School is out again tomorrow. I got a text from the news station around 2:30 today. I was thinking back over the last few weeks and I realized my kids have not gone to school for a full week since the first week of Feb. S has not been able to teach music since the 8th. I know that them closing the schools because so many kids are sick is a good thing. But missing this much school can’t be good for the kids in the long run. So hopefully school will be back in session on Friday and S will get to teach.

The snow even caused church to be canceled tonight. That does not happen very often. And I was looking forward to having some kind of chocolate/ peanut butter dessert one of the ladies was bringing for dinner tonight. So instead we are having pork loin that has been marinated in apple bourbon and roasted veggies (red potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash and mushrooms) If you are related to me and reading this yes I said zucchini and yellow squash. I know that may shock some people in my family because I am such a picky eater. But I am branching out and trying new things. S made tacos the other night from a recipe in the Weight Watchers cookbook we bought. They were really yummy. He even made fresh salsa. Now I did have to draw a line at eating the salsa because it had raw onions in it. It is a texture thing for me, I just can’t eat raw onions. But the flavor of the taco meat was great. I am looking forward to trying many more recipes from that cookbook.

Well dinner is ready. Gotta run.

I very strongly dislike that fact that I suffer from migraines. I missed church today because I could not lift my head off the pillow without being in extreme pain. I tried to go take a shower but I just could not stay on my feet long enough to do so. I let S know that I was out of commission. He came and got the kids so they wouldn’t miss church too. He said worship was good this morning. He got to lead the music from the piano today as all the regular piano players were out for various reasons. He loves to lead worship from the piano but does not get to do it very often. So when he does he enjoys every minute of it.

My head still hurts and I feel like I have been run over by a truck. I think this migraine was brought on by eating too much garlic. See when there is garlic being cooked I will usually get a headache. When I still lived at home with my dad and step-mom, my step-mom would make her tomato sauce (gravy as she calls it from scratch. I love to eat it but I could not be around when she was just starting to make it. The garlic frying in the olive oil always set off a headache. So anyway S and I are on this journey to eat healthy and have been changing the way we cook and the way we eat. We bought a Weight Watchers cookbook a few weeks ago. S made spaghetti and meat balls for dinner Friday night. It was very yummy, I enjoyed every bite. Then for lunch yesterday I had leftovers of the meatballs and sauce. By bed time last night I had a headache and like I said this morning I could barely move. So I think I not only have to not be around garlic when it is cooking but I also have to watch how much of it I eat in a short period of time.

The kids were out of school Thursday and Friday, again because of how many kids were out sick. I am praying that all the kids will get better and that school won’t be canceled again. At the rate they are going the kids won’t get spring break because of all the school that they have missed. I took them to see the Spiderwick Chronicles on Thursday so that we could get out of the house. S was home from work on Thursday trying to come down with what has been going around. The movie was good, a little scary in parts because of the goblins. But all 3 kids made it through the movie. I thought for sure that Buddy would fall asleep but even he watched the whole thing.

On the way home I stopped at Wal-mart. I bought some of that Zicamm stuff that is supposed to shorten the duration of a cold. S started using it Thursday night and was almost back to normal by Friday evening. So I think the next time I get a cold I will try it too.

Ok well I think I have hit my limit in sitting up for now. Oh and S moved his blog over to WordPress. I have changed to link so you should be taken to the correct blog. Have blessed week.

School is back in session tomorrow. I am so happy the kids are going back to school tomorrow. They are getting on each other’s nerves. Every little thing starts an argument between them.

I am looking forward to Bible study tomorrow. I have been struggling with some things and God has used the ladies in my core group to encourage me. No one even really know the exact thing I have been struggling with but the simple act of the ladies in my group lifting my name up to God and interceding on my behalf has brought me to tears more than once over the past few days. It has meant so much to know that there are people praying for me. I have learned a lot during this time of struggle. I have learned that God can do anything. He loves me and only wants for me to follow the path He has put before me.

It has become clear to me in recent months how self-centered that I can be. One thing the God has taught me is that it is not just about me. The world does not revolve around me and my wants and desires. In learning that lesson I have come realize that there are great number of ways to serve God. The are many different ways to point a lost person to the Lord. I think I have realized that programs and productions don’t bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ. Love does. Do you love the lost of this world enough? Are you willing to show the lost the love of Christ? I am not saying programs and productions are bad, they have their place and can reach some of the lost. But for me what it really comes down to is I am showing love enough to point the lost people around to my Savior?

