Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes . . .

Wow, has it really been since JANUARY since I blogged last? Wow! Of course, it's really no surprise, what with everything that's been going on the last few months!

There have been a lot of changes going on in our lives. A. Lot.

First off, we have started some changes with my daughter. Little Miss has been diagnosed with ADHD/ODD and dysgraphia. In a nutshell, she's hyper, has a hard time focusing, doesn't do well with authority, and has REALLY bad handwriting. In the complex, her mind doesn't work the way it should, and she knows it, so she gets frustrated and angry with the world. Her hyperactivity affects her handwriting, and her frustration with that causes her to lash out at those she's closest too - namely me and her teachers.

After much prayer and discussion, we decided (my husband, Little Miss, and I together) to try medication. Since spring break, Little Miss has been on Vyvanse. This was not a choice that we took lightly. It involved MONTHS of research and other interventions to come to that choice. And I am so glad we did. Little Miss has improved by leaps and bounds on this medication. In her words: "I don't feel like I have to jump up and down all the time". As a result, her frustration level has diminished, and as a result of THAT, her behavior has improved. My daughter went from a straight c report card (with one failing grade) to A's, B's and C's. Needless to say, I am now a complete advocate on medication when it's warranted (**NOTE: Medication is NOT right for EVERY child/family. PLEASE do extensive research on your available options and work directly with your pediatrician before making decisions on something like that**).

The next big change we made also involved Little Miss. Because of her problems with encopresis and constipation (even on an adult dose of Miralax a day) we decided to try some dietary changes. Specifically, we have gone low-gluten. While we did have tests run and Little Miss does NOT have Celiac Disease, it's possible that a gluten sensitivity could be causing her issues.

The final, and biggest change (for me, anyway) is that I started my own business. I am now a full-on Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant! It's an exciting change for me for many reasons, but the main reason for me is that I now am able to supplement my family's income while still being able to be at home with Little Man and being able to be available in case Little Miss and Big Guy need me. There's also the fact that I'm having a blast. I love skin care and makeup, so this is right up my ally!

With all the changes taking place, it's a wonder my head is on straight! But despite all the craziness, this is my life, and I wouldn't change it for the world!

Miss Independent (Or Not)

This is what just transpired in my kitchen, and what inspired this post:

My daughter (7) decided this morning to make her own bowl of cereal without ANY assistance.

She struggled to pull a chair from the dining room to the kitchen, 

Climbed up the chair 

Losing her beloved "Lambie" on the way

She got the big bag of cereal down

Knocked over a few items on the counter getting down.

She carried the cereal to the table, went back to retrieve the chair.

She went back into the kitchen again to get a plastic bowl.

She brought the bowl into the dining room, opened the new bag of cereal, poured herself a bowl (and overfilled it, spilling some cereal on the floor and table).

She carried the cereal back into the kitchen, to the fridge

Then got the almost-full gallon of milk out one handed.

Grunting she hurried to the counter to put her cereal down, then her milk.

She then proceeded to pour her milk over her cereal - splashing some on the counter and floor.

She then carried her full cereal bowl back to the table, and sat it down gingerly.

She returned to the kitchen to retrieve a spoon.

Then ran into me crying:

"MAAMAAAAAAAA THERE'S NO MORE CLEAN SPOONS!! WAAH!"

*sigh*

So much for Miss Independent . . .

How I Became a SuperMom-In-Training . . .

I know this is going to be hard to take, but it has to be said.

Are you sitting down?

Okay good, now breathe . . . this might come as a shock . . .

I was not always the SuperMom!

Okay.

Now, once you get back into your chair we can continue.

Of course we know that NO one (with the exception of Jesus Christ Himself) is perfect. Perfection is impossible to attain, and really we shouldn't even attempt it. I am not, nor will I ever be perfect.

I'm not even 100% sure I qualify as a SuperMom to tell you the truth.

I was kinda thrown into SuperMotherHood. I'm not complaining, mind you. It was MY choice, and one that I wouldn't trade for the world.

When my husband and I met, we had both recently gotten out of really bad relationships. His ended in a divorce, and mine, while thankfully never even got to the marriage stage, ended up with me as an unwed mother at 28. With his two children and my one child, we were thrown into a family of five, literally overnight.

I had to learn real quick how to cook large meals on a tight budget. I also had to learn how to clean, do laundry, and run a household budget. Needless to say, it was VERY overwhelming.

