Sharing our Life

The birth of my Saviour A God that loves me so much that He sent His Son to die for my sins A God that loves me unconditionally A God that forgives me continually A husband that loves his family A husband that is a good provider for his family A husband that understands his wife's need to see her family A husband that loves to drive long distances to accomplish the previous need Three beautiful blessings from God that are healthy, sassy and vibrant (although I could sometimes do without the sassy part, but it reminds me to be thankful that they are healthy and can be sassy!) A mom and dad who love me A mom and dad who are kind, generous, and giving A brother and sister-in-law who are kind, generous and giving to our family 3 great nephews who are older than our kids, but play with them at their young level - thanks guys! A wonderful extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins Our family in Michigan who we don't see as often as we would like but we love dearly Our great friend...

Goofy names and serious names are being tossed around! I'm sure the kids will be disappointed if one of their names is not selected. To be perfectly honest, I personally don't like most of the names they pick - Killer, Spike, Coyote (because he survived a coyote attack). Jaelyn likes Window or Curtain (she happened to be looking out the window). Snowie, Salty, Ice Cream and Whitie (although that could cause some problems) have been suggested. Somebody, also suggested Bevo (I'm pretty sure not that one, Rhonda!). Who knew it could be so difficult. I personally like Husker (we have Maize for the 'Maize and Blue' of Michigan, so why not incorporate the Husker state). David likes Blue (then we'd really have Maize 'n' Blue). I've also thought it would be cute to name a dog D-O-G (pronounced Dee O Gee with the accent on O). David doesn't like that one. Other names of interest - Hero (Thanks, Aimee, for that suggestion), Ranger, Sampson. So, i...

A puppy that is (did I fool anyone??). What in the world are we thinking adding a puppy to the mix, but we just couldn't resist! Hopefully Maize (our current dog) will feel the same! He is a 9 week old puppy that a friend of a friend found (thanks, Kara). He survived a coyote attack and somehow made it to this person's house. They have taken good care of him and we'll pick him up next week sometime (once we get back from Thanksgiving). We're still thinking of a name! In the meantime, enjoy some pics of our new addition!

All 3 kids were playing outside before school this morning and Jaelyn comes in with her 'somebody has wronged me' look and asks what I'm sure every sibling has asked at one time or another, "Can we sell Jessica?" Me - "Why do you want to sell her"? Jaelyn - "She's not playing with me". I don't recall my response, but rest assured, Jessica has not been sold!

Maybe in a few years, this will be her calling?! A week ago, the homeschool group took a trip to a replica of the Oval Office. A gentleman here in Longview who has worked with many presidents has created this replica in his home and allows groups to tour. I wasn't able to go as the field trip was only for 3rd-6th graders. I stayed home with Eric and Jaelyn, but my friend Jennifer took Jessica along with her daughter, Emma. I'm not sure exactly what all the pictures represent, but they sure look cool! Hope you enjoy.

As if having my dad in the hospital wasn't stress enough,the other thing causing me stress is the stupid house we own in Omaha (shhh, don't tell the kids I used the 's' word!) When David got a job in Topeka, KS 6 years ago, we put our house on the market in Omaha, NE. We knew it would be tough to sell as we needed a certain amount of money for it and really couldn't afford to take a lower offer. Well, after being on the market for 4 months (David was living in Topeka with friends and coming back to Omaha on the weekends), we decided we needed another option and put it on the rental market. Now, some of you might think, rental market, extra income - good idea! It has been absolutely nothing but a money pit ever since!!! First, the rental payment has never been enough to cover the mortgage payment (that's a whole other post about how we used to be very stupid (again, the 's' word) with our money. Then, it seems like there is always some rinky-dink repair t...

Although I'm very happy that Dad is able to go home, the ultimate problem - his heart valve - isn't fixed. According to the heart surgeon, if Dad were to have surgery now, he wouldn't survive the operation. On the other hand, not having the surgery is also high risk. So, I guess it's a wait and see game. When and if his lungs are completely healthy (i.e. no more pneumonia or fluid in them) and when his bladder issue is resolved, surgery may be an option again. However, by the time that happens, will his heart valve have weakened even more? Will surgery really be an option later on? As much as I really want to know that answer, I have to trust that the One who does know that answer is completely in control. When it's someone else, or the situation isn't as serious, it always easy to say "God is in control - He'll take care of it". But when it's so close and personal, I just want to know the answer myself. I'm very anxious to be going up to m...

Since I ended the day yesterday on kind of a depressing post, I though I'd start the day off with some Jaelyn quotables: #1 - We were in the van running errands sometime last week when Jaelyn kind of slouched down and 'pooched' her tummy out and proudly said "Look, I'm just like Daddy"! #2 - Last week, I was laying on the couch and Jaelyn was laying down on top of me (I was trying to get her to rest while I took a short nap). Here's the brief conversation: Jaelyn - Mommy, are those your 'buttons'? Mommy - Yes, Jaelyn, they are (didn't want to have an anatomy lesson at that moment). Jaelyn - Did they give us milk when we were babies? Mommy - Yes, they did. #3 - We were all in the family room watching either a movie or some cartoon that the kids wanted to watch and Jaelyn wrinkled up her nose and said: Jaelyn - Who tooted? Mommy - How do you know someone tooted? Jaelyn - Because something smells really bad! Hopefully that will bring a smile to s...

