Once a week I have a standing lunch date with each of the children. I look forward to the individual time with them. When all three of them are home during the summer I have to be more intentional in special time, but with each school year I am afforded the opportunity to relish them for at least 30 minutes a week. It is never enough time. All the same however I am one of very few parents whom the school is on a first name basis with for a good reason. They see me at least once a week at the preschool and twice a week at the elementary school. They are all familiar with my face, my children and my family. This is a good thing. I would rather this be the reason the school knows my family so well rather than the alternative.
As the holidays are quickly approaching, so is the realization that orders will be coming soon. This will be our last big move. Hubby will retire in a year and the kids will no longer switch schools, states or districts unless We decide. I have been letting the schools and teachers know that we will not be here for the entire school year since the start of this school year. I have made no commitments to the schools or teachers, only doing the things I can when I can, to assist however I can. I let them all know last school year that they would have me and my family for as long as the Army allows and then we will move on.
Before we moved from Ohio, the elementary school Goosie went to greatly looked forward to Miniman attending their school. When I called over the summer and let the principal know that we had moved and sent along the records release papers, she voiced her disappointment. The sadness in her voice was palpable. But there was nothing I could do. Again I heard the sadness and disappointment today. Apparently Bitty-bit has been a source of exuberance for the office staff at the elementary school. They get to keep an eye on her and a few other bus riders from the preschool until the buses are loaded and ready to go home from the elementary school. Brainstorming was already happening and a kindergarten teacher being narrowed down for her, until I broke the news once again today. Yes, Hubby would be coming down with orders soon and no, I don't think we will be here for Christmas holiday's.
Apparently I am not the only one who sees Bitty-bit's strong personality. Upon meeting her some would think that she is the oldest, but she is the opposite. Bitty-bit has a strong will, but she also has compassion. I have seen her take charge and lead in her preschool class, but I have also seen her willing to step out and conquer whatever may lay ahead. So long as it doesn't involve cleaning her room. Each of the children have strong determination. Goosie allows herself to get overwhelmed at times and makes mountains out of mole hills. But the moment you tell her she can't do something, she will work like crazy to prove you wrong (like me). Miniman wants to get things done the right way according to him, sometimes it takes him a little longer. But his work is always complete and neat. Bitty-bit well, you can sum her up with one phrase: if there is a will there is a way. And she will find both!
The one thing that I have heard many times is that our children are well adjusted. No matter where we move, what house we live in or any thing else. The children thrive. I thank the Lord for that. With out Him I could not be the parent they need me to be. I remember praying over each of them while they were being knit together.~ Lord, make them strong. Make them whole. Make them yours. Mold me into the parent they need me to be and not the one society tells me I have to be. Give them a heart that seeks after you and assist me in guiding them. ~ Are our children perfect No, but they are ours. God fashioned them in such a way to challenge us so that we would draw closer to him, and so that we could show them how to do the same. For that reason alone I count them as as blessing from the Lord. Until next time dear readers, Be Blessed!
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
School Projects and Blessings
Last week in the midst of the chaos with Hubby I had the usual to keep me busy as well as Goosie's last minute extra credit school project. I quickly looked up information on salt dough and slime (the original poster calls it flubber, but it is slime to me). After finding a usable map and printing it out. Goosie and I set about the task of making her project. Her other classmates had weeks to put theirs together, we had days.. and a family crisis to boot. All in all it didn't turn out too badly.
