SHOUPERSTARS

Santa Switch

2009-12-17T11:43:00.004-06:00

My baby's first High School Dance...
The Happies at his house!
Someone commented on facebook to leave room for Jesus...LOL
Cute huh?
And really pretty flowers...I think it gave just the right amount of UMPH to their sharp black and white!!

Meet the New Boss (Love The Who)

2009-11-07T18:07:00.003-06:00

Here's Curtiss...sweet, cute, short, funny, and so far, we love him!!

Yes, Even Old Folks Need To Keep Learning

2009-11-07T17:49:00.002-06:00

I have learned a lot these past weeks. I have learned that if you love someone with your entire heart, it's devastating when that heart is broken. I found myself curled into a ball on several occasions since Jack and Brie broke up. I found solace in a couple of my friends, I found discord with people I love, and I found peace within myself because my God was here. I have learned that I will not get so attached to the next boys to come along, or girl in Joseph's case, but I will love them and allow them a place in my heart. I will be able to let go a LOT easier than I was this time. I hear one friend tell me that I am completely demented, and he meant it, because of my feelings for Jack, and then I have another friend tell me that it makes sense because he was a part of my family for 2 years...a kid who raided my refrigerator, did his homework, played video games with my son, cried on my shoulder, and loved my daughter in my home 3 or 4 times a week. And he loved me...a lot! So how is it that I wouldn't get attached? I didn't appreciate being called "demented" but to some degree I agree. It really is ludicrous to still be hurting when both the kids have moved on to other people, however, my youth pastor told me that my empathy and my sometimes over-the-top feelings for the kids are why he needs me to be a leader in the first place. Apparently I have something none of the other leaders have...I have a unique ability to bond with the kids, listen and feel their pain so that I can understand it in order to help fix it, even if it causes me pain. OK, that's weird. I don't know if I like that. So, my question is...is this pain I feel right now mine or theirs? I hope it's mine...I don't want them to be hurting like this! Anyway, I have found peace and strength finally and I have even cleared out a place in my heart for the new boy...Curtiss...he's a champ of boys. The manners he has are impeccable and he is a true gentleman and funny as can be. I love him already, but at a distance...for now.

Bad Blogger Alert

2009-09-17T10:49:00.002-05:00

I was once confronted about my blog and told that if I can't write something positive, then I shouldn't write it down. Well, I haven't felt positive in a long time. I've tried...I guess I can say there is some positivity in my life because, with all that keeps happening to us financially, I haven't fallen apart like I have in the past. So that's something! Right? OK, so...I'm going to write down the bad stuff now because I want to document the way God gets us through it! As you know, or may know, we opted to let our house go back to the bank back in April and we moved into a tiny duplex. A 3-bedroom with 6 of us...Joseph doesn't have a room of his own since my grandma lives here, but he's been really great about it. The price tag is less than half of what we paid at the house...BONUS! We were doing great for about 6 weeks...then Erick lost his job at American General :( What a devastating blow. He found a job he likes right away, though, but for a huge pay cut. Steadily we have fallen behind again. Our church has helped us, he has had some promising opportunities arise, but only to be over-qualified for, or too far away to commute, or whatever reason they give. His most recent opportunity seems to be a great job, with a bad shift, but good pay and the opportunity for benefits later on! We'll hear something next week. God has helped us tremendously through our church, our friends, anonymous gifts, and the gift of time. Erick's original contract for this job he's doing was August 31st...it has since been extended through Thanksgiving! Giving us more time to find the job he needs, wants and loves. God is amazing and will see us through this trying time, even if we have to file bankruptcy, which is very certainly looming as things keep popping up and creditors keep wanting all we owe right this second and are not compassionate, which isn't their job and I understand that they do have this job to do. But, I've not lost hope...God will prevail and through Him, so will we!

WOW

2009-08-14T09:20:00.003-05:00

Since I get on Facebook every single day, I find I ignore my blog more than I used to, so here is kind of an update...

The first 3-day week of school has been good. According to the earning levels mandated by the state, we do qualify for free or reduced lunches and textbooks, so that'll help, especially with a freshman, and the instituting of the account system a few years ago helps keep that anonymous, so there's no embarrassment. Normally I wouldn't care and my kids have pretty much told all their friends, but we go to a stereotypical rich kids' school and there has already been some things said about the size of our new place as opposed to the house, sooo...I'm happy with anonymity.

Band is starting up with an 8-hour Saturday practice tomorrow, and the next Saturday, and the next...then I think the 12th they have practice AND the Central Invitational...sooo...lotta work for this! She seems to like it, but is still on the fence. Guess we'll see how she feels when they start their major winning! LOL

Olivia seems nervous. She doesn't have any classes with friends and doesn't make friends easily, so lunch is a time of relief and comfort for her. I think she'll be more focused when she doesn't have her very best friends in her classes, but we'll see.

And Joseph, no complaints from him, he's always joyful and loves his teacher already. Of course, his teacher adored his big sister when she was dominating on the Spell Bowl team, so she may already have a soft spot for the Shoup family!! :)

Church is going great...still teaching Sunday School to the Middle School class and running the occasional Wednesday night RIOT and Sunday night Refuge. Might be fully in charge, along with Jimmy, on Wednesday nights while Dave teaches a marriage class for several weeks. Still in prayer about that. Got some cool things coming up with the youth, including a retreat that band will most definitely interfere with, but we can go part of the time...

Fees are enormous for band, with the regular fees and Grand Nationals, but oh well. It's an honor for them!

Tonight is the 24 hour prayer vigil at YHOP...I plan to be there part of the time. Time to connect with the Lord in a major way. Cannot wait...speaking of which, I had better get my errands ran and nap some...will be up LATE LATE LATE! Take care all!!

Call the Psych Police...

2009-07-27T11:28:00.004-05:00

...we now have 2 teenage girls in our home!!!!! (as of July 24th when my Olivia turned 13) I'm scared...and excited...but mostly scared LOL. I have had it easy with Brie so far as a teenager, but Olivia is a whole different person with a completely different personality and way different feelings. I do look forward to seeing how differently I have to deal with her issues though, no matter how scared I am. Briana turned 15 on July 5th, and, sadly, I left that day on a missions trip. She had a pretty big party, at least for a place this size, capped off by the Newburgh fireworks that were delayed a day due to the rain and a sleepover...no pics of the party were taken however, because I had the camera and nobody remembered we have camera phones...LOL I did snap one shot on the 4th when we gave her our gifts though. Her friends who came included: Alyssa, Hayley, Michaela, Allison, Curtiss, Jake, and, of course, Jack. Her sissy and bubby were here too :) as well as Daddy, who had to play chaperon, much to his delight...LOL ;) Olivia had a party as well. She had 3 girls, Rachel, Sami, and Jordan and her sissy and bubby too, but she had me here, too. Daddy was here long enough to get birthday cheesecake and see her open gifts before he took Joseph, Joseph's friend Trevor and our favorite little babysitee, Ben to an Otters baseball game! The girls went to a movie, The Proposal, then came home for junk food, watched some TV, watched a DVD that they made, and just goofed off in her room, plotting their next adventure...I think they had fun!
Brie was the recipient of a new Ipod and an Itunes card from us. Her old one was passed down to me :) Now I'm hip, happenin' and groovy!! Jack was the poster boy for gift giving...he had previously spent a wad of cash on her at St. John's summer social, a movie and dinner, but then he and his family surprised her at the pool on their way out of town(Florida) with a basket full of girlie goodies...a bottle of Bath & Body works body spray (Midnight Pomegranate, which is purple), yummy smelling candles from there and a cute owl candle holder, a really cute, purple "helifino" (lol, it looks like a hippo, elephant, and a rhino), much candy, and a pair of purple earrings...do you see a pattern? Purple is her fave color! It was just very thoughtful of all of them! Alyssa got her a gift card to a music website, Allison got her a Target gift card, and Hayley and Michaela got her some bangles, earrings, and some other stuff like that. Curtiss gave her money, which of course, was the best gift of all...LOL JK All in all, she was very happy I think.

Here are some cuties...Sami, Olivia, and Brie at Livi's party.

Sami and Livi watching the DVD that Livi, Rachel, Jordan, Joseph, and Rachel's brother Jacob had made...it was pretty hilarious!!

Rachel, Jordan, Sami, and Livi goofing off!!

Livi opening gifts...we got her an Ipod for graduating 6th grade, so for her birthday we got her a $50 Itunes card as well as 2 pairs of new shoes (some nikes and some chuck taylors baby...way cute), Wal-Mart gift card, and the movie for all the girls...I think she was happy with that stuff. Her guests got her an array of stuff, especially earrings since she just recently got her ears pierced. Birthdays are good for loading up on earrings when you only have a couple pairs...lol She also got money, a Wal-Mart gift card, and a Twilight tote bag that I have tried to steal a few times, getting caught red-handed each time...lol

...and her birthday cheesecake, with a couple extra pieces since there wasn't a strawberry piece in the one we bought! She's nice to her sissy! And there you have it...the tale of my two teens! I love you girls very much and am so glad you had wonderful birthdays!!

Pics of Missions Trips

2009-07-22T09:38:00.003-05:00

Well, I realize now that I didn't take pictures of us actually WORKING...lol. But we did! In fact, I think I didn't take many because I actually was working the entire time other than the required water breaks, etc. So anyway, here are some random pics of our missions extravaganzas!!

The beautiful Smoky Mountains as photographed at Cades Cove National Park during the Middle School missions trip..beautiful scenery!

Jimmy and his farmer's tan in a stream in Cades Cove...it was cold and I still wasn't allowed to swim, so I stayed on dry land :) Yeah, that was my excuse!

Tom Cooney and me. He was our surprise speaker during the MS missions after lucky Dave and I also had the great fortune of spending the previous week with him. We we just beyond excited when we heard he was coming! We love Tom, he's just the most amazing man!!

Anna, Madeline, Alex, and Samantha at the Karaoke place...the sang "Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne...they did great and had fun!

Anna, Morgan, Lauren, and Maddie with Jake and Elwood Blues...lol

Middle School Missions team: Front Row: Madeline, Maddie, Morgan, Mary, Anna, Alex, Chandler; 2nd Row: Jimmy, Lauren, myself, and Marcus; Back row: Dave, Daniel, and Dane (Tom's interpreter) What a crew!!

Anna, Mary (with Team Effort), Maddie, and Lauren...oh...and Marcus...after completing the priming inside Don's house!

High School missions...evening fun!! Evan and Jack on the boards!

My helpers the first 2 days (they ditched me after that to do more glamorous things like build a wheelchair ramp...lol) Alec and Amanda!!

The MT gang (part of them at least)..Jack, Brie, Olivia, Laura, Jake, Alyssa, Hayley, Michaela, Ryan, Emily, and Grace!!

We had major fun and worked hard on both trips...can't wait until next year (secretly hoping to work with Tom again)!

What a Week...or Two!

2009-07-14T17:41:00.002-05:00

Spent the last 2 weeks on the road...first to Anniston, Alabama, then to Gatlinburg Tennessee on a mission from God. Two different, but same missions trips...different in that the first was the high-schoolers and the 2nd was the middle schoolers. The same in that, to our surprise, the most wonderful man you could ever imagine meeting was also our speaker during the middle school trip. We had just spent a week with Tom Cooney, a deaf Pastor from Florida and avid Team Effort member, and we got to again the 2nd week. He taught us about sign language of course, but he also taught us how to become part of the deaf world with laughter, love, and just pouring your heart and soul out. I've never cried over leaving a virtual stranger before, but he was just the best...he told us his stories about how he met Helen Keller, several Presidents, how he became deaf and learned to sign, etc...but out goals for the 2 weeks were to aid those who didn't have the capacity to help themselves. First, in Anniston, we helped out in the Spanish community...2 families, to be more specific, who lived close together in a trailer park. The trailer I was assigned to was owned by Erica, a single mom of 2 little bitty ones, 3 year old Ariana, and 6 month old Gabriel...dolls. Her home was very dilapidated and infested and our job was to clean it the best we could(after they bombed it for 3 days before we got there, and lay some laminate floor in the kitchen and hall. It was only 98 degrees outside with 80 percent humidity and she had no air conditioning, so it was worse in the trailer...I am so spoiled. The work was painstakingly meticulous because what we had to work with was wretched and we had limited time and funds. Ideally we would have replaced the floor before we laid the laminate because it was uneven and broken, but we had to work with what we had, and in all honesty, it looked 5 billion times better than before! I had never laid a floor before, so it was amazing to me! My kids and I did a great job. Some of the crew on the outside built her a new deck and cleaned her trailer with bleach, picked up garbage, and played with her daughter! It was a challenge to speak Spanish, but we managed to communicate pretty effectively...

The second trailer, owned by 26 year old Martin, was assigned the task of building a wheel chair ramp. He became paralyzed from the waist down as the result of a car accident a couple years ago. The day we got finished was his birthday, so he got a really wonderful present...as well as a cake...he was just as giddy as you can imagine!! It was a great time!!

The Middle School missions team was assigned to do some minor repair and painting for a deaf man. We scraped the whole outside, primed, and replaced some of the facia, then primed the interior to get it ready for the next week's crew to come in and paint everything. His house was huge, built on a hill, and it was extremely slow going because of the interesting architecture. The man was deaf, so he could have done it himself mostly except that he was recently diagnosed with diabetes and prone to fainting...not good for all the uneven ladder work necessary! Pastor Tom came along 3 of the 4 days, but the 4th day, we managed to communicate effectively thanks to what Tom taught us and some of my skills...I always knew my signing might come in handy one day! So happy and so empowered now!! Thanks to all who got me involved!! Ok so I have to go but I have pictures...will post later...supper time now! Peace, Love, and LILY...

By the Stinkin' Way...

2009-06-25T02:56:00.002-05:00

...I am now addicted to Twilight. I avoided it. I avoided it for a long time and was proud of myself, then the girls rented the movie and it was pretty good...of course, they told me, "Mom, the books are a billion times better...:)" UGH...oh well, halfway through Twilight and have New Moon waiting...should get a good chunk of it finished later today in my sick bed! :)

Surgery

2009-06-25T02:45:00.002-05:00

Dr. Basinski said the surgery was perfect! One can only hope it took 100% and I'll never have another period..however, if they are extremely light, that's ok too. At least they won't rule my life any more :) The thing is, I have an extremely high tolerance for pain, and I am in some good pain. I've been whining like a baby and haven't been able to keep anything down, which means the pain meds have come up, too. I just finished some soup and a special K bar. If I keep those down, I will try for a pain pill so I can sleep...otherwise, I'm happy it's over and hopeful that I will be free to exercise, participate in activities, and just have the general self confidence that NOT saturating my feminine things, undies, clothes, sheets, furniture, etc. will give me! I wanna live life full on...

Father's Day Blues

2009-06-21T19:37:00.002-05:00

Well, it's Father's day and I'm feeling especially guilty. I have friends who would give anything to be able to be with their daddy just one more time. I have friends whose children are refusing to be with them on Father's Day, and some whose kids just can't make it. I am none of those people...I spent my gratuitous 2 hours with my dad(and his wife) and hated every second of it. It was at my sister's house and short of her and my brother and my own family, I just abhorred every single second. My dad is not my dad and hasn't been since he married "her." She stared at me hatefully from across the dinner table, she didn't speak, and I think I heard her sigh a few times when I was joking with my dad. Well...you know...I try to be kind, I try to deal with her attitude, and I try to be Christian, but I feel the anger building up. I don't know what to do, but next year I do believe we will stay home and celebrate Erick and only Erick. He deserves it...just a day for him without trying to accommodate my dad and his, not spending 2 hours at my dad's then driving another hour to see his dad and get back late and be so tired for work the next morning...Yes, I think that's what we'll do...and the same for Mother's day...no pressure...just celebrating us for a change. BTW~I had to skip out on going to his dad's today and I'm home alone...it's peaceful but sad and I'm lonely. I skipped out because I'm having a Nova Sure procedure done on Wednesday and the history was so specific as were the instructions, that I felt like a sure week of dealing with asthma would cause them to cancel it, and I'm not playing that. So I thought it best to stay home and make sure I don't catch anything...just want something to go smoothly for once. Well, anyway, happy Father's Day to all you daddies and mommies who have to be daddies...ILY

Ichthus '09

2009-06-18T08:25:00.003-05:00

Me and my kids...took a break for a pic while we were tearing down the camp! We had a blast those 4 days!!

The whole Methodist Temple group! Good times were had by all!! Good lookin' group, huh?

As you can tell by the poncho, the weather didn't exactly cooperate. And as usual, Jack is such a fashion plate!

Olivia forcing a smile for me. The rain sort of dampened her spirits a little, but once she got used to it, she had fun!!

Nothing dampened Joseph's spirits. He was the life of the party all 4 days. He crowd surfed at the techno stage, hardcore danced at the screamo stage, praised Jesus at the main stage, and hung out with big bubby Jack...he was in heaven.

Ichthus was awesome for the most part. I was disappointed by delirious? though. They didn't play a single song I had heard of, none of their big hits at all and this was their very last concert EVER. I don't know, just disappointing. Skillet, however, rocked out!! Love me some skillet. And there was this band...Isaiah and New Breed who totally were off the hook awesome. They really had us pumped up for delirious?. All in all, we all had a blast. Lots of walking, lots of good food, fellowship and worship. Ichthus '10 here we come!!

