Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Easter


The four of us had a wonderful Easter. Easter was such a beautiful, sunny, warm day. Like every Sunday we went to Church to worship our Lord. It amazes me how people feel the "need" to go to Church on Easter when they don't go any other time that the Church doors are open! Really? Do you think that God just wants you to worship Him on Easter? Or Christmas? Hummmm..

After Church we went to my parent's home and enjoyed a nice lunch of grilled burgers and hot dogs. My parents had their pool uncovered so the Bookworm and the Major went swimming. It was too cool for the Princess and I to get it! Of course the kids had to ride their 4-wheelers and we ended the day with our annual Easter egg hunt. The winner: the Princess.


Thank you Lord for sending you Son to die for my sins. God I know You because YOU live within my heart!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Saturday

It was nice being able to sleep in this morning and then getting things done that needed to be done. Operation DECK for the Major today. He got the railings up and now has to just put the spindles in and the under-skirting. Boy oh boy is it looking really nice! He worked really hard on it all day today and is exhausted!

It was Operation get GROCERIES for the Princess and I this morning. We left the house at 10 am and got home at 2:50pm! We went to CVS, Lowes, JCPenny, Home Depot, Bi-Lo and Walgreen's. We were on a mission to get the deals and use our coupons! And what a success it was, I saved $185.00 at Bi-Lo just by shopping by the sale paper and clipping coupons!!! I saved half of my ticket price at CVS and more than that at Walgreen's!

Our trip to Lowe's was to pick up more hex bolts for the Major for the deck, while there the Princess and I scored two free trees to celebrate Earth Day. Home Depot was a run that we had to make for me. I had to pick up some more green chicken wire fencing for my second garden that I planted in the back yard by my asparagus. I am so excited....I planted my 2 rows of corn on Tuesday this week and it is already coming up!! Thank you Lord for the rain that you sent!

We enjoyed steaks grilled on the grill tonight by the Bookworm, they were yummy. After dinner the kids dyed eggs and I bake some chocolate chip cookies for them and the Major. Now it is off to bed!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Today Was A Good Day

Today is Good Friday, the day when Jesus died on the cross for my sins, not only my sins but all of man-kinds sins. Thank you God for sending your Son Jesus and that He died for a sinner such as me!

Today was a good day, the kids had off from school, we slept in, and then went shopping. The mission was to find Easter clothes for them. Mission was accomplished and there was no whining or complaining :) Thank you Lord for teen kids :) I am so glad that we are out of the baby, toddler, and elementary phase in our family and our children are able to take care of themselves, follow directions, do what they are told, have manners and are two terrific kids!

Today was also a good day because my tietze syndrome is starting to get much better, my ribs are not hurting as much. Plus I am not coughing nearly as much as I was. I think that it is safe to say that the asthma medicine is working. Thank you Lord for a Doctor that new exactly what was wrong and new how to fix it because 1 month and a half of coughing has driven me crazy!

Today was also a good day because the Major called and said be ready when he got home because we were going to the Melting Pot for dinner, just him and I :) He said that he knew that I was starting to feel better and that we hadn't been out by ourselves in awhile. I love going to the Melting Pot, it's one of my most favorite places! And I love going there with the Major :)

Thank you Lord for the rain that you provided for us today, my garden was blessed to receive the liquid sunshine and it was nice to get the rain because it washed the pollen away.

 Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

First Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”

Thank you Lord for today, it was good, very good.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Spacers and Tietze Syndrome

The Princess has started her braces adventure. Yesterday she had her spacers put in. One came out at dinner last night so after school today I will be taking her to get it put back in. She gets her braces on Tuesday. She is excited about getting them. She texted me earlier and said that her mouth is really sore from the spacers, I told her just wait until she gets her braces on!

I have still been fighting this terrible cough! It has gotten better, but still isn't gone yet and now my left side and left front and left back kill me! So back to the Doctor I went. The diagnoisis: from coughing I have developed Tietze Syndrome and my Doctor says I have asthma. Guess the Bookworm had to get his asthma from somebody! So, hopefully the flovent that the Doctor put me on will help. I just want relief. Anything that I do hurts so badly, even just breathing regularly is painful.

Praying that I am well soon. I need to have my carpal tunnel taken care of before the Major deploys and I don't want to do anything until I am well with my arm. A huge blessing is my heels! My heels have not hurt at all since I got the cortizone shots in them. I am enjoying my new shoes that are specifically for plantar faciattis too! My heels are happy and they feel like normal!

