Highlights of the weekend

We had a pretty good weekend...any weekend that involves a clean house, pizza, company, ladies' brew group, and a classic practical joke had to be fun!

Friday was fun. The kids were all off of school for the day, so a couple of friends came over, bringing more kids and lunch...and STARBUCKS!! They did dishes, fixed lunch, rubbed backs (oh, yeah!!!), and we generally had a really fun day. Child #3 left at lunch time to go spend the night with her friend.

Saturday started with my ladies' Brew Group, which was a LOT of fun...and an ongoing challenge to implement GRACE in our daily lives through our study of Chuck Swindoll's book A Grace Awakening.

When I got home, Jason was busy setting up his newest toy...a 26" flat-screen HDTV with surround sound. I got to help with things like creating a shelf for one of the speakers and tacking the wiring up on the wall. Lots of fun. Then Jason had to go get Child #3 from her friend's house (a WAYS away) and hurry back in time to 1) pay for and pick up the "new" car for eldest daughter, 2) drop eldest daughter off at babysitting job, and 3) make it to our couples' Brew Group on time. Yeah...it all worked out...except for the part where he actually brought Child #3 home with him. Nope...drove all the way out there and left her there for another night...after giving her $20 to help out with things like dinner.

So, we paid for ($900 CASH) the "new" car, drove it home and parked it. Later that night, we played musical cars and parked it in the garage.

We DID make it to our Brew Group on time....barely....and without supper. Which was okay, because there ARE usually snacks and we planned to go out afterwards. The study we are doing is Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University....and let me tell you...it is EXCELLENT. I am SO stoked about getting out of debt and staying that way....and I think for the first time, Jason is too!

So, while we were at Brew Group, Jason got a text message from the mom of the girl Child #3 was staying with, saying "{Child #3} bought a dog." We both thought it HAD TO be a joke, so his response was "I hope it is stuffed." to which she responded, "not so much." Through the course of the conversation, she gave a few details (very few), and we were starting to think we were really going to end up with a dog in the house. On the way home, we talked about what we were going to have to do...we're only allowed two pets at a time, so we were going to have to get rid of one of the cats (anyone want a beautiful tortoiseshell calico who is scared of her own shadow?), and plan to make a run to Walmart after church on Sunday, when Jason picked them up.

Church Sunday was really pretty uneventful, though a really quick review of many of the same points we had heard in Brew Group just the night before. On the way to church, I had a discussion with the children about getting rid of the 'fraidy-cat...and Child #1 was crying about getting rid of "her" cat, but she did talk to someone at church who might be able to help us... ...and then everyone hurrying home to get ready for their various Super Bowl Parties...including the kids and myself.

We had to finish the whole furniture juggling process that had begun the day before with the introduction of yet another TV to our house...(I am embarrassed to say we now own 5 TVs). We finished that, swept, vacuumed and got everything picked up. Jason was supposed to be picking up Child #3, yet again...and getting home before the company started arriving around 4:00. No Jason. Guests arrived. No Jason. Yeah, he was late to the party that HE planned. GRRRR...I hate it when he does that!!

He finally got home and filled us in on what happened.... It seems that Child #4 HAD bought a dog...NOT a stuffed on, but a PEZ dog. Yeah...they really had us going...good practical joke, though I really wanted to strangle *someone* when it was all over....

So, our party was fun...pizza, ice cream, sodas, cookies...we had a blast, even though a bunch of people couldn't come and our team didn't win....it was still a good game. And there WERE a few good commercials. (Oh, and Bruce? He looks good for his age, but he's definitely NOT young any more!!)

How was your weekend? Any good parties?

Wrapping up the week

This week has been quiet.

I think I could get used to this having my kids home. They're keeping the laundry caught up, and the dishes washed, and the house picked up. It's an amazing thing!

Yesterday two of the girls were invited to a birthday party/pool party here in our neighborhood. That's one really nice thing here is that there are a ton of kids for them to play with.

We've also had sick kids this week....just a fever and tiredness...2 days on the couch, taking Motrin, and they're up and away again.

Last night was the last games for one of my husband's softball teams. Tonight is the last one for the other team. I have a friend who is moving tonight and tomorrow, so I am going to help move some things tonight, and then come home and pick up the kids to go watch the last games.

This weekend is drill weekend, so Jason will be gone all day tomorrow, too, for work. Our oldest has a doctor's appointment on Saturday morning, too, so it looks like I won't be going to Ladies' Brew Group on Saturday morning.