YAY

2009-06-11T06:53:00.002-05:00

Leaving for Ichthus momentarily! For those who don't know, Ichthus is a Christian music festival much like Woodstock. We're even going to have the rain and muddy conditions!! Yay fun! It will be a blast! Pictures will be up Sunday or Monday! Have a great weekend...I plan to!

My Kids...

2009-05-29T11:04:00.003-05:00

...made my day. Olivia and Joseph asked if they could walk down to the country store to get some gummy worms(guess their freshly earned grade money from Grandpa was burning a hole in their pockets). So I let them with the proper warnings about crossing the street, etc. So, about an hour later they waltz back in and announce that they have a birthday present for me. Well, my birthday isn't until October so I pretend to give them a hard time about being in torture for months when Olivia decides that it could be a late Mother's Day gift. I tell her no, that I could wait, but she was insistent and then so was Joseph...so I gave in ;) LOL They had picked me out a Willow Tree Angel. I LOVE those and have several. They managed to find one I didn't have, too. It just made my day! Their thoughtfulness is amazing. I love ma babies!!

Out With The Old...

2009-05-28T09:42:00.003-05:00

...in with the new. New grades, new schools, new adventures...I'm very sad, excited, thrilled, and just in wonder of all that is coming up. For instance...I now have a FRESHMAN...where in the world did the time go? I also have a 7th grader now. Both of my girls will be going to new schools, in Olivia's case, very literally new in every sense of the word. She will be attending the brand spanking new Castle South Middle School. From all I've heard, it's going to be great, but many are sceptical of the new programming and format, but we'll see. As long as it doesn't affect grades, I'm all for giving it a try. That way Warrick can be better fitted for sports, academics, and all around school experience with our neighboring Vanderburgh county (even though we kill them in academics...always...LOL) Anyway, I also have a 5th grader now...his last year at what I believe to be one of the finest elementary schools around. Newburgh gave all my kids the foundation to succeed at whatever they want with positive reinforcement, firm encouragement, and strict discipline and I will forever be grateful. I will have to visit sometimes...my girls have artwork that will be displayed there forever, and also because I will miss it dearly. As I head into the chaotic world of High School, marching band, middle school/jr. high, I will be nostalgic for the days when my kids first started school. I have one more school year to enjoy my son being young, so I will cherish it. Now onto some pictures...
Last day of school...Brie, and Hayley with Alyssa in the back giving the gratuitous bunny ear sign :)

Brie and Alyssa...

Here are 4 of the 5 grandkids on the Shoup side at Julian's high school graduation party. Julian is the tall guy next to Olivia and Nic, next to Julian is my other nephew...Joseph was pushed out of the picture...lol. Actually this picture represents the kids perfectly...the 3 normal kids posing like I wanted and the 2 goofy ones acting up...LOL I love it!! But alas, Julian is 18, has now graduated and will be majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Indiana State in the fall. Where has THAT time gone? I was dating Erick when Julian was born...I changed his diapers and played with him for hours on end. It just can't be...LOL Nic came along when I was 6 months pregnant with Brie, so at one time, I played with 2 babies at once. That was interesting and fun. Now they are in high school...how can that be? LOL

Here is Olivia at her 6th grade grad ceremony at Chandler EXCEL. The red ribbons represent "A" scholarship for all 3 years she was there. Her friend and she tied for first in the math league contest, so I got a picture. I am so proud of her and so excited to see her succeed the next 2 years in Middle School that I can barely wait...LOL, but I can...and will...no rush here!! She'll be 13 in July...2 teenage daughters in one house...ARRRRRGGGGHHHH

Brie at her honors ceremony. Accepting a pin for academic excellence. SOOOO proud of her!

Brie ready for her 8th grade dance, big 80's hair and all. She was a little irate to find that someone else had the same dress, especially since she really thought nobody else would wear one from Hot Topic, but oh well...it was cute cute cute anyway, so all they can say is great minds think alike and they both have good taste!!

Olivia and Rachel started the "Cotton-Eyed Joe" dance! What fun they had!

Them girls! Bestest friends!

What a year! It was great, amazing, smashing, and UBER wonderful! Looking forward to the next!

Couldn't Think of a Clever Title Post

2009-05-05T14:06:00.002-05:00

Not that I have much to say anyway. Today has been one of those days when I wish I wasn't a woman. Oh the things that happen once a month do things to my body that I won't go into much detail over, but my emotions are all over the map. Aside from my body hurting so bad that I have dug my nails into my palms and drawn blood, I have just been bawling for the last hour, and not really for any good reason. I mean, the kids at school today didn't listen well, but that's not unusual. Right after I got off work and during his lunch hour, Erick and I had to go buy a new dryer, but that wasn't very stressful other than I really, really just wanted to be home with my feet up and an icepack on my abdomen. A friend called and we talked about blessings and that was nice, but I sit here just crying. I guess I'm beginning to get overwhelmed with end-of-the-year activities and thoughts of all that I have to do, places I have to go, and how much things are going to cost is swirling around in my mind. I think I'm making myself stressed out. I need a nap...or to go to bed about 5 hours earlier than usual...I just may.

This week isn't exactly busy. Wednesday is the usual: work, pick up Jack, go to church...Thursday is work, free afternoon, then Olivia has a program where she performs with the choir and the band, and Joseph has a ballgame...at the same time naturally, so I will have to miss his game :( Fortunately, he has several more!! I don't know about Friday other than they deliver my dryer sometime and I need to run Grandma to get some medicine, but there might be a date although I think the lovebirds will do something Saturday since it's their 18-month anniversary. Is that crazy? 18 months with the same person when you aren't even 15 years old yet...but oh well...they are the best of friends, so why not. Speaking of Saturday, I have about 13 million things I could do, but I'm not sure I want to...maybe a nice Saturday home with the family relaxing is just what the doctor ordered!! We'll see!!

A Good Weekend...no...a GREAT weekend!

2009-04-27T13:26:00.002-05:00

Ok, so this weekend was so amazingly wonderful! First, Saturday Joseph had a game...always fun, even though they lost! Then we came home and had a small Hands of Praise practice before Night Light! It went pretty well! Then, of course, was the show! We had 2 bands there and we, Hands of Praise, performed 5 songs. We had so much fun...I cannot tell you how much fun I had without also mentioning how exhausted I was. The first band was BLAMELESS BEFORE GOD, which was formed by a couple members of Erick's church's praise band, who rock anyway, but "Blameless" sooooo rocks! It's Christian metal and they were awesome!! Ken, the lead singer, gave a long message and testimony and it was amazing!!! After they performed their set, we went on and did 5 songs. I have to tell you I wasn't nervous a BIT...not for one second and I felt God flowing through us so much it was...well...if you've ever felt His presence you know it's not describable except for maybe "ELECTRIC"!! Not that we are a band per se, but we even had groupies too...LOL After we performed, Dave pulled me aside and handed me a check. I had no idea what it was for but evidently, I now have a full-blown ministry supported by the Youth fund...I'm beside myself with joy! I can't even describe it. So we're getting T-Shirts made soon! So excited! After that, a band called "The Rose McCoy" performed. I don't know much about them other than they are Christian and they ROCK...lol. I, along with the youth kids and some of the other kids that showed up, head banged, moshed, slam-danced, and basically acted like youth gone wild...for the Lord, of course! Just a note...old farts should not head bang...got so dizzy I about fell down and couldn't see for like 10 minutes LOL So anyway, that was over and I got kids dropped off and went home and crashed...wow. I have bruises, sore muscles, and I am fabulous!

Sunday proved productive. Jimmy and I taught Sunday School as usual on Galatians 3 this week and we had a great talk with the kids. After Sunday School, we came home and worked out on the deck. Had to organize Christmas decorations, baseball cards and comic books, and outside toys and tools so we could use our deck for pleasure!! Got a LOT accomplished, including a sunburn...a bad sunburn! Came in, took a shower and got ready for Youth Group, where my very own daughter taught the lesson...about Job! Talk about persevering and reaping rewards...I feel like Job kinda. Wouldn't dare compare myself to a man that faithful, but I've been growing spiritually and I feel like I am so blessed...more than I deserve! But back to Brie. I was just so proud. To see my girl up there teaching and showing her love for the Lord and doing a great job in the process just melted my heart. I am so blessed!! All my kids are so amazing...have I ever mentioned that?

"Knight" with the Castle Band

2009-04-20T16:36:00.002-05:00

I forgot to take pictures, but Jack, Brie, Erick and I had a double date to the title event, a Knight with the Castle Band. It was Brie's very first High School band event. They had dinner catered by Firefly Grill and the Castle Band performed some dance music. We even danced a couple times. The dinner was really good...I will make a point of patronizing the Firefly Grill in the future! They also had a silent auction. We bid on a few things, but didn't win anything. Oh well! It was worth it...half the amount we paid for tickets goes directly into Brie's band account, so she's off to a good start in paying for these monumental fees...ugh! Like High School and Driver's Ed won't be expensive enough! Oh well...guess she's worth it as will be the next 2 to follow in her footsteps! Lovin' my kiddddssss!

Joseph's Game

2009-04-20T16:30:00.003-05:00

There's my son...pitching in a game for the first time ever! I was so proud of him! He got lit up for the maximum 5 runs/inning, but all I remember hearing is the other team's coach telling his players that Joseph has a rocket arm, barely throwing less m.p.h. than he does! LOL The control will come with more practice, plus he didn't get much defense from his team...in fact, the 2 outs that were made that inning, he made by throwing a runner out at 1st base and striking out a batter! He also had a double with an RBI in the game...quite possibly his first hit ever in live pitch. He had a great day, and so did his proud mommy!!

All Moved In, Easter, and Pneumonia...and More

2009-04-20T00:35:00.004-05:00

It's been a rough few weeks since I last posted. We, of course, moved, and the bank bought our house back as far as I can tell through the realtor, who we are less than pleased with. Let's just say her performance was sub-par and leave it at that. Anyway, we have managed, so far, to get all our stuff into half the space. It took a LOT of doing: we gave away, sold, threw away, and had so much stuff hauled off it was unbelievable! I feel so much better not having all that junk and unnecessary stuff cluttering us. We are still cramped here, but it's all stuff we either need, want, or that make us happy with good memories...no unnecessary baggage here any more...I'm working on that in my life, heart, soul, and mind, too. It's happening...really...it is!

All that being said, we've had some trials already AND some great fun! Let's start with Easter...it was so stress-free this year...almost. My dad took all 6 of his grandkids out to lunch. Erick went to his mom's directly after church and the kids and I met him up there after their lunch. We spent a few hours there, then came back home for Youth Group. We actually had Youth Group on Easter! I was so thrilled! Anyway, the only drama happened when my Mom brought my grandma home only to find we weren't there and we hadn't made grandma a key yet...oh well, mixed signals and all...I was sure Mom said 9, and she was sure she had said 7! We're over it! The day before Easter, the kids and I volunteered for the church's Easter Egg Hunt. We had 150 kids playing games, winning prizes, eating snacks, listening to the Easter Story that was read, and of course, hunting eggs...over 3000 eggs!! It was wildly successful...most of the kids weren't even members of our church! So happy!! And here's a pic of my treasures on Easter morning in the church's garden...

God has so blessed us!!

Now, so far since Easter...let's see. My boss, Amy's sister got really sick and she had to fly out to be with her, so she left ME in charge of the class all last week! It was OK. They definitely responded to the different circumstances, not in a great way, but it was expected. They were a little rowdier than usual, but soon learned that, as nice as Ms. Staci is, she was not to be fooled around with. The Wednesday, aside from one "problem child" was the best day. The rest of the kids were FANTASTIC!! Amazingly well-behaved...unbelievably! I was so appreciative since I had no help whatsoever that day. Typically he Pastor's wife would fill in when one of us is out, but she was sick sooo...but it was terrific! Amy's sister is doing better and Amy will be with us tomorrow! Welcome back!

Also since Easter, I have been struggling with my asthma, or so I thought. I attributed it to being around Erick's mom's cat. Well, that is until Wednesday night when I realized I was feverish and I slept straight up on the couch Wednesday and Thursday nights. So Friday, I went to the doc...and 6 prescriptions later, hopefully I'm on the road to recovery. I don't feel a whole lot better yet, even with the steroids, cough meds, antibiotics, and inhalers, so I might be calling him later today!!

Well, that's one update..I'll do a new post for Joseph's game!!

Clearing Out the JUNK

2009-03-20T10:07:00.003-05:00

We're moving...yayyy! We're moving into a place that is about 1/2 the size in actual space...maybe less being that we have 2 garages now and we have none at the new place. Anyway, it has been a trial trying to decide what to give away, sell, or out and out trash. I have thrown away trinkets, junk, things I liked but that we do not need. It has been hard, but the hardest is yet to come...and these are only THINGS. As hard as it has been to do this, oh how I wish I could throw away the junk that clogs my heart and brain and blocks my path to Jesus even a fraction as easily as I have thrown away this junk that clogged up my house. Why do we let this crap in and then refuse to get rid of it? It's so stifling. Well, with the tragedy that has befallen us this week, I have a renewed sense of purpose. I have a renewed energy that I not only plan to use to dejunk my house, but to dejunk my life. Move out of my way satan...I'm cutting a path and the scythe I'll be using is Jesus Christ...

Saying Goodbye

2009-03-20T10:00:00.003-05:00

This is Gary. He was a volunteer youth worker with me at our church. He was my friend. Gary will no longer be working with us, but I just want him to know that the love he gave to us and our kids, the lessons he taught about Christ's love, and the kindness and gentle spirit he shared will not soon be forgotten. We intend to follow in his steps as true leaders in the service of the Lord and will continue his teachings in the manner in which God called him. Gary, thank you...you will be missed. Father God, I pray you watch over this man, take him into your hands and heal his mind...use him to the ability that You used him before even in his circumstances. Thank you, Lord...Amen

Learning, Learning, Learning

2009-03-09T07:00:00.002-05:00

This past week has been a series of learning experiences. In Youth Group, the kids and leaders were handed a "new" set of guidelines. In actuality, they are current guidelines that need to be cracked down on because we have started to become a little complacent. Some things were brought to our attention and we get to start enforcing things that were bothering me anyway. Now when I get after someone for a behavior, I have backup, not only by the rules being posted everywhere, but also by the other leaders that I was kind of butting heads with. I got to practice that a bit last night with the way a girl was dressed. It's intimidating a little bit because confrontation in any form is hard for me, but it had to be done. Bad thing is, this girl is 18 and should know better. Oh well...

The next experience was yesterday afternoon. I took a class for my work on how to recognize sexual abuse in kids. Yes, my afternoon was spent with my stomach turning, getting angry, embarrassed at what I was hearing in front of the Pastor I work for. I literally got sick from hearing and seeing the videos. I think I took a lot away from the class and could be in a position to help should the need arise. So it was worth an afternoon of my discomfort...

And last night...something happened that could have resulted in one of the kids I love the most getting really hurt, all for fun's sake. Last night I had to learn that I am the adult and no matter how much fun some things are, I should be adult enough to say no to protect the ones I love. That was a hard lesson. I have fought being mature because in some way, to me anyway, maturity means old. I'm just glad God was watching and I'm glad I learned my lesson before anything else happened. God is just so good, all the time!

Brag...Brag Brag...BRAG...BRAG BRAG

2009-02-25T12:44:00.003-06:00

Ok, so the past couple weeks have been a test on my mommy heart. My baby girl is going to be a freshman...in high school...HIGH SCHOOL. OK, that's hard enough, but when she brings home note after note of recommendations from teachers for advanced classes that I have to sign, it makes me cry more. Not only am I sad that she's growing up, but I'm also sad that she is so capable. Don't get me wrong, it's my every hope and dream that she be this way, however, it means she needs me less and less. I'm happy and proud and sad all at the same time...how crazy is that?

I have yet to hear about Olivia's classes, but being in EXCEL virtually guarantees her all 4 Honors Classes. However, I think we might be passing on Honors Science. We have all struggled with her science this year and to advance it even more when she doesn't have a good grasp on it to begin with seems irresponsible. I do want to challenge her, though, so I feel a meeting with her teacher coming on. Yay...those are fun!

Now for Joseph...his teacher actually called us during the concert last night. She wants to refer Joseph to EXCEL. Now usually, the way EXCEL was explained to me, they want them in 4th grade with a 3-year commitment. To be referred in 5th grade takes extraordinary circumstances, like the straight A's he's gotten all year, the ISTEP tests, and the Terra Nova test scores have to be remarkable. I'm taking it that he has done that (I know about the A's obviously). I'm proud of him. We did sit him down and let him know that just because he's being referred doesn't mean he's in. Far from it. They have a committee that decides who is picked and there are many criteria used. Not only that, but the fact that he doesn't have that 4th grade EXCEL under his belt that 5th grade is built on, it might be a rough thing for him. We'll see. Praying on it!!

RACE!! Out of Breath...Help...

