Reflections of 2006

We started the year off shell shocked and in a different home. We were still in major shock and thinking that we would be home by May. Dealing with insurance companies and living in 7 days worth of clothes for 6 weeks. There was a bright spot, we were finding that things were not as hopeless as it seemed and our home would be restored. It was a great month for Aleksei too, as he was doing so well and there was so much joy around him.

February brought Princess Girly Girls birthday. For one we was very excited that there was not front room furniture because we did her entire birthday in the empty front room. Hey we did the pinata in the front room. It was also Dh's birthday and we had fun celebrating. I got brave and bought a new washer and dryer. The talks had begun about bringing Grandpa out :) Aleksei came home :) Donnann moved :(

March was the month that we realized we were not going to be home by May. We had the front room filled with our furniture and it felt like a touch of home. It also found out that I had my very first cavity, that was a major shocker. Princess Seriously became brace face. DH and I went to Vegas for the NASCAR race and I went to one scrapbook store after another :)

April, Grandpa came out and we took him everywhere. The movies, Disneyland and swim meets. I think I went to Denny's more times in April then I have been in my entire life. Easter was fun and we dyed a ton of eggs. It was also Princess Seriously birthday. One more year until I have a full fledged teenager.

May, Swimming. I began swimming. It was also my birthday. The work really began full swing on the house and it seemed like there would be an end to the whole fire nightmare. It was also a home swim meet where we spent the ENTIRE weekend next to the swimming pool.

June, started off with a wedding in Utah. We also got to meet up with dear friends there and had a lovely day. Construction was still going strong on the house. PS went to girls camp for the first time and Mom survived it. Max the coupon binder went missing and I thought my life was over. I had to start a Re-Max (Max II) and a kind soul send me stacks of coupons. The nephews came in and we took them to Disneyland for the first time. They had a ball.

July, Youth Conference Parents and post it noting. You can cover an entire car with post it notes. The month of the outrageous electric bill. PS sliced her foot open and had to have stitches.

August, SCHOOL STARTED! I also started Weight Watchers. I had no creativity that month. I know that I was busy at the house every day. We were waiting for the house to be done. I was packing up a storm at the rental trying to get ready to move home. Everything was about the house.

September, We moved back home! Before that friends came to stay with us and we had a great weekend together. It was also the 5 year anniversary of 9/11, I did two blog tributes. That was a moving and amazing experience. We unpacked the house in three weeks and only worked on the house. Maggie found a friend and brought her home. That friend ended up being expensive. But she got adopted out to a good home.

October, I went to Massachusetts for a scrapbooking retreat. It was our 14th year anniversary. Things were settling nicely at the house. Aleksei turns ONE!

November, Once of the hottest Novemembers ever. Really. The A/C was running and everything.

December, One of the coldest months ever. LOL

There is more but I will have to add it in. But it was really important to me to get this posted. So I will be back later today!

Windy

So it is so windy that we could not sleep last night, we thought for sure that roof would be gone in the morning. Well the roof is still there and there are no leaves on the trees. Really.

This stinking wind is bitter cold. Bone chilling cold. The kind of cold that you need to stay inside wrapped up somewhere. Brrrrrrr.

I.AM.FREEZING!

Dork

Yes I am a dork. I had to do a mystery shop today and I was suppose to spend 50.00 BEFORE sales tax. Well, I was half way home before I noticed I spent 49.95 before sales tax. So I had to go back.

Can you say dork. Really...

Craft Room

My craft room looks like something exploded in it. It is the after effects of Christmas and not being able to do any scrapbooking. Christmas was wonderful and I will write about it in another post because it deserves it own post. Back to the craft room. I want to rearrange things and will probably tackle that this week (I know it is Wednesday).

The other reason for wanting to do that is that I can hide from the kids. They are on Winter Break. Yeah it is a break alright, for everyone but mom. LOL. It is nice to have them home and not have to be anywhere, but that soon wears off when the yelling starts.

They should be in school for their own health. LOL So hopefully by the end of the week I can post pictures of what the craft room looks like CLEAN. Wish me luck and send a search party if you don't hear from me by Monday.

I was glued...

I really was glued to the TV today. I was hoping with everything I had in me that all three climbers on Mt. Hood would be found alive. When the news broke that they found the cave I was praying that all three would be there and so happy to see the rescuers. But it was not to be. I can not even explain or compare my feelings to what their families must be going through. But I can sit and pray and hope. I hope beyond hope that the two other climbers are found and alive.

Would you all pray for them? Pray for their families. Pray for the family of the climber that was found dead.

Just pray and maybe a miracle will happen.

Blog Challenge: Fill in the Blanks

I have more then a few of these to catch up on. So here is the first of many :)

1. My current favorite song is: Hum, there are quite a few right now.
I can Only Imagine - Mercy Me
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol


2. The last book I read was: HRH Danielle Steele. it has actually been a long time since I have read one of her books.

3. The last book I bought was:

4. The last cd I bought was: Hello Goodbye (I have no clue but Princess Seriously wants it for Christmas.

5. Another CD I wanted but didn't buy is: I dunno

6. Right now, I'm wearing: Black Capri pants and a brown long sleeve shirt

7. The last gift I bought was: See's Candy

8. The last time I laughed heartily and loudly: at Dinner we were talking about our day and we were all laughing. Also when I got home and was dancing and PS said it was scary.

9. My favorite holiday ornament is: I hadnprint of Princess Seriously when she was 3. I have no idea why but it makes me smile every year.

10. My house smells like: Mulled Cider

11. The first thing on my to-do list tomorrow is: Laundry *yuck*

12. If I could sit on Santa's lap and believe that he'd bring me whatever toy I wished for, I'd ask for: A lens to my new camera

13. If I could holiday shop in ONE store, all expenses paid, I'd shop at: Target wait maybe Bed Bath and Beyond, but I think Target. How about a Super Target.

14. If an angel alighted on my doorstep today and said, "I'm here to grant a Christmas wish," I'd wish for: All the Servicepeople to come home safe. Really

15. When I see a bell ringer while out shopping, I: usually dont do a thing because I dont think I have seen any around this year.

OH MY HECK

So it is Tuesday. Tuesday is what? Weight Watchers.

Drumroll Please.....

24 pounds.

I put on real pants today. The ones I was scared to take out. One of the girls at youth group asked me why my pants were so baggy. THESE ARE THE PANTS I JUST TOOK OUT. They are the kind that button and everything!

It was a good day. We will not talk about the celebratory donut will we? But that was ok too, it was calling my name and it just had to be eaten and now that craving it done and I move on :)

TWENTY-FOUR POUNDS!

Team Hoyt

This was brought to my attention. All I can say is get a box of tissues. The song is I can Only Imagine by Mercy Me.



Here is a little background about them:

One Year Ago

One year ago I was doing laundry from our Arizona trip. We slept in because the the girls were off track. We were having a lazy day. Nothing was out of the ordinary. We had plans to go to the grocery store and finish the laundry.

We went to the grocery store, with 5 minutes left on the dryer. We came home to a house on fire.

As I look back over this last year and all the things that happened, I am so grateful to be home. There is nothing like home. I love my home. I love the colors, I love that it is mine.

So don't leave your dryer on (and mine was a motor malfunction, not a lint problem) when you leave the house. Don't leave you dryer on while you sleep at night. Yeah I know you will never be caught up with laundry again but please do it for me.

But remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel for whatever you may be going through.

Snow at Disneyland

Princess Girly Girl saw the commercial for snow at Disneyland. So we packed up and went for the fireworks show and the snow. She figured out it was bubbles pretty quick but still enjoyed every minute of it.



It was really fun and you totally get caught up in the moment of it. I think I may just need to drive up the mountain this year and really show her snow. We took PGG when she was a baby and toddler, but she does not remember.

Princess Seriously and DH



Last but not least a photo of me and PGG. Just note I am 20.6 pounds lighter :)

Holidays

I love the holidays! Really, I just love Thanksgiving to New Years. Thanksgiving I love to cook and be all stressed out and then get to relax afterward. We start taking the Christmas Decorations out and decorating all weekend.

This year was extra special because it was our first major holiday back in our home. The first time cooking a big meal in the improved kitchen. It was wonderful.

