From The Simple Woman click to see what this is all about. I will hopefully be doing this every Monday ;)

From the learning rooms......copies daily lessons from our curriculum, which is eclectic. There is no set standard...whatever I get from donation, whatever I have bought cheap, whatever I find for free on the internet. multiplication for Janessa, word problems for Abby, ordinal #s for Hannah, lots of handwriting practice, spelling, learning to read for Hannah, improving reading for Abby and Janessa, and attempting to stay on schedule.

I am thankful for....Doug taking two girls fishing.

from the kitchen...hotdog for the sick one...avocadoes and tomato wraps for me...probably spaghetti for the rest when they come home

I am wearing.... black tank top and jean shorts...you are lucky I got dressed today


I am reading...Memory Keepers Daughter yay yay love love


I am hoping...that we get no more hurricanes/tropical storms


I am creating...an evil plan to conquer the world..no seriously....balance in my life


I am hearing...sponge bob square pants


around the house....all is clean...a little laundry to be put away and washed..peace and quiet


one of my favorite things...peace and quiet around my house


a few plans the rest of the week....Partylite shows, homeschool, co op, visit with friends, read read, read, and beach, beach, beach


here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

another celebration

So I celebrate today my husband who turns the big 32 today. We met 13 years ago at Applebee's where we both worked at the time. We started out as friends and a common interest of partying (way before out christian days) We then realized we were more than friends a yeaar later, got engaged after three months of dating and got married 11 months later on Nov 14 1998. We are going on ten years. It has been an adventure for sure and would not change any of it because it has brought us both to where we are today. there are times when we did not think we would make it and still be married but we are and are commited until "death do us part" We are complete opposites, which can be challenging...yet at the same time we complement each other. He is a wonderful lover. He is a great friend. He is the best Daddy there ever was and is. There are times when we fight but it is part of who we are.

I will quote from "the Notebook" Well that's what we do, we fight... You tell me when I am being an arrogant son of a bitch and I tell you when you are a pain in the ass. Which you are, 99% of the time. I'm not afraid to hurt your feelings. You have like a 2 second rebound rate, then you're back doing the next pain-in-the-ass thing. So what? So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, for ever, you and me, every day. Will you do something for me, please? Just picture your life for me? 30 years from now, 40 years from now? What's it look like?

This is us. I can't picture my life without him. Hopefully we will have another 32 years together. God brought us together. Our marriage has helped me to grow in areas I never thought I needed to. I am so grateful for everyday I have with you. I love you Doug!!!!

Friday Felicities

I am going to start doing these on Fridays. Please click on the pic above to get the details of how this got started. It is a list of things that make you happy

*God's grace and forgiveness everyday with a fresh start
*10-3-2 Partylite shows
*Fay leaving this state
*fresh hot coffee
*laundry all caught up
*not having to take days off from school for hurricanes
*children getting along
*clothes that are fitting looser
*books to read
*homeschooling in my jammies

All THe King's Men

Please Click for a synopsis :All the King's Men Robert Penn Warren This book actually turned into something I really enjoyed reading. It was a really slow start for me. I actually had to renew it. This is unusual for me because once I start reading a book, I am usually done with it in about a week. I am not sure why, but it was very hard for me to get into. There were times when the author went off on tangents that had nothing to do with the story line and in my opinion it took awhile to build up to the excitement of what the book is about. I thought while reading it was about politics and the corruption, bribery, selfishness, and cover up that goes along with all of that. It ended up being, in my opinion, about the journey of the main character Jack Burden (who is so aptly named correctly)and his growth as a human being and finding out who he is and what he wants from life. I am so glad I did not give up on this book and was very determined to finish since I said, in my first blog that I would read every book on that list. There were twists that I never saw coming. This was definitely worth reading.

I will be reading something now not even on the list...."The Memory Keeper's Daughter" It was very highly recommended by my friends at WAH (women at home...great board...go check it out) I also have four other books from the list checked out but will keep you in suspense, because I can.

I also am reading "Little House in the Big Woods" to the kids. they are not that thrilled but I know they are listening. they are not thrilled because, it is not a picture book...oh the horror!!! It actually is not that bad...it just amuses me. There is some great history in there that I did not realize (well, don't remember anyway) So, they are getting homeschooling lessons at bedtime and don't even realize it...hehehe. We just started it, so I am sure they will get more interested as we go. They are shocked that "back then" they could not just go to the grocery store to buy food. They are learning what life is like out west in the 1800's. The other book I am reading is The Spiderwick Chronicle series to Janessa. We love it!!! We blow through each book in about a week. The books are way better than the movie. The movie was good but you know how it is...they change things with a movie and add stuff or take stuff out. I will have more to come later, as for now..I must go to bed.

