Just so I remember...this is what my day consists of or just my routine at least. 6:25 am Wake up and help Jabren find clothes to put on. (He gets in the shower before I'm up. I'm a lucky mom. I don't even wake him up for school.
6:30 Josh and Jamesen wake up. They always seem to need my immediate attention or help.
6:35 Serve breakfast. Seems like Josh and Jamesen need me OR they fight at this time.
Start putting together a breakfast and lunch for Jake to take to work. I have friends who tell me they never do this for their husband. I can't imagine a time I haven't been doing this. How are they so lucky!
6:45 Go outside to wait with Jabren.
6:48 Come in and finish Jakes lunch...all while settling Josh and Jamesen (I think they're waking up to early to function like normal.
6:50 Help Jake locate anything he needs and can't find.
6:55 He's out the door. Whew. Somehow it seems way too intense of a way to start my day.
7-10 am. I start dishes, laundry, answer emails (or at least just read them)
Also, I make me a well balanced breakfast and then go enter it into Sparkpeople.com to track my food while I try to loose weight.
8:30 - 10 am MWF Go to the gym.
10 am. Help Josh and Jamesen finish any homework or practice. Then I run errands with them.
11:30 Make them a balanced lunch, hoping they function well at school. Clean up lunch.
12:30 Check that backpacks have what they need, shoes and socks are located and on feet.
12:40 We wait outside for the bus, and say goodbye with lots of hugs and kisses to go around. They're always quite fervent hugs.
12:45 p.m. I shower or head to the gym if I haven't. Or I clean if I haven't finished. Yesterday I paid bills and got lots of my paperwork organized. Did more or it this morning.
1 p.m. Make me a healthy, well balanced lunch. Enter it into Sparkpeople.com to be sure I am on track for the calories of the day.
1:45 pm Make church related phone calls if needed. Sometimes I even get to sit and read...I call it lunch hour.
2:30 Jabren returns home and we get a snack and hopefully start on homework. But sometimes I'm into some cleaning project and just let him watch t.v.
3:50 Josh and Jamesen arrive home. Yay! They're stinking cute kindergarteners.
4 p.m. Make dinner and I have no idea what else. Oh, maybe grocery shopping, or clean up whats left to do.
Somewhere in here I talk to my mom or any one of my 3 sisters.
6 p.m. We're eating dinner by now hopefully, cause I like to get the kids in pjs by 6:30-7 pm. unless we have scouts here. Bedtime routines kick in. Teeth get brushed, snuggles are snuggled, books are read, backs are scratched, legs are scratched. Melatonin is given.
8 p.m Almost everyone is in bed almost asleep. Then I try to think about cleaning up dishes but lots of times I don't want to. And so I head to the gym and work out. Or enter my dinner on sparkpeople.com (I've lost 7 lbs since August 1st. Yay!)
Thursdays are our craziest day. I need to have the house really clean, dinner made and eaten by 6 p.m. so that we have time to clean up before scouts come to our house so that when they leave I can hurry kids into pj's and kiss them and leave them with Jake so I can run out for presidency meetings.
None of my kids are in sports yet. Probably this makes me not a very good mom. They love sports. I just don't like being ultra crazy with our heads cut off at night and so I resist it.
It will be in my life soon enough. Once it starts it won't end. So for now, this is my daily routine. I finally have time for me in my day. Happy about that and the projects I'm getting done and feeling like I have time and energy for a little quality time with each of my sons. Its been a long time waiting.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Summer is absolutely Lovely Here!
We're enjoying a calm summer. No moving plans involved helps, a lot. I complained about the miserable, long winter and spring. It rained nearly every day for two months. Jabren was baptized on June 4th and we had both grandparents here. We had so much fun. Its hard to believe my boy is 8 years old and old enough to understand baptism. His service was beautiful!
There's something about having your dad and mom hang out in your home at night, or planting vegetables in your garden, or fixing anything, the smallest broken thing the Dads can find, or washing dishes with moms, sewing projects on the table - that just make a house feel like a home.
When my parents left we took off to Amish Country, Niagara Falls and to Palmyra, NY with Jakes parents.
I love having new experiences to tuck into my memories to collect. Though its summer, we don't seem to be sleeping in. Usually we're up by 7 am.
The weather here is absolutely LOVELY! Like 76 degrees daily. Last few days I've noticed the evenings are full of people riding bikes. Like a lot of people on bikes! This little town feels so small town and cozy. Little kids, teen agers, couples, families...we love it. We just bought Jamesen and Joshua their first brand new bikes and it was sooo fun! They picked them out and Jamesen went for orange. Josh, red. (Usually, Jamesen always takes red.)
Thankfully, we had them signed up for "Safety Town" the next week and they learned tons on traffic safety and wearing helmets.
We let the boys do a vacation bible school, too. So we road our bikes to the little church. The pastor asked if we did bible schools at our church. I said no, but if we did they'd be called "The B.O.M.B School. The Book of Mormon, and Bible School!" The older church ladies standing by him looked started, shocked and confused all at once and I hopped on my bike, said "see ya later" and road off. That was fun.
The boys loved singing songs and learning about baby Moses and playing games, making crafts. Jamesen especially enjoyed singing the songs about Jesus and doing the actions. Jake and I enjoyed a few quiet evenings while they were there. We even went to the store alone!
I've been going to the gym. We just discovered Playground Days. If your city doesn't have one you should talk to the Parks and Rec dept! Once or twice a week I take the boys to the park in the morning and they can stay and play for 3 hours and the P&R hires Jrs and Srs to watch them and play dodge ball, hoola hoop with them.
This week I came home and cleaned my house and spent time with church stuff that I needed to do. Lots going on there.
So awesome! Love alone time once in awhile.
Some favorite things said around here lately. "Mom, you're so snugglish." --Jamesen
"Hey Mom, I'm your Superman!" --Joshua as he jumps up onto my bed and poses standing above my head with his arms in stanz and wearing his 'batman' pjs. Yes, Josh you are my Superman.
We were late to church Sunday and went to a classroom to listen to Sacrament Meeting Services and I randomly said "Jabren come over here, let me pull your tooth out." He came over, I put my fingers on it and a little tug and it was out. We were both a little surprised. It was fun. And I was glad he got to loose it in a memorable setting. Its only his 2nd tooth and he's headed to 3rd grade. He was pretty happy!
Jabren got his own scriptures at his baptism and we took them to a Christian Book Store this week to get his name engraved on them. The kid was beaming as I handed them over and told them what we wanted. He was gleaming! Such a happy boy. Just as happy as he was when I pulled them out of my bag at his baptism and gave them to him.
Jake's been working really hard. Work has had some waves, and talk of needing people to go here or there. Whew....not us!
His Grandma Todd passed away and he flew to Utah and I missed him more than I think I ever have. Really haven't been apart much unless its me thats gone home. So I was a little lost the first two days. Then I got the hang of things. I really had wanted to go. His Grandma Todd is a phenomenol woman! Jake and I were dating when we drove to Utah on our college spring break for me to go to his ole stompin' grounds. I walked into her home through the side door and I hardly was up the few steps to the kitchen there that we were in a hug and laughing and connecting and she was telling me she knew who my Grandma Roxie was and that she had adored my grandma when she was a young girl. Oh and that we were both lefties. Then because the energy in the room was so amazing and fun she stepped back and demonstrated that even at her age she could still bend over and palm the floor with straight legs! All this in fun capri overalls. A grandma. Whose grandma does this? In a matter of five minutes I felt like I'd known her my whole life and we were just reconnecting. She was now my grandma, too. Whether I married Jake or not. (Thankfully I married Jake and got her too.)
