My last post was all about being on febrile seizure watch with Michael and thank God, he made it through his fever without a seizure. This week, Krista caught what Michael had last week but unfortunately, she has one more week of summer school left and unless she's throwing up, she's going to have to drag her body to class. Sigh. I miss the days when summer break was all about hanging out, sleeping in (past 6:30am!) and shopping, ya know?!?
Yesterday, I was reading to Michael before his bedtime and he asked the question every mother wishes to bypass...
Michael: Mommy, why do you have those big bubbles? He says this as he presses against my chest!!! Why don't I have any of those bubbles? He says this as he presses against his own chest!!!
Me: Ummm...Michael, see, God made boys and girls different. This is mommy's chest which are actually called breast. Hello, not balloons! God gave them to mommies so our clothes look better on us. Boys don't need them because God made us different. Okay, I know. Totally lame answer, but I was flabbergasted by his question! I will explain more another time after I've collected my wits which promptly scattered to the wind this time around!
Michael: But why do you say I can't touch you there? Stink! Why does this child have the memory of an elephant?!? I told him that it wasn't an appropriate thing to stick his hand down my shirt when I was holding him...shortly after he turned 3!
Me: Well, Michael, it's not an appropriate area to touch on a mommy now that you're growing into a big boy. Will you remember that? And we want to practice appropriate behavior, okay? Thankfully, he nods his head and oh, look at the time...it's time for the blessing and prayer now!
On Friday night, Krista and I made stuffed chicken breast (a play off of Chicken Cordon Bleu), mashed potatoes and stir fried string beans in sesame oil. It was our post Father's Day meal we had originally intended to cook... I love cooking with Krista! It's now another one of my favorite things to do with her. She's amazingly confident in the kitchen and I love that she enjoys being in there with me. We'll have to sit down some time once summer school ends so we can plan some meals together.
After I put Michael down for the night, I slipped out to go to dinner #2 with my friends Nicea and Yvonne at a new Tapas place in town. By the time I arrived (late!!!), the parking lot was full and I had to park in a different country... or so it seemed! We were all catching up so the two times the server came, we weren't ready to order yet. And then when we were ready to order, our server was no where to be found! We should have gotten a clue of how and what the service would be like when a server came with our coffee and dessert (now remember, we hadn't even ordered our main entrees yet!)! It belonged to the next table over. Finally, our server arrived and we ordered off the tapas menu. We waited and waited and waited for our food. There wasn't even any complimentary bread on the table to stave off Nicea & Yvonne's hunger (thankfully, I had eaten a few bites of our dinner before coming)! Finally, after waiting forever, our first tapas dish arrived: Jerk Chicken on Sweet Potato Fritters. The two pieces of chicken and the other stuff on the dish were quickly polished off and then the wait began. Again!
Our second course (Ahi Tuna Tacos) was brought over by another server who presented it as "Calamari." Ummmm...I'm thinking it might be helpful if include pictures of the food with the name of the food for the servers because this was clearly not calamari!
To make a long story short, we were offered food we never ordered four different times! The servers clearly didn't have a seating chart so it was up to the guests to call out if they saw something they ordered going to another table! Yikes! The food was good (when it finally arrived), but the service was pretty poor. We did talk to the manager and voice our concerns and he shared they were short on kitchen staff, but still...! He invited us back another time on their tab...ah, no thank you. But, thankfully, the company made the evening adventure very enjoyable! :o)
We bought a new workbook for Michael and he's been begging every day throughout the day, "Please, can I do some school work???" I have to limit him to 3-6 pages a day or we'll go through the book in two weeks! I'm also trying to teach him piano and typing. I'm not sure how successful we'll be since his fingers don't have the extension required for both things, but we'll give it a try anyway!
Meanwhile, I'm still taking the Melaleuca vitamins and I'm still not feeling any differently. And, they're no longer making me feel tired at night so I think my body must have adjusted to them. I tried out a few of their cleaning products: Sol-U-Guard disinfectant (works like Lysol or Chlorox but without the harmful chemicals) and Tough & Tender All Purpose Cleaner (works like Fantastik cleaner without the harmful chemicals) and I have to say I really love them!