We have so much to be thankful for this year. We have each other, we have our health and we have our dear family and friends.

What American Accent Do You Have?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
North Central
The South
Boston
The Inland North
The Northeast
Philadelphia
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Creative and other things.

Creative

I have been feeling really creative lately. The problem is that there is not much time to do anything creative. Yesterday I had some friends over and I scrapbooked. If you have not figured it out, I love to scrapbook. I have a scrapbook room. I could run a store out of here. Really. Not kidding. But back to yesterday, I was able to create and just unwind.

I am at a point that I have to stop, get the craft room in order and then be able to have some time to just sit and create. I am looking forward to some down time this week to be able to do that.

Other Things

I have lost 18.4 pounds. Clothes are beginning to be too big. That is a nice feeling. I was discussing with Stacy today the thing that clicks and makes you realize that you have to lose weight. See I am a big girl. No one (but Stacy now and she will NEVER tell you) just how much I weigh. This includes DH. Why because I was too embarrassed to tell anyone. I hit that point where I decided that it was enough in August. I want to live, I want to run and have fun, I want to walk into a store and buy that cute thing I see off the rack and not have to go to the plus size section. I WILL get there.

I also wanted to give a shout out to Stacy, for making that choice. For choosing to change her life. I can not tell you how that empowerment makes a person feel. You have to experience that type of empowerment yourself, for whatever you need to choose to be empowered about.

So to all my readers, go empower yourself. Make that choice you have been fighting (whatever it may be) and do it! You can and you WILL :)

the insanity of it all

This week could easily be called that. I am not sure I have been home except to sleep.

So that means, I have not had time to write to the blog. :(

Friends

Today was a day of friends. One of my oldest friends came by with her adorable daughter. We had lunch, chatted and watch all of our girls just play.

Princess Seriously had her swim friend over. They had a ball doing the teenage thing. Then then scrapbooked. It is always fun to watch them interact and talk and what they talk about. I love this girl. She is a sweetie and someone I love my daughter to be around. Her mom came to get her and of course we chatted for a bit. Got to love the mom time.

THen DH's friend stopped by cause they were passing through. It is the first time they saw the house, so that is always fun seeing different people reactions. We have done a bit in the house and every weekend do a bit more. it is really coming around.

So that was all today, I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa,

Since I have been a very good girl this year (cough, cough) could you
please bring me the following small items for Christmas:

A gold pen that works - not just the first time, but every time, and
with ink that lasts longer than it takes to type this.

A circle punch the right size for those typewriter circles - one
that doesn't jam up please - oh, it would also be nice if it cut
cardstock and not just tracing paper.

A glue tape roller that doesn't jam up before the tape runs out -
and could it last longer than the gold pen please?

A pair of fancy edged scissors where the whole blade cuts, not just
those few centimetres in the middle. It would also be nice if the
blade was longer than a matchbox.

An assortment of sticky tapes that actually have an end - one that I
can find again without destroying half the roll.

Some pre cut ATC's - my rubbish bin is overflowing with off cuts and
I'm starting to mutter 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" in my sleep.

One brand of glue that sticks everything - between the ATC offcuts
and all the different containers of adhesives I can hardly get to my
desk.

Some hole punches that don't break, jam up or make holes that are
either too big or too small for eyelets I'm trying to use - and by
the way, could you please make ! it illegal to sell eyelets that won't
set no matter how you hold your mouth when you hit them?

More tools in that pretty shade of pink that makes Himself think
twice about "borrowing" them - engine oil and paper are not a happy
combination.

And could I have a stack of paper that is "really" 12 x 12 and
not "nearly" 12 x 12?

And now that we have covered the easy things, could I ask for
something just a teeeeeeny bit harder? An extra hour in the day,
just for stamping.

Your best friend,

Desiree :)

IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE FALL

It was 95 degrees at one point today. The couple of days are suppose to be like this. It is the flippin middle of November people. I want to drag out my sweaters and be cold. Nope, I am still in Capri's and sandals. I long for the days of cold. Really.

I love this time of year. I love Halloween and getting the girls dressed up. I love trick or treating. I love that we seem to gather more.

Thanksgiving is coming. I really enjoy doing to whole dinner thing. I am so looking forward to having it in my own home and cooking in my new kitchen. A couple of years ago we started putting out the Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving dinner. It is like the OK we are done being thankful, now lets be Merry. I love that. This year we will enjoy it so much more as we are in our home and loving it.

I just hope it is cold....

Weight Watchers Update

16.6 pounds down :)

I know I have been neglecting the blog, life is insane. But I HAD to tell you that!

My Name

HowManyOfMe.com

There is: 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

The insanity of it all

So I don't really a free weekend until after the New Year. The days are getting packed too. I am longing for a day that I can stay in my jammies all day. Maybe a half day on Monday sounds good.

This week we have had company on the weekend. A mission companions of DH's, his wife and 5 children. We had seven extra people in our home this past weekend. It makes an interesting conversation on where to put everyone, but all was well and it was good.

Sunday was also Aleksei's 1 year birthday party! ONE YEAR! YEAH! He is huge and adorable! I can not believe that he is one. We were late because we had to speak in church, I was so bummed. We did get to spend alone time with him and take his Mom and Dad out to dinner. That was nice.

Monday always bring grocery shopping. I love that part, really. I love the amount of money that save. I also went to go see a friend that has a 2 month ago, I love to hold and feed him. That gives mom a chance to important things like, eat, shower and clean. Swimming is how we round off the day.

Tuesday, Weight Watchers. Weigh in day, I have lost 14 and a half pounds. I am very determined to surpass 15 pounds by next week. I am seeing clothes fit looser and changes in my body. It was also my 14th wedding anniversary. We escaped for lunch and then had a busy day and went out to dinner. Well I went 8 points over. But I think I might have managed to work some of it off. It was a wonderful and also we continued the tradition of the roses. I love getting roses.

Wednesday, off to work and then off to a friends to scrapbook. I am working non-stop on Aleksei's scrapbook. I really want to have his first year complete by Christmas. It was also swimming and trying to get a decent dinner on the table.

I know that tomorrow will bring working in Princess Girly Girls school, waiting for the garage door guy and swimming.

Friday will be Disneyland as we are joining our friend that were here this weekend.

I am sure that there will be more added in before the week is out.

14 years

Today is my 14th wedding anniversy. I love my sweet DH. He means everything to me. We have has our ups and our down but we have come through. I think I will give him 14 more.

Also honey, I did get you a card you just have not found it lol.

Enduring trials

Neal A. Maxwell, “Enduring Well,” Ensign, Apr. 1997, 7 said“Trying to comprehend the trials and meaning of this life without understanding Heavenly Father’s marvelously encompassing plan of salvation is like trying to understand a three-act play while seeing only the second act. Fortunately, our knowledge of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement helps us to endure our trials and to see purpose in suffering and to trust God for what we cannot comprehend.”

On October 26th of last year we began a trial that we thought we would never have to endure. Before you all panic and think we are once again talking about the house fire we had, nope that is not it. October 26th began the long process of watching dear friends deliver there long awaited and much loved and wanted child. This sounds like a wonderful story until you discover that she was only 24 weeks along in her pregnancy. Aleksei was born that afternoon weighing 1 pound 8 oz. A tiny way to enter this life. The first 11 days were the longest 11 days in there life and as we sat feeling helpless watching them endure this trial all we could possible so was to pray. I do not think I have ever prayed so hard in my entire life. Prayed for Aleksei and prayed for his parents. Prayed for the doctors and all that would be assisting with his care.
I believe at one point Rick and I turned to each other and stated that we never in the 11 years (because Princess Seriously was only 11 at the time) we had been parents has suffered as much as they had in those first 11 days.