Well, shortly after full on Alzheimers set in and she hasn't been the same. So I was sad to not be there for the funeral. We all missed Jake, especially me and Jamesen.
So, we picked him up at the airport on the 4th of July. Headed down to Progressive Field and as American as it gets we watched the New York Yankees play the Cleveland Indians. Then stayed and watched the fireworks with our friends Diana and Mike Boren.
So fun.
Oh, and that morning, my neighbors next door Kathy and Mike, helped me organize a neighborhood 4th of July Celebration Kick Off Breakfast in our garage and front yard. We delivered flyers, invited a few friends and fed 42 people from our front yard. All without Jake's help. Thats hard for me. I realized how much he helps me accomplish stuff. (I think though, Jake may have talked me out of it, cause he thinks we shouldn't host people in our little, old house. But the fun must go on. Don't know if or when those things will come. So plan away, anyways.)
It was soo awesome! The neighbors kept saying how fun it was and what a great idea and that it was nice to actually talk to each other. I think its a tradition. When all was said and done, I vaguely remembered a dream I had when we first moved here that I was setting up tables in our front yard and neighbors were coming over. Its a dream I had told my mom about. Tables were not in the grass like in my dream, but right before my neighbor Mike said "grace" neighbors started walking up my driveway and it triggered my memory of the dream. Love that.
I didn't really get to talk much - trying to keep things going but, next year maybe I'll have Jake and I'll be more relaxed and enjoy people more.
Kathy and Mike were awesome cause they heard my wish to do something and they totally ran with it and supported it! It really started cause I didn't want to be moapy over the holiday 3 day weekend.
Lastly, we've been experimenting with homemade ice cream with our maker we bought at Ross/TJ Maxx?? in Texas. Oh, soooo yummy. So easy! We've made Strawberry and Mint Chocolate Chip.
So far we've had a good summer, minus the ability to provide consistency I so desire to have so that I can keep my kids on top of doing chores, keeping up studies and practicing/learning piano.
We still have many lingering big unanswered questions regarding our future...wish we knew what to plan for, what we want. We live month to month with not knowing what our future holds, and hoping for consistency and stability. Well, hey, maybe that has something to do with my inconsistency...just thinking out loud.
Oh, well. We had Jake home this morning so I woke up and made a real breakfast and we sat around the table. Our little family. With yummy whole wheat, banana pancakes at 10 am with the curtains still all closed, and ate warm food, and I just soaked in all the moment had to provide...20 questions from Josh to Jake. "And Dad, guess what?" "Yes Josh." "And Dad, Guess what?" "Yes Josh." "And Dad." It really never ends. Along with Jabren and Jamesen adding in all kinds of thoughts and ideas to share. Its the simple things.
I went and layed on Jabrens bed and asked "You wanna Wrastle" to which these boys know is an invitation to be roudy with mom. We played and played and they transformed my 'airplane rides' to bull riding. Then the boys got too intense or involved. Kids started to fight and then it had to be over.
Then Jake cut the grass. I cut hair. Then we sat on the couch and let the boys sit on our laps and snuggle while they watched Spongebob and PBS. (I so don't like spongebob, I decided.) We never just sit in the day and watch t.v. So it felt so cozy.
Then we kicked in gear to try and get Jakes car registered in Ohio. I had to go to Avon Lake for one step. Westlake for the emissions. We all went to North Ridgeville for the title since Jake had to be there, and then back where we started in Avon Lake for plates. Three hours later. It was hilarious getting the emissions checked. The tech's seemed to get a kick out of it. How many miles? 213K. When it passed the tech came to talk to me and he said nothing for like 2 minutes. Really. Then he asked "Did you drive that. (pause) All the way from Texas?" I smiled and told him we put it on a truck. Then he told me it passed. I said "Dang it. My husbands not going to let go of it until someone tells him its over."
Its Jakes car. Its a 1994 Mercury Tracer. We've had it for 11 years this week!
Came home, put burgers and hot dogs on the grill. Cut watermelon. Ate donut holes. Said good night to the kids. Watched our show, Friday Night Lights. Last of the series tonight. Been watching it since Nampa, Idaho days. That was our day. Complete and good. You have to write these ones down.
There's something about having your dad and mom hang out in your home at night, or planting vegetables in your garden, or fixing anything, the smallest broken thing the Dads can find, or washing dishes with moms, sewing projects on the table - that just make a house feel like a home.
When my parents left we took off to Amish Country, Niagara Falls and to Palmyra, NY with Jakes parents.
I love having new experiences to tuck into my memories to collect. Though its summer, we don't seem to be sleeping in. Usually we're up by 7 am.
The weather here is absolutely LOVELY! Like 76 degrees daily. Last few days I've noticed the evenings are full of people riding bikes. Like a lot of people on bikes! This little town feels so small town and cozy. Little kids, teen agers, couples, families...we love it. We just bought Jamesen and Joshua their first brand new bikes and it was sooo fun! They picked them out and Jamesen went for orange. Josh, red. (Usually, Jamesen always takes red.)
Thankfully, we had them signed up for "Safety Town" the next week and they learned tons on traffic safety and wearing helmets.
We let the boys do a vacation bible school, too. So we road our bikes to the little church. The pastor asked if we did bible schools at our church. I said no, but if we did they'd be called "The B.O.M.B School. The Book of Mormon, and Bible School!" The older church ladies standing by him looked started, shocked and confused all at once and I hopped on my bike, said "see ya later" and road off. That was fun.
The boys loved singing songs and learning about baby Moses and playing games, making crafts. Jamesen especially enjoyed singing the songs about Jesus and doing the actions. Jake and I enjoyed a few quiet evenings while they were there. We even went to the store alone!
I've been going to the gym. We just discovered Playground Days. If your city doesn't have one you should talk to the Parks and Rec dept! Once or twice a week I take the boys to the park in the morning and they can stay and play for 3 hours and the P&R hires Jrs and Srs to watch them and play dodge ball, hoola hoop with them.
This week I came home and cleaned my house and spent time with church stuff that I needed to do. Lots going on there.
So awesome! Love alone time once in awhile.
Some favorite things said around here lately. "Mom, you're so snugglish." --Jamesen
"Hey Mom, I'm your Superman!" --Joshua as he jumps up onto my bed and poses standing above my head with his arms in stanz and wearing his 'batman' pjs. Yes, Josh you are my Superman.
We were late to church Sunday and went to a classroom to listen to Sacrament Meeting Services and I randomly said "Jabren come over here, let me pull your tooth out." He came over, I put my fingers on it and a little tug and it was out. We were both a little surprised. It was fun. And I was glad he got to loose it in a memorable setting. Its only his 2nd tooth and he's headed to 3rd grade. He was pretty happy!
Jabren got his own scriptures at his baptism and we took them to a Christian Book Store this week to get his name engraved on them. The kid was beaming as I handed them over and told them what we wanted. He was gleaming! Such a happy boy. Just as happy as he was when I pulled them out of my bag at his baptism and gave them to him.
Jake's been working really hard. Work has had some waves, and talk of needing people to go here or there. Whew....not us!
