WEATHER: Slush, puddles of water, and SNOW, lots of it! This is the fourth time in a month that the weather has went from an 80 plus degree day to below freezing with snow. All my beautiful floral hanging baskets swere stiff with cold and flocked with nature's powder,my patio cushions were still on the chairs, my annuals were beaming with colorful smiles from their assigned seats, and now, the earth, or atleast my house anyway, is once again covered with snow! This time though, it's depressing. I don't want to put my flip flops back in the closet or dig out my snow boots and ski coats. Iwas truly ready for nice, warm weather!
SCHEDULE: Spending 2 hours to shovel my drive always throws a kink in my schedule. The snow blower is impossible with the wet, spring snows; it clogs it up like a snow cone maker! I have been busy today filling out scholarship paperwork. However, one scholarship wants to know my schedule for Spring 09 so that took a little thinking; I thought I was doing good just having my summer and fall schedule done! In between, the washer spins, the brownies bake and I need to come up with a 50's outfit for Whit's Spring concert in the next 5 hours. Hmmmm.
I just completed my online registration for the state convention and congressional assembly this Friday & Saturday. I made my reservations a few days ago and we are staying at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. John & Whit are along for the ride and will be sure to enjoy the sites and indoor pool.
I am touching up some paint today and we plan to move back in to our bedroom tonight; we are excited to get the house back in order and have some free time to enjoy ourselves!
This is my full work week and this Friday is supposed to be Field Day at school...uhummm, providing this SNOW melts!!! I did hear it supposed to be 80 by Sunday again; we'll see.
EMOTIONS: I am very happy as I finished my last exam last night and in good time. It is really a great feeling to accomplish and overcome something hard!
This year I made some new discoveries about myself and I am surprised to learn how much I love Math, Chemistry and Botany. I took a recent profiling test and it said Pharmacology would be great for me. Hmmm...that would only leave me 5 years of school to finish a doctorate vs. 8 more for anesthesiology. Time wise it is tempting, but I dread "retail" and worry if I would get enough hands time on helping people to really be satisfied. I have 1 more year before I really need to decide, so hopefully,by then, I'll know exactly which direction I want to go in!
I am excited about the convention but admit I have some intrepidation about hate crimes occuring. I pray for safety and a positive learning experience over the weekend.
Well, I guess I need to go arrange some more snow so I'll ramble on another day!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
My Mother's Day Gifts
This is painted pansy plaque Whitley made for me
Here is Cameron, Taylor, Kendall & Whitley
And little Kendall riding the American girl horse!May 4, 2008 has been a good Mother's Day. I was given an acrylic painting that Whitley did of a purple and yellow pansy. She did a beautiful job on it! At the top, the words graced the picture M-O-M.
Around noon, I received a visit from my foster daughter! She looked so cute with her little peach dress and 2 boxes of gift wrapped candies for me!
The kids always have a blast up here playing together and running around. Whitley thoughfully set out a horse that her American girl rides for Kendall to play with. Kendall thought it was sturdy enough to ride on and we snapped a picture of her so doing. We snapped a few pictures of the kids as well and it is amazing to see how much they all look alike!
Anyway, John & Whitley are cleaning for me tonight and I'll wind the evening down with more studying! I hope your Mother's Day was just as nice!
Quotes of Motherhood
"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." -- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang
"Mothers reflect God's loving presence on earth."-- William R. Webb
The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her.--Author Unknown
The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.--Theodore M. Hesburgh
A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years, but a photograph always remains the same. How nice to look at a photograph of mother or father taken many years ago. You see them as you remember them. But as people live on, they change completely. That is why I think a photograph can be kind.--Albert Einstein
When I was a child, my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk you'll end up as the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.--Picasso
Yes, Mother. I can see you are flawed. You have not hidden it. That is your greatest gift to me.--Alice Walker
A mother's love's a blessing, no matter where you roamKeep her while she's living, you'll miss her when she's goneLove her as in childhood, though feeble, old and greyFor you'll never miss a mother's love, till she's buried beneath the clay.Thomas P. Keenan
Happy Mother's Day
"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -- Lin Yutang
"Mothers reflect God's loving presence on earth."-- William R. Webb
The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her.--Author Unknown
The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.--Theodore M. Hesburgh
A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years, but a photograph always remains the same. How nice to look at a photograph of mother or father taken many years ago. You see them as you remember them. But as people live on, they change completely. That is why I think a photograph can be kind.--Albert Einstein
When I was a child, my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk you'll end up as the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.--Picasso
Yes, Mother. I can see you are flawed. You have not hidden it. That is your greatest gift to me.--Alice Walker
A mother's love's a blessing, no matter where you roamKeep her while she's living, you'll miss her when she's goneLove her as in childhood, though feeble, old and greyFor you'll never miss a mother's love, till she's buried beneath the clay.Thomas P. Keenan
Happy Mother's Day
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Homestretch
We are down to painting the trim in the master bedroom. The wall straight ahead on the top picture is new. It used to sit further back and had 4 bypass sliding doors that were for the closet. By pulling out the wall 18 inches we now have a walk-in closet that is directly across the open doorway of the bathroom that you see in the back corner. We also gained a linen closet as well. And now the new wall is long enough for a king sized bed (as previously described).
