Sick Little Girl

Our whole family has had a minor cold for a week or so - but our daughter decided to kick things up a notch last night by puking. On me. Lovely.

It was a long, miserable night with very little actual sleep involved. Thankfully she seems much better now - still a slight fever (she told me that her hair was hot :) and very clingy, but that I can manage. Now I'm just praying that the rest of us can stay healthy!

(On a side note, the snow was all melted by dinnertime, and our son's field trip was postponed until tomorrow)

Brrrr!!

Our son has his first-ever field trip today. They're going to a farm in NJ, where they're scheduled to go on a hay ride, pick pumpkins, etc. The part that HE is most looking forward to is riding the school bus.

Sadly, today's weather is miserable. It's cold, wet, and windy. The high is 41, and it's actually snowing right now (although nothing is sticking).

Is it bad to admit that I'm now thankful I'm not one of the moms accompanying the class this time around? Here's hoping my turn will involve a nice, warm museum :)

(photo taken out the front door, then the door was rapidly closed to keep the cold out!)

1:00 Update - I am *NOT* dreaming of a white October... but here's a shot of the backyard

A Last Minute Funny

I just finished tucking our son into bed - as he's the oldest, he gets to stay up later than his sister. One reason we do this is so that we have a bit of time with each of them individually.

Tonight, I was reading him a story and he was playing with my hair. Nothing unusual there - he's always loved playing with my hair. As I neared the end of the story, though, I became aware that he wasn't just doing his normal thing, but was methodically working through, a section at a time. When I asked him what he was doing, he replied, "I'm looking for the white ones. I know you've got 'em!" (he stated this very emphatically, complete with hand motions for emphasis)

How lovely to have my aging process discussed as part of the bedtime routine! :)

And I've been meaning to share this one for a couple weeks now: if you *really* need a humor break, then click over here for some all-out belly laughs. She starts off by talking about a speaking engagement, and then shares little incident in which she was, well, humbled by her children. There are also some hysterical stories in the comments...
(BTW, if you have never been over to this blog before, then you need a find a hunk of time one day to read the incredible story. It's written by Angie Smith, wife to Selah member Todd Smith. They've endured some very difficult things this past year, and she shares the story with such honesty and amazing faith. Grab a box of tissues, and prepare to be blessed)

Checking In

I know I've been pretty quiet these past couple weeks - there's just been a lot happening. So hold on tight as I plow through the random bits!

• This past Saturday was our annual Fall Fest. Hubby and I coordinate this event with one other couple, and it requires quite a bit of time. I'm happy to say that all went well, though. The guys cooked 212 pounds of pork over an open fire, and it was scrumptious. We came home with some leftovers, too, so we've been enjoying those this week.


• I've been spending more time in the kitchen. I'd slipped into the habit of using prepackaged foods a bit too often, and it's better for us AND our budget for me to do get back to mostly "from scratch" meals. I made a yummy pancit with some leftover pork (didn't fry the noodles, though, and added even more veggies), and last night I made a big pot of black bean soup after dinner specifically so I could freeze individual portions to grab for a quick lunch. I've also discovered that mixed greens with a bit of red onion, half a mango, and light Italian dressing is really, really good (add a slab of multigrain crispbread, and I'm a happy camper!). Enough talk about food - I'm getting hungry! :)


• Our church is doing a photo directory, so we headed up there for family pictures. I had carefully coordinated our outfits and had high hopes, but was really disappointed with the results (odd poses, crazy smiles from the kidlets, etc). After talking with some friends, though, I'm rather thankful that we didn't want to purchase any of the photos, as the prices were pretty steep.


• Hubby flew out this morning for a business trip to Texas/Mexico. He'll only be gone 4 days this time, but that doesn't make me miss him any less!


• Less than two weeks until the election... I'll be relieved that the campaigning portion is over, but regardless of who wins, I think our nation is going to be going through some really difficult things. I pray that those in leadership will be willing to make the difficult decisions - ones that may be unpopular, but will re-establish a firm foundation.