His Grandma Todd passed away and he flew to Utah and I missed him more than I think I ever have. Really haven't been apart much unless its me thats gone home. So I was a little lost the first two days. Then I got the hang of things. I really had wanted to go. His Grandma Todd is a phenomenol woman! Jake and I were dating when we drove to Utah on our college spring break for me to go to his ole stompin' grounds. I walked into her home through the side door and I hardly was up the few steps to the kitchen there that we were in a hug and laughing and connecting and she was telling me she knew who my Grandma Roxie was and that she had adored my grandma when she was a young girl. Oh and that we were both lefties. Then because the energy in the room was so amazing and fun she stepped back and demonstrated that even at her age she could still bend over and palm the floor with straight legs! All this in fun capri overalls. A grandma. Whose grandma does this? In a matter of five minutes I felt like I'd known her my whole life and we were just reconnecting. She was now my grandma, too. Whether I married Jake or not. (Thankfully I married Jake and got her too.)
Well, shortly after full on Alzheimers set in and she hasn't been the same. So I was sad to not be there for the funeral. We all missed Jake, especially me and Jamesen.
So, we picked him up at the airport on the 4th of July. Headed down to Progressive Field and as American as it gets we watched the New York Yankees play the Cleveland Indians. Then stayed and watched the fireworks with our friends Diana and Mike Boren.
So fun.
Oh, and that morning, my neighbors next door Kathy and Mike, helped me organize a neighborhood 4th of July Celebration Kick Off Breakfast in our garage and front yard. We delivered flyers, invited a few friends and fed 42 people from our front yard. All without Jake's help. Thats hard for me. I realized how much he helps me accomplish stuff. (I think though, Jake may have talked me out of it, cause he thinks we shouldn't host people in our little, old house. But the fun must go on. Don't know if or when those things will come. So plan away, anyways.)
It was soo awesome! The neighbors kept saying how fun it was and what a great idea and that it was nice to actually talk to each other. I think its a tradition. When all was said and done, I vaguely remembered a dream I had when we first moved here that I was setting up tables in our front yard and neighbors were coming over. Its a dream I had told my mom about. Tables were not in the grass like in my dream, but right before my neighbor Mike said "grace" neighbors started walking up my driveway and it triggered my memory of the dream. Love that.
I didn't really get to talk much - trying to keep things going but, next year maybe I'll have Jake and I'll be more relaxed and enjoy people more.
Kathy and Mike were awesome cause they heard my wish to do something and they totally ran with it and supported it! It really started cause I didn't want to be moapy over the holiday 3 day weekend.
Lastly, we've been experimenting with homemade ice cream with our maker we bought at Ross/TJ Maxx?? in Texas. Oh, soooo yummy. So easy! We've made Strawberry and Mint Chocolate Chip.
So far we've had a good summer, minus the ability to provide consistency I so desire to have so that I can keep my kids on top of doing chores, keeping up studies and practicing/learning piano.
We still have many lingering big unanswered questions regarding our future...wish we knew what to plan for, what we want. We live month to month with not knowing what our future holds, and hoping for consistency and stability. Well, hey, maybe that has something to do with my inconsistency...just thinking out loud.
Oh, well. We had Jake home this morning so I woke up and made a real breakfast and we sat around the table. Our little family. With yummy whole wheat, banana pancakes at 10 am with the curtains still all closed, and ate warm food, and I just soaked in all the moment had to provide...20 questions from Josh to Jake. "And Dad, guess what?" "Yes Josh." "And Dad, Guess what?" "Yes Josh." "And Dad." It really never ends. Along with Jabren and Jamesen adding in all kinds of thoughts and ideas to share. Its the simple things.
I went and layed on Jabrens bed and asked "You wanna Wrastle" to which these boys know is an invitation to be roudy with mom. We played and played and they transformed my 'airplane rides' to bull riding. Then the boys got too intense or involved. Kids started to fight and then it had to be over.
Then Jake cut the grass. I cut hair. Then we sat on the couch and let the boys sit on our laps and snuggle while they watched Spongebob and PBS. (I so don't like spongebob, I decided.) We never just sit in the day and watch t.v. So it felt so cozy.
Then we kicked in gear to try and get Jakes car registered in Ohio. I had to go to Avon Lake for one step. Westlake for the emissions. We all went to North Ridgeville for the title since Jake had to be there, and then back where we started in Avon Lake for plates. Three hours later. It was hilarious getting the emissions checked. The tech's seemed to get a kick out of it. How many miles? 213K. When it passed the tech came to talk to me and he said nothing for like 2 minutes. Really. Then he asked "Did you drive that. (pause) All the way from Texas?" I smiled and told him we put it on a truck. Then he told me it passed. I said "Dang it. My husbands not going to let go of it until someone tells him its over."
Its Jakes car. Its a 1994 Mercury Tracer. We've had it for 11 years this week!
Came home, put burgers and hot dogs on the grill. Cut watermelon. Ate donut holes. Said good night to the kids. Watched our show, Friday Night Lights. Last of the series tonight. Been watching it since Nampa, Idaho days. That was our day. Complete and good. You have to write these ones down.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Smokin' Weekend!
What the heck do you do with a three day weekend when two of those days it just rains? You smoke...in the driveway. Smoke Meat that is. Well, at least we did.
We are beginning to think the rain will never end here. Its makin' me crazy!
So thankfully, Jake pulled out the good ole smoker. I ran to Costco to pick up the slabs of meat...Jake took Jamesen and Jabren to pick up some wood. We have tried a few rub recipes that were way off so we just made our own and followed our instincts on how to prepare the slabs...well who knew? We pulled it off.
They didn't finish till 7:30 which is like bedtime over here so we ran to the store and picked up s'more makin's and let the kids have dessert before dinner. Hey, like my grandpa Briggs used to say "Lets start with dessert, you never know when you're going to die."
It was sooo yummy. And I made homemade salsa for the first ever.
All in all it was a lovely day hangin' in the garage as the rain came down and we smelled all the smells that bring back thousands of memories of being at the camp in Donnelly, Idaho with all my cousins and aunts, uncles, siblings, parents, neices, nephews...future in laws...good memories that smell of wood, charcoal, meat, and rain all seem to trigger. Love when my new world can trigger memories of good times in my past.
Boys loved using hangers to roast marshmallows. I bought nutella spread for my smores and I liked it.
Jake's gettin pretty dang good with his meats. That makes us happy.
Y'all are invited to come eat with us if ya like.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
FACEBOOK-you're not enough for me anymore
So its just a regular Wednesday night and I'm reading the blogs of a few of my new friends and I am realizing FACEBOOK doesn't cut it for me. I miss you blogspot...
So what going on in our world.....everything.
We moved to Ohio and I had very little on my plate and by our third month here I was sooo bored. No motivation to clean cause I had no reason to not to it tomorrow. So, I decided to join the YMCA, put the boys in a preschool, teach music at the preschool once a week for a discount in tuition and for resume/experience. All this crept up at the same time as I got a call from our newly called Bishop in our new ward to come in to meet him.
We were the first ones he called to meet with after him being called and since his wife was the Primary President...well you know. I thought that would be on his mind to replace her. Somehow it didn't make sense though. Well, he just wanted to ask us about our situation and to meet us and come next Sunday we were in his office again and I was extended a call to serve as the Lorain Ward Relief Society President. My jaw dropped and my eye's bugged out. I wasn't at all expecting it. But immediately I knew it made sense. Many challenges of the last year fell into perspective and everything was making sense. It just hadn't occurred to me that the RS President would be released. Shes my friend and I felt she was doing an excellent job.
So, I went to living life at 5 MPH to now moving 65 MPH in a matter of a few weeks. Or so it feels like.
