I need to start

I need to stop. Actually, I need to start. Stop procrastinating. Start writing. Its been a good long time since I've been here and woof. SO MUCH has happened. Let's start with I'm back in school. Yes. School. At 54 years of age. Yes. Hours and hours of class time and then hours of homework. I really enjoy it, and there are no regrets because its something I WANT to do. Its for the future and its so important. It's also hard as all get out. The son jr. joined the Marines and hadn't been home for a solid 506 days. He finally came home last week, and it is just not enough time. We military moms have to put up with people telling us things that are so inappropriate. People say things like, " I know what you mean, when my child left for college, it was so hard." I am so very sure it was hard and cannot minimize your heart. But they get to call you everyday. They get to come home on every break if they want to. For months at a time sometimes. They are not training to go out there and possibly die. Please don't compare. Not that I'm bitter. I'm not. I am very proud of him and his decision. But it is hard. Hard on this momma's heart. Hard on the family. And hard when we have to smile and nod on those well meaning souls. Because they truly are well meaning. So. Let's Go Brandon. Because reality is, we are circling the toilet bowl. And yes. With this one, I am very bitter. The emotional society has won, and society in general has lost. Badly. The girlies are awesome. NOT perfect, but amazing in their own way. The grandbabies are such a joy. Can't get enough of them. The man is God's gift to me. He is not the best out there, but the best for me. There are times when I am so done with him, and I'm sure vice versa, but we come back. Comeback to the ancient paths and there comeback to HIM. I pray you have an amazing New Year celebration. Whether it is a huge glittery loud party, or quiet in teh comfort of your livingroom in sweatpants. Place GOD in the center of your universe, and walk therein.

Our reality

The reality of life is that life is hard.  

Don't get me wrong.  Its oh so very good.  But it's hard.

Which is why I make it a point to instill in the children...make a fool out of yourself at least once a day.

Unless, of course, you have a camera and some filters.

GOLLY guys!  Let's go all out!!!!

My mother always said I had big eyes.  I now believe her.

JS is teaching the art of saying CHEEEEEEEZE.

I almost died.  Or wet my pants.  Or both.

But then his happened.  And my stomach started to hurt from the underused muscles.

She talks too much.

This is what happened when you are too busy watching tv and are not paying attention.

I got nothing. Not true.  I got grandchildren who are willing...

She may be mortified at this when she is a teenager.

All to say, people.  Live a little.

Live a lot.

Find the joy.

Take a picture.

Give of yourself.

Make a friend.

Take the time.

And most importantly...

...laugh at yourself or others will do it for you.

Never ever would I...

I have watched all the Jurassic Park movies more times that I could count.

Not that I would count, but...

And when I say watch, I hardly ever SIT down to watch them, I am doing something else, while listening and looking up every so often.

And the books?  Michael  Crichton... Was a GENIUS.  Reread them several times as well.  The movies and the books are nothing alike.  But they are both great in their own right.

So, I was washing dishes and watching The Fallen World again, and I cried.

Again.

Yes, people  I cried.  I knew what was going to happen.  I have seen it a lot.  Still gets to me.

jok

eronthesofa.com
To hear the brontosaurus bellowing as he is dying.

Gets me every time.

Now, that being said.  Never would I ever want to live where dinosaurs roam free.  Watching them on a big screen is enough thank you.

Now THAT being said, I just found out that there is a Jurassic Park park...in Hawaii!!!!

I have never ever wanted to go to Hawaii.  It's not my thing. I'm  a mountain person. Show me mountains, my heart races with love. Beach?  Eh. Hawaii? Eh.  Even if we won a trip, I would make some phone calls to see if we would be able to change the destination.

Alaska, anyone? Banff? Iceland, again?  Yes, please.

But alas.  Jurassic Park is now on my bucket list.  Will we ever go there?  No.

But I will enjoy the pictures of other people being there.  Follow the park on Instagram. Continue to watch the movies.  Cry at some scenes. Introduce them to the grandchildren. Buy their dino shirts. And thank GOD these amazing creatures no longer roam the world.
jokeronthesofa.com

Show me the...picture.

I have to remember.

SO

MANY

THINGS.

I am a forgetful person.

Take this blog for example.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

About the only thing I am consistent about on social media is instagram.  Because lets face it.  I have always been a picture person.

I love pictures.  I'm the friend you took those 3,147 pictures on your trip for.  Yes, I would LOVE to see your pictures.  Your trip through your eyes.  I'm that person, who when I walk into someone's home, I will stop doing everything or talking when I spot a picture and will walk over there and look at it.  Or them.  And if you want to tell me about them, I am ready to listen.

Pictures capture a moment in time.

They show LIFE!

GOD's amazing creation.  The eyes of a person tell so much.  That goofy smile on my son when he was 5.  The dog looking at me like 'just pet me, woman'. Christmas joys. Family life. Growing up/ growing older.

Documenting memories.  Documenting life.

Who doesn't want to walk life, visually?

In a weird game I played once with the teens of our youth group, I got a question that asked: would you rather be blind or deaf?

Deaf.

Hands down.

That being said, here is life for the past few months:

Yes, it looks like I married some guy I found living in a cave in the mountains.

Moving on.

They sure are beautiful. <3

Always trying to fit a hike while doing life.

Checking out the new animal babies at the living farm.

I'm learning new things with hair!!!!1

When cousins are besties and besties are cousins.

Vacation in NH.

We have to go again.

The mountain man resting.

They went to an arcade for the first time in their lives.

This could become a problem.  LOL

Memorizing scripture.  She did 47 verses.  Her sister did 31.

How much do I love this? Let me count the ways.

My mom's birthday gift  that was made from one of her granddaughters.

Chickens are fine.

Mountain man needs a tan. 

Mission trip. Church night time devotionals.

Father and son.

Newest addition. 

Meet Indiana. 

She is quite adventurous.

