A Lifetime of Love

1 Corinthians 10:31, "And whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God." We used to "celebrate" Halloween until I really understood how it is not pleasing to Christ. My boys have gone trick-or-treating 1 time and it was horrible. They were scared and it was then that I was convicted by the Holy Spirit through the above verse. Now, we allow the children to wear a costume to their preschool fall festival, and then in the afternoon we go visit a local nursing home in their costumes. The residents love it, the kids love it, and I love knowing it brought joy to everyone involved. We no longer go trick-or-treating, and the costumes I permit the kids to wear cannot be evil or scary in any way. This year Th is a robot, Ta is Piglet, and T.G. is a pumpkin. I made Th and T.G.'s costume, and a friend gave me Ta's last year. I'll post pictures tomorrow from their festival at school and from the nursing home. Until then, read t...

I want to share with you about my student who I have been working with at a local elementary school. She is a beautiful, sweet girl and I am extremely burdened for her and her family. N. is 8 years old and in 3rd grade. She has pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is something I had never heard of until meeting her. She has a catheter that enters directly into her heart and wears a backpack that carries the liquid medication. If the catheter becomes dislodged, she has approximately 3 minutes to have it replaced before she faces death. One of my tasks at the school is to ensure this does not happen, and it is very daunting! With her disability, she faces fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea , vomiting, and a host of other side effects. Today I came in and her face and neck were covered in what looked to be red hives. It was caused by her medication. She looks like a normal 8 year old, and generally acts like one, too. I did some research on this particular condition (you know me,...

I've not posted in a few days because I've been busy with school (as usual) and getting ready for last night and tonight. Specifically, this week is Missions Conference at church. We are blessed to have five excellent missionaries and their families in attendance, and even more blessed that we were able to get to know them on a more personal basis. We ate lunch with them all at church both yesterday and today, hosted one last night and another tonight for supper, and the church is having its Fall Fellowship tomorrow evening in which all will be present. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have so much interaction with such a diverse group of people. I hope these past few days have been and will continue to be a memorable event for my children, particularly the meals. Sharing 4 meals with 4 separate families has really provided a great opportunity for the boys, Th especially, to get a better idea of what a missionary is and why it is such an important job. The missionary we ...

Jenn gave me another award today. I don't really think I did anything special, but I appreciate her thinking of me. It brought a smile to my face nonetheless. Visit her blog if you're interested in finding out why she chose me.

Jenn had this posted and I thought it was a cute way to get to know TJ and me better. 1. Who is your man? TJ 2. How long have you been together? Total 9 ½ years, married 8 3. How long did you date? 1 year and 4 months 4. How old is your man? 32 5. Who eats more? Unfortunately I do 6. Who said “I love you” first? He definitely did. I think. 7. Who is taller? I am by an inch 8. Who sings better? He definitely does! He sounds a lot like Travis Tritt, and I often encourage him to join our church’s choir, but to no avail. 9. Who is smarter? We both have our strengths. I am much more knowledgeable about history and English (i.e. grammar), and we’re equally talented in math and science. 10. Whose temper is worse? Hands down. . . me. His temper debuts while driving, mine in pretty much everything else. 11. Who does the laundry? That’s a sore subject! I do the laundry and I HATE it! He’ll help but I usually have to ask. 12. Who takes out the trash? He does, unless I see it needs to be done whi...

We do our grocery shopping as a family, although occasionally TJ will take only the boys to allow me to get some things done around the house. We typically go to the grocery store on Friday, but this past Friday TJ and I went to a wedding reception together, so our weekly grocery trip occurred Saturday. Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I don't just go by myself or with T.G. , and it's because I spend more when I do that. I have a difficult time remembering what we're out of, and so rather than not have any, I buy it. I have 2 unopened bottles of Ranch dressing in my pantry, along with several boxes of noodles, macaroni. . . you get the picture. I don't know why I have so much trouble, but I do. So, TJ helps me remember what we have and don't have, and we save money because of his memory. Okay, back to Saturday at the grocery store. I have heard stories about those who go to the grocery store and return home and as they're unpacking the bags, find they ...

As I wrote in my last post, Mark’s son C. preached at church this past Sunday evening. He did an awesome job! The subject of his message was about how God allows trials into our lives for various reasons. He presented text from Job 1:6-2:10, 42:1-6, 10-17. The entire time he was preaching I just kept thinking about what a strong young man C. is, his entire family is really, that he could apply the truths of God’s Word to the passing of Mark. God really blessed me through C.’s message. First, I was caught up in the nursery getting Ta and T.G. settled. I entered the sanctuary just as the service was beginning. TJ and Th were already seated, so I found them and slid into the chair next to an older gentleman. I didn’t know who the gentleman was, but he shared his hymnal with me since the congregation was already singing the opening hymn. The service began with C. preaching, followed by 2 other teenage boys preaching. I already stated what C.’s topic was, and as I listened to him, I real...

This weekend was so nice. It all began with a phone call Friday afternoon. . . My friend J. called me and presented me with 2 propositions: we could go shopping for a wedding gift and then have dinner ALONE (as in a “girl’s night out”) OR we could do the same thing as couples (with her oldest girls staying with my children to baby-sit). I called TJ to get his input, and honestly, I was thinking he wouldn’t be up for either of J’s ideas. He had a rough day on Friday and I didn’t think he’d like the idea of being home alone with the kids and it was evident from his mood he didn’t feel like being sociable. But, he surprised me by telling me he and P. (J’s husband) had planned for J and me to get together for a girl’s night out while we were at the Wilds. So, J and I went shopping and then had dinner at the Olive Garden (which, if you know me, is my FAVORITE restaurant)! After dinner, we went to Panera for coffee and sat there 45 minutes after the store had closed drinking coffee, talking,...

