My Favorite Things
Besides my Lord and my family, my three favorite things are blue skies, the beach/ocean, and chocolate.
Jesus, Family, Blue Skies, Beach, and Chocolate… these are a few of my favorite things!
Archive for the ‘Our Journey’
6 Silly Facts
As I frantically work to fix a “worm” that has invaded my home computer… I am destressing by heading to the faithful laptop that has served me so well over the past 3 years. I bought it to go back to school, earned my Master’s Degree, and wrote the resume that got me hired at my dream job. Who needs that huge HP anyways!!!! (I do, but not today :*). Renee Garcia, a mom I met through blogging, has “tagged” me, and I think my job is to list 6 unknown facts about me. I will do my best to catch up. Thanks, Renee, for encouraging me!
1) I am a blanket hog. My husband of 18 years and I battle over the blankets, and I always win. The bad part is that I don’t even know I am doing it. It doesn’t matter who it is… even my kids! I inevitably wind up curled tight like a cocoon each morning. Sorry family!
2) My family is my life. I love each of them very much, for different reasons. I am amazed at them all daily. I am amazed at how different and unique 6 children can be who are raised in the same environment with the same parents. When I really look at them (which isn’t often enough), I see God.
3) I feel bad that I don’t have time for many new friendships right now. With going back to work after years of staying at home to raise babies, my time is consumed. When I am at work, I think about things at home. When I am at home, I am thinking about things at work. It is an awkward balance, woven with some guilt, wrapped in a dream to keep making life better for our family. When new people invite me to coffee or something, I secretly wish that I was with the friends that I miss and don’t get enough time with already. I miss my best friends and our girlfriend time. It is a bit of a mess right now.
4) Once every few months, I get stubborn and declare All-Day PJ Day for myself. I say no to everything. Sleep whenever I feel like it (which might include 3 naps in one day), don’t answer the phone, and stay home even if John is taking the kids for some amazing family outing. I have learned (thought it has taken 38 years) that if I don’t occassionally rest, I don’t have the energy, spirit, or attitude that I need to do what I need to do- take care of my family and tend to my profession well.
5) I have adapted to all of the food my husband loves. I grew up a VERY picky eater. Now, I love salsa (especially his homemade), avocados, and Thai.
6) I am a coffee addict. I never drank coffee for 35 years. Then, when I went back to school for my Master’s and teaching credentials, I started a cycle of putting the kids to bed, cleaning up, putting on a pot of coffee, and studying all hours of the night. It took my 3 years, but I did it. And now, I have a profession that allows me to make a living for my family doing something I am deeply passionate about and absolutely love… growing kids! Now, I kept up the bad habit and use the social excuse that fuels my addiction. Coffee with friends is my great escape.
7) BONUS- I absolutely love my Lord. I am not perfect, but I do know that I would be nothing, could do nothing, and would be nothing without my Heavenly Father encouraging, teaching, and guiding me through this crazy journey on earth.
Hope that does it! Being a wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend is a complex process. Each day I am living, I realize how much I have yet to learn. Thanks Renee!
First for Everything
Today, on the way to church, when I was already on the verge of being a few minutes late- POW! While waiting at the red light, in my favorite new car ever, with my children talking amongst themselves, some guy in a Toyota Rav4 SLAMS into the back of us. Thank goodness I had my foot on the brake, or I would have rammed the car in front of me! When I looked in my rearview mirror, this poor guy had his face buried in this hands. Not a good morning for him either. Our cars were stuck together, so after some effort, I was able to break free, drive through the intersection, pull over, and do the exchange information thing. THIS WAS MY FIRST ACCIDENT IN 18 years! I was so flustered, I tried to get out of there quickly. How awkward is that situation?????!! He knew it was his fault. He apologized. Noone was hurt. My bumper was cracked and my hitch messed up, but we could both drive-away. Yikes! Not looking forward to that for another 18 year or more. When I called his insurance today, they took the facts, and then said something that worried me a bit… “It appears there is a minor issue with his coverage, but we should be able to sort it out soon.” What does that mean????? I guess I get to learn how this all goes… his insurance, my insurance…. Trying to keep the joy in North Idaho… :*)
Surprised
Life is such a wild ride! The last few weeks are all a blur. My knee injury has made it difficult to get through the day. I get through work, drive home, and go straight to bed with some meds and a big knee pillow. Phone calls have gone unreturned, laundry has exponentially multiplied, and my family has eaten a lot of snacks in front of my TV. Last Saturday, I had my 2nd MRI. You know it has been too long since you’ve taken time for yourself when the quiet room, cozy flannel PJs, and warm blanket of the MRI room felt like heaven! Sunday, I was in too much pain to go to church, but Coley and Bree went. At 11, Bree texted me to say that Pastor Gary was praying for healings, and he mentioned he felt like some people were home with severe pain in their knees. He prayed for me and I wasn’t even there! The next morning, my doctor called and said there was tremendous healing in my MRI results from one week to the next, so we would hold off on surgery… it looks like it was taking care of things on its own! Praise God! And each day this week, my pain has been gone, and I really feel like I am headed in the right direction. Why am I surprised when God shows up – when He always has and always will????! Then, my second surprise this week was that, last night, my girlfriends kidnapped me for an amazing night of Olive Garden, photos, prayers, letters, blessings, chocolate, gifts, coffee, and a Matthew McConanaughy movie (Fool’s Gold). We stayed out until 11:15 on a school night!!! I know!!! Girlfriends sure have a special place in my life. I needed my cup filled and they did their thing :*) So, life has, once again, pleasantly surprised me this week. Thanks to God for being my ultimate provider and caretaker of my spirit. So, Happy 38th Birthday to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Testing 1, 2, 3
Uncle died, slipped and tore my knee tissue, MRI on Tuesday (surgery?), moving in 4 weeks (during parent-teacher conference week), some tough kids in my class causing me to lose sleep, having dreams about my dad, sick kids, gray skies, and life is good. Spend some time at www.godtube.com and relocate the joy that may be sapped. This video brought me to tears as I remember the innocence God values, and how much our “stuff” is meaningless in the big picture.