The next couple of weeks are going to be a little busy, with plans for July 4th and then Women of Faith in DC. Anyone else going to be there? I can't wait!! Last time I got to go to Women of Faith was in Billings, MT, two years ago. It was extremely refreshing. I need refreshing right now!

Well, work is calling...better get back at it! What are your plans for the weekend?

More Craziness

After the fiasco that has been the first week of baseball season here in baseball central, there will finally be games tomorrow. And, as is our tradition, we have attempted to stuff as much into one day as is humanly possible.

To that end, we have extra children spending the night tonight...*three* extra children. Two of those extra children are teenagers, and one is an eight year old. Yeah, we're crazy here. So, if you're keeping count, we have in the house at present:

one 4 year old
one 6 year old
TWO 8 year olds
one 10 year old
one (almost) 12 year old
TWO 13 year olds
one 14 year old
two adults**
and one cat.

Tomorrow night, just for fun, we're having another extra child come spend the night...just so the crazies can last a little longer....

Then there's baseball...three games tomorrow, two of them at the same time.
And I have my Brew Group meeting.
And my wonderful husband has to work.
And the usual Saturday fare...showers and house cleaning.

And, on top of that, I have work that needs to be finished. And blog entries to write, and blogs to visit....oh, yeah, the fun never ends.

So, if I survive the weekend again, I will be back with an update...and if I'm not back, you'll know I'm somewhere wearing one of those cozy jackets, bouncing off the padded walls of my new domecile....

**What? You thought I'd give away my age? Not on your life. At least my kids can't run up to you and blurt it out the minute they meet you....it is enough to tell you that I'm in my 30's!

Life goes on....

...even when I miss a day of posting, and can't keep up with my house. Here, in the midst of things, I am adjusting my thinking.

I have the amazing ability to be overwhelmed with the smallest of things, and my life is not filled with just small things. Every day is crazy, and I still haven't succeeded in paring things down to a more manageable level. We HAVE cut out a few things, and it helps....but the biggest help so far has been changing my perspective...and talking it all out with my husband.

I am learning contentment with my life in this stage...because it WILL pass quickly. I am remembering that my life can (and has been) MUCH worse, and I am very grateful for every thing we have the opportunity to be involved in.

I am grateful that my kids have the opportunity to do baseball/softball...the fact that they can means that we had the money to pay for it all.

I am grateful for our church, and all the opportunities to be involved...for the Men's Brew Group, because that means that my husband has guys he can talk to and be accountable to. And, for the Women's Brew Group, because they're an awesome bunch of ladies who are encouraging and supportive, and I am making some amazing friends. And, for the Children's Ministry...because this is something I am proud my kids can be part of....

I am grateful for my house...that we're in military housing, because that means that I don't ever have to worry about us getting evicted over not paying the rent....or getting the electricity turned off...or the garbage not being picked up...or the repairs not being made.....

I am grateful for the vehicles we have....which are steadily getting paid off...relatively painlessly!

I am grateful for my hardworking husband, and all of my wonderful children.

And THAT is my perspective for today....now, I have to go work!!

Getting Better

You know these kind of days....the ones where you have LOTS to do, and you don't feel like doing any of it, and you realize that it doesn't really matter, because there is no way you will finish it all any way.

The sick child is back to school.

The elementary kids have picture day today...at $9.00 per class picture, we just dished out $36.00 this morning. Is it really worth it? Just for the class picture?

I have a TON of work this morning...must get back to typing...

I have a WIC appointment at 1:00 pm....

Child #2 has baseball practice this evening, at 5:30.

We have Brew Group at the house tonight...which means...

I MUST clean house. (Clean) Laundry is piled on the sofa, and there are (dirty) dishes all over the counters and table.

Hubby is home, and keeps interupting....going to try to put him to work!

Going back to work, now!

Cell Groups, Brew Groups...whatever...

Back in the dark ages, before half of the churches in the US decided that Small Groups were the wave of the future, the Bible College I attended decided that it would be a good thing to prepare The Church's future leaders for leading small groups. Every student was divided into a group, and for certain chapel times, we were all required to attend the group to which we had been assigned. For some unknown reason, I was assigned as a LEADER of a group of some 10 girls. We met in a little room over by the chapel, and the only thing I remember from that was one lone meeting, and coming away from that feeling like a complete and utter failure. I was not comfortable leading then, I was not comfortable talking to other people then. WHY I was named the leader is WAY beyond me.