I wrote in my journal.. Aleksei has had some setbacks. While he has not had PDA (a heart thing) he has, had this week the intestine set back. He had a hole in his intestines and the had to put the bag thing in it for what could be about 3 to 6 months. He has 8 days of rest before this happened. Eight days to gather his strength. He did really well that night. It was very optimistic. His mom and dad have been very hopefully and trying so hard to focus on the positive.
Today they did his brain scan. When he was born there was some brain bleeding. They rate it from 1 to 5, 1 being the best. And there is a number for each side. Today that number was up to 3 on each side. Today is when the CRUSHING reality came crashing in. Today has been the down side to all of this. Everything was outlined, including please start making arrangements for Aleksei because the possibly is there that he may not make it through the week. And at the same time he was brought up from 50% of living to 60%. Also the chances went up of him having mental problems if he does pull through. Everyone at this point will take whatever we can get. Normal or not. We just want to love him so much, we want to hold him, touch him and we want him to be well, in whatever form that is.To make this all harder, the baby next door went back to Heavenly Father. That was the most awful thing I have EVER witnessed. This poor dear family. There was SOOOOO much sadness. This was happening when I went up. I picked up on all this sadness and death and PANICKED! I stayed with Aleksei as long as I could. He was so agitated. He felt it too. They had to sedate him more. I went to DH and just sobbed and told him that he had to go be with Aleksei's dad.

I remember thinking that day, WHY? Why does this have to happen? Why are trials given to good people and WHY do they have to be so hard. When you are caught up in the moment, I have to say I did not have clarity. It was not until months later that I finally felt some inspiration to even think to be able to answer this question.

The Lord has said: “For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.
“Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall … follow after much tribulation.
“For after much tribulation come the blessings” (D&C 58:2–4).
Elder Adney Y. Komatsu Of the First Quorum of the Seventy said “As we pass through this mortal probation, we accrue many experiences. It is in these experiences that we are often beset with problems, challenges, adversities, afflictions, trials, and tribulations. The Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith, after a period of great afflictions, “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (D&C 122:7).”

The early members of the church and leaders of the church suffered many afflictions, challenges, and trials. Many gave their very lives for their belief and testimony of the gospel. In the long journey over the pioneer trails, many children and adults were buried in graves along the way.
I am not sure about you, but getting in a wagon and crossing the plains would have been a huge trail. A trial of my faith.

Modern day trials come in all shapes and sizes, As parents we watch out children and never stop worrying about them. We love them, teach them and the stand back and watch them go through their own trials. As a teenage, you sit back and watch your peers self destruct and come to you and show you their drugs, tell you of their immorality, their trials as they watch their parents self destruct around them. Yet you stand strong and maintain you values and let your light shine. As a young child you sit in you class and speak of being grateful for a family that prays and eats dinner together while other talk of visiting Daddy in jail and seeing guns in the home is an every day occurrence.

Trials are for a reason and a reason which we may not understand now, at the time of the trial or not in this life time. Trials make us strong, Heavenly Father will not forsake us. I know that he is buoy us up and guide us to where we need to be. He will carry us, we must rely upon Him.

I can tell you this today because Aleksei turns one this week. All the suffering his parents had to do was not for nothing because their faith is stronger. They are stronger as a couple for being able to withstand the trials of having a preemie. Aleksei is perfect, there is virtually no way of knowing what he went through. He is a 20 pound perfect one year old.

Prayers were answered. We were not given more then what we could handle, though at times it seemed so hopeless. Stay strong because prayer works.

Attention Mackenzie fans

Mackenzie found a boy. She is officially adopted out and one happy puppy. She was a little subdued, but wagging her tail away. She has an adorable little boy as an owner and he is happy as pie. (Yes the boy has a mom too).

Talk about a perfect fit. She went to a single mom, that has been looking for a dog but nothing has worked out or it was too much for their budget to adopt her. So, I screened away and really like her. They have rescued dogs growing up and she was ready to deal with issues that will arise. She went with a clean collar, leash, bag of food, bowls, her favorite toy, chews and her crate.

Princess Girly Girl is not taking this well and we keep talking about how we never were going to keep her but always the goal was to find her a good home. PGG, has an appointment to see her later this week, as she cried as they were getting ready to leave. So we will do a check up and we will keep in contact.

So Mackenzie is even keeping her name :) Bonus :) So you all keep her in your thoughts that she adjusts well and everyone is happy.

Last Weekends Fun Part 1

So, I hopped a plane and flew off to Massachusetts to go scrapbooking. Why you ask, because it was a retreat and a good friend was going so I went too. There were 4 friends meeting. Vivian, Donnann, Shirley and I. Vivian, Donnann and I flew in from out of state. We met Shirley who lives in New Jersey, but we met her in Philadelphia.

I should have known it was going to be an exciting weekend when I met them, I was the last to fly in, and they had spent 45 minutes looking for the car because they forgot where they parked it. I crammed my luggage into the car, which was pretty full and off we went.

Now it was supposed to take 5 hours to drive to Western MA. It only took us two and a half. That is because Shirley does not believe in stop signs. She also likes to drive fast. But hey she got us there early right? Wait let me back up. After picking us up we went off to get some dinner at a yummy place with soup and sandwiches. It was sooo good! Then of course a Target run for snacks. Then I had to run into a store to buy a hat, scarf and gloves because I was freezing! Then we spotted a JoAnn's and went to get last minute scrapbooking things in there. Of course we HAD to go in.

Missing

Yes I have been missing. I went on a trip to Massachusetts and came back sick. So It is going to take me some time to catch up.

I will update you all later.

And yes, we still have MacKenzie....

Mackenie Update

A couple of people have asked, so what is up with MacKenzie.

I put signs up all over the neighborhood. Took her to the vet to see if she was microchipped. Nothing.

I contacted a local rescue agency. We are offically her foster parents until a good home can be found. She is going to go get checked out by their vet on Saturday and do the paperwork. Then we will travel the local Petsmarts until we pick parents for her. LOL

She is adorable but I am not ready for three dogs. She loves her crate, which will go with her and her dog dish. She has gained some weight and does well with the girls and the other dog 'girls'. I think it will be an easy adoption.

So you want a dog?

Something I have not done in 10 months

Before the fire we would watch ABC's Extreme Home Makeover as a family. Once the fire happened, we had to stop watching it. Princess Girly Girl would ask why won't they come a fix our house? I would bawl and it would just not work for us. We tried for a couple of weeks and even got to the point where we would be grateful that all that happened was a house fire and nothing else. I think I even posted that I was grateful for the show, but it just got too hard.

Tonight the girls and I sat down and watched it. Yeah we cried but it was so different. This time it was tears of joy that another family got to experience the feeling of coming home. We know all too well how that feels. Yes there are still boxes and not everything is done, but we are home. We are making it ours again. The house is alive with joy, voices and people (and animals) again. There is nothing in the world that can beat that feeling.

I am so grateful that we are home.

Maggie's Friend

Not that this week has not been stressful enough. Maggie (the dog) started jumping the fence again. I really believe that she had a reason to jump. The last couple of mornings I have seen a dog that looks very similar to Maggie walking around. HUM. Thought I really need to go check out that dog.

Well this morning, Maggie took care of that for me. See she jumped the fence and went to go get the wandering dog. Brought her right home. Guess who was home to greet them, The DH. Yep, the sucker. So the puppy and I mean puppy, losing teeth and puppy smelling, was invited to the back yard. She promptly gulped down a bowl of food and a bowl of water. Great. She hung out all day.

We had to tell the girls, we are going to find her home. (I really hope we find her home). Princess Girly Girl is going to help me make fliers and we are going to hang them tomorrow. I really hope we find her home, she is adorable. But THREE dogs is tooo much. Right now she is crated and sleeping. Hopefully there is no whining tonight.

We are in trouble because the girls dubbed her McKenzie. great... I am so in trouble.

Updates

So yes, I fell off the face of the earth because WE MOVED BACK INTO THE HOUSE! I was/am surrounded by boxes. We had too much stuff. Really. I am having a huge garage sale this weekend. Dh and I worked all last week to get things unpacked. I will be attempting to finish this week too.

Weight loss is still going well. I am on a roll. I think I had an off week but to moving but we will see tomorrow.

Swimming is still on.

OK, I need to go, the boxes are calling. Damn those boxes!

Weight Watchers check in

I am smiling as I type this...

6.8 pounds this week.

It was a great week!!!

Beth Moore - At the Airport

BETH MOORE AT THE AIRPORT For those of you who don't know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters. She is a member of First Baptist in Houston.

