First Gymnastics Meet

Naomi had her first gymnastics meet last weekend!  She was so nervous and the last month before the meet she spent freaked out and couldn't throw her double back handspring.  She threw it last month and had a bad fall and lost it.  She wanted that and her back walkover on beam for this meet...

She got them both!  She worked hard and really focused in practices and it paid off.  We are so proud of her.  She placed on every event and got 3rd All Around!!  Her team took home 1st place!

We can't wait to watch her the rest of this season!

Kutlass Alpha/Omega Review

I have new music for you!  I am so excited to share this CD with you.  I wasn't sure what to think when a Kutless album was coming but I am so thrilled to have this CD.  

Alpha/Omega is a wonderful Praise & Worship album that will surely become a staple in your music collection.  We had this album playing while we were making dinner and every song that came up, we were excited to hear it and it became our favorite.  I am not sure I can pick a favorite; I love them all that much. 

You need to listen to this album and buy it.  

About Kutless:

Since signing to BEC Recordings in 2001, Kutless has transformed from a new rock band to a staple artist in the industry that has multi-format, top-charting hits, sold millions of records and more than eight million streams. Launched by original members Jon Micah Sumrall (lead vocals) and guitarist James Mead, the band formed first as a modern rock/worship band at Warner Pacific College in Portland in 2000. Kutless has two RIAA Gold-selling albums for Strong Tower and Live from Portland. The band has had 12 No. 1 radio singles across all formats including their major hits "Strong Tower,” "What Faith Can Do" and "Carry Me To The Cross.”

After more than 15 years together and reaching fans around the world, Kutless continues to be focused on sharing the Gospel with a younger generation that is searching for answers.

“We really believe that music can make a difference in people’s lives,” shares Jon Micah Sumrall. “Music is an incredibly powerful tool that can break down walls and allow us to communicate a message of hope to people who may not listen otherwise. We are still recording and performing because we really do believe it makes a difference. We hear stories all the time from people who share with us how a concert or a song has radically impacted their life, and it’s these types of testimonies that keep us going year after year.”

In 2012, Kutless formed EOTA Ministries (End of The Age) to expand their evangelistic outreach around the globe. EOTA is the non-profit arm that aids Kutless in hosting large, free outreach concerts and events. In 2015, they partnered with other organizations to bring concerts to Kiev, Ukraine and other cities for six events - the largest of their kind in that country. The next year, Kutless returned to 11 cities in Ukraine as well as in Belarus, a communist country, where more than 100,000 heard the Gospel and over 40,000 commitments to Christ.

With their upcoming album ALPHA / OMEGA, Kutless has created a collection of rock and worship songs of both original and cover tracks that are true to who the band has been for the last 17 years. They wanted to create a project that would engage the Christian community and have the greatest impact. The songs are true to who the band is at their core - rock and worship. ALPHA / OMEGA features a new version of “Strong Tower” as well as the debut radio single “King of My Heart.”

#KutlessAO & #FlyBy

Social Corner:

Landing page to buy/stream the record: http://smarturl.it/kutles

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2eNsXwlLvo

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.  

The Grey Wolves Series-Review

Okay, I am going to do a review for a series of books that Bethany and I love.  We have read the entire series many times-more than I want to admit at the moment.  We got hooked on them and just couldn't stop reading.  I actually re-read them at least twice a year!  No, I am not kidding.  The characters become my friends and I just have to be a part of their lives.  I NEED to know what will happen to them!  Plus, I just love the characters.

The first book in the series is Prince of Wolves.

Jacque Pierce was just an ordinary 17 year old girl getting ready to start her senior year in high school in Coldspring, Texas. When a mysterious foreign exchange student from Romania moves in across the street, Jacque and her two best friends, Sally and Jen, don’t realize the last two weeks of their summer was going to get a lot more interesting. From the moment Jacque sets eyes on Fane she feels an instant connection, a pull like a moth to a flame. Little does she know that the flame she is drawn to is actually a Canis Lupus, werewolf, and she just happens to be his mate; the other half of his soul. The problem is Fane is not the only wolf in Coldspring, Texas. Just as Fane and Jacque are getting to know each other, another wolf steps out to try and claim Jacque as his mate. Fane will now have to fight for the right to complete the mating bond, something that is his right by birth but is being denied him by a crazed Alpha. Will the love Fane has for Jacque be enough to give him the strength to defeat his enemy, will Jacque accept that she is Fane’s mate and complete the bond between them?