I just put in an order for Sol-U-Mel (which is supposed to remove any stains on carpets, walls, etc.), MelaMagic Heavy-Duty Cleaner (cuts grease and other stuff so I'm going to try it on my tiled floors), the Tub & Tile bathroom cleaner (my friend Keri raves about this product) and the PreSpot Laundry Stain Remover (I can't wait to try this on all the recent stuff Michael got blood on from a bloody nose! I sprayed them all with Shout but they still came out of the washing machine stained so now they're air drying until I can try the Melaleuca product). I'll let you know. Michael was in the bathtub the other day while I was cleaning the toilet and the only reason I could clean while he was in the same room was because I knew there weren't any toxic chemicals in the air. Now that's a plus!
Yesterday, I finished reading A Place Called Blessing by John Trent (author of The Blessing) and Annette Smith. It was a great story that incorporated the five elements of The Blessing and I loved it! It was so powerful and moving. Today, I'm reading The Blessed by Ann H. Gabhart and aslo Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's Erasing Hell (written in response to Rob Bell's Love Wins where he pretty much dismisses Hell!) downstairs and upstairs, I'm reading Megan's Hero by Sharon Gillenwater. I've got a deadline coming up, so I'm trying to fit in as many books as I can in my schedule.
My schedule is full this season, but I know someday when Krista and Michael have grown up, I'll miss the craziness of life we currently share! I'm blessed!!! There is a season for everything, isn't there? I'll close here with King Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11...
"1TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: 2A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,(A)
3A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
4A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
7A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,(B)
8A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.(C)
9What profit remains for the worker from his toil?
10I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves.
11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Febrile Seizure Watch
On Monday, Michael came down with a low grade fever. He started coughing, wheezing a bit (thank you, God for nebulizer treatments with Xoponex) and had a runny nose that was running non stop. Krista had class at Grace so we were out the door by 7:30am. Then Michael and I ran errands until it was time to pick her up from school. I called to make an appointment with the doctor, and after explaining Michael's history for febrile seizures, we were able to get an appointment at 3pm. It gave us enough time to make a quick stop at Jamba Juice before arriving at the doctor's office on time.
So, he has a virus and we're keeping a close watch on his fever and wheezing. I was able to sneak in some reading in the past couple of days and finished Here's to Friends by Melody Carlson (this was the final book in the Four Lindas series which I really, really enjoyed---coming out in September!!!), A Tailor Made-Bride by Karen Witemeyer (I love her books---her protagonist have the best personalities and always make me laugh!!!) Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel (this was a brilliant read where both the protagonist couple experience an epiphany regarding their passions, their family and their faith...coming out in September!!!) and Lone Star Trail by Darlene Franklin (it was an interesting read about early Texas that's also coming out in September).
Well, it's late and being that I need to be up early tomorrow to take Krista to school, I'll say Good Night now!
So, he has a virus and we're keeping a close watch on his fever and wheezing. I was able to sneak in some reading in the past couple of days and finished Here's to Friends by Melody Carlson (this was the final book in the Four Lindas series which I really, really enjoyed---coming out in September!!!), A Tailor Made-Bride by Karen Witemeyer (I love her books---her protagonist have the best personalities and always make me laugh!!!) Composing Amelia by Alison Strobel (this was a brilliant read where both the protagonist couple experience an epiphany regarding their passions, their family and their faith...coming out in September!!!) and Lone Star Trail by Darlene Franklin (it was an interesting read about early Texas that's also coming out in September).
Well, it's late and being that I need to be up early tomorrow to take Krista to school, I'll say Good Night now!
Friday, June 17, 2011
PandaMania!!!
I am sore. I am tired. I am falling apart!!! This week, our church had VBS and our theme was PandaMania: God is wild about YOU! The church was transformed into a bamboo forest and I'm sorry to say we weren't available to help out with the set up. It was amazing!!! Ugh! I'm so mad at myself for forgetting my camera this morning! I wanted to go around and take pictures of all the amazing sets and props, but unfortunately, being that my brain is fried and doesn't function that well in the morning, I forgot it!
For the second year in a row, I've been in the preschool crafts room (the crafts are so fun and the children are adorable---two great combinations that keep me coming back!). Today was day 5 and the end of VBS and it was so sad taking everything down. LOCC is full of innovative and creative people (hello, Mr. Doug!)---it's probably why every church around the corner wants to do the same VBS as us just so they can use our props and decorations!
