H wearing her Police hat

Quiet Front

Well, things have been a bit quiet here. Nothing to write home about. I thought I broke my toe the other day. Somehow I hit my middle toe on the washing machine the wrong way (gosh, I am SOOO clumsy). It hurt so bad, but I always stub my toes or run into things so I didn't think much of it. But, it wouldn't stop hurting real bad. Then it was swelling up and bruising on the side. Then the back of the toe started to bruise. I knew there was nothing a doctor could do so didn't do much about it... Yesterday I asked my neighbor about it (she's a doctor) and she doesn't think its broken, thankfully! It sure is bruised though. It doesn't really hurt too bad anymore either. Then she commented on the callouses on my feet! How embarrassing! I never let people see my feet! I know I don't wear the right type of shoes though, I always wear sandals (its still 90 down here). Well, at least my toe isn't broken...

H has had a fever for the past couple of days. Must be what J had last week. He had no appetite though, and she's been eating so well lately. Her two bottom teeth are loose. She is reading really well and doing great in school. Here's what she read today: "In the Box. The candy is in it. The lighthouse is in it. Here is the box." The words box, candy and lighthouse had a picture of it with the word underneath it, so she read the picture. I am so proud of how well she is doing! It is such a joy teaching her!

G has had a runny nose too. When I am trying to do school he's been real clingy, but otherwise he's fine. He says so many words now! Dog, dada, mama, night, bear, no, stop, car. He seems to copy everything we say. I forget he's only 13.5 months because he acts so much older. I need to get his hair cut. I have been putting if off for so long because he's my baby and I can't imagine getting it cut!

J sometimes sits and listens to the school lessons. Sometimes he likes to write while we write. The only letter he really knows how to write is H (for H, his sister). But he has fun listening to the stories and songs we do. He was SO easy to potty train and is doing great with that! It already feels like eons ago that he wore diapers. He seems like such a big boy. He copies EVERYTHING his sister says and does...That gets annoying.

Other than that life has been pretty quiet. There's not much to do around here so we haven't been up to much. Finally our friends are starting to return to the area. Last week we went to Mobile, Alabama (it's only like 45 min. Away) and shopped there and ate at the Olive Garden. Other than that...Life is a bit like normal.

Mad Libs

Anyone ever play Mad Libs as a kid? Well, you can do it online... Here are the ones that I did. I loved Mad Libs as a kid.

Copernicus
Four hundred years ago people knew little about our sweet universe. They thought that the earth was the center of the entire fish and that the sun and all of the windows revolved around it. But then a/a Polish named Copernicus discovered the truth. The earth revolves around the apple 62 times a year.
Copernicus, whose last name was Johnson, was born in Warsaw, and he used one of the first hot telescopes, which was invented by Gabe. This primitive telescope was little more than two pieces of pickle stuck on each end of a/an dentist. In 1600 an Italian garbage man named Galileo expanded Copernicus's green theories, but during the Inquisition in Italy he was happily arrested. After peeing for six months in jail, Galileo was forced to eat.

And another one:

Father Goose Rhymes

Old Mother Hubbard went to the tooth

To get her stinky spider a bone.

When she got there, the elephant was lazy

And so her beautiful dog had none.

Jack and Jill went up the book to fetch a/an can of water.

Jack fell down and broke his bowl,

And Jill came tumbling after.

There was a little girl and she had a little curl

Right in the middle of her nose.

And when she was shiny, she was very, very fun,

And when she was bad, she was freaky.

There was a greasy woman who grieved in a shoe.

She had so many flowers

She didn't know what to do.

The last one:

Amusement Parks
An amusement park is always fun to visit on a hot summer bike. When you get there, you can rent a candle and go for a swim. And there are lots of glorious things to eat. You can start off with a hot dog on a/an desk with mustard, relish, and brooms on it. Then you can have a buttered ear of box with a nice fat slice of watermelon and a big bottle of cold lemonade. When you are full, it's time to go on the roller coaster, which should settle your underwear. Other amusement park rides are the Dodge-Em which has little shoes, that you drive and run into other cookies, and the Merry-Go-Round where you can sit on a big wagon and try to grab the gold rake as you ride past.

http://www.penguinputnam.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/madlibs/fun.html.

