Potluck Ponderings

I haven't enjoyed going to work this week.  I've really had a horrible attitude about leaving the kids every day of this last week of their break.  I've had trouble counting the blessings in the fact that I have a good job to go to...and that they have great people loving them while I'm away.  I've drug my feet getting ready, slammed things around while packing my lunch, complained about things that are small offenses, forgotten things that are necessary (nametag, lunch etc) because I'm distracted in my crumminess. It's a heart issue, I know that.  It's an issue that lies deep within being content in my circumstances.  There have been lots of times during this motherhood adventure that I would have been ELATED to have 4-5 hours away from the children...instead of counting the hours of every break from school they will have until they are in college and how I am MISSING 25 hours this week of those times... So, I admit I have been whiny and hard to dea...

I have been rowing my oars just trying to keep afloat, and not doing too well at it quite honestly.  It seems I have a different schedule every week...with a different routine...and a revolving to-do-list.  But, some big projects have been completed at our house during the last couple of weeks, with big finale celebrations at school today.  Emily's class has been studying History of the Middle ages this year.  It has been quite interesting as "she" learns facts about St. Augustine, the Viking invasion, St. Benedict, Otto I, Alfred the Great, The East-West Schism the council of Chalcedon...the topic for the past two weeks has been the Fuedal system.  It is culminating in a Medieval feast today complete with entertainment and (as authentic as the Mom's could get) authentic cuisine.  A project is also due today...a project that incited fear and excitement when it was announced on back to school night...a Medieval Castle.  Much thought went into the materi...

Overheard in preschool : Other 4 year old:   "OH MY GOD, I love cake!!!!" Third grader who happened by:  "Oh, we don't say the Lord's name in Vain" Nate:  with a shrug, "I just say it in English...." Next Week: Nate:  "My sister wants to be a teacher when she grows up" Teacher (Mrs. Cooke):  "She must have lots of patience" Nate:  "No...teachers don't have patients, they have kids" Previous week: Nate:  running by Mrs. Cooke "I got my own deoderant"

so after reasearching.... I do believe that I have all the possible causes....and at this rate, my eye will be twitching until heaven. Eye twitches can be caused by all kinds of things. In order to treat eye twitching you need to understand what the possible causes are in your specific case. Here is a list of the common eye twitch causes. Lack of sleep ( Treatment Page ): If you haven’t been getting enough sleep lately especially if it has been an ongoing issue this is a likely cause of your eye twitching. This is connected to general fatigue. Stress ( Treatment Page ): Events in your life that have caused you to become stressed out may be the reason you are suffering from eye twitches. This is connected to general fatigue. Fatigue ( Treatment Page ): General fatigue from overworking yourself or living a sedentary lifestyle is another possibility. It seems physical fatigue, which comes in many forms, is often a trigger for eye twitching. Screens(Comp/TV) ( Treatment Page ): ...

I got a call from UNC this morning regarding Nate's allergy testing/x-rays that we went up for last week. I was very impressed with the amount of time they spent with us, both the resident and the attending...as well as all the ancillary staff (respiratory therapists, lab techs and x-ray techs were wonderful!).  They want to see him again in a month and he will need to be off his zyrtec a couple of days so they can do skin prick testing at that visit (sshhhh, don't tell him!)  The biggest goal at this point seems to be to decide if his asthma is "true asthma" or asthma caused by allergies. The results gave us some great news, some unexpected news and things to watch: Nate is not allergic to any grasses, weeds or trees.  I think a positive here might have led down the path of desensitization shots. ((YUCK)) He is allergic (mildly) to dogs & cats---for now Dr. Duncan said to not allow the dog to be/sleep in his room (which she doesn't if we catc...

