Catching up

Wow...where does the time go?

I think the last time I blogged was in the spring.   Our summer and fall in a nutshell:

• boys finished school in early June
• Eldest went to Super Summer in Abilene
• Eldest started Karen Dillard SAT Prep courses
• Eldest had wisdom teeth extracted.  Awesome dr. and staff.  Eldest did great!
• We spent week of 4th of July at home (our only opportunity for vacation)
• July was mainly spent with eldest attending classes at KD
• VBS was in July.  Youngest attended; eldest and I worked
• Two more Chinese boys arrived in late July for an 18 day stay
• Eldest started high school band camp before the Chinese boys left
• Chinese boys left for home and we had 3 weeks before school started here
• Eldest also took on lawn mowing duties here and at my parents' house.  It was rough to fit that in with all the other stuff he has going on.

Since school has started, we've been trying to get the eldest to find a minute or two to finish up driver's ed, but that's hard when you're in marching band and you are taking almost all AP classes.  So, he's still not driving, but we do have a car.  His paternal grandparents gave up their keys and we've inherited teh 1998 land yatch!

I did sign up to be a uniform mom for the marching band at high school.  That entailed 3 workdays this summer, the last of which was 8-5 and we outfitted the entire 230 member marching band.  I'm also needed to ride along with th band to football games, just in case something happens to a uniform.  Last week was my first time to ride along.  This past week we had a marching contest to attend, but it was rained out.

We have UIL marching contest this weekend.  Hubby has traveled a couple of times in the last few weeks.  Once was to Baltimore, MD the same week as the Navy Yard shootings.  The next week he was in Boulder, CO, about 2 wks after the flood.

You'd think that as kids get older the single parenting stints wouldn't be so hard, but with the eldest so busy and still not driving, I think those were two of the hardest parenting weeks I've had in a long time.

I don't think I wrote a post about this either....our church has called a new pastor and he is just wonderful.  I am enjoying learning from him.  A good friend of mine goes to a different church, different denomination and our new pastors started on the same day.  When she and I go to lunch, we need more than an hour so we can report on all the new great sermns we've heard.

The fall appears to be slowing down (if only incrementally).  After UIL marching contest this coming weekend, and the PSAT in mid-October, life should slow down.  Fingers crossed that it will actually turn out that way!

I took leave of my senses..

and volunteered to be the Jr. parent in charge of marching band uniforms next year at my son's High school.

I think it will be fun to meet more of the band kids and parents and to see the halftime performaces all year long.

probably lots of work, but still fun along the way!

New Pastor?

If you've followed my blog, you are aware that the pastor at my church died in October of 2011.  Our church is one of those that does not have a governing board at a regional level that can just shift pastors around.

Our church put together a pastor search committee a hair over a year ago.

They came to use a few weeks back and said they believe they have found the man that is to be our next sr. pastor.

That man will come preach on June 2nd and then the congregation will vote on whether to accept him or not.  I'm so ready for this next step in my church's life.

His Jr year is going to be "awesome"

My eldest has completed the audition process for the bands at his 11th and 12th grade campus for next year.

He made it into the Jazz Band AND made the TOP band at his school.

His quote was "My Jr year is going to be AWESOME!"

yes, I do believe it is!

Happy Mama

I'm a very sporadic blogger

Seems January was the last time I stopped by.

Since then I've been on a weight loss journey.  I've lost about 20 pounds and am feeling better.  I also changed my hair color and have enjoyed the reactions to that.

The scanner I got in December is still being used.  I'm trying (still) to reduce the paper clutter that's in my life.

Laundry is still my nemesis...and probably always will be!

Kids are doing great in school.  We're in the home stretch for the end of the year.  Eldest has some state-wide exams to take this week.  Youngest has already done his.

Band performances, contests, enrolling for classes for next year....it's all being taken care of.

I'm teaching another parenting class for parents of gifted kiddos.  We're in our 2nd week.  Must get that knocked out before the school year ends.