My days are filled with gym, preschool, homework, housework, food, bedtime, weeknight meetings, Sunday morning meetings, placing food orders, being the mom and the wife, and the neighbor, all while I feel like I'm adjusting to a new home and church congregation with such a different cultural feel than I've known and I'm not even in my comfort zone that a home ward brings. Somehow.....I don't know how....my life just got crazy. Oh and a sister past away 3 days after our presidency was sustained. (Baptism by fire.) There have been days I just want to call my mom and talk...or my girlfriends. But I don't know where to fit it in and be able to enjoy it, too.
I feel the Lord is stretching me out.
Well, as all these things fell into place one thing did change. I used to walk Jabren down the street to the bus stop every morning and get him every afternoon. We enjoyed the walk and the conversation with the families on our street. It was about the only highlight of my day. I was grateful to get to know the people around me.
Being that one of these neighbors is the pastor of the church on our street, you can imagine how often religion came up. This pastor is a whole post on his own, but long story short: he'd make sarcastic comments and I'd respond back sarcastically. I'd tell my mom about the dialog I'd have walking back from the bus stop with him and she'd kind of reprimand me "Debbie, you shouldn't talk to him that way...he's a pastor!" But my reply would always be "But Mom, he acts just like my brothers; I can't help it." And in truth, combine multiple traits from each of my brothers and thats the pastor.
So, eventually this pastor finds out through geneological research he's like related to a great great step uncle who was asked by Brigham Young (the prophet who lead mormons west) to help prepare the way for the journey west. Thus he has hundreds of distant relatives in Utah.
This was absolutely so exciting to me. Seriously! Why the heck did we move to Ohio...I have yet to understand fully...maybe there's something to this being led here.
But thats not it. He told me his ancestors name; I passed it off to my mom and within a day or so the research had been done and ah hah! The pastor is my 12th cousin! Now I know thats like too far back to even be considered, but if you open the first book of the new testament of the Holy Bible its all lineage...and its covering generations! Whats funny...from the beginning I'd tell him he reminded me of my brother Curtis...or was it Gary....or Doug...? (Not David or Robert so much.)
So he's related to a Rebecca Briggs born in 1600. The only reason my mom found it is because this Rebecca caught her eye because they share the maiden name Briggs and it just happened to be his distant grandmother. (Not to mention this line is traced back that far due to much effort.)
Between the pastor and my neighbor Marie, we had some good conversations that totally brightened my day and filled me with vigor. I didn't even have to work at talking about things that are so important to me...namely religion and family. Then it all came to a screeching halt because winter was upon us and between dark mornings, freezing temperatures, and no sidewalks, my neighbor convinced them to pick kids up at each house.
Though I was sad to see the conversations come to an end with the end of the bus stop, it is its own blessing. My life immediately got way busy; but also my one neighbor Marie and her husband started reading anti mormon stuff (I assume because they were once kind and then very cold) and told me they're praying for our family for the rest of their lives and that they're goal is to help me see the error in my religion. Oh, Brother!
Tender mercies...I don't need this in my life. This all sums up to a few paragraphs but these things transpired over months and have caused me much deep thought, prayer, ponderings, scripture studying, self examination, extreme joy and excitement, and the most discouragement I've felt at exposing my self and my religion with others. I understand why I'm so protective of my church. I love my religion deeply. Its not something I do just because I was born in to it. I definitely know that now.
How this neighbor went from telling me regularly that I was "such a mature Christian" to telling me I don't know or worship the Savior..its beyond me.
I know I'm in Ohio for a reason...the Lord brought us here. Its been hard to be here. I don't even know why...actually I do. But for the Lord...I'll be here. If this is where He wants me...sign me up.
Well the pastor I don't know that we've talked in months. I see his wife once in a blue moon and she reminds me so much of my sister in law Charmenia (from Brazil) that I feel instantly close to her like she's my family who knows me in and out but she doesn't and we're not close. Its confusing maybe. She's a gooood woman.
So the day my neighbor sent me a letter basically expressing her desire to save me and bring me back to Jesus...well that day I had some tender mercies come my way.
We had had a snow day so I had all my boys home so there were no demands on our day. I somehow had the song "Song of Testimony" by Janice Kapp Perry in my head and I had been singing it all morning. I don't think I had even realized it. This isn't normal behavior - me singing randomly. So we headed to Giant Eagle for groceries. Its a location I hadn't shopped at before, but as I walked into the store with my three little guys Jamesen insisted I hold his hand, so I took it and relished his little hand. We weren't even in the store and I could feel a woman contemplating what she was watching...the four of us. She immediately tries to make convesation with us as we put oranges in our respective bags. She seemed to really want to engage me in convesation and kept saying what a good mom I was. Over and over she said "You're such a good mom. And look at your boys; they're soo beautiful." It was if she were observing me and not talking with me. I assured I have my days that I'm not a good mom and told her a bit about myself. Short story shorter....she asked if I was a Christian, and before I had fully said, "Yes, I defintely am." She had reached her arms up to my shoulders and embraced me in a hug." She told me she knew it!
Hours later my neighbors letter came. My heart raced, my head spinned and I was in literal shock. I couldn't breath. I had never had my faith attacked before. Oh, Marie didn't even think she was attacking me, she was trying to save me.
But God knew what was going to happen that day, how it would make me feel and he gave me a tender reassurance.
As the verse of the song by J.Perry goes "I Know God lives, I know he loves me. I know he hears me and he answers when I pray. I know Gods Son, is my Redeemer and that He died for me that I might live eternally one day. I daily drink of Living waters, for he has promised those who drink shall thirst no more."
All this in the thick of my life. I'm grateful to be living and experiencing.
So what going on in our world.....everything.
We moved to Ohio and I had very little on my plate and by our third month here I was sooo bored. No motivation to clean cause I had no reason to not to it tomorrow. So, I decided to join the YMCA, put the boys in a preschool, teach music at the preschool once a week for a discount in tuition and for resume/experience. All this crept up at the same time as I got a call from our newly called Bishop in our new ward to come in to meet him.
We were the first ones he called to meet with after him being called and since his wife was the Primary President...well you know. I thought that would be on his mind to replace her. Somehow it didn't make sense though. Well, he just wanted to ask us about our situation and to meet us and come next Sunday we were in his office again and I was extended a call to serve as the Lorain Ward Relief Society President. My jaw dropped and my eye's bugged out. I wasn't at all expecting it. But immediately I knew it made sense. Many challenges of the last year fell into perspective and everything was making sense. It just hadn't occurred to me that the RS President would be released. Shes my friend and I felt she was doing an excellent job.
So, I went to living life at 5 MPH to now moving 65 MPH in a matter of a few weeks. Or so it feels like.
My days are filled with gym, preschool, homework, housework, food, bedtime, weeknight meetings, Sunday morning meetings, placing food orders, being the mom and the wife, and the neighbor, all while I feel like I'm adjusting to a new home and church congregation with such a different cultural feel than I've known and I'm not even in my comfort zone that a home ward brings. Somehow.....I don't know how....my life just got crazy. Oh and a sister past away 3 days after our presidency was sustained. (Baptism by fire.) There have been days I just want to call my mom and talk...or my girlfriends. But I don't know where to fit it in and be able to enjoy it, too.
I feel the Lord is stretching me out.
Well, as all these things fell into place one thing did change. I used to walk Jabren down the street to the bus stop every morning and get him every afternoon. We enjoyed the walk and the conversation with the families on our street. It was about the only highlight of my day. I was grateful to get to know the people around me.