A few minutes ago I rudely interrupted Em "playing barbee's with Nate" (I didn't ask and don't want to know...I THINK he plays w/the barbie cars)...to ask her to feed the dog and take her laundry out to the garage (that's where we do laundry, you know).  I was going to put a load in the washer.  There was no sighing, no eye rolling...she obeyed immediately...with no complaining. I realized I hadn't heard her come back in and I put the paper down and went to sort her laundry and put a load in...when I got to the garage, I find her just working hard, sorting away and singing at the top of her lungs.  I backed away from the door and back to the newspaper! These sure are some sweet times in the parenting world!

and I am so very creative with the blog titles these days!  I feel as if this day has flown by.  It has been the bookend of a very busy week.  The kids are on fall break, and had different people love them during the hours I worked every day...and I am so THANKFUL!! for all that LOVE!  it just made the week seem to go extremely fast. Today's highlights included lots of sniffles and congestion for me...soccer games with possible 1st degree burns from the sun (Em's team won and she had some really good kicks)...a yard sale that was close & we picked up a few wonderful books (The Tale of Despereaux, A Nancy Drew Mystery #1 The Secret of the Old Clock, Black Beauty,and an abridged version of The Wizard of Oz for 8-12 yr olds and an American Girl book)  all 50 cents each except for the Nancy Drew which was hard back and $1.  The kids were invited to lunch with Granma after soccer---thank you G'ma & Auntie J!  I had a couple hours, some generic cold...

The one book that Joe strongly states I have to read the "whole time" he's in seminary...don't have to read anything else...but just this one book. ..I think it really made an impression on him. I'm starting it tonight, I'll let you know what I think...

to become what I need to be for the Lord to use me in His ministry...I can feel it. It's as if the Lord has ripped my heart from my body and has placed it on the anvil...it's painful, yet reassuring in an odd way...to know that as God looks at my brokeness...my sin...my misbehaviors...my tantrums...my misguided thoughts...my twisted motives... that He sees it all from an eternal perspective and what seems to be torture and suffering today may just be the remolding of my heart to be what He needs it to be for His glory....

Tuition at a private Classical Christian School.... $$$ Uniforms & materials fees... $$ School Supplies... $ Hearing that she is "doing just fine" adjusting and making friends from a trusted teacher and seeing straight A's on her first report card....priceless!!!

I know by now, y'all think I've done quit bloggin' and you're partly right...'cause I've been doin' a lot of livin'.  I will try my best to catch you up on the happenin's of life...if you cain't tell, I've spent some time in Ten-e-see (one of the funerals and then back to celebrate a birthday) and some in West Virginey (the wedding, or actually a wedding renewal to celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss & blisters)...and it was all great fun...when I can get MY computer to stay on for more than five minutes I will upload some pictures and share in great detail....until then....I'll try to get my voice back & be the 40-year old self I've grown into being.  Here's some tidbits to whet your appetite until then: the girl starts 4th (yes FOURTH) grade tomorrow at our local Christian school...God provided the means and I am thankful... the boy has another few weeks of down time before he will start pre-K I'm praying for his t...

It's a busy week for me...a full schedule, some new responsibilities at work (cardiology has a new prescription refill line), the last week of school for DD, a week with hubs buried in books a few hours away.  It was nice to fit in an impromptu dinner with a neighbor...glad I had the inspiration (too much food for us to eat) and the motivation (would have been mac & cheese AGAIN probably as I felt guilty about the nice meal I should have fixed) It was nice to share veggies that had been shared with us (thanks to some friends going on vacation and letting me pick up their Sandhills Farm to Table coop box)...nice to have kids fighting over whose going to get to sleep with Mom...nice to get a phone call from someone who misses us...nice to have friends and family loving our kids (hope the D kids got their snoozes)! this week is all about staying grateful...

Our second "annual" Women's ministry brunch is Saturday. Come, heads filled with ideas about fun things to do...what you need...and what getting those needs met could look like. Be prepared to laugh, cry...and eat! Now, I gotta put M&Ms on that shopping list...

Started with our traditional family dinner on THE day of the actual birthday, no matter what!!  This comes from Joe's growing up experience of celebrating holidays on a very crazy schedule with his mom being a nurse and working most actual holidays...Christmas would be "rescheduled" until the next day off...this scarred him for life, and as a result...we MUST celebrate holidays on their calendar day...sooo...enough said. She asked for Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli & cheese, yeast rolls and dirt cake...tinkertoys & a sleepover for friends on Friday...