This is one of her experiences: April 20, 2005 At the Airport in Knoxville

Waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting.

Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport...an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere?

There I sat, trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.

Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man.

I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind.

"Oh, no, God, please, no." I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, "Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!"

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, "Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane."

Then I heard it... "I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair." The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, "God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm you're girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am on him. I am going to witness to this man."

Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. "That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair."

I looked up at God and quipped, "I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?"

God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: "I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies.

I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, "Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?"

He looked back at me and said, "What did you say?" "May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?" To which he responded in volume ten, "Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that." At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, "SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?" At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, "If you really want to." Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, "Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush." "I have one in my bag," he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair.

It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair.

I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, "Sir, do you know my Jesus?"

He said, "Yes, I do." Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, "I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior." He said, "You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride."

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it. Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft.

I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, "That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?" I said, "Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!" And we got to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted because you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on, but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need! I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way... all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me.

Robert Sutcliffe Jr.

Robert Sutcliffe Jr.at 39 nine years old was a young man. He went by Bob. Bob was a HUGE Packers fan from what I gathered and that MIGHT be an understatment!

Bobby as his cousin, Susan writes, was a HUGE packers fan. On Sept. 30, the father and son were supposed to be in Charlotte, N.C., as the Packers played the Carolina Panthers. But Bob Sutcliffe Jr., 39, a broker from Huntington and soon-to-be father of twins, had been attending a breakfast meeting Sept. 11 at Windows on the World in the World Trade Center. He never made it home.

Robert was an only child to Robert Sr and his mother Patricia. Bob was married to his wife Margaret and they had a daughter Kara. Kara was 4 years old at the time. What Bob never learned is that Margaret was carrying twin boys. He knew they were carrying twins, but twin boys was found out later.

At 6 feet tall and 220 pounds, Bobby Sutcliffe was a big man with a great appetite for life. He had advanced from clerk to floor broker after 18 years in the firm of Harvey, Young, Yurman Inc. He spent each day buying and selling millions of shares on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. He often gathered up the leftover deli sandwiches after a day on the stock exchange and handed them out to homeless men while he walked to catch the train back to Long Island. Sutcliffe's firm didn't have offices in the World Trade Center, but its floor brokers met there most Tuesday mornings. They would eat breakfast and talk strategy at Windows on the World - the WTC's well-known restaurant with the breathtaking view of New York.

At her home, Margaret Sutcliffe watched the second plane crash live on television. Like most of America, she felt dazed. She watched the TV coverage for nearly 30minutes before she realized what day of the week it was. "And then I knew," she says. "I said, 'Oh my God. It's Tuesday. Bobby's there.'"

Bobby and his Dad has tickets for the season opener for the Packers. his dad could not bear to go without Bobby. The Sutcliffes' pair of tickets will be used today by another father and son who care deeply about football, and about each other.

The son is a 12-year-old boy named Jamie Arnette. Jamie is a seventh-grader who loves the Panthers, particularly tight end Wesley Walls. The father is Ron Arnette, a local auto mechanic for 29 years. They live in Harrisburg. Jamie has a brain tumor. Everyone hopes and prays it has been treated successfully, although no one knows. The tumor has affected Jamie's growth and his vision, but it hasn't stopped him from playing nose guard on his Pop Warner football team.

I prayer for Margaret his wife, their children and Bobby's parents. He sounds like such a wonderful man. I am sure that he watches over his family daily.

Bobby you are not forgotten.

sources: Newsday and his cousin Susan.

Carrie Blagburn - I remember.

I never had the chance to meet Carrie. I wish I would have. She sounds like a wonderful women, wife, mom and friend. Carrie's life was cut short. Too short. She should have had more time. I have thought a lot about Carrie since I was given her name to blog about. I wondered what went through her mind. I have prayed for peace, peace for her husband, Leo and her children.

Everything I researched and read about Carrie, tells me she is wonderful fun loving person. Let me tell you a little about her.

Carrie Blagburn lived in Temple Hills, Maryland. Carrie was married to Leo, her dear sweet husband for 23 years. They went on trips, where I hope they took lots of pictures, dance clubs, and were active in church. Together they had 2 children, Deanna who was 16 in 2001 and DeAndre who was 22. I personally ache for their children and for Leo. Carrie was also a grandmother. A sweet grandmother who I am sure doted on her grandchildren. Deanna was a help to her father after the days of September 11th. She fielded phone calls and I am sure she was a great source of comfort to him. DeAndre was in Saudi Arabia on September 11th. Carrie's life was cut short when Flight 77 hit the side of the Pentagon. Carrie worked for the government for most her life. Carrie was a budget analyst for the Army. Carrie loved to sew, she made clothes and the drapes in her living room. She also made wedding dresses. Carrie also enjoy doing other people hair. Brenda, a coworker and dear friend loved for Carrie to do her hair. Brenda sadly passed with Carrie. My hope is that they were together. Can you imagine them laughing and having a good time together in Heaven? I am sure they everyones hair looks perfect thanks to Carrie. Carrie also loved to bowl. She averaged a 145 in her Tuesday night bowling league at Boland Air Force Base.

When researching Carrie I came across this comment on a memorial page for Carrie.

From: Daughter Date: 05/19/2005Message: Mom I miss you so much I love you. My life has changed and it will never be the same without you. Oh I miss you so much.

Deanna, I know you miss your Mom. I really hope that as September 11th approaches, you have been able to find joy and love in your life. I know that you mother sees you and sends you her love often. Know that you are in so many peoples prayers.

Her son DeAndre, he shared thought with the Washington Post: "She'd come down the street in her black Honda Accord about the same time each day, and you'd hear the garage door and know Ma's home," he said. "She'd come in and get ready and start making dinner. Before I went to Saudi Arabia, I'd come by several times a week for dinner. I loved her pork chops, her fried chicken. Everything she cooked was good. Nobody cooks like her." DeAndre was sent home from Saudi Arabia after 9/11.

Leo her husband loved her. "The best," he said. "A good mother. A good wife. A good friend. I miss her."

Carrie my thoughts and prayers are with you and your dear family as the 5th anniversary arrives. I ask that if you read this please leave comments and if you know her family please direct them her. Please everyone remember Carrie.

I had to come back and say more. I feel like there is so much more I could say. After a little more research I have found more comments from friends. Carrie was so loved.

Carrie: I'll never forget you. It still seem like yesterday. I had known you for 16 years and we were like and still are sisters. Your were and still is my twin. I see you every time I look in the mirror. I find myself still talking to you asking for your advice about certain aspects of my life. I can hear you so clearly telling me the right thing to do no matter how much I might want to do the opposite. I guess by now you've met my Mother, Father, Brother and Significant Other. God always take those "special" ones from us. I pray that one day I'll understand and see you once again @ those pearly white gates. Miss you my sister, my confidante, my pal. I'll continue to pray for your family. Georgia

I love you ma.
*** Posted by Anonymous on 2003-10-02 ***


Carrie YOU ARE SORELY MISSED may God bless Leo and the family

crystal (forestville, MD )


To the family of Carrie Blagburn,I wish to express my deepest sympathy to your family, I have been and longtime working colleage of Carrie, her sister Althea, her mother Ms. Payne and also her sister-in-law Denise, when we were all employed at the Navy Annex in Arlington, VA. This is a hard a trying time, but trust in the lord and every thing will be just fine.

Moanick Fenner (Suitland, MD )

Carrie you are NOT forgotten. You are very much remembered and loved.


Thank you to http://www.unitedinmemory.net/ for permission to post Carrie's Block.



Other Tributes Available

The Hottest Day

As my house moves along there are days that will be tortuous. (Is that even a word?) Yesterday was one of them. When it was all done I was cranky, miserable and the big "b" word. Think of being "itchy". My family survived but barely. Thank God Dh did not ask what was for dinner. I think it would have been his head on a platter.

So yesterday was the big install of kitchen counter tops. The quartz counter tops. Why would this make my cranky? Because I sat outside ALL DAY while they were installing it. It was 107 with humidity. I think I sweat 5 pounds off. I should have gone to weight watchers after that. My face was beat red and I could have taken 6 showers and it would not have helped. Silly me I only took a bottle of water and had a glass of water that I got with my lunch. I no longer hate water, I could NOT get enough of it yesterday. I think I drank 6 more bottles of water when I got home.

