Monday, July 9, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday
Well it is Monday. We had Ashley's birthday party, Evan's birthday (his party is next weekend) and church and a family over for fellowship lunch on Sunday. We had a busy but great weekend full of family and friends. I feel great about what we accomplished this weekend and look forward to a great week.
In a side note, my niece is back in the hospital. As you can say, the party is over. All I can say is that I feel for her, not because what she has done, but because of what she gave up. She could have had a great life with us, but chose differently. I don't know where she will go from here. Somewhere for troubled teens to be sure. I will just keep praying and hoping that she can change her life and really let Jesus in.
Enough on that note. We are going to the beach on Saturday, so my goal is to not grocery shop this week and to finish up anything in the fridge and eat from the freezer. I will combine my grocery money from this week and next to let us eat well while we are gone. I will probably go buy some shrimp and fish from the docks which is so much cheaper than eating out. We may go out once, but last time we it was so expensive and we were disappointed in the quality. I would rather buy it myself and cook it. We will see. I usually bring alot of food from home, but this time I think I will bring a small cooler with milk and bring cereal and muffins and then shop when I get to the island. I need to see what is down there because my parents go often and tend to store up stuff while they are there. We will see what is in the pantry and freezer there and then go shopping. Don't worry, I will bring my coupons. I never like to spend more than I have to even on vacation.
Well, I am off to finish addressing Evan's birthday invitations. His party is on Saturday and we are getting a blow up water slide and sharing it with my nephew. We are praying for good weather!
In a side note, my niece is back in the hospital. As you can say, the party is over. All I can say is that I feel for her, not because what she has done, but because of what she gave up. She could have had a great life with us, but chose differently. I don't know where she will go from here. Somewhere for troubled teens to be sure. I will just keep praying and hoping that she can change her life and really let Jesus in.
Enough on that note. We are going to the beach on Saturday, so my goal is to not grocery shop this week and to finish up anything in the fridge and eat from the freezer. I will combine my grocery money from this week and next to let us eat well while we are gone. I will probably go buy some shrimp and fish from the docks which is so much cheaper than eating out. We may go out once, but last time we it was so expensive and we were disappointed in the quality. I would rather buy it myself and cook it. We will see. I usually bring alot of food from home, but this time I think I will bring a small cooler with milk and bring cereal and muffins and then shop when I get to the island. I need to see what is down there because my parents go often and tend to store up stuff while they are there. We will see what is in the pantry and freezer there and then go shopping. Don't worry, I will bring my coupons. I never like to spend more than I have to even on vacation.
Well, I am off to finish addressing Evan's birthday invitations. His party is on Saturday and we are getting a blow up water slide and sharing it with my nephew. We are praying for good weather!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Happy Birthday
Today is Ashley's 14th birthday! I know I sound old, but where has the time gone? I remember bringing her home from the hospital. She was so tiny and I didn't know what I was doing. Now she will be in high school next year! Yikes! I am proud of the young lady that she has become and I can't wait to see what she does in the future. I know alot of people say that they hate the teenage years, but so far I am enjoying them.
So for the birthday party we are taking a van load to the movies to see Madagascar 3. When we are done we are coming back here for a cook out and cake and ice cream. The cake is a rainbow cake. I can't wait to post pictures, but we have to wait until it is cut because it is the inside that will be so cool.
For a birthday party i normally spend around $50 to take the kids to do something special. We have been skating, to the water park, gotten nails done, and movies. We then normally come back here an invite the family to come over for a cookout with hotdogs and cake and ice cream. It usually is another $25 for the cookout, but that is usually my total expense. The birthday kid also gets to pick the meals for the day on their birthday. Sometime it is some strange combinations of food, but usually it is pretty good. The point is to make the day all out them, and to focus on them for a day. We usually buy simple gifts and a few items that they need. If they are wanting something expensive we will encourage the family to give them money and they can pool that and go get what they want. I personally would rather them have one nice thing than a bunch of junk.
I don't think my niece is enjoying her run away life like she thought she would. We tried to tell her that, and we tried to convince her not to act the way she did. Unfortunately for her we do not have custody of her and if she wants to make other choices we can't help her too much besides talking to the Grandparents. People have to some day learn that you have consequences for your actions. You can't lie, steal and run away and then come back and live your old life like nothing ever happened. You have to pay the consequences and then try to make things right, but you can't go back to where you were. I don't know what will happen with her. It is out of my hands. Prayer is the only thing that will help her get her head straight and get through everything.
Well, I have to get started on some things for today. Babysitting this morning and movies this afternoon. Yeah for us we live a blessed life because of the Lord Jesus. He is our rock and salvation!
So for the birthday party we are taking a van load to the movies to see Madagascar 3. When we are done we are coming back here for a cook out and cake and ice cream. The cake is a rainbow cake. I can't wait to post pictures, but we have to wait until it is cut because it is the inside that will be so cool.