You can play too! Have fun!

Our First Field Trip

We took our first homeschooling field trip to the fire department. J was pretty scared and asked right away to go home. I think maybe he thought we'd be in a fire or something! He wouldn't go near the fire truck for the longest time. We got to see where the firefighters sleep while they're on shift, and see their kitchen/living area. Fireman Tim showed us the fire truck, explaining its many different parts. H & J were too scared to sit up in the seat! H asked some questions and liked getting her picture taken sitting on the bumpers of the truck. J had fun helping Fireman Tim squirt water out of the hose! H was too afraid to try this at first, but finally made her way over there! Overall, it was a fun time and even I learned a few things! The best part was that we actually got to see them leave for a call (somebody at Taco Bell smelled gas so they had to respond to the call).

The Dumps

Well, today I am feeling so down in the dumps. It started this afternoon when G woke from his nap so crabby and its just been going downhill since. I think the weather may be affecting it. After all, there is another hurricane brewing out there. That is the last thing I want to deal with. I am not wanting to run away from home again. Oh, why can't I move??? Yesterday we drove down by the front beach in Ocean Springs. We saw the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge up close and personal. Crazy. And to see these remains of houses...did I mention the hole's in the ground? It looked like a big crater had dropped and left a hole in the ground in numerous places. And forget grass, the sand is all over. Boats parked up next to houses by the marina. It is unreal to see it for yourself. And we went to one of the many donation spots and got water and I also got this huge package of diapers. I felt so blessed. Yet we feel like we could be doing more to helping people out who have nothing. So, I baked muffins this morning and brought them to the workers where I got our diapers and water from. I think I need another good cry...it has been awhile. Usually things seem fine, in my home I try to put it out of my mind. But, driving around and seeing it...and now with Rita threatening (maybe not here, but still I know what feelings people have that are in its path)...just let the tears come...

Part II: Our Lives & Hurricane Katrina

Wednesday evening my friend, Sheila, (the one I was staying with), our children and I went out to dinner at Applebee's. We were 'celebrating' the fact that things seemed okay for us. She was finally feeling better also, as she had been pretty sick since the day we had gotten there. Thankfully the Lord has watched over us in that area also, as we haven't gotten sick! Due to some 'complications' we only paid $10 for our meal which consisted of 2 adult dinners and 4 children's meals! She was pretty sneaky and had the workers come and sing their 'Happy Birthday' song to me and bring me a free sundae. I could have cried! It was embarrassing, but I know she did it out of love:)

Thursday I was able to meet with one of my friends that also lives in Ocean Springs. Our children played together and we talked of the way our lives had changed. She was in Panama City staying with her parents, but was going to be heading to Pensacola the next day. Hmmm... I wanted to go to Pensacola too, to stay with my friend Diana and to be a bit closer to home. I wanted to run the idea past Zach first though. So, I was able to talk to Zach and plan to leave the next day to Pensacola. Meanwhile, there is so much talk about the base- is it going to close? turn into an army base? remain open? All I knew was that I wanted to move! I never wanted to go through another thing like that!

Friday we drove to Pensacola. It was nice to see Diana again, even though I had just seen her the weekend before! Our children play so well together and H says she wants to marry Alex. Diana, Sheila and I were all stationed together at Minot, North Dakota. It's funny how we all made it to the south:) We were all pregnant together with our first child, although we didn't meet Sheila until the end of the pregnancies. Diana and Sheila lived next to each other and I lived across the street. Diana and I were such close friends, but she moved shortly after our babies were born:( Sheila and I had fun going to playgroups together with our little babies and were pregnant together with our second child.

I stayed there through the weekend. The kids had a blast playing outside with all the other kids. They live in base housing, so there are kids everywhere! They got to swim and jump in one of those bouncy things, ride a Power Wheels jeep...They had it made! I also got to visit another friend, Tracy, who I was stationed with in North Carolina. Through the weekend the news kept coming that water was being restored to different areas. Zach was able to come home frequently, but still had to sleep on base. One of our friends was going to be staying with us because their house was only 2 blocks from the water and didn't quite fare so well. Finally on Sunday Zach called to say we had power and the kids and I could come home! I couldn't believe it! I was only gone for a week, but it felt like ages. It was too much drama and emotion for one week!