Poor DH he kept trying to call and ask question after the fact, but I had already moved on and had to deal with swimming and homework, youth group and everything else.

But dang the kitchen looks great :)

Weekend Fun

This past weekend we had some friends come into town. It was a blast. The boys went off to have their fun and us girls got a chance to go out and have fun.

Our girls days out consisted of Mexican food, shopping and Starbucks :) What more can you ask for? There is something so refreshing about getting out with a girlfriend and just having girl talk. It is just good for the soul.

So if you are stressed out, I HIGHLY recommend girl time. Go have fun with a girlfriend!

Expiring

Today we got a letter in the mail from the city. It said, Menjer's is expiring on 10/3/06. Ok I had to read that a couple of time, then thought it was really funny.

Menjers is the dog. Her license is expiring on that date. But the bold part of the letter says that she is expiring. Ok well I am glad that the city knows when.

So I went to Princess Girly Girl with the letter mind you. PGG, Menjers is expiring on October 3rd. Her eyes were so WIDE. Now here is why. Princess Seriously is overly concerned with expiration dates on food. So she is ALWAYS checking the dates. PGG always asks is this expired to PS. So when you tell PGG the Menjers is expiring she is so not in the same place I am. She then asks, do we have to throw her away? At that point I was laughing, too hard mind you.

We cleared it all up. Menjers is not expiring, but her license is. We will make sure she does not expire :).

The Big Weigh In

Ok I will just spit it out. 2.2 lbs.

I am really happy, I also know I could have done better. It is the water and veggies. Gag me with a spoon. I am really not a water fan. It needs to be cold and have little ice pieces in it. I am trying really. I still feel like I can pee a fish out. Really.

I think the cool thing is the meetings itself. I actually know people from around town there. My grocery checker and my hair dresser. Yep they are there. I have a friend from church going with me and another women from church goes but another day. This group is wonderful, they talk, they share and they really celebrate each other. One women hit her 10% goal today and me being the scrapbooker I am, I whipped out the camera and snapped pictures. So of course I got her email address and now we are chatting away.

Support that is what it is about. But I still hate water...

What else can I drop?

Ok so this weekend, I was cleaning. Ok, nothing new. But I decided to move the table the TV was on upstairs. Right when DH was thinking that is not a good idea, WHAM, the table collapses and WHAM down comes the table and the TV. After making sure my foot was ok, DH promptly asks so I can get a new TV now, right?

We are proud new owners of a 37" LCD for the bedroom. It has a built in DVD player.

So the question is what else can I drop?

Resigned

Yep that is the word for today, resigned.

Whenever, whatever. There is not much I can do. I am just tired of waiting. You know it is like being pregnant and everyone calls you 20 times a day when your due date has come and go. I am going to put the same message on the the answering machine. "Stop calling/asking until you hear from me because it has not happened yet. When it does I will call you." That message.

So resigned, that is the word for today.

Don't ask me when I am moving in.

Ok I am really venting here. If you are a general contractor please know that this is NOT directed at you. This is directed at MY contractor.

I am sick and tired. I just want to go home. Really. See my ticker? We are suppose to have a finished house soon. But the contractor has delayed us yet again. If I could fire him I really really would. He really is a liar and an idiot. Now the date we have is September 16th, when he turned to house over to us. Crap REALLY. It was suppose to be this weekend. He really just is not organized, he lost my paint samples, has sat on my roof tiles and just has not come through.

I have been out of my house since Dec 6, 2005. It was only suppose to be a 4 month process. It will be 10 months before I will be home.

I am angry, I am mad, I am in tears. I know I know what is a few more weeks, but I am just stressed. I want to go home.

Ok rant over, thanks for listening. I actually feel a bit better and not so hopeless.

Careful Planning

Weight Watchers Day 2.

1st this is not going to turn into a weight watchers blog but it does led to some funny adventures.

2nd, I have discovered all it takes is careful planning. See I can eat a ton of food, I am not hungry, I am changing what I eat. It is all good. But a girl STILL likes her snacks. So tonight's treat was a mini bag of popcorn and a can of vanilla Pepsi. Dh is getting on the bandwagon which is nice, it gives support.

3rd, I still hate water. Yep, but I did discover I like ice water better, you know with the cubed ice.

So there you have it.... Day 2 in a nut shell. By day 5 I should be the nut.

Interesting Conversation

Me: I have an announcement
Me: My pee looks like water
Friend: wow
Friend: I don't know what I was expecting
Friend: but I'm sure it wasn't that
Me: LOL
Me: I am drowneding (is that a word) in water
Friend: hum....
Friend: well that does sound like a problem
Me: I started weight watchers
Friend: lol is that what they told you then
Friend: you're drinking too much water
Me: I drank 4 water bottles today
Me: two glasses of milk
Me: and then had a jamba juice
Friend: well if you're going to drink that much you should have something more interesting come out
Me: a fish?
Friend: like a milk shake or something
Me: hold on need to finish adding points
Me: damn I STILL have 4 points left
Friend: um, can't you save those up for something special
Friend: like scoop of ice cream at the end of the month
Me: I could but they stressed using them all
Me: I have 35 extra points a week
Me: I could go hog wild
Friend: of ice cream
Friend: geez
Me: damn I am going to be eating forever
Me: what is up with that?
Friend: LOLOL
Friend: better start crackin
Me: I AM NOT HUNGRY
Me: lol
Me: lol
Friend: well according to your points you are
Me: but I miss my pepsi
Me: I did have half of one today
Me: 2 points
Me: should have the while thing.
Friend: there ya go
Friend: that's what you can do with those 4 points
Me: LOL tomorrow I know better
Me: the thought if drinking more right now is not a good thought
Me: I feel like I am going to never stop peeing.
Me: I should have had that extra taco at dinner LOL
Me: Am I entertaining you?
Friend: totally
Friend: :)
Me: glad to be of service
Friend: I'm very amused at your crisis
Me: I might have to post the conversation on the the blog
Me: cause it is funny
Friend: of course it's funny
Friend: it's us

Blog Challenge:Remarkable

"My students were middle-class kids who were ashamed of their background. They felt like unless they grew up in poverty, they had nothing to write about...I felt sorry for these kids, that they thought their whole past was absolutely worthless because it was less than remarkable."-David Sedaris, from an interview in January Magazine

This week our challenge is to write about our every day lives. What you say, that is going to be boring. But that is the point. So you want to know what a typical day looks like for me? Lets take today.

The alarm goes off to early. I would like to sleep another hour. It rings about 6:30 am. I probably don't actually roll out of bed until until after 7am. I go straight to Princess Girly Girl room and wake her up. She is NOT a morning person. Princess Seriously has been up about 30 minutes. The kid love to go to school. What is wrong with her? We go downstairs, get breakfast for PGG. Somedays I am more awake them others and I will actually cook breakfast which is what I should be doing because DH should really be eating breakfast. Ok I will work on that. Then the girls finish getting ready and we are off. I am in a carpool, pick up that kid and drp them off. Drop off PGG and then I am free. Now that is a recent development.

The next thing is to usually go by the house and see what has been done. Run errands. ow you would think that since I no longer have kiddos home during the day that I would have more time. THAT IS SO NOT TRUE! Where the heck does the time go? I think once we get back in the house that I will have more time and be able to scrapbook more since that is what I really love to do. I will leave that out there and hope that it is true. I will update when the time comes and the house is put back together.

Mondays is usually clean the house up days. Dh is wondering what happened this Monday. Tuesday is now weight watchers. Shoot me now. Wednesday is usually some church thing. Thursdays is now help at PGG's school. Fridays are NOTHING and I plan to leave it that way. Throw in there stuff for swim team and other miscellaneous church things.

Once the pick up routine starts after school I am dead tired. Dh thinks I nap but really I lay down for 20 minutes between picking PGG up and PS coming home. Then the homework, dinner stuff starts and we leave to swimming. Now come September 5th, I will be at swimming from 5 pm until 7 pm. Nice eh? PS is moving up and PGG wants to start. Well fine but I took ballet out of the routine because there is no way I am driving to 2 different places at the same time. Eat dinner and then kick into the bedtime routine. Are you tired yet? I am.

