Friday, January 16, 2009

I Can't Breath

Today was a much smoother day. We got school done, I moved thru the never ending laundry, and played with friends. I did a few haircuts, I do enjoy that (even when it's just my kids). Then I cooked a yummy dinner and had the Robbins family over. I'd like to take this time to say thank you to Aunt Candy for the "Ritz Chicken". I enjoy somthing I can put together so fast and it taste so yummy!! We put the wee ones down and watched Swing Vote. I wish more poeple could have seen this before election day!! I also wish it didn't have the language that it did. Really I enjoyed little miss Mer Mer sitting in my lap. She still sounds like an itty bitty even though she is talking and cracking us up all the time. Man why do they all grow so fast. Oh yeah I can't breath.... After all that, yes, around 10:30 we still worked out. No big deal you say, well then you have never done P90X. We did the cardio disc and I was literally wheezing. The other days make you work but this did evil things!! If you do not know what P90X is I encougrage you to look it up and see just how evil this Tony Horton can be. Although I may whine a bit it really is awesome. When you are in the middle of a workout you think you can't go on but you just push through it, and then as the cool down comes to an end I get giddy for the next day!!! I know I'm crazy but hey, anything that can make you want to spit nails and then ask for more must be great. Wish us luck as we try to be a healthy example to our childern and be able to keep up with their abundant energy.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

OK I'll Admit It!

I am here to say out loud that I am having a pity party for myself today. Yes it sounds even worse out loud. I, in the grand scheme of things, have nothing but a blessed life. But do you ever just have one of those days when its seems nothing makes you happy? Today is that day for me. Maybe it's the cold, or the ever reliable excuse of hormones, Ha! I think I've used that card before! My dear children seem to be in a funk too. Maybe I influenced them, maybe they sucked me into their slump. Which ever the case, we must all get out!!! So I laid them down, which at first didn't help my mood since they are trying to revolt against my ever loved nap time. I knew this day would come but all at the same time.....I'm not ready for that. So I decide to embrace the new phase of life and tell them they must rest and stay quite!!! This way I still get a little down time to do whatever, even if it is just doing laundry in peace!!





It was in this peace that I got some pictures uploaded and in doing so found my smile!! I love my family. I love pictures, they freeze for us memories that otherwise might get lost.








The next three pic are of Marshall's new pet! Yes he has a pet snail. He found it in our yard and so far it seems to like a few scrapsof fruit, leaves, and a bit of water. Talk about a free pet! At first I was kind of grossed out and Daddy still does not like to see it, but we both love Marshall's face when he takes care of it. After we decided that he could stay with the family, the boys and I did some research to learn about snails. We discovered that a snail can live up to 15 years...... sounds hardy enough. Lets see how we do, so far so good. I have posted a few pics, as per Marshall's request. If bugs bug you scroll fast then the pictures you really want to see are next.


























I present to you Lighting Boy!!!






Look at this face.



I love this smirk










Like I said I am finally getting caught up, so here are the fun times we had on New Year's Day. We hiked for 3miles and had fun most of the time. Here and some of the best shots.





Marshall finds a stick on every hike we go on even if we just walk around the block! We are starting to think we should get him a real walking stick that won't put an eye out!!




Parker is starting to love cameras and taking pictures of things. He tells us he is going to make movies!







Carson is my rock man. He thinks they are so pretty! He held these in his hand for a long time and then said they were too heavy but would not leave them behind, so he put them in his pocket. They almost pulled his pants down! Yes we still have them, they're part of Lightning Boy's new home!








These kids have no fear to find out where this trail will lead them.











This my dear friends, this is what makes me smile!!!!! It is my family that makes me smile, and a little venting to you, that keeps it all in perspective.






So off I go to stir my gumbo, take the cookies out of the oven, and cuddle up with my kiddos while we wait for daddy to come home and build us a fire. (Yes I can do it but I like it better when he makes its for me!! I know I'm spoiled.)








Tuesday, January 13, 2009

My Heavy Heart

Tonight I have sat and watched my family, almost with a sense of guilt. My children are happy and healthy, while our extended family members are fighting for the lives of their new babies. On January 8th 3 new cousins were born. That day one went to be with our Lord in Heaven free from this world's pain. But left behind is a mother and father and young sister who feel the pain very much. Yesterday there was a grave side service for little miss Lexie Grace Jones. And at the very same time one more child, little Jaden, was fighting for his life in his first heart surgery. He was not stable after this surgery and had a second less than 24 hours later. The second one they put in a pace maker and left his chest open saying the next 24-48 hours are critical. The mother of Lexie and Father of Jaden are siblings themselves, needless to say our Aunt and other family members hurt for one another right now. As I stated earlier there was a 3rd baby born on the 8th and he had been fine until you guessed it yesterday when he spit-up blood. They took him to the ER and so far things look to be alright with little Luke. Our Dear Granny has started having trouble with macular degeneration and after being to the doctor a few times it is not improving but getting worse. She is a lady that I would hope to someday be . Granny at 91 years young is the mother to 9 children, 20 grandchildren, and now the count of great grandchildren is up to 32!!! She has a sweet spirit and until just a few years back she was driving the "old" ladies to church!! She still makes meals for others and always has cookies when we come to visit. I love my family, the whole uncountable lot of them. I pray my children get a chance to know who their family is for many years to come. Pray for these children and their families. God's power and peace is what they need. I recently got this email and feel that it has a powerful message. I think this is so powerful. It proves our children watch us and how we treat family. If your spouse's family is the only family you pay attention to, be ready to say goodbye when your child grows up to marry. If you don't have time for the generations before you, don't expect to see your grandchildren. I realize some poeple grow up and never look back no matter how they were raised but God gave us a family for a reason.
The wooden bowl. I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl
tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year - old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess "We must do something about father," said the son.
"I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
"Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless.
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.
Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. On a positive note, I've learned that no matter what happens,
how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
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I promise more pictures next time.