So, hail Labor Day, Monday, I drove home. I missed the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Rats. It was that telethon that inspired me to become a social worker. Well, to at least get the degree. I wanted to work in a Children's Hospital with children. Well, the degree is under my belt, but I'm blessed to be working at home with my own children! Anyway, as I drove home I was nervous as to what I would see. The further west I drove the more I wondered what kind of emotions were going to be stirred in me. Mobile, AL, had some trees down and signs down. I kept driving. Pascagoula, MS the bridge driving east was out. There was a big barge that had hit it! Big billboards had been blown over, trees were down and the air stunk. It was unreal to see these huge billboards sawed in half! Some of the smaller signs were fine, but many of them lay in the median of the road. Finally, my exit. What would I find as I neared home? There was no working stop lights. Each car had to stop individually. I passed some neighborhoods where a ton of siding and shingles had been blown off. Some looked fine. I turned onto the road that leads to my house. To the right is a neighborhood. Looks like a pretty expensive one, although it sits right next to the railroad tracks. Many of their fences were blown right over. "Wow!" I thought, "I didn't know those people had a pool!". The thing that really hit me the hardest was seeing the National Guard driving all over or sitting on the corners! I felt like I was living in a war-torn country. I felt safe, but at the same time I felt invaded. It still amazes me that our house did so well. Ones next to us or 3 or 4 houses down had much more siding off or shingles down. Some neighbors had trees that just escaped hitting their houses, but damaged their fences.

I got home. There was Zach. I just clung to him with tears in my eyes, so thankful that we were together again, thankful he was ok. The kids were bouncing around happy to see their daddy again. I just walked through the house, constantly thanking God for sparing us. I couldn't stop staring around, amazed that my house made it. I went outside and assessed the damage. Wow, the screened-in porch looked like something came and cut the screens right out. The glass from the door was smashed into pieces. That door sits pretty much right next to our back door. How is it that the windows on the back door stayed intact? I saw the water line on the fence. What??? It was HIGH! How in the world did that water not come into my house??? I had heard that the two neighbors to the south of me had about an inch of water in their houses. My house sits back further on our lot, closer to the swampy area behind the fence. How is that possible that I didn't' have water? And about the fence...Portions of it were lying on the ground. The swingset looks mutilated.

We didn't stick around home long. We obviously had no food. Zach had worked hard to clean up much of the yard and to throw away all the spoiled food from our fridge and freezers. We first drove down the road toward the coast. It was unreal to see. Where were all those beautiful big houses? There was nothing left of them! Maybe some clothes in a tree. A toilet here, a couch there. Cars overturned. Trees along the road. Finally, we went in search of food. Of course, nothing much was open. Zach said he heard there was a McDonald's open. It wasn't. The traffic was crazy in some areas. People coming home to assess what was left. We drove to Biloxi, to a Dominoe's. I couldn't believe driving through some of the places! My mouth was hanging open. It is so unreal to see it in person. Stuff strewn everywhere. And the stench. Man, driving through some of those places you had to block your nose good! Houses completely gutted out. Houses completely gone, only a cement slab left. It was so sad. At the same time I couldn't even comprehend what I was seeing. The magnitude of it was too great. I just stared in disbelief. I felt like I was dreaming.

Since then we have driven around in different areas as well. There used to be this store called Sharkheads in Biloxi with a big shark head sticking out of it. All that is left is the structure. Right down the road from it was Ruby Tuesday. You'd never guess there was a Ruby Tuesday there. Down by the mall McDonald's is gutted out. Ronald is still standing though, and waving. In the parking lot of a shopping center is a toilet. One house I saw was torn in half. One house would be gone, but the house across the street looked ok. It is so unreal. I still can't get used to it. When I sit at home, life seems almost normal. I try not to think of things. But, once I'm outside I'm reminded of the tragedy. It is so unreal to see National Guard and relief workers, donation centers set up all over the place! It is amazing to see, but sad also. And the stench still remains, in some areas worse than others. Our water is still unsafe. We can bathe in it and that type of thing,b ut not drink it. When I do laundry I feel like my clothes stink from washing them in that water. Yuck. How safe can it truly be here? Why do I have to be here, exposed to this? I feel so bad for people that have lost everything. It is amazing to see people who are determined to get on with life, to rebuild, to stay. I would just want to move away! That is what I want!