Goosie did the shaping, carving, painting and separating the state into various regions. I mixed the dough, assisted with the slime, provided dash marks for carving and hot glue gun work for the mountains. Now Goosie has another project. This one she will get to explode in class. Not really blow it up, just watch the teacher make her volcano erupt. I never did any of these projects in school. The closest I came to something of this caliber was when I made a "cell" cake. Even then it was a bust. I had insisted on making it from scratch and used too much salt.. ugh. Back on track.. I am thankful God gave me a creative mind. I am just sad it took so long to find it sometimes. Goosie is making wonderful headway on the volcano. Her teacher sent home a dough recipe and although I had to use more food coloring then I would have liked, Goosie is excited. We started with a shoe box, lined it with foil and made sure the seams were taped down. Then I had Goosie look up images of volcanoes so that she would have an idea of what she wanted hers to look like. She drew a picture, we made more salt dough and after finding a bottle for the interior she sculpted her volcano. The remaining salt dough was used to line the shoe box so that Goosie can create a scene. While all of that dough is drying she is helping me make tree's. They start as q-tips and the first set look like palm trees, the next ever greens and the third will be bushes. Ninety tree's in all, then the dinosaurs will show up. We need all the trees because the dinosaurs are all herbivorous. Here are the steps to making the tree's.
Goosie has painted the q-tips and cut the feathers. I have done the measuring, cutting and hot gluing of rest. I found some green garland for the evergreen tree's and will work on those with her today. We have enough paint and slime left from her last project that I didn't need to make anymore. I promise to post a picture, but it may be a while in coming since we have the rest of October to work on it.
Miniman and Bubbles are staying busy with salt dough, paint, paper and just about anything else they can get their hands on, while Goosie and I are working. Hubby helps when he is home. It can get a little overwhelming sometimes. Goosie and I have started singing together when we work on her project. I will pull out my personal song book and teach her a tune or two while we work. I have come top understand why my Mom would always let me take the melody when she and I would sing together. There is a joy that can be found when you hear your little one lift up their voice to praise The Maker of Heaven and Earth. I want so badly to quiet myself, just to listen to her clear small voice ring out through the house. Only chiming in when she needs help with the tune or misplaces a word. My children are a gift, a blessing from the Lord and I will not forget. Nor will I forget that He gave me a helpmate who see's me as just that, a helpmate. Until next time dear readers, Be Blessed!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Just a regular Friday please..
Yesterday morning I awoke with thoughts of heaven. I leaned over Bitty-bit to reach Hubby and said: " I am so thankful we are both saved. When we get to heaven we will have new bodies; they will not know pain, suffering, sickness or disfigurement. We will be made whole, wonderful and we will still be together then." We kissed and then commenced to our morning routine of waking the children and getting them ready for the day ahead. Breakfast was served, children dressed and we were all off and ready for the day. Hubby only had two appointments and I expected him home at a decent time. I was off to a field trip with Bitty-bit to discover the wonders of the pumpkin patch, honey bee's and a four year old's laughter.
I don't usually go on school field trips with the children. I insist that Hubby does, so that they have special time together. I hoard the children to myself at times (being a stay at home Momma affords me that) while he goes off to work and miss' the many wonderment's of childhood that I see daily. Bitty-bit and I rode the bus together and then sweated it out under the warm southern sun. I had forgotten that it doesn't get cold in the south as soon as it does in the north. After scampering through the corn maze. She and I looked at the honey bee's busy with their task, pet the goats, made funny faces at the lowing calf and finally picked the perfect two pumpkins. We all then loaded back into the school buses sleepy and hot. The windows were down, adults chatted over the din of wind and some children fell heavy in laps while others were still filled with exuberant energy. Bitty-Bit and I said good bye at the school, she wanted to ride the bus home and I found my way back to the two puppy boys itching for attention.
I had thought that the most exciting part of my day was over. The children clambered off the bus and after devouring snacks homework was started, then completed. Goosie was working on her extra credit work, Miniman wanted to sculpt and paint clay as well, Bitty-Bit was content to paint as many pictures as her paint and brush would allow. Hubby called to say he wouldn't make it home in time for me to go to the PTA meeting that night and was going to ask one of the guys from the office if they could come help for a minute. I started dinner as help arrived. Shortly there after..I just wanted a regular Thursday night.