She's ahead of me on the path. All legs and ponytail swishing. She's lanky and adjusting to a body that's changing everyday. She yells, "I'm taking that path and I'll meet you on the other side". She's yearning for a little independence. She doesn't even look back to see if I'm following. Her gaze is focused on her destination. She skips, hopscotches and takes the long way around. Then one foot flies one way and the other lands crooked and she goes down on the path. She stands up quickly, shakes it off, looks to see if I'm close by and continues skipping. I pause to look at the Azalea's...they didn't bloom in time for Easter this year, but they should be in glorious full bloom in a week or so, just in time for her 9th birthday. Nine years...If I close my eyes...and shut out the world... I can still smell her newborn fuzzy head, hear her first cry, see her first smile, and know one of the sweetest things in life is havin...

Dear Ms. Spring... Where did you go and when are you coming back?

Nate's soccer is really a skill development time, they have a short scrimmage against each other the last 15 minutes or so, but it is fashioned after European Futbol and the focus is really on skill develpment...

A FORTY-ith birthday party!  I couldn't believe it...nothing makes a girl's funk subside like feeling all that LOVE!  What a wonderful thing...and I REALLY was surprised.  Everyone involved had me convinced there would be no celebration.  My best friends took me out to dinner one night this week to "celebrate" at our favorite Japanese Restraunt (and had the waiters sing to me!), which was great and fun and the highlight of my week...donchya'll know.  I thought that was it.  Sweet Hubs said, "oh, we could go out to dinner if you really want to"...and reminded me of how busy our weekend was going to be.  I was like "never mind..."  "I'll be fine...I will not pout!"  Nothing like being old and grumpy!  and all the while....all the friends who kept asking me what was wrong KNEW that I was getting ready to be got! And it was one of the sweetest surprises of my life...and as I rounded the corner and spied the balloons and decorations...

The best part about Em's soccer this year is the color of the uniforms, haha!!  She's having fun and I got some great shots... and this is what happens to brothers who have to wait for a soccer game to be over...

  I don't know exactly why I'm in a funk...it makes no sense.  There are a thousand possible reasons why, yet no single one I can tighten my fingers around.  I always get sad and miss my momma, really all my family-.of-origin, on my birthday...when changes are sensed I long to run for the Hills (the TN hills) I start thinking about all the people who've come into (and some ultimately out of) my life...the bittersweetness of those friendships...those times...I get sentimental and feel urgency in letting everyone know what they've meant in my life. Abandonment has been a big theme that God has used over and over again in my life...the reality of being abandoned by those in life who should love the most...the fear of the possiblility of it...the acceptance that I may be abandoned by everyone but Him. I AM kinda tired, been staying up too late and running too much.  The van needs tires...we need to decide about a smaller car Joe has looked at for better gas mileage.....

I'm fourty...what a busy countdown week.  Wednesday was about all I thought I could handle...but then we ended up in the emergency department of our local hospital for a few hours getting these in Nate: After getting this done for the girl on Wednesday: Friday really was an uneventful follow up to all those activities.  Friday night was small group at church.  We had a great discussion and I think everyone seemed to be in a great mood.  We're wrapping up our current study and will be starting The Prodigal God, by Tim Keller which I'm very excited about reading and discussing. A baby shower followed on Saturday for a little sweet miss...lots of pink, lots of fun, lots of laughter...and pink punch.  I love it when the ladies get together...and it's so much sweeter now. Our pastor's wife did a devotion about mothering daughters that I'm still pondering...and want to read the book some of the ideas came from.  A thought I keep turning around is that ...

I've never known how to cook fish, so it's been a work in progress...so here's a new recipe that's a keeper!  The kids loved it...and I served it with wild rice and steamed veggies...couldn't get any healthier than this!

if.... Momma wakes up to the sound of the a bus going by...paniky not knowing for sure which one it was. All the clothes that were supposed to be laid out last night...well, didn't our bus is stopping at the neighbors and school work is strewed all over the kitchen table...teeth are not brushed and hair is not brushed...and where-o-where-is-your-coat... Someone thoughtfully programmed the coffee pot to automatically brew, but the thermal coffee pot starts overflowing because someone forgot to empty the leftovers from yesterday... a certain 4 year old comes proudly having decided not to put on what was laid out last night, but instead his own fashion creation of mismatched shoes, play pants w/holes in them, and the shirt he wore yesterday...with no socks...or underwear... after getting buckled in the car and down the street...somenone asks, "Is today show and tell..." but since none of those things happened TODAY...it was a yellin' free morning at our house!