Jack Russells are amazing.

And active.  :)

What will this Day be like?

I wonder.

No.  Not really.  School, running around.  Story of my life.

That being said, cool things happen.  Crappy things happen.

Today was a crappy things happen morning.  Not because it was Monday.  I love Mondays.  Because I had to take the dumb cat to get fixed.  I wiped down the carrier and put it back together again.  Grabbed the cat before she could eat or drink anything, and went out the door.  At 7:15 in the morning.  When it was pouring horribly outside.

Evidently, I didn't snap one of the snaps back into place properly and she squeezed herself through that little sliver and took off.  In the pouring rain.  At 7:15 in the morning.

I hate cats.

They are the democratic liberals of the animal kingdom.  Self centered. Don't give a rip about anyone or anything.  Demand everything. Wreck havoc and walk off like its your problem.  Think they deserve everything.  Do what they want, go where they want.  They are so obnoxious.

I know. I know.  I need to calm down.

But seriously, people.  I hate cats.  I won't hurt them. But I hate them.

Rescheduled her appointment.  When I called, the receptionist actually thought it was funny.

I should go someplace else.

Moving on.

We had the oldest daughter's younger 2 for the weekend.  It was incredible.  I never realized how fun they were.  And how easy it was.  I even made it to church on time.  Someone pat me in the back.  Granted, I woke up at 6 am to make it happen LOL.

I haven't started the garden yet.  So frustrating.  Its been too cold at night still.  Yes, below or right at freezing.    Its usually in by now.  Starting to look great and hopeful.  Not this year.

I should start planting tomorrow.  Seeing as how today was a wash out.  No pun intended.  But if I intended it, it would have been perfect.

Good news coming!  Stay tuned!

And seek HIM.  Deeply.

Someone thought it was a good idea that I teach the high school government class. Probably because I am a government addict. But now I am all in. We have a phenomenal textbook, and even though it’s a college text book, the kids can read it just fine, and understand it well. I love this stuff. 

It is my true belief that every single child that is graduating high school should have a solid knowledge of our constitution( maybe even read it 😜 ) and understand how it works. Maybe we wouldn’t  have so many problems in our nation today. 

Now don’t get me wrong. Though I am a part of a certain political party, all people, regardless of party affiliations should know their rights, and know their rules. I’m all for freedom of choice. But don’t make statements that are so blatantly ignorant because you have ‘ heard’ what people are saying, as opposed to knowing the real facts.   

Facts don’t care about your feelings. 

We are now a nation of feelings. 

Which is why we are weak and wrecked. 

Ok. Off my soap box. Because people, I could have a whole daily blog on politics. 

So there you go. 

On a better note, my 4th child turned 11 yesterday!!! 

Eleven. That’s 2 years from teen years. Five years from a drivers permit. Seven years from being a legal adult. All these numbers are less than the 8 years she has been embedded in our hearts. And people, THAT TIME FLEW BY!!!!

My little girl is becoming a young lady. Smart and gentle. Loves her GOD and seeks to be a better human. Her strength is in her perseverance and her hope is in her surrender. 

What’s not to love. 

She’s not perfect. But she is ours. And she is perfect for our family. 

We gave her The Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy for her birthday. ( other things too ) and she just about ran to her room to get started. 

Because she has wanted to read them for forever. 

So. I was reading the news this morning and according to a combination of statistics, they came up with the most dangerous state. I know what you’re thinking. NJ for sure. Right?  Wrong! I know!  I was shocked, too!  It’s Alaska!  

What the what?!?

It’s to darn cold to be dangerous. Well. There you go. NJ didn’t even make it to the top 5.  Go figure. We are shocked. We’re used to the mockery and out downs. Eh. Rolls off our backs. If they’re true , we own it. If they’re not, we know we’re talking to stupid people or worth wasting our time trying to convince them of the truth. But still.  Alaska?!?   Really?!??

Ok.  Girls are done with their grammar. Back to schooling.  Be good. Be holy. Be true. 

Oxy. Moron.

Sometimes I wonder about my philosophy.

I am one of those Christian, conservative, stay at home, skirt wearing, mission minded, old school, hymn loving/singing, baptist, homeschool mom.

I am also a big fan of Ink Masters.  I have a couple of tattoos, that I did not get when I was young and stupid.  My first one I got four months before I became a grandmother.

What the what?!?!

Who knows.

And to make it worse, my girlies are my side kicks when I watch the show.  We judge and pick tattoos and artists. We critique everything.  We are seriously considering checking out the Ink Masters house, since we live half hour from there.  It is something we all dream about. My girls would be over the moon if we did that!

So.  This season...there is actually a homeschool kid.  😳 It never even occurred to me that that would ever happen!



Pray for me.




So. On another note, all of us, minus the man, are going to the JCC this year.  Why did I wait so long?!?  The girls are loving it.  I am needing it, the Son Jr. is appreciating it.  He goes almost everyday.  Since he can't get to the boxing class because of work, he has replaced it with this.  Good option.

I like the JCC. Most of our friends go to the Y.  The Y is so enormous.  I rather like the JCC.  It's more family.  The gym doesn't feel like a gym.   They have state of the art equipment, but its full of non gym rats.  Nothing to prove, but everything to offer.  My kind of place.  It's a little more pricey than the Y, but it works for us.

Our show is about to start.

There is a homeschool kid.  There is a yarmulke-wearing Jewish man.  There are oddballs that we like and normals we aren't crazy about.  It should be an interesting season!

On that note, be HIS.  You won't regret it.

Taking stock

This past Sunday(yesterday) I went to my best friend’s from high school dad’s memorial service.  He was one of those cool beings.  He was the captain of a ship for decades.  He even looked the part.  Tall and lanky, beard, pipe, blonde.  I always thought he was one of the coolest men I knew.