My take:  The writing is a little like a self-published author(at first), by that I mean there are some spelling errors and grammatical errors.  However, I don't find them to be too distracting and the character development more than makes up for any lack of writing style.  (Hannah-my literary student snubs her nose at these books because they are not Jane Austen or J.R.R. Tolkien!)  The story line is captivating and the main characters are full of life.  I would so be their friend in real life. Many times while reading this series I found myself laughing out loud, cheering, or crying at what is happening.  I truly fell in love with the characters and will be so incredibly sad when the series is finished...it can never be finished.  I'm just sayin'.

The next book in the series is Blood Rites, it continues the story flawlessly and advances the plot to the point of racing through the book to get to the next one! The story continues all the way through book 10!!  Then she takes a side-step and branches out some of the characters and created The Gypsy Healer series.  This is also a series that I just love and can't seem to stay away from.  The latest installment I made myself read it slowly just so it wouldn't end too quickly!

They are all worth the read.  Oh, did I mention that they are CLEAN?  Meaning no sex, no major language(a few 'minor' cuss words), books that I let my teens read and don't worry about it.  That is big y'all.  

You can visit her website Here  You can also buy all of her books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.  You can also find her other book series-Elfin, Dream so Dark, The Vikings Chosen.

I encourage you to check them all out.  You just may find a new favorite author!!

**Disclaimer: I did NOT receive any books in compensation for this review.  I bought them all on my own-because I love them-and the opinions are my own.  Even if I had received any books for review, I would give an honest review and my opinions would still be my own.

Curriculum 2017-2018

I don't think I have posted for quite a while about the curriculum we are using.  With two having graduated, I find that life was slowing down quite a bit in the homeschooling department.  With Bug added back in, it is a bit busier!

This year we have Hannah in 10th grade, Naomi in 7th grade, and But in 2nd grade.  We haven't really changed curriculum much in the last few years because we found what really works for each one and we are sticking with it! 

Hannah-10th:

Tapestry of Grace Year 1-History, Literature, Bible, Writing

Apologia Marine Biology

Math U See Pre-Calc

SOS Kansas History

Dave Ramsey Personal Finance

Economics for Everybody (2nd Semester)

Fallacy Detective (2nd Semester)

Naomi-7th:

Tapestry of Grace Year 1-History, Literature, Bible, Writing, Arts/Crafts

Apologia General Science

Math U See Pre-Algebra

Growing with Grammar 7

Bug-2nd:

Time4Learning-Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies

various workbooks for each subject and lots of play time, learning to play on her own, and working on setting up chores and being responsible

I think that is it.  But, who knows we may add more or change something mid-year!  That is the beauty of homeschooling-you can change what isn't working.  

A New Job!

I started coaching gymnastics at the Y just about a year ago in September.  I loved it.  I loved being back in the gym(again) and I loved the kids.  I quickly added hours to my schedule and started helping with pre-team and then eventually team.  I was busy, as evidenced by several posts lamenting that fact!  I was really happy, though.  The kids were wonderful and I heard back that they were enjoying gymnastics.  

But then changes started happening.  I won't go into details but there were things happening that I couldn't support. And I kind of got in trouble for speaking out about something in a staff meeting.  Trust me, it needed to be said and I was the only real adult in the room.  

Anyway...since these changes were coming, I sought out other employment.  I found out that a local gym was hiring and it was a gym that I competed against when I was young.  I took Naomi over to try it out-I wasn't leaving her in a gym that I didn't agree with policies and procedures.  She loved it but was wary about switching gyms.

I talked with the manager and she told me that night that I had a job if I wanted it.  I did!  I gave my notice at the Y and told my classes that I wasn't going to be teaching there any longer.  Several families asked where I was going and decided to follow me.  Of course, I told them that they were welcome to come to the other gym but there were great coaches staying where they were.  They came anyway.  And then I heard that more coaches quit and girls I recognized showed up at the gym I was now at.

Naomi transferred over and quickly started moving up levels.  At the Y they told her she was at a lower level than this new gym and she was clearly ahead of what they indicated.  It took some time for Naomi to get fully comfortable at the new gym but she is loving it now and she has moved up to the Gold Excel team!