2009-02-25T12:31:00.004-06:00

Last night was like a race. Ok, so we had to show our house at 5, right? SO we had to leave a tidge before that. Brie had a dance expo at 6 but also had the All-School Band Festival that she was supposed to be at by 6 for warm-ups. Well, the dance instructors and band directors agreed that the girls involved in the expo can be late to warm-ups, so yay! Olivia is also in the band festival. Ok, so...we leave the house and run by the bank so we can have cash to pay for admission to the expo. Then we run to the Junior High to drop Brie off but it's way too early, so we find ourselves waiting in the parking lot for 15 minutes. Finally get Brie dropped, then run over to the high school to get Olivia dropped off because she DOES have to be there by 6. It's still way too early so again, we wait in the parking lot until Olivia sees someone she recognizes to walk in with. It's about 530 at this time, so we head back to the Junior High and scope out a "fast getaway" type parking spot because as soon as she's done, Brie and the rest of us have to zoom back to the high school. So we find such a space and with great timing, cuz the space next to us was free just as Erick was pulling in. We managed to find the last few "ground level" bleacher spots so that Grandma didn't have to try to climb, and settled in. It was a cute dance, then we left, not even waiting to see the rest of the show sadly because we had to be elsewhere. :( Oh well. We zoomed over, Brie ran, I parked pretty close actually, and we, again, found a ground level spot to sit at. Not the best seats, but oh well...we could hear the music fine, which is amazing in Warrick County. What these teachers do with these bands is off the charts. Castle's band just sounds professional and the Junior High's is close. The combined 6th grade bands were really good as well...It was a busy, rushy, nice night where I got to adore my kids even more.

Jesus, Talent...and Pie

2009-02-25T12:09:00.003-06:00

...cannot forget the pie, right? So anyway, this past Saturday was MT's Talent Show/Youth Fundraiser. We had some great acts...Pastor Kevin and his wife Joyce sang a song, Chase did an original oratory he wrote for his Debate Team meet, Jack's family played a song Loch Lomond by Mozart, some of the youth boys, Joseph and Gary did a skit that was hilarious, Dave and Phil did a song with the "Holy Conglomeration Band" which consisted of Jack on a little bongo thing, Joe and Alec with maracas, and my very own Olivia on the air guitar...and she rocked out...it was hilarious! Hands of Praise did 2 songs..."Lord, I Lift Your Name On High" by Petra and "Made To Love" by Toby Mac. When all was said and done, HOP got 3rd place for Made To Love, Chase got 2nd, and the Pastor and his wife got the top prize. The way it works is people vote on their favorite acts with money...coins, bills, and checks. The act that has the most money wins...simple. The same goes for the food. People's favorite dishes are voted on and the top money-getter in 4 categories wins. My pie won first prize after winning 2nd prize last year...and I am kind of ashamed...LOL It's so easy it seems unfair to win over someone else who worked hard to make theirs. But alas...taste buds do not lie...and neither does chocolate, so yeah. I humbly accepted! It was a great night. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I kinda shot more video. Oh well...Praise Jesus we made good money for the Youth!!

Valentine's Day

2009-02-18T13:40:00.003-06:00

We had dinner at the Log Inn, one of my favorite restaurants. Jack took Brie and Erick took me...a double-date if you will...but we had Joseph, too. Olivia chose to babysit my nephew with my Grandma. I miss that girl sometimes. She always has something else to do on the weekends :( Guess I could say no but knowing how she used to be, it's hard for me to say no when she actually wants to step outside her comfort zone and be social. Oh well...I included a few pics...

Twosome tango!!

Joseph at dinner!

Me and the hubby!

Lovebirds!

He (shyly...yeah right) gave her roses!!

Every Morning

2009-02-10T13:37:00.006-06:00

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 10 friends (Or not!).

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY? "There Is Power in the Blood" by the Gaithers

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets... WOWWWW!!! I've been up around the clock for the past couple of days helping kids get through something tragic...I hope I'm a rock!!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? "Through the Eyes of Love" by Melissa Manchester

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? "Rub It In" by Billy "Crash" Craddock

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? "Down, Set, Go" by Underoath

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? "Whole Lotta Zep" by Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? "A Little Less 16 Candles, a Little More Touch Me" by Fallout Boy

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? "Precious" by Depeche Mode

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? "Open Up Your Eyes" by Tonic

WHAT IS 2 + 2? "Ridin'" by Buck Cherry

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? "Save me" by Queen

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? "Paper Sun" by Def Leppard

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? "Bad Horsie" by Steve Vai

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? "Amsterdam" by Van Halen

WHAT WILL/DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" by Jerry Lee Lewis...lol...I think we did!!

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? "I'll Take You There" by the Staples Sisters...YAYYYYYYYYY

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? "The Prayer" by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? "Don't Come Around Here No More" by Tom Petty

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? " Wilbury Twist" by The Traveling Wilburys

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW? "The Marriage of Figaro" Mozart

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? ""What I Like About You" by The Romantics

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? "Every Morning" by Sugar Ray

Check Your Head...LOL

2009-02-10T13:37:00.005-06:00

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 10 friends (Or not!)

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY? "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High" (Petra)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? "Rock & Roll High School" (Ramones)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? "Greensleeves" (some random guitar track)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? "Come On Let's Go" (Ritchie Valens)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? "Handle With Care" (Travelling Wilburys)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? "Nightmare On My Street" (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? "When I'm Gone" (3 Doors Down)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? "Psalm 23" (Indiana Bible College Chorale)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? "American Woman" (Lenny Kravitz)

WHAT IS 2 + 2? "How Great Is Our God" (Chris Tomlin)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? "Basket Case" (Green Day) LOLOL

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? "The Twist" (Chubby Checker)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment" (Ramones)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? "Can't Give Up Now" (Mary Mary)

WHAT WILL/DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? "These Eyes" (The Guess Who)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? "Great Balls of Fire" OH NOOOOOOOOO LOL

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? "Vertigo" (U2)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? "I Am The Walrus" (The Beatles)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? "Best of Me" (Underoath) guess I'm a closet screamo fan

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW? "The Fever" (Garth Brooks)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? "All I Long For" (Michael English & Susan Ashton) it's a wedding song lol

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? "Check Your Head" (Buck Cherry)

WOW

2009-02-05T13:30:00.002-06:00

Almost a month without a post...that's not like me! Oh well. I'll see if I can catch you up. I'll work backwards though because some info is lost in this brain of mine! So, this week was a good week at school. It was O week and next week is P week, with a full-fledged PJ party on Tuesday to kick it all off!! We're having Pizza, Popcorn, and Pepsi! LOL Yay

Last week was the winter storm that left thousands of people, including us, without power! We lost it Wednesday at about 10 a.m. and it finally came back on at around 10 a.m. on Sunday. We toughed it out at home Wednesday night, but it was sooo cold that we ended up staying with my sister Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. She was very gracious, but I'm sure she was glad to get rid of us...as we were glad to get back home!! I just pray for those who still have no power. At least the weather is going to warm up a little!

Hmmm...the weeks before the storm were just business as usual. We voted on a high school missions trip this summer...Anniston, Alabama. What is in Anniston you ask? Well, we'll be helping at a school for the deaf, I believe. I mean, it's aiding deaf people, but not sure if it's a school or if they are also on a missions trip to help that community of Anniston. I'm unclear, but either way, I have gotten this assignment to teach our high schoolers some basic sign language!! SO excited!! I can't even tell you!

Hmmm...well Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl. I was for the other team, but was glad for an exciting game. I was saddened to see how our youth group handled it. There were some really bad sports there that night. But oh well...can't build a mountain in one day, right? Maybe this time next year things will be much different!!

Transfiguration Retreat~Lotta Pictures

2009-01-13T08:02:00.008-06:00

This past weekend, the girls and I went to the Transfiguration Retreat at Camp Illiana in Washington, IN. It was awesome! There was so much worship going on and so many things to do. Satan tried his best to spoil it by giving me "the bug" AGAIN, but I still had a great time and got to really, deeply worship and pray and meditate. The girls, especially Olivia, came out of their shells spiritually and really got into it and learned from it and we all got closer to God! Here are some pictures of some of the fun we had...

Here's the UE Worship Band Saturday night! The kids danced and moshed and had a blast!!

Brie after her successful "mattress surfing" experience!!

Brie at the beginning of mattress surfing, but you can barely see her!

Jack made it to the top!

Some of the gang...Jack, Brie, Gary, Chase, M addie, and Jen...chillin' before a session!

Olivia being silly and cute!

Jack free-climbing the climbing wall...

Maddie and Jen...LOL

Of course...

Haley and Sean...chefs extraordinaire!

Shannon and Jen...probably cooking...

The kids at the concert!!

Men...grilling meat...RAWRRRRR

Rummikub anyone?

Look at these guys...Jack and Chase

Dave, our speaker for the weekend, and Rose and Kelsey, his daughters...

Circle Game...

Brie attempted to climb...

Jack and Jake mattress surfing...

I dunno what's going on here...

New Year's Eve

2009-01-03T11:06:00.003-06:00

Yeah, he was eating her hat??? I don't know why...cuz he's Jack I guess!

Phileo love...lol. Love my kids!

Here are some cuties!

See...what a cutie!

More silly!

Olivia had plans on New Year's Eve with Sami and had a great time, so she didn't go bowling with us :( Actually, Brie and Jack had plans too, but a boy who isn't so nice hijacked their nice friend's party, so they called me to see if they could hang with us...they didn't know we were taking Joseph bowling, but were way glad to come along...LOL Unlimited bowling until midnight with party favors, sparkling grape juice, and a midnight toast...it was great!! We had funnnn...Happy New Year

Christmas '08

2009-01-03T10:42:00.005-06:00

Ryan, Kelly, and Grandpa Jim on Christmas anxiously waiting for Grandma Bev to open her gifts!

Me and the hubby...HOT ain't he???!!!

My kiddoes, Kelly, Ryan, and Jim again...

Brie, Joseph and Taco, the friendly chihuahua...Chickateen is not so friendly, alas, not in any pictures!!

And my goofy side!! LOL

Had a good Christmas at the Shoups and some really good food! Had fun. Can barely believe that my nephews are so grown up...Julian will be 18 in March! WOW...I held him when he was a teeny baby, even changed a diaper or 2...WOW...time goes by so fast! Nic is 14 like Brie but he finally grew taller than her after years of being the same height!

I know these kids...they were very happy and had a great Christmas...

My sister, Tiffany, my dad, Gary, me, and my brother Gary Jr...

Elizabeth, Kaytlyn, Joseph, Livi, Brie, and Harley...cute bunch of kiddoes eh?

Tiff, Gary, Mom, and Me

And my family...so happy! I love them

Livi...so sweet!

Joseph and his new boxer shorts...

Of course, these two are cheeking it up!

Candy and presents...doesn't get much better than that, right?

We had a better than average Christmas this year...maybe not in gifts, but the spirit was there this year. I actually wanted to see people and spend time with family...nobody complained, the times worked out with each side...it was great.

The kids were pretty darn happy with their gifts. We gave them some cash, gift cards to Hot Topic, Wal-Mart, Borders, etc, stockings full of candy, and some little stocking stuffers...for Jack and Brie we got them each a copy of Fred Claus...which of course has no sentimental value whatsoever since it was the movie they saw on their first date! LOL Livi got a new belt she loves, Joseph got boxer shorts and some Axe body spray...lol What a little man he is becoming!

After Christmas we had to hit the mall and all the places represented in their gift cards because, as you know, they were burning a hole the size of Canada in their pockets...lol Yeah, it was a wonderful, fun, relaxed Christmas!

Joseph's Birthday Party

2009-01-03T10:31:00.003-06:00

This is Joseph's friend Tommy. He was one of three little boys who spent the night for Joseph's birthday party! In fact, all three boys' names began with "T" lol...Trey and Trevor as well...hehehe

Trey and Joseph ready for bed...NOT! LOL

Of all the gifts he got, including Rock Band, I think this Nerf N-Strike Long Shot CS-6 Blaster gun was his favorite! LOL

I cannot believe my youngest is now in double-digits! Thanks to Erick for chaperoning this guy party for me so I could be with the girls at the Lock-In...I think they had a great time! I love my boys!!

Happy Birthday, Joseph!

2008-12-18T06:30:00.002-06:00

You've brought so much joy into my life these past 10 years! I love you beyond words. I hope your day is great and that you love your gifts. God bless you baby boy!

Teacher, Wonderful Counselor...?

2008-12-15T06:51:00.003-06:00

...not even close here. Last night I had the thankless task of teaching at Youth Group. I taught about drug abuse and how it's forbidden in the Bible. Most of the kids seemed to understand, but I actually had some argue with me. Well, Dave had to put an end to it because I was only there to tell them about where to find scripture supporting not using drugs, not to counsel them. I feel like I failed the teens that aren't "regulars" at church. They all seemed to be of a mindset that God put the stuff here, so why isn't it OK to do it...we definitely need another discussion or 5...lol. Oh well,I did my best, I was fully prepare, so I think I did my job.

All About My Hubby

2008-12-11T14:48:00.002-06:00

I borrowed this from Perri's Blog as I often do...

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? ESPN, Psych, Football

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? I think he prefers ranch, but he changes it up...he's not picky

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Spinach

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order? Miller Genuine Draft

5. Where did he go to high school? Petersburg, IN

6. What size shoe does he wear? 10

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Baseball Cards

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? BLT with cheese and Miracle Whip

9. What would he eat every day if he could? Hmmmm...good question. I don't know.

10. What is his favorite cereal? Golden Grahams

11. What would he never wear? A man thong

12. What is his favorite sports team? Chicago Cubs

13. Who did he vote for? I'll let him tell you

14. Who is his best friend? Besides Jesus and me, Jeff Gregory

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Where should I start...I guess the big one is countermand him with the kids sometimes

16. How many states has he lived in? Ok, I think just 3...Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana

17. What is his heritage? German/Lithuanian and Swedish

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what would it be? I'd say a pumpkin pie

19. Did he play sports in high school? No, but he was the basketball manager...I think he played a little baseball...hmmm...did he run track? He's fast!

20. What could he spend hours doing? Researching football stats online...IDK

21. What's something cool about him? Too many things to list: he has a cool sense of humor, he loves his kids, and he's very fair

Slow Day

2008-12-08T13:35:00.002-06:00

Today I told myself I was devoting the entire day to Jesus. Well, it's not exactly going as planned. I have a cold that is, well, stealing my focus. I've been unable to keep my eyes open, or breathe well...it stinks. I have a lesson to plan for Sunday evening Youth Group and I have a round of Jeopardy questions to write for Sunday School dealing with the first 9 chapters of Romans. I have so much respect for teachers who do this every single week in Sunday School. They prepare a lesson plan, teach, and manage to have several follow-up questions. I'm having trouble just finding questions to ask for a GAME! Sheesh...God Bless you teachers!

As for the weekend, it was wicked awesome! Briana, Olivia, and I went up to Temple Hills, along with many other kids and adults, for the Middle School retreat Friday evening. We had burgers and stuff and Gary gave a great talk on making Jesus the CORE of your life. Then we watched Prince Caspian. It was pretty good. Saturday, we had a good breakfast then Jimmy gave an amazing talk that furthered Gary's CORE message and then we went through Genesis and found where Jesus was represented in several places, including the similarities between Jesus and Joseph. It was really thought-provoking and awesome.

A little later, Brie had a date with Jack so she and I left, but Olivia opted to STAY!! I was soooooo very happy that she made that choice! I was so proud of her. And according to some insiders, she totally came out of her shell and had a blast...without me or her sister there!! I can't tell you what that means to me. I need her to develop socially so much...I want her to. She has so much good inside her that I want her to share it with the world!! So yeah...she's taking steps and I love it...Praise God!

About Brie's date...yeah, I wouldn't normally allow Brie to leave a church retreat for a date, however, this night was promised to them a long time ago. See, it was the night of Jack's Christmas dance. When we found out that Brie wasn't going to be allowed to go because she's not in high school, he was pretty sad, so I told them we'd plan something special for that night. The dates coincided, of course, so I made sure to keep my promise to them. We actually all went along to IHOP for dinner, and then bowling...then to McDonald's for some little treats...an ice cream cone for Brie, apple pies for Erick and Jack, cookies for Joseph, and coffee for me. We had a very nice time...missed Olivia, but she was where she was supposed to be. No, I'm glad we left and she stayed there...it worked out so well...and we got some great lessons as well, so we were all fed on all fronts.

Sunday was great too...a nice service, no class really. I had 2 students other than Brie and no lesson plan, so I reviewed a little bit and then we talked a little. Kinda boring, but it was good! Then we just waited for Olivia to get back. I shopped at the Scrip Card table for Christmas and got a LOT done. Just a couple more gifts and then some more stuff for my kids and I'm done! So excited to be done!

Youth Group last night was great...a good talk again, some fun with the kids...and hot dogs...what could be better??

Third Time's the Charm

2008-12-02T13:30:00.003-06:00

Maybe you've been following my blog a little, so you may remember that my girls are super spellers. Joseph isn't bad either, by the way. However, today is all about Olivia. A couple weeks ago she was one of 2 on her spell bowl team to spell all 7 of their words correctly. Today, Olivia and that same young man were their class's representatives in the Chandler Spelling Bee. She has been her class's representative in 4th, 5th, and now 6th grade. In both 4th and 5th grades, she was the runner-up. This year...SHE WONNNNNNN!!!!!! I'm so proud I can hardly contain it. The young man from her class, he went to the National Bee last year, so she had some major competition. It's funny because she received as a word today the word she misspelled to become the runner-up in 4th grade...FRANKINCENSE. She got that in one of the final rounds this time. And the word she received to win was a word I asked her last night that she kept mispronouncing, therefore, misspelling...hypochondriac! SOOO...it's off to the county bee we go in January, or February!! So proud...did I mention that??

Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T15:46:00.003-06:00

I am so blessed that I can hardly contain it and I give thanks to the One who made it possible, so...thank you, Jesus...for taking my beating for me, for taking away my sins for me, for being in love with me, even with all these faults and failures. I love you Jesus.

Thank you, God, for creating everything, for giving me all that I have, all that I have been, am, and will be, and for sending Your Son to us. I love you God.

Thank you Erick, for loving me, marrying me, taking care of me, and giving me our amazing kids. I love you.

Thank you kids for making me feel like the best mom in the world, even when I'm not. I love you.

I wish I had time to make a list of everyone who has brought me joy, love, peace, help, comfort, understanding, friendship, knowledge...etc...this past year, but there are too many. I love you all so much.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Hot Flashes Anyone?

2008-11-14T09:21:00.002-06:00

Yeah...I said it. I'm 38, much too young for hot flashes, or so they say, but I tell you, I'm having them. 3 or 4 times a day. I wanted to blame them on the Black Sickness of Death, but I'm better from that, yet still having MAJOR hot flashes. They are so bad. I don't even know what to say to those of you who might have had them or be having them. It's like being too close to a fireplace or bonfire, heat in my face so bad I can barely breathe, and liquid pouring from every surface of my body...it's quite uncomfortable, especially when I'm teaching...UGH! Bless all you who went through it and I'll pray for those of you about to.

BTW...I always knew early menopause was a possibility for me, so it doesn't come as a shock and is not a sign of anything wrong in my body other than a bad thyroid.

Picture This...

2008-11-11T10:36:00.004-06:00

Sunday was Brie and Jack's 1-year anniversary so we headed to Wal-Mart to have some professional portraits done. Here is the happy couple.

And, of course, here are all 4 of my kids. I decided that I hadn't had professional portraits done of my 3 kids together in forever, so I had some of them done as well. We added Jack into a couple because he's pretty much a part of the family!

And here are my babies! Aren't they cute? I think so, too!

Anyway, thank you Jack for making my daughter deliriously happy for the past year. And thank you kids for making me deliriously happy for the past 14+ years. I'm so amazingly blessed! I love you all!!

Praying

2008-11-05T07:21:00.002-06:00

OK, so the country has spoken and I have accepted it. I'm not a hugely outspoken Republican, but I am one nevertheless, so I now implore everyone to pray for our nation, as you should be doing anyway. Pray that we have chosen someone who can help us out of the economic stress but also to do it with some sort of moral code of ethics. Pray that God can open his heart to the cries of Christianity, to the morals our country was founded on, and be a firm and courageous leader. Just pray...I know I am.

I Really Haven't Felt Like Blogging

2008-11-04T08:21:00.002-06:00

Just had the same old stuff going on...work, church, kids' activities. Brie made the dance team, Olivia is in choir and band, and Joseph is running for class treasurer, oh and he also got into his first fight at school. He was first in line for the bus, as usual, and another little boy got mad and hauled off and hit him in the jaw. He hit him back...harder. It was a mother's dream...lol. It all got handled quickly and quietly with no punishment for Joseph and I think just a demerit for the other boy since he was the instigator but also got his punishment in the form of an elbow to the lip.

The kids had a good Halloween. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. Jack and Brie were Mexican Siamese Twins, Olivia was a penguin, and Joseph went as Peyton Manning. They were all pretty cute and got way too much candy, but then again, what is Halloween for?

I'm home sick today with the flu I think. Trying to rest a little bit before I go vote and get my Starbucks coffee. I don't like missing work, especially when I'm in charge so much. I am lead teacher this week and also have learned 3 songs for the kids to do in sign language for the Christmas program. I haven't quite figured out what signs they will do for "Mary, Did You Know?" because its very long and there are lots of signs. So we'll see.

This Sunday will be Brie and Jack's one-year anniversary. They're going to celebrate by having a nice lunch, getting professional portraits taken, and then shopping together for each other at the mall...then Youth Group of course.

We haven't had so much as a bite on our house, other than the man who wanted to buy it to fix it up. He doesn't want to work through our realtor though, so until our contract with her is up, we just have to keep having open houses every week and hoping someone likes it. I dunno, I wouldn't like it if it was me, but we're going to try painting more rooms and fixing little things here and there. Hopefully that'll help. Wish we could afford to replace the carpet, but, if we could do that, we could probably afford to keep the house too, sooooo...

Oh well, I think that's about all I had to update. So boring, I know. Maybe something dazzling will happen soon. Until then, enjoy life and go vote...

Thanks

2008-10-23T23:00:00.002-05:00

Thank you to all you well-wishers out there! I had a wonderful, understated birthday today and enjoyed it immensely! First, my kids at school sang "Happy Birthday" to me loud and also in the sign language I taught them!! I was so proud! I got to take a very relaxing nap and a long, warm shower today after I got home from work, which was soooo nice! My dad came over to see me, which was great! We got to get Jack for the night for my birthday and also for Brie's band performance. She had a solo in it and just nailed the crap out of it. I almost cried I was so happy for her and Jack just stared at her like he was in love...LOL. Her dad was there too and that made her very happy because he hadn't gotten to do very many of these things in the past because of teaching! We came home after and had pizza and brownies that Jack baked for me! So nice, huh? I had a great day with my family!

Happy Anniversary

2008-10-16T13:27:00.001-05:00

Happy Anniversary, Honey! It's been a great 15 years being married to you...I can't wait to see what the next 15 have in store for us!! I love you!!

Been A While

2008-10-14T13:38:00.002-05:00

I am a terrible blogger lately. I have been so busy that I haven't been able to take 5 minutes to sit and update. So here goes:

Work is going well. We took a field trip to Mayse Farm Market today. I am really starting to bond with all the kids. They are so much different than my teens in youth group...although I think they all have the same maturity level sometimes!! LOL

The kids all got their report cards...good grades all around. All A's and B's.

Jack and Brie celebrated 11 months together on the 9th with big plans for their 1 year...the Buck Cherry, Avenged Sevenfold, Saving Abel, and Shinedown concert on November 19th. They deserve it for being devoted to each other for an entire year...many adults don't make it that long.

Olivia has been taking Ice-Skating lessons for the past 6 weeks and tonight is her last night. She's doing really well, which surprises me...she's usually so timid! I'm really proud of her.

Joseph has his first "girlfriend"! Her name is Sophie and according to him, they are going out...LOL They have held hands he says. They're 9...and so it begins.

We've been to a marching band invitational every Saturday since football season began. This past Saturday is no exception. Jack's band was invited to the invitational at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and Brie & I tagged along. It was really neat and Central got the highest marks they have gotten all season. Not quite enough to win, but they did great! We did a tiny bit of shopping at Opry Mills Mall on break time. I got to read my Bible and finish my homework from my Disciple Bible class...yayyyyy. That class is brutal. I hope I retain a big portion of the info I'm learning...LOL

This weekend, Jack's grandparents are coming up from Atlanta for a visit. Brie is a little nervous about meeting them, but they'll love her like Jack's parents do!!

The youth group had our meeting at Temple Hills, which is about an hour from here this past Sunday. It was nice. We hiked a little bit, ate some grilled yummies and some sweet gooeys, and had a devotion by the bonfire. It was great fun!

This week coming up is busy as usual...tomorrow night is youth group and my class, Thursday is my and Erick's anniversary...15 years with him! I love you, Honey!! Friday night is Central's game and where Brie will meet Jack's grandparents, Saturday all day is the regional band contest at Jeffersonville High, Sunday is yet another open house and Youth group of course. Busy days!! BUT...the kids are off school both Friday and Monday for Fall Break so yayyyyyyy!!

Ok, I think I'm updated for now...I'll try to be better from now on...UGH!!

Confirmed

2008-09-29T14:56:00.002-05:00

The girls were confirmed yesterday and Olivia was baptized. It was an amazing affair and I was a bawling mess the entire time. They had to do it during both services, but the 11:00 service was the big one. All 3 Pastors, the girls' mentors, their daddy and I stood up there as they proclaimed their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and became members of Methodist Temple. I am so amazed at how many people told me how wonderful they were in class, how mature they are in their faith, how quickly they learn and apply the bible to their lives. They each got a small bible and a cross necklace that says they are confirmed. Olivia got a rose for her baptism, and they both got several cards, some with gifts. Erick and I got Olivia "The Message." We got Brie a new dress and shoes. There was a lunch following the service and we were happy to see that almost all of the people we invited were able to come to the service as well as the lunch, including: all 4 grandparents, their step-grandmother, their great grandma, their great aunt, their aunt, and cousin, as well as Jack and his whole family, Alyssa and her whole family, Gary (their amazing Sunday School teacher and youth leader), Jimmy (also their Sunday School teacher and also Wednesday leader with me and Youth Leader), Dave (Youth Pastor extraordinaire), Beth Ann (Associate Pastor and their confirmation class leader and amazing lady to know), Maddie, Robert, and Jennifer (youth friends), Amber (Brie's Mentor and friend), and Vince and Diane (Olivia's mentor and friend)! We had a great turnout. Everyone was so supportive of the girls and what they are trying to do with their lives right now! It was a great time and we're ready to fan the flame of the fire we all have burning for God!

Updater Alligator

2008-09-15T10:24:00.002-05:00

Been busy this week. I taught my first Wednesday night class on judging. It went well, inspired a lot of conversation...we almost needed more time! Brie and Livi completed the Confirmation classes. Now all they have to do is complete a service project and go through Confirmation Sunday, where Olivia plans to be Baptized!! I'm so proud of them. School has been crazy. We have a problem student who is distracting the other kids and keeping us from our one-on-one attention. Hopefully with some working together and prayer, we can make it work with him, otherwise he will have to take some time off until he can learn to behave. Brie had a birthday party Friday night. Jack was ale to go for the mini-golf part of it, but then there was a slumber party. It was for a new-ish friend, Maddie, from church. She's awesome! Then Saturday we certainly got our exercise. We went to Reitz's marching band invitational. Of course, Reitz is on a HUGE hill, every road into the school is on a hill and we parked on the infamous "double dip," so the walking was brutal. Brie got to spend about 10-15 minutes with jack before he had to get into his uniform, and then a few minutes after CASTLE won the competition. We also went ahead over to Central so she could spend another 20 minutes or so helping unload the equipment and hanging with him. Our legs were so tired though...LOL Yesterday was church and Youth Group where the parents were invited and we watched a presentation about what goes on and is going to go on in Youth Group, as if I didn't know. The whole time I was like "why do I have to be in here instead of out there with my kids"? That's when it dawned on me...of all the Youth Leaders, I am the only one who actually has kids in the Youth Group...Dave's are too young still, Gary's are too old, Linda's are too young, and Jimmy gets his daughter every other weekend because she lives with her Mom, but she lives quite a ways away and it would be too late for her to get home after Youth Group! So there I am, with all the parents...I have the unique perspective of being both leader and parent. Neat I think!! LOL

Today is boring. Our open house was cancelled yesterday due to the weather so the house is clean. School was cancelled today due to the weather damage. The license branch is closed on Mondays, so I'm illegal for a few hours tomorrow until I can get up there after work. GRRRR...I had no idea it was closed on Mondays...serves me right for waiting until the last minute, huh? Oh well. Tomorrow will make up for the lack of busy today with work, the BMV, and then getting Ben!! Fun stuff! Ok, I gotta go...I would post pictures, but I haven't taken any since my camera broke and I have a few on my phone, but no cord yet to load them up! So, hopefully soon!! Enjoy!

Mucho Stuffo

2008-09-08T09:00:00.002-05:00

Have had lots going on...been super busy and super crazy and it shows NO signs of letting up any time soon, but first, I am going to take my much needed day off, a few minutes of it anyway, to post a small survey that I got from Perri's Blog!

WHO IS MY MAN?

1. Who is your man? Erick
2. How long have you been together? 18 yrs, 4 mo; married for thisclose to 15 of those years
3. How long did you date before you got married? about 3 1/2 years
4. How old is your man? 39
5. Who eats more? Me I think
6. Who said "I love you" first? He did
7. Who is taller? HE IS WAY TALLER!! 5'11 compared to 5'2
8. Who sings better? ummmm...me??
9. Who is smarter? He is
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine
11. Who does the laundry? Me
12. Who takes out the garbage? Him and Joseph
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do if you are facing the head of the bed
14. Who pays the bills? I do with his money
15. Who is better with the computer? DUH...computers are his JOB
16. Who mows the lawn? Him
17. Who cooks dinner? Usually me or Grandma
18. Who drives when you are together? He does unless he is sick or too tired
19. Who pays when you go out? Him
20. Who is the most stubborn? Me
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Him
22. Whose parents do you see most? Mine
23. Who kissed who first? Mutual
24. Who asked who out? He asked me out
25. Who proposed? He did, April 5th, 1991
26. Who is most sensitive? Me
27. Who has the most friends? Him
28. Who has more siblings? Same amount unless you count step, then I do
29. Who wears the pants in the family? IDK, him I guess
30. How did you meet? College

Now, for an update...well, I had my first 2 days of teaching and they were sure different. The first day was just kind of a meet-the-teacher day where the kids came to play at any time during school hours, but the second day was a nerve-racking experience...lol We have 3, 4, and 5 year olds and, as you can imagine, they range from pretty well-behaved to "can't-listen-to-a-word-the-teacher-says"! Twas a real learning experience. Three days a week in the mornings is all I have to endure, and even then, I'm only lead teacher every other week, so there's a break! I like the job though. The ladies I work with are really sweet and I'm having fun...kids are great! As required, I took a CPR class Saturday morning and passed with flying colors. Pretty simple stuff on paper and on mannequins, I'm really hoping I never have to use it, but glad I know it just in case!

After CPR class, Brie and I went to Jack's marching band invitational. Being that his school hosted, they were only there for exhibition and another school won, but they faced that same school, among others, later that night and won overall, so that was great!! We were unable to go because we had to get the house ready for open house again. The night before, his high school and Brie's future high school had a football game. Jack and I made a $5 bet...lol. Of course I won it when Brie's school beat his by a point in the last 20 seconds of the game and now Jack is trying to be charming so he doesn't have to pay up...LOL I'm gonna let it slide because of what happened yesterday. I accidentally slammed his fingers in the van door and thought he was joking when he was screaming because he tends to yell and/or scream a lot. I felt so terrible and rushed home (we were in the library parking lot about 4 blocks away) to get him some ice for it. It sucked, but his fingers are ok for now I think. He was still able to go to the youth group swim party and play croquette and badminton, swim, act goofy and rough-house, so I assume he's fine, maybe a little sore! He, his sister, Brie, and Livi all had a pretty darn good time at the pool party! We were there for 6 hours and I think Brie and I caught a cold of some sort. Not sure, just feeling weak and tired and headachey, but swimming does that sometimes.

So in an earlier post I mentioned being asked and given some more responsibility at church that was to be top secret, well the announcement came and now I can tell you...Jimmy and I are now in charge of the Wednesday night RIOT, which is basically youth group on Wednesdays. I'm a little nervous because my Wednesdays are shaping up to be very very busy. We get Jack after school, then have dinner quickly, then go to church, which starts at 5 and ends at 730ish but we will never make it by 5...on the nights that I have to teach, I will have to do it at 6 and break up their hanging out for a short lesson before I head upstairs to my own class at 630...Disciple Bible. I'm even more nervous about this because it's a very in-depth study with homework and everything, but just what I need to remain motivated in reading my Bible daily! That lasts until 8. Joseph has Joyful Singers from 630-730 on Wednesdays as well, so there is 30 minutes that he has to be downstairs without me so, hopefully, Livi, Brie, and Jack will keep him in line around all those teens...lol So, between making lesson plans for work, making lesson plans for RIOT, and doing my homework for my bible study, not to mention maybe pinch-hitting for Gary now and then in Sunday School, I'm going to be a busy busy bee. Good thing I have most afternoons free!! All this while trying to condense our belongings down to the bare minimum, declutter this house and garages so they are presentable for open houses, and deal with activities and appointments...WOW...God does NOT want me to be idle!! I think I need a better diet and better organization skills, and I'm going to work on that. Got a massive calendar going, cleaning up little messes as they happen, keeping up on laundry, and dusting, going to even try exercise and vitamins for more energy...maybe I'll even lose some weight out of this!! YAY...

PS~Happy 10 month Anniversary Brie and Jack...tomorrow the 9th...love ya

And Just Like That...

2008-08-27T16:22:00.002-05:00

...I'm employed! I got the call today! I am officially a pre-school teacher for a local church, MORNINGS ONLY! Perfect hours, perfect fit...at least I think so thus far! I paid Dave a dollar to say amazing things about me when they called, so I think that cinched it for me. LOL Not even close. The lady never even took down any information and I just barely mentioned in the 10 minute interview that I am involved in the Youth ministry at MT, so she called Dave. He said some lies...I mean...some very, very positive things about me, things I never thought of myself as being, and voila, I got the job. I'm so happy. I hope it works out well and that I just love it! I think I will.

