Good morning.

 

I have good news and then not so good news, so at best it's neutral news. LOL

 

Good news: The septic system is fixed without the need to replace the pump.  It was simply one of the spray heads that had a crack that was not easily seen.  Tim replaced it for under $20, and now it's fixed. We were looking at a potential $500-600 cost to replace the pump.   

 

Bad news:  Suzy, our dog, was injured yesterday afternoon.  She ran through a barbed wire fence and cut her ear badly.  She was bleeding profusely, and after taking her to the vet, we were told she could have bled to death.  An artery and a vein were severed in the cut and were pumping out blood at a good rate.  So after $250 veterinary visit, she's fixed too.

 

I guess since the pump was going to cost about $500 and Suzy's bill was only $250, it's not such neutral news.  It's still a $250 savings?  Now there's a "glass is half full" example.

 

The story of Suzy's injury is a good one and I can't refrain from telling it so here you go.  I had a friend of mine visiting (Tammie) with her 3 children, one of which is a newborn.  So with my children added we had 6 kids at my house.  Tim was out kayaking without his cell phone.

 

The little boys were jumping on the trampoline when Suzy runs by covered in blood.  Benjamin starts yelling, "Suzy's bleeding, Suzy's bleeding!"  So I grab some towels and head outside to see what's up.  Suzy was hiding in her dog house licking.  We drag her out and see that she is covered in blood to the hips.  I wet her down to find the wound, and see that her ear is sliced in two.  I try to apply pressure, but a dog's ear proves difficult to hold onto. So blood is flying everywhere.  Suzy instinctively shakes her ears because of the pain, so in less than 2 minutes, I look like a mass murderer.  All the while, my sensitive child, Tyler, is gray and about to faint.

 

Good Morning!

 

I've been trying to get here to blog all week, but it's been such a busy week that I kept finding myself called away to do something else.  Tyler's birthday party is tonight and I'm getting the house ready today, so another busy day is planned.  Last night I thought I was going to fall over I was so tired.  It was classic case of over-planning for mom.  I tend to sometimes think I can get more done than is physically possible and then run myself into the ground trying to do it.  I saw myself heading that way last night. The boys helped me out by finishing some things, and then we all sat down with a book and relaxed. 

 

For the last few months we have been attending our church's Wednesday night services.  The last 2 weeks have been really good.  I've taken away some things that have challenged and encouraged me.  I thought I would share a snippet from this week.  The topic was on conflict and how people react to it.  For the most part people withdraw from conflict.  They may have a good friend that they value, but if they disagree on an issue then they suddenly withdraw.  Our pastor was challenging us to work out the conflict with others, and that friendships are valuable.  That's it in a nutshell.  Kind of simple, but in practice is not as simple. 

 

As a family of 5, there is always conflict.  Life is full of it, unless you are a recluse, then that's a totally different conflict. LOL  Yesterday, Tyler and Ben were arguing over some toys (Lego Bionicles).  Who had what first, who's toy was who's, etc.  Shortly I watched Ben get up and go play something else.  First conflict, then withdrawal.  So instead of letting withdrawal be the solution to the conflict, I brought both boys back into the room and had a talk.  We talked about the situation and the conflict.  We went through the steps of how to compromise, how to ask questions, and finding out what the other person wants and needs.  But above all, listening to the other person, and not quitting and leaving the friendship.  I told them to try these new techniques out with the toy issue and let me know how it went.  They agreed and I left the room.  Later, they were playing with the toys and getting along great.  When I asked them how things were working, they said they worked out their differences and were having a great time. 

