Lessons from Egypt

I've taken a challenge to read through the Bible in 90 days. Wow, that was quite a commitment too! I'm glad I made the choice to do it though. I have been learning a lot and God has been speaking to my heart through it. I will finish up Deuteronomy today. Last night I was really thinking about how Israel traveled through the desert and time after time they grumbled and complained and time and again God provided and took care of them. I wondered what it would be like to have God descend as a cloud over the Tent of Meeting and to be fire at other times. What would it be like and how could you doubt God was with you? Then God sent a dream to me last night. I got up feeling a little blue after the dream. The dream was that circumstances the lack of good paying jobs made us move to a new area. Bri, who has been home schooled her entire life had to return to school in 6th grade. Our entire family was struggling in this strange land full of strangers. We were miserable, yes we were making more, but Alex had not followed us to this strange land, Bri was lost in the school system, and Eddie and I were just floating through it best we could. My heart was so heavy and I wanted to go home so bad, even if things were worse at home. God told me that is how the Israelites felt, they wanted to be free, not slaves, the land they had to travel through was hard and not at all the life they had known. Yes, they knew He was ever present and would take care of their needs, but am I really any different. After all the last two years I myself have been in a wilderness too. Have I always trusted God to provide for me or have I doubted? I wish I could say that in the wilderness of our lives over the past two years I always trusted never doubted that everything would work out. Honestly, I doubted, I cried out to God, pleaded, I bargained, and sometimes I was just angry. It has not been pretty at all sometimes. Three years ago, everything was going really well for us. We were on the best financial footing we had ever been on as a married couple and let me tell that was a great feeling! We were paying bills off, paying cash for trips, saving, paying down our debt. Then the bottom fell out. It all seemed to start sliding when Dad died. Five months later Eddie had a heart attack followed by open heart surgery to unclog 5 blocked arteries. Two months off work, no pay, medical bills, an air conditioner that went out the day Eddie came home from the hospital, the dryer broke and the microwave died and did I mention our new pharmacy bill. Just a few months before this we had bought a stove to replace our dying stove. We did it on a no interest one year loan just knowing I could pay it in 6 months, but the still small voice said don't. We did, now I'm paying for that too. Yes, we had an emergency fund but it was drained pretty quickly. I will tell you looking back, God provided for the two months without pay, we never went hungry, we never even missed a bill payment. Of course, some of the debt we took on we are still dealing with, more ugly cries to God came. Eddie made it back to work, but his office closed within 2 months. New job, completely different field for Eddie, less pay, but better benefits. Yes, I was thankful, but God how can I pay our house note on this and still feed my family? Why is God that some people never struggle, they have nice clothes, nice house, nice cars, nice trips. God let me know I to have those things in the eyes of others less fortunate than me. Even the people who seem to have no worries or struggles do, God gave a glimpse into the lives of some of the people I was pointing too. They have problems I would not want, I'll take my house, my paid for car, my thrift store find clothes, and the trips we are blessed to take. No, I'm not much different from the Israelites at all. Are you? I challenge you to give it some thought today. Pick up your Bible and read it for yourselves.

Lessons from the garden

I know I've not written to any of you in awhile. I've kind of been in a tailspin, not downward, not upward and not sideways, just all sorts of ways. This is the time of year I start evaluating last school year, what we liked, what we didn't, what we want to change etc. I start getting really serious with the book buying and scheduling of days. I've been thinking back over the year and on the whole we had a great year. Most of the curriculum we used I plan to continue. The only thing I'm not real happy with is how our year ended. When Dad died we sort of went on a free spin for awhile. I've had a very hard time getting the kids going on lessons, and they seemed to have a hard time getting into them. So they have been hit or miss which means we have to get that finished up and wrapped up in the next couple of months so that we can start the new year on a better footing. I know we will get it done.

With all of that said if you know anything else about what goes on in our lives in summer you know it is very busy right now. While I'm in the garden I use that time to think about what I will do to make our days better, how I could organize this or that to run smoother, what I need to order, calls I need to make, etc. I also talk to God a lot out in the garden. This year it seems I cannot keep the weeds out, the faster I weed, the faster they grow. So I've really been pouring my heart out to God about this. There is one weed that sometimes confuses me as to if its a weed or one of my vegetable plants and I have to look at it closely and sometimes a few times before I realize it is one of the most hated weeds in my garden. Papa calls it race track or something like that, it starts out innocent enough, but as it grows it gets harder to pull out and it sprouts thorns that will stab you when you walk buy or brush it. It really hurts! God pointed out that sometimes our lives get like the vegetable garden. Our activities start out innocent, but they spin out of control. Sin too is like that, we think its just a simple sin, not a really bad sin or maybe its not really even a sin, but in time it becomes a life choking activity, or a life choking sin. So we need to step back and look at our lives as a beautiful bunch of flowers, what is in the bouquet, is it full of things that are fulfilling? Or have I let things in that are not so fulfilling, but I'm afraid to let this person down, or that person? Is it beneficial to me or my family? If it is simply to please someone else other than God it needs to be pulled out. If I get no fulfillment out of it, it is a weed. If it does not benefit my family then it is a weed. Weeds are not always weeds. Wildflowers in an open field are a bunch of beautiful flowers, but if they are growing a bed I did not want them in they are weeds. Grass is not a weed, it fills my yard and keeps it from being muddy, but in my vegetable garden it chokes the life out of my vegetables and steals the nutrition from my plants. It is the same in the garden of your life. Sin can start out innocently, but before we know it has taken over and is slowly killing us spiritually. Activities for the school year start out innocently and are good for the kids, but sometimes they get out of hand and we don't have time for the important things in our life. We get overwhelmed and we get tired, then it is becoming life choking, nutrition stealing weeds. So with all of this I'm really looking at some opportunities we have and really thinking about what we really want to do, what we really need to do and what we need to say no too. Its not easy! Just today we learned about Girl Scouts starting for Bri, ballroom dancing for all of us, okay I really want to do this. We are already involved in an outdoor group, art, karate, piano, boy scouts and dance. What day do we really have available, what hour do we have open? Oh man, I've really got to look at this and decide what we really need or I just may lose my sanity this year! Some people actually think homeschooling means your home, ha ha, not in this family! I really need to talk to God some more about what He wants us to do this year, and what he wants us to accomplish. So often I learn after asking Him that we are not on the path He has set before us and that is why our life feels overwhelming sometimes. I must remember that His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

I pray God's blessing on each of you!