Now, per Perri's blog, I will list 6 things that make me happy:

1) Jesus, without whom happiness is just a thought

2) My family...they can cure the bluest of days with a cuddle or hug, they need me and make me feel loved

3) My youth kids who do the goofiest things and crack me up, but who also trust me, talk to me, relate to me and love me back

4) Chocolate

5) Hot Chocolate

6) Warm Chocolate chocolate chip cookies

Sense a pattern? LOL

As for what's been going on in my life...stress is about it. We have pretty much gutted the inside of our house as far as cleaning and getting it "show ready," we're packing away things slowly but surely, dealing with open house, and still dealing with the bank regarding those fraudulent charges from 6 weeks, or so, ago. We had 3 more reimbursed today, which hopefully means we'll get 3 more of the NSF fees reimbursed. We'll see. Erick didn't get any fall classes this time at Ivy Tech, so he has fliers out for computer work and got a call already about a web design. We'll see! I think things are moving in the right direction now and I have been informed that I might be receiving a huge responsibility in the near future and I need to be praying for it. I'd appreciate it if you all would, too. I can't be specific yet, but pretty soon. I also signed up to take a class called "Disciple Bible"! It's a 27 week commitment with homework and everything. I sure hope it's possible given that the responsibility I might be handed takes place the same night. We'll see what God has to say on the subject! OK, thanks all and have a great evening, week, life...you know. Love ya

Growing Boy

2008-08-20T10:56:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I logged onto the kids' lunch account today, just to see if they had fixed a problem that had them overcharging Joseph. To my surprise, Joseph's account had dwindled almost $6 in 2 days time. Let me explain. I put money in the account Friday afternoon for this school week, enough so that each kid began the week with $15. Joseph's had gone down to $9.20. I was wondering how two $1.50 lunches could have drained it so much, so I asked him if he had gotten anything extra like a snack or several. He said he had gotten 1 snack each day for a total of 80 cents extra, so still, it shouldn't have cost that much. I called the lady in charge at the school corporation and she sent me a handy dandy list of what he has been buying. Well, he was telling the truth...he had only purchased 2 snacks and a bottle of water since school started, but...he left out the fact that he had purchased breakfast every day...lol. I should say a 2nd breakfast every day. The kid has developed a voracious appetite the past few weeks. I thought he was just maybe emulating Jack, who eats like Dagwood from the Blondie comic strip, but he seems to really be hitting a growth spurt. I carried him to bed the other night and when I laid him down, his feet were almost, I mean within an inch, of being at the edge of his bed. I almost cried. WOW! I am so not ready for him to grow up so fast, or to get a job just to feed him!!

Big Bunch of Nothing

2008-08-18T10:35:00.004-05:00

I really haven't had much to say of late. Same stuff going on: still fighting with the bank, still trying to sell the house, still not feeling well, still just swirling! The girls are doing extremely well in the confirmation class. They had a day trip this past Saturday at Cook's Corner, no idea where that is, but it's like a house/cabin on a lake. They had 3 "classes" or studies, made homemade pizza, made bracelets for themselves and me : ), rode on some kind of bike thing called a flying turtle (see picture below):

and had a pretty darn good time! I'm so proud of them. There are 4 adults doing this, Dave, the Youth Pastor, Beth Ann, the Associate Church Pastor, Amber, Brie's assigned mentor, and Diane, Olivia's assigned mentor. All these people are just wonderful, lavishing them with attention, and loving them through these pretty difficult classes. With only 2 kids in the class, though, it's easy to lavish and the class is going very smoothly.

I have been busy adding the kids' activities to my calendar, putting out small fires with schedule conflicts, cleaning, packing, condensing...it's crazy time right now. I can't wait until we settle into the school year and get into a routine...lol. Speaking of routines, we almost had us a crisis. It seems Jack's schedule for marching band is brutal: Tuesday and Thursday evening practices, pretty much every Saturday morning/afternoon through November for invitationals, add in Friday or Saturday night football games and that leaves Monday or Wednesday for dates. Mondays are or will be Honors Band for him. Wednesday is their regular night to be together, which also happens to be confirmation classes for now, but imagine Brie's horror at finding out that her Honors band was meeting on Wednesdays after school!! I mean WOW, they were freaking out. I kinda was too because I had grand ideas of me and the kids attending some classes at church on Wednesdays and with band being until 545, trying to get them dinner, and then getting to church by 630...and that's without homework...it wasn't gonna be possible. So I sent an e-mail to her band teachers asking what her chances of remaining in honors band were if she couldn't attend at least some of the after school practices. It seems that I was in the majority of parents with conflicts and they are planning on changing the schedule to MONDAYS!!!! I love that God of mine! He teaches us that worry is stupid because it's never as bad as we think it's going to be! You would think I would know this by now!! Guess I'm thick-headed, but I didn't panic this time and I was strong for my kids, so that's amazing!! Another thing that happened when the band directors change the schedule is that it's also not going to conflict with her dancing either...it seems all the basketball games are on Tuesdays or Thursdays! Funny how that God works, huh? Now, adding Olivia's activities is going to be fun but we will work that out as it comes! She is trying out for the volleyball team today after school. I never in a million years dreamed she would be interested in a sport, so I am so proud!! Good luck baby! I love you. Now I'm out of here, grandma fried some zucchini and it smells so good...YUMMMMM

Ho Hum La Dee Dah

2008-08-13T10:12:00.002-05:00

Can't think of anything more boring than bed rest. I'm not on complete bed rest, more of an edict from the doctor to "stay off my feet as much as possible"! I really feel for ladies who absolutely have to be in bed for weeks at a time. I just kinda have to lighten the load for a few hours a day and it's driving me nuts. I won't go into the gross details, but suffice it to say that when I have been on my feet too much, I know it and it's then that I understand why the doc told me to get off them to begin with. I'm having to do this so we can go to the doctor and have all the tests run that need to be ran. We may never know the answers, but I have an idea of what the next step is, and I'm not real happy about it. So continued prayers would be appreciated. Thanks all and have a glorious day!

How Many Times Have I Done This, And Still...

2008-08-11T06:59:00.002-05:00

It does not get easier to send my kids to school on the first day! We had a good summer and having them home was amazing!! So, after having sent at least one kid off to school every year for the past 9 years (this morning included), why is it still so hard? I know it's coming, I'm prepared for it and even excited to see what will happen in the upcoming year, but I swear, summer is so much shorter than it used to be! I remember going to school until, at the latest, June 7th, then returning to school in the fall the day after Labor Day. For argument's sake, let's just say school ended on June 7th this year and would resume on September 2nd, that's 86 days of summer, whereas, when it ended on May 23rd, and began today, that's only 79...ok, so it's only a week difference, but hey, that's MY week...lolol! Ok so perhaps summer goes by so fast because we do so much? I dunno, but anyway, it did and I'm sad so there. I know I'll be over it soon, though, because activities are coming up and I'll be too busy to be sad! Cheers all!

Almost Forgot To Post

2008-08-09T14:55:00.003-05:00

The lovebirds have been together for 9 months today!! Long time!! Happy Anniversary! I love you guys!

Friday Night, No Life??

2008-08-09T08:33:00.003-05:00

I have come to realize how much I have changed over the last 20 years or so. Twenty years ago, at the ripe old age of 17, I would have been infuriated to have to stay home on a Friday night to babysit my brother and sister, would have been clamoring to go to that football game that I just knew we were going to win, and would have been mortified to have to tell my boyfriend that I had to stay home on what is traditionally deemed "date night"! I mean, for goodness sakes, I was a good girl...I brought home straight A's, kept my room clean and did many many chores at home, had an after school job, and hung out with good people. I never gave my parents any trouble and I felt I deserved my break after I had worked so hard the whole week. So, what do I do as an adult as an act of rebellion when I have the freedom to do what I want when I want? I stay home...and I look forward to it thanks to the 4 guys I'm about to talk about (plus a cool hubby and 3 kids I love to spend time with)...Anyway, yeah my 4 guys and I have this little love affair going on. It's very comical actually, very planned out. It begins at 8 pm and ends at 11pm. Three hours of bliss once a week! These men make me laugh, they make me cry, one of them I love to hate but wish I was more like him. Oh yes, they fill my needs in many different ways, but most of all, they make me laugh!! We have fun together, we solve mysteries together, and we bring people together. Oh yes, I love my 4 guys and cherish the time we have together every week. So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to my 4 guys!!...

This would be Detective Adrian Monk, formerly of the SFPD and currently a consultant for them. This man is brilliant, OCD, and completely fearful. He's hilarious!!
These guys are Shawn Spencer and Burton "Gus" Guster. Shawn is a self-proclaimed psychic (he has a highly developed photographic memory) and Gus is a highly intelligent, fountain of useless information that, most of the time, turns out not to be useless, pharmaceutical salesman. They formed a partnership and created a detective agency, basically a "psychic for hire" business and they solve crimes in an uproarious manner!!
And finally, Dr. Gregory House. Not much to say about him other than he's a brutally honest, jerk of a doctor who is absolutely brilliant. He's so funny, such a jerk, and usually right! I love taking the journey with him every episode!

So, there you have it...the story of my 4 guys and how I spend every Friday night with them. Monk and Psych are currently running new episodes, but sadly, House is showing reruns until late September. I'm soooo looking forward to the new season!! OK, that is all for this morning...might go back to bed...LOL

Sell Sell Sell

2008-08-08T05:32:00.002-05:00

Had a realtor friend of Erick's over last night and tonight we have our first interested buyer coming. It's kind of a bad time with me having to be off my feet and all, but hey, they'll just have to understand the mess huh? Keep your fingers crossed that we can sell this puppy and not damage our credit more than it already is. I sooooo cannot wait to get rid of it. I know an apartment is so much smaller, but it's cheaper, and we don't have to do the maintenance, and we'll have more money and time to do things we've been neglecting, like our service to God. I think it's a blessing, or will be. At least I'm trying to look at it that way!!

Desparation Turns To Hope

2008-08-04T11:35:00.002-05:00

Being beaten up by life sure takes its toll on a person. Let me tell you what all has been going on. We found out the 21st of July that we had had yet another instance of identity theft on Erick's new card. They took roughly $350 and, of course since we didn't plan for a thief, brought our balance to a negative, which, in turn, caused many of the charges they made and a few we made to incur NSF fees from the bank, and also daily negative balance fees, to the tune of another $600. This past Saturday we received a letter from the bank informing us that there was "no error found due to prior debit card disputes" and they would not be returning our money to us!!! We tried calling all the phone numbers that were listed with the fraudulent charges, most of which were busy or never picked up. What a shock, eh? They are all fees for adult websites, so I imagine they don't wanna refund the money. At this point, I would settle for the bank giving us back the NSF fees they charged. I know it's not fair for them to give back money that was stolen either, but they have insurance for that kind of thing. Plus, this was a brand new debit card that Erick barely uses, so we find it all kind of fishy. I dunno. But there appears to be hope. Erick called a branch manger who is unaware of a rule like "no error found due to previous disputes"! We think she certainly would know something like that. So, yeah, there is that. Also, Erick called our morgator and they said they might work with us again. We'll see...it'll at least buy us a few months to decide what we wanna do. I still need to find a job...I have an interview tomorrow with a daycare center. We'll see!

Now for more bad news with a light at the end of the tunnel. We suffered a miscarriage this past Thursday. The more I think of it, the more emotional I get. I didn't know I was pregnant, and I certainly didn't believe I could get pregnant since I had my tubes tied almost 10 years ago. My gynecologist isn't sure what happened and my former ob/gyn has since retired, but she is going to research it and get all the blood tests done, ultrasound, etc. For now, I am on light bed rest until the cramping and bleeding subsides. The emotional things I have gone through are astounding. I got my tubes tied, sort of because I was scared that the next child might kill me. I had my son to carry on the name and decided I needed to be done with having babies since I had had 4 miscarriages and 3 live births that were high risk and almost killed me. The years have gone by and I have been emotional at times, wanting another baby every now and then and even recently I have wanted a baby, maybe not even my own, but one to play with and hold and love...like maybe my sister (hint hint) lol. It's just so weird that I would and could get pregnant at the very time I have been feeling mommy feelings! So I cry, even though I never even got to build up a bond with my unborn baby, I just bawl. I think of the possibilities of how a baby could make us all so very happy..I dunno. But yeah, that's what we've been dealing with...a lot...and I have Jesus so, while I'm emotional and a little sad, I'm not nuts like I would have been a few years ago. Thank you God for giving me strength and love and every blessing we have!

Moving?!!

2008-07-31T10:13:00.000-05:00

Well, it's not official, but we may be moving into an apartment really soon, like within 60 days!! I'm sad that our mortgage company decided not to try to work it out with us, but at the same time, even though it will be cramped, we will have more freedom to do more things since we'll need less money for house expenses. A LOT less money! Money isn't everything, I know, but when you're having a hard time even paying basic expenses, something is wrong. We wanna be able to do more for the Lord and more as a family and not have to say "NO" to so much stuff...so anyway, please pray that things work out like I hope they will...thanks!!

Too Mad

2008-07-29T09:47:00.002-05:00

I've been too upset to blog the past few days. We have had yet another instance of identity theft that's going on right now with Erick's new card this time. We can't figure out how someone is getting the information because he doesn't use the card often and never has used it online or anything. It's weird. Right now our account is down to -$500 and we are just crippled with barely any gas to get anywhere, out of milk and the basics we need. Brie bought a few groceries with the money she earned babysitting! She's a real sweetie for doing that, but it's just not enough. We had bills due this past Friday that we couldn't pay, and more coming up this Friday. Our already dire finances just cannot take a hit like this! It's bad...very very bad! But we'll be ok, I know it!

Anyway, I wanted to post some pictures of some of the actual WORK we did on the missions trip rather than just the fun we had! So, here goes:

Here is Tom posing while scraping old paint off the top of the garage at Sebastian's house!
Tom, Jake(on the ladder), and Gary finishing a coat of paint!
This was the grueling work...that whole area in the picture was COMPLETELY FULL of overgrown(some were 4-5 feet tall) weeds, trees, and brush, not to mention garbage and the bricks Chase(bent over) is piling up against the house. When we were done, we had something like 40-50 huge bags of lawn waste! Many hands made lighter work though because we had it cleared in about 3 hours
Here is Sebastian, the cutie pie we did this for. Hopefully more people will volunteer as we have to help clean and repair the house so that he can stay with his parents!!
The crew...Jack, Ryan, Shannon, Chelsea, and Amber...painting from the middle up and down...lol But the job got done and they were so grateful for our help!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Livi

2008-07-24T12:23:00.003-05:00

I love you sweet, 12 year old baby girl! You're growing too fast! You are the sweetest person I know, for real, the absolute nicest person I have ever met! I'm so blessed to have you! I hope your day is good and your party tomorrow is funnnn!!

Who Says You Can't Go Home

2008-07-21T08:24:00.007-05:00

So, after working hard all week, we were rewarded with a trip to Cedar Point! Here's Livi on the Carousel
Jack and Brie getting ready to get on The Raptor for the 4th time!!

This is Heath, one of the chaperons. He was also our body guard/bouncer who did a great job keeping the boys out of the girls room...LOL Wonder why he was able to accomplish that so easily...
Wading in Lake Erie
Here are two seriously hot guys...Jack and Tom...LOL
Best Buds Grant, Jack, and Jake!
Livi on the Skyway at Cedar Point

Jack and me after a hard day's work!
Me and my girlies!
and my boyz!
and me with the lovebirds!
my GURLZ...Alyssa, Brie, Morgan, Maddie, Kathy, Livi, Anna, and Lauren

Jack, Brie, and Tom
Chelsea, Lauren, and Anna
Cute new couple Maddie and Grant
Huggy Jake and Morgan
Yeah, that's Gary about to get smooched by Tom...LOL

Ok, so the song title is a pretty recent Bon Jovi song and not an old 60's song, but I don't care, I like it!! Anyway, I realized that I didn't take any pictures of the actual work we did for 2 reasons: 1) my camera got smashed in a rousing game of dumb ball, and 2) we were too busy working! Sooooo, I shall post a blog with some pics that I snag from other people's postings...yeah...that's it!!!! On that note, here is the scoop on our week: we left at 7 am Saturday the 12th, gassed up the vehicles and headed towards Marion...uneventful drive up, a couple stops for lunch and more gas and we arrived at Shepherd's Fellowship at around 4 Marion time. Unloaded stuff, met Pastor Tom, Faith (Dave's sister), and her kids, then ran to KFC for dinner! The rest of the time was spent organizing our living arrangements, exploring the grounds, and relaxing!

Sunday we got up and had breakfast, ran to the Racquet Club for showers, then attended church at Shepherd's Fellowship. It's a small, non-denominational church that appears to have just been built since that is part of what we did...build things, fix things, etc. We enjoyed the service and then they threw us a cookout for lunch, the basics, hot dogs and stuff! We met many of the members of their youth group, did some more exploring, made a trip to Wal-Mart, then had Youth Group. We played a couple games, bonded with the youth, had a great lesson, then had pizza! After that was more free time until bed time! The girls, Linda and I got to sleep in the Sanctuary in the air conditioning and the guys slept in another building that wasn't so much. Poor guys, but they had a million fans, so they were good!

Monday came along and we did what would come to be our ritual...breakfast, pack our lunches, then work by 9. That day we stayed around the church doing things. We landscaped a weed-infested garden area. I couldn't believe the difference when we were done! Then we split into groups and painted the caretaker's kitchen, tore down a dilapidated old greenhouse, and laid down some landscaping sheet for mulching later in the playground. Some of them also painted and weatherproofed the playground equipment. It looked amazing when they were done!! Taking down the greenhouse proved to be a bear of a job, but we had fun doing it...got to pound things...hehehe After the work day was over, we went for showers again, then had supper...I think it was tacos on Monday...yummm Then we had some free time, then devotions, then a tad more free time, then bed. It was during the "quiet hour" before lights out that I bonded with my girls! We came up with some really dumb sayings, inside jokes and just had a blast!!!