I was involved in two Spring Bible Studies.  One through the Women's ministry at church.  The other I got started for the ladies in my Sunday School class.  We are really enjoying the time together and getting to know one another on a deeper level over the Word of God.

That's about all for now.

January

Life is continuing at its crazy pace.

Kiddos are in school.  Eldest is already deciding on classes for his Jr. yr.  I cannot believe time as flow so quickly.  It feels like just last year we were sitting around reading books together all day long with no one else in the house.

Youngest is working on 6th grade. Doing an admirable job of it too!  Great grades and good attitude (most of the time).

Hubby's travel was minimal last year, so lots of time as an entire family.  No major health issues to speak of for us.  Both sets of parents has issues last year.  My mom had medication issues (too much), his dad had accident w/ hand in elevator door + blood thinner.  Not pretty.

Ended last year on a Christmas cruise (Royal Carribean) Fun!

This is the year of taking control:

* of paper (I am drowning in piles of paper.  I now own a scanner and am working on reducing the piles).

* of my health (weight, fitness, better eating)

* of the house (painting projects await)

That is about all for now.

September update

We are staying very busy around here.

Ladies' Bible Study has started for me.  I am not leading this year, but am enjoying participating.  I know many of the ladies in my group and that is always nice -- to be with friends.  I'm giving a friend a ride to study and she is recovering from her knee surgery very well.

I am not leading this study, as I said, but I will probably be leading another Bible Study starting later in the fall.

In addition to that, I'll be facilitating another SENG Model Parenting Group.  This is a book study group for parents of gifted students.  I found this group through my local school district and was so excited about the information I received, I signed up to become a faciliator myself.  This will probably be my 4th group to work with.  It's so gratifying to see these parents come in, all with questions about how to help their gifted kids fit in, or how to understand them better and by the end of the seminar, the parents have made friends with one another and support one another.  That starts the last week of the month.

My boys are both doing well in school.  We should get progress reports this week.  I have been keeping an eye on grades already, so I don't expect any big surprises.   That being said, they are both starting the year off great.

I had the opportunity to go to my eldest's school for open house.  It took the better part of an evening, but I was able to meet all of his teachers and see where he is every day.  I don't know if I could keep up with his schedule...but if I were 15, I probaby could.

He is still working on his driver's ed. stuff, so no new driver on the road yet.

Hubby is on a business trip this week.  This is the first one in about a year.  I have really gotten used to him being home!  The boys and I are managing, but I've had to ask friends to transport the boys to various activities, as I've been at open house and other things.

My grandmother, 104, had a stroke about 2 weeks ago.  She is not doing well.  Hospice has been called in and my dad's sister is with her most days.

Church is keeping us busy and all of us are involved in something extra.  That's about all it from here.

Labor Day Weekend

September is here.  Wow.  Time flies so quickly these days.

Sat. was my Dad's 70th birthday.  That does NOT seem possible.  We had mom and dad over for steaks, potatoes, etc.  Cake and ice cream too.  They had a good time I think.

The rest of the holiday weekend was busy with church and those things...choir, inreach obligations, etc.

Monday I got to make cards with a friend!  Yea!  And I even MAILED two of them out to friends.  That's the big news for the weekend! ha ha

My youngest and I had a teacher conference on Fri. afternoon w/ his math teacher.  She was interested to learn about his AlphaSmart and we discussed how it can fit into what he does in math class.  I am so grateful that God has provided caring teachers who will work with my youngest to allow him another way to convey his mastery of knowledge and skills.

That's all for today.  Kids are back in school.  I start Bible Study tomorrow and will be giving a friend a lift every week.  So, must get busy w/ housework.

And it's back to the school year routine

Wow, summer flew past too quickly.  We didn't even have time to go anywhere as a family...and if we had, it would have been the week that included July 4th!  Then we were booked solid after that.

So...into the school year we go.

My eldest is in 10th grade.  On his final day of summer, we stood in line at the DMV for his learner's permit.  Where we live the line is very, very long. It took us 3 full hours, but it was worth the wait.  The eldest is now carrying a learner's permit.  Unfortunately, we've not had time to do any instruction or driving...yet!

