Happenings At Our House

• Anna woke up with a sore throat a few days ago. I really wasn't worried about it until she came into our room at 3:30am, crying that it hurt so bad. I took her to the doctor the next day, and she has strep.
• Ellie woke up this morning with a sore throat. Yep, you guesed it! Another trip to the doctor, another diagnosis of strep and another antibiotic. Wonder if Samuel will get it???
• It is HOT here and humid. It ususally hits mid to upper 90's every day. I'm ready for Fall.
• The older boys and two of their friends went to six flags yesterday in this heat. They had a great time. I was glad I didn't have to go!!
• Our a/c fix was neither cheap nor fast. We need a new air handler. Cost: 1500.00. Our tax return savings is dwindling down fast! But, praise God we have the money.
• Sam's activity level has hit a all time high. He runs, jumps, talks, plays guns with his fingers, eats and basically enjoys life at a high speed. He tires me out. I'm so glad I have the girls to help out with him.
• We are embarking on potty training when we return from Junior Camp, the week after next. Pray for me. It's been about 12 years since I've potty trained a boy.
• We're getting a little tired of eating eggs, chicken breast and turkey burgers. But, we feel better and look better. Don't get me wrong, the food is still good. We had grilled shrimp the other night and it was delicious. But, I'd love a bacon cheeseburger (on a bun!!) with a side of onion rings. One day. Maybe.
• That's about all for now.

Overheard at the dinner table tonight....

"Mom and Dad. I don't mean to be ugly- this is a complement-your double chins are getting smaller."

I didn't know whether to kiss him or smack him.

Friday

Well, I went to the doctor yesterday, fearing getting on the scale. My eyes almost popped out of my head as I saw the number: I LOST 14 POUNDS IN ONE WEEK.

Are you amazed? So am I. I NEVER imagined that amount of loss. I had prepared myself for a two to four pound loss, but never that much! This way of eating really does work for losing weight fast. It's low carb, low fat and low cal. If you want more info, do a google search on"kimkins". A weird name, I know. It's a take off of the woman's name who came up with the diet and Atkins, because it is a take off of Atkins. Her website costs 60 to join, but I was able to come up with enough info on the web so I didn't have to join. I may later.

All my blood work came back great. I was surprised at that also. God is good.

The air in our house in on the fritz. Not good where we live this time of year. Hopefully we can get someone out here to look at it soon and hopefully it will be a quick, cheap fix.

I went to a homeschool seminar last night with a friend of mine. I don't know what I enjoyed more: the meeting or the drive up and back with my friend. We were able to talk a long time without all the usual interuptions of children. It was a great, informative seminar which I was able to glean some ideas from. I've been homeschooling ten years, but every year is different. I just now feel I have a handle on curriculum, and I plan to start back in the middle of July to get a jump start on next year.

That's about all the news from around here.

Stay cool.

Wordless Wednesday

Paul and Samuel- oldest and youngest

Woo-Hoo!

Paul's lost 7 pounds on our new eating style! We just started last Thursday and he's already made great strides toward his goal of 45-50 pounds! We are "Eating Low"- low carb, low fat, and low cal. What do we eat? Not much of anything good, I can tell you that! But with results like this, we can stick it out. Now's my turn to get on the scale. I've got a dr. appointment on Thursday, so I'm sure I'll get on the scale then. I'm scared. The last few times I've tried to lose weight, it hasn't gone well. And I know if I don't see a smaller number, I will be very discouraged.

Happy Fathers Day (a day late)

Leaving for College Sept. 1984

Memories of Dad

• I remember one time being in his office, which was very much off limits to us kids. I was having a great time listening to the radio with his big headphones on and twirling around in his office chair. I twirled a little too far and pulled the connector off of the headphone cord. My heart dropped in my stomach. I told mom and she said I needed to tell dad when he got home. I waited in my room for what seemed like hours (but was probably only a few minutes) and when I heard him come in the front door, I started down the stairs, very scared of what would happen. As soon as I saw him, I started crying and told him through my tears that I had broken his headphones and had been in his office without permission. He said to me, "That's aright. I can always get another pair of headphones" and he put his arm around me to comfort me.
• Dad always gave his Chistmas gifts very uniquely. He would wait until all the presents were opened and we were playing with our gifts, and then say, "Look. I see more presents under the tree!" Of course, we all would run to the tree and tell him that no, there were no more presents. He would insist there were and to keep looking. Sure enough, there were envelopes stapled to the tree trunk, one for each of us, even mom, with money inside.
• I remember my dad taking us trick or treating every Halloween, from the time I was little until I was a teenager. It was our tradition, as soon as we got home from school, to dress up in our costumes, and go with dad. I have memories of him lifting me up on porch steps to get to the door when I was about 3 1/2 in Albany NY.
• One time when mom and dad were visiting us, my dad started a paper airplane fight, using the ceiling fan. It got very loud and very rowdy and my kids loved seeing their Grandpa like that.
• He gave each of my older sons one of his "retired" pulpit Bibles on their 13th birthdays. He used those Bibles to preach from for several years. My sons treasure those Bibles.
• My Dad never yelled at us. I have no memories of him ever raising his voice (unless he was calling for us). The older I have gotten, the more rare I realize this is.
• Dad loved mom and never treated her disresptfully or even spoke harshly to her. He provided a great model for us kids of what a husband should be.
  

Dad, thanks for being a great father to me and a wonderful grandfather to my children. I am so thankful that God gave me to you! I love you.

19 Years

Happy Anniversary to my husband. 19 years ago today, we said "I do" and embarked on a wonderful journey that I pray lasts many more years. You've been a terrific husband and I'd marry you all over again without even thinking about it. I didn't realize how much more I would love you today than I did on that hot summer day 19 years ago. God has truly blessed us, more than we know. I love you and I always will.