Hubby walked into the kitchen and looked strange. His usual pristine uniform was cut, bloodied and dirty. He had a bloody nose and there were cuts on his hands. As I took in his appearance I asked: " Honey, What happened?" He responded with " I don't know" Then I watched as his knees buckled. I ran forward to catch his head. I didn't want it to fall on the floor knowing there is only concrete under the linoleum. He was out. I called 911, with the phone ringing in my ear I checked his pulse and breathing. The sparse training I had for emergencies was no where to be found. When the operator came on the line I did my best to tell her what happened. I am certain she could only make out frantic woman with someone in urgent need of help on the other end. I couldn't remember my phone number but I did remember to tell her that he was unresponsive, but breathing. I tried to tell her what my impossibly frozen brain didn't want to comprehend. That there was something terribly wrong with my husband and there was nothing I could do to fix the situation or make it better on my own. I don't remember my exact words, but when she gave me direction I did as I was told. The guy from the office helped me turn him onto his back and shortly there after he came to. That's when the call ended. Hubby was lucid enough to start giving me directions for his emergency care. As quickly as I could I loosed his belt and boots. I checked for his keys, phones and wallet. The only two things I didn't find were his GOC(government owned cell phone) and his wallet. This I made a mental note of but pressed on. Goosie stepped in and grabbed two pillows to prop up Hubby's feet and when the medic's arrived I was leaning over Hubby asking him what he remembered.
As the paramedic's clambered into what now seems a too narrow hall way. I was asked to step away as they took over. One distracted me with questions as two others deftly worked over Hubby. When the police officer came I was outside, the children had been sent upstairs and Hubby was still splayed on the floor in the kitchen. I was looking for his wallet and GOC. I answered questions again to the best of my ability but it was all just a blur.When I went in again to check on Hubby I was asked to leave they said as kindly as possible "Mam, you don't need to see this." I turned away thankful the children were upstairs. They had already seen their Daddy fall and Mommy close to lose it. The last thing they needed to see was anything I didn't need to see either. I tried calling those I know locally, but my mind was honestly blank. I could only think of calling my sister I. Of all my sisters her schedule is at times the most flexible I called and told her I needed her. I am sure the rest was incoherent (as she later told me). The next call I made was to my Mom. Yes, I know she is in California but when I need my Momma, I need my Momma. While I was on the phone with my Mom my friend R called. I had posted a cry for help on Facebook, she was on her way. No questions asked no explanation warranted. She knew I needed her and she came. When I finally got through to someone local they came over to help with the children. Hubby had left for the hospital some time before ( I ached to go with him and was angry that I couldn't, but my babies..). By the time J and her hubby got to the house two ours later, my sister I and niece M were pulling in.
J and her hubby drove me to the hospital. I took what I needed for an over night stay. I had no clue what condition Hubby was in nor what lay ahead of us. I did take a moment to pray. My Mom and sister I had prayed with me as well that night, but peace didn't envelop me until after I bowed my head to pray, thanking God for my wonderful Hubby the life we share, the joys and the sorrows. Afterwards I knew everything was going to be okay. Even if it wasn't an outcome that my head didn't want to grasp, in my heart I knew we would all be okay. The words I woke up with that morning came back to my ear and I was thankful for them once again. When we arrived at the hospital I rushed to be at his side. Once I was there, he was talking politics. That man of mine, I love him so severely.