I haven’t seen my friend in decades either.  We keep in touch through email and Facebook.  The ridiculous part is that we live less than 1/2 hour from each other.  Sheesh.  Make an effort! ( talking to myself )

Well, it was time well spent.  I have thought many times to pop in and say hi to them.  The parents.  They live right down the street from my parents. My parents live 7 minutes away from me.  I always meant to ask her if they still lived there.  Never did either.

I did tell her mom yesterday I would pop in, she was so happy to hear that.

This Sunday reminded me of something. Time to take stock about the important things.

I don’t understand people who cut themselves off. I have to respect their rejection, but I don’t understand it.  Rejection is a harsh word, but keeping it real, here.

Taking stock.  It’s part of my effort to be more intentional.  I can’t do everything I want, but I can do more than I have been doing. I have to be intentional about life.  About people. About my faith.

Life is passing me by and I’m watching it.  Time to stop watching it and start living it.

On another note, we celebrated another Gotcha Day!  Our Chinese peanut has been part of our family/hearts/lives for 8 years. I don’t remember life without her.  Which is right.

And it has been butt cold around here for way too long.  Seriously way too long.  There is a reason we don’t live in Vermont.  That’d be it.  But this week it’s suppose to go back to the 30s during the day and the teens at night.  That’s more like it. It’s been in the single digits during the day and below -5 at night. NOT COOL, PEOPLE!

Ok. Back to school. I have to finish my class for today while one does her math and the other finished writing.

Speaking of school, we are doing a whole new program next year and the research for that is a killer.  Pray for me if you think of it.

Be true.  And seek HIM deeply.

 Woof. 

Lemons

When life gives you lemons, put the in the fridge and use them everyday for 100 things.  Squeeze a lemon into your water as an extra bonus to help you heal!!!

I've made lemonade.

Life has to give you WAY too many lemons for that.  And then you may be on the border of LIFE SUCKS with all those lemons.

So go for refreshing lemon water.

Everyday you remember life is hard, but GOD is good.

How was your New YEAR?!?

Ours was pretty decent.  You know you're getting old when the thought of coming home at 12:30ish in 3 degree weather is just not worth whatever you could do.  I love my friends.  I really do.  But I think I hate the cold so much more.  SO that being said, we stayed home.  My parents came over for dinner, which was so nice!  And then we did the cool thing!!

We decide to let the girls stay up until midnight and...

We introduced the girls to Psych!!

It came back on Prime!  So, woo-hoo!!

Man, Sean and Gus were young.  And I really so very much enjoyed the season the first time around, and then on Netflix, so I thought it wouldn't be as fun. 

I was wrong!  I remembered why I enjoyed it so much!

And the girls love it!

Which means there is now something to look forward to on movie night.  That and Bringing Up Bates.

We are not that family that just plops down and watches tv anytime.  We are intentional about those things.  Son Jr. watches news like an addict.  But the rest of us have a better concept of time.

Well, a little better.

Today we start school again.  We are off to a late start because for the first time, I let the girls wake up at whatever time they wanted during Christmas break, and they didn't come bouncing down stairs at 8 anyway!  THEY ACTUALLY SLEPT IN!!!!

Like they were normal or something.  LOL.

So, we have school, I have class, a Costco run, post office, and maybe the JCC.

Maybe.  It's on my Commmit30 for Thursday for sure, but I can squeeze it in today, we will see...

Here are some weekend pictures: 

I screen shoted ( is that a real word?) this, because its true.  Specially in my marriage, where its probably most important.  And with my kids, where its second most important. 

The only place I don't stay quiet is in football.  But that's another story for another day.

My journaling life is back!!And please take a moment to admire my quilt.  My best friend made it for me for my birthday.  She is a quilter and she knows me well.  Isn't it gorgeous?!?!  The answer is yes, its gorgeous!  

Seeing as how its been high of 17 for longer than the past week, The Man took Missy and Boo skating.  It would never occur to him to take them skating in a rink.  He calls that a concrete fish bowl that you can only go one way or the concrete fishbowl police yell at you.  He likes his view like this better.  And he likes to go any direction he wants.  Who can blame him?!  Everyone in the family has skates.  Yes even me.  Bahahahaha.  

What you can't see is the 3-4 layers on these girlies.  Or maybe you can.  LOL.  

My man knows all the places to do this.  Both lakes and ponds as well as man made outdoor rinks that are free and fun, and of course, outside.

Ok, back to life.

Seek HIM deeply.

New Ideas

I was talking to my daughter the other day.  I bought the Commit 30 planner and I have mapped out the year.  Not BIG things, just I have failed to plan for the past few years, therefore, I have accomplished none of my goals.

In fact, I didn't even know what my goals were until I was made to think about them.

I have some great ideas!

Who knew?!?

Take my word for it, they are not extraordinary, just great for me.

Back to my talk with my daughter.  I told her how I found my old blog again, you know, the one before this one. I had such a great time remembering things I had totally forgotten about!

Specially since my memory is like a sieve.

True story.

So here I am.  One of my goals is to blog at least once a week. Woof.  It seems like a lot.  But then I look and I used to blog ALL time!  Several times a week, even.  I should be able to do this.  So here I go.

Again.

Catch up.

We have 6 grand kids!  SIX!  I wouldn't trade the blessing for all the money, fame or fortune in the world!  The simplicity of loving them is the blessing.  Can I just say, they are so beautiful.  Honest.

My girls are in that crazy-in-between month.  You know.  The month when they are BOTH the same age!  Being 11 month apart does that. And they have so much fun with it.  I digress.  The younger one has so much fun with it.  The older one keeps looking at the calendar, not in resentment, just in paintently waiting for next month.


Speaking of the Irish twins:

Yes, the younger one, is WAY taller than the older one.

How much does she love that?  Let me count the ways.  

People!! Guess what?!?!?!  Monk & Psych is on Amazon Prime!!

Blast from the past!

