Who knew!

Okay, I just wanted to let you know that I will not be blogging for awhile. We are trying to switch internet providers, and they said it could take up to two weeks. Boy, what a bummer. I thought that a switch in service would only take a day or two. Who knew! I suppose that we will have to occupy our time by watching more TV!

Early 3 Tuesdays

After Beaver Bend , We went to the Dallas Zoo!Megan's favorite animal!

I am going to be to busy tomorrow and our internet is going to be changed today, so here are some early things:

1. We lost both the girl's soccer games on Saturday. Boo-hoo!

2. Spring fever is no more, because I think Spring has arrived here in Texas. Things are blooming and the temperature is going to be in the 60's to the 80's. Sorry Lisa!

3. In 2 weeks, we go to Pinecove for our spring youth retreat. In TN, our youth trips were in lodges. When we go to Pinecove on a retreat, I feel like that I am at summer camp. It is great! I know the teens like it. The girls and I just walk around and play pickle ball and ride horses!

A Quiet Retreat

Our Adventure at Beaver Bend

We enjoyed our quiet break. Our camping experience was great! We met some new friends. We fished, hung out and played. We did not catch any fish, but we told the kids since we live near a lake that we would try again when we got home. By the second night we decided to leave. So the next day, we traveled back to Dallas. We were just so cold at night that it made it a little hard. We came home and enjoyed the Dallas zoo and did some spring cleaning. As the week came to a close, Steve and I both felt rested. I also felt like our family bonded this past week. It was just a really great week!

The Good Things In Life

The kids last day was yesterday and it feels great. I love this time of year where the weather starts to warm up and things come back to life. Spring break is a wonderful time. Steve's actual break has not started yet. He preaches tomorrow. It is an honor for him to continue to get a chance to preach. Our pastor is so gracious to let him do it. He told me a couple of days ago that it is something that he loves doing. Eventhough I see him exhausted at times, I see him come alive with passion when he has the opportunity to speak to the whole body.

Today, my packing journey begins. I must get the camper ready for our trip. I also have to wash the car and vacuum it. It really needs it. There is something about our family van. It never stays clean inside for a very long time. I hope that chances when the girls get older. I am excited about our camping trip. I don't know if we will be bored or not. My objective on this trip is for us to just chill and enjoy each other as a family. I am looking for some good old peace and quiet. Everyone has said that Beaver Bend in Broken Arrow is beautiful. We will just see about that!

I learned some wonderful news last night. My brother and his wife are pregnant. She has not been to the doctor yet, but the home test confirmed it. I am so excited about it. I know that their little girl, named Madeline, wants a sister. I think that my brother would like a boy. I know my dad would like a little boy too. My girls want it to be a girl. They said boys are yuckie. I don't think they understand that cousin boys are okay especially cute little babies. Personally,I really just want them to have a healthy baby boy or girl.

I feel excited and encouraged. It seems like the good often out weighs the bad in life!

Wishing For a little Tuscan!

Lately, I have been finding myself wanting a little Tuscan. What does that mean? Well the other night, I watched an older movie called Under the Tuscan Sun. Yes, there was a gay couple and the main character thought she needed a man, but I still related a little. She had just went through a divorce that totally disoriented her. She ends up buying a house in Tuscany. It becomes her project to remodel this house. While upset, she explains to her realtor all the things she wants. Later, in the movie, he reminds her that she had receive all of it. She had not gotten it the way she thought she would. Tuscany became her healing spot.

I guess lately that I have been wanting to find a place that could be my refudge. I think that some of the past couple weeks have brought me to a point where I need a Tuscany -a place to recover, a place to call my own, a place to restrengthen and a place to find peace. I kind of think we probably all need one.

Okay, enough of that mushy stuff. Here are my Tuesday things:

1. When your hard drive crashes, it is bad especially if you have not backed it up! You basically start your computer life over. I know what I am talking about because it happened this last week to me.


2.We are going to Beaver Bend Monday for a camping trip. I am excited. We picked up the camper Sunday. Tipp, a friend from Watermark, has been so kind to let us use it.