Speaking of moving, after we heard many rumors, I guess its decided we're staying here. The medical people are leaving since the base hospital is pretty bad. They decided to start the training again and it was supposed to begin today, but now they're saying next week. I can't understand how they can do that when many of their workers lost homes! Families are still displaced, the active duty member here, yet the family away. Our friend, Matt, that was staying with us barely had a day off. He probably didn't even have time to deal with his loss. The things he owned fit into our garage! Are people like that supposed to care about teaching? Who would have the willpower to do something like that! It is unreal! I'm so bummed that we're stuck here. In a way I know it must be what God wants...I don't want to doubt Him. But, I don't want to be here another 3 years. I don't want to see this place rebuilt. I don't want to deal with hurricane season ever again! Just move me to Alaska for all I care!

Thursday we went to Houston for a few days to get away. It was a nice vacation. The ride took longer than anticipated, but it was so good to not be in the midst of this tragedy here. I got my first pedicure and a manicure! We went to this huge mall. The stores were too expensive for our budget. Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Avenue...whew! It was nice to lounge in a hotel, swim in the pool, eat some real Mexican food and go to a museum. It was nice to put the reality of our lives on hold for a bit.

Now I wonder what the next corner will bring. I see there is a new tropical storm. Part of me just wants it to come and wash away what's left here so they'll move us. I just can't see dealing with this hurricane thing anymore. I try to make life as normal for us as possible. But how can it be? Wal-Mart has limited hours. We went to eat at Applebee's last night only they closed at 5!!! You try to do the normal things to keep on moving, yet sometimes you can't! I am still homeschooling and trying to at least keep life normal in the walls of our home. We're enjoying the homeschooling and the normalcy it brings to life. Even though I struggle with some of my thoughts about it all sometimes I know that God's hand holds me. He sustains me. He is watching us, guiding us and protecting us. He cares about my family and I more than I can comprehend. He is BIGGER than a Category 5 storm. He is God and I will put my trust in Him!

The toilet in the parking lot  

Devastation

Our Lives & Hurricane Katrina

Here is an account of how Hurricane Katrina affected our lives.

On Friday, August 26 I received a phone call from my friend Diana in Pensacola. She said they were told to evacuate the Navy base there and they would come to the birthday party on Saturday and then head to Jackson, MS. I had told her she could always come and stay with us. Then I called my friend in Panama City and told her if she evacuated that she could come here also. I went to my first Stampin' Up party that night. Not many people showed up due to the storm that kept moving nearer to us.

Saturday, August 27 was somewhat of a normal day for us. It was the day I was having a birthday party for G, to celebrate his first year with us. Our friends were coming from Pensacola, plus we had a few families from our area coming to celebrate. It was a busy morning as I was trying to prepare for the party and prepare for school, which was to start on Monday. So, life seemed normal on this day. We kept checking the internet for the latest stats on the storm. Zach had a busy day as he had to call students and tell them when to check into the shelter. Being on the shelter management team, he had much work cut out for him and didn't get to partake in much of the birthday party. Only our friends from Pensacola and a family from our area showed up as everybody else was hunkering down for this storm and trying to figure out what they needed to do. At this point I think it was still a Category 3. My friend from Panama City called and told me if I needed to evacuate that I could go and stay with her, as it had moved more east and didn't look good for my area. I was uncertain what to do, but I finally decided I would weather (no pun intended) it out in the shelter with Zach and see how that went. I couldn't imagine life in a shelter with 3 children under the age of 5, but I didn't want to leave Zach either. So, I packed up some food Saturday night and tried to sleep, wondering what the next day held in store for us.