Once that happens, then DH and I spend time together. I am not sure if he would call it spending time together when I fall asleep on him, but hey it COUNTS. Then it all starts again.

So that is my daily life and as unremarkable that it is, I would not change it. Well somedays I would but usually not.

She grew up in a day.

*SOB* Okay, Princess Girly Girl is 6 and now in first grade. She grew up over night. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

Reason #1
PGG: Mom, I am a big girl now. I want to be dropped off in the front of the school like Princess Seriously.
Mom: What?
PGG: Drive in and drop me at the curb please. I can walk in the gate and stand on my line by myself.
Mom: ARE YOU SURE?
PGG: Yes.

When I do this, she meets a friend and walking in together happy as a clam. No mind you the gate is two feet in front of the curb and there is a attendant there.

WHAT HAPPENED to the child that teared up yesterday?

Reason #2
PGG: Mom, I am making a sandwich because I am hungry.
Mom: um, ok. Do you need help?
PGG: noooooooo, I got it. See mayo, meat and bread. I used a butter knife and cleaned up my mess.

I AM NOT READY FOR THIS.

First Day of school

Well I am emotionally drained. It was a long day for me. LOL. I got the girls up. made breakfast, lunches and sent them off. Princess Seriously could not get to school fast enough. Princess Girly Girl was fine until she got into line and I saw her little lip quiver. She said when she got in the classroom she teared up and had to blink back the tears. She got a great teacher but there was only one kid in the class that she knew. The highlight was getting to sit where ever you wanted for lunch. She found her friends and she said she felt a lot better. PS got all the classes she wanted but the wrong lunch period. This afternoon she found out another good friend had the same lunch. They arranged a meeting place and now they are both happy.

I, on the hand had the house clean by 9:30 am and then IM'ed a friend and said now what? She laughed. An email friend said shopping time. I laughed. Tomorrow will be busy, the days are quickly filling up. *SIDE NOTE* The roof on the house is 100% approved.

After school it was paper work, stories about the day and giggles as we laughed about what I did. Then it was time to go off to swimming. PGG decided that ballet is NOT for her. She wants to swim. Tonight she got tested. She made it into a great class. So now she is excited. ONE LESS place for me to drive.

So there you go. The first day of school for us.

Blog Challenge: Color

On my scrapbook site we are doing weekly blog challenges. This weeks is about Color.

I am not sure what my favorite color it. I just love color. I love to stand and look to see what different colors are around me. I love different colored walls in my home. I think I picked 8 different colors for the house to be painted. I can not wait to see them all in house. When it gets painted then I will take a picture and show you just what I mean.

Wearing colors, I am such a winter person, most days I am in something black. I love reds, blues and oranges actually. I reacently got an orangiest shirt from Old Navy and I love that shirt.

When I have some time I will be taking some pictures and posting them of my favorite colored things :)

Are you bored?

Here you go. Have fun!

http://www.oceangram.com/

I have a challenge

Yep for you my readers. September 11th is coming. The fifth anniversary. There is a blogger that has a vision. I want you to help him with his vision.

2996 moms, dads, daughters, sons, grandmothers, grandfathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends and loved ones died that day.

This blogger wants to remember each and everyone of those people. Please sign up and help. There is a little over a month until September 11th. Everyone needs a voice. Will you please help?

http://www.dcroe.com/2996/

The Last Days of Summer

So this is the last full week before school starts. I can not tell if I am happy or dreading it. Happy because I will be free, during the day. I am free but them that also means that I have to get up early to get the girls to school. This week we have little things scheduled, nothing big. We are sleeping in and relaxing. So much relaxing that we all took a nap yesterday, the girls and I were watching a movie and the next thing I knew, we were all snoring. So much for that movie.

I am not sure what to think as I get to this next step in the girls lives. I mean, they will both be in school full time. I really thought when I stopped working, that this would be the year that I went back to work. That was my plan. I know now that, that is not going to happen. There is no way I could go back to work. There are too many things going on, I mean, I sit in the girls classroom at least once a week. Actually Princess Seriously asked if I would do something different, like if she could sign me up for grading papers at home. You think she has hit the point where she does not want me in her class? All I could do was laugh and tell her sign me up for that. I don't mind those things, it is part of her growing up. I spend enough time her and she knows that I am available for her. Princess Girly Girl wants to know if I am going to spend all day with her in the class.

Well back to going back to work. When I quit working, I thought I would be back so fast that it would not be even funny. I had no clue I would embrace being a stay at home mom. Now the week before "it" is about to happen, I sit here thinking what was I thinking back then? Watching my girls grow, I never thought I would be the one to grow up too.

So here is to growing up. All of us.

Highway

Today I was driving down the Highway and I saw something that made me tear up. OK why it effected me this way, this time, I have no clue. There was a military convoy down down the highway. It think the part that got to me was that they were so young. They were smiling, they were waving! Everyone one of us driving down that highway were smiling and waving back. Those young boys are someone's son, husband, boyfriend, friend. Those boys are the one that are overseas protecting others freedoms. They are protecting us.

They are the everyday heroes. Really!

Lots of stuff

Ok after having nothing to blog about I have a few things now. So lets update you on stuff.

It is confirmed that I am going to a scrapbooking retreat in October! I am so excited! Donnann will be there. Shirley will be there and lots other scrapbooking axe murdering women. I al sooo excited!

I went and got handles for the kitchen cabinets yesterday! The cabinets came TODAY! I am so excited! They look wonderful sitting in the boxes!!! Excitement.

Princess Girl Girly and I went and spent some time with Aleksei and his mom! He is A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.! He was laughing so hard. He is 16 pounds of brick! Solid, all boy! I am so happy that he is a happy little boy. Mom is a GREAT mom. She knows exactly what he needs. He loves to jump and sing and dance. I could play with him every day! Really.

Well the girls and I are off to the movies, so y'all have a GREAT day!

I have nothing

I think last weekend took away all my creativity for the rest of the week. I can not think of one thing to blog about.

Ok I lied, want to hear about the house? We are getting there. The kitchen cabinets get here on Friday. The lights are going in this week, how do I know? They are sitting on the kitchen floor.

What else? I dunno. I will try again tomorrow :)

Post it Notes

Sleep?!

I just took a nap. Why you ask? This weekend was youth conference weekend at church. What does that mean? Let me share with you.

First off we were tricked into being youth conference parents; they asked us if we would have girls come spend the night. Sure how hard would that be? We later found out being the conference parents meant you need to be at all the activities with the kids. After MUCH grumbling on my part (and boy did I grumble) we got all ready. Well as ready as we could be. We were given 8 girls. Yep eight. I got as many air mattress as I could and as many munchies as I could.

DH spent the day at the beach with them on Thursday. Then it was off for swimming. Got settled for the night. Well that was after a 1:00 am food run. Friday I spent the day with them, speakers lunch and service project. It was major fun. We were suppose to go to dinner at the church, but I quickly got sucked into can we please order pizza? Can we take extra time to get ready for the dance? Ok at this point write sucker on my face, I caved. Pizza dinner, I was smart and I ordered extra for the late night snack. Off to the dance. Those kids are so funny, Dh and I laughed so hard. Just the funny thing and goofy dancing that they do. The boys all made sure the girls were dancing. I think what was even more impressive is that all and I mean all, the girls were dressed modestly. I love to see the youth having fun and being righteous in their decisions.

After the dance we had plans. We knew that we needed to have plans to keep them busy. We had some spiritual thoughts and small lesson and gave them all a little keepsake to take with them. It is always a joy to see the kids express their joy of knowing that Jesus Christ knows and loves them. They stand for truth and righteousness. They stand apart from other youth of today because of different choices that they make. It makes me so happy to see them.