60 Things You Possibly Didn’t Know About Me

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
Well I drive a mini-van so technically I have two back seats. On the one Buddy sits on there is an umbrella and various things that need to be thrown in the trash. I am afraid to even think what is on the seat the girls sit on. They take stuff with them in the van every time we go somewhere and then don’t take it back in for months. So there is possibly an assortment of Littlest Pet Shop animals and probably a lot of things that need to be thrown away. Behind the 3rd row is my basket weaving supplies and our camp chairs we use for watching the kids at Upward.

2. When was the last time you threw up
I can’t really remember. I know we still lived in Illinois so it has been probably at least a year.

3. What’s your favorite curse word?
I don’t really use curse words but I do say crap and sometimes call people stupidheads under my breath.

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Bean, Bug and Buddy

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
I think I was still sleeping.

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Playing Super Mario Bros. 3 on the Wii with Buddy.

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Eating Mexican food for dinner since Bean has a fever and we had to cancel our babysitter.

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Never

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
uh-huh. I am on the phone while I am typing this.

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Anything with peanut butter.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
A glass of Coke.

12. What are you wearing right now?
A green sweater and jeans

13. What was the last thing you ate?
Some oatmeal squares cereal.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Yes, I bought a new white t-shirt

15. When was the last time you ran?
A few months ago when Bean fell off her bike and hurt her ankle.

16. What’s the last sporting event you watched?
The Super Bowl and I am very glad the Giants won.

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
My husband

19. Ever go camping?
Yes when I was in college (the first time, thought I should clarify since I am in college now)

20. Do you have a tan?
Only on my left arm, you can see where my watch goes.

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
Only if I am eating out.

25. What did your last IM say?
I went to high school in Jacksonville.

26. Are you someone’s best friend?
Yes, my best friend is the sister I never had.

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
I am going to get my gray hair colored. No I don’t have a full head of gray hair but I have enough that I can see it every time I look in the mirror. Also I think we are taking the van in to be looked at since the transmission is acting up. Then tomorrow night is Family Game Night at church. If you are a member of the same church I am join us for a night of snacks and games. We always have a good time of fellowship.

28. Where is your mom right now?
I have not the first clue. I would imagine somewhere in the state of GA.

29. Look to your left, what do you see?
A closet full of clothes.

30. What color is your watch?
Silver with Eeyore on it.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
The Outback, I would love to visit there someday.

32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Only if I had been disfigured in some way.

33. What is your birthstone?
Opal

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit thedrive thru?
Drive-thru, we very rarely go inside.

35.How many kids do you want?
I have 3 and I am content in that.

36. Do you have a dog?
Yes, Angel is 6 today. We decided that since we don’t really know when her birthday is that we would celebrate it on Valentine’s Day.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
My best friend

38. Have you met anyone famous?
Dr. Ergun Caner. He is the President of Liberty University’s Seminary. I consider him famous but then that is my opinion.

39. Any plans today?
After I finish answering these questions I am going to take a nap. I am still fighting with this flu or cold that I have.

40. How many states have you lived in?
Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois and Tennessee so that makes 6

41. Ever go to college?
Got an Associate’s Degree in 1995 then took 11 years off. I am now attending Liberty University through the Distance Learning Program.

42. Where are you right now?
According to the Philosophy class I am taking how can I be sure of anything, much less where I am right now?

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Being sick

44. Last song listened to?
We Live by Superchick

46. Are you allergic to anything?
Sulfa drugs, Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
In the winter my brown clog type shoes I got at a garage sale for $2

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
I don’t think so

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
LOL! They shouldn’t be if they are!

51. What time is it?
2:49 pm

52. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes most of my friend do.

53. Do you eat healthy?
I am trying really hard to eat better. It is a process.

54. What do you usually do during the day?
Study while the kids are at school.

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
I don’t think so

56. Do you use the word ‘hello’ daily?
Yes

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
33, I am not afraid to admit my age.

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Yes, many times. The last time was with Bean and others from her school. It was a reward for the kids.

60. How did you get one of your scars?
I was about 10 and making cook and serve pudding. I spilled some pudding on my thumb when pouring it into the little pudding dishes.

Ok so I have never lived any place that they canceled school for 2 inches of snow or because of ice unless it was really bad. Now another first for us, the kids are out of school until next Tuesday. The school board decided to close all the schools in the county due to so many kids being sick. So I understand where they are coming from but I myself am sick. I have slept practically the entire day today. So now I will have the kids home with me while I am trying get better. Fortunately my kids are old enough to entertain themselves so that is not a big deal.