I'm trying to watch as much as I can before school begins again.  In 3 days.  You know that Christmas song?  Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas? You know how it says, ' And mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again...'

HA!

I am rather enjoying my girls.  No school, no set schedules, no real rhyme or reason.  Just life.  I can't imagine want to get rid of my kids and singing about it.  duh.

Granted it would be WAY MORE FUN if it wasn't a mere 11 degrees outside.  At noon. 

Woe to me.

Come 3 more day, back to schooling.  That be will ok as well.  Beginning the Revolutionary Way Era.  Wo-Hoo!  That should be fun.  Maybe I can even talk the man into taking us to Boston for the weekend, doing there Patriot's Walk! And other historical areas.  We did that with our younger kids.  It was fantastic! 

I should put that in my Commit 30!

OK.

Time to go to Costco.

On a Saturday.

Before New Years.

Talk about planning to fail.

Hi. I am an addict.

I am an addict.

It's true.  Both John and I have have addictive tendencies.  In reality, I think everyone has them, just that some have them badly and some not so badly.  Some pick bad things to be addicted to, some understand and make good efforts guide themselves.

So, in order to fulfill my addictive tendencies, and not be useless to my faith, family, or society, I do things like listen to congressional hearings on youtube while doing chores or paper work.

And talk radio.

And I discovered podcasts!!!

OK.  I shouldn't pluralize it.  I listen to 2 and a half podcast.

SO FAR.

But my favorite one is Ben Shapiro.

I found this guy before the elections and couldn't help but be impressed.  I feel like I finally found a soul that gets it!

I missed listening to his stuff during vacation.  NOT because he isn't on my podcast app and ready to go, but more along this lines of, WHO HAD THE TIME?!?!?!  With all those grand babies to hold and hug and rock and sing to and stare at and kiss?!?!?  Seriously.  Ben who?

These babies...

I can get lost in looking a them.  For along time.  And they distract me in all the right ways.

And if it wasn't grand babies...hello?  Daughters?  Sky watching to do.  Talks to have.  Movies to watch.  Jokes to share. Life to experience.

Back to Ben.

Welcome to one of my addictions.  This guy is so smart AND has common sense.  A very unusual combination.  One can almost forgive that he graduated from UCLA.  Or at the very least, forget.  I was listening to the podcast during morning chores and shower today.

I have to share.

This is the youtube version.  I don't know how to share podcasts.

It got me thinking.  The first past of the podcast was about men and women.  And all I can say is THANK YOU.

SHEESH.  The level of ignorance and willful willing sheeple-ness.  ( I know.  That's not a real word. Work with me. I have things to do, places to go, people to see. No time to find the perfect word.)

I know liberals hate him.  I think he came up with the quote, 'facts don't care about your feeling'.  Truth.  Not that we need to be cold hearted, but lets get to the facts.

So...

As I told my youngest son, 'son, you have addictive tendencies, like most of America.  But being 1/2 Irish, they are pretty powerful.  Pick your addictions.  You can fight and overcome some. But you can't over come it all.  Be wise.  Be holy.  Be real.

Now, off to catch up on my podcasts!  Car rides are the best for listening!!!!

Thankfully, we are not robots.

My neighbor came over last night ( during the game ) and we got to talking again.  This seems to happen when people knock on our door.  They come in and problems get solved.  

Well, at least in our heads.

We talked football.  Children.  Winter. School.  Our houses and the maintenance they create. Adoption. Overcoming.

When she left, it felt like time well spent.  Even though I was watching the game from the corner of my eyes at the beginning.

My neighbor is not a believer.  She doesn't have to be.  Though GOD comes into every conversation because it is part of my life, it doesn't bother her, and I know she doesn't agree with everything I believe in.  And that's ok.

The issue of victim-hood came into the conversation last night.  Her child goes to catholic school, and all that it brings.  Don't get me wrong.  If we didn't homeschool, my kids would go to catholic school.  Even if we are not catholic.  Christian school wouldn't be an option.  I'm not impressed.  And public school? No.  Just no. 

Anyway, I was telling her how in group activities, kids usually prefer not to have Elena on their team.  Because she just can't.  But she can.  She is constantly being told, you're not going to win, but you will!  Maybe not first place, but there is something to be said about accomplishing personal goals!  No you don't have to capability to compete with a 'healthy' bodied peer, but that doesn't mean you can't do it.  Win your own battles.  

She was shocked that I didn't tell my daughter she could do anything she wants to.  She can't!! And it's ok!!  She can do a lot.  But she can never be her little sister, who seems to win every race she competes in.  Or her brother who has daredevil tendencies. 

It was a new concept for my friend.

My daughter is not a victim of bullying or put downs.  Nor because she doesn't get bullied or put down, she does;  but the best gift I can give my children besides seeking holiness, it not to be someone who has to be catered to.  Please excuse my ending with a preposition.

Oh the tears.  Oh the feeling of failure.  Oh the disappointment.

But.

But my child, moving on and being strong minded is the power that no one can take from you.

You can't change people.  You can't change attitudes.  You can't change opinions.  But you can control your reaction.  And victim-hood is not the answer.  What a joke. 

This is our child of hope.  ( the plaque behind her is my favorite quote.  Ever.  It applies to everyone.)

Her smile, her perseverance, her joy, her struggles, her smarts, her laughter...be still my heart.

What a gift!!

How can I  make her a victim?!?

Go against the tide, my child.  The world has nothing to offer.  

Stand on the 2 feet GOD gave you.

Use the courage and strength HE instilled in you.

And go serve your GOD everywhere HE places you.

And you will conquer the world!  Or at the very least, the corner HE gave you.

I am in the process of making herbal medicines. It's kind of cool. 

But this cracked me up. 

I had Samuel take a whiff of slippery elm and I asked him of what it reminded him. 

" I don't know. I can't place it. Cinnamon maybe. Another herb I can't place. "

"Doesn't it remind you of cough syrup?!?"  