R and her family arrived in time to give us a ride home. In my frantic grab and go thoughts I didn't think of clothing. Hubby arrived home last night in paper scrubs. But he arrived home. We all got the full story after the older children were tucked into bed. Bitty-bit is always the first to fall asleep, that night was no exception. Hubby's evening wen't something like this:
He was on his way to the office to switch out vehicles before heading home. As he was driving down the road he saw someone walking that fit the physical description of being eligible to join the military. So he stopped, asked the guy if he would like a ride and would listen to Hubby talk to him about his options in the military. Let me stop here and say that Hubby has actually recruited a few people this way. At some point the guy asked Hubby if he could make a call. The guy did so and sent a text. A short while later the guy asked Hubby to stop stating that he was okay to walk further. Hubby exited the vehicle to bid the guy farewell and let him know that the military didn't look like a viable option. About this time something hit Hubby on the back of the head. What ever it was broke and knocked Hubby down. When he got up Hubby only saw the one guy. Hubby got back into the vehicle and started beating on the guy. As the guy was pilfering through the vehicle looking for valuables and money. As Hubby was pounding the guy, apparently the guy was cutting Hubby with something. When the guy relented Hubby took off the guy fell out as the vehicle sped off. Hubby came home.
I was shaken last night. Even after Hubby was home sleeping soundly as he could in our bed I still woke up often in the night thankful that he was still there beside me. Did the guy make off with some stuff? Yes, but anything on earth pales in comparison to those we love who we share our lives with. Whether as friends or lovers, acquaintances or someone we just happen to meet in passing. Everyone we meet has an impact on us. I know the guy my Hubby met yesterday will make me ever thankful for just a regular Thursday..or even a Friday for that matter. As long as I can share it with those I care about for as long as we can. That is one of the true treasures of life. Until next time dear readers, Be Blessed.
I don't usually go on school field trips with the children. I insist that Hubby does, so that they have special time together. I hoard the children to myself at times (being a stay at home Momma affords me that) while he goes off to work and miss' the many wonderment's of childhood that I see daily. Bitty-bit and I rode the bus together and then sweated it out under the warm southern sun. I had forgotten that it doesn't get cold in the south as soon as it does in the north. After scampering through the corn maze. She and I looked at the honey bee's busy with their task, pet the goats, made funny faces at the lowing calf and finally picked the perfect two pumpkins. We all then loaded back into the school buses sleepy and hot. The windows were down, adults chatted over the din of wind and some children fell heavy in laps while others were still filled with exuberant energy. Bitty-Bit and I said good bye at the school, she wanted to ride the bus home and I found my way back to the two puppy boys itching for attention.
I had thought that the most exciting part of my day was over. The children clambered off the bus and after devouring snacks homework was started, then completed. Goosie was working on her extra credit work, Miniman wanted to sculpt and paint clay as well, Bitty-Bit was content to paint as many pictures as her paint and brush would allow. Hubby called to say he wouldn't make it home in time for me to go to the PTA meeting that night and was going to ask one of the guys from the office if they could come help for a minute. I started dinner as help arrived. Shortly there after..I just wanted a regular Thursday night.
Hubby walked into the kitchen and looked strange. His usual pristine uniform was cut, bloodied and dirty. He had a bloody nose and there were cuts on his hands. As I took in his appearance I asked: " Honey, What happened?" He responded with " I don't know" Then I watched as his knees buckled. I ran forward to catch his head. I didn't want it to fall on the floor knowing there is only concrete under the linoleum. He was out. I called 911, with the phone ringing in my ear I checked his pulse and breathing. The sparse training I had for emergencies was no where to be found. When the operator came on the line I did my best to tell her what happened. I am certain she could only make out frantic woman with someone in urgent need of help on the other end. I couldn't remember my phone number but I did remember to tell her that he was unresponsive, but breathing. I tried to tell her what my impossibly frozen brain didn't want to comprehend. That there was something terribly wrong with my husband and there was nothing I could do to fix the situation or make it better on my own. I don't remember my exact words, but when she gave me direction I did as I was told. The guy from the office helped me turn him onto his back and shortly there after he came to. That's when the call ended. Hubby was lucid enough to start giving me directions for his emergency care. As quickly as I could I loosed his belt and boots. I checked for his keys, phones and wallet. The only two things I didn't find were his GOC(government owned cell phone) and his wallet. This I made a mental note of but pressed on. Goosie stepped in and grabbed two pillows to prop up Hubby's feet and when the medic's arrived I was leaning over Hubby asking him what he remembered.