We start our competition season in a few weeks and I will be traveling with the Silver team  I am so excited to see the girls compete and improve throughout the season.  

I don't have as many hours at the new gym and it is working perfectly with our new addition to the family.  God has taken care of us and His blessing keep showing up when we least expect them. 

A New Adventure

A few weeks ago I received an email that made me squeal for joy.  I honestly didn't think I would get it but had hoped and then forgot about it!  

I made it onto the ChickfilA Moms panel!!  I am so excited to be a part of this panel this year.  I love, love, love CFA and go there way too much already.  

So, I will be promoting CFA this year-probably won't look any different since I already talk about it irl so much!  

For now, here is my blog button!

**Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and I have not been paid for them.  If I get a free or promotional item, I will state that but my opinions are still my own and I will give an honest review.

Construction

We had about a weeks notice that Phoenix was coming back to live with us.  Not much time to turn our storage room into a real room for her; and we didn't make it!  lol  It took two weeks to finish after she moved in but we got it done and it is a beautiful room.  She got to pick the color for the walls-how terrifying!-and we picked out the rest.  I think it all came together very well.

It was way worse than this...I had already cleaned up some before this pic!

Naomi helping with the mudding/taping that we ended up doing wrong.  

walls, tools, ladders, cool construction things!

She is moving in!

Add caption

See the wall color?  That is her favorite color!

Papa brought her name letters for her new room

her own bookshelf.  Now, to fill it!

I would show you a picture of her room now...but honestly I can't even get in there-it is that messy!  But, it is hers and she is here to stay.

Saying Goodbye

In 2005 we lost our family dog, Simba.  She was a wolf/shepherd mix that found us when we were first married.  She was our baby through all the miscarriages and then loved our babies as her own.  She was one of a kind.  

When she got out of our yard, we were devastated.  There was no goodbye, no closure.  There were many tears and lots of unanswered questions.  

Then there was Maggie.  We went to the pound looking for another dog and we found Poppy.  She wasn't our first choice but when she saw the girls, she was immediately drawn to them and was so gentle with them.  We knew then that she was our dog.  

We adopted her and took her home.  

She was horrible!  She chewed everything.  She actually ate the tires off of our barbeque.  She knocked the kids down constantly and followed me around all.day.long.  I did not like her.  I begged Steven to take her back.

Thankfully he didn't.  She calmed down and became an amazing dog.  She was mostly obedient, protective, intelligent, loving, and sweet.  She knew when I didn't feel well and stuck to my side to comfort me.  She would help me up the stairs when my calcium was low and would check on me until I felt better.  

On the downside, she could not pass up French bread.  If it was on the counter she would eat it.  Even when she could barely walk down the stairs she would find a way to get French bread off the counter.  She loved French bread!  She didn't bother any other food if it was out, but we dare not leave French bread anywhere unattended.  

She was a special part of our family.  When Bethany brought Beau home, Maggie took him in and taught him the rules of the house.  He didn't really listen or learn but she tried!  She played with him until she just couldn't any longer.  

When Maggie got sick, Beau knew and would treat her so gently.  He would check on her every chance he could and she would just lay there patiently until he was done.  Towards the end, she couldn't eat and lot a lot of weight.  She was in pain but tried to be the sweet dog she always was.  

Her last vet visit at the vet in June, she kissed and snuggled like she was a puppy.  It completely broke our hearts.  She was comforting us even though she was in pain.  The vet told us there was nothing that could be done and that it would be better for her if we made the hard choice.  I knew it was coming but was devastated none the less.   My girl was in too much pain.

As a family we said goodbye.  We bought her ice cream and French bread and gave her a shower and took her on a car ride and on one final walk.  She smiled the entire time!  

We took her in to the clinic the next day and all of us were there with her until the end, loving on her.  We wept as a family over our beloved Maggie and watched the light fade from her eyes.  I am still crying over her.  

As we left without our Maggie, we reflected on all the good times and precious memories.  The pain is still fairly fresh and I slip up and call for her sometimes but it is getting better.

Yes, I know she was just a dog and not a person.  But, when you love something with your whole heart it leaves a void when it is no longer there.  If it doesn't did you really love it?

Someday we will get another dog and start the process all over again; but for now we are loving on Beau and settling in to life without Maggie.

Changes keep coming

I fell off the blogging wagon not very long after I started again.  sigh  I would like to get posts caught up from May until now but that will take some time.  For now, I want to post about the most major change we have had this summer.