Ok so onto what we were off to do. We had in the "rule" book, no TPing. Lights off at midnight. We can say the lights were off (in the garage) and we did not T.P. Nope we broke out the post it notes. Did you know that 48 post it note pads can completely cover a car? Yep completely. Did you know that 8 girls can very quietly peel them off and stick them in neat little rows all over the car? Did you know that a red car can turn into a yellow car in about 30 minutes?The even better part was that they were excited that their leaders would take them to do it. We figured it was safer to pile them in the car together and take them off to their harmless fun and be with them to make sure that all was well. In this process we got dubbed as cool fun parents. They would consult us about different questions and ask if they could do things. There is one thing I made them promise for all the fun, that no matter what time we went to bed we would be there at 8 am the next day when it all started. We got there a 8:12 and WERE THE FIRST ONES THERE! That was a pretty awful trick. LOL.

We had a ball. Really we did. After all the not wanting to do it, I sure hope they ask us again next year. I am not so sure that will happen, we were crazy. But hey, I did learn how to post it note a car!!!!

Fun Fun Fun

So today was just a fun day. So wait back up, it did not start that way. I woke up to find out Dh had not really slept, sorry Dh, I was sleeping and not aware that you had a bad night. I did feel bad about that. So then we were off to the movies. I was so excited because it was suppose to be one of my favorite movies. Spirit. I love that dang cartoon, horse movie. We got there and I think I was MORE excited then the kids. THE DANG MOVIE BROKE. So we had to watch Muppets from Space. That is one of the worse movies.

So from there we went to grab some lunch, came home and had some time with the tired DH. Princess Girly Girl decided that she wanted to stay home with Dh, so he would not be alone. Princess Seriously and went off on an adventure. First we stopped at the ROXY outlet. It is school shopping time. Got some cute stuff. Then is was off to Costco to get a Heidi Swapp package they had there.

The next stop was a fun one. We went to see Aleksei and his mom. We were going to finish the paper bag books that we started. They are so cute! I love spending time with them. Her sister is in and we were giggling the afternoon away. Aleksei is HUGE. I love his little fat rolls on his legs.

So on the way home, PS and I stopped at Starbucks and chatted the whole way home. Well we sang too, but we chatted also.

I love days like this :)

5 ways to torture Princess Seriously

#1 Tell her that you will take her in at 9 am to get her stitches removed.
#2 Wake up late
#3 Ask the doctor if they can swim later today
#4 Listen to the answer that she still can not swim for THREE more days.
#5 Watch her sit in the pool with her foot sticking up for another 3 days and tell her that we are not going to be home that day for her to swim and then discover the first time she will be able to get in the pool is NEXT Saturday because then she will be out of town.

*insert evil cackle* BWAHAWHHAHWHAHHAW

Energy discussion turned to Childhood memories

So sitting around the dinner table (my favorite place to have a discussion) we were talking about what can we do as a family to cut the energy bill. Princess Seriously brought up laundry. That turned quickly to a childhood memory.

When I was growing up, we used to go to Arizona during the summer. Everyone knows it is DANG hot in the summer there. I remembered that Grandma and I would get up early and do the wash. Now doing the wash was hard work. Why do you ask? Because we did it by hand. Yep hand washing. Well there was the old tub with the wash board and the wringer. Then we would rinse and then hang dry the clothes. By the time we would get to the end the clothesline the clothes that were first hung were completely dry. Then we would take them down shake them out and start again. Now I would always ask why did we not use the washer and dryer in the bathroom? Because those were for winter use and only then.

So guess what the girls want to do, they want to see if we hang clothes out to dry, just how long will it take? I suppose you will see a post about that later this week. LOL

This also led to a discussion about handwashing the dishes. Yep that is what we did after dinner. That had me thinking about all the things we take for granted now. So are you looking for ways to save energy? Well, while that is a great thing, think of things that you can do to spend more time with you kids and talk about the old world you lived in when you were growing up.

Remind me of that later this week when I am ready to string the girls up by there toes.

602

Anyone want to guess that THAT number means? Really, toss it around for a minute. 602. What could that be? Lets make a list. Could it be:

• The number of minutes Princess Seriously used on her cell phone?
• The number of laps I have done in the swimming pool?
• The number of people that have looked at my blog in the last 2 days?
• The number that I have blogged about the house?
• The number of times whatever.

You could guess until the cows come home but the answer would still be NO. Take a deep breathe, make sure that you ARE NOT drinking. anything, using you cell phone (cause I dropped mine when I heard), that you do NOT have to use the rest room.

It was the electric bill for the month. $602.

As you process this little thought, let me tell you about the month. It was humid, it was HOT. We are in a house with a 20 year old A/C. I really don't like the rental house now. I have to give it to DH, he survived the shock. He said that it is ok (well as it can be), what is happening is that it is eating into the extra house money that we have. Ok I can deal with that, but dang it. The next thought that ran through my head, it is bad. "Dang, that is less money for scrapbooking this month!"

I know, bad!!!! So if you thought your bill was bad, come here and rethink that. We can trade bills with you.

More blogs to check out.

Hey my blogging community is getting bigger :)

Check out Gawfer. I have met him in person! He is a friend of Elizabeth's. He is a really nice guy and has an adorable family. It is soooo nice to meet other bloggers in person.

Also, I don't know if I have ever mentioned Joe's Blog. He is a WONDERFUL person. His entire family is amazing. Why, because he has a special needs son, a cute daughter, wonderful strong wife and they have all been through sooo much.

There are so many more I could mention, but tonight that is it, you go scoot, and keep busy, reading away.

Ok, lied. A good friend, from childhood even, has a great blog about California Estate Planning Practice. Now I know they say never trust a lawyer, but I trust her with my deep dark secrets from childhood and beyond, check her out too. What I love the most, is the disclaimer:The information in this blog is not legal advice, and your use of it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Any liability that might arise from your use or reliance on this blog or any links from this blog is expressly disclaimed. This blog is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current and is subject to change without notice. Ok so it is not legal advice, but it is still good stuff :)

Interesting CNN article

So, my home page is CNN. Ok I am addicted to it. I am addicted to any news. I think that comes from working 9 years on a newspaper.

This caught my eye. So of course, I went looking for her blog. Can you imagine being fired for what you wrote? I mean I am sure that my kids will need intense therapy, but I hope they will not fire me. Well I mean they might, but then I would have more to write about on my blog.

But on a serious note, this is the internet. If you search hard enough you can find anything. One can never be too careful about what you say.

Something to think about.

Piano Teacher Part Two

Well Princess Girly Girl and the piano teacher did not hit it off. She was not excited at all about doing piano and wanted to know why her sister could not be the one teaching her. I was not about to spend $100 just to pull teeth to get her to practice.

Another mom told me, "he must have not been the right piano teacher for her, keep looking." I am going to keep looking. Cause I kinda like spending money on something that is going to be good for the kid and mom. Not another torture device.

So stay tuned, The great search for a piano teacher continues.

Piano

I am about to go meet the new piano teacher. I think I am INSANE. I already don't particularly enjoy when they pound on the piano now. What is it going to be like when I have to make them play the piano. Now please don't email me to tell me I will love it. I know there will be a point where we all gather around the piano and sing Christmas carol's. That part I like. I can dream of it. It is the part inbetween now and then.

Do you think if I got a good set of ear plugs, I would survive? Ohhhhhhhhh wait, I know, Dh's Bose headset! Yeah, books on tape and I mght just survive.

Can you see the smirk now?

The Summer Schedule

So you know when summer comes around that bedtime is dramatically changed. I guess I did not realize this until Princess Girly Girl is asked the question and I was there to hear the answer. It went something like this.

Friend: So PGG what time do you go to bed?
PGG: Never, it is summer.
Friend: You stay up all night?
PGG: No just until I get tired or Mommy gets tired of me. (She looks at me while saying this)
Friend: Mommy gets tired or you?
PGG: Yeah it is summer, so she does not get a break. But August 16th she is free.

At this point I think, if they know that date and that I am free, I think I have said it too much LOL.

However, what she is saying is true. There is no bed time in the summer. They have to be up for swim lessons. Well PGG does. Princess Seriously already knows how to swim and I spend a small fortune on her to be on swim team. But she likes to go and watch because PGG's instructor is on her swim team. Stephen. PGG drools over him. Ok I think he is cute, she did good in picking. After the foot incident she still hobbled over there. When he was doing something, I asked, PS how is your foot. The answer was foot, what foot? For that one hour. I does not hurt.