3. Please pray for us. Steve's test came back that he had something that needs to be watched because it can turn into cancer easily. Also, pray for a way for us to finish Steve's seminary degree with out it killing us. The financial worry and the mental toll is overwhelming for us!

Tuesday 4's

1. We start soccer practice this week which takes a lot of time out our nights. It is fun but gets crazy. I quit Bunco, because one of the practices was on that night. Oh,well!

2. Steve still feels weak from this past weekend experience. He got behind in his studies a little. He is feeling overwhelmed and weary. He finally gets a break with Spring Break soon. I have never seen him so overwhelmed with how to get everything done. Sometimes, I wonder if we can do what God has asked us to do!

3. I wish Greek was not so hard!

4.We finally got a well deserved rain this last weekend!

A Hell of a Weekend!

Okay, maybe my title is a little strong, but you can judge for yourself. It all started Thursday night. Madison began saying I don't feel well. She did not want her dinner. I knew something was up. She usually will eat something. She started throwing up at 7:00pm. At about 8:00pm, Megan said, I don't feel good. I thought maybe she was just grossed out about Madison puking.

I told Megan to go to bed. Well, Megan sleeps in the top bunk. She has her own world up there. Her American doll has her bed up there as well as shelves and hooks for her accessories and clothes. While Madison was on the couch (because she had already puked in her bed while sleeping), I heard a cough from the bedroom. I ran back there, because I had feared that Megan had thrown up. Well, my fear was correct. I stepped in and got blasted. It went everywhere and she was in her top bunk!

I moved Megan to the other couch and Steve began the clean up. We were out of sheets, and the laundry began. He was extremely mad, because earlier we had called the on call doctor (who I don't like and now Steve doesn't like) and he would not give us anything for Madison. By the way, I don't use that doctor at all when we have office visits. The girls threw up until about 4:00am. We all sleep in the den and I got up every hour to hold a bucket. Luckily, Mackenzie did not get sick.

Do you think this is the end of my little weekend. No, no, no! The next day Steve had a scheduled endoscopy procedure. I told him lets just reschedule. He said, if I have to reschedule then I am not going to do it. Michelle comes over and keeps the kids and off we go 35 mins away to get this procedure done. We arrive at the place and waited and waited only to find out that Steve was not suppose to have anything to drink. I told him that he could have water. I thought the lady on the phone had said that he could drink it before the test.

We ended up having to wait for an hour and half, so we went to REI outdoor store. It is the coolest place. Unfortunately, we don't have any money to buy the cool things that exist in the store. We go back and I wait another 2 hours and he finally is done. He is totally out of it. His results were not great. He has to have this procedure again in 6 weeks. He also will probably have to have it either yearly or every two years. I guess that I should tell you why he had to have this done. He basically has been choking on certain foods for years. I made him go and get this done, and he certainly did not want to get it done. The doctor also told us that Steve had lesions in his stomach and he will be on medicine for at least a year.

We get home and Steve goes to bed. He sleeps for a while and then by 4:00pm I got to the drug store to fill the prescription the doctor had given us. I went because Steve's chest started hurting terribly. We thought it might be bad gas, so I went to get it filled. In the meantime, Steve calls the doctors office to ask if it was okay to take another medicine for the heartburn, because it was killing him. They say you need to get to the hospital NOW! He calls me and I come home. With Steve and the kids, we take off to the hospital. This hospital is near our church, so it takes 30 mins to get there. On this day, it took 40 mins, because it was raining like crazy.

All the way there, I was worried because I had nowhere to take my kids. I had used up Michelle that day and she was at work by now. Several people offered to help but Steve did not want to send the kids with someone that they never knew or send them somewhere they had never been. Megan said don't make us go with someone. I think she was scared. I know she is old enough to know when things could possible be dangerous. I called Steve's boss, because he had called earlier to offer any help.

