Today was another day of illness. Samuel didn't feel well. Noah was ok and went to school after a 2hr delay. Even with Samuel sick, he checked on me a lot and also did laundry and his schoolwork. He is such a good helper and did a wonderful job doing laundry. He separated the clothes according to color and and type. He used warm water for whites, and cold for colors. I think he did 4 loads today...washed and dried.
Noah came home and helped hang some clothes, dishes, and helped with supper. When Dan came home, Noah brought him his plate and Dan was able to relax a bit before taking the boys to church.
My headaches are not getting any better. I am thinking that I am going to have to call the dr and see what she says. The headache is just not letting up. But, I will get thru it just like the other times. It just concerns me that something is wrong with the shunt. I am praying it is ok and it is just the weather.
Hoping to get the rest of my cooking done tomorrow. I just have a few dishes to put together and I am done for the month.
It is getting to be that time of year. I am getting all of our tax stuff together. We sure did donate a lot this past year. That tells me that we are getting the house cleaned out. I hope to do more of that this year. Hope to get rid of all our "clutter".
I am loving my Glo Bible! Very Cool! I think it will be the way that I can do my devotions, even when I am sick...even when my vision is bad. So thankful that I found it!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Chivalry and respect...a lost art.
Noah woke up this morning not feeling well and then disappointed because he didn't have a delay or a snow day. He went to school and they ended up coming home after an hour. The roads were getting worse and drifting and our county had a level 1 snow emergency. The school lost their phones and internet and were afraid of losing power too, so they sent the kids home. I was glad and so was Noah because his new cell phone, Alias 2, came today. So he spent the afternoon setting it up. It is a really cool phone. Dan and I got phones too. Not as cool as Noah's phone, but really nice ones. We are getting rid of our house phone and just having cells. I don't even know my number yet. The boys showed Dan all about his-how to get to the games, how to use the touchscreen, how to get to the texting, etc...a full "seminar".
Samuel had a bit of a meltdown because he doesn't have a cell phone. Dan and I told him that he was too young to have one. I think it is silly for kids to have them so young. No wonder kids are doing so poorly in English and Spelling. With texting they don't have to talk and with all of the shortened ways of spelling, they can't spell the right way. I so agree with my brother, kids and teens don't even know how to have a conversation anymore. There is no small talk, they can't even carry on a conversation for an extended amount of time. No wonder the divorce rate is so high in newly married couples. They text and e-mail for the entire time they date and then when they are married, they can't talk to each other.
This is one area that Dan and I have addressed with Noah. He is allowed to text his friends, but he has to talk and have conversations with us. Every once in a while, he will say "idk" and Dan will tell him that is not appropriate and he makes him say it again, the right way. When he asked a friend of his to go to homecoming, he was allowed to text her, but he also had to ask her and ask her dad, who happens to be our pastor;-) Dan is a real advocate for chivalry. He wants to teach our boys how to be godly men and respecting women. I am so proud of the father he is to our boys. When we go out as a family, we are always getting compliments for our boys. They hold doors open, help ladies with putting their bags in the car, they will play with kids they don't know and try and quiet them if they are crying. Both of them will make faces, and talk to them to try and calm them down, and it almost always works. Mothers often tell me at the grocery store that they appreciate the boys help. I understand how hard it is to shop and take care of an unhappy baby. I am thankful for a husband that is teaching our boys the lost "art" of respect.