Bug came back to live with us!  We found out on a Thursday that she might be coming, the following Saturday it was decided for sure, and the following Thursday she moved back in.  Whew!  We decided that she would need her own room this time so we set up about renovating the storage room for her.  We had to clean it out first and that took almost a week!  Needless to say there were things in there that had not seen the light of day in over 10 years.  ahem  Moving on...

The renovations went well and we had several friends come over and help us.  We couldn't have done it without their help.  Her room took a few weeks to finish but it is a great room for her and is a sanctuary already.  

We let her pick out the paint color-which was a little scary!  Thankfully the paint color was tempered by the flooring and her bedding.  I think we will be adding things here and there until we are satisfied with the final outcome.  For now, it is perfect.

The other big change, as if that one wasn't enough, is the fact that we are homeschooling her.  We had originally planned to put her in school since that is what she has been doing and was doing very well with it.  BUT, when I went to enroll her I was told NO.  We don't have guardianship yet and her grandpa isn't in the right district...so no public school.  I had been having some doubts as to putting her in such a large school after her very small one but was trusting that God would work it out.  He did!  

It is going pretty well so far.  We are using Time4Learning and she is really enjoying it.  We will see what happens as the year progresses.  

I will have to get pics up of the reno.  For now, here is Bug showing how happy she is to be back home with us.

Matthew West All In Review

I am going to introduce you to a new CD today.  In our house, we are always looking for new music to add to our library.  We are fairly particular and don't add things willy-nilly. So when I get a CD to review the entire house gets involved!

Matthew West has come out with another must have CD.  His voice is smooth and the melodies are beautiful.  I can see this being an album to have on while I am cooking, doing Bible study, cleaning, or just about anything really.  This album isn't a pump you up, get you dancing around the house kind of album; but it is an album that will bring you into the presence of The King and settle peace around you like a warm blanket. Okay, except maybe the songs 'Amen,' and 'Never Give Up' they are pretty toe-tappin'!  But I thank my favorite is Broken Things, I can't get enough of that song.

Can you tell I love it?  I actually really do.  It will go into my regular music selections and I will probably listen to it most every day.   

Here is a little about the album from Matthew himself.

Matthew’s heart behind the album:

Matthew wrote his new album All In with the goal of encouraging himself and others to get up off the sidelines of their faith and really live it out – to go all in in your time with God, all in with your family, all in with your community, and all in battling your fears that may hold you back from becoming who God made you to be. Along that same theme, Matthew will be launching a 6-week All in Challenge on his social media starting 9/18, and each week Matthew will be challenging his fans to go all in in a different part of their lives. What does it look like when a heart that knows Jesus takes a step and holds nothing back? How can we go All In in the places that mean the most?

Head over to these websites to check it out for yourself, then follow the link to buy this wonderful album for yourself.

Social Corner:

Broken Things Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwKuz8a8Jnk

Broken Things (story behind the song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BipPAfDq9ns

All In Lyric Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RwDpnKIvUI

All In (Story Behind The Song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmjVt4zkkRo

Buy Link: http://capcmg.me/Allin?IQid=flyby

 #ALLIN  #FlyBy

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):   I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

A Busy Season

The Spring is always a busy time for our family.  Soccer, kids working, school, and this year I am working.  We are crazy busy.

Here is a summary in pictures.

Sarah is Graduating!!

On our trip home from a soccer tourney in Springfield, Mo our van broke down in the middle of nowhere. (more of the story to come)

Naomi scored a goal!  A PK at that!!

Our Jr High team took 3rd place after double over time, PK's, and a sudden death PK!

Beau is getting HUGE!

My family got me these awesome mugs for my birthday!

This is not all that has happened in our household but these pics give a glimpse into our hectic lives.

A Conundrum

"a confusing or difficult problem"

This soccer season has been one of the strangest and frustrating to date.  We had almost two weeks of rainouts and trying to reschedule the games is getting  irritating.  Several reschedules conflicted with games already on the schedule so we had to divide the girls playing up from junior high so that each team had enough players.  It has worked alright so far.  The junior high team has to do without their main keeper and one game only had 11 players. 