When I called, his wife answered their phone. She was so kind and gracious. She said I will be right there and we will figure out what you want to do. The Lord knew what I needed to hear. She came to the hospital and so did her husband. She said my parents are out of town and they live right across the street. You and the girls can go there and Paul can stay with Steve. I was reluctant to leave Steve, but something that I did not mention earlier was that I had a temperature. I had either caught what the girls had or I was just exhausted. I decided that her idea was just what I needed. So, I left Steve on the floor of the emergency waiting room (yes, he was hurting that bad--we think he had the virus by that time as well.). Paul told me later that they put Steve on a portable bed to sleep on because a nurse was fussing to him about being on the floor. She said that hospital floors were dirty.

Well, we ended up spending the night at this house and Steve ended up okay (except fot the virus, which kept him running to the bathroom all night. Fortunately, he hadn't eaten since midnight so he only had to deal with the "lower" end). I have to say that I had the best night's sleep that I have ever had since we moved to Texas. This house was in a neighborhood that was extremely quiet. In our neighborhood, I hear cars going all night long up and down the street. It sure felt like a terrible weekend. Eventhough it felt like hell, I was amazed at how the DeHaven's took care of us. So, I guess that God took care of us by sending them to our rescue. Maybe, God showed us what his true nature is like. He is not going to leave me out in the cold with out help. Thanks-God and Thanks-Dehaven's!

So, what do you think? Was it a Hell of a weekend or not?

I usually don't say that word that much -just for everybody's information!

Tuesday's Threes

1. I have found it fascinating the response that Steve has had from his sermon. He really did an excellent job. I know that it was hard to say some of the things that he said. The funny thing is that I was not shocked at his info. I think that so much of what he said this last Sunday is just a part of us. We often discuss what the "Church" should be like in the next generation. I guess that I am just in awe that some of this is new thinking for some individuals.

2. My highlights turned out great. Emilee did a great job. She is so hip. I really appreciated her doing my hair.

3. I am now beginning to realize that our camping trip is next month. I am getting myself mentally prepared for it. For Spring Break, we are going up to Oklahoma to a state park to camp. The burnban creates a little problem with cooking. I guess that means cold food. Even so, I know the girls will have a great time.

A Little Late 2 Tuesday

Okay, I am a little late with the these interesting facts, but oh well.

1. I have switched to a new hair stylist. She is sooo much better. She is on youth staff with Steve. Today, I go to get my hair highlighted. I am excited, because I finally found a way to spend my Christmas money on me. Steve's mother said, " Now I want you to spend this on you." I have saved it and saved it, because I did not know how to cope with that challenge. A stay home mom whose husband is a pastor and a seminary student does not tend to spend a lot on just herself. So, I am excited!

2. My little news is that I have been a nervous wreck. I have my first 5 hours exam this Saturday for obtaining my teaching license in Texas. I have not taken exam in 10 years. I am also not a good test taker and there is a good chance that I may have to take it over. Last week, there was an interesting report on North Texas teachers in Dallas county. There have been numerous reports of teachers having to take the teaching exam multiple times. One guy had taken it 47 times. Okay, if you have to take it 47 times then maybe you are in the wrong profession. I suppose that if I can pass it and beat his attempts that I will be okay! Wish me well!

Tuesday Twos

1 Today, I have to go to Lowe's to buy a swing for Kenzie. She does not like her baby swing anymore. While I am there, I also have to buy fire ant stuff for the yard as well as buy spray for the house. Yes, Spring brings back all of those wonderful little pests that only give me headaches. For some reason, it is only February and plants are blooming here.

2. I am trying to study for a teaching exam that is next Saturday. I only have one problem every time I start to study the girls like to run through the house screaming! Where is quiet mouse when you need him?

I Am Not Too Upset!

Today, I must say was a full day. We went to church, and I served in the kindergarten class. I then picked up all of my kids from their classes and went to Steve's 7th and 8th grade class. Our church changed our meeting times today, because of the Super Bowl. I really was confused all morning. I enjoyed sitting in Steve's class. They played games and did worship. It was neat to see the teens again. It is so rare that I am involved with them anymore.

