The....Exam...

This is going to be a different kind of day for the youngest female in our home.

I've been sharing with you that in just 1 short week, my DD will be turning 18. She has been so blessed with overall good health all of her life. Except for the Syncope, she is fine and even with that, the cardiologist has released her from routine visits. So, God has truly blessed.

But today, the 7th day of January in the year 2009, DD gets to experience her first........exam.

Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. THE exam.

Yes. DD is visiting my gynecologist today and she's not too thrilled.

Do you remember your first....exam?

I do. Embarrassed didn't begin to scratch the surface. Nervous wasn't even close. I dreaded that more than anything I've ever dreaded in my entire life.

Having to stand on a scale and come to grips with the reality that you're not as tiny as you try to tell yourself you are. Peeing in that tiny cup and really needing to pee until they hand you that cup. Walking to the exam room and staring at this beautiful, blue, paper gown that won't cover you up no matter how hard you tug on it and then tugging on it so hard you tear it! Covering up with that paper sheet and freezing to death because for some reason, paper doesn't keep you that warm! Doc coming in and asking you to breathe, relax (?!!) and did you have a good Christmas..vacation...

Then the horrible, "Put your feet in these stirrups. Slide down. A little more. A little more. Okay. A little pinch..."

5 years of fertility treatments, 2 kids and a couple of surgeries later, it's still my least favorite thing to do.

I am blessed, though, to have an incredibly gentle, professional, Christian gynecologist. I have been his patient since I was 19 years old. He walked with me through the early years of marriage, infertility and 5 years of fertility treatments. He delivered my youngest and would have delivered DD, had she waited until he got back from vacation to make her grand appearance. He's been with me through some questionable test results and probably the greatest of all, he prayed for me and encouraged me when we thought that Zack might die upon birth. (If I haven't shared that let me know. I'll be GLAD to share how awesome God is!!).

DD knows all of this, but like all of us were, she is so nervous.

I've always tried to prepare my kids for the unknown and I've done so with this. But I don't think anything can prepare you for this experience. It's one of those things like childbirth. I can tell you everything I experienced and I can try to prepare you, but until you give birth yourself, you'll never understand it.

She was talking about this doctor visit last night when she got home from work and her dad was listening. He decided that he would share his stories about his...exam...when he went into the Navy. I smiled inwardly because, poor thing, he doesn't have a clue. He shared how the doctor examined him and I made that mental "MM hmm" to myself. Guess he still doesn't understand what a thorough exam for a female is.... :o)

So....anyway, I know this has been a bit of a rambling post, but I want my blog to be more than just tidbits and such. I want to share our life. Just those day to day happenings that make us who we are.

If you don't mind, as you go about your day, pray for Beth this afternoon. I'm sure she'll appreciate it!

Blessings......

Does "Convenient" Cost More?

I was reading an article today that I found quite interesting. It was one of those articles that reminded you of what you already knew, but didn't practice, but complained about because things are the way they are because you don't do what you already know you should do! Following me so far???

This article was talking about convenience foods and the fact that they are not frugal or thrifty at all. They gave the example of the fact that this family was coming up on a very busy two weeks and so they went to the store and bought bottled water and string cheese to be used only when they were in travel mode and had to have something in a hurry. Turned out that in that first week, everyone was in a hurry and so just grab a bottle of water and some cheese and head out the door. And guess what?? There wasn't anything left for the next week!!

I had to smile. I couldn't believe someone had taken the time and effort to follow my family around and then write an article on us!

No...really. This happens on a very regular basis in our house. I'll buy bottled water, or cans of pop. I'll buy snack cakes or some type of on the go bar and make the grand announcement, "These are for on the go only!! When you're here at home, eat or drink something else." Then at different times during the week, I'm quite certain I must be losing my mind because I see people eating and drinking the very things I'm pretty sure I told them not to. I'm sure I'm losing it because I will ask these people, "Don't you remember me telling you these were for on the go only?", and they'll look at me completely serious and say, "No. You didn't say that." (Pulling my hair here....)

We have 4,681,292 sports bottles in our house. Well...maybe not that many...it's more like 8 or 9 but when they are whacking me in the head as I open the cabinet door, it sure feels like more....

Why in the name of all that is cheap, can't we....can't I....grab that sports bottle, head over to the fridge fill it with ice and water, screw on the lid and head out the door? Does it really take that long to do that?? See, I'm as guilty of ignoring me as my family is.