" I don't know. I've never had cough syrup." 

Well there you go. 

Yes the kid has been sick, though not often. And when he has been sick, we dealt with it, well, not the allopathic way. Most of his life, and quite frankly all of the girl's American life, they haven't known any different. 

And can I get amen. 

When sports changes your life...

I don't know what got me thinking about high school last night.

I was so disjointed from my family most of my life.  Not really their fault.  Not really mine.  Even if there was bad stuff going on, it has been past the time to go back and dwell there.  My parents and I are in a good place.

Anyway, because I felt so uncomfortable at home, I joined every sport and club in school.  I left early in the morning to go to the library to read before school started.  Oh how I love the library.  I stayed after school for meetings and sports.

And boy do I love sports.

It got me thinking how sports are not just about challenging yourself, but about bringing people together.

Even if you are not the one playing, just watching.

There seems to be a big we-have-so-much-in-common, even when all you have in common is you like the same football/baseball/hockey/basketball/whatever team.  

I remember one day, as a lowly freshman who just wanted to melt into the background and survive, I wore my much-begged-for-for-Christmas Steelers t-shirt.  Didn't think much about it.  But it produced a great friendship that would have never have happened unless I was wearing that shirt.  Anthony looked at me as though I just appeared out of no where and said,"You like the Steelers??!!?"

Being from Jersey, it was either the Jets or Giants.

But of course I did!!  We got to talking and the next thing we knew,  though there was truly nothing we had in common except the Steelers, we developed a 4 year friendship that took us through school work, encouraging each other through our own sport struggles and victories, dealing with relationships ( no we never dated, we had something better than that) , me being a punk and liking 'weird' music he would constantly laugh about, and him being a jock, and so typical, is was just a life waiting to be mocked.  By me.  lol.

We certainly had a friendship that confused the daylights out of everybody in school.

I wonder where Anthony is today.

No matter where he is, I can tell you this...I know he is still a Steelers fan.  And should I see him one day, I bet the first thing we talk about are the Steelers.  Then we will get into family and life.

It seems as though faith is suppose to bring people together like that.  And it does for the most part.  Except we get so off kilter about our faith, in a way that doesn't exist in sports.  Probably because we  think we have to be right, as opposed to holy. That doesn't happen in sports.

Those of you who live in HIM, don't let sports be better at life than your faith.  Remember these are brothers and sisters in HIS Grace, just like you.  Can you call someone out on their sin?  Sure.  What kind of jerks would we be if we didn't.  But when you start  on arguing about your personal excuses, well, you already lost the argument.  If its not all about Jesus, it is not worth dishonoring HIM by dragging HIM into our excuses.

That being said.

Go Steelers!!!

And seek HIM.  Deeply.

Open My Eyes Everyday, My King

Open my eyes everyday, my King.

That's my motto.  That's my prayer.

It sounds like a wholesome and GODly thing to say, but if you really think about it, it is slightly ( incredibly) terrifying.  Because HE does.  Maybe I don't notice it everyday, though it may still happen; but on the days I do notice it, boy is it hard.


I love football.  I do.  I have for a very long, long time.

I am about to confess another sin of mine.  lol.  Back when I was a kid, I got grounded.  A lot.  I mean, I couldn't watch tv for most of my life, which is why I became an avid reader.  I suppose it was suppose to be a curse, but really a blessing in disguise.

Yet, that self same reason is why I became a football fan.

How do these 2 things line up, you ask?

Well, let me tell you!

Sundays were weird at my house.  We hardly ever, mostly never, went to church.  My older sister loved to nap.  My parents were in their own world, and doing their own thing on Sundays.  Which meant, well, I disobeyed and snuck down to watch tv on the Sundays that we were home.  To my disappointment and dismay, about the only thing on tv in the 70s on Sundays was, well, football.

Holy Pete, was it boring.  But in my sneaky mind, I didn't care.  I was watching tv and that's all that mattered.  I watched it even though I didn't have a clue what was going on.

But the tide changed, slowly but surely, and I started to understand what was going on.  I had a friend in school whose dad loved football and we got to talking.  And he got to explaining his favorite thing. And before I knew it, I picked out my favorite team to watch and cheer to win.  Who remembers the 70s?  Who remembers the Steel Curtain?  Enough said.

There in lies my love of reading and football.  Its all about getting grounded.  I recently told me mom if she really wanted to ground me she should have taken all my books away.  Talk about horrifying!! What would I do?!?!  I'd probably become a master at hiding them to read in some sneaky way.  But let's move on.

( To clarify, I am not sneaky anymore.  :P)

I mean seriously, what does getting grounded, football, being a sneaky kid and praying for my eyes to open have to do with each other?

Well, the Super Bowl was this past Sunday.

And though I watch for the game and not really for the commercials and definitely not for the half time show, still a commercial or 2 made their way into my line of vision and one stuck with me.  I had no idea who those people were, but it was sweet and it was cute.  I moved on because there was football to watch and grandsons to kiss in between plays.

Still.  The commercial and concept never left me.

This morning, I grabbed my nook to read my Bible.  But there was this Facebook message before I could open my nook telling me that my friend posted something.  I usually ignore them and swish them away.  But this morning.  It was the only message.  Which is weird.

So I clicked on it and opened my eyes.

It was the Joey + Rory thing that was in the commercial.

And she is dying.

Like right now dying.

And they are at peace in HIS will.  They have clung the Cross and not let go.  I texted my friend and asked her about it.

WHOA.

After morning chores and kick starting the day, I sat for a minute or 2 to go back and see with my own 4 eyes.  And what I found rocked my world.  The hope.  The humility.  The joy. The heartache. The loveliness of simplicity.  The faith.  The turmoil. And The love.

Where have these people been before this?  I love country music.  I am loving simplicity.  I love GOD.  These guys are right up my alley.