My youngest is in 6th grade.  On his final day of summer he slept until about 1 PM!

Now we've gotten all of our school supplies, have purchased oodles of food for lunches that are packed on a daily basis and have generally gotten into the swing of the school year.  We've also instituted a weekly family meeting time, so that everyone is made aware of the week's obligations...mainly so no one can say "I didn't know."  But it did help this week.

The biggest challenge so far is the youngest's homework routine.  Middle school is a different beast than elementary.  We've got to convey that homework (from now on) will NOT be completed before dinnertime -- and that is O.K.!  He was a bit stressed this week.  I know it will all settle down soon, but boy I hope soon gets here forthwith!

I've also met w/ teachers @ middle school to explain the unique challenges of a child with sensory integration disorder and how handwriting is just an exercise in futility.  All were very open to accomodating his needs.  I have one more mtg. w/ his math teacher on Friday and then everyone should be on the same page.

Other than that I'm just busy with all of my church Sunday School responsbilities, church choir, and setting up a parenting class for parents of gifted kids that I lead every fall.  I've found the venue and must now work on fliers.

Busy busy!

Goodbye to our Chinese boys..

We've sponsored two Chinese boys again this summer.  Our church brings in 50 students and chaperones each summer for a 3 week stay.  Our boys, Robert & Bruce, leave with everyone else tomorrow morning.

They have had fun living with an American family and eating our non-spicy food!  I promise I tried to make the food spicy, but alas, I do not cook with enough chili peppers.

We did introduce the boys to Mexican food (which they didn't like) and Indian food (which they did).  I    enjoyed having them here.

Each year, the boys ask what they should call me and my husband.  We respond with two or three choices...and usually the first night they just talk to us and don't address us.  But always on the day that I pick them up from church after their first full day with the other Chinese students, they climb into the van saying, "MOM!  we had fun today" and then I'm mom for the remainder of the trip. :-)

It's really awesome to know that I can be called Mom by a total of 6 boys now.

Sad

Today my mom went to see an orthopedic doctor.  He told her that she must use a walker from now on.  That is a sobering thought.  She's only 69.

You never think your parents will ever be that old.

More Cards!

Mixed Bunch Card #1

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Petite Pairs; 

CS/DSP: Whisper White; 

Inks:  Temp. Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler; 

Other: Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine, 1” circle punch, Dimensionals

Mixed Bunch Card #2

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Just Believe;

CS/DSP: Whisper White, Garden Green; 

Inks: Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green;

Other: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Sponges, Dimensionals, Word Window punch, ¾” circle punch

Delicate Doilies Card #1

Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Word Play;

CS/DSP: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Whisper White; 

Inks:  Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive; 

Markers: Basic Gray, Temping Turquoise, Tangerine Tango; 

Other: Jewels - Rhinestones

Delicate Doilies Card #2

Stamps: Delicate Whisper, Friendly Phrases;
CS/DSP: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pool Party, Crumb Cake;
Inks: Wisteria Wonder, Certainly Celery, Pool Party;

Other: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch-Flower, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, Pearls (center of flower); Dimensionals-butterfly

Bright Blossoms Card #1

Stamps: Bright Blossoms, Friendly Phrases;
CS/DSP: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White;
Inks: Gumball Green, Elegant Eggplant;
Markers:  Temping Turquoise, Gumball Green, Elegant Eggplant, Daffodil Delight (inside card);

Other: Simply Scored, Diagonal plate, Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Button, Button Card

Stamps: Button, Button, Word Play;

CS/DSP: Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Whisper White;

Inks: Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Cajun Craze; Other: 3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon in Gumball Green

Printed Petals Card

Stamps: Printed Petals, Curly Cute; 

CS/DSP: Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise; 

Inks: Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Tempting Turquoise; 

Other: 1 ¼” Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon

Crosses of Hope Card

Stamps: Crosses of Hope;

CS/DSP: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Inks: VersaMark;

Other: Silver Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Tulip Border EF, Dimensionals

Bright Blossoms Card #2

Stamps: Bright Blossoms, Curly Cute;

CS/DSP: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP; Markers: Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango;

Other: Designer Frame Folder- Oval, Decorative Label Punch, Lucky Limeade Ribbon, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Sponges, Printed Designer In-Color 

New Stampin' Up Cards!