We went to eat at McAllister Deli for lunch. It was good. Steve and I like it a lot and the price is reasonable. Afterwards, we came home and I read over the new curriculum that our class will be working on starting in March. It comes from Northpointe. I really liked it. Then the girls and I worked on a letter to our Compassion International child. Megan wrote it and they all drew her pictures.

Afterwards, we played soccer until it was time for the Super Bowl. Then, I began my ritual of feeding the family. I made shrimp cocktail. They all loved that and when I went back in to get a bite it was all gone. I really did not know that my kids even liked shrimp. I then brought in carrots and celery with ranch dressing. Steve looked at me and said, "oh good you brought the kids something". He doesn't like vegetables.

The main course was chili nachos with tomatoes, cheese, and green onions. Yes, my kids like green onions. I know it is weird. This was accompanied by potato skins. Steve ate most of them. For desert, we enjoyed fudge brownie with chocolate syrup and ice cream.

Okay, I usually don't cook like this but it was Super Bowl Sunday! I then washed the kids and read to them for about 45 minutes. They finally were all asleep at about 8:30pm. I really don't even know who did what in the Super bowl. I really can't say that I watched any of the Super Bowl. It is kind of funny that my day revolved around this event, and I really had nothing to do with it except hear it in the faint distance. Oh well, I am not too upset.

2 Tuesday

1. I am sad because Steve's uncle died yesterday. It is hard to live so far away and not be able to comfort his mom. I got online yesterday and ordered flowers for his aunt. It took me 2 hours to decide which ones. I think that I need a decision making support group!

2. Our soccer team is gearing up for another season. Guess who is handling all the paper work, again? Steve is coaching Maddie's team, again. I don't know how we did it last season. Megan and Madison played. Their fields were right beside of each other. I would stand and cheer for one and then turn around and cheer for the other. Kenzie says she wants to play next year. How do you be in 3 places at once? This is a mystery to me!

Learning At It's Best

Yesterday, I read an article out of Time Magazine. It was about the middle school years and how kids should be grouped in the school system. It really rekindled some love that has been tucked away in my heart. The article was a debate over whether kids should be in a K-8 elementary school or 6th , 7th, and 8th middleschool. I was talking to my friend Michelle about it yesterday. She asked me, "What do you think makes the difference in a school?"

It did not take me long to jump on that question. I told her after having two kids in school that I am finding out that each year is different. I told her that most of it depends on the teacher. For me, I tend to think that much money is miss used in the school system. I mean why is central office getting paid so much. I think more evaluation of teachers and accountability is the way to go . Also, I think that college training is not enough. I think that equipping teachers yearly with seminars on location is a definite. Seminars need to be about relevant topics like communication. This year I feel like one of our teachers lacks in communicating with us. My kid is doing great, but I have no idea what is going on. Her newsletter is unfriendly and uninformative.

If you have signed up for teaching these precious little ones, I believe that 100 percent is required. I mean how many people do we know in the world that is just going to their job for a pay check! I know that in the middleschool system that a lot of teachers don't have time to get involved with their students. They are only there for 3 years. It seems that K-8 schools could really shape kids and take a long term interest in them. I think the middleschool years are the hardest. I know during these years a lot of changes occur, and I am not sure if placing kids in a segregated population with there peers is a good idea.

I do become frighten when I think of sending my girls off to middleschool. I think that my only answer to change any of this is to pray, pray, and pray some more. I have a year and half and then I will be going back to work (that is if the Lord wants it). Maybe, somehow, I can make a difference. My little contribution will consist of a single classroom where learning and caring are the most important objectives. I want to be an advocate of change with in the school system. I don't want to just get a paycheck. I believe that once teachers begin to build true relationships with their students, then the learning process can work and work well.

2 Tuesday Things

1. Steve and I passed up a 2 night trip all expenses paid to Palm Springs, CA for February. We would have stay at a spa and resort. -Childcare

2. We finally had rain the other night. I was up at 5:00am and could not believe how weird it sounded. Also, Steve might repel over a wall as an intro for his sermon in February. I am a little nervous!