As the paramedic's clambered into what now seems a too narrow hall way. I was asked to step away as they took over. One distracted me with questions as two others deftly worked over Hubby. When the police officer came I was outside, the children had been sent upstairs and Hubby was still splayed on the floor in the kitchen. I was looking for his wallet and GOC. I answered questions again to the best of my ability but it was all just a blur.When I went in again to check on Hubby I was asked to leave they said as kindly as possible "Mam, you don't need to see this." I turned away thankful the children were upstairs. They had already seen their Daddy fall and Mommy close to lose it. The last thing they needed to see was anything I didn't need to see either. I tried calling those I know locally, but my mind was honestly blank. I could only think of calling my sister I. Of all my sisters her schedule is at times the most flexible I called and told her I needed her. I am sure the rest was incoherent (as she later told me). The next call I made was to my Mom. Yes, I know she is in California but when I need my Momma, I need my Momma. While I was on the phone with my Mom my friend R called. I had posted a cry for help on Facebook, she was on her way. No questions asked no explanation warranted. She knew I needed her and she came. When I finally got through to someone local they came over to help with the children. Hubby had left for the hospital some time before ( I ached to go with him and was angry that I couldn't, but my babies..). By the time J and her hubby got to the house two ours later, my sister I and niece M were pulling in.
J and her hubby drove me to the hospital. I took what I needed for an over night stay. I had no clue what condition Hubby was in nor what lay ahead of us. I did take a moment to pray. My Mom and sister I had prayed with me as well that night, but peace didn't envelop me until after I bowed my head to pray, thanking God for my wonderful Hubby the life we share, the joys and the sorrows. Afterwards I knew everything was going to be okay. Even if it wasn't an outcome that my head didn't want to grasp, in my heart I knew we would all be okay. The words I woke up with that morning came back to my ear and I was thankful for them once again. When we arrived at the hospital I rushed to be at his side. Once I was there, he was talking politics. That man of mine, I love him so severely.
R and her family arrived in time to give us a ride home. In my frantic grab and go thoughts I didn't think of clothing. Hubby arrived home last night in paper scrubs. But he arrived home. We all got the full story after the older children were tucked into bed. Bitty-bit is always the first to fall asleep, that night was no exception. Hubby's evening wen't something like this:
He was on his way to the office to switch out vehicles before heading home. As he was driving down the road he saw someone walking that fit the physical description of being eligible to join the military. So he stopped, asked the guy if he would like a ride and would listen to Hubby talk to him about his options in the military. Let me stop here and say that Hubby has actually recruited a few people this way. At some point the guy asked Hubby if he could make a call. The guy did so and sent a text. A short while later the guy asked Hubby to stop stating that he was okay to walk further. Hubby exited the vehicle to bid the guy farewell and let him know that the military didn't look like a viable option. About this time something hit Hubby on the back of the head. What ever it was broke and knocked Hubby down. When he got up Hubby only saw the one guy. Hubby got back into the vehicle and started beating on the guy. As the guy was pilfering through the vehicle looking for valuables and money. As Hubby was pounding the guy, apparently the guy was cutting Hubby with something. When the guy relented Hubby took off the guy fell out as the vehicle sped off. Hubby came home.
I was shaken last night. Even after Hubby was home sleeping soundly as he could in our bed I still woke up often in the night thankful that he was still there beside me. Did the guy make off with some stuff? Yes, but anything on earth pales in comparison to those we love who we share our lives with. Whether as friends or lovers, acquaintances or someone we just happen to meet in passing. Everyone we meet has an impact on us. I know the guy my Hubby met yesterday will make me ever thankful for just a regular Thursday..or even a Friday for that matter. As long as I can share it with those I care about for as long as we can. That is one of the true treasures of life. Until next time dear readers, Be Blessed.
