Monday, May 18, 2009

may update

Phew, it's the end of May and been a while since I've stopped by!

Currently I am silent... literally; well, unless I slip a tiny bit. I am having problems with my voice not working, so am on a 'vocal rest' until Thursday. If it is still troubling me, off to a specialist. I do think it is slowly getting better, though. My problems began about a month ago when I thought I was getting a chest cold. I really noticed the pain in my upper chest when I was swimming and running. Then, my sinuses began hurting when swimming deep and about three weeks ago I coughed and coughed for two nights. The following day, no sinus pain, no coughing, no voice. Isn't that ridiculous! At first it was sort of a novel thing. Now, not so exciting! I am missing some good relationship time with my family... BUT, I also know that God can use this to teach me how to listen.

I am in a cool, new singing group and we are scheduled to sing in June... the kids and I are supposed to sing in a wedding next month, and Memorial wkend, we are slated to sing for Grandpa Webster's committal service. God may have some different ideas. What if I never sing? What if I were to lose my talking forever? Am I willing to follow a path I don't want and still praise and love the Lord? I want the answer to be 'yes'. In light of that, there is no room for grumbling, but I need to live this opportunity to be faithful to God's calling. I wonder what direction this road will lead? Whatever that my be, I want to embrace the forks in the road. :)

The three youngest are making up stories at the kitchen table while eating strawberry-rhubarb pie. Chris is telling a scary story, and Stephen is getting scared.... I'm thinking I need to send them to bed... soon.

School is wrapping up for the year. Ya! All of us are ready. I don't know what courses Kendra will be taking her junior year. There are some tough decisions ahead. Colleges, goals, money, majors and prep. for SATs, ACTs, etc. It's a little daunting. We soon have to decide whether or not Kendra should take AP classes; and where, and if any, how many. How hard should the work load be? Also, community service projects are desirable on a college application; so where is the balance between academics, sports and community projects. Sometimes I feel our society works people to death. Well- rounded seems like really just being an activity slave. Also, do we work for scholarships? Homeschooling makes that aspect a real difficulty. It's something we need God's direction. Each decision echoes toward the future... I need to remember to pray more about this.

Well, it's 9:19 and my kids are still giggling! So, good night. Since I'm not talking, I may come by more often!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A poetic thought

the cozy white blanket of winter is being gently folded back by the warm hand of spring.

after running on the treadmill, i went outside to cool down. what an incredible evening.... you could feel spring in the air. it was wonderful.

that's it..... my one poetic thought :)

Friday, March 13, 2009

March 13, 2009

Today we celebrated Rick's 41st birthday! YAH! We sent him lots of e-mails and had his favorite meal (tacos and corn) .... and birthday cake.... Yes, my husband is very high maintenance! lol.
We borrowed a good movie and we'll watch it together this weekend. Rick is so great. I'm so happy to have known him for nineteen years.

I started swimming this week in prep. for lifeguarding classes.... no dates yet. I was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to do the 10# weight requirement. But, for the last two days, I have practiced swimming on my back with hands in the air, and next week will start adding weight. It wasn't bad, and I am more hopeful. I have been running 3-4 miles on the treadmill, and have just added a tiny bit of core work. I really don't want to be stressed about making it into the class.

The highlight of the week was going to Kendra's indoor track awards night at Sparetime Bowling. She received the Female Coaches Award, and the JT trophy..... and her name will be engraved on a plaque at the school. This is a big deal honor. I couldn't believe a homeschooler would be given that award. Kendra has really been thinking about her priorities and the role track should play, so will see what happens.

Tonight - as we ate supper, Stephen gave me a reason to smile. We were discussing how good the food was, and Steve said he thought my food was better than McDonalds....... I'm really not sure if that is such a great compliment; but I'll take it. Well, he did add that the ice cream is better than my cooking; but since I don't make ice cream, I wasn't offended. :)

Chris and I have big projects lined up tomorrow. I'm not sure I'll be up for some of the tasks.... One is fixing a wire on the go-cart. Mechanical stuff is not my strength..... even changing the oil on the go-cart sent me calling my dad! Also, we need to fix the mailbox that was plowed over in the last snowstorm, and then fix one of our barstools. If you read this on Sat.... perhaps you wouldn't mind shooting up a few prayers on our behalf.

I think the hightlight of the weekend for Mariah will be the sleepover she has scheduled on Sat. night with her sister. It's a sweet thing Kendra is doing for a very sweet person. Mariah has a big list written re: ideas about what to do.

Time doesn't stop. When good people do fun things for my children it reminds me that I would like to do fun things with them, too! I am with them all day and have so many seconds to enjoy them. We do enjoy being together; but that extra love is just priceless.