I had completely forgotten about that abysmal failure...probably BECAUSE it was such a painful experience for me. Last night, in our Brew Group at church, we started talking about experiences in Bible College...two other couples in our group went to Christian colleges, so we had a lot of similar experiences. We chatted about sleeping through classes, and experiences on and off campus, and keeping and/or breaking the rules. It was fun to relive those brief five years of my life...and to start remembering some things that had been buried.

All of our chatting started me to thinking about how men and women *do* official Bible Studies. Last night, we sat around the table, and talked and had fun...while having Communion. We talked about how pastors and Christians take themselves WAY too seriously...and that made me wonder. When men *do* Bible Study, do they have fun? or is it all serious business? Is it just the women who get together in groups who are too full of it to have any fun? Is this why unbelievers see us as stuffy, and full of ourselves?

I was reminded last night that Jesus' first miracle was not healing, or feeding someone...he made water into wine, people! He made GOOD wine! Which made it a PARTY!! Jesus DID have a good time with His disciples, and with His friends and family...HE wasn't all about being all serious, all the time. Why can't we follow His example in this little thing?

Questions and Answers

From time to time people ask me questions or say things that I want to respond to, and I've been trying to figure out how to do that, so here is my attempt at that.

Becky at Lazy Daisy Log suggested we go out for coffee when she gets into town...Becky, I'm excited! We have no friends here yet, so going out with anyone will be the news of the week!!!

Sarah, at My Life With Boys told the story of her births...I just wanted to add...I have had 6 live births, only one of which was actually "on time"....only because the doctors scheduled an early C-section for my breach #1 child. The rest were 7 days late, 10 days late, 21 days late, 24 days late, and 25 days late. They were also HUGE....well, my early one was 7#7oz....and they went up from there...2 - 8 lbers, 2 - 9 lbers, and one that was 10# 3oz. Surprisingly, the 10lb one was one the easier births!

Melanie over at Monday through Sunday asked about our Brew Groups at church. I really enjoy our Brew Group...this is the 4th church that we've been in that has a similar thing, and we really like it. It has helped us make closer friends within the church, and has been helpful to be in a group of similar-minded, similar-aged people, dealing with similar problems, but able to come at things from different perspectives. The Mama over at Our Seven Qtpies mentions sending her sister over to visit...please, send her...if she's ready to ROCK at 10:00 on Sunday morning...because this church service defines CONTEMPORARY. I know that style is not for everyone, but we enjoy it....

Oh, and an update on my "Pins and Needles" post.....hubby arrived safely in Virginia around 7:00 pm on Tuesday, after driving for 3 long days. Thank you to everyone for your prayers! They are much appreciated! We are all glad to have hubby/daddy here!

Cynthia at Life is Good asked about my transcription work. I have only just started this week doing medical transcription, working through a service. For years I have tried to get into this, but it never worked...until now....God's timing in all things, I suppose....the services always wanted 2 years of in-office experience, which I don't have. I've done legal transcription in-office, but only took a class on medical terminology, and worked doing billing, and appointment setting in a medical setting. Now, I get my chance.....

Mike, over at Gunny's Gouge is threatening to take away my Girl Scout cookies....good thing you're clear across the country, Mike! Go find some poor, unsuspecting Girl Scout where you are! Oh, and by the way, don't you DARE get my husband in on the whole "What Not to Wear" thing!! One more thing....you remind me of my FIL, a retired Marine.....THAT is why I keep coming back for more!

Sallie, Mike's wife, asked if we still homeschool. Unfortunately, no. I miss homeschooling some days....mainly, I really miss the flexibility that homeschooling allows. I had to stop homeschooling after I went back to work full-time while we were in Montana. I found that it is VERY difficult to homeschool 4 children and work full-time overnights, and remain sane....never mind trying to clean house, cook meals, go to church....or even stay awake!!

Beth, I think you missunderstand me....I LOVE being back on the East Coast. We are now 30 hours closer to family. I love being in an area known for less harsh winters, and more humidity. While it is an adjustment, so is every move.

Okay, me thinks I have covered them all....hope everyone has a GREAT Sunday! I'm off to get ready to head out to our VERY contemporary, VERY rockin' church service!!