In all of this, and it is a lot,  more than I have time for this morning, but something I will continue to pursue, this video popped up, and it was amazing.  Because not only have I been thinking and praying about this for a couple of months, but we were just talking about it during teatime at our homeschool co op this Monday.

Here is the issue.

Where are we in bringing up Titus 2 woman and men?  Why are we so focused on succeeding in the world, but not seeking HIS face in our hearts?  Why do we push our girls into careers, politics,  etc...and not towards the hope of the future generations? When was the last time you have hear a young man ask a girl what her future plans are, and hearing " a wife and a mom" and thats exactly what he is hoping to hear.  Someone who will surrender her life for the instruction of the Lord to be taught to their children?  If we actually suggested this to our sons, they would laugh at us or maybe at the very least know it is so not acceptable in our society, that he wouldn't or couldn't have to courage to do it.

Mind you.  This is not a world issue.  No.  This is also a church issue.  This is also a homeschool issue.

Because as you may have noticed, most of our homeschool daughters have incredible careers, and let us pat ourselves in the back for educating our daughters to success.

***sigh***

Not saying we don't educate our daughters.  Not even a little bit.  I believe in education.  Oh, do I believe in it.  I am still in the business of learning to this day.  Never stop learning.

BUT.


Education is not my GOD. I believe girls can become great things.  And I don't believe careers are taboo/evil for them.  But as I look around me, marriage, children, homes and family are at the altar of careers.  Being sacrificed for fulfillment.  Bragging rights.  Or at the very least escape.

And seriously not saying that women shouldn't work.  Sometimes it is a necessity and how many things wouldn't get done without them.

But let's not push them at all cost.

When my daughter was in high school, she didn't want to go to college.  I made her get her associates.  What if she didn't get married.  She have a plan B.  But her plan B was a simple plan.  One she could provide for herself with, but can also walk away from when and if the time came.

She did get married.  And worked in a law firm until the moment she had her first child.

She is now a mommy to 3 boys and yes, she does work from home, in a very important job to her, but knows when to scale back. Because her boys are the future of the Faith.

I look at my littles.  Oh how they love GOD in their child like faith.  May I nurture that and not the world.

Anyway.  Here is a video.  I imagine it is not popular, for the message flies in the face of 2016.  But I pray it stays in my heart and becomes a reality to many.

As she lays dying, I doubt she has many regrets if this was her heart beat.

To GOD be the glory great things HE has done.

Seek HIM.  Deeply.

I need to come back.

Last night, at the mission class I teach, we got to talking about blogs.

I mentioned I had one for years, but have neglected it.  And I became sad about it.  Because really, when I look back I remember good things.  Hard things.  Fun things. crazy things.

Which is kind of cool since my memory is shot.

Moving on.

SO, we are expecting a snowstorm this weekend.  Which is super awesome since we are going into the city for the weekend for our anniversary.

yay.

Excuse my sarcasm.

John asked me last night why it always snows on our anniversary.  It probably has everything to do with the fact that we got married in January.  That's my guess.  I mean, when we got married in church, people were coming in with their goulashes, 1/2 hour late, shaking snow off themselves, trying to calm their nerves.

That was a clue.

That being said, I never mentioned on here for our anniversary last year we went to Iceland.

That's right, no tropics in the winter for us.  Lets go someplace where the very name is all about freezing your butt off.

AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

I would do it again.  It was so stunning and beautiful.  If you love nature and love the outdoors, may I suggest you try to get out there.

If you love shopping, architecture, choices up the wazoo, well then this is not the place for you.

And we saw the Northern Lights.  They made me cry at the wonder and miracle of it.

Oh how I loved it.

This year, midtown NYC.

What does one do in NYC during a snowstorm? When you've been in the city and done it all already?

I wanted to go Lancaster.  He said no.  I guess it was a good thing since we wouldn't have been able to drive out there.  But we have gone to Lancaster in a snow storm.  but about 20 years ago.

But we are older and wiser now.  Whatever, fine.  We are older.

You know what?  I am going to enjoy just being with him.

And that's enough.

Even if we are stuck in our B&B.  Yes there is a B&B in midtown Manhattan.  Who knew?



So.  Check this out.  Weird how they look almost the same age.  But they are 10 years apart.

Yes the son got older and taller.

And a little nicer.

And the daughter has 3 sons.

Who are so precious, they are worth their weight in gold.

Check out the twins on Christmas morning.

No, I do not make them dress the same.

They beg for it.  ALL THE TIME.

They have very few outfits that are the same, they are the special treasured outfits.  lol

And they are still the joy and delight they have always been.

OK.  I can't catch up on everything. This way I will be inspired to write more often.

In theory.

GOD is good.  Seek HIM.

Frustrated thoughts

I am always amazed at our hypocrisy.

I don't know why.  One of my favorite quotes is from one of my heroes, Ruth Bell Graham.  In inviting her gardener every week to join her in going to church, he finally said, "Miss Ruth, I don't want to go to someplace that is full of hypocrites."  To which she responded, without skipping a beat, " Well, there is always room for one more!!"

Yup, I am going to talk about a Duggar.

Not Josh.  Enough people are talking about Josh.  Rightfully so.

But now, I can't turn the computer on without hearing about what Anna is going to do.

Here in lies me frustration with hypocrisy.

See, in one of the many things I have read, this one made me want to kick something.  I am not a kick something type of person, so this alone should tell you more than you need to know.

This was written by a woman.  

She said, it was a shame that Anna was uneducated enough to not have the option to leave her husband, as she was homeschooled.  She won't leave him because of her faith.  She won't leave him because she probably can't stand on her own.  She won't leave him because she does not have the support system in place to do so.

(Side note, her siblings have pulled together to support and help her should she leave him, as they are hoping she will do. One of her sisters, Rachel, is going through her own divorce right now.)

At first that was laughable.  Until I started thinking about it some more, as many people I am sure read this.