Nate: "mommy is E (a friend's son) 2 or 4? Me: "He's 2" Nate: "Well, that's not far from 4" Nate: After a moment "Mommy, How did E's Mommy get the baby sissy in her tummy" Me: "Well, it's pretty cool...God made a very special way for Mommy's and Daddy's to grow a baby in Mommies' tummies kinda like planting a seed" Nate: "Can boys have babies" Me: "No, God just gave mommies the special parts to have a baby in their tummies" Nate: "I want you to get a baby in your tummy" Me: "Well, Mommies parts don't work to have babies anymore" Nate: "Mommy, how old do I have to be to play basketball...."

Obituary for Shirley Hicks Shirley Dianne Hicks, 62, of 66 Price Street, Jane Lew passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at her home surround by her family following an extended illness. She was born in Weston on September 17, 1947: daughter of the late Doy Wyant Jr. and Norma Jean (Miller) Wyant Gaston who survives of Weston. On October 27, 1967, she married Samuel Hicks, who survives. In addition to her mother and husband, Mrs. Hicks is survived by one daughter: Monica Michelle Hicks Rogers and husband Tom of Jane Lew and one son: Gregory Lance Hicks and wife Sarah of Clendenin, WV. Also surviving are three grandchildren Samantha Diane Rogers, Allison Joelle Rogers and Natalie Jean Rogers. She was also survived by one brother: James D. Wyant and wife Alanna of Fairmont and three nieces and nephews. Mrs. Hicks was an office manager for Standard Gas of Jane Lew. She was the mayor of Jane Lew for 10 years and was a member of the City Council of Jane Lew for 10 years prior...

God's still with us....and providing the Manna we need for today! The blessings abound. I dread the day this gets tedious and I am weary, I can see the shadow of it looming in the horizon. All is well and all are healthy...more soon I promise ;)

...and there I was in Disney World...all of my wildest dreams were being realized...I had MET THE MOUSE, eaten breakfast in Cinderella's castle, ridden the Dumbo and the Teacups...it was simply magical!!  So right, there in the middle of my dream of dreams vacation, I was obligated  happy to attend the WIC brunch, the one event during PCA General Assembly that childcare was provided. I am being quite dramatic here, I was actually excited to go to the brunch...hear Paul Tripp speak, maybe even experience a Susan Hunt sighting and peruse the CEP bookstore. What I did not plan on was being surrounded at brunch by women whose husbands had left their careers midlife to go into full time ministry.  As they asked about us (Ruling Elder or Teaching Elder?) and our journey I found myself sharing that my husband had completed one "trial" seminary class:   Bible Survey and that we were seeing where this all would VERY SLOWLY lead...

from Walgreens in the mail today if I'll transfer a prescription for each check. UUGGHH! I've had a horrible experience there for the last several times that we've had prescriptions faxed from our doctor's offices. One Saturday when Nate had pneumonia there was a three hour wait and a bunch of irate folks waiting for flu shots...it was awful! So, on a friends recommendation I tried Towne Center Pharmacy on Bennett Street....LOVED it! It reminds me of the Burgie Drug Store at home...hometown service and with all our health events these past few weeks, I think they already know me by name! The wait, so far has been negligible...20 minutes at most. One of those times it was on a Saturday and one of the drugs didn't come through on fax and the Pharmacist came around the counter, explained that they were calling and apologized for my inconvenience. I wanted to hug her neck! So, I ask you....is the $50 bribe worth it...

  sick people   antibiotics   hubs studying Greek   work   laundry   dishes   meals   a baby shower   a busy Missions week at church   lots of coffee   car repairs...van & truck   an unexpected morning home   provision   a cup running over but in case I sound weary, I know...Our Lord is in control...and sometimes He calms the storms and other times He calms me...I'm just so thankful for peace and calmin of the Holy Spirit! Oh, by the way a new blog to check out by one of my bloggy friends and in person aquaintaces Amanda ;) who is quite passionate about living a frugal life & saving money...check it out!