Ronnie was working evening shifts, so that left me home alone in the evenings with a three year old to feed and put to bed. It wasn't hard, but it was lonely. I really didn't have much time with my husband in those first few months of us living together, especially since they were working a lot of overtime. The depression really set in at that time. I was not the only one suffering from it. My house, my child, and even, to some extent, my husband were experiencing my pain.

The weekends were even worse, because most weekends for the first six months, Ronnie had to work overtime on both Saturdays and Sundays. That would leave me with all the children to tend to by myself for meals and bed.

It was not a happy time for me, and my stress was taking its toll on the children.

Then I started to do something I hadn't done in a long time.

I prayed.

And God led me to a web site that would turn my life around.

(I talk about this site all the time - www.flylady.net )

The Fly Lady's web site really hit home with me.

I watched a Shiny Sink Video and cried.

The tears were cleansing and healing.

That day, I got up and I shined my sink.

Not one week later, my husband was informed that our prayers were answered - he was being moved to days.

While the overtime continued, things improved drastically in our home.

It wasn't long until we decided it was time to have a baby that was ours.

Of course, with pregnancy came hormones, and I'll admit the house really went to shambles again, but I became something. 

I became a mom that DID things.

I was involved with my daughter's pre-school, which was most important at the time.

Now, I am not only involved with my daughter's school activities, but we also have soccer, and my step-daughter has cheerleading this fall. My step son is coming to live with us and he will (possibly) have band activities to boot. 

On top of that, I will be finishing my bachelor's degree this fall.


I have jumped back on the Fly Lady's wagon of hope and my sink shines again. So do my counters, my toilet, and even my bedroom (after many years of it being a wreck - here are the results of THAT!)

But even with all this, I am unafraid.

Because I know that what I have learned from the Fly Lady is immeasurable. 

Marla Cilley has changed my life.

If you would like for her to change yours, first, go visit her web site:

www.flylady.net

Then go buy her book

Sink Reflections

I would not be the SuperMom I am without her!

Making Your Home Sing Monday - Togetherness!

It's time for another edition of Making Your Home Sing Monday! 

Go visit Nan at MomsTheWord to join the fun!

First, here's this weeks menu!

Don't forget that planning your meals is a GREAT way to make your home sing!

Now, let's talk about one thing that many families have issues with -

TOGETHERNESS

I'm not just talking about sitting on the couch together watching movies or playing video games, I'm talking about togetherness when it comes to "making the home".

In our family, we each have our "domains". My husband's domain is to go to work each day, take care of the finances, do all the lawn and yard work, and take out the garbage. My domain is the kitchen, the living room, the hallway, and the bathroom. My kids' domains are their rooms and to pick up after themselves throughout the day. My husband and I share responsibility for our bedroom.

Until this weekend, our bedroom was not the sanctuary or haven that Hubby and I had wished it to be. It was filled with trash, kids toys, laundry, CLUTTER.

It looked like this:

And This:

And These:

    

Needless to day, organization was not our strong suit.

But I think that we both realized something. Something important.

All the times we had tried to clean our room up before never worked. Why? Because we were trying to do it on our own. I would clean, and have a pile of things that I didn't know what to do with because they were Ronnie's. Ronnie would clean and have the same problem. So between the two of us, there was a whole lot of nothing getting done.

Until this weekend.

We finally got together and worked on our domain as a team. Asking as we went, tossing, sorting, finding and getting rid of tons of things, together.

Separate, we couldn't do it. Together, we got it done.

It is important for the home and the family for everyone to have a part in the home - decision making, cleaning, even meal planning and cooking. Without that togetherness, a household just will not run smoothly. 

By the way, THIS is what our room looks like NOW:                                        

Yes, we still have a way to go, but the fact is, this is a HUGE step in the right direction!

This is what a little bit of togetherness can accomplish in a disorganized bedroom, imagine what it can do for your life!

Looking for Magic . . .

I love taking my camera with me everywhere. 

Sometimes, there's no telling what you might find peeking out at you from around a corner or hiding amongst the trees. 

I can't say photography is my entire life, rather more of a hobby that I hope to make some extra money at some day. 

But the thing about photography is that it has opened my eyes to a whole new world - a world of God's majesty and wonder. 

A world filled with the magic of our Father and all he has created for us.  