** So I just reread this post - it's kind of a downer, so if you're not in the mood for that, then you should stop reading now! :) For me, it's kind of weird to think of your parents getting older. I just always think of them being here forever for me to talk to, run problems by, laugh with, disagree with, etc. So, when a time comes where you realize they won't be around forever, it's a difficult pill to swallow. I just talked with my Mom. She's been pretty much at my dad's side for the past 8 days while he's in the hospital. She's doing pretty well tonight, but she told me that she couldn't have talked to me last night as she was just too emotional (I had talked to her earlier in the afternoon, so I didn't think much of it when she didn't call in the evening). So, my dad talked with the heart surgeon today and he said he would not recommend any surgery until at least the pneumonia is all cleared up and he has some type of bladder issue (...

Not sure there is too much new to report; however, I thought I'd give a brief update. I talked to my dad today - he seems in relatively good spirits. I think he feels safe in the hospital, so he doesn't mind being there right now. Both the cardiologist and his family physician recommend surgery to have his heart valve repaired. The pulmonary doctor (I think that's right - he's the lung doctor) isn't recommending surgery. Dad is planning to visit with all 3 doctors on Monday. There are some other minor health issues that Dad wants some answers to before he would even consider having the surgery (he can be rather stubborn - David says that's where I get it from!). Mom is planning to get to the hospital early (by 6:00 a.m.) as that's when all the doctors come by. So, we should have some additional answers on Monday. Thanks so much for your prayers!

David to Eric: Where's Mommy? Eric coming to the computer room: I don't know, she's not on the computer! Maybe I spend a little too much time on this thing?? At least I wasn't on the computer when he came looking!

I talked with my mom this afternoon, and the doctors feel that Dad did not have congestive heart failure, but rather had pneumonia. The fluid in his lungs is almost cleared up, so the doctors feel this is a good sign. Dad still needs to talk to the cardiologist to determine what exactly needs to be done regarding his heart valve. He had a good talk with one of the nurses tonight. She gave him some things to think about regarding whether or not to have the surgery. Hopefully this weekend, he'll get more information. Thanks for your continued prayers.

You can refer to this post for some background information. I just talked with my dad and it appears (he hasn't talked with his heart doctor yet so this is unofficial) that his heart valve is in pretty bad shape and surgery is going to be recommended. Again, he hasn't heard this from his heart doctor, just the family doctor. My dad has said that if his heart value needed repairing or replacing that he wouldn't do it. The background behind this is that is younger brother just had this surgery done and not only did he end up in a coma for about 5 days, his kidney's failed, he was on a ventilator for about 2 weeks and in the hospital for about 4-5 weeks. His brother almost died and he is not in any better shape than before the surgery. So, I can understand his reluctance to have the surgery himself. Of course, I want him to have the surgery. I don't want my dad to suffer, but I'm optimistic that his surgery will be completely different than his brother's. Dad ...

For some background information, you can read this post if you want. I just wanted to blog a little about my journey of weight loss. You see, pretty much every woman in my family has some type of weight issue (except the really young ones - but I didn't have a weight issue when I was young either!). So, I'd like to blame some of my weight problems on heredity. However, I don't think heredity has anything to do with my main source of exercise (1 - get off couch; 2 - walk to fridge; 3 - open fridge; 4 - find food and put in mouth; 5 - walk back to couch). Now, I don't know about you, but I think that's a pretty good exercise routine! So, I have pretty much had only 2 constants in my life regarding my weight - I'm either losing weight or gaining weight. I'm very rarely maintaining. So, if you had the chance to read the post that I linked to above, you'd know that about 3 months ago, I went for just a normal check up and had some blood work done since it was...

I just wanted to do a quick update and ask for prayers for my dad. My dad is a great man and I'd do just about anything for him (as he would for me and my family). One of the hardest things about moving to East Texas was moving away from my family (mom, dad, brother and his family, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.). It's difficult knowing that if something were to happen, you can't just hop in the car and be there! Dad's health just hasn't been what he's used to this past year. He was in the hospital 2-3 months ago for some shortness of breath and chest pains. He's back in the hospital now for congestive heart failure. I'm not expecting anything drastic to happen because of this, but it's just hard not being there to encourage him (or possibly just have some political disagreement with him and take his mind off of the situation!!?). It's also hard not to be able to be there just to sit with Mom in the hospital or encourage her. I'm thankfu...