This is the thought of many regular non Christian people, and having this written by a Christian proves their point.

But.

Here in lies the hypocrisy.

There is this woman.  Quite famous by any standard.  Her name is Hillary Clinton.

I am not a Hillary Clinton fan.  Even if you stretch your imagination all the way around the world, I still can't pull off liking her for any reason.  

Still, people, let's look at the list.

Uneducated.

Faith.

No right support system.

Can't stand on her own.

OK.  We'll take the ultimate feminazi, who has all those things and more. Evidently.

She is educated, has no faith to keep her with her husband, she can 'stand on her own', she has a support system, and her husband is gross to the umpth degrees.

She is a disaster.  BUT, where are the people telling her she is a loser for staying with her skank husband!?!?!

Seriously people.

You are so crazy hypocritical, you make us Christians look 1/2 decent!

Personally, I think Anna should...you know what?  Who cares what I think?!? I have never walked in her shoes, I don't look at into her children's eyes, kiss their precious heads, I don't stare and weep into the darkness of the night, tormented, humiliated and destroyed, wake up, and still live this nightmare.  I am not known publicly and have the weight of my decision be judged by millions who had their own opinions.  Who think they know what is best for her.  

Yes, dear woman.  Cling to HIM.  It is all you have.  One day, you will discover it is all you need.   In its rawest, truest form. 

My prayers are constantly going for your heart.  I can't even imagine. Quite frankly, I don't want to.

My heartache for you is real, though I can't empathize, I can sympathize. 

My prayers are for your children.  I can't imagine having them live through this.  Quite frankly, I don't want to. 

Don't worry about the hypocrites.  It is easier to gossip, make judgements and point and laugh, than to look in the mirror and see what ugliness lies there.  So we cover the mirror and look at ways to pile bricks on the hurting.  

Dear woman.  May HIS grace be on you.

May you know HIS presence.

I know too many people who had horrible moments and turned from HIM, blame HIM, hate HIM.

And every single one of them is miserable, bitter and lonely.

I hope for you.  

Nothing matters more than your relationship with HIM.  Even if its hanging by a thread, don't cut that thread.  It is your lifeline.

It is our lifeline.

HE is faithful.  To the point of death. HE is faithful.

Life is hard.  Life is beautiful.  GOD is good.  All the time.

Holy Moly

The school year is almost over!!

And it has been a rough year.  Not with the girls, the girls love school.  They can't get enough of it.

Son Jr. is making me work hard for my job.  That's ok.  That's why I get paid the big bucks.

So, loads has happened, yet it feels like most things have stayed the same.

I am the leader of the Holistic Mom's Network Chapter of our county.  Because I had nothing else to do.  I love it though.  I have learned so much.

 And we are coming down to the wire with VBS next month!!  Woo-HOO!!  I love VBS.  Because, really, children are so precious.  GOD loves them and has pretty much said, if we mess up raising them and teaching them, there will be hell to pay.  Literally.  :0

Reagan is a big girl.  She is too much fun.  I am so glad he got her.  She is such a love.  She loves people.  She loves food.  She loves to run and play and eat paper.  And people love her.  I need to take a picture of her and post it.

The girls have overcome so many things this year.  Both physically and mentally.  It has been hard but totally worth it.  It has been tempting to let things go, but even when I gave into temptation, I couldn't stay away for long.

SO, we went to Iceland for our 30th anniversary in January.  It was awesome.  I couldn't stop saying 'this is so beautiful'.  I told John I had to come up with something else to say, but when I turned around again, those words kept coming out of my mouth. It was beautiful.  I love seeing GOD's creation.  It is breath-taking.  Seriously, I gasped too often.  Maybe some people wouldn't love it as much as I did, but I did.  The only thing that about killed me was the sleeping patterns. Between being jet lagged and staying up all hours of the night watching the Northern Lights, it was a killer.

But I would do it again.

I wouldn't want to live there, but seeing its beauty with my own 4 eyes...well, I am thankful for the opportunity.

On the flip side, since I was not in a mood to look for a summer house to rent because of the anticipation of going to Iceland, we were not able to find a house ( that fits the whole family) at any of our usual place.

Well, in all fairness, I still refuse to look at/go to Martha's Vineyard until the president comes out of office.  Everytime we went, he was there.  UGH.  No thank you. No matter what week in July or August we went, there he was. The older kids have respected and agreed with that decision, but son jr. doesn't understand what the big deal is.  But then son jr. takes his entertainment entirely too seriously.

We have a few years to go and we will start going back again.  But until then, no way.

So anyway, this year we are going to...

PA.

Yes, Pennsylvania.

I know.  Wrong-ish.

But we got a house in a resort type place.  It has a beach lake and near the Delaware River. It has loads of fun things to do and the house is enormous!! So there is enough rooms and beds for everyone, including my parents.  <3

Still...it seems, weird.  We were so desperate, we even looked at the Jersey Shore.  There were plenty of homes, but not enough space.

It will be interesting.  But I have to say, at the end of the day, we are more interested in looking for a place were we spend time together, relaxing, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

So, mission accomplished.

Can I say though, we looked into South Carolina and MAN, we can get a mansion on the beach out there for less than what we spend around here.  But being the stubborn Jersey Boy that he is, with a love of New England, no going south for my man.  :P

Worse things can happen.

I am thinking one of these days we may even be able to go to the Finger Lakes region.  I wish I drank wine.  But, still it looks gorgeous.

Speaking of New England, this whole deflategate thing makes me so angry.  I mean, PEOPLE!!  Come on.  All I hear about is how Bill Belicheck is a genius, and he is.  And how Tom Brady is at the top of his game.  And he is.  So how many more stupid things can they do??!!?  I know, I know.  IF there happens to be a New England fan reading this, you won't accept or believe this could happen.  Whatever.  If the Steelers ever did anything so dumb, I would be angry with them.  I wouldn't stop being their fan, but I would want them to take responsibility for being stupid and accountability for whay they did.  That would make me have even more respect for them.  Not, the ' no you can't read my texts, I have no idea what you mean, it wasn't us' mantra they are so famous for.  Please.  Only NE fans believe it.  The rest of us, rolling our eyesballs here.