Other Homestretch Happenings:
Other Homestretch Happenings:For Whitley:19 days of school left, with lots of fun days in between. Last week they had safety day at school and she got a new bike helmet for summer, and she went to see FLAPPER the musical. This week there is Teacher Appreciation Day on Monday, Spring Concert on Tues. and Field Day all day Friday.
For John: This will be the last "weekend" he will spend on the remodeling in our house. He has a full-time "helper" starting this Tuesday, because his dear wife will be finished with the semester and can devote even more time to helping. We plan to shampoo carpets on Wednesday and move back in our room. He has this coming Saturday and Sunday off: 1) to watch Whit as Jamie goes to the State & Congressional Assembly 2) We are standing up with our foster daugther and her family for her baptism this Sunday.
For Jamie: Studying tomorrow and all day Monday. My last final exam starts at 6pm (Mon. eve.) and goes to 9:30 pm. It is my most difficult exam so I will be glad to have this behind me. I am glad to help John finish up the room and get back in it. I'm excited for more days to volunteer at school. I am doing the bake sale and spring concert Tuesday and helping with Field Day on Friday.
Like most of you, there are lots of graduations, weddings and end-of -the-year events to go to in May & June. It's amazing how fast time goes by and how quickly young children grow into men and women!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Clothespins + Lots of Blankets + Chairs =
A Tent! Here's their day's labor.... 
And here's to a good nights rest ....minus the one who still has yet to fall asleep.
Oh, and even their faithful watchdog Goosebumps has a place too! Old Goosebumps...2 ft. long with 4 inch legs...be afraid, be very afraid!!!
And here's to a good nights rest ....minus the one who still has yet to fall asleep.Oh, and even their faithful watchdog Goosebumps has a place too! Old Goosebumps...2 ft. long with 4 inch legs...be afraid, be very afraid!!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Answered Prayer
When I was a child, I was taught that when we pray, God can answer us in three ways: YES, NO or WAIT. Then, when I was in my twenties, one of my devotional calendars defined God's answers as : YES, WAIT and instead of NO (which can sound negative), the answer was I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER IN MIND.
Amazingly, because HE IS GOD, many of my prayers have been answered to the "I have something better in mind". I am in awe of how often I ask amist and the way God answers, ends up being better than I could have imagined.
For four years, I have prayed that God would send Whitley a good friend. I friend that would love her unconditionally, that would have high moral standards and that would encourage and edify her. Year after year, I waited and the answer seemed like a NO.
A few months ago, we learned that we have new neighbors. I got excited thinking, "Could this be the girl I've been praying for as a friend for Whit?" Well, I quickly learned that the new neighbors had 3 little boys. However, a few weeks later, the same neighbor called me back and said, "I don't know how this information got mixed up, but the new neighbors I told you about, have a little girl who is going to be 10! They are a strong church family and I was wondering if I could host a tea so you could meet them?"
Uhhh, let me think....YAHHHH!!!!!
Well, that was nearly 5 weeks ago, and since then, Whitley and Rachel have become good friends. They play really well together. The bonus is, that Rachel's Mom and I have become good friends as well! Although Amy (the mom) was born in raised here in CO, she attended Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) the same time I attended ONU (Kankakee, IL). We are the same age and so we really identify as cohorts of the same generation and of the same faith.
Tonight, we visited by phone for a few hours and I shared with her how I was struggling as a parent, that I wrestled with pride and had really been in a valley for over a year now. Lo and behold, she understood perfectly! About 4 years ago, she went through the same valley and wrestled with the same issues. Now she has overcome those challenges by receiving God's grace, mercy, strength and LOVE. She clothes herself in these gifts instead of guilt, shame and self inflicted punishment. In fact, she has come so far, that she has a vengeance of praying against the Enemy of our souls, who robbed her (and I) of so many years of enjoying God's love and goodness. She delighted in praying for me, her compassion and empathy was great, because she has truly "been there". She prayed messages of God's goodness for me like: "I am a much loved child.", and for strength and help to "Renew a right spirit within me."