Another change is my thyroid medicine. My Doctor took me off of Levythroid and put me on the Brand name Synthroid. I am praying that this name brand medicine works. I am ready for my levels to regulate. Of course when you have Hashimoto's Disease it's a balancing act when it comes to your levels regulating. Sure does make for interesting days, weeks and months! I am praying that my levels are much better when I go back in...July! Yeah, July I go back, that's the month that the Major leaves too.

Although I am battling a lot with me health lately, I know that God does not give us anything that we cannot handle. Maybe, just maybe, God is telling me that I need to slow down and rest, that I don't have to be busy with the house chores or trying to everything for everybody under the sun! Trust me, I have listened and obeyed. Monday I was in the bed ALL day resting, per the Major's request. I mush needed it.

Blessings to you today, smile at someone, it'll make them smile too!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Gearing Up, Getting Ready and Giving Praise


The Major is gearing up, gearing up for another year long deployment to the sandbox.The picture above is when the Major redeployed from his first deployment in Heidelberg, Germany. He found out on my birthday last month that he will be deploying this Summer. He didn't tell me on my birthday, he waited until the next day. No tears were shed when he told me, I guess because we knew that he would more than likely have to deploy again before he retires. And being that he can retire in less than 3 years means that another deployment could be alot sooner than later. We told the kids their last day of Spring Break when we were eating dinner on the way home from the Great Wolf Lodge. They had always said that if Dad had to deploy again that it would be harder the second time around. The Bookworm was the first to shed tears, followed by the Princess. They know how hard it's going to be because we've done it before. The Major is gearing up starting to get all of his military gear and paperwork all together. That means we'll be updating wills, making a master list of things for me, getting power of attorneys done and all the other stuff that must be done getting ready for a deployment.
We're getting ready for the Major's upcoming deployment. The Major has some things around our Cottage that he wants to get done before he leaves. Our deck is almost done, and wow does it look good! It's a great feeling to know that we built it ourselves(with a little bit of a third eye from our retired, farmer, neighbor Joe). The only thing left to do on our deck is the railing and the skirting underneath. Next on our getting ready list is to put up a backyard fence. This is going to be great to have for the dogs! Not only for the dogs but for that added protection and privacy. We're also getting ready by taking advantage of what few months we have together. I believe we have 11 weekends together before the Major leaves. We are cautiously filling up our family calendar, by making sure that we spend as much time "together" as possible. We've already decided on our vacations, and the kids have opted not to take part of camp this year because they want to spend those weeks with Dad before he goes. We'll be going to the beach for a week and possibly the mountains for a week. The Major is also talking about taking the kids back to Disney World. We are no stranger to Disney World or Disney Land Paris!
We're not only gearing up and getting ready, but we're also giving praise. You are probably thinking why would they give praise! The Major and I had been talking ever since we moved into the Cottage that if he had to deploy that now would be the perfect time. Why? Because he wouldn't miss anything significant in the Princess or Bookworm's life. No High School Graduations or getting their Class rings. And if he leaves when he thinks he is suppose to, he will leave before the Princess's birthday and be back for her 16th birthday. Yes he'll miss the Princess getting her driving permit and the Bookworm turning 13, but it could be worse. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you." God gives us nothing in our lives that we can not handle. We as a family and as individuals will praise God and have faith.
Will another deployment be challenging? I am sure that it will have it's ups and downs, but there is nothing that we can not do without God's help. I praise Him that we are now living in our own home and that we are now living in the United States during this deployment, my parents are only an hour and a half away, we have wonderful neighbors, the kids have wonderful friends and schools and we have a wonderful and loving Church family in which we can turn to for support. We know that we are not alone and that we have others that we can turn to for help, guidance and support.
So, during the next few weeks when you pass by our Cottage you'll find our yellow ribbon up and tied around our front pine tree and our one star banner on the front door in support of the Major because we'll be gearing up and getting ready for another deployment, but while we are gearing up and gettiung ready we will be giving praise to our Lord and God because He gives us nothing we can not handle.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Innkeeper and Disciple Maker