Ok back to the schedule. There really is none. We eat when hungry. We swim. I love the summer schedule.

But I can not wait until August 16th...

Yesterday was one of those days.

We were floating in the pool waiting for the Fed Ex guy and for some friends to come over and you know how you just think wow everything is so fun right now. Well, it went from perfect to pretty awful in the matter of hours. When we got home from the pool Princess Seriously was clearing stuff out of the car. In one of the bags was a peanut jar. You know one of the glass jars. Somehow the bar ripped or something and the next thing I hear is a shattering of glass and a blood curdling scream. I think I threw the laptop across the room. (It is still working btw) and ran out to the garage.

Blood was everywhere. PS is not sure what happened, but the side of her foot (well side kinda top too). Princess Girly Girl was quickly sent out of the garage. I grabbed a towel and sat her down to figure out just how bad it was. It was bad. Call the DH "Come home RIGHT NOW" then poor guys proceeds to ask lots of questions and I once again tell him, " I can not talk to you right now" I then hang up on him. Poor guy, that is becoming pretty regular. He got the same phone call when the house was on fire. Anyway. I get PS to the car and get PGG in the car. I am driving to urgent care and I call a friend that has a Doctor for a DH. He is in surgery and while he says we can wait for him, I am not to keen on having my daughter sit there with blood gushing out of her foot. Of course once I actually get into to urgent care she calls back and says he is on the way home. Grrrrr right after I have done all the paper work. But he is the one that is going to take care of the rest of it. On the way there I drop PGG at a friends. Well she was on the way. Poor friend got the type of phone call. What are you doing are you home? Can you open your door, I am sending PGG up. PS cut her foot open. Thank goodness that she is one of those friends that you can do that too. I did not want PGG there while PS was crying. Plus I was not sure I was going to make it through.

At urgent care they took us right away. I was actually surprised. PS was freaking out by that time. They said stitches and she lost it. Then it was time to clean it out. YUCK. She was screaming. Little kids were looking out of there rooms to see who was hollering. I got her calmed down and had her breathing. Breathing you say? Well that was the only thing I could think of. They gave her the numbing shots and she once again panicked. More breathing. I thought we were in the clear after that but it did not numb all the way. The doctor did not believe her and wanted to keep going. I told him numb her more or you will see Mama Bear come out and that is NOT FUN. He rolled his eyes, I was ready to strangle him and then numbed her more. After that she hung in there. It took FIVE stitches. Augh.

Now I am not the blood parent. As in I will do anything else but handle the blood stuff. Vomit any other bodily fluid BUT not blood. All ths time I am trying to to lose my lunch. I was doing well until the nurse comes to wrap it and then starts talking about oozing and other things. Cleaning it. I told her put it all on the paper. Dh will be handling all to this. The nurse tells me I am turning white and am I feeling well? PS starts laughing and I looking for the nearest trash can. I survived without the trash can but augh. DH arrives and puts her in the truck and off they went home while I went to get PGG.

By the time I got home, the garage was clean. PS was on the couch and all was right with the world again.

PS is off swimming for at least 12 days and out of the next swim meet. She was NOT happy about that. But when she woke up today it was hurting she was not concerned with that anymore.

I did find out one other thing. There becomes a point when no matter hard you try, you can not pick up your 5'4" 120 pound daughter. There is a point when they are too grown up and then 20 minutes later they are once again your 20 pound baby that needs all the love in the world that you have to give.

The Pool

Saturday we went to the house to do some yard work, ok DH went to the house while I took a nap. I woke up load the kids and the dogs in the car and went over. When I got there he was all excited! The gas was on!!!! WOOHOO!

Now, the water was cold before that. Well to me anything under 85 is cold. Around here it is not common to heat the pool. WHAT?! Please people, that water is dang cold. I like to spend hours in the pool, I like to not be shivering and have to move around. I like to float. I like to lounge.

Now yesterday we spent the day at the pool. It was so nice. I almost makes me imagine that we are back home. Not yet but the time is coming. We can not wait :)

So if you can not find me, it is because we are floating in the pool.

The important of a journal

Today Relief Society lesson was about the importance of journals. I love to write. I love to record. Am I not very good about doing it consistently. But today's lesson touched me so much. It is so important to be the family historian, which is a lot of what I do with my children's scrapbooks. Lots of journaling. But it is so important for the girls to know me. To know who I am and where I have come from. That is the part that I need to work on. They need to know the good, the bad and the ugly.

I know that Princess Seriously, thinks that I have been a mom my whole life. She just does not get when I tell her I was once her age. Well I was. I remember so much of it so well. That is the stuff that I need to put down on paper. So once I get all my scrapbook swaps done this week, that is another project that I need to add to my list.

One of my friends has a DH. His mom passed away when he was 14. She left 4 boys for the father raise and one of them was very young. She has tons of journals. One of the daughter in laws, took those journal and typed them all up and gave them all copies for Christmas, a few years ago. Those boys, especially the youngest, laughed, cried and remember the wonderful times they had spent with their mother. They have those very specials entries that are about each of them. They have the words written that tell them just how much there mother loved them. How much she loved their Dad. What a wonderful present to leave your family.

I do think that I will also be posting some of these things here on my blog. I encourage all of you to write about you. Tell YOUR story. Leave your history.

Wheat Thins

Ok there is a whole long story to this but I am going to try and give you the short version. Ok maybe the medium version.

On Thursday night I went to a baby shower. Ok, lovely a baby shower. But the highlight, well for me anyway, was the dip. See I am a dip person. Crackers and dip, chips and dip. Yum dip. So the new thing there for me was the cream cheese and the salsa over it. Why I never tried it before I have no clue. I know I have seen it before. But the even better thing is that they served it with Wheat Thins. Yum. I could have stayed right there and ate the whole thing. Ok so I didn't. When I got home the DH said, I am snacky tonight. Well that was all it took.

Off to the store I went. I got cream cheese and other spread stuff. Then I went to look for the Wheat Thins. SCORE! Three boxes on sale and with a coupon! I thought we were set for at least the next 3 weeks. Boy was I WRONG.

The Dh ate half a box that night. DD's (yep both of them) ate a second box for lunch the next day. Two boxes down in two days. The comments that I got when asked about them.

• We never have Wheat Thins
• I like these better then chips
• I love Wheat Thins
• What are these? They are so yummy (Princess Girly Girl)
• I want more of those crackers
• Do you have more coupons?

They have no idea I hid a box. I think I will ration them out. My poor deprived children.

Hoilday weekend stuff

Oh crap, I had a nice little entry about the camera and the computer but you know what, I already told you. LOL I think I need that Brain Age Game. Ok lets start again.

So off we went to a friends house for the big 4th of July BBQ. They have a pool and it was nice and warm. The girls has a ball. I loved being in the pool. At one point the kids were out and it was just Sharon and I. Nice! Love it.

They also had fireworks on the street. That is not something that we can do here where we live. So the girls had a ball. The funny thing is there were so many boys and they were all excited to be lighting the fireworks.

Today we went to a park that has those cool water fountains. We spent two hours there. The Princess Seriously had to go to swimming. Do you want to know what time the girls went to bed? EARLY. LOL I love wearing them out.

Whirlwind

That is what it has been since the girls finished school. Last week was spend running from place to place. The contractors, the kitchen place, the dealership to get things repaired on the car. Princess Girly Girl and I did manage to have some fun. We went off to the local theater for the summer free movies. She loves that. This year I am excited because they will be showing MY favorite movie, Spirit. I am very excited.

This week is going to be spent doing as little a possible. I have my daily projects. You know the goofy things like clean out the frig. But they are getting done. The one thing that I am not looking forward to is packing up what we have accumulated in this house to move home. I need to declutter!

The other news is Dh brought me home a MAC computer. I am very excited about this because of the cool things that they do. So now I have both. I also had to get a new digital camera. Well, lets just say the Princess Seriously tried very had to catch the camera as she dropped it. So off Dh and went to find a new camera. This is what I got



While we were there, we actually saw a camcorders that we liked. We lost ours in the house fire. So now we feel a techy! LOL

Ok well I am off and running it is BBQ day. Happy 4th everyone :)