Some friends of ours had a cool bunk bed for their son and he felt he was getting too old for a bunk bed. They asked if Eric would like it and of course we said yes! We asked how much they wanted for it and they said nothing. Wow! I need to learn from this - I know I'm not nearly this generous! So, here's a picture of the bed. We bought a mattress today, but these pictures were taken yesterday with no mattress. Here's a picture of the bed - there is a trundle underneath for another bed to pull out. Also a desk and some extra drawers. I think the girls think it's their bed as well :) Side view: On each end is a door that provides access to storage - perfect place for extra blankets, sheets, etc.

Eric's flag football team made it to the playoffs! We were very happy for him and his team. Last year we played in the Hallsville flag football league and we won a big fat 0 games! However, Eric had fun and learned a lot. This year, he improved a great deal! He had fun playing in the Pine Tree league. Today was the playoff game. They were playing the Texans who were 6-1 (we were 4-3). They played great. We thought for sure it would go into overtime as the game was tied with about 24 seconds left in the game. The Texans had the ball but were a good 50 yards from scoring. Then, out of the blue, that darn #1 got the ball and if he didn't run the length of the field for a score! It was a tough loss - some of the boys cried. So, we are done with football until next year! Here are a few football pictures. If you see #3 - that's Eric.

Just a quick post (mostly pictures) on the pumpkin patch trip. The kids had a great time going through the hay bale maze, doing the sack race, tug of war, climbing the hay mountain, going on the hay rack ride and picking a pumpkin and decorating it! It was a good time had by all! We're all definitely tuckered out!

It's amazing how your perspective can change with a quiet evening, watching the little terrors - oops, I mean angels :) - peacefully sleeping and getting a good night's sleep. Today, the kids were also up early (it's got to be the time change), but so far they are playing nicely and not harrassing me for breakfast yet. We'll have a busy day today, the pumpkin patch, soccer, and then David and I are going on a date (any good restaurant suggestions that may not be as well known?). Thanks for your prayers! I don't know how I could make it through each day without God by my side!

Do you ever need a good cry just to release everything that is pent up inside. Most of what's inside, you really can't do anything about, except pray. And, usually, all the little things don't bother me. But every now and then all the little things hit at one time and you just need a good cry. That's how my day is going. It started with all of my kids waking up by around 6:15 and immediately asking for breakfast. I don't know about you, but that just doesn't start my day off right. If I don't get a little quiet in the morning, it really sets my mood for the day (and usually it's not good for anyone). Then, the kids were constantly fighting and bickering (mind you this is only 7:30 in the morning - I already felt like I'd been through a whole day and it should have been time for them to go to bed!). And, to top it off, David is going to Dallas this afternoon and will be spending the night - so no relief tonight! So, I finally gave the kids breakfast. ...

So, with the election done and Barack Obama being the President-elect, I would ask 3 things (obviously, I'm speaking for me, not necessarily all Christians or any other Christians for that matter): 1) Just because we may or may not agree with the results, we should be praying that God would touch the hearts of our elected leaders and they would look to Him for guidance and direction. 2) As Christians, we have to remember that it is not up to the President (whether it be Obama, Bush, McCain, etc) to heal our land. The healing of a nation will not start from the top down. It must start at the bottom and move up. We must pray for God to stir the hearts of men and women to reach others for Christ. Our pastor gave a great sermon on Sunday about this. He also has some other thoughts worth pondering on his blog under the title of 'Easter and Elections'. 3) Remember, God is in control.

I'm finally getting around to posting halloween pictures. We don't normally go door-to-door so we were pleased to attend FBC's Farm Fair. The kid's had a lot of fun playing the games and getting candy, of course! Here is Jessica, the ballerina. This is her dance costume from the spring recital. Eric, the Clone Trooper: Jaelyn, the poodle (thanks, Aimee, for letting us borrow this!) Now, here are just a couple of random pictures of the games.

We have a wonderful freedom in this country to elect our leaders. Of course, there is a certain way I'd like you to vote, but the most important thing is that everyone votes! So, please . . .

However, for some reason with this election, I just feel the need to get some of my opinions posted. I just wanted to share a couple of answers from the candidates about homeschooling. I know that not everyone who reads this blog homeschools, but I'm hopeful that even if you don't homeschool, you would support the right to choose between public school, private school, charter schools or homeshooling! Here's a response that McCain gave in the Saddleback Forum on August 16, 2008. You can find the link here . This answer was in response to a question about pay for teachers. McCain: Yes. Yes. And find bad teachers another line of work. Can I just say choice and competition, choice and competition — home schooling, charter school, vouchers — all the choice and competition. I want — look, I want every American family to have the same choice that Cindy and I made — and Senator Obama and Mrs. Obama made as well — and that was: we wanted to send our children to the school of our...

Just clicked on the link in Aimee's blog and this video was another one listed in the 'related' videos. If you don't want to vote your values, then vote for the defense of the United States.

D. James Kennedy Foundation is calling for a day of fasting and prayer on Monday before the election. I am planning to do this and hope you will join me as well. You can find more information about it here . And, I found the following letter an interesting read. It may be a little on the right, but to be perfectly honest, I'm a little nervous about this election. I can't wait to vote!