Friday, February 27, 2009

company

What a week! Monday morning, 3:30..... Rick was out snowblowing over 18 inches of heavy white stuff. Mailbox was plowed down, power was out; no piano lesson for Kendra, and homeschool co-op ... cancelled.
Thus, a regular school day. But, Monday was really our only normal day!

I have been praying that God would use me and my family in some real way. I want to love people better. So, Kendra asked if we could give her friend, Kelley, a 16th b-day party Tues. She's going through a tough time and had a terrible party at her house. "Ya, sure," I said. Well, everything was going so smoothly.... until I was about to serve up dinner. Kell is pretty dramatic; and burst into tears, called her dad and asked him to pick her up! No, it wasn't the food; just a tough time in her life. Thankfully, she decided to stay, and we had a really good time.

Wednesday was a make-up school day for our co-op. We hosted the high school classes at our house; with kids coming around 2:30. Of course their younger brothers and sisters and moms were here, too. What fun! After class, people stayed for go-cart rides, sliding, ping pong, some played the piano and guitar, and then we roasted hotdogs and marshmallows around the wood stove. What a cool bunch of people!

Thursday, I had invited a homeschool mom and two of her children over because our Rec. director mentioned that this family would like to know more Poland homeschoolers. He asked if I'd call her. I did, she came, and we had a lovely time. Cindy has seven children, three grown. She and her husband attend the same church as some of our friends. They have a son Chris's age, so I really hope this could be an opportunity for him to connect with someone. This boy wasn't here yesterday, so we'll probably get together again.

Then, last night, the kids and I went to Mark and Robin's Bible study. Rick was at a late meeting with one of his reps., so couldn't be there. A man came for the first time, he attends our church, but may or may not know Jesus yet. That's one thing I love about our church, there are so many different types of people who attend; lots of opportunities. Anyway, the kids and I enjoyed the group, as well as having a chance to talk about faith, salvation, and other topics. It's a good discipleship-teaching class.

Today, I thought..... Friday, a normal day. Well, my friend, Nancy called and asked if I could watch her two boys while she went to work this afternoon. It was another chance to love people. You know, with all the activity, the kids still finished their schoolwork for the week, and we were all blessed! The crew, myself included, might be a little tired, but we are happy.

Tonight, we're wrapping up with a family movie.

Loving people is very rewarding.

Friday, February 13, 2009

activity update--Feb.13-09

I am at the library, waiting for Mariah's band lesson to finish, so thought I'd blog. The next few days, if all goes according to schedule, we will be swimming in the East Autralian Current of the Ocean of Life! Rock on, man! I need to get my house cleaned and food purchased before acceleration.... plus homeschool finished for the day!
FRIDAY
12:30-1:00 p.m - M/Band
2:15-3:30 - K/Track
6:00-8:00 -C/Basketball (coach will pick him up)
6:30-9:00 -Fireproof (movie at the church)

SATURDAY
8:00a.m.- mid-afternoon - C/Basketball tournament
8:00 -K/Track practice
4:15 p.m.-CJ/church practice for women's group
5:00 C/church
7:00 - Burgess' over for dessert
8:00 - Teen church

SUNDAY
8:30 a.m. -church (both services)
2:00-4:00 p.m. - The Event practice (Easter drama)
5:45 - friends over for supper

MONDAY
State Track Meet

I could get seriously overwhelmed..... but am not :) We will walk where God wills us in that moment. I believe it will be great!

One thing Chris has learned...... He likes basketball for fun, not for the intense competition. Next year, we will stick to Rec. games and not the extra tournaments.

OK, Mariah should be ready and I'd better get to the school.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

January 31-Feb. 1

Last night, all of us went to Bates College and saw a performance entitled, "Shangi Asia". WOW- the college has many Asian students, so they put on a show demonstrating their native dances, music and costumes. Beautiful, fun and well-done. Even our 7-year old enjoyed it! Our oldest normally goes to teen church on Sats., and wasn't too happy to miss. She was glad she went, too!

College, sigh! We're thinking, exploring and praying about it.

2 years to go....

Rick update, update

For those of you who read my Rick update, I feel like I'd better update my update. Rick's cold has run its course, thankfully! So, he's full-steam ahead.

Of course, economic times haven't changed, BUT, we get to change through them. We all get to grow as people and as Christians, and my husband is growing. Work is a faith-stretching time; as well as the financial decision we have made to God. The Lord has never been unfaithful, though, SO, unless that happens, we will obey.

Just for the record, Rick and I are also growing closer as married -- best friends --. I'm thinking we're getting better with age.... TOO COOL! We've been married for 18 1/2 years! Other than becoming a Christian, it was the best decision I ever made!

That closes the Rick update.... for now :)