If you are a stay at home Mom you may think of yourself as the following: Domestic engineer, Wife, Mom, taxi driver, tutor, cook/chef, maid, laundry cleaner, innkeeper, dog watcher, lunch maker, grocery buyer and menu maker. You could probably name some others, this is just a few ;0) Innkeeper? Yes, you keep the house going right? Right! Have you ever thought of yourself as a Disciple Maker? Well you are, you are a Disciple Maker. We are to teach and train our children to trust God. Deuteronomy Chapter 6 tells us how. 1. We are to first; Establish and live by God's standards. This means that we, as parents, are to know and obey the commands that God has given to us and to apply them in our lives. 2. We are to pass it on to future generations; We are to know and obey God's law and to be an example to our children so that they may know, learn and obey God's commands so that they can apply them to their lives, thus passing it on as well. 3. Know the need and be conviced of God's blessings; Children are a gift of God. Everything thing that we have is a blessing of God. When we apply God's teachings to our lives we will be blessed. 4. We must give our undivided attention to the Lord; We are to worship God and only God, not wealth or material things. In fact Jesus said that we are to love only one, Him or wealth(Matthew 6:24). We are to commit to and worship the Lord as a family. Your children will see that God is top priority. 5. We, as parents, must be devoted to God's Word; How many times during the week do you study and meditate on God's Word, the Bible? We(you) are fooling ourselves(yourself) if we(you) think that we(you) can raise Godly children without having a passion for God and His Word ourselves! Are you keeping God's Word fresh in your heart and mind? 6. We are to be committed to teaching our children; The father is responsible for diligently teaching his children(Deut. 6:7). Note that it doesn't say the Pastor, the friend, the neighbor, the elders, the Sunday School teacher, the teacher at school.....the father! Children observe their parents, and when they do this they are learning and we are teaching, teaching in an informal way. When we talk to our children and teach them diligently, we are provided formal teaching. 7. We are to display God's Word; If someone were to walk into your home right now, what would they find on your walls or lying around? Would they be able to tell that you are a Christian? We surround ourselves with things that we love. If we love God, shouldn't we want to show it, wouldn't we want to be surrounded by God's love? Of course we know that the best place to store God's Word is in our heart, therefore what is on our walls and in our homes should reflect your heart :) Great idea on getting started......family devotions! Yes, it's that easy! Eat dinner together and right there at the table before anyone gets up or you start clearing the table have family devotion time together. There are many things that you can use or do. Bible story books, the Bible, songs, memorize verses, devotion books and prayer. Be creative because you are the DISCIPLE MAKER! Blessing to you and your FAMILY :)

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Beta Club

This morning the Major and I had the honor of attending the Bookworm's induction into the National Beta Club at his Middle School. He was one of 12 candidates for induction which included 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Out of the 12, the Bookworm was chosen to give a speech and to represent the candidates.....we were very proud of him, he did an awesome job! We are not only proud of him for now being n the Beta Club, but we are proud to be in a school district where the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag is still said every morning, followed by a moment of silence. Not only this, but at all ceremonies, even the Beta Club Ceremony this morning there was an opening prayer. And yes, God's name was mentioned! Thank you Jesus for still allowing this to be in our kids' school district. And I am proud to have two children that are not ashamed to share the Gospel and talk about the wonderful and loving Savior that we serve! What about the school that your children attend, do they say the pledge, are they allowed to pray?

Monday, April 11, 2011

Spring Break Is Over?

Today is Marvelous Monday. Did you think that I should have said, Mad Monday? I probably should have, but to me, it's going to be marvelous! Spring Break is over? Yeah, for us Spring Break is over. I would have to say that the kids had a very wonderful Spring Break. I kept the kids busy and entertained. Everyday, we did something. We went to the movies, bowling on Post, got yogurt at our Town's yogurt shop, went and spent the day and night at my parent's home where the kids rode four-wheelers and the go-cart, then we left on Friday with the Major and we went to the Great Wolf Lodge getting back last night,Sunday night. We had a wonderful time. The kids had fun, it was our second time going to Great Wolf Lodge. The Major needed a break from work, I needed to get out of the house and the kids, well, they just needed to have a little fun :) I think that the kids would rate their Spring Break a 10 out of 10! A Marvelous Monday too because both kids were up and ready to go this morning. Usually the Princess is up before I go and get her up, and once I wake-up the Bookworm he usually sleeps for 15 more minutes, but this morning, he was up :) He'll get signed out early today so that I can take him to the Doctor for the cough that he has had for over a week now. I am still holding on to my cough too, although it is better, I still have it! So, today I want be able to do much outside since I have to take the Bookworm to the Doctor, looks like I will groom the dogs. I need to get the pine tar off of the Bookworm's dog Daisy that she got on her while she was at my Mom and Dad's while we were gone. So, a thought to leave you with for this Marvelous Monday: This weekend I finished the book I had been reading on my Kindle, so I downloaded another book called, "The Yadda Yadda Prayer Group". This book is really good so far, I recommend it. But here is what I want to leave you with.....have you ever thought about your purpose, yes, your purpose, what is your purpose in life and is God in it? Think about it....

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Hummmmm....