I spent part of today with a friend making cards with active Stampin' Up stamp sets.  Here are the fruits of my labor.

Button Buddies Card w/ flower buttons.

STAMPS:  Button Buddies, Elements of Style
CS:  Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight
MARKERS:  Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise
OTHER:  Scallop Edge punch, Brights Buttons

An Elements of Style card.

STAMPS: Elements of Style

CS:  Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla

INKS:  Basic Black, Basic Gray

MARKERS:  Old Olive, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink (for flowers)

                       Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Melon Mambo (for hummingbird)

Button Buddies Card #2

This card uses some of the new In-Color Colors.

STAMPS: Button Buddies, Friendly Phrases

CS:  Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White

INKS:  Primrose Petals, Marina Mist, Raspberry Ripple, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green

OTHER:  Curly Label Punch, 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Gumball Green

Another Elements of Style Card

STAMPS: Elements of Style

CS:  Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla

INKS:  Not Quite Navy

OTHER:  Square Lattice EF, Big Shot, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Rhinstones

Button Buddies Pigs

 This is a silly card that I CASEd.

STAMPS: Button Buddies, Petite Pairs

CS:  Basic Black, Whisper White

INKS:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

OTHER:  Buttons, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Rhinestone

Mixed Bouquet Card

STAMPS: Kindness Matters, Mixed Bouquet

CS:  Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP

INKS:  So Saffron, Cajun Craze

OTHER:  Stripe EF,  Big Shot, 1" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals

Banjo

I haven't blogged about our pet.  Banjo is a 16 yr old senior citizen cat.   I found him as a kitten outside my workplace many moons ago.  He'd recently been not his usual self, so off to the vet we went.

The vet was concerned about him too, so they drew blood and updated Banjo's vaccinations. Later the same day, the vet called w/ the results of the blood work and it seems that kitty B had a very high white blood cell count. The vet said Mr. B needed antibiotics -- I had a choice of liquid meds, pills to give a cat (HA!) or an injection.  I chose the injection...duh!

Mr. B is doing so much better now!  We are all happy that our kitty-boy is enjoying life again.

It's May already!?!

Where does the time go? So far this month, I've been working on my Stampin' Up Business. The retiring stamp and accessories lists are out and so I've decided to host a retirement party. To that end I've been creating cards with retiring stamps and accessories. The black science fair board is almost finished. I'll put the last dozen or so cards on it tonight and it will be ready for stamp club tomorrow night. The other thing that has taken up most of this month is my father-in-law. He is 92 yrs old and is on blood thinner. On Monday evening of last week, he tried to stop elevator doors from closing w/ his hand. He didn't have enough strength in his had to stop the doors, so they closed on his hand. The skin did not break, but a blood vessel in his hand did. He waited about 36 hours before he called my hubby to take him to the ER. Lots of tests later, they decided to admit him so he can have surgery to remove the semi-coagulated blood that is now in his fingers, hand and lower arm. Hubby said he looked like he'd had a zombie arm attached midway between shoulder and elbow. That's about the best description I've heard. So F-I-L has had two surgeries...on Thursday and again on Saturday. WIth all the swelling in his hand, the skin on the back of his hand (about the size of a 50 cent piece) has died. He will need a skin graft to fix that. So today hubby spent the day w/ his parents at the hospital, calling and visiting rehab hospitals and choosing one. He's tired from being at the hospital and I so understand that. That's the May-so-far update.

April 14, 2012

Both of my dear sons competed in the State Bible Drill today. Neither made a perfect score, but that's not important. They have both hidden God's word in their hearts this year. That's the best part.

We then had some great conversations with some frinds of ours re: college and things that our eldest needs to focus on during his high school years. That lead to some conversations with our eldest. We have some goals in sight now.

The rest of today was spent on the housekeeping of life: laundry, dishes, gathering all the info for taxes.