This last week there were two games going on at the same time. Junior High killed their game and WON 3-0!  They played so well and had a ton of fun doing it.  While their game was going on, high school was playing on the opposite side of town.  The high school game did not go as planned.  This opponent is always out for blood and has injured several of our players in the past.  This game was no different.  They started the game with very physical attacks/tackles with no intervention from the refs.  After multiple tackles from behind two of our girls were injured.  We ended the half down by one point.  The girls were already pretty beat up from a game last week and were getting trampled on the field.  They were frustrated and upset by a "Christian" team being so ugly and hateful.

We started the second half of the game and it only got worse.  I decided after another nasty take down that enough was enough.  When I saw one of my players coming to do a throw-in weeping, I had had enough.  This was a soccer game and should have been at least somewhat fun for them.  They should not have to be on the field scared to play.  I told the ref that I was pulling my team and the game was over. 

The other teams' coaches were livid.  They said some choice words and we walked off the field.  I explained to the parents my decision and we left.  I have never abandoned a game before and hope to never do it again, but the safety of my players has to be the most important factor; not winning or losing. 

The week carried on and that team filed a 'complaint' against me.  It was an ordeal but one I would do again for my girls.

Jr High had two more games that they won and High School had a game against a tough opponent that they won as well. 

There has been backlash from my decision and our team has a bad reputation around here for playing dirty.  Which makes me laugh because all of the refs we have note that we play a physical but fairly clean game.  They compliment us on the integrity of our team and yet the Christian schools around here spread rumors about us and say that we are awful.  No one is perfect and we make our share of mistakes but it is frustrating when rumors are spread and the truth dies.

Yet, the public schools we play have no issues with us...

A conundrum indeed.

A Dream

I have always had very vivid dreams.  I can remember dreams that I have had as far back as seven or eight years old.  Some of them good and some of them not so good.  Generally though they are almost always very real.

This is still holding true.  Last month I had a dream that was so vivid that I would have sworn it happened in real life.  It touched my soul and came at a time that I desperately needed it. 

In my dream, I was searching for Steven and the girls.  We had been separated for quite some time and I was lost in a large office building.  The building was deserted and was completely silent.  The lights in the building were all on but it was eerily quiet.

I started walking through the building looking for my family, slowly at first.  I was sure I would find them quickly and so I was not worried about it.  However, after the first few offices were found empty I started feeling a little panicky.  I searched the entire first floor of the building and found no one.  Not one trace of life.  I was utterly alone.

I decided to move on to the second floor, sure that I would find someone. By the end of the second floor search, I was beginning to feel desperate.  I didn't know what else to do so I kept searching.  I looked in every room, calling out for my family.  Utter loneliness and hopelessness started to take over and I thought of giving up the search.

I continued to search, crying out for them for several more floors before giving in to despair. I wondered the hall of the last floor I had the courage to search, just walking up and down the hall.  Despair overtook me as I opened the final door I had the heart to. 

When I opened this door I could instantly tell it was different.  The light in this room was warm and inviting.  The air was alive and I could tell that someone was in this room.  When I opened the door completely, I was met with a man.

This man was warm and inviting.  His smile encompassed his entire face and peace radiated off of him.  His eyes were ablaze with love and welcome.  He brought his eyes to mine and I couldn't help but sigh. I hadn't found my family but I had found what I was really searching for.

Peace

I fell into the arms of this man as he called out to me.  "Renita, come here."  The sound of his voice brought even more peace as he held his arms out to me.  "Stop searching and come here."  His arm enveloped me and I fell to pieces there.  He held me up as I cried and my knees buckled under the weight of my grief. 

He continued to hold me and let me cry it out.  After some time my tears started to dry up and I pulled back to look him in the eye.  In his eyes, I saw love and acceptance but also something else.  I saw hope. 

I stared into the face of Jesus and felt such peace and love that I was overcome with my guilt.  I couldn't look at him anymore.  I couldn't let Him see how unworthy I truly was.  I tried to hide my face from Him and get away from Him.  He wouldn't let me go.  He wrapped one hand around my wrist and put the other under my chin, pushing it upward; forcing me to look at him.  "Renita, I love you and I already know everything.  Let me in."

I was overcome with His love and jumped into His arms again.  I held on tight to my Savior, thankful for His love.  He let me stay in His arms as long as I needed to and then released me.  "Stop searching everywhere else for what you want, come to me and let me give you everything you need."

