August, Fat Chickens, and Puppies.

Golly.

It's August.

Just in case you didn't know, are stuck in a cave, every single calendar at your disposal burned up or was stolen, I thought I would mention that colossal fact.

No seriously, I can't believe it.

In 4 days, Missy Girl will celebrate her Gotcha Day!!  We will once again be on vacation for that day.  The other night, we were having dinner and I happen to mention that fact that this wonderful day is coming up.  When asked what she wanted to do special, her first choice was going out for ice cream.

BUT THEN...

But then she quickly changed her mind.

This is the conversation that took place:

Missy: Mommy, do you remember that time daddy got that really really fat chicken?

Me: Wait, like in the backyard?

Missy:  NNnnooOOOOooOOOo.  LOL.  He bought it home one day and we ate it.

Me: We ate a fat chicken??!!?!  What does that mean??!!?

Then it dawned on me.  We are pretty much an organic/ healthy eating family.  For the most part.  One time, yes, people, ONE TIME, he got KFC, I don't even think she spoke English well, yet.  Yet...  

Me:  FRIED CHICKEN??!!??!

Missy:  YES!!!!  It is my favorite.  It was delicious, and I love it more than anything.

Samuel:  ***on the ground laughing***

So, hopefully, CC has a KFC around.  And we will have it for her Gotcha Day.  

Moving on.  Back in the beginning of May, our Daisy passed away.  I has devastated.  I had no intention of ever replacing her.  Ever.  And so we won't.  We are not replacing her, she is irreplaceable ; we are just getting a dog for Samuel.  

We have been talking about it for a month now.  Over a month actually.  At first I whined about it.  Now I am okay with it.  Since it will be his dog, he is going to walk her, go to obedience school with her, she will be his shadow.  He is very happy with that.  I told him he even has to take her on dates.  He was good with that, too.  lol.

After finding out what he wanted in a dog, I looked it up and it was pretty much narrowed to a few dogs.  The most predominant being a golden retriever and the breed we are getting.  I didn't pick the golden because, well quite frankly, I didn't want to.  And then at the end of the day, he picked the other breed anyway, so it all worked out great. 

 I talked to the breeder and we get her the Monday after we come back from vacation.

I guess I need more work in my life.

But then, she IS his dog.  And we went through all the responsibilities.  He is excited.  He even named her already.

Now to make sure his room is clean and ready for the dog & the crate.

School begins soon.   WOO- HOO!!!!  It is exciting stuff.   We have all our stuff ready to go.  Mostly. 

We, here in the northeast start school right after Labor Day.  I have heard it say, the south already started!!!  SHEESH.  Talk about killing summer.

Ok, I need to go.  Packing to do, house to prepare for the house/dog sitter, water the parent's garden, run to Trader Joe's...

You get it.

Till next time, which I hope is sooner than later.

I want to quit my job and become...

Yup.  I was talking to my friend last night at the church dinner.

This was pretty much the conversation:

Me: You know, I am going to quit my job and become an enviormentalist.

Her: Really?

Me: yup.

Her: ( trying not to laugh at me.  Again) What does that mean?

Me: Well, I don't want to quit being a mom or homeschooling, and as tempting as my husband sometimes makes it for me to be ok with quitting being a wife, I really don't want to quit that either.  But maybe I will go live in a yurt in South America or something.

Her:  ****looks at me with laughter in her eyes****

Me: shut up.

Yup.  

That is my new goal.  Not that it will happen because lets face it, my husband is a contractor and living in a yurt is not a selling point to potential customers. Assuming there are customers in yurt areas. Or electricity for that matter.  Or your typical American necessities, which are not necessary every where else in the world. 

Not to mention...he can't leave Jersey, can you imagine him willing to leave the USA??!!??!  

Fine.

But it was a good idea.  To me.  For this week, anyway.

Back to reality.