Lisa

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Hi guys! See I've not fallen off the face of the earth. Some folks have asked what we have been up too, I replied not much, then I started thinking about it. We have done many things, piano, scouts, art appreciation, teen scenes, and on and on. Currently we are trying to get ready for our upcoming Spring Break which means we will go on a cruise. Brianna wanted to make money for a Nintendo DS to take with her, she had hoped a yard sale would help her. She actually had enough for a used one and one game so she bought it, but the yard sale did not help her much. In a few weeks we are going to have another yard sale with a friend who had an awesome yard sale last week and see if we can't raise some funds for spending money for the kids while on our cruise. So we will go through the house some more, I'm sure we can find some more things, so we can have another yard sale. I still have both kids rooms I think could be cleaned out more, and the game cabinet, then there are a couple of cabinets in the kitchen.... Okay that is not what I really wanted to post about.

Alex had an orthodontist appointment this week and it was not good. You know the feeling you got when you were called into the Principal's office? Well I get that feeling when my teenager goes in to see a doctor and the doctor comes out and calls me back, that is never good. Alex's bite has moved somewhat, and since he has had TMJ before braces his bite is now considered in the risky category. They did a panoramic x-ray to make sure he had no arthritic problems, which I am thankful that was negative. But the bite problem remains and the orthodontist, Dr. McKinney, feels he needs to go back in the braces, hopefully for only 6 months. We both talked to Alex about the importance of following exactly what he is told to do and hope it gets through the hard head he has. Dr. McKinney is the best orthodontist in my opinion and if anyone needs an orthodontist and I would recommend him highly. Alex went into braces the year Bri started Kindergarten, and he was in 6th grade, he stayed in braces for 3 years, and has been followed since then very closely by Dr. McKinney. In fact, Dr. McKinney said he was putting Alex back in the braces at no charge to me! He totally rocks! I paid him initially for the braces and he has not charged me one dime in 5 years. Granted braces are VERY expensive, but he has done alot for Alex so I find him to be reasonable. Of course I have been told Bri needs braces so I'm sure Dr. McKinney and I will have an ongoing relationship for several years to come and yes I will owe him again before long. We are currently taking donations for Bri's teeth in a few years if anyone feels inclined to give.

On another completely different note, Bri has decided she just can't take another day of karate. So she has stepped out of that she finds it very boring and can't wait to sign up for dance in August. Alex on the other hand is having a blast with it. He is going to a tournament tomorrow in Montgomery, and we have to leave the house at 6 a.m., I suggested we just spend the night, Eddie laughed. I was not kidding. I usually GET UP at 6 a.m., but I am in no way ready to leave at 6 a.m. I guess that is why I'm in rebellion about even dressing today. I think I'll just wait until tonight and take a bath and dress then go to bed and be ready to leave in the morning as soon as I wake. Okay there is the wrinkled clothes, but who will really be looking at the mother anyway. After karate yesterday I had a very indepth talk with Sensi/Pastor McCann. For those who do not know where the kids take karate is in a church and the Sensi is also the pastor of that church. I love this man, he is so nice and patient with the kids and the parents. One of the kids had his nose possibly broken by another kid and he has been so good to both families involved, the child was not mine thankfully. Our conversation started out with one of the kids asking him if he had seen the movie Legend, which he had, but did not really get that into the movie. The kid went on to ask him if he noticed how the movie was one of the few movies that actually stated there was a God, he said he had completely missed that. He was really surprised too, "I'm a pastor and I did not even catch that", "wow". Well that led to a conversation about Fireproof, the Love Dare, and Gary Chapman's discussions about the different love languages everyone has. Now from this point we talked, me, my teen, Deb, and her teen, Sensi, and his friend for another hour. Sensi is also a licensed therapist and does marriage counseling and shared many things he had learned over the years. He shared stories about his kids growing up and their dating. Then somehow we got on the present President. For those of you who may not know I vehemently was and am still opposed to Obama. So much so that one of my kids is afraid he may hunt me down. Alex has actually called him the possible anti-Christ. Well we have actually not talked to Sensi about any of this. He told us some things though that I have really been thinking on. The anti-Christ will come out of Europe and will come from the new Roman Empire. When he said that I looked at Alex who I had many times rolled my eyes and told him he was not the anti-Christ. Alex has been studying government and since he has been studying it I have learned many things I had forgotten. Our government is very much like the Roman Empire in how it operates, it is actually a model of it and we are following in the Roman Empire's foot steps at warp speed. Our country came out of a European country, so there could be a connection, our symbol the eagle is the same as the Roman Empire's symbol. I have thought for years that America was not mentioned in the end times, but after that conversation I'm beginning to think it may be. I have never thought of it like that until he told us that. Of course he went on to say that some people believe that the anti-Christ will be gay since the Bible also says that he would have no desire for a woman. He did not know if that were true or not. But, he also pointed out that the Mayan calendar ends in 2012, 3 years into the Obama presidency. So he left us with this, "if he is shot in the head and rises again then we will know", "of course I already have my ticket purchased and I'm ready to go when the call comes". In essence he does not plan to be here when the end comes and the anti-Christ rises. Very interesting thoughts, especially since so many Christians have a real since of urgency lately to not play church or play around anymore. So deep thoughts I know, but I'm going to leave you with that.

Bri made us cookies ALL BY HERSELF yesterday and Daddy ate almost all of them so she is going to make some more, right now as we speak, and then we are meeting friends for lunch.

God Bless each of you...

Lisa

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope all of you had a happy Valentine's Day, I know we did. We have been very busy today with all sorts of endeavors. One of our things was everyone was given a new nickname from various members of the family. Okay, probably two were a little more instrumental than the others, but I have to say those two had a lot of fun giving everyone an alias. So without further adeu here they are, McDreamy, McHotty, McNugget, and Smallfry. Can you guess who gets what name? Can you guess who may not be overly ecstatic with the new name? Of course one resorted to calling another of us a conformist to society and the blog sphere, can you guess who that would be?