Today I would like to share some of that magic with you:

Peace in the Woods

 

A Memorable Afternoon

A Child's Laughter

A Serene Moment

And a Child's Wonder

Each of these things come from God. Gifts to us to show his mercy and love. Today, I challenge you to find some of God's magic for yourself. It might be a raindrop, a rainbow, a hug, a smile, or a beautiful sunset.

Matthew 7:7 says " . . .Seek and ye shall find . . . " 

Why not give it a shot?

A Day In Pictures - Sailing with My Boys

A couple weekends ago, my husband, my oldest son, and I went sailing on our Hobie 16 Catamaran. We had so much fun riding over the water, and didn't mind so much when we got stuck in the wind. Although I was not able to capture anything on the water (didn't want to ruin the camera, you know), I did catch the fun of setting up the boat, hoisting the sails, and launching. We had a blast that day!

Before

Easy now . . .

               Watch Out For that Tree!

Gotta Have Drinks

                                    The Mast

The Lake is That-a-way

   

          Lifting the Mast

Hoist that Sucker!

And I Hey-elped

Garrett pretending to be Captain Morgan. Still trying to decided weather or not to be disturbed . . .

The Mast is Up!

Hoisting The Jib

 . . . And Now For the Main

Ready to Sail!

The Result of our Day at the lake - the SPF 50 spray-on sunblock I bought failed - MISERABLY

Ended up with a 3rd degree sunburn on my ankle there. YIKES!

BUT 

It was WELL worth it!!

TYVM!

It's time, folks, for another edition of

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Wanna play and get some free therapy? Go see KMAMA at The Daily Dribbles!

To my children for refusing to get along for longer than five minutes.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

i really didn't need to finish photoshopping those nature photos for my portfolio

To my landlord for replacing our dishwasher with the cheapest disposable model around

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

i thought the whole point of a dishwasher was that I wasn't supposed to have to do them . . . ?

To the birds who think my car is a battle zone

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

i always wanted a polka dot paint job

To mother nature for making me a woman and putting me through torture once a month

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

no, i really didn't need "special time" with DH this week

To all the authors of the photoshop "help guides" that you find all over the internet and teach you absolutely nothing

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

who needs to make money doing what they love anyway?

And a very, truly sincere THANK YOU VERY MUCH! goes out to my friends, family, and other loved ones for keeping my family and I in your prayers over these past few weeks, thank you for the phone calls, the hugs, and the food. And a very special THANK YOU VERY MUCH! to my Lord and Savior for bringing Grandpa Home where he belongs!

God Bless!

Saying Goodbye . . .

My grandfather has always been one constant in my ever changing life.

He was just always there.

Plowing in his field, planting his watermelons and cantaloupes and peanuts.

Sitting quietly on his couch reading the paper or the Reader's Digest, or one of his many mystery novels.

Sitting quietly at the end of the back pew, beside the aisle, next to my momma.

Never without his cowboy hat or his boots.

I was never close to him.  I guess in some ways I'm as responsible for that as anyone.  

We just didn't have that much in common.  

But he loved me as only a grandfather can love his granddaughter.

How do I know?

Because of the moments we spent together.

Him chuckling at me or, later, my children.

Sitting with him in the cab of the tractor as he circled the peanut field.

Sitting across his kitchen table from him listening to him talk about his childhood as I interviewed him for a history project.

Having him request a song or two when I was performing.

Having him ask me to sing at my grandmother's funeral, and the touch of his hand on my shoulder to comfort me that day.

And the last time I saw him, he held my hand the whole time and when I left he uttered 

"I love you, girl."

Yes, I know he did.

I will miss my grandfather.  My daughter will surly miss him, she was "great-grandpa's" girl.  And my son, only 2, will often ask "Where's Grandpa?" 

But I take great comfort in knowing that he will be safe and sound in Jesus' arms. 

I rejoice in the fact that he is in the place where he will never be sick, or in pain again.  

There will only be peace, serenity, joy, love, and the 

Glory of the Father.

Saturday Musings

This week I managed to keep a sorta clean house.  

Well, until the children entered the living room with toys and books and food, and drink (anyone know how to get unidentified really sticky black tar-like goo [that was probably once a gummie snack] off a carpet?  The ice trick doesn't work, by the way.  Neither does peanut butter).  

BUT my kitchen has stayed wonderful.  