March 23rd

This week has been better than the past few. I was so sick for most of March, that I have not accomplished much. But things are improving this week.

Monday
I helped lead the SENG Model Parenting Class; Took youngest to ortho; snuck in a run to Sam's and filled the freezer w/ meat to use.

Tuesday
Took dinner to a friend who has had foot surgery. Went over early morning, put dinner in her crockpot and then just visited. Great start to the day! Had stamp club for my ladies Tuesday night.

Wed
fewer things to do, but still productive day

Thurs
Went and helped my parents get their tax organizer ready for the accountant; fixed their printer so it works; saw the dentist and then went to the hari salon.

Friday (today)
Worked on straightening up the house, had a friend drop by for a short visit ...ended up 2.5 hrs long! ha. We had fun talking however. Now the eldest is @ the Hunter Games movie w/ a friend; hubster and youngest are off playing laser tag and my roast that has been cooking in the crockpot all day is about to do me in....it smells SO good! Too bad I can't say I sat around w/ my feet up eating bon-bons whilst they were all gone. I told myself I had to organize the bill receipts for the first 3 months of the year; and then made myself clean out the dental insurance EOB file. Shredded stuff from 2003 and older; organized all the rest.

So I am making steady progress. Now to stop, eat dinner and watch a movie.


I hope

Spring Break is over

Well, March is 2/3rds over. I've spent most of the time sick w/ bronchitis and a sinus infection. We didn't go out of town for spring break, but that was o.k. I needed the time to recover.

I have fallen off the "life-change" wagon. I'm not losing weight. Must restart the process. ugh.

During the illness-induced house arrest, I watched seasons 2 & 3 of White Collar. So now I'm caught up. And I have to wait for season 4 to start. My hubby and I have been watching "Downton Abbey" Hubby is one episode away from finishing Season 2.

We are enjoying an indoor spring, in an effort to limit our allergies/asthma/bronchitis.

Emotions

February has been an especially difficult month for me emotionally. A dear friend's child has been beset by mental illness issues -- we think. We cannot understand what has happened. We just know that her child wasn't getting the help that was so desperately needed. After yet another round of hospitalizations here, the decision was made to place her child in a long term mental health facility. I hope and pray that this stay provides the answers that are needed to help her child get beter.

I do not have any sisters. But God has given me two 'sisters' here on earth. This sweet 'sister' has had to handle more in the past year that most of us deal with in a lifetime of family issues. I have felt her pain so deeply that I have sucummbed to that evil demon depression for a bit of time -- once again.

I am feeling much better today. And that is due in large part to the ministry of my worship director. He brought Regi Stone into our church this weekend to miniter to the choir/orchestera. I didn't want to go on Friday night, but I'm so glad I did. We had the opportunity to write our own psalm. That started the tears flowing. God put a wonderful friend beside me and she spoke His words to my heart. God is good...all the time.

2012

I honestly thought I'd posted already this year!

New Year's Eve was our usual dinner @ Cafe Roma w/ friends and then an evening at their house playing board games and visiting. I really like having friends that are up for a nice evening IN!

New Year's Day was far from usual. MOm had to go to the ER. Well...after re-reading my blog maybe it wasn't SOoo far from usual for us anyway! LOL. But mom had another blocked bowel. Another stay with fluids and pain killers and she was finally better.

Talked to my great-aunt to update her on my mom and learned my great uncle is under hospice care.

Have started cooking at home more. I'm experiementing w/ crock-pot recipes. We've found a couple of good ones.

I helped some dear friends w/ the school ARD/IEP process for their son w/ special needs.

Have had a kid sick w/ the GI bug (youngest) but he's over it now! he also got braces in January.

My great uncle who was under hospice care died on the 24th. I drove my parents to the funeral. Stopped off to see my brother and his family on the way home. Had a very, very nice visit with them.

I've begun working on a new Bible Study for the spring....and am adding another one for 2 months staring tomorrow night.

The youngest DS has turned 12!!

I guess that's about all for the start of the year. Again...will try to be more regular about blogging this year