Our day went something like this, a Valentine breakfast, and Valentine's given to everyone by Smallfry (okay, huge hint on who Smallfry is), the dump, the store, Wal-Mart, preparing for Sunday School and the Valentine's Day Party there, doing some house blessings, and a treat of dinner out. Now I'm just recapping the day quickly before heading to bed, which I'm so ready for tonight.

I hope Corndog had a great birthday yesterday at the zoo!

Blessings to you all until next time.....

We're Home!

We had a blast this last week, but we were also very ready to return home. Of course Alex told me Saturday night he was ready to go back. Bri got up this morning with a fever and a cough, since Deb left sick with a cough and a fever I can only suspect that she has the same thing. Anyway, it was still a lot of fun, but we are all just worn out.

As you can see this is the outside of the CNN building. Since they have security that would rival protecting the worlds greatest secrets I was not allowed to take to many other pictures once we got behind the scenes. I took a few on the worlds longest suspended escalator before being told rather loudly that NO PICTURES WERE ALLOWED. Oops must have missed the sign. We had to go through metal detectors and have our bags checked, she said nothing about the camera, so I guess I just assumed it was fine. Anyway, it was fun to see behind the scenes and we saw many of the people we see on television, we got to see them before they were actually live and one seems to have a very nervous habit with his nose. Deb and I were very amazed with the security guards, they followed our tour all through the building, and they carry guns, we really were surprised by that one. They even have an Atlanta police station within the CNN complex. The complex also has a mall area with food, bookstores, CNN stores, and the Omni hotel has balconies that look onto the mall courtyard. They told us this used to be an ice skating rink. The escalator used to be the way to get into the pinball ride for the amusement park that used to be in the building as well. I will be posting more pics later on Shutterfly. We had a blast, especially Alex.


We took some time to check out the Pine Mountain Gold Museum. We found out that Georgia is the forgotten gold rush. There is still 80% of the gold in the Georgia hills, so we thought about going on a gold mine hunt, but it was just too cold that day. They actually let you do some gold mining, but the water was frozen. They had a working water wheel, but it was not working well due to the frozen water. This wagon that the kids are standing in front of is actually a working covered wagon. They have two oxen they hook up to the wagon and at certain times and take kids for a ride in it. Great museum and we learned a lot about the gold mining times. Did you know that Pine Mountain actually is on a fault line? We didn't, thought that was interesting.

Meet the General! We saw the General at the Kennesaw Civil War Museum and Locomotive Museum. We saw all kinds of guns, uniforms, and pictures from the Civil War. We even saw a picture of Atlanta after Sherman's March. The rail lines were so destroyed, not just burned, they actually pulled and twisted the metal so that the only choice would be to put new track in. The General was damaged, but restored and put back into service after the Civil War. It was truly awesome to see! They had a telegraph office, two actually, and the boys had fun sending telegraph messages to each other.

Meet the Coca Cola polar bear. The girls got their picture made with him, I declined, though he kept trying to encourage us adults to come for a picture. I commented on what a beautiful bear he was to Eddie. The bear heard and came around the line and out to where I was standing to hug me. I laughed and told him how I loved him. I got a big bear hug literally. He even closed his eyes. The eyes were gorgeous, and could open and close. The person working this outfit was outstanding! He even sniffed one of our kids, which they found very funny.

We also went to the Georgia Aquarium and saw many amazing things. These are Japanese crabs and I know I don't want to find these on the beach! They looked like something off Sci Fi.

These were the piranhas and in an effort to get a picture of Alex we had him look for their teeth, which he actually did amazingly enough.

I think the highlight of the trip for all the kids was riding Marta. Why you ask, because they can't do this at home! We went to the Peachtree Center where the longest escalator in the south is. So we got to see the longest freestanding escalator and the longest escalator in the South, all right here in Atlanta. Of course, Marta did not care if we took pictures. Just keep in mind that pulling out a camera in Marta screams tourist. The people here were very friendly and actually posed for us, even though were actually trying to get pictures of the kids who had to ride this escalator a couple of times. Okay if I had known they would be so easily and cheaply entertained we would have done this all week long. On our last day we rode Marta from the end of the East line to the end of the West line, because we could and the kids were begging. As long as you never exist the train it is a one fare price. They also thought the breeze cards were cool because you only had to tap them and it would open the doors for you. The woman that got off at the same stop we did laughed when the kids begged to ride the North/ South line and we refused. She said she rides it everyday and there is no joy in it for her. She told us that she could either pay $90 a month to park in Atlanta or let her company pay the monthly fee to ride Marta, it was a no brainer for her. The kids thought it would be awesome to ride Marta everyday. Personally, I don't feel that way at all! Of course it was easier to get around Atlanta since we did not have to worry about finding parking. We did do lots of walking though.

We also went to the Museum of High Art, I nearly forgot that. We saw the Terracotta army. It was very nice and we enjoyed it, but again no pictures were allowed. Another place we went one afternoon was a trip up to Decatur Georgia to the World Market. I was going to take pictures, but oddly enough they don't allow pictures either. I love this place. Anytime you go to Atlanta I would suggest going here and checking it out. It is about a 30 to 40 minute drive past Atlanta. The spices here are super cheap. Eddie and I stocked up on many spices. We also found some really good coffee and 50lbs of potatoes for $13. The coffee was not necessarily cheap, just coffee you don't find just anywhere. There are things from all over the world here. We found sugar cane and got one for the kids to try. They have some very odd things as well such as some sort of seaweed to eat. A friend of ours who used to live in Georgia told us about it and we met her there and did some shopping. She told us she really missed this place and every time she is coming she makes a list of things she needs from there. Her sister still lives in Georgia, not too far from this market, so she usually goes when she is visiting her.

Well that is our trip in a rather large nutshell. I will post many more pics if your interested later today hopefully. I hope all of you had a great week and I hope to see or talk with you soon! Until then blessings to you and yours.

Adventures

Hi Guys,

The kids and I are off in Georgia this week and are having a great time. We got here Saturday night and basically got in our villa and got set up and hung out. The boys are having a blast playing video games until wee hours or their eyes pop out, which ever come first.

Sunday we went to Sweetwater Creek State Park and went on a hike which took us past some ruins of the New Manchester. This was a place that manufactured Confederate Uniforms during the Civil War, until the Union came and took the workers prisoner and burned it down. We then hiked down to the falls which were very pretty, but not really like falls as I was thinking falls. It was a very nice day and we had a great time.