 

It wasn't until Wednesday that I noticed that this skill was something that is taught and not necessarily learned.  Our ENTIRE lives are made up of other people.   As our pastor pointed out, there is only one "ME" and the rest of the people in the world are "THEM".  LOL  We need to know how to work through situations, and resolve conflict biblically.  Just like most moms, sometimes it is easy for me to just "let kids be kids" in times of conflict.  However, I am now realizing a valuable skill the boys need to learn.  So as their mom, I need to plan opportunities for them to learn it, and most importantly, the skills to be successful. And I'm sure I could use some practice in the "conflict resolution" versus "conflict avoidance" areas.  Now that I think about it, that's the reason that I let "kids be kids" - to avoid conflict. LOL 

 

So we are all learning here, I guess.  Oh, and for anyone who might be in the “legalistic” crowd, sometimes there are times to avoid conflict.  Like always you need to focus on the big issues and not on the insignificant ones.  Like a mom of a teen once told me, pick your battles wisely.  Just thought I’d add that for balance.

 

Have a wonderful day.  Enjoy your conflicts.  They bring growth. J

 ~J

Good morning.

 

Yesterday I was busy taking off more wallpaper off my bathroom walls when mysteriously a love note appeared on the bare wall while I was in the other room.  It was a sweet note from my husband, reminding me how much he loves me.  Earlier in the morning, I had received a little note from Benjamin.   

Sometimes as moms, we may feel unappreciated or that no one is noticing all the little things that we do, or the sacrifices we make.  Then we have a "love note" day, and realize that yes they do notice and appreciate you. 

 

I was thinking this morning about some of the people that do little things for me.  How could I give them a "love note" day?  Do they know I feel loved by them?  I thought I would send some love notes of my own today. 

 

Have a wonderful day

~Jennifer, who appreciates you. XOXOXO

Good Saturday Morning.

 

Ryan finished his first week of school and did well.  The only concern of the staff was that he became tired with walking.  He walked to the playground, library etc.  Friday, they said that he really didn't even want to play on the playground, he was so tired.  So they are going to be taking the wagon when they go places.  I offered his walker or wheelchair, but they felt that would draw attention towards his disability from the other children.  I agree, so the wagon works best.  I've worked very hard this week to make sure he was getting to bed early and taking long naps, but still he's tired. Otherwise, he seems to have enjoyed it.  He was learning to use the computer one of the days I picked him up.  Here's his first day at school picture:

 

We got up early this morning to work in the yard.  The temperatures here have been scorching.  The drought has really taken its toll on the livestock and land.  I've been praying for rain.  We had some small showers a few days last week, but not the amount of rain the ground needs in these constant high temperatures. 

 

I also have been removing the wallpaper in the master bath.  It was a blend of cool colors which are not my taste - silver, blue, purple.  I am going to change the colors to caramel (walls), white (tile, bath, sinks, towels), and black rod iron (pulls & fixtures).  Once we finish removing the wallpaper, we will need to texture the walls before we paint.  I want it to feel like a spa retreat. 

 

The boys also finished their second week of school.  They said they are really enjoying it.  They both mentioned how fast it was gone this week.  They baked round cakes yesterday as a school project.  They made the tops look like the world with blue ocean and green land. 

 

 

 

 

 

They had so much fun. 

 

Also, my mother's husband had quad bypass surgery this last week.  I had not posted anything about it because I wanted to be sure it was okay to put on here.  He was having some chest pain with exercise a couple of weeks ago, and had it checked out.  Turns out he needed surgery. The surgery went fine, but there is still the recovery period which involves quite a bit of pain, and struggle.  Please pray for him and my mom.  It is a stressful time for them right now.  

 

Be blessed and have a great weekend!

 

~J

 

Good evening. 

 

Today was a fun day.  We spent the morning just laying around visiting.  In the afternoon we went to a church picnic with Tim's parents.  The picnic was at a camp on the local lake.  They had a big swimming pool with two diving boards.  Tim and I did some diving. That was fun.  Tim decided to try and do a back flip.  He did it!  Crazy 37 year old man.  Ben did a front flip off the diving board several times.  Just like his daddy you know.  Tim and I tried to teach the kids how to dive, but the best they could do was a good belly flop. LOL  Ryan had a good time too, but still is a little leery of the water.  Here's some photos from the pool. 