So needless to say the kids are excited about this unexpected break from school. The girls do have homework to do before next week. They will be having their Valentine’s Day parties on Tuesday when they return to school. The 4th grade was supposed to have a special treat on Thursday but now they will get to go on Tuesday. If I was not sick I might think about going to see some friends out of town or something like that to keep the kids occupied. I have a feeling the Wii will get a littel more play time than normal over the next few days.

OK so I know that in my last post I said I would have the words to the Casting Crowns song I wanted to share. Well that is not the case, you see the other day while we were going to the “city” to get some shopping done S was looking at the words to the CD. Well he did not put them back into the CD case. So now they are lost in the abyss of the net basket between the two front seats in my van. So when I find them you will get the words to the song. So instead of really thought provoking lyrics you will get this,

Why do they call it a TV set when you get only one?

What is the definition of IS?

Why in a country with free speech do we get phone bills?

Why isn’t phonics spelled the way it sounds?

If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done?

If you ate pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?

If it is 0 degrees outside today and it is supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold it it going to be?

Why do we wait until a pig is dead to cure it?

Will you die if you get scared half-to-death twice?

What are preparations A-G?

Why is it when you get from here to there you are still here and not there?

Is there another word for synonym?

Isn’t Disneyland a people trap operated by a mouse?

If ignorance is bliss, why aren’t more people happy?

OK hang with me, just a few more…

Since light travels faster than sound, is that why some people appear bright until you hear them speak?

If man evolved from monkeys and apes, them why do we still have monkeys and apes?

Last one….
If you are born-again, do you have two belly buttons??

OK so you can appreciate where I am coming from I am studying Philosophy this semester. The only reason I am taking the class is that it is a general education requirement. Otherwise I would not be putting myself through this torture. This week’s study is about Skeptics. Skeptics make the claim that “we cannot know anything.” So see since I am spending my days pondering such things as that I don’t have much left at the end of the day. But I am in week 5 of an 8 week course so it is almost over.

Bean and Bug got their mid-nine weeks progress reports today. Bug is doing well in all of her classes. Bean is struggling a little with Science for some reason. So now we have to see what we can do to help her do better in that class.

Well I am headed to bed so that I can get a good night’s rest so that I can tackle Philosophy again in the morning, after Community Bible Study.

Last thing to ponder… Smile, it makes people wonder.

a pretty uneventful day in my part of the world. S had a blast teaching the 3rd graders today. He took the keyboard in and played some music for them. Last week he had the uncle of one of the 3rd graders play his guitar. He is teaching them music theory along with exposing them to different types of music and instruments. I think he is having more fun teaching the kids than I have ever seen him have. It is such a blessing to be able to watch someone do something that they love so much. That reminds me of an article I read today about finding who you really are and doing what you love.

The REAL Me
by Renee Swope

I sat in the circle dreading my turn to talk. The facilitator of our “team-building” activity had asked our group of eight to answer these questions: What do you love to do? If finances were unlimited and failure was unlikely, what would be your dream?

I started praying we’d run out of time before they came to me. But just in case I had to answer, I listened to everyone else describe their dreams, hoping to get ideas. One wanted to be the first female president of the United States. Another friend said she’d always wanted to sing in a Christian rock band. I was in trouble.

Here I was 32-years-old (at the time) and didn’t know who I was or what my dreams were. Eventually everyone looked at me for a response. I stumbled over my words but finally admitted that I didn’t really know what I loved to do. I didn’t have a dream. I felt like a third-grader living in a grown woman’s body. Did I want to be a nurse, a school teacher, or a movie star?

Who was I? What did I like to do? Unfortunately, I’d never taken time to answer those questions. Instead, I had tried to be who others wanted or needed me to be. But honestly, I wasn’t very good at it. I often had this uneasy feeling in my heart and a sense of just not being happy. I was also a constant candidate for burn out.

Later the facilitator encouraged me to ask God what His dreams were for my life and to spend time getting to know myself better. She also suggested I read some books on personalities. I took her advice and began a process of getting to know the real “me” who’d gotten buried in the busyness of life and people-pleasing.

As I read books about different temperaments and personality traits, I started to recognize what I liked, strengths that came natural for me, and what I needed emotionally to encourage my heart. Instead of wanting to be like women I knew and admired, I realized there was a reason that I was who I was — with my passionate preferences and mixed bag of emotions. For the first time I felt like someone (the author of those books) understood me. I also sensed that God wanted to use the unique way He made me to shape my heart for ministry.