It's an exhausting week coming from graduation and the end of the school year to a full week of VBS! And then next week Krista begins her Expository Composition class at Grace and she'll be skating every day after 6 hours worth of class so we'll continue to be anything but bored! I dream of days where nothing is on my schedule and I can just sit and read. I dream of sleeping in. The operative word is "dream" because sitting around and sleeping in are not options when class begins at 8am next week!!!
This is totally random, but it just occurred to me that I'd make a pathetic guard/night watchman/security person. Being glued to computer monitors to watch the security cameras would put me to sleep! I'm thankful God never needs to sleep. He's watching over us 24/7! In fact, Psalm 121:3 puts it like this from the Amplified Bible: "He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber." Now that's a comfort!
For the second year in a row, I've been in the preschool crafts room (the crafts are so fun and the children are adorable---two great combinations that keep me coming back!). Today was day 5 and the end of VBS and it was so sad taking everything down. LOCC is full of innovative and creative people (hello, Mr. Doug!)---it's probably why every church around the corner wants to do the same VBS as us just so they can use our props and decorations!
It's an exhausting week coming from graduation and the end of the school year to a full week of VBS! And then next week Krista begins her Expository Composition class at Grace and she'll be skating every day after 6 hours worth of class so we'll continue to be anything but bored! I dream of days where nothing is on my schedule and I can just sit and read. I dream of sleeping in. The operative word is "dream" because sitting around and sleeping in are not options when class begins at 8am next week!!!
This is totally random, but it just occurred to me that I'd make a pathetic guard/night watchman/security person. Being glued to computer monitors to watch the security cameras would put me to sleep! I'm thankful God never needs to sleep. He's watching over us 24/7! In fact, Psalm 121:3 puts it like this from the Amplified Bible: "He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber." Now that's a comfort!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Goodbye Middle Schooler, Hello High Schooler!!!
Life has been so hectic for the past few weeks that I've barely had time or the energy to record my thoughts and blog. I've been baking a lot and now I think I'm pretty burnt out on baking. I think in the past three weeks, I've made over 500 baked goods---maple syrup cookies, cream puffs, chocolate crinkle cookies (I'm throwing out that recipe b/c it comes out way too dry---a very annoying fact after spending so much time doubling & tripling the recipe...ARRRGGGHHH), chocolate toffee cookies, white chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, molten lava chocolate cookies, molten lava peanut butter cookies, etc. Tonight, I tried making my own whip cream and found that it's a lot yummier than Cool Whip!!!
On Saturday, June 11th, the pilot class of LOMSAA had their 8th grade graduation ceremony. It was so meaningful and surprisingly, I didn't end up using the entire box of Kleenexes I found under the chair! One of our moms made a 10 min CD of pics from the class and everyone of them looked like babies compared to what they look like now (thank you, Andrea and Livi!!!)! What a difference a year makes! The class was decked in their royal blue robes (which happen to be their gift to the 2012 graduating class...there's going to be a lot of hemming needed!) which were steamed by one of our 7th graders (thank you, Paula!). Thank goodness, because they were looking pretty wrinkled when they came out of those boxes!
The 7th grade families blessed us by setting up, decorating (the balloon arch was very cool and the reception area was simply lovely!), getting all the cakes (okay, the dynamo Laine duo are incredibly CREATIVE and AMAZING! Just look at the world's most personalized cake...
and one of the 7th grade moms (thank you, Melanie!) baked some delicious confections that made me wish I didn't have my wheat allergies! They also organized and did the clean-up after so I will forever be grateful to this special class of 7th graders.
What made the graduation ceremony so meaningful was the individual blessing Krista's teacher, Mrs. Gourley bestowed on each 8th grader (hello, tear jerker moment!!!) as they received their diploma. They say "a picture is worth a thousand words," so take a look!
This class is bursting with potential and I can't wait to see what God will do in each and every one of their lives as they enter this next season of life. Ecclesiastes 3:14 from the Amplified Bible has been running through my mind lately. Here's what it says... "I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is]."