Tuesday was the day at Sebastian's House. Sebastian is a little boy, almost 2 I think, whose family is beyond poor. Their house was about to fall down and didn't meet code and he was even temporarily taken away from his family due to the unsafe conditions until Shepherd's Fellowship "adopted" them and have done quite a bit of work in order to get them up to code and get the baby back home. The daddy is blind, the mommy has to work all the time, and there is a grandma who is very sick herself who helps them as much as possible, but the place needed a ton of work. Insert our Youth Group combined with SF's here!! We arrived and within the 6 hours we were there, we removed something like 30 bags worth of weeds, brush and debris, took down an unnecessary fence, loaded bricks that were scattered in the yard, landscaped, and painted a garage. Did I mention that it was 95 degrees...yeah...it was hot! The place looked so much different than when we got there...so much better! The grandma was so pleased with the work we did and I was so proud of all the kids. They worked tirelessly for the most part. You always have your complainers ya know. When we were done, we did our showers and went home to have Chili. More free time, another trip, this time to Meijer. We didn't have space to store the groceries so we had to make several trips to the store as we cleared fridge space! Devotions again, this time on purity. It was really relaxed! Then slightly more free time before bed!

On Wednesday we visited a nursing home. We played bingo with the patients. Dave and I made a wager. We bet Jack...whoever lost had to take Jack for the day! LOL I lost...all 3 times...I'm not going to say I lost on purpose, but I might have...LOL We had fun visiting with patients and pepping them up and the patients were so grateful! After that, we headed to the Mall to randomly offer prayer to people and were promptly kicked out! What a reason to get kicked out of the mall! So then we split into 2 groups...one went to Meijer and one went to Wal-Mart. We paired off and offered some prayer for people. We had some accept it and cry, some who were like "no thanks," and others who ran away as fast as they could...one of them on crutches...LOL It was definitely a learning experience! After we met back at the church, we had an impromptu discussion about our experiences, then we had a couple hours of "free" practice time for the service we were to lead that evening. Dave started us off with a couple songs, then introduced HOP and we performed "Luv Addict" and "Lord, You're Holy"! We had so many people show up and we rocked the house! The whole service was fun and people were just crazy into it! Brie and I signed "Imagine" with Chase, who had rewritten the words. It went well! Some of the others did a cute skit! Still yet, some of them sang and performed songs! We had a blast. Dave led an amazing service too. People cried, people laughed, and I think people got so much out of it that it was unreal!! So many compliments! We loved it!! We grilled chicken too...it was yummy! After that, was again free time until bed.

Thursday was a return trip to Sebastian's House for part of us and the rest of us stayed at the church for odds and ends things. Livi and I were charged with sanding some drywall...needless to say, drywall dust and asthma do not mix, so I had me a nice little asthma attack...fun stuff. I was a slacker the rest of the day. We had showers in the afternoon and right after that, we were provided a spaghetti dinner by some members of the church!! It was so yummy and so nice of them!! Had a devotion, then free time and bed time.

Friday was our reward: Lake Erie and Cedar Point! It was an amazing day!!

Saturday we packed up and headed home. Once we got to I64, I separated from the church van along with Heath, who was driving Linda's truck. I needed to get Jack to our house for a shower so we could take him back up to Jasper for his performance in the orchestra for the musical "South Pacific"! I also had a couple guys to get back to the church as well, and I even dropped Jon G. off at home on the way...turns out he lives right across the street from my dad...weird! So, I dropped Brie and Jack at the house with Erick for showers, ran the 3 guys back to either their house or the church and headed back home for my shower and to love on Joseph and Erick for a little bit. They were invited to go to the musical, even had free tickets, but Olivia was too tired to go, so they stayed home!! Turns out to be a good thing cuz I fell asleep myself during the play...LOL The music was good though...LOL But, that was our day Saturday and our week in a nutshell. I might blog some more about it without all the generalizations and definitely with some more pictures! It was an awesome week!!

Hello Goodbye

2008-07-11T22:06:00.002-05:00

I'm getting good at the song title thing! Anyway, logging on to say hello, update the happenings of the day and then to say goodbye for at least 7 days! Yep, the missions trip begins bright and early, leaving at 7 am from the church! We're so excited...

So today was a busy, errand-running day! Brie and I started our day by running to the bank first to get some travelling cash, then to CVS to drop off a prescription. Next was grabbing breakfast at McDonald's to take over to Grease Monkey for our oil change! I was a bit unhappy with their service because not only did the price go up but they either failed to vacuum the van and wash the windows, or else that's no longer included! I was so busy that I just didn't ask and I went and spent a buck and vacuumed a little bit! After that, we headed to Wal-Mart for my tire change. Perri suggested I go to a salvage yard, which I really wanted to do, but again, time constraints and all prevented me from doing that. So I got a decent deal at Wal-Mart for 2 brand new ones. He said the back ones looked really good, so that's a relief! So, we shopped for groceries, etc. while that was going on, which is way cool! After all that, we went home and unloaded cuz it was blazing hot outside and I didn't have a cooler with me. Otherwise I would have gotten my gas and ran back into CVS for the prescription and milk with the groceries still in the van. We stayed home about 45 minutes, then did the gas and CVS thing. Stopped by home very quickly (CVS is about 2 minutes from my house...YAY) to drop off the milk, then headed over to pick Chase up to have another H.O.P. practice at church! I think it's going to come together pretty well! He reworded the song "Imagine" by John Lennon to make it more Christian and asked us to sign it! We learned it quicker than any other song we ever have! LOL Mostly out of necessity, or else we're just that good...hehehe! Then we dropped him at his Grandma's house on our way home, where we have remained the rest of the day and night...YAY! Everything is packed except for toothbrushes, retainers, and meds and also the snacks cuz it's still hot out. We are so on top of it that I'm sure we have forgotten something...LOL! It's going to be an amazing week! Dave told us that we're going to go to a mall up there and witness to people! I dunno, I think I'm looking forward to spreading the word of God in that way! Especially with the kids! I'm so excited!! Pray for us a safe trip, a learning experience, and many more new Christians! Thanks...God bless all of ya!!

Crimson and Clover

2008-07-10T08:11:00.002-05:00

Ok, not so much crimson as clover! I got tons of it encroaching upon my flower bed in the back yard. What's bad is, I think it's kinda pretty but it grows unevenly. Guess I can dig it up and hope for the best, or replant it...ugh, I wouldn't even know where to begin and how much of it is too much? How do I mow, and if clover is a weed, how do I weed the clover patch? LOL We'll see when I get back from the missions trip! I'll be more interested in how my yards look then!

Now, yesterday happenings, and today's upcoming events...
These 2 had yet another anniversary! I guess we're counting their anniversaries like we do the age of newborns...up until a year, maybe even 2...lol But yeah, they've had 8 great months and are still going STRONG!!
Olivia had a swim/costume party at Sami's last night! She was some kind of weird clown...silly goose!

Today is shaping up to be busy :( I was kinda hoping to stay home and finish packing and relax some because I know tomorrow is gonna be very very hectic! But as it looks now, we have to have an emergency H.O.P. practice this afternoon because Dave sprang it on us that we're going to be performing for the church we're staying at in Marion on Wednesday! Linda asked if I can incorporate more of the kids into our songs and really, I doubt I can with only 2 hours of practice, but we're gonna try! Then I gotta get Brie back home to change into dressy clothes in order to go with Jack and his family to see Peter Pan at The Centre! Need to finish laundry and of course finish packing for this trip with the exception of the snacks I need to bring and tools...ugh, I'm gonna forget something important...oh well. Gotta go...busy day! Ta Ta

Be My Little Baby

2008-07-09T09:13:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty much going through the "lack of baby" blues. I dunno what it is, but for the past couple of weeks I have just wanted a baby, not even necessarily my own (which isn't possible), but one I can hold and cuddle and play with and smell on a regular basis. Is that weird? I get these looks from people, too. Even had one lady comment that she hopes I make Brie wait!!! UMMMMMMMM...Brie is 14!! It's like they make a correlation between Brie dating and Brie getting pregnant and that because I am so involved with her relationship that I might push my baby feelings onto her! NO...lol. I mean, when the time is right, I am going to absolutely adore and spoil my grandkids, but no, I was thinking maybe my sister, who is in a long-term relationship, might get married soon and gimme a niece or another nephew...sheesh! Or a friend of mine who I think needs another baby...LOL! But until then, i will just continue to admire from afar...maybe get to hold the occasional baby at church for a few moments...enough to silence the longing for a day or two!

A Little Bit is Better Than Nada

2008-07-08T08:40:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we didn't do NADA exactly. We definitely did a LITTLE BIT (and yes that is a song, performed by Los Lobos, though not 1960's era)! We did a couple loads of laundry and we began packing for the missions trip. I was asked to drive my van because we have so many kids going...PRAISE GOD!! Now, the search begins for good, inexpensive tires. I'm finding this to be a tough task. I've found nothing cheaper than $65 per tire and add installation and a balance, and wow...that doesn't leave much extra for the girls and I to take on the trip or for Erick and Joseph for the week! But oh well, can't drive 6 kids to Marion, Ohio with bald tires!! So we'll see! Today looks like much of the same thing...more laundry and more packing. It's hard to get 3 girls' 7 days worth of clothes in just 3 bags! They said one bag per person...yeah right!! LOL We're trying!

Ben and Harley both are spending the night tonight. Should be interesting! That's all for now!!

Happy Birthday Erick!

2008-07-06T02:10:00.002-05:00

I love you for so many reasons! I hope you have an amazing day baby! I love you!

Runaround Sue

2008-07-06T01:24:00.006-05:00

Ever wonder how someone gets a nickname? We call Briana "Susie" sometimes. Not sure how it happened...we used to call her Janey because her middle name is Jane then adding "Sue" to make it "Janey Sue" kinda fit. That, of course, evolved into just "Susie"! Well anyway, I titled this "Runaround Sue" because that is what I did yesterday...I ran Sue all around! It was her birthday and she had a definite plan of what she wanted: The whole day with Jack! The first stop was meeting him at the mall at their favorite store, Hot Topic. She bought a couple things there with her birthday money. Then we headed home for a lunch of Macaroni & Cheese and Watermelon, followed by DQ Ice Cream Cake! LOL After that was the Slip & Slide...they had funnnn!!!
Here's the birthday girl with an early birthday/just because I love you gift from Jack! She named him "Flappy"...lol
More gifts from her honey...10 turtles! At this rate her room should be filled completely by August!! From left to right on the bottom are: MURRAY, BUMPER, CHIP, RUSTY, and PURPELLE (lol). From left to right on top are: MERI, LENNY, PIPPIN, SQUIGGY, AND LOIS (lol). Meri and Pippin from, of course, the "Lord of the Rings" movies, and Lenny and Squiggy need no introduction! We had fun naming them...wow! Slap happy much???
Jack doin' some slidin'!
And the birthday girl!
Jack's hair made some kind of weird Indian War paint looking thing on his face so I snapped a picture!
Brie and Jack...Looks painful!
After Slippin' and Slidin', and after watching the movie "Witless Protection" starring Larry the Cable Guy with us, they went on their grown-up date at Jimmy Jeng's Szechuan Restaurant...they really enjoyed it!!
Pretty and yummy DQ Ice Cream Cake
Goofy kids!
Yeah, like I said! (that was the plastic top to the ice cream cake! He looks like he's stuck in a goldfish bowl!
There's my Livi Slidin'!!
And Joseph showing off his mad slippin' skillz!!

All the kids had fun, as did we!! It was a good, relaxing, fun birthday! We put some pink streaks in Brie's hair as well. It turned out ok, might need a few more if I feel like it! We'll see!

You're A Grand Old Flag...

2008-07-06T00:37:00.004-05:00

Brie playing in the Old Dam Community Band before the fireworks! She said she didn't do very well, but I think they sounded really good! The Ellingtons asked her to participate. Evidently they don't have very many saxes!
Jack and his trombone of course! I wonder if even he knows how many bands he plays in..lol
Olivia and Joseph on our blanket before the fireworks!
And a couple gratuitous fireworks shots!!
OOOOOOOOOO AHHHHHHHHHHH!!

Don and Cora...Trumpeters extraordinaire!
Brie again!
Lee Ann in the back center and her horn...not sure if it's a french horn or just a b-flat horn...
And Brie once more...did I mention I'm proud of her for agreeing to do this. She had to sight read, which she has never done before...WOW!

The 4th was busy for us! First we went down to the Newburgh Riverfront to scout out where Brie was to meet the Ellingtons and the rest of the band...

Then we had to run my Grandma all the way out to my mom's on our way out of town to Petersburg to see Erick's parents for a few hours. On the way there, Jack called to tell Brie that not only did she need a navy blue shirt and khaki pants, but also that they were to be there at the riverfront by 5...YIKES. That made for a short visit with his parents...not only that, but we were supposed to be at my brother's house at 6 for a cookout. So we made plans with him to come a bit early, but the Ellingtons were going to do us a favor and pick Brie up and take her with them, so that worked out!

Went to Gary's, passed out birthday/Father's day gifts, ate a cheeseburger, drank a coke, and then had to scurry off to the riverfront. We were almost late due to closed roads and no parking...ugh! We made it though. They played from 630 to 8! It was really nice, looked like rain for a while, but it didn't! Ended up being cool, the kids had fun, and I enjoyed it too!! A good day!

All You Need Is Love...

2008-07-02T08:27:00.002-05:00

...and a mop bucket...LOL Yeah, that's it. Yesterday, we didn't do much, but I got a burst of energy and we put away scores of laundry after I ironed it, cleaned out the kitchen cabinets and the shelves above my washer and dryer (thank you Perri), and I swept and mopped the most disgusting kitchen floor...ewwww. I'm not done in there, but it looks and feels a lot less cluttered. I picked Ben up after school and he stayed the night, and then I took him to school this morning. He's such a cutie! As for plans today, they are in the works and they are going to involve Jack in some way, whether we go swimming and then he comes back here or he just comes over to watch movies...we'll see! Erick has labwork today and also a follow-up visit with the Gastro specialist. Hopefully his anemia has subsided a bit and he's a bit stronger. He seems so, but we'll know soon enough! That's all for now because I gotta do some more laundry...it's a never-ending battle!!

I Forgot To Remember To Forget!

2008-07-02T08:18:00.003-05:00

Ah Yes, Mr. Presley said it best didn't he?? And by forgetting, I mean I forgot to mention some people recently who deserve mentioning!

First, Happy Belated Father's Day to my Dad, Gary! I love you Dad! Also, Happy Father's day to Jim, my father-in-law, and Don, Jack's dad, for raising two amazing boys who make us Shoup ladies so happy! And to Erick for being a great Dad and for giving me 3 amazing kids!! And all the rest of you daddies out there...Hip Hip Hooray!!

Second, Happy Belated Birthday (June 22nd) to Bev, my mother-in-law! I hope it was a good one and we'll see you sometime this weekend!! To Gary, my big little brother, hope yours on the 28th was great! See ya Friday! And to Grandma Jean and my sister-in-law Sarah, whose joint birthday was yesterday...I hope it was all you wished for...see you Friday Sarah...I love you Gran!

You Say It's Your Birthday...

2008-07-02T00:39:00.003-05:00

...well, it's Brie's birthday too! (Saturday) and tis the season for vacations, band camp, summer camp, boy scout camp, and many many other plans for teenagers! As of right now, we have only 1 confirmed friend of brie's coming to her birthday party...BUT...that friend is Jack. Hayley and Michaela might be able to make it, but their dad has come back from Iraq and is going to have them and I'm not sure he's going to want to give them up, even for just a couple hours, so we'll see. Regardless, Brie hasn't asked for much: slip & slide in the back yard, a movie or 2, some snacks, and an ice cream cake. Regardless of how many come over, she and Jack will be having a "grown-up date"! Tomorrow, Jack will be over and I'm going to have him call and make reservations at a local Chinese restaurant for Saturday. I'm going to make them dress up a little, and I'm going to drop them off...alone...and they'll have to make menu choices that stay within their budget, and leave a 20% tip as well. I'm so excited about having them do this!!! LOL I just hope Brie is happy with just Jack. I mean I know she will be, but just the thought of all her friends having plans or being out of town made her feel a little sad. Jack is like having 10 friends around though...LOL Just thinking back to last year at this time, she had a nice size party with Alyssa, Destiny, Hayley, Michaela, Dirich, Zach, Adam, Justin, her sister and brother, Harley, Aunt Tiff, Grandma Jean, and myself...it was a good time! This year, aside from Alyssa and the twins, all her friends are different, her boyfriend is different, and her friends have plans...even Alyssa will be out of town! But, we're gonna try to make it very happy anyway! She'll get to celebrate a little the night before at Uncle Gary's, so that'll be good! Oh well, that's all I have for now.