11 more days until VBS!!!  I am nervous and excited and terrified.  We are a small church and our name has gotten around.  Which is GREAT!  But it doesn't help the we are a small church with small classrooms situation.  We already divided a class.  WOO-HOO!!  YIKES!  But then I remembered, HE is in control.  HE will provide.  May HIS name be glorified!  <3

Always!

SO, I gained 15 pounds this past winter.

***sigh***

15 pounds added to that other weight I have to lose.

And now... on to a BIG problem.  

One that shouldn't affect us a homeschoolers, but of course, it does.

Common Core.

I guess the reason it bothers me is, well, quite frankly, it affects my community.  My neighbors' kids, my friends' kids, our future generation.

I have heard all the wonderful things about Common Core given to us by the NEA.  Kind of like a drug dealer telling you why drugs will improve your life and how he is doing you the biggest favor by providing you with this wonderful product.  So, as any normal and reasonable thinker, not even brilliant thinking, just ordinary, what one does at this point is... look at the other side, weigh the differences, see the results, ask good questions, research, and come up with your own opinion.

I am STUNNED by people who swallow camels without wondering and questioning or refusing to see all sides because it is what they want, who cares about anything else.

Whatever.  I pity them.  I will be there if they ever fall or need someone to talk to.  But it doesn't stop the 'stunned' factor.

Back to CC.

I read this blog post.  The Bye Bye Parents post.

It is disturbing on all levels.  

When we will stop being dumb sheep with a crummy shepherd, thinking that the government is the answer to all out problems.  You know who does that?  Lazy, control freaks of nature.

Yup.

An oxymoron, but that is the reality.

:::sigh:::

And before you think I am an anti-government weirdo, let me assure you, I am a regular weirdo.  I don't have a problem with government.  I just have a problem with government being in control of everything.

Can we say...chaos??!!??!

I am not an anarchist, either.

Again, can we say...chaos??!!??!

We have gotten so far from our roots, its like the lady who colored her hair so often all sorts of shades and colors, she no longer remembers what she looked like, but refuses to let who she is suppose to be come back because she is afraid.  So she keeps doing what she is doing even when she is tired of it.  

Fear is a good motivator.

Use by someone so evil, they can't convince someone of goodness because they have nothing good to offer.  

So they use terror.

Stinks like all get out.

I am thrilled that some states are opting out of CC.

But I doubt that we will.  After all, we are the Northeast.

The stubborn mules of stupidity. 

New England as well as New Jersey and New York are poster children of "You can't tell us what do it, even if its good for us because we know it all, even if we pick bad things, we won't go back even though we know its wrong, because we are too proud and arrogant".  

That's our motto.  Imagine that on our license plates??  At the very least it would be the last honest thing we did.  Granted our plates would be as big as the back bumper.

But in reality, the rest of the nation knows it, without it being on our plates.  :P

Still doesn't stop me from praying we sill opt out of CC, too.

But who knows?

Maybe the chaos our nation is determined to get itself into is just one step closer to HIM coming back!!!

GLORY BE!!!!

Maranatha!!!  Come Lord JESUS! COME!!!

The reality is, HE is King.  It doesn't matter whether you believe in HIM or not.  HE does not need your belief to exist!  

HE IS!!!!!

And HIS WORD is true.

I am thankful I am HIS.

And I am sorrowful for those who have rejected HIM.

All to say, seek HIM today.

If you know HIM, seek HIM deeper and greater.

And if you do not, seek HIM. 

WHAT??!!?? I just wrote yesterday!!!

So, I had to write this because sometimes I just want to make sure I remember.

Granted, I don't have a habit or the time to read what I wrote, and I'm sure the 2 of you who are reading this wonder why I keep it up... of course assuming there are 2 left.  :P

...well, here is why.

The other day, when I was with my daughter's sisters in law, yes I love them and they are like family members, Christian looked at one of them and " You look different."  When asked what was different, she said, with a straight face, " You have polka dots on your face!!!!"  AKA, freckles.

And how my African daughter wishes she had polka dots on her own face.