Monday, October 1, 2012
I have been on a Pinterest kick lately. If I can find some thing on the site that tickles my fancy I pin it. I have pinned a lot. I also have made a deal with myself that I wont pin something unless I am willing to try it. Here are a few I have tried:
And this one:
This one:
This one:
And those are just the crafty ones! I have also tried some recipes:
This one is soo good!
So is this one:
This one too:
This one was a bit dry..
I make this one a lot:
There are so many more! And so much you can do! I am addicted and have to set a timer to remind myself when to get off. I am thankful that I am trying as many things as I can as far as my pins. It is always good to try something new. After all a mind like a parachute is of it's best use when it is open. Until next time dear readers.. Be Blessed!
And this one:
This one:
This one:
And those are just the crafty ones! I have also tried some recipes:
This one is soo good!
So is this one:
This one too:
This one was a bit dry..
I make this one a lot:
There are so many more! And so much you can do! I am addicted and have to set a timer to remind myself when to get off. I am thankful that I am trying as many things as I can as far as my pins. It is always good to try something new. After all a mind like a parachute is of it's best use when it is open. Until next time dear readers.. Be Blessed!
Being a Stay at Home Momma
I don't work outside of the home, but I do work. I make sure all the bills are paid, their is food on the table ( I cook 2 out of 3 meals a day and prepare the 3rd) and my husbands/the kids lunches are packed.All of the laundry and cleaning falls on my shoulders. I also take care of the up keep of the out side of house.I don't get sick days, half days or vacation. In fact when we go on vacation it is more work for me with all the packing, planning and so forth.
By some people's definition I don't work. Is it hard to live on one income? Sometimes, yes. Am I grateful that Hubby has work and I am able to stay home. Yes. Would it cost us more if I worked outside of the home? If you figure in child care cost (4 yr old) and after school care (6 & 8 yr old's) we would be paying as much in childcare/after school care costs alone as I would be making. By clipping coupons, making everything I can from scratch and rarely eating out I am actually saving my family money. How would I feel if his income all of a sudden were gone? I can't tell you, but I would be finding what ever outside job I could to help. Please (general public) don't assume that a parent that stays at home does so to be lazy. Sometimes it is more cost effective for their family.
When you have a one income family, that one income sustains the family. So if it goes.. not only the one making it would feel the stress. Do I know things are hard out there, yes, I do and I try to help whenever I can. I give people rides when I see them walking down the street. Buy someone a meal if their holding up a sign saying they are hungry. I donate food to the food banks and clothes to the shelters. I am no saint, but neither am I out of work. I just don't get paid for what I do in money. I was wondering how much I would get paid for all I do.. so I found a website that figured out my salary for me. If you are interested in finding out for yourself you can find it here. By taking the quick salary quiz I discovered that if I were to get paid for my job I would get a whopping $115,908.00 a year! I wish I could just save my family that much! I may have to go and print myself out a check for every year I have been a stay at home mom and hang it on the wall (lol)!
All joking aside, I know how much my hard work is worth to my little big family and that is more than enough payment for me. But being a stay at home mom means you are creative and flexible I am able to enjoy lunch with each of my little ones once a week. I am also able to volunteer at their schools and assist Hubby with his Dr's appointments. There are many things I may give up like working with my peers and getting out of the house to go to work every day. But there is so much more gained. Hubby is in the Army and we move a lot. To find professional work that pays well for me is not easy. So in the past I have worked fast food jobs, drive in movie theaters and even had a home business for a while. None of that really did anything for me, except help a little financially And to be honest to find an employer who was willing to work with me (Hubby has crazy hours sometimes) wasn't always easy. Hubby and I always made it work. With the next move looming I am already preparing our finances for the big change that is coming. I also am preparing myself for the switch of Hubby taking care of house/home and myself heading off to a nine to five. It will be an interesting transition, and I am confidant that we will come out on top. Thank you all for reading my rant and keeping us in your prayers! Until next time dear readers, Be Blessed!
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