We were supposed to have a brooding teen invasion this weekend, 

but his mother decided to recount her previous decision and take him with them anyway.  

I can't say much.  

I probably would have given in too.  

Spent an amazing day today with my kids, my hubby, and my dad.  

My mom was out of town helping my brother and his wife move into their new home.  The good news, they're in TX instead of CA now, and only a few hours away rather than two days (YIKES).  

The bad news . . . they're still six hours away 

*sad face*.

Emily's behavior has improved by leaps and bounds at both school and home.  

She's only had one serious trouble day at school, and really, I couldn't punish her too badly for it because she was defending herself.  

The good news there is that she's not the only one in the class acting up, and the little boy bugging her got in worse trouble than she did.

Got to see two new movies this week that I was so excited about - The Princess and the Frog and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.  

They were both ADORABLE.  

So glad Disney is back into the actual animation (P&F was all HAND DRAWN and was AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL).  Here lately, it seems the artistry has gone all out of animation with all the computer programming.  

That being said, Cloudy actually had some of the best hair I've ever seen - it actually looked like REAL hair!  I think that counts as artistry, even if it is just a bunch of java commands.

Jake(2) has been making us crack up all week with his knock-knock jokes.  

The latest involves my mother and father-in-laws' cat, Pumpkin:

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Interrupting Pumpkin

Interrupting- . . . 

(cut off by angry kitty hiss here)

Well, that's it for my week, I hope everyone else's was just as blessed!

If you are a facebook junkie, you should check out this page : Mommy Bloggers.  It is an amazing networking site!

God and Housework . . . ?

I went back to "Sink Reflections" last night, and read Marla's take on marriage. Then I read it again, to make sure I really understood the message. The jist of it is (what I get out of it anyway) is that we CAN do it all, we just have to stop thinking that everyone has to do "their fair share".  In other words - if it's not getting done, just do it yourself. I need to go back and re-read this message periodically.  I'm notorious for using the words "It's not MY mess" and "Well, if they're not going to clean, I'm not . . . ".  Of course, I've gotten much better about that over the past few months and realized that I can't EXPECT them to do it. No, it SHOULDN'T all be on my shoulders, but most days if I don't do it, it won't get done.

So, I need to take a deep breath and forget when DH forgets to take the trash out - just pack it up and take it myself.  And I need to forgive when DD doesn't clean her room - just grab a trash bag and get after it.  The point I'm trying to make is this - if you are a wife and mother, and especially if you are a stay at home mom, more falls on your shoulders.  That's just the way it is.

If you want to look at it from a biblical standpoint, Titus 2:4-5 says "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Proverbs 31 speaks of the Noble Wife throughout. Verse 13 says "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands". Proverbs 31:15 "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." And verse 17 "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." And 27 "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." The point I am trying to make here is that we should be looking at it all as a blessing to our families and to God.

It is for God that we wash the dishes.  It is for God that we make the beds.  It is for God that we vacuum, mop, scrub, wipe, and plan. It is for God that we raise our children. If we go through our days with God in our hearts and minds, then the "details" about who's doing the work (us) is forgotten.

Moments that make it all worthwhile . . .

Yes. The duck is pink, LOL. He is saying Duck, by the way. How do I know? Because Ronnie is "Da" or "A-Da". Jacob is CLEARLY saying "Duh"!

Anxioties and Creationism

I am freaking out over the prospect of my precious little one starting school. I was okay with preschoo, I could walk her to class, hang up her back pack, give her a kiss, give her a reminder, have a brief hello with her teacher, that kind of thing. Kindergarten? Different story. I have to leave my precious bundle at the front door (if even that close) to fend for her self with the possibilties of her getting lost, hurt, beat up, robbed, sad, have an accident, blow up in the middle of the hallway WHATEVER in the midst. Just thinking about it last night made me cry myself to sleep. What am I going to do? I know I can't be there for her ALL the time - she's going to have to learn to fend for herself in that dark, bleek jungle out there that we call the public school system. But it doesn't make it any easier.

See, I have two major fears. One, that my child will follow in her momma's footsteps and be an outcast. Two, that the school will fill my child's head with a whole lot of BS that I can neither fostor nor prevent.

Okay, so the outcast thing. This is why I'm worried.

I watch my child interact with other kids. She always seems to be the one shunned. She will be off playing by herself. "Emmy," I'll ask. "Why aren't you playing with the other kids?" "Because they don't want me to play." "Well did you ask?" "They told me to go away".