My delightful daughters, the blessings of my old age, the joys and delights.

GOD is good.

It has been an awesome busy month.

GOD is good.  

ALL THE TIME.

We went to 2 of our niece's college graduations!!

So proud of them.

We had birthdays, graduations, getting ready for VBS this month, doing research and getting stuff ready for a book club at my house, (because yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have no life so I add more.  :P ), finishing up school with kids who have MAJOR schoolitis, putting transcripts together, driving to activities, starting the garden, having people over for grill meals, dealing with a dryer that doesn't work, not training well for the triathlon, and of course, getting ready for a mission trip and all that that entails, in which preparations started 3 weeks ago.  

And though there is more, I rather not think about it anymore.  I may crawl back to bed.

I got to spend 2 days with my nephew.  I miss him, and I hope he enjoyed our time together.  I sure did.  

I hope we get to see him and his brother when we go on vacation.

I seriously miss those 2.

And look who got a haircut!!

Boo is SO happy with 'A FREE HEAD, MOMMY!"

It wasn't long enough to donate, or she could have cut it shorter, but her hair is one of the things I give in to her choice.

Did I mention my parents went back to the old country.  AGAIN??!!??

They did.  They hadn't been home for 3 months and they went back.

Granted they went for a wedding, so...fine.

But still, I am not crazy about them travelling at their age so much.

Not to mention I miss them.

I'll get over it.  But I will give my mom a hard time about it, because after all, she taught me how to master guilt. 

lol.

Moving on.

My son is trying to find himself.

I think that is fantastic.

The only thing is, I have been praying about a good mentor for him.  Not one that will feed him worldly garbage, but one that will give him a vision, where GOD is most important.  One that will pray for him and his heart.  One that will care enough about him, and teach him honor, grace, humility and most of all faith.

Though he is fighting me, at the end of the day, I am his parent, and that's that.  Who ever wants to fight me for him, will have a really bad and ugly fight ahead of them.  I love him too much.

That being the case, we signed up for a SAT/PSAT class this summer.  At his request!!  That funny part is, he has to be at the place at 9am.  The place is am hour away, so he has to wake up early ( for him) during the summer.

Excuse me for a minute.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Thank you.

I am excited for him.  

Still funny seeing as his brain start to really work at around 8pm and stays awake for hours.

OK.  Off to yet another graduation.  But this time it is high school.  

Life is good.

GOD is awesome.

JOYS!

Through the sorrows and hardships of life, and there are many, one must cling to all the joys HE gives.

I think people who are miserable, often forget to cling to them.  Hence the reason they are angry, miserable or lonely.

Life is pretty darn hard around here.  If I wanted to give in, I can pretty much go to bed 5 out of 7 days a week crying. Easy.

But as it turns out, that only happens maybe once or twice a month.

Because HE IS GOOD!!!! And as rotten as life could be...HE IS STILL GOOD!!!

We celebrated my mom's 70th birthday this past week.

My mom is awesome.  She can be the biggest nudge and the lectures never stop.  But I love her something awful.  And she is also funny as all get out.

We were over the other day, and our youngest son was crabby and mean.  She asked him a few questions about his hair, and I started crying from laughing.  They were not mean or snarky, or to annoy him, just good questions because she was curious.  Or maybe I should say, she asks those awkward questions older people ask youngens.  He was trying SO HARD not to laugh, failing miserably.  Which of course, made me laugh harder.  Which of course, made him try harder NOT to laugh.

He finally gave in.

She is awesome that way.

And I can never say it enough.  I am SO THANKFUL she lives so close.  My girls LOVE going to Nana's house.  And not just because she feeds them.  Funny thing, sometimes when we leave, I hear her accent in their talk.  :)  Who doesn't love that??!!??!  All my kids drop in.  Our oldest daughter drops in with the babies at least once a week.  Those boys are getting a treasure that they will not appreciate it until they are older.  Our oldest son will drop by their house at any given time.  After work, on the way to a friend's house, driving down the street.

