldest how to put laundry in the washer while sitting on the sofa with a swollen foot. I then did not have her in turn teach her sister to do the same thing.
I did not play Big Brain Academy with my oldest and wish that she would lose because she is such a sore loser. Parents always want their kids to win, right?
This closes the list of things I did not do this past week, as I can’t remember anything else.
Don’t forget to check out MckMama.
3 comments March 9, 2009
Stacy
Tags: Big Brain Academy, MckMama, Wal-Mart, Wii
A head start
This week I got a head start on my Not me post. When you get done here make sure you head on over to MckMama’s and join the fun!!
I did not take my kids to the grocery store after school one day and say to the cashier, “Why don’t I remember to come while they are still at school?”
I have not been to the same Publix with my kids enough that the lady in the bakery knows that my son wants his own wrapper for his cookie. Why he wants his own wrapper we can’t figure out. He get weirdness from his father.
I was not totally amazed when I called the doctor’s office and got an appointment the next day, a new patient appointment. Why would that be amazing?
I did not tell my kids we were having breakfast for dinner only to change my mind once we got home and feed them pizza rolls instead. No, I am not that mom. Not me.
I did not spend 10 mins cleaning stuff out of the pantry and refrigerator, completely filling up a big black trash bag with stuff that needed to be thrown out. I would never let my pantry get that messy.
When I got the phone call from the HR lady about a job I applied for, I did not lose my train of thought while answering her question and forget what the question was. Nope, not me.
I did not go out late Tuesday evening to get a cupcake. Even if it was Fat Tuesday and Triple Punch Tuesday at the cupcake place. And since I did not go out to get a cupcake I did not almost do a happy dance when they had the chef special again. It is yellow cake, chocolate frosting with sprinkles and has a yummy filling of caramel and chocolate. YUMMMM!
I did not shower and get dressed and go pick up my kids up from school and forget that it was that time of the month. Nope, who would forget that? Not me.
I did not take the kids to Target and give into my son’s dimples and let him buy a $10 Pokemon pack when he only had $5 to spend. I can resist the dimples.
I did not drive through Chick-Fil-A and then send my oldest back inside the place to ask for new fries. The ones they gave me were cold. EWW!!
I did not get on the expressway on Saturday forgetting that my speedometer isn’t working so I had no idea how fast I was going, nope, not me.
I did not wake up at 4 am and eat a cupcake because I couldn’t fall back to sleep.
Something I DID do this week was get offered a job!! Yes, I start my new job today!! Praise the Lord for a job!!
3 comments March 2, 2009
Stacy
Tags: Chik-Fil-A, MckMama, Pokemon, Sweet Cupcakes, Target
TGIF
Today is a very good day. I have been doing a happy dance for a couple of hours now. I got the call today from the company I interviewed with last week. I was offered the position. I start Monday. That my friends is GREAT news. Hubby is very happy to0, because that means a paycheck. Now we will be able to breathe again.
But let me tell you something about my hubby. He has been doing an awesome job in sales this month. He graduated from the final stage of training since his sales have been so good. And his sales bonus for this month, well it will be more than enough to pay the rent for April. That my friends is the Lord taking care of us in our time of need.
It was kind of funny when I was let go three weeks ago. Usually hubby is the glass half full person in our marriage. And this time roles were reversed. I had peace that everything would work out. Not that hubby was too worried but every couple of days he would say, “I hope you get a job soon.” So my prayers were answered. Thank you Lord for watching over us. I give you all the praise.
Now though, I have to do some clothes shopping. See when I got the last job I had the clothes I already owned were sufficient for the job. But “business casual” has a different meaning for every company. At my new job the dress code is “business casual”. But I can’t wear capri pants and can only wear jeans on Friday but can never wear tennis shoes (or sneakers depending on where you are from…lol). So I only have I think 2 pairs of slacks. I do have a few skirts but I will need to have some more slacks that I can wear since my capris are not allowed.
My kids, I am sure are going to be happy to hear about the job. They have missed riding the bus in the afternoons. On the bus they get to trade Pokemon cards with their friends. And when they get off the bus they get to spend the afternoon with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Brian. I know they have missed having that time with them. That has been the best aspect of moving back to Orlando, family.
Well must run to pick up the kids from school. And give them the good news.
Happy Friday everyone!!
Add comment February 27, 2009
Stacy
Tags: clothes, family, God, Pokemon, prayers, provision, working
Stacy needs
this has been going around for awhile but I thought I would do it and see what came up.
So let’s see…
1. Stacy needs unconditional love from her boyfriend. (Umm, well I don’t have a boyfriend, just a husband that loves me dearly.)
2. Stacy needs sex. (Blushing…lol)
3. Stacy needs styling tips. (Yes I could always use those. I have a learning disability when it comes to using things like a curling iron or flat iron…lol)
4. Stacy needs you.
5. Stacy needs to feel that fire. (Not sure which fire this is referring to)
6. Stacy needs to go fill up her car with gas and leave. (I think my gas tank is good for now, thanks for asking)
7. Stacy needs some. (what? sleep? yes I do need that…lol)
8. Stacy needs flowers. (those would be nice every now and again)
9. Stacy needs help with how to deal with her mom. (this is more true than you know)
10. Stacy needs a website. (I don’t think I need one)
Well that was fun. I know my hubby did this on his blog yesterday. It is also floating around Facebook.