Monday was all about The American Girl Store. We went there, the girls shopped with money they have been saving up from Christmas, allowance, or any way they could find to get people to give them money. Bri got Julie's ears pierced, and bought her a couple of outfits, a going away bag, "because mom she has to be able to brush her teeth" and it also has a retainer case in this bag. She also got Julie's room accessories. I bought her a pair of house shoes that match her pajamas from Christmas and a book that I think she will need in the coming years. It is a book called the The Care and Keeping of You and explains all about the changes she will encounter in the puberty years. We also had lunch in the Bistro which was very good. The boys went into the mall and did some shopping of their own. Alex bought himself a new game, and a t-shirt, and they ate lunch in the food court.

Today it is just a cold day, though it is beautiful. Everyone has just wanted to hang out here, the girls playing with their dolls, and the boys playing video games. We watched the Inauguration, and took a nap. Then had a bite to eat. I think in a few minutes we will head down to the recreation center where there is air hockey, basketball, Foosball, puzzles, books, etc. We had originally planned to go pan for gold, but it was just too cold. Atlanta had Inauguration events today so we decided to stay out of there as well. Deb and I actually suggested many things, and did lots of research and then realized we were the only ones wanting to go anywhere, lol.

The place where we are staying is just awesome! We are in a house really. It has 3 bedrooms, family room, kitchen, dining room, and two full baths. They call them villas. My room is the master suite and has a bathroom with a jacuzzi tub in it. Deb's room has a full bed with a bathroom attached, this is also the bathroom off the hall, much like the bath at Highland upstairs. Each of these rooms have a private screened in balcony. The girls claimed the loft room, you take the spiral staircase up and you are in their room which has two twin beds in there. The room is a very nice size, bigger than either of my kids rooms at home. They have plenty of space to play, and have both of their dolls set up in their own space with all their new stuff. The boys have taken over the family area with video games and the pull out couch. Like I said they are in there until the wee hours usually. From my balcony, and windows I can see the lake, Lake Tara. This resort is within a gated community of about 10,000 homes, and 40 miles of roads, it has a park, 2 or 3 lakes, swimming pool, restaurant, and rec center, and of course a country club. It is really a city all on its own just about. We told the kids we were hanging out with the rich this week, so they needed to act like it. Perhaps that was a bad idea as they immediately started acting like dorks. Anyway, we are having a blast! I hope to post more of our adventures in the coming days, but the next few days may be quite full, and its hard to wrestle my computer away from everyone. When I lay claim to it you would think I was Attila the Hun! I may hide it tonight, lol.

I hope all of you are having a blessed and wonderful week!

Economics

Hey Guys,

I wanted to share what I learned today. Let me give you some background. As some of you know Alex is studying economics. When I was trying to decide on his economics curriculum I wanted something that was not dry and boring. I don't remember economics from school and certainly don't understand most of the economic news in the political terms they like to give it in. Whatever Happened to Penny Candy came highly recommended from a friend and she even had a book they were no longer using so I bought it from her. This is a series of books actually, but she only had the one. Alex and I have liked these books so well we bought the whole series of books. As he finishes the books he has been passing them back to me and I have been reading them. They are written in layman's terms and I can really understand it. In fact I understand more about the economy than I ever have. I understand how and why the the current economic situation is very similar to the economic situation that started the Great Depression, why the roaring 20's were actually called the roaring 20's, and did you know that a tip from a shoe shine boy saved the Kennedy wealth? All this has been so interesting to me. Anyway, today I learned about the reality of a two income family. Now I'm in no way trying to put anyone down that needs to work, or wants to work, I'm just sharing an interesting tidbit I learned today. So here it is as quoted from Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

Until the 1970s, most families were able to improve their standard of living with only one adult working outside the home. In the 1970s, '80s and '90s, mothers and wives got paying jobs, usually on the assumption they were helping support their families. Try this. Add up the total taxes your household pays - state and federal income tax, sales tax, property tax and any others you can find (remember that many taxes are "hidden taxes" that aren't easy to identify). Compare the total taxes paid with the total wages earned. Chances are you will find that one spouse is supporting the household, and the other is supporting the government."

So if you are considering taking a job to help out, maybe check this out and just see if that is true. I would be very interested in if this were true, so if you work and would like to share that info I would love to hear about it.

Blessings,

Lisa

Happy New Year

Hey Guys! I have not fallen off into some deep abyss, but of course I have talked with most of you recently so you would know that! Anyway, I hope all of you have had a great start to the New Year! Our year has started out pretty good. This week we are trying to get back into the swing of things, such as school and activities associated with that, and getting back into eating right, and mostly eating at home! I got sick during the week of Christmas and just did not feel like cooking, and since Eddie was sick too it was pretty much take-out anything. This was not good for the pocketbook or the waistline. We survived though. Currently my car is not working and is jacked up in the driveway. Eddie is trying to replace a part, which he got off but can't get the new one on as it is in a very hard to reach place. Since it has been raining alot, and he is at work until after dark, it will probably be Saturday before it is working again. Of course, Alex has been only too happy to drive me around in his car! He got a new radio for Christmas and it came with a remote, which is just the silliest thing to me. Anyway, he thinks it is really cool. On the way home the other day he said "look mom" and he proceeded to turn the radio up with the remote. I asked him why he did not lean forward and just turn the knob, his reply, "its easier to keep the remote beside you and you don't even have to move, its easier mom". Heaven forbid he move oh maybe two inches. Oh well, it is a nice radio, I would not mind having it personally, of course I care very little about the remote. For my car I got a TomTom, which I think is wonderful as getting lost is a common occurrence for me.