Dan and I are starting a ministry at church for 4th-5th graders on Sunday nights. We are probably going to use the Keepers/Contenders books, as well as some others. Please pray that it goes well. This is Dan's first "teaching" position and he is a bit nervous. He was youth group leader at our other church and he taught the boys, but they were a bit older. He feels called to teach the chivalry/respect to the boys at our church. I am teaching the girls with my good friend Dawn H. It is really neat how God worked it out. I had never seen the Keepers/Contenders books. Dan and I sat down and made a list of all the things we wanted to teach and what hands-on things we wanted to do. When Dawn brought the books, she gave us each one to look at and I gave her the list. We both started laughing when we were looking over them because they were both the same. WOW! What a confirmation by God. I have a partner and several talented ladies to bring in and teach the girls some wonderful things. We will be hitting modesty, how to apply make-up to bring out the natural beauty, how to act like a lady, as well as keeping a home, sewing, cleaning, gardening, canning, etc. Dan doesn't have a partner yet, but we are praying that God will bring the right man beside Dan. He will be teaching respecting women, chivalry, manners and how to behave like men, car maintenance, woodworking, and tons of other things that young men should know. We will be memorizing scripture and doing Bible study with them. I ask that you pray that we will be able to do all that God has called us to do and that thru HIM this ministry will flourish.
I am trying to get thru one of the terrible headaches. It steadily worsened as Tuesday went on. By the time Dan was home, I needed to take some pain meds and go to bed. I probably should have went to the ER, but I just couldn't knowing what they would do to me. I am feeling a tad bit better, just can't sleep. I am hoping my last dose of meds will kick in and that I will be able to get some rest. I feel so useless when I get like this. I know that Satan is trying to discourage me and make me feel like this. I feel like a terrible wife and mother. The guilt sometimes is almost overwhelming. This too shall pass. My favorite verse has been on my mind today, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Looking for a brighter day tomorrow.
Samuel had a bit of a meltdown because he doesn't have a cell phone. Dan and I told him that he was too young to have one. I think it is silly for kids to have them so young. No wonder kids are doing so poorly in English and Spelling. With texting they don't have to talk and with all of the shortened ways of spelling, they can't spell the right way. I so agree with my brother, kids and teens don't even know how to have a conversation anymore. There is no small talk, they can't even carry on a conversation for an extended amount of time. No wonder the divorce rate is so high in newly married couples. They text and e-mail for the entire time they date and then when they are married, they can't talk to each other.
This is one area that Dan and I have addressed with Noah. He is allowed to text his friends, but he has to talk and have conversations with us. Every once in a while, he will say "idk" and Dan will tell him that is not appropriate and he makes him say it again, the right way. When he asked a friend of his to go to homecoming, he was allowed to text her, but he also had to ask her and ask her dad, who happens to be our pastor;-) Dan is a real advocate for chivalry. He wants to teach our boys how to be godly men and respecting women. I am so proud of the father he is to our boys. When we go out as a family, we are always getting compliments for our boys. They hold doors open, help ladies with putting their bags in the car, they will play with kids they don't know and try and quiet them if they are crying. Both of them will make faces, and talk to them to try and calm them down, and it almost always works. Mothers often tell me at the grocery store that they appreciate the boys help. I understand how hard it is to shop and take care of an unhappy baby. I am thankful for a husband that is teaching our boys the lost "art" of respect.
Dan and I are starting a ministry at church for 4th-5th graders on Sunday nights. We are probably going to use the Keepers/Contenders books, as well as some others. Please pray that it goes well. This is Dan's first "teaching" position and he is a bit nervous. He was youth group leader at our other church and he taught the boys, but they were a bit older. He feels called to teach the chivalry/respect to the boys at our church. I am teaching the girls with my good friend Dawn H. It is really neat how God worked it out. I had never seen the Keepers/Contenders books. Dan and I sat down and made a list of all the things we wanted to teach and what hands-on things we wanted to do. When Dawn brought the books, she gave us each one to look at and I gave her the list. We both started laughing when we were looking over them because they were both the same. WOW! What a confirmation by God. I have a partner and several talented ladies to bring in and teach the girls some wonderful things. We will be hitting modesty, how to apply make-up to bring out the natural beauty, how to act like a lady, as well as keeping a home, sewing, cleaning, gardening, canning, etc. Dan doesn't have a partner yet, but we are praying that God will bring the right man beside Dan. He will be teaching respecting women, chivalry, manners and how to behave like men, car maintenance, woodworking, and tons of other things that young men should know. We will be memorizing scripture and doing Bible study with them. I ask that you pray that we will be able to do all that God has called us to do and that thru HIM this ministry will flourish.