Oh My, Oh My!

Oh, my, oh, my! I really have had it with the disease of Asthma! It runs in Steve's family and in mine. Steve has a touch of it and his mom has it too. I heard that my grandfather had it. I never knew him, because he died before I was two. My dad has it pretty bad too. What do you think the odds of my kids having it are?-Pretty good!

When Maddie was 9 months old, Steve and I were playing with her and Megan on our bed. I kept hearing something funny coming from Maddie's mouth. I thought maybe her congestion was just bad. I started to think that day that maybe just maybe Maddie was wheezing. I called our doctor and talked to the nurse. I held the phone up to Maddie's mouth and said, do you think that she is wheezing? Of course, the nurse could not tell over the phone if she was wheezing. She said you will have to bring her in to be check by the doctor.

I made my way to the doctors office. For some reason when I reached the counter, I was almost in tears. My fears had taken over. The nurse sent us right back into a little room. We did not even have to wait which was unusual. They hooked Maddie up to a nebulizer right away. They told me that she probably had RSV and that I needed to go get a nebulizer and give her breathing treatments every 4 hours. I made my way to the drug store to buy everything that I needed and be trained on a nebulizer.

As I waited at home for her test results to come back to see if she had RSV, I thought for sure this would be a temporary thing. I never dreamed that these treatments would be a permanent part of my life and Madisons. She did not have RSV. She just had asthma!

After five years, I still am giving breathing treatments. Madison is our most athletic and physical, and for some reason she is the one that has asthma the worst. Five years of breathing treatments is getting a little old. Tonight, I have not sleep much because Maddie's breathing has been really bad. She crawled into bed with Steve and I and took a breathing treatment at 2:00 am.

Kenzie has some asthma, but not quite as bad as Maddie's. Megan has not had any problems with it yet. It seems like this Fall our asthma problems have been on high alert. As I laid there tonight beside my Maddie (who in her sleep was gasping for air because the treatment was not helping that much), I could not help but find tears. I know it sounds cheesy, but I really just cried out to God and said, Oh My, Oh My!

2-Tuesday

Okay, these are pretty boring.
1. It rained a little yesterday. The drought has been bad here. I can see the bottom of the lake at some of the docks.

2. I am having a hard time coming up with a variety of dinners to cook for the family.

Okay, there you go. I hope you found that interesting!

Getting Back Into The Groove

As I sit here, I hear the loud noises of big truck mufflers rumbling. I still don't know most of our neighbors, but I do know they drive loud cars. I think it probably is a Texas thing. I feel like this is becoming our home. The things that are common to me seem to be here. When we started this new journey almost three years ago, I had no idea what this move would be like. At times, I have felt very lonely. It seems like the last week or two that has not been the case.

God has brought several people my way these last couple of weeks. I believe that God is redirecting my ME syndrome. I read today a chapter out of Blue like Jazz. The author talked about how he found out what the problem with everything was. The problem was himself. I have enjoyed God putting several people in my life that have had problems bigger than mine. I realize today that I really need to be aware of the times that I am getting in the way of God's plans. It is so easy for me to try to make things my way instead of God's way. I suppose that this season here in Texas is God's plan, and I need to embrace that and not stand in His way.

Now that the holidays are over, I am finally feeling normal again. I never new that a routine would feel so comforting. I never knew that where JR got shot would be the city that I call my routine. I guess getting back into the groove is where I am at right now, and it feels pretty good.

Crime So Close

Well, I am back. We just got back from Christmas with relatives. Also, we got to reconnect with some old friends. As we spent time with old friends, I was reminded of how important friendship is to us.

We arrived back in town on Thursday, and I had to go to the store to get some items since our frige was bare. Maddie and I took off to Tom Thumb. We live almost next door to this store, and we could walk if we were not so lazy. We went in and shopped for about 30 minutes.