This happens every time. In school, at parties, at family functions, in the park. I just want to bawl my eyes out to think about it.

My little girl is the sweetest child on the planet (to other kids, anyway). She wants to play, and doesn't mind doing anything that anyone else wants to do. She just wants to PLAY. She is so beautiful and smart and sweet and I just want to scream to the world "WHY can't you see what I do in my baby??" Jake, I have no fears for Jake. He's a flirt (you should have seen that infant making eyes at his cousin yesterday, LOL). He's a tough kid. He'll be alright. Emily, well, she kinda wears her emotions on her sleeve. If they get stepped on, she'll crumble. We're working on this through Love and Logic Paranting (I'll go into more detail about THAT in another blog . . . after I finally get the book). But it doesn't change my fears. Maybe I'm too overprotective of her . . . but it breaks my heart.

Now, as for the other reason I am afraid of public school, that's another blog. Maybe I'll get to that later in the day. I'll leave you with this thought, though - Atheists rule our school's curriculum. Don't believe me? Read your child's science book when school starts. There is a particular theory that you will see is being taught as fact. The theory of creationism (here's a link for you to read up a bit) is not even being brought up b/c it is a CHRISTIAN CONCEPT. Hmm . . . don't get me started. I have to go make breakfast and a cup of much-needed STRONG coffee. I'll rant about that later.

I don't want to go to bed . . .

I am so tired that I can barely keep my eyes open, but my mind is whirling right now. So many things have gone on over the course of the past 48 hours, that I really don't know what to think.

One the one hand, I don't want to relay the story online b/c of possible reprocussions. On the other it is eating me alive to have all this bottled up inside me. Something so drastic may happen in the near future, if present conditions don't change. And I am scared. I am terrified. I am wanting to cry just thinking about the stress it will put on this family. It is nothing as drastic as losing a home or a car or being bankrupt. But it will put a strain on our home financially as well as emotionally.

I keep praying that God will send us a miracle.

Please pray for us.

It's Too Freakin' Early

So my wonderful infant son wakes up at 6 freakin' 30 this morning. No worries, I was just going to change him and give him a bottle and crawl back into bed to snuggle with hubby until everyone else wakes up at around 8:30. WISHFUL THINKING. Who should I hear come up behind me (talking almost as loud as possible) - my step son. I love my kids - all of them weather I gave birth to them or not. But I had NO intention of being awake at 6:30 this morning, nor did I have any intention of STAYING awake. But, of course, Jake decided "no bottle for me, momma - Garrett's up - it's time to PLAY". So here it is, roughly 8:05 my time and I have been up for an hour and a half on a Saturday on Memorial Day weekend. Niiice . . . (catch the sarcasm there?)

On the bright side, now I have an excuse to wake hubby up at 8:30 (if the loud children don't wake him first). I plan on getting this house CLEAN this weekend. Not just a little clean. I mean CLEAN clean. The I-can-eat-off-my-countertops-without-being-afraid-of-a-staph-infection clean. If I have to be the only one cleaning this weekend - it WILL happen. I am tired of the mess and the filth. For every five things I pick up, seventeen more remain. And MOST of it isn't even mine!! So I have decided we are going to become minimalists. Yup. Nothing I don't need is staying. I am holding on to a few baby items for my hubby's pregnant cousin (we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet) but other than that - everything not necessary to life in our household is GOING. I hope . . .

Being a "Supermom" . . . ?

I have kept blogs on sites like myspace and cafemom, but I never imagined that I could keep a good blog that was nothing but a blog. I really like this idea. It's kinda like a public journal . . . hmm . . . my personal life put out there for the world to see. What a novel concept. I hope no one's opinions change about me . . .

So why am I a supermom? LOL, honestly I don't know. My wonderful husband calls me that. I don't know that I am, though.

I go to school (when I'm not sick, my kids aren't sick and the car works).
I take my daughter to preschool.
I cook dinner.
I grocery shop.
I attempt to clean, do laundry, etc (when I feel like it).
I pay bills (when I remember them).

Does that make me a supermom? I don't work outside the home. I don't drive anyone to football, soccer, dance, cheerleading, baseball, or hockey. I don't have 50,000,000 things to do on any given day.

Maybe I'm NOT a supermom . . . hmm . . . what do you think?