On Saturday, June 11th, the pilot class of LOMSAA had their 8th grade graduation ceremony. It was so meaningful and surprisingly, I didn't end up using the entire box of Kleenexes I found under the chair! One of our moms made a 10 min CD of pics from the class and everyone of them looked like babies compared to what they look like now (thank you, Andrea and Livi!!!)! What a difference a year makes! The class was decked in their royal blue robes (which happen to be their gift to the 2012 graduating class...there's going to be a lot of hemming needed!) which were steamed by one of our 7th graders (thank you, Paula!). Thank goodness, because they were looking pretty wrinkled when they came out of those boxes!
The 7th grade families blessed us by setting up, decorating (the balloon arch was very cool and the reception area was simply lovely!), getting all the cakes (okay, the dynamo Laine duo are incredibly CREATIVE and AMAZING! Just look at the world's most personalized cake...
and one of the 7th grade moms (thank you, Melanie!) baked some delicious confections that made me wish I didn't have my wheat allergies! They also organized and did the clean-up after so I will forever be grateful to this special class of 7th graders.
What made the graduation ceremony so meaningful was the individual blessing Krista's teacher, Mrs. Gourley bestowed on each 8th grader (hello, tear jerker moment!!!) as they received their diploma. They say "a picture is worth a thousand words," so take a look!
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| Class of 2011 |
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| Thank You, Shannae for blessing us with your photography skills! |
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| You may see this on a future Christmas card...! |
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| The Pledge of Allegiance |
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| The lovely balloon arch...hmmmm, I wonder how many balloons it took to make this arch?!? |
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| This picture captures the personality of this tight class! |
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| This was the class gift to Mrs. Gourley---brilliant idea, guys!!! |
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| This was the cake at the after party capturing a special moment from their class historical trip this past spring. |
CONGRATULATIONS to LOMSAA's pilot class!!! I love you all and can't wait to see what God does in your life!!!
Always remember Romans 8:38-39 and Jeremiah 29:11!!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
"I Want to Stay With You When I Get Married! I Promise!"
I may not be able to get this in writing, so blogging about it is the next best thing! Michael heard the word "marry" and he wanted to know what it meant...
Michael: What does marry mean?
Me: (scrambling to think of an age appropriate response) Remember how I pray about your "future spouse" at night? Well, one day, you will be old enough to get married and have a wife and your own home. Then I can come visit you, right?
Michael: No! I don't want my own home! I want to stay with you when I get married! I promise! Somehow, I don't think this is going to fly with his future spouse...
Me: What do people do when they get married?
Michael: Ummmm...they get a baby.
Me: Where do they get the baby?
Michael: From the hospital after they get married.
Me: Then what do they do?
Michael: They go home and rock the baby to sleep. And they sing a song to the baby like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or any song.
Me: What happens when the baby cries?
Michael: Maybe give them some milk. And if that doesn't work, they try doing music or try putting him to sleep.
Me: What do mommies do all day?
Michael: They type and work.
Me: What do daddies do all day?
Michael: Daddies go to work. They work hard. Do you know why it's called work?
Me: No, tell me.
Michael: Because you work and that's why it's called work!
Wisdom from a 4-year-old!
I haven't had time to shop lately, but then our recent graduation dress emergency came up (graduation is on Saturday). Thankfully, on the second day of power shopping, we found the perfect dress and shoes at the first store we went in! Then I thought I would look around for something for myself but there wasn't anything I was interested in. Is it me or are there a lot of designs on dresses resembling mold specimens from a Petri Dish these days?!? Take a closer look the next time you're out and about. You'll see what I mean.
I finished working on my blessings for the 8th grade girls before graduation. Whew! The letters are rolled up and tied up by a satin ribbon. I can't wait for them to get it!!! I wished we could have gotten the yearbook by now, but due to some unexpected complications, I'm back working on it...again! I've asked myself, "What is God trying to teach me through this situation?!?" and the verse that comes to mind is from Romans 5:3-5. The New Living Translation puts it this way: "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment."
I'm banking on that!
Michael: What does marry mean?
Me: (scrambling to think of an age appropriate response) Remember how I pray about your "future spouse" at night? Well, one day, you will be old enough to get married and have a wife and your own home. Then I can come visit you, right?
Michael: No! I don't want my own home! I want to stay with you when I get married! I promise! Somehow, I don't think this is going to fly with his future spouse...
Me: What do people do when they get married?
Michael: Ummmm...they get a baby.
Me: Where do they get the baby?
Michael: From the hospital after they get married.
Me: Then what do they do?