I realized then that what I was truly searching for was right in front of me.  He was what I was searching for and just couldn't see it. Jesus had met me where I was and gave me what I needed. Again.

I left His arms filled with peace, knowing that I had what I needed.  I took the elevator down to the first floor, walked out of the building into the arms of my family.

The dream ended there but when I woke up I was still filled with peace and felt like I had really just been held in the arms of Jesus.  I can still feel His arms around me and His peace surrounding me. 

What a beautiful gift from a God who knows me better than I know myself.

Is it over yet?

This has been a week for the books.  We finally got a stretch of good weather and have had all of soccer games so far!  On top of that I have had work and Naomi has had gymnastics...

Here is how it has gone so far:

Monday: me (and Naomi)-work from 9:30-11:30 am, Beth-work 11-3, high school soccer training from 2-4, jr high game from 3:30-6:15, Sarah-work 5-10:30, me-work 6:30-8:30, Naomi gymnastics 6:30-8:30.

Tuesday: me(and Naomi)-work from 8:30-11:45am, Hannah dr apt 10:40, prom dress shopping 12:30-1:30, soccer games from 2:30-6:30, me-work 7:00-8:30, Naomi gymnastics 7:00-8:30,

Wednesday: me-work 9:30-11:30 am, trip to the mall-12:00-1:00, soccer training 2:00-4:00, Beth work-5:00-10:30, Sarah shopping w/friend-5:00-?, date night-5:00-6:00, Steven rehearsal 6:30-?, Renita catch up on life at home-6:30-until she falls asleep!

Thursday-me(and Naomi) work 9:30-11:15am, high school soccer game 4:00-6:45, junior high soccer game 5:00-7:30

Friday-Good Friday...and rest.

Saturday-catch up on house work, soccer paper work, get ready for tournaments, do laundry, spend time with family, take a nap

Sunday-church, family time, Easter, lesson plan for the week of gymnastics

This week may just kill me and it isn't going to ease up next week either.  But, soccer season is only about three more weeks...I can do it!

On an up note, our teams are doing very well.  Junior High played a tough game on Monday against a very good team and came away with a 1-2 loss.  Tuesday both teams played and Junior High won 5-0 and High School won 2-0!!  Our teams were complimented by the refs on the integrity with which they played last night.  The other team was, shall we say violent, and the refs were impressed that our girls did not retaliate or play dirty as well.  I love our girls!!

This is a season of busyness and it is making me stronger, right?  oy vey but it just might kill me first!

It's in her blood

Naomi loves theater.  She was able to perform with a group for nursing homes and care homes.  They got together once a month to perform.  She was so awesome!  I love watching her do theater. 

Here is her song from Honk!  She was the Cat.

A Week in the life

Last week we were supposed to have a full week of soccer.  Games on Monday, two on Tuesday, two on Thursday, and one on Friday.  Well, we had our game on Monday for Junior High and ended with a 0-0 draw.  They did a great job and learned a lot.  Tuesday they played again and ended up winning 2-0!  They didn't get the full game because of weather.

The High School game was cancelled by the ref because of weather.  Thursday both games were called because of rain and soggy fields.  Fridays game was cancelled, who knows why.  It was a frustrating week.

This week looks to be about the same.  We had training on Monday and it was gorgeous outside.  Today, Tuesday, it has been raining ALL day.  We are supposed to have games tonight...but I am not holding my breath.  I hope we can have them.  Thursday and Friday we are supposed to have games as well, but the weather forecast is not giving me warm fuzzy feelings.

Here's hoping we can play some soccer!

Taking Time

Sometimes in the busyness of life you lose sight of anything and everything.  The focus shifts to the 'have-to's' and 'right now's' and the 'just need to breathe's' get pushed by the wayside.  It is almost impossible to stay the course and not let it rule you.  I know this about myself and yet I can's seem to change it.  I see it coming and it still happens.

Here is where I am.  I am there-too busy and letting the calendar dictate what I focus on.  I hate that.  I need some down time and time to just be alone.  Time to be quiet.  Not time to nap, per se, but time to sit and be relaxed and still.

With my schedule, that doesn't happen very often if at all. 

