Friday Night

It's after 9, and I'm sitting here alone. Sam's in bed, Anna's at her Grandparents house and the rest of the family is at the baseball game here in town. I have rather enjoyed this evening alone with Samuel. I've been able to get some decluttering done that needed to be done badly. I went through Sam's whole room. I have forgotten how quickly little boys outgrow clothes and toys. Then I went through Paul's closet and drawers and removed winter clothes. Yes, I realize its almost July 1. I know, I know. I'm a little behind. But now at least you can find clothes in his dresser.

We have been trying to deep clean the house. It's going so-so. The kids really helped out today and I've already told them to expect helping out tomorrow. It's so hot here, I don't think they mind being inside where it's cool.

My birthday is next week. I'll be 41. For some reason, I have it in my head that I will be 42. Don't know why, but I'm glad I'm wrong! Somedays I can't believe I'm this old. Somedays I feel much older.

Have a nice evening.

Wordless Wednesday

Refreshing!

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.

Wordless Wednesday

My beautiful daughters. Taken by Zack.

Sunday

Today was a hot, humid Sunday here where we live. It was in the mid-90's in the afternoon- too hot if you ask me. It's only June. What's it going to be like in August? I am not looking forward to this hot, hot summer. Bring on Fall!

We were down today in church- we had over 7 families out, and it was noticeable! We had Communion during the morning service. Communion is always moving, even with trying to keep Samuel in line. Paul sang, "Does He Still Feel the Nails" during Communion. If you have never heard this song, I encourage you to listen to it. It is very poignant and convicting.

I made two new recipes for our fellowship meal: chicken pasta spinach bake and oriental spinach salad. Not sure if I'll make them again. The chicken dish was very tasty, but it was alot of work. I'm not sure it was that great to warrant that amount of work! I did not care for the salad, but I knew that I wouldn't when I made it. I made it because I figured Paul would love it. He liked it alright, but didn't love it. Oh well. Live and learn.

Anna is not feeling well today. We've had some sort of bug going through our house this week. First Sam, then Ellie and now Anna. I hope it stops there. No throwing up, just a bad headache and achy feeling. Anna is complaining of her calf muscles hurting terribly. It's a quick bug- only lasting 24 hours.

I'm looking at a pile of "stuff" in the living room that came out of the girls room. I had this bright idea on Wednesday for the girls to remove everything from their room (except furniture) so we could deep clean it. Sounds good in theory, but in reality, not so good. I didn't expect it to take so long! Thursday, we helped a young mother in our church clean her new house. It was alot of work and so hot, that when we got home, I didn't feel like finishing. Friday, we spent the morning at the church and the afternoon cleaning the rest of the house. Saturday, Ellie was sick, so Anna and I cleaned the house and caught up on the laundry. Today was Sunday, and Anna was sick. I could have finished this room in a few hours, but I am tired of cleaning their room. They need to do it! So, tomorrow, we will finish, providing Anna feels better. They really don't have alot of stuff- what they have alot of is trash and clothes. If they could just get a handle of picking up after themselves, their room would be no problem.

Well, I suppose I ought to head to bed seeing its almost midnight. Morning comes early!

Have a good night.

Grandma's Quilt

Several years ago, I inherited one of my most precious possessions. My Grandmother's quilt came into my possesion quite unexpectedly. I have always loved quilts, but to have one that belonged to my Grandma was extra special.

Grandma received this quilt as a wedding present. She and Grandpa were married on June 18, 1939. Ironically, I was married on this same date, 49 years later. The ladies in her church made this quilt for her, each one embroidering a square with their name and a flower on it. I have read those names countless times over the years, and wondered just who each lady was and if they are still alive.

There are several names on this quilt whose last names I recognize because they are related to me somehow. I wish my Grandma was still alive and could tell me more about this quilt. I would love to know the stories behind the names.

It is a unique feeling sleeping under this quilt that my Grandparents slept under many years ago. I hope one day to pass it to my granddaughter, along with the legacy of the importance of marriage and family and tradition.

Wordless Wednesday

Levittown, New York

1977

Sunday

I had a weird Sunday today. I woke up and was bustling around in the kitchen, getting the meal ready to take to church when Samuel woke up. Anna went in to get him up and brought him out and he was crying. He kept saying he had a "leg boo boo". I thought that meant he had a diaper rash, so Anna changed his diaper, but no rash. He screamed whenever we moved or touched his leg. He didn't hurt it yesterday, as far as I knew, so this was strange behavior. We laid him on the couch while I finished the meal and thought about what I should do.

I called Paul and he told me to take him right away to the doctor. We have a great pediatrician's office that is open on weekends, so I dropped the other children off at church and Samuel and I headed for the doctor's.

I prayed all the way there that this would be nothing, but the not knowing can cause fear in and of itself. We got there, and went in and signed in. He wanted to play with the toys, so I situated him in a chair in front of the toys while we waited. Samuel tried to get up and walk, but fell down. He eventually was able to walk on his leg, but with a pronounced limp.

When we got back to see the doctor, I explained what had happened. The doctor looked at his leg and moved it all around. Samuel winced when he did this, but he didn't cry. The doctor said he probably hurt it yesterday and it got stiff during the night which made it very painful when he woke up. He told me to keep an eye on him for the next few days, and bring him back in if the limp doesn't go away.

So that's where we are. His leg is very tender right now. I am racking my brain trying to remember what he did yesterday, but I cannot remember anything. Please pray for Samuel's leg that it will heal itself.

Zachary left for teen camp for a week today. It's the first time Paul Jr. didn't go. He has work commitments this week that he couldn't get out of. It's tough becoming an adult!

Now you see it....

(Hint- Look at his hair, not the pizza hanging out of his mouth!)

Now You don't! Daddy cut off all his hair and made him look like a big boy.

I don't think he likes it. Mommy's feelings too. (Although I am getting used to it)