Michael: They go home and rock the baby to sleep. And they sing a song to the baby like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or any song.
Me: What happens when the baby cries?
Michael: Maybe give them some milk. And if that doesn't work, they try doing music or try putting him to sleep.
Me: What do mommies do all day?
Michael: They type and work.
Me: What do daddies do all day?
Michael: Daddies go to work. They work hard. Do you know why it's called work?
Me: No, tell me.
Michael: Because you work and that's why it's called work!
Wisdom from a 4-year-old!
I haven't had time to shop lately, but then our recent graduation dress emergency came up (graduation is on Saturday). Thankfully, on the second day of power shopping, we found the perfect dress and shoes at the first store we went in! Then I thought I would look around for something for myself but there wasn't anything I was interested in. Is it me or are there a lot of designs on dresses resembling mold specimens from a Petri Dish these days?!? Take a closer look the next time you're out and about. You'll see what I mean.
I finished working on my blessings for the 8th grade girls before graduation. Whew! The letters are rolled up and tied up by a satin ribbon. I can't wait for them to get it!!! I wished we could have gotten the yearbook by now, but due to some unexpected complications, I'm back working on it...again! I've asked myself, "What is God trying to teach me through this situation?!?" and the verse that comes to mind is from Romans 5:3-5. The New Living Translation puts it this way: "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment."
I'm banking on that!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Coming Up For Air...!
First it was the yearbook deadline. Then it was the baking deadline. I just finished my newsletter deadline (barely!) and now it's the graduation deadline. After graduation is VBS and then it's enrichment classes through summer school and skating, skating, skating! I dream of sleeping in and just lounging around the house...HA! In my dreams...literally!!!
Yes, you can go to the tab that says, "Five Star Books and More Newsletter" and find all the latest books and family-friendly resources I've reviewed for this month!!! Michael made a random declaration tonight..."I am not a grown-up!" Ummm...you have keen observation, Michael! I'm glad you realize that sooner than later... ;o)
In just 5 short days, we will no longer have a middle schooler in our household. 8th grade graduation is around the corner and I can't wait til we can finally find time to shop for Krista's graduation dress! Normally, this would have been a few weeks ago, but I had other things going on that occupied every waking moment (hello, yearbook headaches!!!)... Thankfully, Krista and I have perfected power shopping, so I'm not worried!
My Aunt Fanny was just visiting us when her trip got drastically cut short. It was so nice getting reacquainted with her as I have not spent any alone time with her since who knows when! I was inspired by her faith in God in the midst of hardship, her outgoing personality (her no one is a stranger mentality!), her amazing stamina despite jet lag after being in Malaysia for 6 months, her thirst for learning new things and her yummy Chinese ribs dish! Everything she made was delicious!!! After spending two weeks with her, I can see why everyone loves her!!!
I'm very grateful for family and friends. My family in Christ encourages me, blesses me and upholds me in prayer. I am blessed.
I love Colossians 3:15-17 in The Message version. It says, "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
Amen and Good Night!
Yes, you can go to the tab that says, "Five Star Books and More Newsletter" and find all the latest books and family-friendly resources I've reviewed for this month!!! Michael made a random declaration tonight..."I am not a grown-up!" Ummm...you have keen observation, Michael! I'm glad you realize that sooner than later... ;o)
In just 5 short days, we will no longer have a middle schooler in our household. 8th grade graduation is around the corner and I can't wait til we can finally find time to shop for Krista's graduation dress! Normally, this would have been a few weeks ago, but I had other things going on that occupied every waking moment (hello, yearbook headaches!!!)... Thankfully, Krista and I have perfected power shopping, so I'm not worried!
My Aunt Fanny was just visiting us when her trip got drastically cut short. It was so nice getting reacquainted with her as I have not spent any alone time with her since who knows when! I was inspired by her faith in God in the midst of hardship, her outgoing personality (her no one is a stranger mentality!), her amazing stamina despite jet lag after being in Malaysia for 6 months, her thirst for learning new things and her yummy Chinese ribs dish! Everything she made was delicious!!! After spending two weeks with her, I can see why everyone loves her!!!
I'm very grateful for family and friends. My family in Christ encourages me, blesses me and upholds me in prayer. I am blessed.
I love Colossians 3:15-17 in The Message version. It says, "Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."
Amen and Good Night!
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