Being that one of these neighbors is the pastor of the church on our street, you can imagine how often religion came up. This pastor is a whole post on his own, but long story short: he'd make sarcastic comments and I'd respond back sarcastically. I'd tell my mom about the dialog I'd have walking back from the bus stop with him and she'd kind of reprimand me "Debbie, you shouldn't talk to him that way...he's a pastor!" But my reply would always be "But Mom, he acts just like my brothers; I can't help it." And in truth, combine multiple traits from each of my brothers and thats the pastor.
So, eventually this pastor finds out through geneological research he's like related to a great great step uncle who was asked by Brigham Young (the prophet who lead mormons west) to help prepare the way for the journey west. Thus he has hundreds of distant relatives in Utah.
This was absolutely so exciting to me. Seriously! Why the heck did we move to Ohio...I have yet to understand fully...maybe there's something to this being led here.
But thats not it. He told me his ancestors name; I passed it off to my mom and within a day or so the research had been done and ah hah! The pastor is my 12th cousin! Now I know thats like too far back to even be considered, but if you open the first book of the new testament of the Holy Bible its all lineage...and its covering generations! Whats funny...from the beginning I'd tell him he reminded me of my brother Curtis...or was it Gary....or Doug...? (Not David or Robert so much.)
So he's related to a Rebecca Briggs born in 1600. The only reason my mom found it is because this Rebecca caught her eye because they share the maiden name Briggs and it just happened to be his distant grandmother. (Not to mention this line is traced back that far due to much effort.)
Between the pastor and my neighbor Marie, we had some good conversations that totally brightened my day and filled me with vigor. I didn't even have to work at talking about things that are so important to me...namely religion and family. Then it all came to a screeching halt because winter was upon us and between dark mornings, freezing temperatures, and no sidewalks, my neighbor convinced them to pick kids up at each house.
Though I was sad to see the conversations come to an end with the end of the bus stop, it is its own blessing. My life immediately got way busy; but also my one neighbor Marie and her husband started reading anti mormon stuff (I assume because they were once kind and then very cold) and told me they're praying for our family for the rest of their lives and that they're goal is to help me see the error in my religion. Oh, Brother!
Tender mercies...I don't need this in my life. This all sums up to a few paragraphs but these things transpired over months and have caused me much deep thought, prayer, ponderings, scripture studying, self examination, extreme joy and excitement, and the most discouragement I've felt at exposing my self and my religion with others. I understand why I'm so protective of my church. I love my religion deeply. Its not something I do just because I was born in to it. I definitely know that now.
How this neighbor went from telling me regularly that I was "such a mature Christian" to telling me I don't know or worship the Savior..its beyond me.
I know I'm in Ohio for a reason...the Lord brought us here. Its been hard to be here. I don't even know why...actually I do. But for the Lord...I'll be here. If this is where He wants me...sign me up.
Well the pastor I don't know that we've talked in months. I see his wife once in a blue moon and she reminds me so much of my sister in law Charmenia (from Brazil) that I feel instantly close to her like she's my family who knows me in and out but she doesn't and we're not close. Its confusing maybe. She's a gooood woman.
So the day my neighbor sent me a letter basically expressing her desire to save me and bring me back to Jesus...well that day I had some tender mercies come my way.
We had had a snow day so I had all my boys home so there were no demands on our day. I somehow had the song "Song of Testimony" by Janice Kapp Perry in my head and I had been singing it all morning. I don't think I had even realized it. This isn't normal behavior - me singing randomly. So we headed to Giant Eagle for groceries. Its a location I hadn't shopped at before, but as I walked into the store with my three little guys Jamesen insisted I hold his hand, so I took it and relished his little hand. We weren't even in the store and I could feel a woman contemplating what she was watching...the four of us. She immediately tries to make convesation with us as we put oranges in our respective bags. She seemed to really want to engage me in convesation and kept saying what a good mom I was. Over and over she said "You're such a good mom. And look at your boys; they're soo beautiful." It was if she were observing me and not talking with me. I assured I have my days that I'm not a good mom and told her a bit about myself. Short story shorter....she asked if I was a Christian, and before I had fully said, "Yes, I defintely am." She had reached her arms up to my shoulders and embraced me in a hug." She told me she knew it!
Hours later my neighbors letter came. My heart raced, my head spinned and I was in literal shock. I couldn't breath. I had never had my faith attacked before. Oh, Marie didn't even think she was attacking me, she was trying to save me.
But God knew what was going to happen that day, how it would make me feel and he gave me a tender reassurance.
As the verse of the song by J.Perry goes "I Know God lives, I know he loves me. I know he hears me and he answers when I pray. I know Gods Son, is my Redeemer and that He died for me that I might live eternally one day. I daily drink of Living waters, for he has promised those who drink shall thirst no more."
All this in the thick of my life. I'm grateful to be living and experiencing.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Just one Valentines!
So its Valentines Day soon? So what? Well, I was just pondering where we were this time last year. We were still in Houston and my husband had a few coworkers he hung out with...talked here and there. Well, one guy, Anthony is unmarried, living with his fiance and thinks V-Day is a joke. Its all about a man taking care of a woman. He thought it was completely dumb and even selfish to think that a man should do all this work and has to prove his love and its basically up to him to create the romance. He even complained about the money.
Well tell ya what. Those thoughts and ideas rubbed off on the other guys and lets just say it didn't go over too well with the ladies. Who would have imagined?
Here's my question. As a general rule who takes care of Halloween plans, costumes, food and candy? As a general rule who prepares for, shops for, cleans, cooks and cleans some more for Thanksgiving? And lastly who truly pulls off the magic of Christmas...? And who just shows up and enjoys the show and goes back to the couch?
And how many people are reached by these efforts? Plenty more than just one person. How 'bout New Years Celebrations and Super Bowl parties...to throw in for good measure. Do men ever have assistance in pulling these good times off?
So to the Anthony's out there who say its ridiculous....seriously??? I'm mean, its One Holiday. One. One holiday for you to carry on your shoulders alone. Just One! And how many people do you hope to please. One. Just one. Thats it. You're off the hook trying to make relatives and kids happy. No running to the post office to mail off gifts and cards...just one person to make happy.
Just one. Sounds pretty easy. Sounds like men get the better end of the deal, if you want to ask me.
Thankfully, my husband is in a new office with new co-workers who are young and married and one has already planned in advance to take the day off work to surprise his wife. This guy knows better. And his ways have rubbed off. Just one woman to make smile. Just one.
Now if you're stumped for ideas...its not sooo hard. If you don't know what to do or to get for someone look no further. Its not that complicated. No matter who she is start with these five concepts and you'll nail it!
Show love through all love languages (five total) and whatever language she speaks you'll speak her "tongue".
Time: Give her your time. Or alone time. If that means taking care of the kids in the night. Letting her sleep in, sending her off to take a bath while you do dishes and put kids to bed. Anything that preserves her time for herself.
Acts of Service: Do acts of service you otherwise never do, and would relieve her from her regular responsibilities. Just one time on this day.
Words of Affirmation: Pick up a greeting card. Take a minute to find one that will mean something-funny, or sincere... It solidifies that you took "Time" to think and plan ahead, too. Extra bonus points there. If you write a poem...even better.
Physical touch: give her what she wants.
Gifts: Bring flowers, jewelry, chocolates. This may seem overwhelming or complicated. Seriously. Not hard. Even the cheapest flowers, the smallest box of chocolates, even simple earrings are easy to show up with. Just take the "time" guys.