Sunday morning Zach had to leave early to prepare the shelter. I decided I would go there after dinner, about 5 pm. I woke up real early, not able to sleep well anyway. Who can sleep when they say the eye of the storm is coming straight for you? I quickly checked the computer and saw the number 5. My phone was ringing off the hook and it wasn't even 7 am! Friends and family were calling and telling me how bad it looked and that I needed to leave. I was frantic. I just remember seeing that 5 and feeling doomed. I tried to call Zach but the lady wasn't sure where he was. I wanted to ask him if I could just leave. I did not want to stay where a storm that bad would hit. The building I was going to be sheltering in with him was built to maintain a direct hit from a Category 4 storm, but a 5? That spelled one thing for me. Make that two. D-E-V-A-S-T-I-O-N and E-V-A-C-U-A-T-E. As I waited for Zach to call me back I answered the many phone calls and was throwing things in laundry baskets. I was gathering pictures, important papers, things I didn't want lost or forever gone. Finally, he called. I told him I wanted to leave, to go to Panama City. He got a bit upset that I was changing the plan and told me to just go to the shelter, that we would be fine. I was upset and didn't know what to do. I certainly wasn't going to drive 5 hours away without his consent not knowing if I'd even see him again. About a half an hour later he called back and said he'd be home in about a half an hour. I didn't know what that meant. He wasn't very happy with me for 'freaking out'. Maybe it was his way of dealing with the situation. He didn't seem worried in the least bit though, and it irritated me. I just kept seeing that 5 and hearing that we were doomed and I just knew I needed to protect my children and get out of town. Finally he arrived home and asked me when I was leaving. He packed up the van and we said a not-so-good good-bye. I don't think he really wanted me to drive that far by myself, and then with traffic on top of it. I don't think he wanted us to be separated or me to have to leave alone. It was not easy to leave him behind and wonder if I would even see him again. I kept thinking 30 ft. storm surge and how his building would be wiped out. I cried and prayed as I drove. I was tempted to turn around and go back to him, especially with all of the traffic. But I kept on driving east. I kept on talking to God. At one point I saw this clear picture in my mind. It was my house and it was surrounded by a huge wall on all sides and above. It was the type of wall that they built in Bible times to protect the cities. Around the outer parts of the wall were huge angels, they looked like giants, protecting the wall. It was amazing how God gave me that vision.

I arrived in Panama City and called Zach to let him know I was there. We only got to talk for a minute. It was so hard being so far from him and knowing this huge storm is headed for him. I barely slept that night and kept checking the TV. My friend didn't have cable, but that's probably a good thing. All day Monday I kept checking the internet and TV. I was a wreck. I couldn't think of anything else besides this storm taking place right where Zach was. Right where our home is. It looked awful. Being on the eastern side, I knew it couldn't be good for us at all. I was devastated. All day I wondered if Zach was ok. He was right off of the coast on the base. Did the water rise so high from the storm surge that his building was wiped out? I can't even imagine storm surge or 100+ winds. What was he doing? When would I hear from him? Surely there was no power. Had we said our last good-bye the day before? That was probably the longest day of my life. Finally, FINALLY in the evening he called. He could only talk real quick. He was ok. Their building was fine. I didn't know whether he was just saying that so I didn't worry or if it was true, but at least I got to hear his voice, even if it was for a minute or two. I had no idea when I would hear from him again.

Tuesday I woke up. It was my birthday. Some birthday. I knew my husband was ok, but what of our house? I was seeing devastation in Biloxi and Gulfport but nothing of Ocean Springs. What did that mean? Was it so bad that they couldn't' get in there? I even saw Pascagoula. We are sandwiched between Pascagoula and Biloxi. The bridge from Ocean Springs to Biloxi was gone. What of my house? I decided to try to make the best of my day. I took the kids to IHOP. I normally don't go to a sit-down restaraunt like that alone with 3 children, but they love IHOP. They did great! As I got them buckled in the vehicle to leave this elderly black lady tapped on the passenger window. I had seen her in the restaurant at a table near us. I didn't think she paid us any attention. I rolled the window down a bit and this is what she said: "I just want to tell you how well-behaved your children are and how blessed you are". I was floored. I knew that that was only from God. I mean, it was my birthday and here I'm going through the biggest storm to hit the U.S. That was not a coincidence. I don't believe in luck. Zach thinks maybe it was an angel. It just made me break into tears and thank God for my children. I thanked Him that my family was ok. I knew that no matter what else I had left, I had my family and that is more precious than anything else. That afternoon I visited with a different friend that happens to live in P.C. Her dh and Zach graduated from high school together and I met them in N.C. The downer was that I had missed a phone call from Zach. I was devastated. I at least wanted to hear his voice. Meanwhile, I'm getting all these emails from friends stationed in Mississippi with us. Rumors are flying every which way about the base and what will happen. I just know that I want to get out of Mississippi. I will go back to North Dakota at this point.