• I'm teaching the 2/3 YO class this month, so have a few more preparations for the lesson. We're currently using the Faithweaver* curriculum, and I'm really liking it. I'm enjoying the adult classes (it's been neat to go back through the Old Testament stories that I haven't necessarily thought about in awhile and really dig in) and the children's curriculum is done well, too.


• Fall has definitely arrived here in Pennsylvania! We had our first frost earlier this week, the leaves are covering the ground (really need to rake soon), and I've been drinking hot tea pretty much every evening. Oh, how I love this season!

Well, I think that about covers it all - for now, anyway :)

*The main Faithweaver site is down right now, but I thought this website explained the program really well

Friday (Sorta) Funny

Yes, today's post has a story behind it.... I joined Weight Watchers this week. I had done WW about 7 years ago and lost a substantial amount, but after two babies and everything else I'm now at my highest weight ever. Not a nice truth to face, but I need to make changes and I'm not doing very well on my own. Not to mention the fact that it's not just a health issue, but a sin issue. So I'm starting down a long road - no diets, just making better choices that will make (and keep) me healthier. And I'm really looking forward to being able to say I'm a big loser! :)

Christmastime!

I'm really not trying to scare anyone... but do you realize that Christmas is just 10 weeks away?! Earlier this year, I'd promised myself that I was going to be better organized so that we could have a more enjoyable holiday season. I know that it's going to be busy regardless of how prepared we are, but I don't want to be so rushed. The kids are old enough that they can help make simple gifts if I take the time to pull it together now. I want more time to reflect on the real gift of Christmas, rather than fighting through crowded stores to find the perfect gift or starting a batch of cookies at 11 PM...

Great post here about planning ahead, and there's even a six week plan here (kicking off Oct 26).

He Keeps Me Singing

There's within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still
In all of life's ebb and flow

Chorus:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Sweetest Name I know
Fills my every longing
Keeps me singing as I go

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife
Discord filled my heart with pain
Jesus swept across the broken strings
Stirred the slumbering chords again

Feasting on the riches of His grace
Resting 'neath His sheltering wing
Always looking on His smiling face
That is why I shout and sing

Though sometimes He leads through waters deep
Trials fall across the way
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep
See His footprints all the way

Soon He's coming back to welcome me,
Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,
I shall reign with Him on high.

(by Luther Bridgers)


Well, our plans for yesterday didn't quite work out. Our daughter was running a low fever and just generally mopey, so we stayed home. Since hubby had taken the day off, he hung out with the kiddos while I ran a couple errands by myself. As I was driving between stores, the CD was playing and the words "Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go," seemed to bore into my heart. Have I been been willing to give Christ every longing, or I have I been holding onto them tightly and trying to fill them myself?

I came home and did a bit of research into the background of the hymn, and it's generally believed that Mr. Bridgers wrote this hymn shortly after the death of his wife and three sons in a fire. He was only 26 years old, and already experiencing great tragedy. Rather than succumbing to bitterness (which would have been so easy!) he chose to rest in His Savior, and even turned his pain into this encouraging, victorious song, much like It Is Well With My Soul by Horatio Spafford.

I'm not going to be able to keep singing unless I'm being filled... and that means allowing Him full access to all the cracks and crevices in my life. Then, and only then, can I know the peace and joy that allows me to not only get through life, but keep a song in my heart.

Saturday Catch-Up

Well, dinner last night was pretty good - a bit bland, though, so I'll definitely be adding more seasoning next time around (garlic, onion and sesame oil) I did forget to mention my other excitement of the day: my first call from the school nurse. Yep, I had to go pick D up since he'd complained to the teacher that his eyes were itchy. They were suspiciously red, but no major goo. Call to the pediatrician, then a trip to the pharmacy, and I now have the distinct pleasure of holding my kid down while I try to get two drops of medicine in each eye...

Went to the consignment sale this morning; the one I usually go to in the spring & fall merged with another one, so I was thinking it would be bigger and better. WRONG! It was cramped, poorly organized, and I was really disappointed in the selection. I was hoping to finish up Christmas shopping for the kids, but didn't find anything even remotely close to what I was looking for. I did manage to snag a couple long-sleeved dresses for A, but that was about it.