I work Monday-Thursday 8:45-11:30 am.  Then I come home and try and answer any questions for school I can.  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons we have soccer training from 2-4.  Then I work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings from 4:45-8:30 pm-when we don't have soccer games.  Wednesday is date night but that only lasts until 8:15 when we have to pick up the first kid from small groups, the last being picked up at 9pm.  Friday nights we can have soccer games, kids working, church activities, checking the AYSO fields, etc. taking up the evenings.  Saturdays we have to be at the AYSO fields since we are on the board and then any number of activities from any of the kids after we have spent several hours walking around.  Sundays are church, board meetings, small group, kids activities, shopping, getting ready for the week...

Do you see what I mean?  I haven't gone grocery shopping in ages because-when?  I am at a loss as to when to do many things that are important but just not the 'have-to' right now that something else is. 

One thing that gets pushed aside regularly is time for me to just sit with no obligations or constraints.  It simply doesn't happen.  I know it is becoming a problem when my moods are continually sour and I can't seem to snap out of my bad mood.  That is when I need to stop and pull-back a little. 

I am there today.  I woke up knowing that I was headed for a melt down if I didn't stop today.  My choices were go to church and do all that entails or stay home, do my Bible study and breathe.  I chose to stay home.

Steven wasn't happy about it-he doesn't really get the whole thing but here I am.  I have finished my Bible study, spent a little time being still, and now I can focus on what else needs done today.  I will make my lists so I don't forget something and start marching to the calendar's beat again.

If you need me, check my calendar to see where I am next!

I only thought...

August of 2016...oh my.  I can not believe it has been that long since I have posted.  Well, yes I actually can.  Life seems to have gotten busier as the kids got older and I lost any semblance of control I ever had. 

I am just holding on. 

Barely.

What has changed since August of 2016?  Well, we got a new dog.  I started working again.  Sarah is a Senior in high school.  Hannah is a freshman.  Naomi started gymnastics.  And so many more things.  I wish I would have kept up and then we could look back on it and remember; as it is I have to use my oh so faulty memory to try and re-create the memories.  Looks like the girls will be missing a chunk of their lives to my brain fade!

The new dog.  Beau.  Bethany adopted him from a place in Kansas City that sold him to us sick.  We got past that and then he ate a lava rock.  I am not kidding.  He ended up needing emergency surgery or he was going to die.  We chose to have the surgery.  Many people have scoffed at us for that and even downright questioned our decision making abilities; but they are not in our shoes and have no say in what we do.  We did it and I don't regret it.  He survived the surgery and is recovering nicely.  And by that I mean he is huge and into everything!  He is a cutie patootie and I am sad to think about Beth moving out and taking him with her!!! 

My job...I started coaching gymnastics at the Y.  again.  It started out as a few morning classes and morphed into every morning but Friday and every evening except Wednesday.  I soon stopped working on Friday nights because soccer started and time evaporated from the schedule.  I actually love my job, the people, and especially the kids.  I love teaching them new skills and watching as they accomplish what they didn't think they could.  I am now teaching a competitive team and love watching them grow and get better as gymnasts.

On that note, Naomi started gymnastics in August and has since moved up the ladder and is getting ready to start on Team!  She works so hard and is determined to compete.  She also helps me teach in the mornings and is loved by all the kids. 

Sarah is graduating next month.  oy vey  She just recently got back from a missions trip to Canada and is planning on one to Peru this summer.  God called her to missions way back when she was a pixie girl with white curls and He has kept that plan for her.  She is excited to start this next phase of her life but I would be lying if I said I was just as excited.  I mean, I am, but I am also thinking of my momma's heart and how empty it will be without my Sarah in the house every day.  Why do they have to grow and follow God's path for them instead of staying with us forever?!  She is an amazing young woman that I am proud to call mine.

Hannah is a freshman and we are starting to look at college classes next year.  She is killing me with math and science!  I am glad that she loves them but I will be even more glad to have her ask the hard questions of someone else!  Oh yeah, she just broke her arm during soccer practice!  It is a minor break and will heal quickly but does make taking care of her extremely long hair a challenge.

Steven is still at his job.  Praise God he has stability and is doing something he enjoys.  We celebrate 25 years this May and it really only feels like 10 most days.  What a blessing to have someone willing to put up with me for this long. 

Speaking of my love, he bought me a new laptop to replace my ipad!  So now I can really keep up with the blog and not jump through stupid hoops to make it work on the ipad.  I love my ipad but blogging on it was infuriating.  We'll see how I do!

My girls and my man for Father Daughter Banquet.

My love and I.