Most of our activities have started back this week and school has too, but it has just been tough getting everyone going again. Bri is working on multiplication in math, and she just really hates it. Of course she used to hate subtraction, but she likes it more now. She loves division, which I personally hate, I would rather multiply. She spent a couple of hours Monday on science, of course she loves science. Then yesterday due to all the rain and a rough time of possible tornadoes she had her day cut short. Of course while we were in the basement due to the tornado warning, I went into the washroom and found it was filling with water. Upon further investigation I found that the water was coming in through the back door and had drenched our carpet, it was puddling around my feet. Alex went out and dug trenches to drain the water away and I started moving things around to start pulling water out of the carpet. Bri wanted to know when I could help her with her spelling and history lessons. I told her I guess she had the rest of the day off as I had to tend to this. Her reply, YES, can I play on the computer? Oh to be a kid and oblivious to the troubles of life. Alex was so happy to be out in the rain and mud digging and I was so happy to be moving things about and trying to soak water into towels, not! I called Eddie, who thankfully made it home shortly thereafter with a new shop vac in hand. He thought I was exaggerating, until he got here. Mostly the carpet is still damp, but not anything like it was. He thinks we may save it, but if not, I'm thinking of maybe putting linoleum in the office as this area is so prone to get water under the door when it rains really bad. At least until we can figure out how to permanently fix the problem that makes water come under the door. Eddie has ideas, but I'm not sure I could explain them well here. With all of this activity and the fact that the roads were awful and the rain was still pouring we missed our first karate lesson of the new year. The kids were a little disappointed, but not too bad. Of course after seeing the kids in their first piano lesson for the new year, well let's just say it was probably for the best.

So today we will try again, and try to get our history and spelling in first to make up for yesterday. We are planning to make the next karate lesson tomorrow, and park day on Friday. Brianna's art teacher wanted to wait until next week before starting that back, which I think is great! Eddie hopes to get my car running again this weekend, hopefully before the full Saturday afternoon kicks in.

On anther subject, I'm happy to report that I have managed to shell two 5 gallon buckets of pecans! Of course, I have filled them right back up so you can't really tell that I emptied anything, unless you look in the freezer! We were at the store this weekend and Eddie jokingly handed me a bag of unshelled nuts, 1lb for 5 or 6 dollars, I can't remember. I do remember being thankful for my pecans though! Not much else is being done, other than routine house work and laundry, everything else is piling up while I try to keep the nuts picked up and shelled. The kids help some, but they are so tired of picking up nuts, and shelling them well they don't do so well with, they usually crush the nut. Bri says it hurts her hands, and Alex will do it if he is told too, otherwise forget it. I did get a Gopher, which makes it easier to for me to pick them up, at least for my poor aching back. Papa asked me yesterday if it would not be better for me to move the back more so that it did not stiffen, as that was what was best for him. I told him the constant bending over was making my back hurt more. As a matter of fact, my back has been in pain everyday so long that I honestly can't remember the last time it did not hurt. He laughed and said he could understand that too. Poor man he has arthritis really bad and winter is really hard on him. He told me that was probably part of my problem as the weather really messes with your bones. This morning it hurts so bad that I'm basically running the house and kids from my chair right now, but I'm going to have to get up and do some yoga moves in a minute to loosen the muscles. That really does seem to help somewhat. Of course it would really help not to move boxes of books and furniture too, but it had to be done in order to get the water out of the house!

Well until next time........

Bass Pro Shop

This afternoon we decided to go and see the new Bass Pro Shop. Have any of you been? This place is HUGE! Eddie and his friends call this the Redneck Disney World, and I'm sure I looked like a redneck walking around taking pictures, but I just could not help myself. The scenes they set up were just so cool! Check out the pictures. The picture to the right is actually a painting on one of the walls.

This was a scene set going from the 1st floor to the 2nd. They had animal scenes, and fish scenes all through the store.

This is the stairs, they almost look like they are in the woods.

Okay now one of our main reasons to go was to see Santa. They had a cool set up with BB guns, crafts, letters to Santa, trains and of course Santa himself.

Bri wrote a letter to Santa while dad kept telling her to ask Santa for a bass boat for him. She told him he needed to do that himself, but since he just would not stop she asked him. Eddie took a picture of the letter while she wrote, I found it very funny. If any of you still have not seen Santa, as it occurred to me today that we had not, I would recommend this place. The line did not take that long, and you get to drool over bass boats and pontoon boats while you are in line. Personally the pontoon boat with leather couches is more to my liking, but Eddie likes the faster than light bass boats. Now, when you fish aren't you supposed to sit and wait? So why do you need a big fast, fancy boat?

In addition to getting to see the big jolly elf you get a FREE 4x6 photo and you can take all the pictures you want while the child is in Santa's lap. The picture is good quality and on the back of the card they put your picture in is a number. You can get on their website and put in the code and see your pictures and of course buy some if you like. You don't have too, but you do have that option. The prices are not too unbearable either. While we wondered around this store checking out all the things there we found an area where they were giving away basically a trip. It is in the Outdoor Traveler Center. For $59 you have one full year to take a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC; Smoky Mountains; Orlando; Las Vegas; or Charleston. You can pick one destination, there may be more, I can't remember all of them. The $59 is for a 3 day/2 night weekday stay and you receive a $25 gift certificate to the Bass Pro Shop. Okay, what is the catch you ask, well you do have to go to a sales pitch about time shares, I actually thought this would turn Eddie away, but it didn't. They told us less than an hour, unless you show interest, so unless you plan to buy DON'T show any interest. You do have to book it between a Sunday - Thursday, but you could book it on a Thursday arrival and get the weekday rate for Friday night as well, you could also book additional nights at a discounted rate. We chose to take the deal and plan to go to the Smoky Mountains either in the Spring or Fall, we have 30 days to book our trip so we will need to make our plans over the next few weeks. The only out of pocket expense for you is you do have to pay the taxes and any other hotel expenses you incur. Of course, the trip expense is all yours too, but the place to stay is pretty cheap. To qualify you have to be over 25, and make 40+ a year. They do not check on the salary or your credit, it is an honesty thing, if you tell them you make that they will take you on your word. He told us if you tell them you make less they will turn you away. We spoke with Steven Hall, he is the manager and he is a very nice guy. He told us that anyone who came and signed up for the trip and told them we referred them then we got an additional $10 gift card, so if you go up there and qualify please give them mine and Eddie's name. If your interested and want to talk to me about it just give me a call.

Okay end of the sales speech, just thought some of you may be interested.

Blessings,

Lisa

Christmas Time

Okay, this pictures is just to show you that yes, Alex is still around. He just rarely lets us get pictures! This is after the Tide Rolled over Auburn 36-0. He really is happy and so is Dalton, they just HATE pictures!