It's registration time for next semester (I can't believe it- the semester is flying by!) and as I was going over my degree planning sheet, I came across something that I'm still not sure how to interpret. I found out that ALL Special Education majors also graduate with a certification in Elementary Education. Now, for those who may not know, Special Ed. is a K-12 certification, meaning I can teach any grade level but only in Special Ed. Elementary is specifically for grades 2-5, and I would LOVE to have this additional certification because then I wouldn't be limited to only being able to teach Special Ed. The problem lies in that I have a feeling I need to take some additional methods courses (i.e. how to teach) in science and social studies. I'm not sure, and when I went to ask the degree planning person, she is out-of-town until next Wednesday. The suspense is killing me, especially because I was hoping to complete my student-teaching next year and graduate. Ad...

Of all of the many chores I do as a wife/mother, laundry is probably my most dreaded. Perhaps it is because it seems to be never-ending; there are always clothes to be washed. I have been the type to only do laundry once per week for that very reason: I hate it and couldn’t possibly bear the thought of doing laundry every day. I should clarify that I don’t really hate laundry. I have no problems with sorting clothes, putting clothes into the washer and/or dryer, or even getting them out of the dryer. No, my problem is folding them. I do okay for the first 4-5 loads. After that, it’s all downhill. I fold laundry on my bed, so what usually happens is that any clothes that happen to get washed/dried after load 6 is left in the laundry basket until Wednesday, Thursday, or even Friday. By then, it’s slim pickin’s because we’ve picked through the basket, finding and wearing the necessary item of clothing. I’m usually left with a handful of stray socks, underwear, and a few shirts or shorts....

Above is a video that helps keep the humor in mothering. Remember, perspective is everything! I hope you enjoy it; I certainly did!

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." ~John 9:3 As you are aware, CDH is a little-known birth defect, that, according to Breath of Hope, Inc (2007), occurs almost as frequently as Cystic Fibrosis and Spina Bifida. Several families I know (some in person, some through the Internet ) have been greatly affected by this. Out of compassion for them and my love for children (especially those with disabilities!), I am trying to help spread the word about CDH. With a minimal investment of time, you can help, too. CDH families and friends are trying to get March 31 declared as CDH Awareness day and we are asking for your help! If you would like to participate, please email cdhawareness@breathofhopeinc.com and you will be forwarded a sample letter and the Proclamation to mail to your governor. Please help us to bring this horrible birth defect to the attention of everyone and no...

Everyone is feeling better. . . except me. My stomach is killing me, and I don't know why. I have been fasting out of fear of vomiting , except if you know me, I LOVE food! So, for breakfast I settled on a handful of animal crackers. It's taken me 4 hours to eat them all because I'm afraid the next bite will put me over the edge. I did my presentation today. I just finished it at 11:15. It went very well, and I think I did great. I presented the information and then we went from our classroom into the gym to do an activity. I used one of Th's giant floor puzzles and each student had 1 piece of the puzzle. The first time we did it, no one was allowed to talk. *Remember, my presentation was on PDD which includes disabilities such as Autism- communication skills are a deficit* The second time we did, I permitted the students to talk. We completed the puzzle faster the first time (silence) because everyone watched and patiently waited for pieces that matched their own. Th...

Well, apparently we are in for the long haul. The stomach bug has claimed another victim- T.G. I now have Ta and T.G. who can't keep anything down, and I feel nauseous myself. Poor Ta, after getting another bath this afternoon because he vomited all over the kitchen floor (again!) said to me, "Me need medicine for my mouth. No more throw up. Me not like it." Have you ever seen your heart crumble right in front of your eyes? I did after hearing that comment. I can't give him anything for I fear it would only make him vomit more. And poor T.G.! She doesn't know what's happening, and unfortunately I can't predict when it will happen, either. She got me, the playroom floor, and the hall floor all before I realized she was actually vomiting and not just "spitting up". Duh! James 1:2, "Count it all joy. . ." Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to learn kindness and compassion as I watch them suffer.

"Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established." ~ Proverbs 16:3 NKJV My plan for last night and today: Put the kids to bed at 9PM and work on the slides for my presentation Wednesday. Go to bed around 10 or so and get a full night’s sleep. Wake at 6:30AM Drop off Th at preschool at 9 Go to a friend’s house with Ta and T.G. to make a craft to bring to the nursing home next week Come home and work on Thank-You cards and make lunch Eat lunch and head to church for Bible Study Come home and put the kids down for a nap While everyone is napping, finish my other Bible study lesson and finish up my presentation God’s plan for last night and today: Put the boys to bed at 9PM Nurse T.G. and put her in her crib to go to sleep at 9:30 9:45 Ta woke crying with vomit EVERYWHERE in his bed I give him a bath while TJ changes the sheets, deodorizes his room, and disinfects his mattress and pillow covers Get him settled in bed at 10:15 and go get T.G. who has been scr...

I've been busy with school lately. I had a test last Monday, some assignments due last Wednesday, and another test this morning. I just finished taking it, and I feel okay about it. I am giving a 30 minute presentation on Wednesday about integrating children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism, Asperger's , Rett's ) in the physical education setting. I LOVE doing things like this because I have such a heart for children with special needs. I enjoy researching the various disabilities and finding the best methods (both physical and social) to incorporate these kids into the regular education classroom. I know a few children who have Autism and Asperger's , and I like talking with the parents to gain their perspective of the education their child is receiving, especially in the public school. For those of you who attended Th's birthday party, I am going to try my best to write thank-you cards this week. Along with my college courses, I am leading a Bible st...