We are thankful.

And of course, Samuel loves her and can't get enough.  I use it as a bride.  When he asks to go, I tell him finish your school work and we will leave as soon as you are done.  It's amazing how much work he can get done with incentive.  :P

Thankful.

Our first grandchild, Beautiful Boy #1 turns 3 today!!!

GOD is good.

He is coming into his own.  He is in a better place since he can now communicate.  And the things that come out of his mouth are so funny and precious and brilliant.  And I don't say that because he is my grandson.  It is more along the lines of...he is a first born.  lol.

Thankful.

Our oldest's first born is due any minute now!!  My daughter in law looks so beautiful.  I mean she is already beautiful, but she is radiantly beautiful.  She can't wait to hold that baby i her arms, and quite frankly, neither can I.  They are a good couple.  They accept each other's weaknesses and strengthen each other.  Their personalities are so different, it actually works.  And I am so grateful she loves my son as much as she does.  I tell her all the time, she is a joy.

Thankful.

18 years ago today, my brother in law passed away.  Though I am not thankful he is gone, I miss him continually and think about how different our lives would be if he was here, I am thankful he was in our lives for his season here.  He was awesome.  He is missed, still.  He allowed himself to be an instrument in the hands of his GOD.  And hence, here we are.  In HIS grace.

Thankful.


I put this on my blog often.  Christian saw this a while ago.  Her face lit up, the smile stretched off her face, and she started dancing just like in the video!!!

 

Because I have to remember.  To be thankful..  Always.

Other than the first and foremost important thing above everything, and that is Jesus, HIS Lordship and HIS role in their lives, the next thing I want my kids to leave my home knowing is...

your life is not about you.

Knowing Jesus and learning to be thankful for what you have and how abundantly you have been blessed is important.

This way, they can move on and live for HIM, for others, and in turn FIND LIFE!!!!  

Breath Deep

wHoA.  I forgot to stop by and write something!

How can that be??!!?  Maybe because I have to think through what has happened ( a lot) and then bring it down to a few points.  And then try to make it interesting.  hahahahahahahahahaha.

Moving on.

My first born is having his first born soon!!

Someone said last night, " Oh, so it's your 3rd grandson?"  um... NO  It is just as important and crazy exciting to await for this one!!!!

Is it the first grandson that will carry on the family name.

And no, I'm not 'that' kind of a person, but there is something special in thinking that my father in law's legacy and name will continue.

He was much loved.   And our first born was his first grandson.  It was a big deal to him.

And, then, like I said...my first born's first born.  <3

The baby shower is this weekend.  She is due in about 3 weeks or so.  I am fairly bursting in anticipation.

Elles is going to the eye doctor next week.  She goes often.  She has a crazy eye that has been tamed without surgery so far, thankfully.  This time we will see if she has to wear glasses.  :O  Preparing either way. Hoping she doesn't.

Her reading has gotten so much better.  Her eye doctor said it would take time.  It did, but/and I am so proud of her!

My mom will be 70 years old soon.  70!!  So awesome to watch her still conquering life.  So awesome to see her plugging away; to hear her laughter. ( and yes, still get her lectures, though I am not sure that is in the awesome column ) SO thankful she is only 8 minutes from the house.  The girls love her and she teaches them things that I never could.

Baby Boy #1 is going to be 3 soon!  May is just chock full of celebrations.  We have loads during that month.  My nephews' birthdays ( though they live far away so we don't get to celebrate ) my mom's, grandson's, new grandson's, parent's anniversary, Mother's Day... It is a beautiful month to live through, though busy.

Most of school is almost done and should be done by the end of May/beginning of June.  We will still be doing math most of the summer, though will take off when we are away.  lol.  This was a good year.  Learn so much and then so much more than book work.  As we walked through British Lit. this year, I, once again realized just how much there is to learn from good literature.  And lo and behold, the kids actually enjoyed it, too!  Well, for the most part.  ;)

How is triathlon training going?  Can we hit the rewind button and make believe that never existed?