Think: TIME, SERVICE, WORDS of AFFIRMATION, PHYSICAL TOUCH and GIFTS. Do all of these and man you'd score a touch down, I mean a Home run, wait a Slam Dunk! Isn't that what a guy wants...once in a blue moon to just really hit it out of the ball park!
Those are the greatest game time highlights played over and over in a womans "ESPN Highlights of love life".
So start thinking about the One. The only one. Just one person.
(Refer to this method for all significant days...Christmas, Anniversaries, birthdays, Mothers Day. You'd be a smart man.)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
That was the Pollyanna Version
So, let it be known. We love much about it here. We have many blessings here. And we've counted them. We've needed to count them to make it. Maybe I should just tell you a little secret. This moving stuff is hard. Meeting new people is fun. New places...fun. But plain and simple. I think this moving stuff is getting out of my blood. Its awesome. Its hard. Change is awesome. Its hard. Change is exciting. Its hard.
This week has been much better, last week was really hard. I cried a lot. I talked to my sisters and mom A LOT. It can be lonely. If you know my Jake...he and change...they're like water and oil. Just don't mix well. Which means I've felt a huge burden on my shoulders, and I've felt like I was carrying it alone.
But this week, thanks to some very helpful tips from my sisters, and the talk I was asked to give last Sunday in church, my attitude and approach are getting better. (Yeah, our records aren't even here yet...but I have a new calling and we spoke in Sacrament Meeting. Yeah! To be honest, though, I actually enjoyed speaking.)
But all this change in my life has exposed me to my vunerabilities/weaknesses and makes me realize what they are and how to improve on them....not really that fun but productive, I guess.
My topic for church was 3 Nephi 11:29 "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another." Isn't it ironic, don't ya think? A little too ironic. The one major battle I'm having inside my head has to do with contention. Basically, I leaerned and tried to teach, that we have control over our anger. No one can make us angry or frustrated. We have much more control over it, and agency to do so. Sooo....
Now that I have my brain all wrapped around this doctrine and concept that I could NOT live the whole week I was trying to prepare to teach about it, my sisters came to my aid this week and taught me some ways to apply it.
It would be way too wordy to post here. But, much better week.
Today after grocery shopping for two hours with the boys-don't ask me why 2 hours, who knows-I got to the check out and with dread look at the full cart and did not want to do one more thing. But mentally, I decided to get over it and forge ahead. Before I knew it, the twins unloaded nearly ALL my groceries at the check out. When they were almost done, I just smiled at them and got almost teary eyed. I told them I was soo proud of them and how hard working they were. I was so grateful for their little 4 year old help!
But one of the fun things about moving is you find out the store doesn't take anything but Discover Card or checks. So I write out a check. Receipt in hand, groceries in cart, boys at candy machines, ready to go. Cashier just needs to verify with Supervisor that he got everything from me, like change of address, DL#. She tells him she can't take my check.... its out of state. I told her I've shopped here 3 times already. She calls her manager. Answer: No go.
I haven't always been so bold...passive was more my likely approach. "Ma'm..." (thanks Texas) "Could I please speak to your manager?"
The store manager looked 25 ish. The 40 ish big dude in line was rambling, that "bank on her check is the strongest bank in the nation right now. They buy up all the other banks who can't make it. In fact they hold most the mortgages in all of Avon Lake. He kept on going. Thanks big dude in line!
I said..."Ma'm, I've shopped here three times before with no problems using my check, if I use the atm over there, I'll get $7 in bank charges, I've been all over this country with this as my bank and never had any problems with my checks. I've been shopping for two hours with two little boys and I don't want to do this all over again. I just moved here, will you please help me out, till I get new checks?"
Lo and behold I got out of there...with my groceries.
It wasn't a biggie, we've had other problems since we've been here. We're kind of used to hang ups. The landlord has been here at least 2-3 times a week taking care of things. The water heater leaked all over the laundry room. That was replaced last weekend. Thankfully, Uncle Bob...the boys name for the landlord, is installing an outlet in the family bathroom for me. Now I can do my hair and Jake can shave. :)
The movers broke our fridge. Insurance adjusters come Monday. We'll see what they'll do. I bought a carpet remnant and pad to lay out in the basement so we'll use it more (when I say we I mean the my boys and the neighbor friends.) On my way home I called my new friend Meta (like Beta the fish but with an M) and she came right over and we carried it in a layed it out all by ourselves. Then the leftover pad we were able to put in my bedroom under our rug...so much better.
I still need to find an internet provider...don't ask me why this seems complicated for me, but it is...
The boys were soooooo excited when I took them to a park after school this week that every prayer that night they thanked Heavenly Father that they could go to the park today. (Maybe I need to get them out more.)
I miss and appreciate people from my past daily. I think of you often. Randomly I'll do something or experience something and I think of good friends in ways I never appreciated them before. My heart has been full of gratitude for good friends. I wouldn't trade you for the world. How good it was to be close to someone and just know what ya know about them and you just pick up where you want when you get together.
In someways the emotions of moving can be like going through a break up and starting all over again.
In someways RENTING is like being in a summer fling at Philmont (I worked there for a summer). You know the relationship isn't going to turn out, nothing you'd even make long term but you'll enjoy it while it lasts, have a lot of fun, all the while knowing this isn't where you plan on putting your heart, yet knowing thats really what your heart longs for someday with someone else, even if it isn't right now. Now settling down in one place, buying a home thats like a MARRIAGE...committment, its yours and its peaceful to just relax and not ponder when will this end. (I know you can say, marriage has its trials, and I would agree... (: )
But, just so you can know, the last post, that was the "Pollyanna" version. This is the rest of the story. Not horrible I know, just real, I hope.
We'll be blooming where we're planted for now.
This week has been much better, last week was really hard. I cried a lot. I talked to my sisters and mom A LOT. It can be lonely. If you know my Jake...he and change...they're like water and oil. Just don't mix well. Which means I've felt a huge burden on my shoulders, and I've felt like I was carrying it alone.
But this week, thanks to some very helpful tips from my sisters, and the talk I was asked to give last Sunday in church, my attitude and approach are getting better. (Yeah, our records aren't even here yet...but I have a new calling and we spoke in Sacrament Meeting. Yeah! To be honest, though, I actually enjoyed speaking.)
But all this change in my life has exposed me to my vunerabilities/weaknesses and makes me realize what they are and how to improve on them....not really that fun but productive, I guess.
My topic for church was 3 Nephi 11:29 "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another." Isn't it ironic, don't ya think? A little too ironic. The one major battle I'm having inside my head has to do with contention. Basically, I leaerned and tried to teach, that we have control over our anger. No one can make us angry or frustrated. We have much more control over it, and agency to do so. Sooo....
Now that I have my brain all wrapped around this doctrine and concept that I could NOT live the whole week I was trying to prepare to teach about it, my sisters came to my aid this week and taught me some ways to apply it.
It would be way too wordy to post here. But, much better week.
Today after grocery shopping for two hours with the boys-don't ask me why 2 hours, who knows-I got to the check out and with dread look at the full cart and did not want to do one more thing. But mentally, I decided to get over it and forge ahead. Before I knew it, the twins unloaded nearly ALL my groceries at the check out. When they were almost done, I just smiled at them and got almost teary eyed. I told them I was soo proud of them and how hard working they were. I was so grateful for their little 4 year old help!