I even completely understood the obnoxious problem Alex had with Auburn fans. While waiting for his lab class Wednesday two obviously Auburn boys walked up, Alex knew them, I did not, and just started in on how awful Alabama was, "they were going to the National Championship, but they lost, how great are you now?" I saw Alex getting mad, but he handled himself very well. I reminded them they lost to Alabama 36-0, and then their coach quit. One just nodded and went on, the other one kept going he refused to give up. I told him they were good last year, but this year his team really stunk. We lost one game, so far, but we beat Auburn, and that was all that mattered. I guess he was just upset because his team REALLY stunk this year, so bad that his coach even stepped away. Okay, so maybe I was a little hard, but he would not let up and after 6 long years we have the bragging rights back, so look out. If you start something with us, we will finish it! Alex, by the way was very pleased. "I told you they were obnoxious", "I really don't like those guys, but for some reason they look for me and Dalton every time to hangout with us." ROOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!

These girls were invited to decorate a tree in an 1800s cabin by the Jefferson County Historical Society. They are sitting in front of their completed tree. They did a great job! Ms. Grunge was so surprised, she did not expect so many ornaments made by the girls, we even had to place ornaments around the rest of the house because they just would not fit on the tree. Good job girls!

I love a Christmas Parade! We went to the Gardendale Christmas Parade last week. It was beautiful. We met some friends and had dinner at Chik-Fil-A and then went outside to watch the parade. It as FREEZING. We had no feeling in our hands or feet until we were nearly home. Yes we had sock, shoes, and gloves on. It was just really cold. Bri even asked if she would get frostbite on her fingers. Okay, I thought it was funny, but that was how cold it was.

This is a masterpiece by Ms. Brianna. She did an awesome job I think! She did this all by herself! Her elves left her a gingerbread house kit and she went to town with it. I did not post the pics of dad eating the leftover icing, or the dog begging under the table. This is the house that the elves nearly ate up this week. No she is not mad, she thought it was funny. Like I said, I REALLY believe they had help!

Well that is pretty much what we have been doing so far during this holiday season. Yesterday we went shopping with Granny. We had a great day. It has been a VERY long time since we have had a day to hangout with her. We pretty much wrapped up our Christmas shopping too! The kids got a few things early for Christmas in the form of Christmas outfits, PJs, and just a few fill-in clothes that were needed. I told them they needed to let me wrap them and put them under the tree or they would not have much Christmas morning, but they said they did not care, they knew what it was already! Well with two posts in one day, I fairly used up my "busy looking" time. The natives are starting to hunt me down, so I guess I should go and get things moving for the day. One of which is most likely a visit to Santa. I realized this morning we have not seen Santa yet and 2 weeks left before the big day, well I have one very anxious girlie!

I hope each of you have a very blessed week, as you prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Saviour.

Lisa

Christmas Elves

I'm still around, we've just been so busy with the preparations of Christmas and the wrapping up of school activities. I'm happy to say next week is so quiet, at least from a school standpoint, that crickets are actually chirping on that part of my calendar! Of course it is Christmas, and as Eddie so profoundly put it, "I'm sure you'll find something to do." Oh yes honey, I already have!

So I know you noticed the Christmas elves title, and as a tradition in our family, as many of you know, we have two little elves that spend time with us at Christmas time. These little elves have provided many hours of fun and laughter to all of us. They came this year and started out a little slow, they made a few messes, and left a few gifts, but they were fairly quiet. A couple of nights they did not even leave their beds. So I guess they were tired when they arrived here. Boy, have they rested up. Over the last few days they have eaten ALL of the candy off the Gingerbread House that Bri built so carefully. Of course, I think Bri and her friend Dae ate a few pieces of the candy and just let the elves take the blame. They built a ski ramp on our stairs and sprinkled their snow all over the stairs. Last night they even tried to take credit for giving Bri and I earrings that we bought for ourselves yesterday. Yes sir, they put mine in a box complete with bows, and put Bri's earrings in their ears. Then they drew a mustache on sleeping Brianna. I guess they were fairly tired after their day, so they made themselves a marshmallow bubble bath in the sink and were found lounging in there this morning, complete with soap stuck in their clothes. Yes they have truly been stinkers lately!

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas Season!

Thanksgiving and kids

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving, I know we did. We enjoyed the day just hanging out with each other and of course eating. See the picture of our turkey? Its rather creative don't you think? Brianna made that to hold our bread, and it did hold a bunch of rolls too. We thought she did a great job on it and she was quite proud to have made the centerpiece. Papa had a good time asking her about her turkey too. We really enjoyed just hanging out together and talking about different things, from the presidents past and present and future. Papa told us Agnew had mafia links, which we never knew and found interesting. I enjoyed Papa sharing his naval mechanic days, and Alex found it very interesting when he talked about how the planes landed and took off on the aircraft carriers. Afterwards, Papa wanted to do some work on the garden getting ready to plant in the next few days through February, and you thought the garden work was done didn't you? No way, we have cabbage and broccoli, maybe beets, and I'm not sure what else, but I know it has to be planted during the 12 days of Christmas and I'm sure I'll know what he has in mind by then. Anyway, he has been gathering leaves to mulch and put on the garden. Bri and I spent the afternoon picking up pecans. The pecan trees just started putting out a few years ago, but this is the best year yet. I have 2 five gallon buckets of pecans right now, and that is just from 5 trees. There are probably5 to 6 other trees I have not spent a lot of time with, but Papa has, I just have not had the time really.

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving the kids have been diligently working to complete their studies so they can have a long Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Bri succeeded and finished up Tuesday and has been given the reward of no book work (I plan to sneak learning in other ways, shh, don't tell), and Alex has decided he would really like to continue with his math and chemistry up to Christmas. They both have worked very hard this year. Alex has one more chemistry lab at McWane and then we will be done with that for the year. He and Bri also have one more art appreciation class each at the museum. They really are enjoying the art appreciation classes, Alex was certain he would hate this, but Bri was giddy with excitement over it. It has been a very much anticipated class each month, wow, could it be I was right? Nah, not possible.