I am trying to get thru one of the terrible headaches. It steadily worsened as Tuesday went on. By the time Dan was home, I needed to take some pain meds and go to bed. I probably should have went to the ER, but I just couldn't knowing what they would do to me. I am feeling a tad bit better, just can't sleep. I am hoping my last dose of meds will kick in and that I will be able to get some rest. I feel so useless when I get like this. I know that Satan is trying to discourage me and make me feel like this. I feel like a terrible wife and mother. The guilt sometimes is almost overwhelming. This too shall pass. My favorite verse has been on my mind today, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Looking for a brighter day tomorrow.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
A New Year!!
Happy New Year!!! I am trying something new this year. A friend on her blog "challenged" everyone to try and go 2 weeks or 1 month and not spend any money except for gas and bills. I talked to Dan and the boys and they said they were in for the "challenge". I got a book at the library called "Once-A-Month Cooking". I am going to try and do the one month. I picked what calendar I wanted to do and then made out my grocery list. I also made sure that I made a list for lunches and breakfasts. Noah and I went Friday and started my shopping. I only made it to one store before I was starting to get a heachache, so I had to come home before it got worse. I went back out on Saturday and went to Aldi(love that store) and Kroger. I was able to get everything that I needed. I still need to go to the Amish store and get some ham for lunches. I can get the same ham there for about $2/lb and at kroger it is $7. I can also get fresh Mozzarella for about $2/lb and it is the best mozz cheese. So on Monday, I am going to try and get in to town to get the final few things. For the month, I spent $449.84. That is all the groceries that I needed. I think next month I am going to make my own menu up and try and reduce the amount. I will spend Monday cooking everything and getting it in the freezer. Then each morning I will take something out for supper and thaw it and heat it. It will make it easier for Dan and the boys in case I am sick. I am praying that this will work for us. I think if nothing else, it will get me organized. I had been praying for God to show me a way to help with our budget...Thanks Lindsay!
Noah goes back to school on Monday. I am sad about it, but Samuel starts back as well, so that should make my day go quicker. I am so excited that Samuel has really gotten into reading. I have caught him several times over Christmas break, sitting and reading. We are noticing that he is reading signs and words on ads, more and more. I hope that he will stay excited about it.
Samuel got a guinea pig on Friday. It is really cute! Samuel paid for the cage and feed, and bedding and toys with his own money. My parents gave him a Petsmart gift card for him to go and pick one out. He first said he wanted to name it Bubbles, but then changed it to Fluffy. The first time he held it after he came home, his eyes got red and watery, and then he had welts on his arms where he held it. We think he is just allergic to the timothy hay. I pray he is not allergic to the pig. It would break his heart if he was.
I ordered new cell phones. I got a great deal thru Verizon. No activation fee and Dan and I got our phones for free. Noah was able to get the phone he wanted. We are going to get rid of our land line and just have cells. Dan will have to carry 2 phones-one for work and one for us. Noah will be able to call and text as much as he wants. Dan and I won't need to worry about using our minutes, which will be nice.
My headaches have been constantly at a 6-8 on a scale to 10. They seem to come almost every evening, and I usually get a fever with them. My fever is usually 99*-101*...just enough to make me miserable. I have several doctor's appts coming up. I am going to try and go to my family dr and have him check my kidneys and see if I have an infection. I have done the pink lemonade and will probably make some tomorrow. I think the infection just got too bad for the lemonade to fix. I also want to get my bloodwork done for the research doctor. Maybe I can get back on my glucophage and metanx. These made me feel better when I took them and was monitored. I am going to try and start taking the glucophage Monday and then get some metanx from my family dr. I hope that this helps. We are all going to try and eat healthier this year. We are cutting out a lot of the sugars and junk food.