I realized after I had typed all of the above that I used my real name. I haven’t done that on this blog because I have been trying to keep it as anonymous as possible. But I feel that my reasons for doing so are no longer valid. So anyway you can go to the Click here page for an explanation as to which child is which. I will continue to use their nicknames, not their real ones.
I am waiting for a phone call. One telling me that I am once again employed. Being employed will be great for our checkbook of course. But I would be lying if I said I really wanted to go back to work. It has been kind of nice to be home everyday so I can get the kids from school. When I was working I wouldn’t get to pick the kids up until almost 6 most days and then would have to come home to fix dinner. Not very much fun but I know millions of moms do it everyday. The one thing I am so grateful for is that we have family that helps with the kids. Without family it would be so much harder.
We interrupt this post with a funny…
I called Bean out to ask her something. She came out and said, “hurry up I am at the best part of the movie. You know the part where Darth Vader says to Luke, “Luke I am your father” and then he cuts off his hand?” As she is saying this, she is acting it out and as only she can do hurt herself trying to mimic cutting off her hand.
I realize it would be finnier if you had been here. Oh well, it was a classic Bean moment.
Add comment February 26, 2009
Stacy
Tags: Darth Vader, Facebook, flowers, Google, kids, Star Wars
What I didn’t do
this past week. Let’s see, where should we begin?
On Monday I took the kids to the Science center since it was a school holiday. There is a new exhibit there called Grossology. It is all about the human body and the gross things that the body does.
I did not smell something that smelled like butt. That would be so GROSS so I most certainly did NOT smell it.
The family did NOT eat out three nights this week. Even though 2 of those nights it was school related.
I did not stay up until almost 12 more than one night this past week. That makes for a very sleepy mom.
I did help out at MOPS this week. But I did not come home, have lunch and then fall asleep for over 2 hours on the sofa.
I did not go to my favorite cupcake place after my interview and get a cupcake just for me. That is selfish but oh so yummy.
I have not had Chik-fil-a more times than I care to count in the past couple of weeks. I am not making up for all the years we lived some where that there was not a Chik-fil-a.
On Saturday I did not stay in my pajamas until 5 pm and then finally get a shower. I also did not supervise while the girls picked up the dining room and living room. That is what kids are for right?
I did not take a picture of my son sleeping and post it on Twitter with the caption of, “I wish he was this still all the time.” No, not me.
I did not put off my school work for the week until the weekend yet again. That is silly to do since I am not working right now.
I did not watch many episodes of the Real Housewives of Orange County this week. And since I did not watch I did not think many times, “do people really live like that?”
Hop on over to MckMama’s and check out what she did not do this week.
6 comments February 23, 2009
Stacy
Tags: eating out, MckMama, MOPS, Orlando Science Museum
Monday
Well it is hard to be without work. Being positive I am so very glad that we had already filed our taxes and gotten our refund. So we are caught up on all of our bills. For now. Prayerfully I will find a job soon and we won’t get behind again.
We did not miss church two Sundays in a row. No that would be bad. We did not stay home this past Sunday because we had a lot of stuff to get done around the apartment before hubby’s parents stopped by. Nope, I would never leave things until the last minute.
I was not relieved when it seemed like I was going to keep my job for a little while longer. I did not try to ignore the message that popped up on my screen asking me to come to the office. I did not consider for one minute just walking out of the building and never looking back. No, that would be completely unprofessional.
I was also not relieved to have it over with because it took away the not knowing everyday.
I did not get really upset when my paycheck did not go into our checking account on Friday. It would be silly to be so upset about something like that. I was very polite when I called to inquire about my check.
I did not get ready to go to the store on Saturday only to remember that hubby had the van and his car was in the shop. Who would forget that they didn’t have a vehicle for the day. That is silly.
Last night as I worked on my school work I did not think that I liked it better before other people moved into our building. It was much quieter. I also did not think that, “we were here first, we have dibs on the good parking spaces”. I did not think that because really who thinks that way?
I did not think today as I was driving home from the grocery store that teenagers drive like maniacs. Nor did I wish there was a cop up ahead to pull over the crazy person driving the convertible that was going way too fast and weaving in and out of traffic.
I did not get a 63 on my mid-term for one of my classes. No I study and get good grades in all of my classes. I did not think more than once while taking said test, “what a waste this class is. Who cares how many spaces to indent a paragraph or how to properly format a paper in the APA format.” That is why I have a program that does it all for me.
I do not have “Senioritis” as I am so close to being done with school. I am ready for school to be done. So I would not once consider blowing off an assignment. No that would be irresponsible.
Head on over to MckMamma and she what she did not do this past week.
2 comments February 9, 2009
Stacy
Tags: APA format, Not me Monday, school
| Previous Posts |