In those 4 years that my prayers for Whitley seemed like a "wait", or a "NO", there truly was "something better in mind" going on. He was working on my new friend Amy, so that by the time she moved here, she could be of help and instruction to me! The most amazing thing is that here I was praying for Whitley to have a friend, and in the end, we received a double blessing, not because we deserved it, but because He "had something better in mind", which was really a lesson not just about patience, but about GRACE!
Thank you God for finding favor on our request and "Saying NO to the GOOD, so we can have YOUR BEST!"
Amazingly, because HE IS GOD, many of my prayers have been answered to the "I have something better in mind". I am in awe of how often I ask amist and the way God answers, ends up being better than I could have imagined.
For four years, I have prayed that God would send Whitley a good friend. I friend that would love her unconditionally, that would have high moral standards and that would encourage and edify her. Year after year, I waited and the answer seemed like a NO.
A few months ago, we learned that we have new neighbors. I got excited thinking, "Could this be the girl I've been praying for as a friend for Whit?" Well, I quickly learned that the new neighbors had 3 little boys. However, a few weeks later, the same neighbor called me back and said, "I don't know how this information got mixed up, but the new neighbors I told you about, have a little girl who is going to be 10! They are a strong church family and I was wondering if I could host a tea so you could meet them?"
Uhhh, let me think....YAHHHH!!!!!
Well, that was nearly 5 weeks ago, and since then, Whitley and Rachel have become good friends. They play really well together. The bonus is, that Rachel's Mom and I have become good friends as well! Although Amy (the mom) was born in raised here in CO, she attended Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) the same time I attended ONU (Kankakee, IL). We are the same age and so we really identify as cohorts of the same generation and of the same faith.
Tonight, we visited by phone for a few hours and I shared with her how I was struggling as a parent, that I wrestled with pride and had really been in a valley for over a year now. Lo and behold, she understood perfectly! About 4 years ago, she went through the same valley and wrestled with the same issues. Now she has overcome those challenges by receiving God's grace, mercy, strength and LOVE. She clothes herself in these gifts instead of guilt, shame and self inflicted punishment. In fact, she has come so far, that she has a vengeance of praying against the Enemy of our souls, who robbed her (and I) of so many years of enjoying God's love and goodness. She delighted in praying for me, her compassion and empathy was great, because she has truly "been there". She prayed messages of God's goodness for me like: "I am a much loved child.", and for strength and help to "Renew a right spirit within me."
In those 4 years that my prayers for Whitley seemed like a "wait", or a "NO", there truly was "something better in mind" going on. He was working on my new friend Amy, so that by the time she moved here, she could be of help and instruction to me! The most amazing thing is that here I was praying for Whitley to have a friend, and in the end, we received a double blessing, not because we deserved it, but because He "had something better in mind", which was really a lesson not just about patience, but about GRACE!
Thank you God for finding favor on our request and "Saying NO to the GOOD, so we can have YOUR BEST!"
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Update
It has been very busy this week and there has been no time for pictures. We have been in the throes of parenting a "tween" and doing some spring cleaning!
The weekend was very full: loads of laundry, raking an acre of pine needles, cleaning out flower beds, sweeping the drive and patios, painted the new master b-room and closet, purchased trim and finishing materials, studying for finals, planting annuals and mulching flower beds, updating our blog and sweeping out the garage.
Next weekend, we are in for much of the same: We need to shampoo carpets and areas rugs, wash and clean draperies, vacuum and oil the ledge, wash windows (sounds easy but many are 25 ft. in the air), wash down all basemoulding and hardwood floors, wash upohlstery on the love seats and move back into our bedroom!
Finals are all this week and one next Monday night and off for three weeks until summer classes start.
Probably no posts until after the 12th. We'll ramble on then!
The weekend was very full: loads of laundry, raking an acre of pine needles, cleaning out flower beds, sweeping the drive and patios, painted the new master b-room and closet, purchased trim and finishing materials, studying for finals, planting annuals and mulching flower beds, updating our blog and sweeping out the garage.
Next weekend, we are in for much of the same: We need to shampoo carpets and areas rugs, wash and clean draperies, vacuum and oil the ledge, wash windows (sounds easy but many are 25 ft. in the air), wash down all basemoulding and hardwood floors, wash upohlstery on the love seats and move back into our bedroom!
Finals are all this week and one next Monday night and off for three weeks until summer classes start.
Probably no posts until after the 12th. We'll ramble on then!
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