Just five little words to blog today: Actions speak louder than words.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Spring Break Thus Far

Officially our Spring Break started at 3:00 on Friday for the Bookworm and at 3:15 for the Princess. With that being said, the Princess had softball practice on Friday afternoon at 5:30, so we decided to meet the Major at Chili's for dinner at around 4:15 since he had to get off early and go pay the taxes on the new truck. It was a great family dinner laughing almost the whole time while we were eating, and for me the chronic constant bronchitis cough!! I am wondering if it is ever going to go away....on the bright side, my heels don't hurt :) And of course the day and night wouldn't have been complete without the Major working on his deck! Saturday, was our neighborhood yard sale. We were all up at 6 am putting out all of our "stuff", yep, "stuff". We had so much stuff that it covered the driveway and most of the front yard. Obviously people really wanted some of our stuff because we only had 5 small boxes of "stuff" left and one box of books to donate to our Town's Library :) We made a profit of $327.00!! Not too bad for getting up early and having nothing but "stuff" to get rid of and me, the Mom constantly coughing still with the bronchitis cough! URG!! And of course the day and night wouldn't have been complete without the Major working on his deck! Sunday morning and this Momma finds herself sick, still, so Mom decides to stay in bed while the Major, the Princess, and the Bookworm go to Church. Kudos to the Major for taking over and teaching my Middle School Sunday School Class. The rest of Sunday for everyone.....a day of rest :) Monday and the Major is off to work. The Princess, Bookworm and I sleep in, awe it felt nice to sleep alittle later than 6:20 am :) I decide that I can't stay in the house anymore, I have already been confined in the house sick for over a week now and I MUST GET OUT, I MUST ESCAPE!!! So, I load up the purse with mints and cough drops and we're off to the Movies to see "Diary of a Whimpy Kid". We had all seen the first one, so we thought lets go see the second one, plus the Bookworm loves reading the Whimpy Kid books. I coughed in the movie but not to badly, it was a good movie, then we ran a few errands and came home and crashed. Breakfast was made for dinner, the Major had been urging a BLT sandwich(which he got) and of course the day and night wouldn't have been complete without the Major working on the deck :) Today is Tuesday, and it was a Terrific Tuesday. I am still hanging onto the cough, it's not as bad as it was, but it is still lingering. Today the kids and I went to Post and went bowling. We played a game and then the Major met us there for lunch, after lunch the three of us bowled another game. It was a fun time had by all. Made me realize how much I miss Homeschooling the kids, I think they even miss it alittle too! So now, dinner is done and I am awaiting the arrival of the Major from work. The Bookworm has a friend over whom will be staying the night and the Princess has softball practice later this evening and while I am with her, you guessed it, the day and night wouldn't be complete without the Major working on his deck :)

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Still Sick

Day 7; Still Sick....Bronchitis is no fun, add wheezing and coughing and you have a field day! Cough Cough Cough, wheeze wheeze wheeze....yeesh! So in the bed, again, I'm glad that I have been able to rest this week, I had no where to go and no major housework or things to get done. It was raining most of the too, so The Princess's softball practice got canceled. The only things I had to do this week was to take care of me, my trying to get well, which consisted of taking care of my heels by going to the specialist, taking care of my sickness by going to my PCM and getting meds. to help with the bronchitis, and finally taking care of my right arm by seeing another specialist, which led to me finding out that I have severe carpal tunnel in my right hand. I have a feeling that once my PCM receives the results from EMG test I will be having surgery. I constantly wake up every night, all night long with my right arm going to sleep, this is not something that I want to continue happening. If surgery will eliminate the problem I am up for having it done. One to two week recovery time, I can handle it! Next thing after I'm done, eye exam, it's past time to get my eyes checked and new glasses are definately in the near future! But that will have to wait until I am well, and I can go out without constantly coughing! I'm praying I am better in a few days, it's been 7 days with this and I've been in the house all week! It's the kids Spring Break this week and I've gotta get out of the house and enjoy the week with them :) For now, it's time for a dose of robitussim with codiene...night night!

Friday, April 1, 2011

One Thing I've NEVER Tried

There is one thing that I have NEVER tried. I know you are dying to know what it is.....and I'm dying to know what you think I've NEVER tried! The one thing that I have NEVER tried is smoking. I have never, ever tried smoking. Why would I want to inhale something into my body that is not good for it! Time you take that first puff, you have already poisoned your body, and you have done something that can become addicting and very, very costly. And I must also mention, that those that are everyday smokers, those that smoke a pack or two a day, they smell like smoke, their clothes smell like smoke, their hands and their breath, their cars and their homes all smell like smoke. One word GROSS! Why have I never tried smoking? I just haven't, my choice, I just haven't and I never will. And I pray that my children never will. If you are a smoker, I pray that you would read and take heed the following verse from the Bible, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 We need to glorify God in our daily lives, and to me smoking does not do that. Our body is the temple of God and we must be careful where it goes, what it does, how it ponders and how it reacts.