Thank you.

We got our summer vacation home.  It is all but a few houses, walking distance from the beach.  The bummer part will be that our son, DIL and grandbaby will not be joining us this year.  :::sigh::: woe-to-me.  But everyone else will be there.  Every year, my hope is that the love-of-my-life-that-makes-me-700-kinds-of-crazy will be able to just relax and enjoy and not be harried for a week.  I'm not a fan of the beach, but it really is not about me.  The plan is to go to the beach, play games, do our huge puzzle, go out for ice cream, and maybe go into town for the day.  That is it.  And play with the kiddos and grandbabies.  That is always fun.

So, this is longer than necessary.  I am sure that by now, I lost 3 of the 4 people that read this blog.

OH!  Samuel started pugilism a while back.  It has been good for him and he loves it.  The other night during dinner, he was telling us about one of the guys.  Missy-girl asked him how come he knows every person's name.  His response was something to the effect of: 'it is just plain polite to know the name of the person you will punch in the face'.

He is getting more fit and sleeping slightly better.  When he comes home from the gym he smells...athletically. :P  I remember that from Hoop's ice hockey days.

Anyway...like I said, it's good for him.  I spoke with loads of coaches before deciding on a gym, and I really like his coach.

We will see what happens.  It is something he can do forever if he wants to.

I will get a picture on here one of these days.

OK, off ot finish school.  I think the quiet work part of their school is done... as evident by the laughter.

I leave you with this...
 Spring cleaning is definitely in the air. ( we dewinterized our chicken coop and the smell was...just wrong.  Our poor neighbors.  But now it is just fine.  :D  )

Spring fun.

Spring Fever.

Life is good.

GOD is always better,

North Carolina

SO, let it be known that though one of my biggest dreams is to move to the south, NC is not the place I wish to live.

Which is funny, because I find myself really liking NC music.

And this bothers me.

Immensely.

See, its folksy.

And it makes me think I should be a folksy hippie or something.

And if you know me, I am neither folksy nor hippie.

At all.

Ever.

Regardless, I so enjoy the Avett Brothers.  I got the cd for my oldest son, and ended up liking it more than he does.

They are in the city in 3 days, and I will not be there because there is no way I can make it, specially after I tell you where I will be tomorrow. Later.

I did not go to high school in the 60s or 70s when folk music was around, I was still in elementary school in the late 70s, and we all know just how much we don't care about music in elementary school.

When I got to high school, I was into bands like Tears for Fears and David Bowie and U2 before they became U2 and I had to go into the city to buy their albums because no one had them here in Jersey.

And now, how much do I LOVE JMM? 

Loads and loads.

I am discovering more NC bands, and...I can't believe how much I like them.

Not cool.

And no, I do not like them because of their beards.  duh.

Though, let's get real...I have always been a fan of beards.  

Speaking of, my husband, who has a fabulous beard,

( granted the long hair is not my cup of tea, but if it helps keep the beard...)



came home one night and told me he read that the razor companies and having record low sales lately.

They are stressing and trying to come up with advertising to reverse this trend.

All I can say is, I had begged my husband to grow a beard since we got married.  29 years ago.  I couldn't care less if the trend goes away.

I will always be a fan of beards.  Always have been.  Always will be.

 And I will ALWAYS hope he never shaves it.

Ever.

Disclaimer: Not a big fan of the long beard.  Though I enjoy DD, those beards are too much for my taste. lol. 

Back to the original topic.  :p

I need to find some other taste in music to offset this style.

Quick.

NOW, on to where I am going this week.  Tomorrow to be exact.

My husband got me tickets to go see ROCKY on Broadway!!!!

ROCKY!!!

I KNOW!!!!  RIGHT??!!??

Again, another one of my loves.

We have ringside seats!!!!

I think he loves me.  <3   :)