 

After our swimming and picnic dinner, we went for a ride on my FIL's new boat.  He had an older boat that he just traded in for this nice new (used but new to him) 21 foot, open bow, faster, cleaner, cool looking boat.  It was so smooth and quick.

Tim thinks that we would be able to teach the boys how to water ski with this boat.  The other boat was more of a cruiser and would not pull a skier.  So that might something else to look forward to next summer.

 

Ryan first day of school is tomorrow.  His lunch is packed, his backpack is ready, his milk money is counted.  All the papers are filled out.  *sigh*  It's only 4 hours that he is gone. *gasp* 

 

I'll tell you how things go tomorrow. Pray for our favor with the staff. 

 

Blessings and good night!

~J

Good stormy, Saturday morning.

 

It's cloudy and cool this morning and it looks like we might get some rain.  We have had a small rain shower each day, for a few days.  It's been nice. 

 

Tim and I went to the meeting at the school for Ryan to go to preschool.  It was just a bunch of legal papers that needed to be signed; however, the principal, 2 teachers, a speech therapist, and a child evaluator were all there.  I thought they were there so we could tell them about Ryan, and in a way, get to know him better.  That was not the case.  They all just sat there while we signed papers.  This was unsettling to me.  You would think they would want to ask some questions about Ryan.  What does he like?  What does he not like?  How does he communicate?  What are your fears about sending him to school?  What are your expectations?  Etc...  Not a one.  I felt as a professional, it was a lost opportunity for the staff.  And if the staff was an excellent staff, they would not lose such an opportunity. So I did give some of this information.  And as most of you all know, I will continue to give it at every opportunity.  LOL  I'm still not 100% on the school thing.  It's about okay 70% and trusting God 30%.  

 

Last night, Tim and I did some decorating in our room.  I had a old oil painting from my Grandmother's home that needed to be framed for years.  It goes perfect with the decor in the master.  We went last night and had it framed.  We put it over our bed and then added the new curtains and...voila!  New room! 

 

I've got a idea to take the wallpaper off my bathroom walls today, and I'm trying to surpress it.  We'll see how that goes. LOL Well, I'm off to pull some weeds in the flower beds with the kids.  Be blessed! 

~J

Good evening.

 

The first week of homeschool is almost complete and all in all, things have been great.  The kids are really pitching in with their chores and it has lightened the load for me significantly.  We are still in the "refining" stage with the boys in learning all the chores and how to do them properly.  I think another week and they will know exactly what is expected. 

 

Our curriculum is working out beautifully.  By starting at 8am, we have finished school each day either before lunch or right after lunch, leaving the whole afternoon for us.  It has been refreshing to me to know that I can relax and have some "me" time in the afternoons. 

 

As far as outside our little world, I watched on TV today the coverage of the newly found terriorist plot to crash several planes on their way to America from Europe.  It is upsetting that so many people are unable to see the need to fight against the terrorist before they hurt our families and take our freedoms away by force. I'm hoping that this foiled attempt will wake some people up.  It's so cozy to be in our little town, in our comfy house, but the reality is that someone would like to drop a 747 with hundreds of people right on innocent people all over America.  It's a wake up call.  Another thing I think is sickening is the idea that they would use planes again.  Like they are sending a message to us that no matter how safe you think you may be, we can do what we want, just watch. 

 

All I can say is that our God is bigger than hate, evil, death and destruction.  This Psalm is one that comes to mind when I become troubled by the current events concerning terrorism. 

 

Psalm 91

 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
       will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ^[a]

 2 I will say ^[b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
       my God, in whom I trust."

 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
       and from the deadly pestilence.

 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
       and under his wings you will find refuge;
       his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

 5 You will not fear the terror of night,
       nor the arrow that flies by day,

 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
       nor the plague that destroys at midday.

 7 A thousand may fall at your side,
       ten thousand at your right hand,
       but it will not come near you.

 8 You will only observe with your eyes
       and see the punishment of the wicked.

 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
       even the LORD, who is my refuge-

 10 then no harm will befall you,
       no disaster will come near your tent.