Wednesday Zach is able to drive to check on the house. He calls me. The house is okay. Our privacy fence is down (we knew that would happen as it happened last year with Ivan), our back porch is no longer screened in, we're missing 2 or 3 rows of vinyl siding on the garage and we're missing a bit of shingles. That is it! How is that possible? You all must have seen the footage on TV just like I did. I cried and thanked God. I just couldn't believe it. I couldn't even put into words the miracle God had given us. All I knew was that just like that vision, He protected us. Why me? Sure, I love Him. I try to be faithful to Him. But, I feel I fail miserably day in and day out. And yet He is SOOOOO faithful to me! What a loving Father! I just couldn't believe that our home was okay. And yet, I felt horrible for all those people who lost so much. People I know. People I probably see in the stores. People that may wait on us at a restaraunt. One of the first things I said was, "That is not my house. It is God's house and it will be open to those who have nowhere to go." He was able to protect it and I needed to give it to Him. To let Him use it as He desired.

Stay tuned to Part II of my account of Hurricane Katrina...Coming soon...

I'm Back

Ok, Just wanted to let you know I'm back. Internet is now up and running. I will try to update a bit more in a couple of days, but we are totally fine. Praise the Lord as He has protected us!

Katrina

Ok, I will be gone for a bit. Not sure how long. Katrina is headed our way. Going to shelter on base with Zach. Not sure when I'll be back. Will go to the shelter sometime tomorrow (Sunday) and the storm is supposed to hit Monday. My birthday is Tuesday, so what a wonderful birthday present. Just pray for the safety of my family and I. Pray our home will be unharmed. Looks like we'll be on the eastern end of it and that's the worst side.

Update: The Trash

I thought I would give a quick update. We finally bought a new garbage can. To me it looks smaller than our old one (maybe because its not round like the other one was), but we agreed on it. I have yet to do the garbage;) Thanks, honey:)

Birthday Boy!

My Gift, My Son

You were woven together inside of me,
A secret place, only God can see.
It took some time, nine months in fact,
To mold you together, all in tact.

At last the day upon me arose,
I held you, kissed you and counted your toes.
Instantly I fell in love
With my new babe sent from the Father above.

How can it be that a year has passed?
The time has flown so utterly fast.
I have watched you grow and watched you learn,
Yet vividly remember that day you were born.

Thank you, dear Jesus, for this year with my son,
It has been a year of learning, laughter and fun.
His cuddles, his antics, his giggles, his cries,
His 'woof, woof', his 'mama', his 'hi', his 'bye-bye'.

I watch him nestle against my breast,
I smile and am awestruck at how I am blest.
As he depends upon me as his mother,
May I depend upon You, Father, and not on another.

Lord Jesus, I ask for patience and gentleness,
As I mother my son, Lord make me selfless.
May I be an example of humility,
May I obey You and may he see You in me.

I pray he will come to know You, Lord,
To study your Bible, to make it his sword.
May all that he does reflect your face,
I pray that he is led to your saving grace.

Lord, thank You for this gift, my son,
Thank you for this day he's one.
Guide him each and every day,
To be a holy man, to pray.
May he serve You and obey,
May he walk in Your steps and never stray.

Happy 1st Birthday, my dear son, G. I love you so much!
Mommy

Ever Feel Like Chopped Liver?

Well, today I decided to take the little ones to a playgroup on the base. This is not an easy task, especially when they meet at 9:30 and I live about 20 minutes away from base. I decided to go because I know the lady who 'runs' it and she has invited me numerous times. They were also supposed to be having some sort of 'lessons' on knitting or crocheting and I'm trying to learn how to knit. So, I decided I would drag my butt out of bed early, fight with the kids and be out the door at 9! I'm usually not even showered by then! But, it was a fairly smooth morning.

I almost get hit by some old people on my way there, not once but twice. I haven't been to an actual 'base' playgroup in awhile. I went religiously in Minot when H was a baby and would sometimes go in North Carolina. I was feeling a bit apprehensive but was excited, if nothing else, to get some pointers on knitting. Plus, my friend Canaan was going, so I would know two people- her and Robin, the lady who 'runs' it.