But one of the fun things about moving is you find out the store doesn't take anything but Discover Card or checks. So I write out a check. Receipt in hand, groceries in cart, boys at candy machines, ready to go. Cashier just needs to verify with Supervisor that he got everything from me, like change of address, DL#. She tells him she can't take my check.... its out of state. I told her I've shopped here 3 times already. She calls her manager. Answer: No go.
I haven't always been so bold...passive was more my likely approach. "Ma'm..." (thanks Texas) "Could I please speak to your manager?"
The store manager looked 25 ish. The 40 ish big dude in line was rambling, that "bank on her check is the strongest bank in the nation right now. They buy up all the other banks who can't make it. In fact they hold most the mortgages in all of Avon Lake. He kept on going. Thanks big dude in line!
I said..."Ma'm, I've shopped here three times before with no problems using my check, if I use the atm over there, I'll get $7 in bank charges, I've been all over this country with this as my bank and never had any problems with my checks. I've been shopping for two hours with two little boys and I don't want to do this all over again. I just moved here, will you please help me out, till I get new checks?"
Lo and behold I got out of there...with my groceries.
It wasn't a biggie, we've had other problems since we've been here. We're kind of used to hang ups. The landlord has been here at least 2-3 times a week taking care of things. The water heater leaked all over the laundry room. That was replaced last weekend. Thankfully, Uncle Bob...the boys name for the landlord, is installing an outlet in the family bathroom for me. Now I can do my hair and Jake can shave. :)
The movers broke our fridge. Insurance adjusters come Monday. We'll see what they'll do. I bought a carpet remnant and pad to lay out in the basement so we'll use it more (when I say we I mean the my boys and the neighbor friends.) On my way home I called my new friend Meta (like Beta the fish but with an M) and she came right over and we carried it in a layed it out all by ourselves. Then the leftover pad we were able to put in my bedroom under our rug...so much better.
I still need to find an internet provider...don't ask me why this seems complicated for me, but it is...
The boys were soooooo excited when I took them to a park after school this week that every prayer that night they thanked Heavenly Father that they could go to the park today. (Maybe I need to get them out more.)
I miss and appreciate people from my past daily. I think of you often. Randomly I'll do something or experience something and I think of good friends in ways I never appreciated them before. My heart has been full of gratitude for good friends. I wouldn't trade you for the world. How good it was to be close to someone and just know what ya know about them and you just pick up where you want when you get together.
In someways the emotions of moving can be like going through a break up and starting all over again.
In someways RENTING is like being in a summer fling at Philmont (I worked there for a summer). You know the relationship isn't going to turn out, nothing you'd even make long term but you'll enjoy it while it lasts, have a lot of fun, all the while knowing this isn't where you plan on putting your heart, yet knowing thats really what your heart longs for someday with someone else, even if it isn't right now. Now settling down in one place, buying a home thats like a MARRIAGE...committment, its yours and its peaceful to just relax and not ponder when will this end. (I know you can say, marriage has its trials, and I would agree... (: )
But, just so you can know, the last post, that was the "Pollyanna" version. This is the rest of the story. Not horrible I know, just real, I hope.
We'll be blooming where we're planted for now.
Friday, September 3, 2010
We're Here-Cleveland, OHIO!
Crazy crazy craziness has been our lives for about 2 months and it finally feels like the stormy sea's are calming. Finally.
But we're here. In Ohio.
I think it would be easiest to make a list of my favorite things here....its a long one. :)
This house...59 years old and all. Perfect for us..for now.
The trees on our street and in our yard-though raking might be a task.
My sun room off the dining room-cozy and cabin-esque. Perfect place for late night chats with moms, sisters and best friends-even if its over the phone. (thanks Lee'sa for the futon-thats where it is.)
Neighbors; they brought us cookies. And have two boys...yea!
The yard is big. No fence. No one else has one either. Love it. I don't feel couped up.
We have a basement. Plenty of light and storage! yea!
Our town is quaint. Very cozy and New Englandish if you ask me (never been there)
However quaint it is...theres a COSTCO AND TARGET AND OLD NAVY and plenty other things just a mile away! Outside of the quaintness. Not disturbing it.
Football games. We must be close to the high school because teenagers all walked past our house to the game. Announcers, bands, cheering and even a fireworks show at the end, all happened tonight. I like it!
Landlords...they're cute and ever so helpful. Bob and Mary first met in this house, and they're about the cutest couple ever...and she's so funny and delightful and such a fine lady. And he's about as handy as ever and retired.
The church. They've taken good care of us. Been fed two meals already and women-mostly young moms have called to check on us. More than a few times Jake has called and I cut him off with "I love our church." or "I'm so grateful for this church." or "I couldn't imagine doing what we do without the members of our church."
I know this church and religion are the most important thing to me. I can't imagine my life without its support. And with each move I appreciate it on a whole new level. I like the reminder.
The Post Office. Its sooo close. Our city post office in Texas was 30 minutes away.
Now, maybe one minute-depending on if you wait for a car when backing out of the driveway.
Produce...oh how I've missed you! Fresh peaches, tomatoes and corn. All at a roadside stand. Locally grown. Glad to have you back in my life.
Public School. I've only spent 5 minutes with her and I LOVE, Love her already. And I needed something to give. Three boys with no friends yet....makin' me a bit CRAZY!
Open windows. Need I say more.
Airport...oh so close. And no tolls to get there. :)
Only one full bath to clean. You can consider it however you want. (I maybe should mention however...no outlets in the bathroom. This should be fun!)
My living room feels good. We can have Family Home Evening night with the piano in the same room. Maybe we'll actually do it more often.
The Puerto Rican neighbor I met at the bus stop who invited me and the kids in to say hi, and to meet her pastor husband and their three cutie patootie kids. They remind me of Jake's brother and sister in law Steve and Charmenia!
Did I mention the basement. If I don't want to deal with it...down it goes.
oh, oh, oh....Huntington Beach! Its on Lake Erie...you know, one of the Great Lakes you had to memorize in grade school. Its fresh water but it feels like you're on the ocean. I'll post pictures when I get a sec! Just minutes away and the boys loved building in the sand. My mom even got in and swam with us!
Which reminds me...we can ride our bikes down to a little old fashioned ice cream parlor around the corner a ways.
All the church historical significance here in Ohio. Never occurred to me before.
A quilting store at the end of my street. Maybe I'll take a class and learn to sew after all. (My mothers' dream...)
Oh, and how can I forget, the skunk we saw on our street our first night here. And the red fox that crossed through traffic leaving our neighborhood the next morning.
Lovelies-you can't forget those.
I have four master closets...they're old...if you know what I mean. But I love them-and one is cedar lined.
My small kitchen...its so easy to keep clean, but somehow far more functional than our last one. (Easy to get way messy though, too.)
The neighborhood makes me feel like going for a run.
There's a little church just a little ways down the road. And another steeple I can see from my kitchen window.
Church bells ring in the morning.
So many people exercise up and down our street.
Long drive way for bike riding.
Jake taught Josh how to ride his bike at said church parking lot tonight! He's a natural, too!
All in all I have many things to feel at peace and have gratitude about here. I know the Lord blessed us in finding our home. I feel it as one of His tender mercies. I did not want to move. It took me 5 months to mentally accept this change. He has taken care of us here. In every way, I know God led us here. Even down to...we leaped in faith into this house never looking at this town, and seeing the house in the dark at 9:30 at night before flying back to Texas the next day. We did not know of any of what we were getting into. We had no other options. Doors kept getting "shut" in our face. We'd find a house; decide to go with it and it would already be under contract..within hours. We begged and pleaded one lady to let us contract with her on hers over someone else. Nope. And it was sooo small. Crazy to beg for house you'd never want to live in all because you can't find ANYTHING! The Realtor dropped us off at the hotel by Friday night-6 p.m. with nothing. No home. Not even a worst possible choice-except for the mildew infested one.