During one of Alex's labs, Bri decided she was going to ride this. I was so surprised as she was much too scared in the past. Once she was certain she was not going to fall or tip over she decided to do it, thankfully I had my camera with me! She would only go halfway, but it is more than I'm willing to do! Shoot my heart was in my throat the whole time she was on it. Anyway----Way to go Bri!!!

Bri and her American Girl buddies have been invited to decorate a cabin by the Jefferson County Historical Society. So we got together this past month to make Victorian era ornaments for the tree. The ladies of the the Historical Society were so impressed with our girls on a visit to some of the homes that they asked them if they would be interested and the girls were. In their honor the ladies have planned a tea for the girls next week and then they will get to decorate the tree. We are really looking forward to this! On the day of the making of the decorations we also had hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and a cookie swap, did I mention I'm really struggling with the diet thing lately, way too much temptation.

We have also been enjoying the fall color. We went on a fall color hike in Decatur with friends, it was a little rainy, and gray, but it was a good hike. At least I'm getting some movement in with all the eating. I have to say the color seems really awesome this year, don't you think?

The kids also tested for their next belt in karate this week. They are going for the yellow belt. I could not get a better picture of them without being a distraction and I did not want to distract. They did a great job on their kata's and I think Bri may have made a 100 on her written test, I did not see Alex's test before he turned it in though. Sensi told them they passed the kata part of their examine though. Way to go guys!!!

Well that is a little wrap up of what we have been up to. For those who may not know Eddie's car engine had to be replaced over these last couple of weeks and we have been playing musical cars. Today his car was ready to be picked up so we got it back and Eddie and I did a little shopping to finish the kids Christmas gifts up. We found some good prices that were not listed in the sales papers on some things we were looking for so we were very pleased. We even enjoyed a lunch together. Its nice that Alex is old enough to look after Bri for a few hours while we get away and enjoy each others company for awhile. I really thought the crowds were down though, it was like a busy Saturday for the most part to me.

Now its Iron Bowl time --- ROLL TIDE!!!!!! Then the Christmas season and decorating can begin....

Until next time I wish you many blessings and peace.

Thanksgiving

Wow can you believe Thanksgiving is right here on us? This year has really flown by. In fact time has flown so fast lately. Today realized it has been a while since I was on here. I have so much to tell you about and I will probably catch you up somewhat tonight, just depends as the kids have testing tonight and I'm not sure how late we will be out. They have been working so hard so hard for their new belts, not only do they have to know their Kata's (karate forms), but they have to know a lot of the Japanese language that their commands are called out in, they will take a written test tonight on that as well.

Today I have had Thanksgiving on the brain, probably because I have been preparing for it as much as possible today. In fact Thanksgiving has been on my brain since Saturday pretty steadily. We have been talking about what Thanksgiving really means in our house, and in Sunday School our lesson was about being thankful and the question was asked to each person what they were thankful for. Of course I usually say my family, but then I was asked to take it deeper, what are you thankful for with your family so I have been really thinking on that. I've been thinking about each member of my family and what I'm thankful for. As I thought about it, I realized I'm also very thankful for my Savior because without him I would truly have nothing. I'm thankful that God loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. I'm thankful that in God's infinite wisdom he put me with Eddie, who is truly the love of my life. I was watching a movie the other night and the question was asked how do you know it is true love and the answer was when the other person knows all your faults and failures and still thinks the sun rises and sets in you. I believe that is true about me and Eddie, we each know the faults of the other, but we still overcome them and love each other in spite of them. Are things always perfect and wonderful? Of course not, but I do truly believe I have the best husband for me, he is my best friend, my confidant, my safety net, and my true love.

Brianna asked me the other day what was so bad about teenagers, she had heard something on the television about life with teenagers and it was all negative. I had to tell her I honestly did not know. I guess you can tell from the question that we love our teen. Eddie and I had a very hard time having Alex, we thought we would never have kids. With the help of fertility drugs we did. I have been thankful for him everyday from the day of conception. I think that is why I struggle to understand women who hate being pregnant or just don't want their kids. I'm thankful for everyday I have mine, but what is it about Alex I'm thankful for? Well he makes me laugh. Last night I was cracking pecans and watching a really cheesy chick flick, which I was about to turn, the plot was just to predictable and then in walks Alex. He stayed and watched the movie giving me commentary all along the way, "look out here comes the crazy woman", "what is wrong with her", and several other things. Like I said the movie was bad, but I really enjoyed it with Alex, we laughed all the way through it. Alex is so smart and many times he helps me with things that I just don't understand. Yes, he knows things I have no idea where he learned it, but he is very computer savvy and technically inclined. If I need to get something going and Eddie is no where around, Alex is right there and always eager to show me what he knows. Alex is very trusting, to a fault, but I love that he still has a sense of innocence about him. He is just an all around good kid, oops, teen. He still gives me hugs with his friends around, and tells me everyday, several times a day that he loves me. I get several hugs throughout the day, randomly, just when I seem to need it most. We enjoy hanging out together. Of course he can become a moody teen sometimes, but for the most part he is a great young man.

Then there is little Brianna, she is definitely a child we never thought we would have, almost from the time I had Alex we tried for Brianna, even the fertility drugs were not working. The doctors started talking about invitro and Eddie and I just decided to stop trying. We agreed if God wanted us to have another child then we would. Alex was 3 when we made that decision and we had all but given up, but God, don't you just love that, but God did not. When Alex turned 6 I found out Brianna was on her way, of course I did not know at that time she would be Brianna. Alex told me the whole time I was pregnant it could not be a girl because girls have cooties. I still remember being in labor and the labor nurse laughing at that and saying circle circle dot dot now you've had your cootie shot. So when we told him he had a baby sister, we told him about the cootie shot, I had not thought about that for years until then. Remember doing those? Alex loved Bri from the start, it was only when she got older and started getting into his things and generally interfering that there was trouble, but he is a great big brother that is another thing I'm thankful for with Alex. He has spent the last 2 weeks helping Bri polish her forms for tonight. Anyway, back to Brianna. She is the child that comes up with things you would never think about, she tells you like she sees it and makes no bones about it. She has made me laugh until I cried many times. She is also my sensitive child really, she can cry at the drop of a hat. I have to be very careful when I correct her, not to sound too harsh or she will just crumble. She is the child that loves to have girlie days, go to lunch, get nails done, shop, watch little girlie chick flicks. She loves to do crafts with me and to bake with me. She is my pal. Yesterday we made cookies and she was right by me, today we made 2 pies for Thanksgiving and she was there again. She has been planning the meal with me, gone shopping with me, planning the table decorations which include a paper bag turkey that will hold our bread that she will make tomorrow, and she plans to cook the meal with me. She loves to help me, make me laugh, and never wants me to be lonely.