The Saints coach was gone for a whole year!!!  People shook their heads and moved on.  I bet this discipline wont stick.

Don't get me wrong.  I was cheering for the Patriots.  I wanted them to win!!  But This is just plain wrong.  And what will be more wrong is, BB and TB will walk away without any consequences.  Again.

Big surprise.

Ok, back to life.  Rant over.  Have to get ready for another meeting tonight.  Have to feed someone.  Have to buy work shirts for the man.  Have to water the garden. Have to go to the library.  Have to vacuum again. Have to check school work.  Have to take a nap.  OK fine.  I can dream about taking a nap.  But have to do everything else.

Until next time.  Seek HIM deeply.  You will not regret it.

The Rat Race

I was reading a blog this morning.

This is quite monumental because lately, for the past few months, I haven't had time to read blogs.  Not that I read a whole lot of blogs.  I only read a few, but still...

ANYWAY.

I was reminded!!

I remembered that I have no desire to have a spot in that nightmare of a race!!

Yes, it's true.  I had forgotten

I have to admit, except for my kitchen, and I really have to get over that, I am starting to enjoy my little home.  I don't think I want to ever go bigger because...why? ( except, of course, my kitchen.  lol)

It has been a long time since I felt the need to impress people.  It has been a long time since I felt so insecure that I 'needed' the perfect home to feel complete.  It has been a long time since I compared myself to what others have.  It has been along time since I went over someone's house, and I asked them where they got 'that', whatever 'that' may have been, knowing it was beyond our budget.

Don't get me wrong, I want my home to look nice and I buy things that we like/enjoy/need. ( usually at the thrift store) ( or at least on clearance) I just don't have a need to be like someone else.  Or like I said...impress anyone.

I mean, seriously.  I drive a 20 year old truck.

But it works!

And until we have to buy a new old truck, so be it.

I want my girls to love being simple.  I don't want them to 'need' anything, just enjoy them.

This may sound like a contradiction, but they are both getting their own American Girl dolls this Christmas.  It is going to be their only present from us.  They are thrilled beyond reason.  They will play the stuffing out of those dolls.  They are worth buying.

But that's what I mean.  This is going to give them so much joy.  If I got them the dolls because I felt like I needed to because all their friends have them ( I honestly don't know if any of their friends have them, and I don't care) but they didn't even like playing with dolls, then I would be a fool just teaching them to keep up with The Jones'.

We are sacrificing because the girls will love them.

Our oldest daughter was going through the catalogue with the girls as they are trying to decide which doll they want.  Our 26 year old was just as excited as she remembered her own childhood, remembering when she was old enough to get her doll, and yes, playing the stuffing out of them with her friends.  For years.


I want to know my neighbors better.

Our house is the neighborhood house.  I have kids at my house almost everyday.  I look out my back window and see kids playing and hear shrieks of laughter.  The parents keep asking me if it is ok, I keep telling them they make it easy for me.

I have a neighbor whose name is Babette.  She lives 5 doors down.  If you have ever watched Gilmore Girls, yes, she lives up to the name.  TOTALLY.  And though her husband's name is not Morey, he may as well be named Morey.

The other day, I was sitting on my bench, enjoying the morning sun on my porch with a cup of tea, getting ready for the day.

Babette was coming back from her walk, and she yelled at the top of her lungs, in her raspy voice " HEY BEAUTIFUL!!!  I'LL BE OVER LATER!!!" as she waved and kept walking.

I just laughed and waved back.   Because when was the last time someone called me 'hey beautiful!'?

THIS IS LIFE!!!

Or when we walk into our favorite mom & pop shops, and all the workers know all of my family by name.  They ask about John.  They help me decide because they know us.  They laugh with us,  we share stories.

Yes, we spend a little more money, but we are buying less over all.  So why not support the locals when we can??!!?

And yes, I still shop at walmart.  lol.

Anyway.

The reason I am writing about this is because I hope you remember.

I hope you realize one day that all the money in the world will not buy you real friends and family.

As impressive as you are, if you are selling your life away to be able to brag, what do you have left??!? Is it worth it?

Is it possible to have both money and real life?

I have met maybe 2 people who have pulled it off, but it was a deep discipline for them.

Nothing wrong with money.

It is a tool.

Just, do I want my children to be tools in order to get loads of it??!!?

no.

That being said.  My youngest son is planning his spot in the Rat Race.  He is thinking maybe near the front.  :P

I continue to pray for him because once, someone talked to him about what to do to make money, and he came home and decided we, as his parents, were losers.

Well, all I can say is... we love him. Deeply.

And our prayer is that he doesn't pursue that which is nothing but dust.  I told him he loves family, hobbies, all the things he does with his dad, his grandparents, his nephews and siblings, the outdoors.  All that will be sacrificed at the altar of the Rat Race.

He can still pick it.  And we will love him unconditionally.

But man.

That would be horrible for him.  And our family.


On another completely different note.

We started listening to Christmas music!!!

I love Christmas music, and quite frankly, one month is never enough time to have my fill.  It is hard waiting until the day after Halloween to start.  But man, when it comes, the girls come scrambling down the stairs and wait for it!!

I love Christmas music.

That being said, I refuse to decorate until after Thanksgiving.

Ok, we really have to start school.  The girls are reading and coloring right now.  And creating puppets.    Samuel is doing his history while watching the news. I need to go and join the fun.



OH!  and how much do I LOVE Instagram??!!??!  Let me count the ways!!!  It makes having a smartphone worth it.



Life is good.

Because GOD is good.  All the time.