The story itself; finding this house is a miracle, literally. Maybe I'll get to blogging about. Huge trial of faith.
So, all in all, have faith. If you need mountains to be moved in your life. Have faith. He moves them. But a mountain's a lot to move so it can take quite a long time. So in this moment, patience has been the key to enduring all that we've been through in the last 6 months.
Gratitude is how we choose to enjoy it now.
At dinner on Sunday a new friend said all the black ladies she takes care of as a nurse, respond with "I'm Blessed" when she asks them how they're doing. Forget the "I"m fine, how are you." its, "I'm blessed...the Lords been good to me."
I think I like these ladies already.
We all struggle and all have trials. We all are trying to conquer something. But for now if you ask how I'm doing...."I'm Blessed."
But we're here. In Ohio.
I think it would be easiest to make a list of my favorite things here....its a long one. :)
This house...59 years old and all. Perfect for us..for now.
The trees on our street and in our yard-though raking might be a task.
My sun room off the dining room-cozy and cabin-esque. Perfect place for late night chats with moms, sisters and best friends-even if its over the phone. (thanks Lee'sa for the futon-thats where it is.)
Neighbors; they brought us cookies. And have two boys...yea!
The yard is big. No fence. No one else has one either. Love it. I don't feel couped up.
We have a basement. Plenty of light and storage! yea!
Our town is quaint. Very cozy and New Englandish if you ask me (never been there)
However quaint it is...theres a COSTCO AND TARGET AND OLD NAVY and plenty other things just a mile away! Outside of the quaintness. Not disturbing it.
Football games. We must be close to the high school because teenagers all walked past our house to the game. Announcers, bands, cheering and even a fireworks show at the end, all happened tonight. I like it!
Landlords...they're cute and ever so helpful. Bob and Mary first met in this house, and they're about the cutest couple ever...and she's so funny and delightful and such a fine lady. And he's about as handy as ever and retired.
The church. They've taken good care of us. Been fed two meals already and women-mostly young moms have called to check on us. More than a few times Jake has called and I cut him off with "I love our church." or "I'm so grateful for this church." or "I couldn't imagine doing what we do without the members of our church."
I know this church and religion are the most important thing to me. I can't imagine my life without its support. And with each move I appreciate it on a whole new level. I like the reminder.
The Post Office. Its sooo close. Our city post office in Texas was 30 minutes away.
Now, maybe one minute-depending on if you wait for a car when backing out of the driveway.
Produce...oh how I've missed you! Fresh peaches, tomatoes and corn. All at a roadside stand. Locally grown. Glad to have you back in my life.
Public School. I've only spent 5 minutes with her and I LOVE, Love her already. And I needed something to give. Three boys with no friends yet....makin' me a bit CRAZY!
Open windows. Need I say more.
Airport...oh so close. And no tolls to get there. :)
Only one full bath to clean. You can consider it however you want. (I maybe should mention however...no outlets in the bathroom. This should be fun!)
My living room feels good. We can have Family Home Evening night with the piano in the same room. Maybe we'll actually do it more often.
The Puerto Rican neighbor I met at the bus stop who invited me and the kids in to say hi, and to meet her pastor husband and their three cutie patootie kids. They remind me of Jake's brother and sister in law Steve and Charmenia!
Did I mention the basement. If I don't want to deal with it...down it goes.
oh, oh, oh....Huntington Beach! Its on Lake Erie...you know, one of the Great Lakes you had to memorize in grade school. Its fresh water but it feels like you're on the ocean. I'll post pictures when I get a sec! Just minutes away and the boys loved building in the sand. My mom even got in and swam with us!
Which reminds me...we can ride our bikes down to a little old fashioned ice cream parlor around the corner a ways.
All the church historical significance here in Ohio. Never occurred to me before.
A quilting store at the end of my street. Maybe I'll take a class and learn to sew after all. (My mothers' dream...)
Oh, and how can I forget, the skunk we saw on our street our first night here. And the red fox that crossed through traffic leaving our neighborhood the next morning.
Lovelies-you can't forget those.
I have four master closets...they're old...if you know what I mean. But I love them-and one is cedar lined.
My small kitchen...its so easy to keep clean, but somehow far more functional than our last one. (Easy to get way messy though, too.)
The neighborhood makes me feel like going for a run.
There's a little church just a little ways down the road. And another steeple I can see from my kitchen window.
Church bells ring in the morning.
So many people exercise up and down our street.
Long drive way for bike riding.
Jake taught Josh how to ride his bike at said church parking lot tonight! He's a natural, too!
All in all I have many things to feel at peace and have gratitude about here. I know the Lord blessed us in finding our home. I feel it as one of His tender mercies. I did not want to move. It took me 5 months to mentally accept this change. He has taken care of us here. In every way, I know God led us here. Even down to...we leaped in faith into this house never looking at this town, and seeing the house in the dark at 9:30 at night before flying back to Texas the next day. We did not know of any of what we were getting into. We had no other options. Doors kept getting "shut" in our face. We'd find a house; decide to go with it and it would already be under contract..within hours. We begged and pleaded one lady to let us contract with her on hers over someone else. Nope. And it was sooo small. Crazy to beg for house you'd never want to live in all because you can't find ANYTHING! The Realtor dropped us off at the hotel by Friday night-6 p.m. with nothing. No home. Not even a worst possible choice-except for the mildew infested one.
The story itself; finding this house is a miracle, literally. Maybe I'll get to blogging about. Huge trial of faith.
So, all in all, have faith. If you need mountains to be moved in your life. Have faith. He moves them. But a mountain's a lot to move so it can take quite a long time. So in this moment, patience has been the key to enduring all that we've been through in the last 6 months.
Gratitude is how we choose to enjoy it now.
At dinner on Sunday a new friend said all the black ladies she takes care of as a nurse, respond with "I'm Blessed" when she asks them how they're doing. Forget the "I"m fine, how are you." its, "I'm blessed...the Lords been good to me."
I think I like these ladies already.
We all struggle and all have trials. We all are trying to conquer something. But for now if you ask how I'm doing...."I'm Blessed."
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Right Now...I Should Be
Right now... I should be packing suitcases. Right now, I should be cleaning toilets.
Right now I'm contemplating big changes in our lives. They're so big I haven't comprehended them. I'm struggling to grasp that our life as we know it will be dramatically different in 4 days. sigh.
See these cute boys!
These boys and their momma's are one of the big reasons I am so sad to leave.
Right now I'm contemplating big changes in our lives. They're so big I haven't comprehended them. I'm struggling to grasp that our life as we know it will be dramatically different in 4 days. sigh.
See these cute boys!
These boys and their momma's are one of the big reasons I am so sad to leave.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Josh-isms....
This little guy can be soo sweet. Lately he's been saying this a lot. "Like you Mommy, mmmm." Then he reaches his little arms around my neck to squeeze and puckers up and lands one on my cheek.
Now this boy has got it all figured out!
Another funny one, this morning Josh climbed up my shelf to get my weights down. He said..."Hey Mom, I got your muscles down for you."
Now this boy has got it all figured out!
Another funny one, this morning Josh climbed up my shelf to get my weights down. He said..."Hey Mom, I got your muscles down for you."
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