For a birthday party i normally spend around $50 to take the kids to do something special. We have been skating, to the water park, gotten nails done, and movies. We then normally come back here an invite the family to come over for a cookout with hotdogs and cake and ice cream. It usually is another $25 for the cookout, but that is usually my total expense. The birthday kid also gets to pick the meals for the day on their birthday. Sometime it is some strange combinations of food, but usually it is pretty good. The point is to make the day all out them, and to focus on them for a day. We usually buy simple gifts and a few items that they need. If they are wanting something expensive we will encourage the family to give them money and they can pool that and go get what they want. I personally would rather them have one nice thing than a bunch of junk.
I don't think my niece is enjoying her run away life like she thought she would. We tried to tell her that, and we tried to convince her not to act the way she did. Unfortunately for her we do not have custody of her and if she wants to make other choices we can't help her too much besides talking to the Grandparents. People have to some day learn that you have consequences for your actions. You can't lie, steal and run away and then come back and live your old life like nothing ever happened. You have to pay the consequences and then try to make things right, but you can't go back to where you were. I don't know what will happen with her. It is out of my hands. Prayer is the only thing that will help her get her head straight and get through everything.
Well, I have to get started on some things for today. Babysitting this morning and movies this afternoon. Yeah for us we live a blessed life because of the Lord Jesus. He is our rock and salvation!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Moving on
Yes, we are moving on with life since my niece left. We are all left with a hole in our hearts, but she is 17 and we can't make her come home or realize what she left. She will probably realize it one day. The Lord God is deep down in her heart where that seed has been planted. I am still left with guilt and the what ifs. What if we hadn't let her get on the Internet, what if we didn't let her use the phone, what if we didn't let her have access to car keys, but truthfully she could have left if we didn't let her have open access to these things. She was getting online at the grandparents house with a stolen ipod. She made an extra copy of her car key without our knowledge. We try here to let the kids have access to the Internet and cell phones, but not with sneaking around and with safeguards in place. We try to have an open relationship, because we believe if you don't let them ever do these things they will sneak around and do things that are wrong when they are not with you. We do let our kids spend the night with friends and friends come over here and they all have smart phones and ipods and are all on the Internet. Yes, we probable let Brianna have too many privileges too fast, but when we saw it was a problem we restricted her on those privileges. We never thought she would leave and I won't let anyone make me feel guilty for her leaving. It could have happened on anyone's watch.
So like I said we are moving on. Ashley has her dance recital today. They are doing the Lion King and she if Rafiki the monkey. It was a little rough on the dress rehearsal, so I guess the recital will be good! After we are going out for Mexican food. It is cheap and good and I just am not coming back here after the recital and cooking for a crowd. I think Ashley's friend is coming and spending the night. More fun fun!
I went to Aldi shopping yesterday and spend over $100.00, but it was also stuff for a cookout next weekend for Ashley's birthday. It still seems like alot of money. I also went to Publix and spent $30 on meat. I only buy ground beef from them since I found out about the pink slime. I know theirs is good. I am hoping no grocery shopping except for a few fresh things for two weeks. We will see how that goes.
Well, it is 9:00 and only have the crew is up. I think I will make them some pancakes. Pancakes on Saturdays are so good! Have a great Saturday!
So like I said we are moving on. Ashley has her dance recital today. They are doing the Lion King and she if Rafiki the monkey. It was a little rough on the dress rehearsal, so I guess the recital will be good! After we are going out for Mexican food. It is cheap and good and I just am not coming back here after the recital and cooking for a crowd. I think Ashley's friend is coming and spending the night. More fun fun!
I went to Aldi shopping yesterday and spend over $100.00, but it was also stuff for a cookout next weekend for Ashley's birthday. It still seems like alot of money. I also went to Publix and spent $30 on meat. I only buy ground beef from them since I found out about the pink slime. I know theirs is good. I am hoping no grocery shopping except for a few fresh things for two weeks. We will see how that goes.
Well, it is 9:00 and only have the crew is up. I think I will make them some pancakes. Pancakes on Saturdays are so good! Have a great Saturday!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Gone
Well, this weekend has been interesting. My niece that was living with us ran away on Friday. She took the car, my daughters cell phone, and some money. She left while I took the others to school and she was supposed to be doing her homeschooling work. We had no idea that she was plotting to leave. She went to stay with a guy that she knows (we don't know how she knows him or if she had ever seen him before Friday) and he lives three hours away. We did find his address and went and picked up the car, but at 17 we can't make her come back home. She legally can live where she wants.
I am still upset. We feel betrayed and used. We gave her things and tried to let her live a life of love and compassion. Then I have to remember that she is 17 and doesn't understand about sacrifice and being hurt by loved ones, she is only interested in the moment. She can't see that her future was going to be bright here, with schooling, and friends, and the things that a teen needs and wants. She can only see that she wants to be with someone else right now.