Celebration

I have lots to celebrate but will blog on those later. I am celebrating my middle baby's birthday. She turned 7 today. I told her she was staying 6 but apparently she didn't listen and keeps getting bigger. It goes by so fast. Abigail Lee was given her name because of Abigail in the bible and reminds me of the wife I strive to be. Her middle name is after my mother n law's Linda. She was born on her due date 10 days before we moved into our house. I packed up our apartment in between contractions. She came out after 45 minutes of hard labor (about 8 hours of light labor) and gave me no time for an epidural. She came out screaming and did not stop for about 45 minutes. We knew we were in for a ride with her. All babies come out crying but she was irate. She also has those "abby eyes" and those that know her know what I am talking about. She can give you a look that shows exactly what she is thinking. I knew the moment she came out that this one would be a strong willed one. Abby is my spunky one. She always makes me laugh. It is one of her joys to be silly and make her Daddy and I laugh, yet, at the same time does not like any main focus on her. She has a shy side and it takes her a while to warm up. She has one of the most caring hearts of anybody I know. She always wants to make sure that everybody is having a good time wherever she is at. She loves babies and they love her. She has the "mommy hip" down perfectly. She is very sporty and loves lizards and grasshoppers and toads. (We are always having "pets" we have to let go the next day) In spite of this tomboy side, she is also very girlie and loves to wear skirts and lip gloss. She is very determined in what she wants and will do. Don't dare tell her she can't do something because she will prove you wrong. this is my favorite quality about her even though it is frustrating as a parent at times. She loves to do cartwheels and dance. She also loves to sing. She is tough yet sensitive. She is my "abisnail" and I am thankful for everyday I am blessed that God allows me to have her. Happy Birthday Abby!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday on Thursday

This topic is stolen form my friend Dana . No words to the blog...except these that I just typed.

the balancing act

This week we started our normal routine of homeschooling and me keeping myself from being committed into the mental hospital. I keep myself on a very routine, mostly non negotiable schedule to keep me on track and sane. Here it is I get up at 7:00 (I set the alarm for 6:45 because I enjoy the snooze) I start the coffee, and the laundry. Totally off the subject, but why oh why, can I never keep it from having to do a load every day? seriously..I believe I have laundry fairies that add clothes unnecessarily to the laundry baskets. So after my breakfast and daily devotion (Yes be proud people I have been in the word for two days straight.) I start the yoga, (well after I feed my kids) I also must say the Denise Austin is way too happy for that early in the morning and she made my arms hurt today after yesterday so she is not my favorite right now. Then again, that is why she looks the way she does and gets paid big bucks to have all the exercise videos she has. The great thing is, is that once I have the routine down I can turn her annoying peppy voice off and do it all to just the music. The good thing is I am already down 2 lbs and resisted the evil delicious cake that was at our leader meeting last night and today, as Jess says, "the best banana bread she has ever made." But I digress, We then home school starting around 8:30 - 12:00, eat lunch,and I then have my office hours from 12-4. It is then time to start dinner, eat dinner, play with kids, get them ready for bed, clean up after cleaning all day and either go to a show or make some calls to get shows, then kiss hubby goodnight, and sit down and have me time reading or watching TV. This is why this schedule is only MON -THU. I take Fridays off and do nothing but read and keep my house from looking like tornado alley. If I did not take Fridays off I would get burnt out since I work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day (I am on call while I am sleeping in case a child gets sick or has a bad dream) I rarely get days off and lets face it people a family "vacation" while enjoyable is still "work" for me. Yet, I love it and would never change a thing that I do for any amount of money in the world.



I also, have the incredible job of raising a "strong willed" child. Thank goodness I only have one. Oh my Abby, how I love her sweet loving self and the way she makes me laugh even when I am trying to discipline her sometimes. But let me tell you, she has a very "determined, don't tell me I can't, do what I want when I want spirit" This can be a battle especially when it comes to homeschooling. We are both adjusting and I am having to be very firm with the rules of what gets done when and that me"helping" her in her work does not mean "do it for her" Let me just basically say the child has no toys or dolls to sleep with for 5 months. Yes, literally for 5 months. Neither one of us was backing down. She felt it was o.k. to argue, roll her eyes, stomp her feet, smack the table, and basically doing what she could for me to give in to her not wanting to do her word search, of which she kept saying "I can't find the words" This went on for 20 minutes until she realized "She is serious, so I guess I better just do it" and about 5-10 minutes later she did it all by herself. I know that God is going to use her for his kingdom best suited for her. She already witnesses to others about God and church. These battles that we have are only temporary and worth it to see her become the woman God wants her to be.

As for the book I am reading, I am so determined to finish it this week. It has been a long,slow read. I will post more on that later.

determination

so to say the least I have been eating whatever I want (I need to remember I am not 15 anymore) and not really caring about being healthy, which then leads to me wondering why I am so tired all the time. It is not a problem for me to nap in the afternoon and sleep 12 hours. there are so many factors that contribute.