We arrived at the check-out and the bag boy was joking with the cashier. I asked them what they were talking about. Evidentially, while we were shopping the bank that is located in Tom Thumb was robbed. At first, they thought the sushi man did it, because the bankteller said that a short Asian man approached her for money. They do sell sushi at this store, but the bag boy said that the sushi man did not do it and that he just looked similar. We walked by the bank, and they had it roped off like a crime scene. We did look carefully at everyone we passed on our way to the car.

I was not back 3 hours from our trip and our closes grocery store bank was robbed. What is so crazy is that this did not even make the news. In our hometown, this would have been a main story. Since this is New Year's Eve, I am very aware of where we live and how close crime can be. We will be toasting the New Year in with Sushi and Fre(some kind of fake wine Steve bought). Some of you may say it is in honor of the poor little sushi man, but no it is just our tradition. For several years, Steve and I have had sushi at midnight to bring in the new year. Have a Happy One!

Out of Town

What is a vacation and when do you need one? We took a cool camping vacation last summer. A family from our old church let us borrow their pop up. I had a melt down one day on the trip. I think that I had absorbed enough sun. Other than that, I have great memories of that trip. We went to the beach and had a great time. We found out that we really liked camping, but maybe not at the beach.

Steve has taken vacation days, and we are embarking on another journey tomorrow. We are going to visit our relatives and friends in our hometown. My question is "why does this really not feel like a vacation? What is it about visiting family that sometimes makes it exciting, but exhausting? I really enjoy my parents and love visiting with Steve's parents. I am hoping to talk with some dear friends too. Maybe, I need to realize that the exhaustion comes from the whole trip not just all the interactions. The driving with three kids in the car for 15-17 hours. The whole day packing before the trip and the struggle to not forget anything. I think that Steve and I also don't feel like we fit there anymore. All that to say, it can be overwhelming to go back to your hometown.

As Steve finishes up his Greek final today, I can see how much he needs a vacation. He has a weary look. I am hoping that all my past trips of going to visit the relatives and friends will not be true for his sake. So really, I wonder when is a vacation a vacation? Of course, we are all excited to see Tim's toys!

Cooking Your Brains Out!

As a stay home mom, I really don't ever experience the pleasure of a good sit down meal cooked by anyone else. I have had three parties so far that have allowed me to experience this pleasure. I had a great meal at the elder/pastor party this last week. I also was taken out to an Italian restaurant by the student ministries at BTBF. And of course, my bunco group was quite delicious. I even won the grand prize. I got the most bunco's that night. Tonight, I get to experience Steve's volunteer staff at a party. It is a potluck, but it still does not mean that I have to really cook.

On a day like yesterday, you begin to wonder and appreciate all those things that your mother did for you growing up. I baked my brains out. My kids have Christmas parties at school and I have to bring the cookies and cup cakes. I must have baked 150 cookies, and I don't even know how many cupcakes. Then, I was attempting to make candy for Steve's co-workers. I still had to cook the three meals that are required of me-breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I was trying to do all this crazy cooking while doing the laundry, picking up the kids from school, and taking care of my kids who were a little board today.

I found myself about 3:00 pm wondering how can I enjoy my kids today. I realized all that I had done was bake. After I picked up Meg, we jumped out of the car and started a foosball game. Yes, we have a foosball table and on Saturday Seth (steve's intern) is bring over an air hockey table. The church is getting rid of it and we are getting it. Do we have room-no! I felt like we could use it and see how it goes.

Anyway, The girls and I played a round and Kenzie and I are tied with Meg and Maddie. I enjoyed that game so much. I looked at my kids for the first time and thought this is going to be exciting. I mean for so long you are just changing diapers and surviving babyhood and toddlerhood. I looked at them as young women who could beat my tail at a fooze ball game. Even a day where I felt like all I did was cook my brains out, I found a neat moment with my kids. I think that is pretty cool. I can't wait for all those neat moments that are to come. Okay, this post got too long, but my excuse was that I could not sleep!