I was telling Steven the other night that I felt like the last 6 weeks that she has been here has been a waste. That we wasted all of our time, energy and money on her and she just runs off and steals from us, and then I said no it wasn't. The bible says that his word will not return void. I shared scripture with her daily and we had discussions about how God wants us to live as Christians. We took her to church, youth group, and to the Rush weekend at rock ranch. We showed her the love of a Christian family and what that love can mean. I believe that one day she will turn to that word and remember what we talked about. She will want in her life what we have here. I will be there to show her how to come to the Lord when she wants it. We will always love her, even if we don't love her actions. We can show the love of Christ through us. We don't have to let her exploit us again, but we can help her get the help she needs and to fully engage in Christ. He is the one who can heal her. He is already healing our family from this.
On a positive note, we are going swimming today if the weather cooperates and we are cooking our with family. My parents are at the beach, but we invited my sister and her family and Steven's brother and his family over to cook out and churn ice cream. We are going to continue to have fun and make family memories and just pray for the lost that they would one day return. Have a blessed memorial day and remember the sacrifice that our forefathers made so that we could have the freedoms that we have here.
I am still upset. We feel betrayed and used. We gave her things and tried to let her live a life of love and compassion. Then I have to remember that she is 17 and doesn't understand about sacrifice and being hurt by loved ones, she is only interested in the moment. She can't see that her future was going to be bright here, with schooling, and friends, and the things that a teen needs and wants. She can only see that she wants to be with someone else right now.
I was telling Steven the other night that I felt like the last 6 weeks that she has been here has been a waste. That we wasted all of our time, energy and money on her and she just runs off and steals from us, and then I said no it wasn't. The bible says that his word will not return void. I shared scripture with her daily and we had discussions about how God wants us to live as Christians. We took her to church, youth group, and to the Rush weekend at rock ranch. We showed her the love of a Christian family and what that love can mean. I believe that one day she will turn to that word and remember what we talked about. She will want in her life what we have here. I will be there to show her how to come to the Lord when she wants it. We will always love her, even if we don't love her actions. We can show the love of Christ through us. We don't have to let her exploit us again, but we can help her get the help she needs and to fully engage in Christ. He is the one who can heal her. He is already healing our family from this.
On a positive note, we are going swimming today if the weather cooperates and we are cooking our with family. My parents are at the beach, but we invited my sister and her family and Steven's brother and his family over to cook out and churn ice cream. We are going to continue to have fun and make family memories and just pray for the lost that they would one day return. Have a blessed memorial day and remember the sacrifice that our forefathers made so that we could have the freedoms that we have here.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Summer Routine
I am trying to map out a summer routine for my kids. I don't want anything too structured, but I also don't want everyone laying around doing nothing all summer. I don't want to waist a bunch of time, but I also want them to have plenty of free time to do what they want. Here is what I have come up with for this summer.
9:00 Breakfast - if someone is hungry before they can eat, but I want everyone up and eating by this time.
9:30 Clean up Kitchen, get dressed, make beds, clean up rooms, morning chores.
10:30 Those still homeschooling will work on schoolwork, others will have time to journal and read books from the library.
11:15 - 12:30 Free time, work on project of choosing, legos, free play time, (no computer or tv) finish up school work.
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Clean up lunch, put away laundry, clean up from free time.
1:30-4:00 Summer fun time. During this time we will go swimming, go to the river, go to the museum, go to the library, etc. If it is poor weather or we have more to do at home we may watch a movie or we might do some crafts or have game time.
4:30-6:00 Dinner prep - one child will help with that every night, free time, computer time, tv time.
6:00 dinner, family bible time at table.
6:30 clean up table, clean up other messes
7:00 - 8:30 Family time - work in garden, swim at river, go for walks, play outside, etc.
9:00 - 10:00 Bed
I think this is structured but loose at the same time. I am not tight with the schedule, but just want our days to flow nicely.
We will take some days and go to a state park, water park, have friends over, etc. We will also have appointments and such so this is loose, but just something to strive for.
9:00 Breakfast - if someone is hungry before they can eat, but I want everyone up and eating by this time.
9:30 Clean up Kitchen, get dressed, make beds, clean up rooms, morning chores.
10:30 Those still homeschooling will work on schoolwork, others will have time to journal and read books from the library.
11:15 - 12:30 Free time, work on project of choosing, legos, free play time, (no computer or tv) finish up school work.
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Clean up lunch, put away laundry, clean up from free time.
1:30-4:00 Summer fun time. During this time we will go swimming, go to the river, go to the museum, go to the library, etc. If it is poor weather or we have more to do at home we may watch a movie or we might do some crafts or have game time.
4:30-6:00 Dinner prep - one child will help with that every night, free time, computer time, tv time.
6:00 dinner, family bible time at table.
6:30 clean up table, clean up other messes
7:00 - 8:30 Family time - work in garden, swim at river, go for walks, play outside, etc.
9:00 - 10:00 Bed
I think this is structured but loose at the same time. I am not tight with the schedule, but just want our days to flow nicely.
We will take some days and go to a state park, water park, have friends over, etc. We will also have appointments and such so this is loose, but just something to strive for.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Tye Dye Cake
Brianna asked for a tye dye cake for her birthday. I normally make my kid's cakes and we spend lots of time looking for the right one and trying to make it. I think this one turned out really well.
The good thing was that it tasted good and we had fun making it. Happy Birthday Brianna!
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