Sunday Sunday...La Laaa La La La Laaaa

2008-06-30T11:55:00.002-05:00

Ok, I dunno why I feel the need to title my posts with old 60's song references, but hey, I'm in a sing-songy mood! (and yes I know the technical song is Monday Monday, but this post is about what happened Sunday...lol)

So, to begin with, we had to get up at 645 to be at church at 8ish! It was just Brie and me because Joseph had spent the night at my brother's after going FROG-GIGGING with him and my dad late Saturday night into Sunday morning! They caught 15 frogs and Joseph pulled 14 of them off the gigs himself, crawled in mud and scum, and just generally had a fun, messy, boys night in the muck! He had a blast! Thanks Dad and Gary!

Olivia was STILL at Rachel's and didn't get home until 8pm and I'm thinking that we should pay some kind of rent there for her...lol They went to a play, ate out a couple times, and just genuinely had a good time hanging out!

So to continue with the day...we got to church at around 815 and promptly ran into Jack and his family. She walked on ahead of me with him because he was late for choir. They were saying goodbye when I caught up and Cora was trying to talk her into doing the choir thing, so I tried to convince her when along came one of the music directors and all he said was "it's a cool song, get in there" and she went...LOL I felt bad because she wasn't exactly dressed to be up in front of the congregation, nice enough, but not dressy as I would have preferred, but, none of the teens were other than Cora, so I felt better! Anyway, we had 1st service, then Sunday school. James taught and taught well. I was jealous! Now I have challenged myself to step up this week. So I'm going to be buried in the Bible...might even learn something myself!

After Sunday School, was 2nd service, but we skipped it and remained downstairs with Alyssa and Jon, the Youth boy who needs some attention, and we again had what we've been calling "Alternate church" LOL. We get really in-depth about the issues they face as teens and what is acceptable and unacceptable! It's a great experience for me and I hope them as well!

So, after 2nd service was over, we were driving home when I got a call saying that I had to pick Joseph up at my mom's! How did he get to my mom's when my brother was supposed to bring him home??? LOL What's bad is we were invited to go swimming at 3 at a pool pretty close to our house, it was 1230, we didn't have lunch and it's a 30 minute drive to my mom's with traffic. What's good is, my mom and Jack live pretty close to each other so we could pick him up and swing by and pick Joseph and my Grandma up in one trip! Just had to leave sooner than I wanted. So Brie and I hurried through lunch, got pool-ready, and headed out at 130. Got Jack at about 2, then Joseph and Grandma at 210 and then home at about 240...perfect time! Got to the pool right about on time where Brie and Jack's friend Chase (another Chase, not Jack's BFF) was waiting on us. He's the one who invited us obviously! Had about an hour of pool time and friend time when we had to go home. We were going to go straight to Youth Group from the pool, but alas, Joseph needed me. He was sick, just a quick little thing, but he wanted mommy! He was fine, but in the time I was home before Youth Group, I was able to give Erick a haircut, vacuum my bedroom really good, and take a shower!! So yay!

Then it was time for Youth Group! Always fun. I was hoping for a lesson, but we didn't have one again this week. I like to watch Dave teach so I can get tips and ideas on how to relate things to the kids. But it was fun as usual. Even got to watch some extreme Frisbee! I might join in next time! Then we just came home and vegged out for the night! It was a busy and fun day! I love church, the friends we're making, and my job...bring on the missions trip!!

Yesterday...All My Troubles Seemed...

2008-06-28T09:01:00.002-05:00

...clear and present! LOL Actually, it was a good day, just confusing and a little frustrating. Brie and I went shopping for her birthday at around 11. Here's the frustrating part...it was bra and underwear shopping...UGH! My soon-to-be 14 year old's body is not 13 any more! I wanna cryyyyy :,,,( Ok, so anyway, we got some cute, feminine undergarments, a couple tops, a skirt, and socks. Now all we need is a bathing suit and some shoes and we're all set! After the shopping, we went to get Jack, about 1ish! Came back here for lunch, a movie, and a proposed trip to the mall. We were to be at the ice skating rink at 5, left a little late because lunch/supper ran late, totally blew off the mall, and ended up at the rink "late"! Well, thank goodness for cell phones because just as I had pulled out of the parking lot, Brie called and asked me to come back because the session didn't start until 730, not 5 as we had heard. So, there I was, in a minivan that holds 7 with 9 kids wondering what to do. Well, Cora and her friends Brittany and Christy were instructed by Brittany and Christy's mom to wait there until the session began, nearly 2 hours, and not go anywhere else!! WOW...how boring...and HOT! So the rest of the kids piled into my van and we headed to the mall...LOL...funny how things work out! I had bought a couple gallons of milk on the way to the rink, so I called Erick to bring a cooler with ice to the mall so it wouldn't spoil! He, Joseph and I grabbed a quick dinner while the others shopped and hung out until time to go back to the rink. It was nice! Meanwhile, Olivia was at Rachel's house and they went to a play in Henderson! The kids had fun, didn't even know about the storms that were going on outside...LOL Then I took Jack, Cora, and Jake home (the others had rides) and that was fun in itself...teenagers are so cool! Striking up a new friendship with one of my youth kids now too! His name is Chase, a different Chase than the one who is Jack's best friend, and he seems like a nice kid. I love my job so much...trying to reach these kids and bring them to a level in their walk with Jesus that they couldn't attain on their own! So excited!! God Bless!

Vacation Bible School

2008-06-26T22:13:00.002-05:00

This week was our Vacation Bible School at MT. I didn't volunteer to teach or anything, but showed up as a helper and ended up with somewhere near 20 Kindergarten-1st graders as 2nd teacher. It was great fun, hard work, but feels amazing!! I had help though and Brie and Jack went and helped the preschool class! My helpers were Chase K., Cora and and young man named Ryan...very big helpers! So grateful for them and for the experience! Hope to do it again next year!!

The ABC's of Me

2008-06-23T23:13:00.002-05:00

Stole this from Perri's blog. She always has funsies to do or share. She's cool like that!! Thanks Perri!

A. Aromatherapy? Orange scented candles

B. Best Buds? Erick, Brie, Livi, Joseph, Jack, Alyssa, Kelly, Tracy, Lee Ann, Youth kids

C. Can't eat just one? Mini Reese's Cups

D. Roller Derby in your future? Only as a spectator

E. Essential item? Toothpaste

F. Favorite thing to do in your spare time? Watch Movies

G. Gotta love it when? The kids make you laugh

H. Home town you grew up in? Evansville, IN

I. Favorite Indulgence? Charmed

J. Just what where you thinking when you said? Yes, you can date

K. Do you have Kids? What are their names? Yes!! Briana Jane, Olivia Kay, Joseph Alyn

L. Life isn't complete without? Jesus Christ

M. Marriage Date? October 16, 1993

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 brother, 1 sister, I'm the oldest

O. Oranges, apples or other? Mandarin Oranges

P. Phobias? Creepy Crawlies--Snakes, Spiders, etc...

Q. Quotes? "Better Late Than Never"

R. Reasons to smile? Kids, Hubbies, beautiful weather, blessings

S. Speed Dial Numbers? Erick, Brie, Livi, Joseph, Jack

T. TV shows you don't want to miss? House, Lost, Monk, Psych

U. Unknown fact about me? I have an abnormal tailbone and have had it surgically fixed, leaving a huge, ugly scar

V. How do you Veg out? Watch movies with the family with lots of junk, blankies, etc...

W. Worst habit? Being lazy, or procrastinating

X. eXperience you don't want to do again? Go through a heartbreak with any of my kids

Y. Your favorite food? Mexican or a thick, juicy, well-done cheeseburger

Z. 'Zactly what were you thinking when you said? Sure, I wanna get involved with the Youth Group lol

Nuttin' Much!

2008-06-19T22:31:00.002-05:00

I really haven't had much to post about the past couple days. Just catching up on some house cleaning and MUCH laundry from the wet Ichthus event. Big day tomorrow...going grocery shopping...weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! I think we have no plans for the weekend either for once! YAYYYYY! Night night all!

Ichthus: It's a Hair Thing?

2008-06-15T23:55:00.004-05:00

The night before Icthus and all through the house...
Not a creature was stirring...except for Jack in a shower cap and Cora getting dark pink highlights in her hair for the festival!
Ichthus was an amazing experience for all of us. Here is Olivia donating her hair to Locks of Love!
Right after the big snip! Her hairstyle now is just the cutest! Locks of Love had a booth right at the Ichthus festival and they did an amazing job on her cute cut! I was so amazingly proud of her...just so proud!
And these guys blew me away...from left to right: Maddie, John, Alyssa, Jake, Jack, and Brie! They all stood there with me and Olivia cheering her on and praising God for her generous gift! After the cut, they kept telling her how proud they were of her and how cute her hair was...really including her in their love fest. I ADORE THIS GROUP!!

Ichthus is a 3-day Christian Music festival not unlike Woodstock. We camped in tents and had to walk about 1/4 mile to the festival itself. There were huge prayer tents, huge shopping tents, food vendors, and each band had a booth of course. There were several different kinds of music and the headliners were Jeremy Camp on Thursday night, Toby Mac on Friday night(cancelled) and Casting Crowns on Saturday night. Family Force Five was there, Skillet, Leeland, Mile 7, David Crowder, and so many more up and coming bands, some "Screamo" bands...it was amazing to behold. We had a mass communion Saturday evening and it was amazing. There were also some great speakers and some mass prayer going on after the speakers for anyone who needed it! We had 14 kids and 5 adults so it was a pretty good adult-to-kid ratio! We, of course, had our dramas, and had to have a couple "Come-to-Jesus" talks, but all-in-all, most of us bonded and got to know some new girls and I got to know Cynthia and David a little better. I had a wonderful time!

Friday afternoon, however, we had a nice storm drama. We had to flee the hillside as a group called "Grits' was performing. It was really prophetic because they sang a song called "Bring the Water" and the sky just opened up! We could've stood the rain until it started coming down in buckets, but the lightning was cloud-to-ground and they told us to evacuate. The kids had to drop the metal chairs they tried to take with them and the emcee came over the loud speaker and said to stay away from tent poles, which most people didn't listen to and they crowded into the tents! We lost a canopy tent back at the camp and besides the things in the pop-up trailer, everyone's clothes and things got SOAKED!!! So, since it was still raining pretty good, we decided to go out to dinner as a group and wait it out. After it decided to keep storming pretty good, Cynthia worked it out to where the group of us could hang out int he lobby of Ashbury college where she and David had reserved a dorm room for the event and we could all dry our clothes! It felt amazing to have dry clothes on after about 6 hours in wet clothes in the air conditioning. LOL...we have a good story to tell people now...it was neat! Other than that, we had a great time!!

Another Month Together!

2008-06-09T10:22:00.002-05:00

Happy Anniversary Jack and Brie. 7 months with one person, in teen years, is huge! I don't have pictures yet. I'll try to get one tonight when they go see that Toby Mac concert thing at the movies. As for the weekend, Friday Erick, Joseph, Livi and I watched some TV while Brie was on a double-date at the movies, so that was just kinda boring until I went to pick the kids up. Jack's mom invited us over for a soda afterwards and 2 1/2 hours later, after looking through many many albums of baby pictures of Jack, listening to many many Beatles songs, and hearing many stories and sharing some of our own, we finally headed out well after midnight. It was a really nice time! She invited us to help with Vacation Bible School. I think Brie will help every night, but I'm not sure if I can that week...we'll see! So, Saturday morning, we were supposed to meet at church for a breakfast meeting to discuss VBS, and the leader was a no-show...or so we thought...so the kids, Lee Ann and I left and had our own breakfast meeting at Grandy's. It was nice again to talk for another hour and a half! While we were there, though, I got a hateful phone call intended for Brie. The call itself was not hateful, but the intent behind it was...can't go into detail much, just wanted to warn you ladies with younger girls that there is a whole new breed and level of hate out there that just floors me! So anyway, we finally part from Grandy's and head back here where we watch some Mythbusters and have some lunch before Joseph's game at 3. Jack went and my dad showed up, which made Joseph giddy, so giddy that he struck out twice, but oh well! Such is life eh? After that, the whole family went bowling, Jack included. They had fun until a little accident happened. Brie was pretending to throw a bowling ball and it slipped out of her hands and was coming at my face, so I blocked it, but in doing so, caused it to land on my left foot. My toes are now a nice Neapolitan color...purple, pink, and red...LOL Not broken though, so that's good! She was sooooo sad about it. Even cried at church when I teased her about it. Somehow I got my foot hurt but felt bad about hurting her feelings...ugh...it's hard to be a mom!! Yesterday was the usual church, Sunday school, church, Youth Group day, however, Joseph and the other kids in his class and the even younger kids were in charge. They had skits, songs, some sign language songs that I taught them, a devotion, some testimony...everything a church service should have! It was adorable!! Olivia went over to Rachel's before Youth Group, so we miss her!! Not sure when she's coming back, but it'll be today! Anyway, that was our weekend. Today should be interesting to see if I pass out or not, but I have to pull weeds and water my flowers or else!! Later peeps!!

First Trip to the Pool...

2008-06-05T20:29:00.003-05:00

...if you don't count Holiday World! We went to the local pool yesterday after Jack's marching band practice. He was way grateful for the cooldown I think! My 4 kiddoes!
Goofing for the camera during adult swim...neener neener neener!!
...and the gratuitous lovebird shot!! We had fun, but the weather looked kinda angry after only a little while, so we left earlier than intended. I made dinner, then Joseph and I headed to church...him for Children's Sunday practice and me for an Ichthus meeting!! It lasted a long time...so many details!! We're looking forward to it...a lot!

Sunday School Blues & Possible Job Opportunity

2008-06-01T17:14:00.003-05:00

Well, my first day of teaching Sunday school was about as horrific as one can get. I had zero control over the kids. We were doing well, then we had one late kid after another show up and disrupt the class, a couple near fights, and one OOPS where Jack actually knocked a kid's head into the concrete wall of the basement. He didn't even have a lump and, in all fairness, the kid started it and was as involved, if not more so than, Jack...other than the concrete wall thing. Even after all that, I think I can reach these kids once I express my authority over them. They were some confusing chapters and kinda boring, but the next chapter might be fun to act out...it's 2 Samuel 2...it's a mini war. We'll see!!

Youth Group will be a trip I think. We're getting ready to head over there in just a few minutes. I don't think I have to teach, but I'm gonna supervise. Ichthus is next week and I recruited another kid to go. So far that's at least 10 kids that I know of and I'm sure there are more that I don't. So we'll see!! Should be a blast!! My girls and Jack cannot wait!

Job opportunity for me this week: actually it's 2. I called the newspaper about a possible paper route! What perfect hours for me! And also a part-time caregiver at, of all places...my church!! Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays only! So, I'm praying for one or both of these to come about and maybe we can keep the house!! I am soooooooo turning the heat from gas to electricity though...it's stupidity to have a $600 gas/electric bill. We could rent an apartment for that! Oh well, keep us in your prayers! Much love!

Update

2008-05-29T10:54:00.002-05:00

Well, yesterday, Brie, Jack, Cora, Brittany, and I went to Holiday World and had a pretty good time. The weather was perfect for it, though Brie and I both suffered a little sun poisoning later last night! Olivia already went to Holiday World with a friend and Joseph and his daddy are gonna have some guy time there in July when the girls and I are off on our missions trip!

As for the weekend, it was quiet and boring. Jack got a cell phone for his birthday which is great news for us. We can lower the minutes on our plan cuz he can call Brie mobile to mobile for free now! YAYYY...I did have to add the texting back though...LOL Erick likes the texting as much as the kids do, though, so it works!

Speaking of phones, Erick, Brie, and I should be getting our new sliders today. Our phones were not working well at all. The speakers were busted on mine and Brie's so they would only vibrate, and Erick's is literally falling to pieces. Olivia's is still in great condition, so she opted not to get a new one to help save the environment! She's such a sweetie!

I'm looking forward to a few days of nothing before summer activities begin. Ichthus is coming up, and I'm sure we'll be making a few trips to the pool. In the meantime, I wanna clean my house to the point of being comfortable being gone and then coming home to a nice clean house! We'll see!

Oh, and I teach the middle schoolers this Sunday. I'm nervous! I hope I do OK!!

Happy Birthday Jack...and She Bakes!!

2008-05-23T18:30:00.004-05:00

Well, here's the birthday boy under an arch by our red rosebush! Jack's 14 today...Happy Birthday Jack!!

And here's the happy couple being goofy. I hope they didn't get "thorned"!

And again. I can't believe how many roses have shown up this year! Even my little yellow one in the back has 10 blooms ready to open up!!

OK, here's one of the birthdays pies she made! Obviously the camera was not quick enough to catch the whole pie before it got mostly devoured! She made them all by herself! She baked them because Jack said he loved apple pie and she wanted to do something special for his birthday!! Well, we got him that checkerboard jacket he LOVES earlier so he could wear it while it was still cool enough outside. Today she gave him a scarf she had knitted earlier and thought he would like, a pink(LOL) Frisbee with the Pillsbury Dough Boy on it(that's one of his nicknames), and a pair of Vans checkerboard boxers...did we mention he likes checkerboard? She also drew him some pictures of penguins(she's a really good artist) and wrote him some poetry. All in all, a good birthday haul!

We didn't do much today other than grocery shop and bake pies, but tomorrow, we're gonna try to have a yard sale. It might be the most disorganized yard sale on the planet, but I'm afraid if I don't get out there and at least try, I might never...and I realllllly have to have a yard sale...LOL! Wish me luck!