Isn’t it easy to completely neglect ourselves to meet the needs of everyone around us, and call it self-sacrifice? It sounds godly, but in doing so we risk shutting down a place in our soul where God’s dreams and gifts are waiting to be revealed. It’s not self-seeking but God-seeking to intentionally get to know and become the woman He created you to be.

So, how well do you know the real you? Have you ever taken time to think about what you like to do? How would you fill your free time if you had no fears, no insecurities and no doubts? (You probably have no free time, but what if you did?) What are your dreams?

I hope you’ll take time to get to know the woman God created you to be. In doing so I discovered the life I was meant to live, the dreams I was meant to dream.

Remember, God made you. He knows you and He loves you just the way you are. The only change He desires is that you become more like Him, as you become more like you!

This really struck a cord with me. How often do we go through life being what others tell us we should be? If we are serving God then we should only be concerned with who He wants us to be. If we are living a life to please God then we have to be very careful to not try to please the world and only do what God wants us to do. I know first hand that saying that is easier than actually doing it. But I found this article as good reminder to be who God wants me to be and nothing less.

So anyway we went after school today to buy gloves for the kids since we signed them up to play ball. Did you know that you can’t find gloves for left handed people at Wal-Mart? We have to find a sporting goods store to get a glove for Buddy since he is a lefty like his daddy. But the girls were able to find gloves that they liked. We also got them batting gloves and picked up some softballs and baseballs so that we can start playing catch with them before practices start. I hope that all three of them have a great time playing but we told them to just try it for one season and of they don’t enjoy it then they don’t have to play again. I enjoyed the three seasons that I played of softball but I know that it is not for everyone.

One more thing I have to share, I love that we have a Wii. The thing I love the most is that you can download vintage Nintendo games onto your Wii. I have downloaded Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 and Bubble Bobble. Do you know why I am so excited about this? It is because I can play these games from my childhood with my kids and actually have a chance at beating them. I can’t play the new games as well as they can. I have a hard time with the 3-D games. So being able to play the old games puts me and the kids on a more even playing field. So now that I have talked about it, I think I am going to go play Super Mario Bros. 3. Have a blessed weekend.

I don’t have a title for today’s blog because I have mush for brains today. I have officially changed my major at school. I am not sure why I didn’t do things this way to begin with but now my major is Multi-Disciplinary Studies. What is that? You may be saying to yourself, well it is a degree that lets you focus on a couple of areas of area of study instead of just one. So I am doing Psychology and Education. See my goal has always been to teach and so when I finish my Bachelor’s degree I am going to start working on my Master’s in Education. So by taking some Education classes now I am getting myself ready to work on my Master’s. It may take me a semester or two longer to finish but it will be worth it in the long run.

So I bought the latest Casting Crowns CD the other day. Let me just say this album once again affirms why I like their music. I was really touched by the songs on this album as much as the last album. The people that make up Casting Crowns really do have a heart to share Jesus with the world and they are not afraid to say things that might not sit too well with some people if it means getting people to wake up and see what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about.

So I posted back at the New Year that I got to see Chris Tomlin at the Winter Xtreme conference I went to. He is one of the best worship leaders out there today. I came across this blog today about Chris Tomlin so I thought I would share that with you, http://billmartinblog.blogspot.com/ (you will have to cut and paste the link, I can’t for the life of me figure out how to make it work)

The kids are all doing well. We registered Bean and Bug for softball and Buddy for T-ball. Practices start in March. They are all excited about this new experience in their lives. I am sure that it will keep us very busy for a few months. Bean came home from school yesterday telling me about something that happened in school. She said that most of the kids in her class were not sitting in their seats and running around the room while the teacher was out of the room. Well when the teacher returned the whole class got in trouble. The punishment, writing a sentence 100 times during recess. No one in the class can have recess until they have written their sentences. I found it kind of funny because I really did not think teachers did that anymore. I mean I remember having to do this when I was in elementary school but that was ages ago. So last night I asked S if he had heard about this. He said he had and that Bug said her reading teacher makes then write their name 100 times if they forget to put their name on their paper. Bug said, “That’s OK because I like to write my name.” Kids, Go figure.

Well I think that is all I have to share for today. Nothing earth shattering or really that exciting. If I can ever remember to bring the CD in from the van I will share the lyrics to one of the Casting Crowns songs on their new CD. Until next time, I pray you find someone that you can be a blessing to. You never know when someone around you needs to be blessed.

Beauty of Math!

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close,
and Attitude will get you there,
It’s the Love of God that will put you over the top!