D is off on Monday for Columbus Day, so we're heading up to visit hubby's sister. They just happen to live about 2 blocks from The Crayola Factory, so we're planning to spend the afternoon there. I'm sure we'll have some pictures to share :)

Things are coming together for our church's Fall Fest next Saturday, but there are a number of things that can't be done until the day before. Just praying for sunshine and a good turnout!

Dinnertime!

Here's what we're having for dinner (based on this recipe). Now I just need to serve it, do dishes, fold laundry, finalize my shopping list for the consignment sale tomorrow, pull music for Sunday...

Think I'll just start with eating dinner :)

Sorry if we don't pick up...

...But we are definitely screening calls these days! Today, for instance, we received EIGHT political calls between 5:00 and 6:30. Seriously?!? And who on earth thinks that a pre-recorded mesage is going to influence anyone - I hang up the minute I hear that little click signaling the message is about to start.

And one last rant. I am truly thankful that my hubby has a job, but it happens to be union. And it really, really burns me up that our dollars are being spent on mailings and the aforementioned phone calls supporting Mr. O.

Blech.

Home again, home again

Well, we're home from the Pumpkin Festival - a bit tired, but full of wonderful memories. Climbing hay bales, shooting apples out of giant slingshot, picking a pumpkin, riding a pony, listening to live music, eating funnel cake... Yep, all good! I'll have pictures to share tomorrow. I'm currently sipping a mug of hot cherry berry tea, listening to the hum of the washing machine. It's amazing how much dirt the kids were able to grind into the knees of their jeans!

And this cute little sign and pumpkin? Well, they were purchased at the gift shop this weekend. I'm not normally one for "country" type decor, but I really liked the sign, and the pumpkin was just too cute for words. They've found a new home atop our fish tank, so now I can say I've begun decorating for fall :)

Heading Out...

Well, the bags are packed and we'll be heading out in a couple hours. We're going to a pumpkin festival at a friend's family farm, and I know we'll have a ball. This will be the first time the kids have stayed in a hotel, so they're quite excited :)

In other news, I ran errands yesterday, and made a stop at the local Salvation Army store. I really need a lightweight coat (mine has a broken zipper and a giant hole in the lining, so I think it's time for it to be retired!) and thought I'd see what I could find there. Well, God definitely took care of that need - I now own a beautiful, soft brown leather jacket for the same price as what a new fleece would have run at Wal-Mart! Also found a couple games for the kids, complete with all the pieces AND instructions. Yep, that stop was definitely worthwhile.

And finally, I received a call from my doctor's office. I had bloodwork done last week, and I'm happy to say that everything is fine. One funny issue, though - my good cholesterol is too high and my bad cholesterol is too low. Weird! I laughingly asked the nurse if that meant I should start eating more red meat and eggs, and she said that actually wasn't a bad idea (still need to watch fat levels, of course). Think I might try to start incorporating shrimp into our meals, too.

Before I head out, I just want to ask for prayer for some friends. The Cruzes are part of our church family, and their precious little girl came about 10 weeks early, so they could really use your prayers. She's still in the NICU and it will be some time before they can bring her home - not an easy thing for a mama...

Well, I'm signing off now. I know I'll have a ton of pictures to share next week, and probably some funny stories, too. D has school pictures on Monday, so here's hoping he can avoid any facial trauma!

Swamped

Haven't fallen off the face of the earth, just really busy. We're going away this weekend, and there's quite a lot I was hoping to get done before we head off... And to make things even more interesting, we've been having issues with our modem staying connected for more than about ten minutes at a time. Oh well, that's one way to make sure I'm not wasting so much time online! :)

There was no school yesterday or today, so the kids and I have been having fun together. This afternoon, D decided to work on his letters. He brought me one of his notes so he could read it to me: "Mommy, I love you very much." Our little boy really is a sweetie! Oh, and you're also getting a peek at the floor with our new rug!