I don’t know how to embed video yet, so copy and paste this: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey
=e9f01db31b8625a475cc
Snow Day #3
We are on Snow Day #3. There is so much snow! I am feeling claustrophobic with the narrow streets, 6 foot high “tunnels”, and trees so heavy they can barely stand. Roofs are collapsing, the roads are nearly impassible, power is intermittent… and more is on the way! Please pray for the elderly, the people with special needs, and for everyone’s safety. City Hall is considering declaring a state of emergency to deal with snow removal, road conditions, damage, heating issues, and dangerous conditions. We are hunkered in, warm and cozy for now, with plenty of cocoa. Pray for our home to stay safe, and for our power (heat) to stay on. Yikes! Another day to catch up on some work… I will update again soon if power/connection allows. Trying to keep everyone safe and happy. :*)
http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7780241
http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7254841&nav=menu438_3_3
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY…
STEADY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH DAWN FRIDAY. EXPECT 6 TO 10
INCHES OF NEW SNOW IN THE VALLEYS ON AVERAGE AND UP TO TWO FEET OF
NEW SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS BY EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.
GUSTY WINDS DURING THE STORM WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW
ON EXPOSED TERRAIN.
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.
Ready for the next round
Posted: Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008 – 09:39:57 pm PST
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By SEAN GARMIRE
Staff writer
Commissioners could declare state of emergency if conditions get any worse
COEUR d’ALENE — As another round of heavy snow moves into the area today, Kootenai County commissioners will decide whether to declare a state of emergency.
That emergency declaration is “pretty darn close,” said Sandy Von Behren, director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management.
An assortment of government and service agencies met Wednesday to discuss progress and problems associated with cleanup efforts so far, and to prepare for more intense weather.
Their responses were almost all the same: Resources are running out.
Snow-covered powerlines continue to fall, roofs collapse under the strain of heavy snow, roadways grow narrower and emergency agencies are running out of personnel to respond.
The agencies’ requests will be brought to Kootenai County commissioners, who will decide if a declaration of emergency is necessary to draw personnel and other resources from the state.
Emergency responders requested help for downed power lines, and the Coeur d’Alene School District reported a shortage in workers to clear snow off their roofs, which has proven to be a Herculean task due to the district’s more than a million square feet of roof space.
Agencies called for collaboration between their staff, and asked Kootenai County officials to examine their resources to find additional help to catch up before storms hit again.
And the storms are coming.
National Weather Service meteorologist Kerry Jones said another storm will move over the area early today, depositing 5 to 7 inches of snow.
Road crews in Coeur d’Alene are working non-stop to clear roads, but lacking sufficient workers, other road agencies said they can’t work 24-hours.
All the road agencies report they are running out of space to put the snow.
Looks Like, Feels Like
Looks Like… We woke up to the most beautiful, sunny blue sky. When you haven’t seen it for 45 days, it is like being reborn.
Feels Like… too soon to get out the suits just yet! Yikes!
Just goes to show you that you cannot always believe what you see… :*) Enjoy your sunshine! We are going sledding…
The “C” Word
Please put Henry in your prayers this week. My precious sister-in-law, Roberta, just got the news that her 78 year old daddy has prostate cancer. He goes for his pre-op on Thursday. We want to pray God’s best for this situation, and comfort to the family who is understandably scared of this unknown. Cancer sucks!
RiverDance
Life is full of suprises! Alex has a best friend named Kahtianna, and her precious mom purchased 6 tickets to Riverdance for us to have a “play date.” That was some play date! We had the chance to get dressed up (in -10 weather) and head to Spokane together to watch the Broadway production of Riverdance at the Spokane Performing Arts Center. Joahlee, Kahtianna, Me, Alex, Jessica, and Christine experienced the show that has played over 10,000 performances, been seen live by more than 21 million people in over 300 venues throughout 32 countries across 4 continents, played to 2 billion tv audience members, and sold 2.5 million copies of the Grammy winning CD, and 9 million copies of the video. Outstanding! Celtic dance, music, and song telling the story of the people of Ireland’s journey through war, poverty, and family. We ended the day with a trip to Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Parlor. It was a great treat and wonderful surprise.
http://www.riverdance.com/