I am making this quite long...sorry:) So, I am walking in and there is another lady with her baby walking. She says hi and holds the door for me and my 3 children. I walk into the room and there are mostly little toddling babies all about. No problem, after all one of mine is a toddling baby. So, I stand there, as other ladies are, waiting for somebody to introduce themselves or something. I stand...and stand...let the baby out...stand...plaster a fake smile...talk to my children...fake smile... By this time I am wanting to know where the nearest phone is to tell Zach to come and rescue me on his lunch break (his lunch is at 10:15). Finally Canaan and her children arrive! Phew. Now that there's 2 of us somebody will surely come and say hi. Well, we stand, fake smile...You get the idea. Normally I am one to just start talking to somebody, given their body language or something about them is inviting, but they were not even acknowledging that we were there in any way! It didn't take long for us to decide to just head to the nearest playland with our children. They must be officers wives and I must have ENLISTED written all over me or something. It was pretty rude and ridiculous. We won't be attending that playgroup again!

As we were getting our things together to leave (meaning gathering our brood of children), Robin walked in. I don't think she saw me, otherwise I know she would have said hello. I didn't stick around for her to see me, but tried to squeeze out before she could and before I was more embarrassed than I already felt (and she is NOT an officer wife!). And dear Canaan gave me a few knitting pointers as we watched our brood get all full of germs on the playland;)

But, what a way to feel like chopped liver...

The Trash

I have always had this 'struggle' with the trash. In my mind it is a man's job to take out the trash, so I always harp, nag or get frustrated when its well overdue and I can't stick another thing in the can. For the past year, at least, I have struggled with wanting to be a help meet to my husband by doing the trash myself (I have struggled with being a help meet since Day 1 of marriage, in this I'm referring to the trash). I know that it would be a great help to him. And I know that I am his help meet, not the other way around. But knowing this and acting upon it are two entirely different things. I have this good book called Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl (www.nogreaterjoy.com). It took forever for me to read it as it was very convicting. I recommend it, but be careful! It will change you, even if its little baby step changes, like with me. One of the first chapters dealt with the trash issue and I knew if I was convicted on that 'little' thing that I was in trouble for what was yet to come;) I have many areas that need work, as we all do, in regards to being the type of wife the Lord is wanting me to be. Anyway, this is about the trash...

Zach has never cared for our garbage can. He wants a big hefty size one. We had one once, when we lived in North Dakota. It was nice. We put in the the basement-way, so it didn't look hideous in our kitchen. Well, we have three additions to our family since that garbage can, and no longer do we have a basement. Yesterday the spring on the lid of the garbage can fell somewhere inside of it. Now it doesn't close all the way, although it mostly does. Zach thought this was a great time to get that big hefty garbage can he's been wanting. I fussed and cried. I said there is no way a garbage can like that is going in my kitchen! He said he'd put it in the garage. Not a bad idea, but every time I need to throw something away I don't want to go to the garage! I like the convenience of my garbage can in my kitchen, especially when I'm cooking. We went to Wal-Mart to see what was available and couldn't agree so walked out empty handed. Zach hates having to do the garbage pretty much every day or every other day. He thinks that with one of those big ones he won't have to take it out as often, but it stinks bad enough now at times (poopy diapers), imagine letting it sit for a day or two longer! I keep saying that with 5 of us in the house there is going to be more garbage, and wait until we have 14 in the house (he wants 12 kids)! The garbage will need to be changed daily! But, by that time it will be one of the children's responsibilities.

So, on our way from Wal-Mart I broke my anti-trash barrier. I told him if we could get one of the dainty, regular kitchen garbage cans that I would take the trash out. I did it! I guess if that is what its gonna take for me to get my act together and do the trash like I've been convicted to do to help my husband (and also to get a regular garbage can), then by golly I better just shut up and do the trash myself!

Note: I am not saying all you ladies need to take your trash out:) This is something that *I* have been convicted upon and I'm not saying all ladies need to do this!

