A Lifetime of Love

Our family changed for the better the day you were born. Although you faced many developmental challenges, you have managed to overcome them by God's grace and great therapists. I am so happy to say that you right where you should be in all areas of development, and you continue to learn and grow each day. You are so special and so sweet! We love you!! Happy 3rd birthday, baby girl!

I'm sure everyone who's old enough to remember the events of September 11, 2001 can describe vividly the details of the day and how it's forever changed our nation. I am no exception... TJ and I were living in California at the time. He was still in the Air Force, and I worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Regional Office of Marshalls Department Store. TJ woke up first, showered, and turned on the TV to watch the news as he ironed his uniform. I awoke to TJ telling me that an airplane had hit the World Trade Center, and I remember watching the TV while trying to process everything. Keep in mind, living in CA, we were 3 hours behind the East Coast so the first plane hit at 5:46am PT. We continued watching the news coverage, and like many, were horrified as we watched the second plane hit on live TV. Even to this day, as I watch the news footage, I still find myself thinking it looks more like a scene from a movie than reality. We both readied ourselves for work a...

I had a plan that, during the summer while on break from homeschooling and taxiing my kids around from place to place, I would: organize and file all of Th's schoolwork from last year sort through toys and prepare them for consignment/donation strip and refinish Th's school desk strip and refinish T.G.'s bedroom furniture (which includes a double headboard/footboard, dresser, night table, desk, and chair) sand and refinish Teagan's bed swap out & pack away the kids' clothes for the next size up unpack and sort through the pile of boxes in my dining room and bedroom that are leftover from our move (you know, over a year ago!) Items on my list that actually were completed: none Items on my list that are partially completed: Th's schoolwork from last year is organized but not yet filed Th's school desk is stripped and I'm in the process of painting it I had high expectations and am a little disappointed that I didn't completely f...

I haven't shared anything recently about Teagan, her therapy, or the progress she's made in terms of her developmental delays. Teagan was recently evaluated by our local school district to see if she qualified for speech therapy. She will soon be turning 3 and will be discharged from BabyNet, South Carolina's service provider for children birth to age 3. At age 3, children who still need to continue with services are then picked up by the local school district. Teagan, thankfully, has met all of her goals and does not qualify for services under the school district. The only concern is that she sometimes stutters, but it's mainly when she is rushed to speak or excited about something. Some of my other kids went through a stuttering phase so I am hopeful she'll work through it. In early June, I decided to spend the summer working on potty training with her. It took Th and T.G. about a month to really get the whole potty thing down, and considering the delays Teagan...

I have an opportunity to share all that I've learned about couponing by teaching a mini-class to a group of friends of mine in the MOMS Club. Although I am by no means an expert (I've only been doing this for about 2 months myself), I am excited about this opportunity because 1) it's a way for me to help others be good stewards with the money they have and 2) we can support and encourage each other in our attempts to save money. Couponing, for me, is a way to contribute to my family financially without having to "work" outside of the home. I use the word "work" loosely because couponing does require time and effort in order to be successful, but so does everything. =) It's not a good feeling to always be spending money that I didn't earn, even if TJ and I are married. I'm not trying to start a debate about the fact that when we married, he agreed to take care of me, etc. I'm just saying that when I worked and had an income, spending mon...

I have been participating in this sale as a consignor or shopper since the Fall 2006 sale, making this my 10th season.  The current owner, MaryHelen, is a fellow homeschool mom and I appreciate all the ways she tries to help people save money, especially in today's market economy.  She has low consignor fees, plenty of volunteer opportunities to earn the coveted "pre-sale shopping pass", and although consignors' set their own prices for the items they sell, most are high quality at a great value.  Check out the website for the complete schedule, including half-price day!

Whenever I am out in public with my children, I am often asked if I am going to have more children. I have even been asked if I believe in birth control (although, thinking about it, that is a very personal question to be asked by a stranger!!!).  I thought I would address my "beliefs" here. First of all, the bible clearly states that children are a gift from God (Psalm 127). Also, the Lord opens and closes the womb in His timing (just read the accounts of Leah and Rachel in Genesis). Any woman who has become pregnant and then had a miscarriage or stillbirth is proof of the Lord opening and closing her womb; it was not her choice or timing but rather all in the Lord's hands. Keeping these biblical viewpoints in mind, here are my beliefs. TJ and I do believe in birth control to a certain degree. We use barrier-method contraception (condoms and I am waiting to be fitted for a diaphragm) as opposed to the hormonal types (the pill, the patch, the shot, the ring, etc)...