 11 For he will command his angels concerning you
       to guard you in all your ways;

 12 they will lift you up in their hands,
       so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
       you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

 14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
       I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
       I will be with him in trouble,
       I will deliver him and honor him.

 16 With long life will I satisfy him
       and show him my salvation."

There is a great book that uses this chapter from the Bible as a guide to fighting fear in our lives.  I give it a thumbs up.  Here's a link to it on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0892281782/sr=8-1/qid=1155265819/ref=sr_1_1/104-7716916-2287964?ie=UTF8

Good night and be blessed!

~J

 

 

Good Morning!

 

We officially started school Monday.  It's been a new change to our sleepy, spontaneous, summer schedule.  However, everyone is fitting in nicely.  I have some pics of the boys on their first day:

These were for their "passport" photos we made for their "trip around the world" this year.  We are using Exploring Countries and Cultures in My Father's World curriculum this year, which focuses on geography.  Ryan is here with us this week for school since his school doesn't start till Monday.  We go Friday for a meeting with his teachers to talk about what he will need for preschool. 

 

I also wanted to add the pics of my school room.  It is just beautiful.  We have never had our own room to school in, so this is really special.  Here are a few pics:

 

The last pic is of the fabric I used to make the curtain in the school room.  I just LOVE it! 

 

Well, hate to chat and run, but I've got a busy day planned.  Today is house cleaning day and there's church tonight.  So I will be running till dark.  Be blessed! 

Good evening everyone. 

 

Today was fun day with Tim.  He had the day off, which is rare, and we did everything together, even the grocery shopping.  The older boys visited a friend while we went for a quick bite to eat at a very strange restaurant.  I would say that it's a "hole in the wall" place, but there are no walls.  It is a authentic Mexican eatery in a school bus.  Yes, we ordered food and ATE it from a bus.  Odd yes, but it was very good nevertheless.  After that we were off to shop.  That went okay, but we had forgotten that it was tax-free weekend in Texas and it was crazy busy.  We managed not to kill each other or anyone else, and get the week's groceries.  We finished off the trip by finding Ryan a lunch box for school.  He loves little cars, and the characters from the movie "Cars" so we found one with cars from "Cars".  Go figure.

 

Overall, it was an exhausting day.  I finished some teacher's reading for our school next week.  Putting it all together and remembering each subject and what is required is challenging.  The first few weeks are slow, but then you start to know what to expect and things pick up.  Such is life in general.  It seems however, I'm the kind of person that likes to move fast from the beginning; thus, the frustration factor is high.  So, in recognizing my tendency, I'm making adjustments; however painful. I'm reminded of a little song from my childhood that I still sing to my kids and (don't tell anyone) my husband. 

 

Have Patience, have patience

Don't be in such a hurry.

When you get impatient

It only causes worry.

Remember, remember

That God is patient too.

And think of all the times

When other's have to wait for you.

 

It's very true, but can become a (warning grammar deviation following) gianormous problem for us speedy people. (Gianormous- not a real word, a cross between "Giant" and "Enormous" and is now my new favorite word) 

 

Since we are taking a trip back to my childhood, I will touch on something that happened last night.  We have been moving things from our rented storage building to our new building in the backyard.  In doing so, I opened one of my storage boxes from my childhood.  There were things from when I was in elementary school all the way up to high school. 

 

I had lots of trophies from high school, maybe 10-12.  My kids said, "Mom, I had no idea you were so popular!"  I had to explain, that I wasn't popular, I worked hard for all those trophies. LOL  I also found a journal that was a class project in 1986.  It was fun for me to relive those memories.  I had about 6 boyfriends that year.  Maybe I was popular. :) 

 

I found an assignment from about 3rd grade that was entitled "My Future".  I had written, "When I am grown up, I am going to be a nerse.  I would help palple.  Old palple, little palple.  I would help then as best as I can.  So thay would live."  I guess I knew what I wanted to be all my young life, a nurse.  But I did notice that my spelling hasn't improved much. Thank God for spell check.