These people are a blessing sent from God, and I'm thankful to have them in my life each and every day!!

So its Thanksgiving, go beyond the food, what are you most thankful for in your life? I would love to hear from you!

Our Nation

The election is past, almost a week now, and in this house things are calming down over it somewhat. Eddie and I definitely had opinions about the election, but not really any candidate stood out as a great one, one that could really take the reins and bring this country around. Alex, who will be voting age in a couple of years, watched EVERYTHING and had some definite opinions. He was very knowledgeable about each and every candidate and like myself he liked the independents better than the bigger party candidates. I'm really proud that he takes an interest in the election process and can really form his own opinion. When I was his age I still looked to dad for an opinion on candidates, never researched them myself. So in the last election Eddie and I did not tell Alex who we favored, we made him research each candidate for himself, beyond the television, and papers, really dig and form his own opinion. He did just that, so it was really no surprise that he would do it during this presidential election too. I'm really proud of him in that regard, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders for the most part. Sometimes though the teen does come out, and when the man he was rooting for to win did not we heard all the negative about Obama you can ever imagine. He has painted some very vivid scenes for all of us on what the next 4 years may hold. It got so bad one afternoon, as in Bri was crying and convinced we would all die as soon as Obama took the oath of office, that we had to put a stop to it. The scene he was painting had to do with a machine guns and doors being kicked in. Maybe he watches too much science fiction with dad. In true teen fashion he blames me for a lot of things, and he blames me for Bri getting upset. How I asked, well you were talking about the election too. Of course Eddie and I both have concerns and we do talk among ourselves, obviously Alex does listen sometimes, huh. Bri on the other hand is only 9 and completely absorbed in her own world, not the state of our country. In the end she was the one most upset by any of the talk, while Eddie and I kept it toned down, not Alex. So I have been praying about how to help Alex accept the fact the Obama will be the next president for better or worse, only time can tell. It has been hard because for me this is the one candidate that ran so counter clockwise to everything that I believe. God told me just to tell him exactly what I have been praying and fasting about. So I sat him down and told him that I prayed God's man would be put in office, and for reasons I don't understand, this is God's man for the hour. Just like he and Bri do not always understand why his dad and I make decisions we make, we don't always understand God's plan, but he sees the big picture and we have to trust him. This is where faith comes in. So in true God fashion he kept giving me scripture on what we should be doing instead of talking down about this man. We should pray for him.

"I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

So now in our daily devotion we will talk about praying for our next president. Is he a Christian, I truly don't know, but just based on the fruit I see I would say no. Always look at the fruit is what we tell the kids. So if he is not a Christian then pray that he becomes one, pray that he makes the right choices for this country, pray for out country and the people in it. As a whole our country needs a lot of pray. I also pointed out to Alex if your life was put under the scrutiny that our public officials are put under would everyday of your life come out smelling like a rose? So pray my dear son, just pray.

So that is what this household will do, pray for our president. You have to admit he does have a daunting task ahead of him!

What's Up?

The last few weeks have been FULL. Since we returned from Ft. Morgan we have been on the go. We had a DUI course for Alex one morning. While he learned about the dangers and consequences of drunk driving, Bri got to skate. Can you tell she is happy about that?


This is Alex in his "car" with goggles that give the distorted vision that a drunk driver may have. This was a very good program. They had to walk the white line, touch their nose, and drive around the track, and through the cone maze. If they hit the side it represented the ditch, and the cones were people. Alex kept his car on the road, but he killed three people. In the kids defense, I asked the man who set this up if it was truly possible to navigate the cones and he said yes, as long as they did not hit the first cone, which means they would have to be the first one through the cones. The cones were really tight. It did make the kids think about how your balance, and vision are affected. I wish I had brought the video camera because they were so off balance with the goggles on. One of the boys started talking to me, but he was looking way to the left of me and I had to grab his hand and tell him this way. Great course!

The American Girl Club went to Wilson's Florist and Wedding Chapel. It was a very interesting tour. The girls got to see where they keep the flowers in the refrigerator, a big walk-in refrigerator, which was amazing to them. She showed them how to make a bouquet and gave them each a rose, and the mom's got one too! Then she took them to the Wedding Chapel part, we saw the groom's room, the bride's room, the chapel, and the outside wedding area. The girls loved it! They even fixed a "reception" for the girls.

We love science in this house! For Bri it is the most awesome subject ever to study!! In this picture she learned how to make a balloon shish kabob. She learned about polymers and the lesson was brought home with this little experiment.

Here she is showing her dad a science experiment from earlier in the day. The question is can electricity be conduced through fresh water or salt water best? Salt water is the answer because salt has positive and negative ions which are needed for electricity to conduce. Duh!

Then there were birthday parties, fall festivals, Halloween parties, art, piano, scouts, lab class. Of course for Alex no Halloween time would be complete without a visit to at least one haunted house. So in that keeping he got together with about 6 other friends and went to Atrox. They had a blast! They asked me why I did not ever go through the haunted houses with them. I told them life was scary enough without paying someone to scare the crap out of you. Just watch the news! Or better yet, learn about Obama, it will scare the snot out of you!

Family Time

After a couple of really crazy weeks of everyone going in different directions Eddie and I got up Sunday morning and decided to just shove everything off the calendar and just go play. We decided to take a drive to Desoto State Park and Desoto Falls in Mentone, AL. The drive up was absolutely beautiful. The park was so pretty with all the color. This picture looks like a postcard, the leaves and the boathouse reflected off the water, Bri even asked if the water was glass.

We packed a picnic lunch which we ate at the top of the falls, which is just behind us in this picture. After we ate we explored the area. On the way home we went home through Guntersville and ate dinner at Top Of the River. It was such a nice day spending time together and just hanging out, no rush to get here or get this done, or meet this person. Alex is growing up so fast and our days like this together are getting fewer so I really treasure the days we have.