1. I am a night owl. I will stay up until 12:00-1:00 with no problem and then attempt to get up at 7:00. This is just too late and I need to make sure I go to bed by 10:30. I will be starting that tonight. Plus, it will cut out the late night ice cream eating fests.
   I have been skipping meals. This is not a conscious effort. It is a bad a..habit I just got into by doing housework instead and the next thing I know it is 3:00 in the afternoon and I eat the rest of the day and night. not a good combination. I am determined to eat things "God made" either out of the ground or chicken and fish. I will mostly be vegetarian (I am not joining Peta and going to start wearing long skirts beating a tambourine. There is also not a shortage on chickens or fish) I am going to be reading the "blood type diet" and red meat is a big "no no" for my blood type. (which is difficult because being Irish I am a meat and potatoes girl) I am mostly going to be vegetarian for health reasons and I am tired of feeling like a slug. SO needless to say I am going to be very cranky, agitated, and not fun to live with for a week or so. Sugar is as addictive as any drug and when you get off of it, it is not pretty. Pray for strength..I am very very weak when it comes to this. (Pray for my husband to not want to move in with Orlando our roommate outback in the apartment for the next two weeks while I have horns and a pitchfork acting like I am from the abyss and thinking that he should go through what I go through he he he)
   I am overweight. according to the new government guidelines (which if you know me know how I feel about that) I am borderline obese. please people stop saying "no you are not"
2. I am not blind and I am a size 16. The next size of clothing is "plus size". For those of you that know my kids. I am actually shaped like my oldest daughter. (I should show you pictures when I was kid..scary how much she looks like me) Actually I was much tinier than her. I scared my parents and my mom thought I was anorexic at 7. Actually, I wasn't I just was not hungry seriously, I ate when I was hungry. (Friends were way more important than food) I really should go back to that. Although I don't want to look like when I was 7. People thought I needed to be on a postcard for "FEED THE HUNGRY" I have just hid it well. Now before you start commenting: I REALIZE THAT I HAVE HAD THREE CHILDREN AND WILL NOT EVER GET TO LOOK LIKE I DID BEFORE I HAD THEM However, I know what my "natural" shape is and I have let "stress" and "depression" affect the way I look. Food has become my comfort and I don't want to do that anymore. I will not be obsessed with getting down to pre -baby weight (which by the way was still 20 pounds overweight) but I am setting little goals at a time. my first goal is to lose 10% of my body weight which right now 18.5 pounds (and now the whole world knows what I weigh) I also believe that 10 %is in my chest area and I am very happy to lose it there..."BIG BOOBIES ARE NOT ALL THEY ARE CRACKED UP TO BE SO DON"T BELIEVE THE HYPE" (I hate you if you can wear a shirt without a bra or the shirts that have the bra in them)
   
3. The most important thing is God wants me to be healthy. I am supposed to live for him and my body is his temple. (Last time I checked, his temple was not made from ice cream, cookies and candy bars) I believe I am quenching His spirit when I don't take care of myself. That is really why I want to be healthier. All will fall into place when I focus on Him.

sending out some love

So I just have to say that I have the best sister n law in the entire world. She is more of a real sister to me. She will take my kids anytime and even offers to have them all the spend the night sometimes. As A matter of fact tonight is one of those nights!! Woo HOO! I get a big date night with my husband!!! We are going to a wedding. I don't have to rush to get home or pick them up. She and her husband will rearrange plans just to help us out anytime I ask. She has also been there for me through some rough times and has always had great words of wisdom. There I have said it. Now the whole world knows how wonderful Barb is (as if those who don't read this don't already know that!) I love her I love her! I love her. You are beautiful inside and out!! Don't ever forget it!!! XOXOXOXOXO

So, I am sitting here at my desk after going on a show observation. (For those that don't speak "Partylite" it is where I as a consultant go and observe anothere consultant's show to get some extra training and fresh ideas) I decided to blog before I start to get lots of comments on my profile update. I got some tragic news today about a friend of mine whose eight year old daughter died today in a tragic 4 wheeler accident. Being that I have an eight year old, my heart just aches and aches for her and can not even imagine what she is going through. I just begin to think to myself how would I handle this if it were me? She seems so strong to me. It happened this morning and she just held her for hours and finally had the strength to leave and let what needed to be done get done. I believe I would need to be sedated and be pryed from my daughter's body. I do know that my daughter would be in a much better place and be having the best time ever in heaven and it would be just her body. I would just be feeling and thinking with every fibre in my being: "This is the last time I get to hold her. This is the last time I get to smell her. This is the last time I get to cuddle her. This is the last time I get to rock her. This is the last time I get to kiss her sweet , beauiful face. This is the last time I get stroke her hair." However, this is because I am thinking on this earthly, human level. If I actually really truly think about it...."I get to spend eternity being held in Jesus' arms with her, I will get to spend forever taking in the sweet aroma of Jesus with her, I get to spend forever dancing in the streets of heaven with her, I get to spend eternity forever with her sweet, beautiful face. When I think on that level, I have so much hope in knowing that any pain I suffer here, no matter how much I think it will be unbearable, He will get me through it to the other side where there is no pain.

Mercy Me Lyrics