 

I was cute sometimes and not so much others.  I think everyone goes through those odd-looking years.  Here's one:  

 

But then then there's times your cute and your parents are weird.  Here's one of those. 

I don't know if you can see it well, but my dad has a perm.  Look out Duane Sheriff.  So there you go, a trip down memory lane.  Don't laugh too much at my ugly stage.  Be patient, you might have one real soon. LOL Good night! ~Jen

 

PS:  Tim felt sorry for my "awkward" stage pic.  So he donated one.  So here it is:

Good Morning!

 

Hope you all are doing well!  And a special "Hey" to my good friend Tammie who is completely stressed out from having a new baby, and with that addition has 3 children under 5 years old.  Hang in there girl. 

 

I've been working diligently on things for school and I wanted spend the next few days sharing some of my organizing tips/ideas for homeschooling or life in general.  (They can be downloaded on the homeschool page http://mysite.verizon.net/timjenplus3/jenny/id6.html)

 

First is Tyler & Ben's chore charts.  I have them almost to the print stage.  I put a month's worth of copies in their folder and they check off things as they do them.  You could also purchase a fun stamp and they could check them off that way.  I change their jobs each month.  Usually they just switch.  I also made a school list that the boys can check off to let them know how much more school is left to do.  Last year I was getting tired of hearing, how much more?  This will give them a visual picture of what needs to be done. 

 

Then I finished my weekly routine list.  This is a list of things that need to be done each week and each day has a different theme.  You'll see.  For those of you who like Flylady www.flylady.com  this will be familiar to you. 

 

I'm working on our family schedule.  That is a breakdown of our day.  Wake times, meal times, nap times & bed times.  I will be posting that soon too. 

 

I hope this helps some of you with getting things together for school! 

Good morning!

 

Well, I now have hot water.  I took a long bath and calgon took me away!  But I'm back to reality now, so there you go.  

 

The big boys - Tim, Ty, & Ben are going to 6 Flags today.  Ryan and I are staying home, and having some "Mommy & Me" time.  I am relishing every moment as we move closer to August 14th. 

 

I get my minivan back from the body shop today.  In case you don't remember, it was attacked by a run-away tent.  Yes, a tent, and to the tune of about $3000 final damage.  I don't need I remind myself, but the tent only cost $200.  So there another reason to continue your full coverage on your car even though you only have 1 more month to pay on it - a run away tent.  Thank goodness for auto insurance. 

 

So I'm continuing getting school together.  I've been following this thread about first day of homeschool traditions.  

http://www.fiveinarow.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/056231.html  I want to try and do something this year very special on the first day to make it memorable.  This thread has some great ideas. If you look at the thread, read it soon b/c it won't be there long, as this site is a busy one and things cycle off quickly.

 

Be blessed and soon I'll put some pictures of the boys with their new expensive toy....the box from the 2nd new water heater. 

 

~J

Good Morning!

 

Well, on Sunday there were little black ants invading my house, the water heater was leaking, and I needed a shower. So we put baits out for the ants, bought a new water heater, and I put my hair in a pony tail.  Monday there were still little black ants invading my house, the new water heater wasn't working and by then I REALLY NEEDED A SHOWER.  Today, I don't see any ants, we are taking back the lemon water heater, and I broke down and took a cold shower.  Nothing like shivering to put you in a good mood in the morning.

 

Yesterday, the boys finished swimming lessons.  If you ever have the choice to decide between private and group lessons for swimming, choose private.  This is the first year that I've done this and they learned significantly more than the years before.  Both boys are swimming like fish.  Just in time for our visit with Aunt Tamyra and swim in her pool.  HOORAY!

 

Today is a day of bits and pieces.  Little bit of decorating, little piece  of cleaning, little bit of home repair, little piece of home fumigation (not really).  Busy day, but we are blessed to have such a wonderful home to decorate, clean, repair and share with black ants.  As I watch the wars on TV, I'm reminded how blessed we are to have been born in the USA, and how minor some ants and hot water problems really are. 

 

~Jen~