I am going to let Samuel have my Facebook page. He loves the games and I am only going to use it to keep in touch with friends and family from out of state or very far away. I have felt that I need to cut out some of my computer stuff. I had fb, caringbridge, e-mail, and this blog. I am cutting out fb and caringbridge. I just really feel that these things are taking away from family time, and that is so much core important. In the time that it takes to write on caringbridge, and check out fb, I could play a game with my boys. Dan and I have been talking about how we want to cut out a lot of the tv and computer time. There are so many other things that are more important. God has really been working on my heart about this.
On the subject of eliminating "stuff" that takes away from family, I have begun to eliminate "stuff" that is just sitting around the house. The boys and I cleaned out our closets, and going thru our bedrooms, as well as other rooms. I am getting rid of dishes, pans, clothes, knick-knacks, and anything else that we don't need. Not only is it making our home more spacious, but it is going to someone that needs it more than us...not to mention a tax break. So in the next few weeks I am going to clean out all of the rooms and get rid of "things" around our house. I am hoping to get it so the house is not cluttered and easier to clean, so that when spring comes, and we put out our garden, I won't need to spend so much time in the house, but be able to work outside and help.
Anxious to see what the new year brings!
Noah goes back to school on Monday. I am sad about it, but Samuel starts back as well, so that should make my day go quicker. I am so excited that Samuel has really gotten into reading. I have caught him several times over Christmas break, sitting and reading. We are noticing that he is reading signs and words on ads, more and more. I hope that he will stay excited about it.
Samuel got a guinea pig on Friday. It is really cute! Samuel paid for the cage and feed, and bedding and toys with his own money. My parents gave him a Petsmart gift card for him to go and pick one out. He first said he wanted to name it Bubbles, but then changed it to Fluffy. The first time he held it after he came home, his eyes got red and watery, and then he had welts on his arms where he held it. We think he is just allergic to the timothy hay. I pray he is not allergic to the pig. It would break his heart if he was.
I ordered new cell phones. I got a great deal thru Verizon. No activation fee and Dan and I got our phones for free. Noah was able to get the phone he wanted. We are going to get rid of our land line and just have cells. Dan will have to carry 2 phones-one for work and one for us. Noah will be able to call and text as much as he wants. Dan and I won't need to worry about using our minutes, which will be nice.
My headaches have been constantly at a 6-8 on a scale to 10. They seem to come almost every evening, and I usually get a fever with them. My fever is usually 99*-101*...just enough to make me miserable. I have several doctor's appts coming up. I am going to try and go to my family dr and have him check my kidneys and see if I have an infection. I have done the pink lemonade and will probably make some tomorrow. I think the infection just got too bad for the lemonade to fix. I also want to get my bloodwork done for the research doctor. Maybe I can get back on my glucophage and metanx. These made me feel better when I took them and was monitored. I am going to try and start taking the glucophage Monday and then get some metanx from my family dr. I hope that this helps. We are all going to try and eat healthier this year. We are cutting out a lot of the sugars and junk food.
I am going to let Samuel have my Facebook page. He loves the games and I am only going to use it to keep in touch with friends and family from out of state or very far away. I have felt that I need to cut out some of my computer stuff. I had fb, caringbridge, e-mail, and this blog. I am cutting out fb and caringbridge. I just really feel that these things are taking away from family time, and that is so much core important. In the time that it takes to write on caringbridge, and check out fb, I could play a game with my boys. Dan and I have been talking about how we want to cut out a lot of the tv and computer time. There are so many other things that are more important. God has really been working on my heart about this.
On the subject of eliminating "stuff" that takes away from family, I have begun to eliminate "stuff" that is just sitting around the house. The boys and I cleaned out our closets, and going thru our bedrooms, as well as other rooms. I am getting rid of dishes, pans, clothes, knick-knacks, and anything else that we don't need. Not only is it making our home more spacious, but it is going to someone that needs it more than us...not to mention a tax break. So in the next few weeks I am going to clean out all of the rooms and get rid of "things" around our house. I am hoping to get it so the house is not cluttered and easier to clean, so that when spring comes, and we put out our garden, I won't need to spend so much time in the house, but be able to work outside and help.
Anxious to see what the new year brings!
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