Decisions and Blessings

2008-05-20T08:36:00.002-05:00

I just want to praise God for putting yet another amazing church family in my path. They have already blessed us more than you can imagine.

And, we are struggling with a decision right now. We need guidance and prayer in a major way! I know God will show His plan soon and we'll be fine with obeying what He wants from us! Thank You God!

Not Felt Much Like Blogging

2008-05-14T07:49:00.004-05:00

...the past few days. We've just been under stress with the whole bank account debacle and the finances, among other things. Here's an update! On Friday night, we went to the church's family fun night. It was OK. We had dinner, the kids painted some pictures and they played hard in the celebration center (kind of like a gym, but with carpet). Then we came home and had some family time! Saturday, Erick had to teach until noon and the kids and I worked at the church's art fair until about 2 selling coffee. Then we came home and Joseph had a game. After that, we just kinda vegged out the rest of the evening. Then Sunday was church, of course, where we once again sold coffee. We went a little late to set up the coffee sales and missed first service. Since Jack wasn't there, we decided to skip it. We usually go to both services. This week was a bit different...See, we sell coffee beginning at 930 after 1st service, usually preparing it by 830 so we can sit in 1st service. We sell until just before 11, so we can go to 2nd service, but Sunday, I had a YIN...or Youth In Need. So, Brie, Livi, Maddie, and I sat with this young man throughout 2nd service allowing him to talk and to get things off his chest. By the time 2nd service was over, we had him smiling and laughing and I think he felt a lot better about things. We even spoke on politics, about which he has some passionate opinions...all good ones in my opinion...LOL It felt good to reach out to him in that way, even if it meant missing church once! Ok, anyway, after we cleaned up, we headed over to my sister's for Mother's Day. She made hamburgers, hot dogs, and BBQ chicken, with all the sides. And yes, she grilled in that wacky cold huge wind we had...LOL I had never been to her house yet. It's a nice house. I almost wished I had it other than the neighborhood. All hardwood floors, big rooms, window seats...an old, classic house. But oh well...we stayed until around 4 then ran to my mom's to pick up a computer desk she had given to her. She has no computer of course and we have 3, so she offered it to us. After that, just home and vegging again. I got the pair of earrings I wanted for mother's day and the kids bought me a corsage the youth at church made. I loved it! Monday was just kinda boring until Alyssa's mom called and asked me to keep Alyssa, Evan(her brother), and their dog, Cody, overnight so she and her husband could travel to Indy to see his ailing father. So we had those 3 and it was fine. The girls adore each other and Joseph and Evan played together all night long. The dog was a trip though...I now know why I do not have pets. I can't tolerate them for longer than 24 hours...LOL We even had Ben for a few hours because his mom couldn't get off work in time to get him from school. It was fun! Yesterday was OK. I had the dog until around 330 when they came to get him, and I had Harley until about then as well. Joseph had a game. He walked twice and scored both times!! Yay! And now, here we are...Wednesday morning and I'm getting ready to get cleaned up and put some applications in some places. Yes, unfortunately it has come down to me getting a job somewhere. I know the hours I would like, but I don't know what I wanna do, so, that poses a problem! LOL Oh well, wish me happy hunting! The picture above is of my girls at Joseph's game last night. I don't have many pics of them together so I thought I'd remedy that!

This Is Our Story & An Anniversary

2008-05-09T07:24:00.010-05:00

Well, Brie and Jack have made it 6 months now! Yay! She got him an Itunes gift card and click here to see what he got her!! Their anniversary is today actually, but he has to go to Lincoln State park with his family for a Mother's Day/Abraham Lincoln Celebration this whole weekend. They'll be playing civil war era music! So, the kids had 2 "dates," one on Wednesday and one yesterday. We picked him up from school and brought him back here for some dinner and TV time before we took him to Roberts Stadium for the "This Is Our Story" program. I think he had to play just about every song...lol. He's in Honors Band, Honors Orchestra, and his school's band of course, but I was confused by the program a little. There were a couple songs that were performed by the "Prep Band" and he played those as well, when he's clearly in Varsity...but whatever. It was such a good concert! I remember when I performed in it that it was just a big black hole of suck...according to my parents!

Here's Brie helping Jack with his tie! Isn't that sweet!!!

Last night, though, the Middle School Honors Band and Honors Orchestra did realllly well! The High School Honors Band and Honors Orchestra was really good, and don't get me started on the High School Jazz Ensemble, featuring MT's own Joe Anderson of "Behold the Seraph" fame! He rocked a major guitar solo!!

Jack, all ready for his concert!! Like the Jacket? LOL Yeah, we do, too. He left it at church this past Sunday and I retrieved it for him Monday afternoon and washed it. Then Brie wore it. We kept catching him smell it...lol.

And here is a crappy pic from the program. Can you pick Jack out of the crowd? Hint: he's exactly in the middle!! LOL See the thick, black hair and checkerboard jacket? Right behind him, not that you can see, is his and Brie's friend Maddie from church! Thought that was pretty cool that they ended up sitting by each other even though they go to different schools! It was a good night and the kids had fun. I tried to convince my other two to go to the program, but it was a no go. Oh well...we'll have fun at the Family Fun Night at church tonight...I hope!

Honors Ceremony

2008-05-08T09:06:00.003-05:00

Brie had an Honors Reception Tuesday night. It was quite boring and I understand why so many chose to forgo it and receive their certificates and pins the next day! But, she's happy...just look! The award was for achieving at least a 3.5 grade point average 4 out of the first 5 grading periods(she has done it all 6, unless something hugely dramatic happens in the last 9 days of school)! We're proud!

Livi has a field trip to the Adventure Science Center in Nashville with the Excel program next Friday. She's really excited about it!! It's a long day for them. They have to be at school at 545 am and won't be back until 6 pm. Should be a lot of fun and really interesting!

More Catching Up

2008-05-06T11:50:00.004-05:00

Last night was the All-School Festival at CHS. Basically the 6th grade bands from all the elementary schools in the county, the massive Junior High Band, and the CHS band. The Junior High and HS bands had separate jazz bands that performed as well. They all did super amazing, but I have a warm spot in my heart for the Junior High band. It just amazes me how well the directors do with this massive band...193 members, or roughly 1/5 of the school's total population! Here is a picture of them...
They performed "Summer Nights" from "Grease" and a song called "Children of Sanchez" that I know I've heard in many a western movie. It was awesome! Mr. Dean played the trumpet solo and he did an amazing job and Mr. Eiffler played the trombone solo which was great. I tried to call Jack when I heard that the trombone soloist didn't show up, mostly just to joke that they needed a trombone, but there was no way he could've gotten there in time. Just thought it would be funny! In case I never mentioned it, Jack is first chair trombone in the Vanderburgh County Honors Band...he's great! His parents were music majors in college and play several instruments, as does he and his sister, but his emphasis is trombone and hers, trumpet. He's inspiring Brie a lot with her music and, in fact, she was asked recently to join 5th period band, which is pretty much the Honors band in the county, so we're proud and she's really happy! We're going to get her some lessons, maybe this summer! We'll see. Anyway, it was a great night!

Tomorrow is going to be nice, too. We're picking Jack up after school. They have a date both tomorrow and Thursday because he will be gone for the weekend and Friday is their 6-month anniversary! 6 months with one person is like a lifetime in adult years, so it's amazing and it's been fun for them...so much fun! So anyway, we're gonna have dinner, go to church, where I'm teaching the younger kids the signs for the song "El Shaddai," and then shop for a gift for Brie from him. I dunno what she's getting him yet, but he wants to get her something special, so we're shopping!! Then Thursday it's dinner and a movie after school, then off to the symphony...or...well...This Is Our Story at Roberts Stadium. Jack has to perform there and we're gonna go watch...I feel like we're stalkers...we're always going somewhere to "watch" him...LOL!!

Joseph has a game tonight at 7, but Brie has an honors reception to go to, an awards ceremony for kids with 4.0 and "A" honor roll at least 4 of 5 times this year. So Erick is taking Joseph and Brie and I will show up for a bit if the ceremony gets finished in time! I hope so! I don't like missing his games if I can help it!! I also don't like going dressed up, but oh well!! Such is life!

Friday is family fun night at church and we're going, then I might have to take Alyssa, her new bf Jake, Brie, and maybe some others out to the movies or golfing or something. We'll see! Then we need to be at church Saturday to help set up for the Art Fair which is being held from 10-3! We will set up and also be selling coffee for the missions trip to Jamaica. I'm not sure if I said anything, but I'm in charge of the coffee sales every Sunday. It's been good. It's been a really good learning experience for my kids, too, to learn that they have to work to earn money for these trips! They have helped immensely!

Now, I'm going to go get some sun! It's too nice to be inside today!

Catching Up

2008-05-05T03:09:00.002-05:00

First, in this post I failed to mention that in the second song we performed, we had a little guest...Joseph! He hopped in and did a song called "Luv Addict" by Family Force Five with us! LOL...it was great!

Jack got braces, didn't know if u could see in the previous post, and he is in a lot of pain. It stinks for him, but it'll pass.

We had gotten all our money back, but 2 more charges showed up. Perhaps they went through before the card was closed...we're supposed to be reimbursed later today. I just want it over with.

The weekend was ok. Friday night, Brie, Jack, Cora, and Jake went to Swonder's. Joseph got some new cool cleats for baseball and he thinks we're swell parents because of it...lol. I'll take a picture cuz they are pretty neat!

Saturday I got to sleep in...which I did...yayyyy...and had intended to have NO PLANS, but, alas, foiled again. Jack called Brie before I graced everyone with my presence and invited her to swim at a local indoor pool...WAYYYYYYY across town near his house, and she also had a birthday party to go to later in the afternoon. SO, Erick and I decided to make a date out of it. We dropped her off at the pool, and then we had some lunch at Los Bravos and went and picked up a gift card for her friend. We got finished way early so we headed over to the pool and we were gonna sit at the park, but we ended up just staying in the van and talking. It was really nice! So, we headed home for a very few minutes and then I took Brie to her party. She stayed until 1 am, then she and I talked until 3. We then had to be up at 630 for church at 8...we were and are a little tired. Here I am blogging at 330 am after being up til 3 last night...UGH Oh well. Today was church from 8-12, then Joseph's game at 1, then Youth Group...we ended up giving everyone a ride to and from...lol...i'm doing my part for global warming by keeping 5 or 6 other cars off the road...lol. We have a major busy week this week, plans every single night all the way through Monday...UGH...but I love it!

Meet Me in St. Louis

2008-05-02T09:02:00.003-05:00

Lovebirds at Chase's play last night!
Chase is the tall one in the back. He played Grandpa! He did a great job providing Jack with a lot to tease him about...LOL

Update Update

2008-05-02T08:59:00.002-05:00

We got all the money back into our account!! YAYYYY :) Two more fraudulent charges posted yesterday...BOOOO :( We don't know how this time because the card is closed...it's a major downer! Oh well, this too shall pass!

Update!

2008-04-30T19:51:00.002-05:00

We have gotten almost all our money back in the bank now! We are still short about $100, but that's a lot better than what it was and we should see that within the next couple days! Thanks to the lady at Integra who was so helpful to us and thanks to Erick for being all over it!! And thank God for His strength cuz I was much less of a wreck than I would have been without Him!!

Update

2008-04-29T12:06:00.002-05:00

The identity theft continues today. Erick's card was closed yesterday but there were 6 more fraudulent charges today, all from the same company that said it would close the account yesterday. Maybe these went through before the account was closed, who knows, but our checking account is now down to -$500 and Erick's Ivy Tech pay tomorrow is not enough to bring it positive, so we're stuck until Friday with no means of cash, no means to pay bills, and even then, we might not have enough to cover the bills that are due. This is the most frustrating thing that has ever happened to us. Erick tells me not to worry and I'm trying hard not to, but not being able to give the kids lunch money and not having enough groceries in the house to even make their lunches is just the worst feeling in the world. My family is not in a position to help and neither is Erick's. I just don't know what to do other than to pray. I just hope none of you ever has to deal with anything like this. The bank is being as helpful as they can, but again, it takes time and the bills don't wait...ya know? Making calls to our utility companies and having them not believe us is humiliating at best...I'm just at a loss for words. THIS SUCKS! Please continue to pray...thanks!

And the Hits Keep On Coming

2008-04-28T11:34:00.003-05:00

Well, this story begins Saturday, or maybe Friday night, yeah, Friday night. I went to the bank to withdraw some cash for the weekend. I always ask the machine to print the balance on the receipt so I can check it against my checkbook. Anyway, I looked and it didn't seem quite right, but I thought that maybe the Wal-Mart had already cleared the bank even though Erick went just minutes before the transaction I made. Well, when I logged onto the bank website Saturday night, I was blown away. I found 5 fraudulent charges and 3 insufficient funds charges as a result. There was a lot of money stolen from us and we're down into the negative numbers. The charges seem to have all come from websites, one of which says it's a subscription service. I am beyond distraught. We have been working so hard to get everything paid for. Things were slowly coming along with one credit card paid off this past Friday and finally a payment arrangement we can afford with our medical bills (the company combined our bills together so we could make one lower monthly payment rather than 2 big payments...much more manageable). Now I sit her, obviously not able to write a check or use the debit card. My gas tank is near empty, the kids' lunch accounts are low (but we can always make lunches to take), and the water bill is due. Erick is supposed to be on the phone with the bank today and doing what can be done to get rid of these charges, but it's a waiting game. It kinda blows. No, it really blows. But God is going to carry us through it. It's going to be inconvenient for a while once the charges get removed to go write out a check for cash rather than use the card...we obviously have to cancel the cards...but we'll manage. We also just have to be more careful where we spend our money and use our cards, etc. Satan is really having a field day with us, I swear! But he's going to lose. Thank you, God, for being there to turn to in times of trial, for being our daddy we can cry to when life throws us these curves. We love you and thank you...Amen

Behold the Seraph!

2008-04-27T17:41:00.002-05:00

That's the name of the last band that played last night at Night Light. I like the name! To describe them, however, I have to coin a term the kids use...SCREAMO! They were crazy and the kids did some INSANE things, moshing, hardcore dancing, "extreme lawn mower," and my son was right in the middle of it with the teens. He even got to stage dive/crowd surf and treated everyone to "the worm" a few times! There were some prize giveaways and he won "Bee Movie" which we have yet to watch.

Our performances went exceedingly well! We did 2 performances of 2 songs each and the teens were right there crowding around us and trying to do the moves with us! It was so much fun! I think we may have been the only ones being recorded, too. Jack's and Alyssa's dads were in our faces a couple times with the camcorders rolling! I tell you, those kids did not make a mistake either...they were right on it! I had a couple kids ask about learning sign language and have one who wants to join us with parent approval pending! That makes me happy! Now we have a year to practice more songs, and we might need more than 4 next year because we were a hit and there was some time that needed filled where they just played some CD music and people began to leave, in fact, we went on a tad earlier the 2nd time in order to stop people from leaving...LOL...and it worked!! So maybe 2 more songs...given a year, I think we can find 6 new songs to do! Praise God!

Click here to see some video from last night...WOW

Nerves

2008-04-25T10:23:00.002-05:00

Night Light is tomorrow evening and I am a bundle of nerves, more so than I was for the talent show, probably because we're doing more songs, so more chances to mess up...LOL. God has really worked things out for us though. They had been calling for rain all week and now it looks as though it's not going to, at least not at concert time! We really wanted it to be outdoors because of all the people that are there and because the crazy teens like to MOSH! LOL I'm sure it's all going to work out. I've been practicing like a fiend all morning. I just wanna get to see all the kids at once, so far we haven't had a practice that all 4 kids have been able to attend at the same time :( There are times when Alyssa tends to get ahead and times when Jack gets a little behind. Livi gets to where she doesn't wanna do the signs big enough and Brie and I make little mistakes. I'd just like to get us all together so I can work on the continuity, but God's with us so even if we can't all 5 be together this evening, He'll make sure we do well! Perhaps a quick practice in the basement before the show...we shall see!! Praise God for this night of worship and fun!! Thank You!

2008-04-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

Joseph was sent home from school with...PINKEYE!! Yuck. He could go back to school tomorrow (after about 10 am), but he wants to stay home, so I guess I'll let him. Please pray for a speedy recovery!

Also, pray for my miserable cold/allergies to be gone by Saturday so I'm not fuzzy during Night Light!! Thanks a millionnnnn...HUGGGGSSSSS

Guess What I Get To Do...?

2008-04-23T08:56:00.002-05:00

...for the next 5 weeks? I get to give my Grandma some Vitamin B12 injections twice a week! I gave her the first one yesterday and I have to say, I almost passed out! It's one thing to not like needles when you're on the receiving end, but to be in control of "stabbing" someone with a sharp object is quite another! My fingers went numb and I got a little queasy, but I managed to be gentle and Grandma said I should be a nurse because I didn't hurt her like her nurses do...LOL...NO THANK YOU! I can and will do it for someone I love, but I dunno if I could for anyone else. Oh, maybe I could, if they desperately needed it or if it was my job...which it won't be...I think!

Joseph and Baseball

2008-04-22T23:00:00.002-05:00

Joseph had a game tonight and they tied the other team 10-10! His daddy and his coach said he did reallllly well in the outfield! I'm so proud! Now if we can get him to get less and less timid as he bats, we'll be accomplishing something.