Garage Sales

Well I was finally able to have my garage sale today. I did considerably well. I didn't really advertise besides on some groups I'm in online and I put a few signs out by stop signs. I was worried I would get no business, but I did. It was a bit frustrating though, because after like 9:30 or 10 I rarely had any business. I sold alot (about $60 worth), but I still have LOTS left! I am thinking of trying ebay or something. One egroup I'm in is having a 'garage sale' this weekend so I'm trying to sell some things on there. As far as clothes and baby items like blankets I will probably try the ebay thing. I'm a bit nervous as I've not sold on ebay before, but I have certainly bought plenty:) I had alot of toys and kids books. Thankfully I was able to sell some of those. We'll just see what happens from here... At least I made a bit of money. I had things priced so cheap, otherwise I probably would've made more. Anyway, it was so hot while doing it. And, it seems some cute kitten tried to adopt us. As I moved the van this morning he darted out from under it and followed me all around. He ventured into the garage and backyard and when I would come in the house he would cry at the door. He really is a cute little thing but we all HATE cats (plus Zach's allergic to them). So, I had a bit of company in my downtime out there:)

While I'm on the subject of sales, I printed this coupon from the net for Bath & Body Works (buy 5 hand soaps for $10). I was wondering if it was legit and headed there last night. They had a sign that said buy 5 hand soaps for $15 but the coupon was valid! What a great deal! If you're interested let me know and I can email you the coupon. Expires 8/21.

There's Something About This Place...

Well, we found out the other day that we're here for a year longer than what was originally the case. I guess the Air Force changed something or another and instead of Zach's tour here being 3 years it is 4. I am indifferent about the whole thing. At least we bought a house, so it gives us more time in our own home to do what we want with it. At least I like it here and don't mind having to stay. I sure hope we find a church home by the time we leave though. I don't think I'll feel completely at home until I find a church family. I have to admit there are things I don't like about living down here, but obviously this is where the Lord wants us.

Speaking of being here, tonight we were eating at Ruby Tuesdays. They're located right on the beach and we got to sit outside and eat tonight. Well, a storm started coming in and before we knew it it was lightning, thundering and pouring. When it rains here it pours. I don't think I've ever seen just a drizzle here- it rains buckets! So, we're finished with our meal and getting ready to leave and I see this huge streak of lightning and the next thing I know I hear the LOUDEST boom of thunder I have ever heard in my life. I must have jumped a mile in the air and left streaks in my drawers;0 The kiddos started to cry- they were terrified. It was quite freaky and I'm not quite sure I'd like to hear thunder that loud again. And that reminds me of the fireworks here...they are so LOUD. Now, I grew up by a HUGE lake (Lake Superior), but our fireworks were never that loud. I'm not a scientist so I'm not sure if its got something to do with the water or not, but it makes me wonder. I think maybe they ricochet off of the big casino buildings too, but boy they are loud. I even hear them all the way at my house and I'm not ever near where they go off. It's pretty weird.

But, there's something about this place that I love. It is where God has my family at this time and I will accept it and make the most of my time here. It is the place where G was born, where I will first begin to homeschool. It is the place where we own our first home and where we will continue to make lasting memories. I thank God that He has me right where He wants me. And that is why I love it like I do- because He brought me here and I am right smack in the center of His will.

My Blessings & I


Ok, I tried to put this where my profile is. I have NO idea how to put a photo there, so any help or advice would be wonderful. This is my kiddos and I and was taken on the 4th of July.

The Decision

After much thought, prayer, research, prayer, thought, research, prayer I FINALLY have decided which homeschool curriculum to go with for the year. For awhile it was between two, Bob Jones University Press (www.bjup.com) or Christian Liberty Press (www.christianlibertypress.com). I know my sister-in-law, Amie is going with Christian Liberty Press and I really like the beliefs and all that they teach (plus they are cheap), but my first instinct was Bob Jones so I stuck with it. However, with Bob Jones you only get Phonics, Math and Bible for Kindergarten so I did buy History and Science from Christian Liberty. I know a Kindergartener doesn't need History and Science, but I thought it would be fun to throw it in one or two days a week. I finally decided we'd start school August 29. The schools down here started yesterday, but there is no way I was starting this early! It is hard to know when to begin with G's birthday and my birthday at the end of the month. But finally, the decision is made and I feel a huge burden lifted. I am so excited to begin our homeschooling venture, or should I say adventure!