How hard is it to get a plastic bowl with a lid and put some pretzels in it? Or even....some cookies!!! Got my water, got my cookies and I'm out the door. Didn't cost those jokingly "convenient" prices and if I get hungry or thirsty, I'm armed and dangerous for a fraction of the cost.

I don't know about you, but again, for me, it boils down to laziness. I mean after all, it takes about 2 minutes longer to fill up that sports bottle and bowl than it does to grab a "convenient" water bottle and on the go bar. Hey! If I'm that pressed for time, then there is a lot more action I need to take in different areas of my life before I ever get to the frugal part.

We'll take tomorrow for instance. DD has a doctor appointment at 1. I know this. I also know that in the neighborhood of 11:30 I'll be grading those last few papers and getting ready to go. I'll be too busy to worry about that sports bottle. So, why not, before things get crazy, get my bottle, fill it with ice and water and set it in the fridge?? That ice isn't going to melt quickly sitting in the fridge and even if it does...uhhh..it's water...

So now, when we're running out the door I can just open that fridge, grab my water and never miss a beat.

How our grandmothers and great grandmothers managed without all of this convenience is beyond me.

We've got to quit kidding ourself if we're going to get serious about living a more frugal life and getting rid of the debt that is keeping us in bondage.

So let's pass on the bottled water and pre-packaged snacks. Anyone need a sports bottle??

Blessings.......

Lifestyle Change #1

In looking over my list of lifestyle changes, I wanted to prioritize them. To me, making God first was the most important...and I still believe that....I just don't believe that's where God wants me to start with my posts. I really believe that He wants me to start with being a more submissive wife.

Now, I am amazed at how many women, and even more amazed at how many Christian women have a problem with this.

Have we allowed ourselves to become so prideful that we refuse to live and be the person God created us to be??

In Genesis 2:18, God spoke and said that He was going to make a helper, a companion, a helpmeet...for Adam. We have to first look at what it means to be a helper. I'm not even going to get up and go after my dictionary, because it's a very simple word. A helper goes along beside someone, aiding them, making their load lighter. We...women...were created by Almighty God to do..to be..this very thing for our husbands! No wonder when we try to put ourselves in a different role, so many problems are created!

A couple of weeks ago as I was thinking about this particular lifestyle change, God brought to my mind a book that I bought almost 7 years ago when we still lived in Colorado. The title of this book is Loving Your Husband by Cynthia Heald. I originally bought it to do a Bible study with some other women, but God changed our course and so I just stuck it on my shelf.

Over these last 7 years, I've picked it up periodically and thought, "Hey, I ought to sit down and do this study." But quite honestly, laziness or that "Nah, I'm okay" mentality would kick in..so I'd move on.

First let me say that I think I do a pretty good job at the submissive wife role. BUT...there are many times that DH will make a decision and I can be found in a dark corner doing the angry dance...or out in my laundry room mumbling under my breath things that would shock everyone who knows me. There are times I can be found pouting or having the attitude of "Okay big boy....we're going to do it your way....(low growl here.....)". As submissive as I am, I don't think that's the attitude God had in mind when He created me.

A lifestyle change is in order and it can't come through laziness or just ignoring the fact that there's a problem in the first place.

So I made a decision to begin this study. The first 2 lessons were pretty much introductory talking about making sure that Jesus is my foundation and that I fully rely on and trust in Him to give me everything I need to fulfill this role He's put me in.

Then this morning I began lesson 3..."I Will Make Him a Helper." Okay...so far so good. I help Philip. Really I do. Most of the time. When I'm feeling up to it. He's an understanding guy...so if I slack up a bit, he'll understand....right??....

In the many times I've read Genesis, it never dawned on me until this morning that God first gave Adam the command to NOT eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They then posed the question..why? Hmm..well, since I'd never noticed it, I'd never thought about it till this morning. I sat at the dining room table, chewing on the end of my pen, thinking about that. I decided that it's because man was created to be in charge. To lead and guide. He would be responsible for making sure that rules were followed. And maybe..just maybe..because we women can be easily persuaded. We trust easily. Can be gullible. Men just aren't that way. At least my man isn't and I'm willing to bet, neither are yours.

They then asked what did "become one flesh" mean to me? To me it means to be totally in tune with, sold out to, on the same page with, coming together in like-mindedness (???), sharing everything with no other human. Feeling incomplete when the other isn't by your side. If I'm right, doesn't that mean DH is....me??! So, when I disagree with him, I'm disagreeing with..me. (As if thinking about that won't make me crazier than I already am.....!)

I then went on to read Titus 2: 3-5. Like Genesis, I've read this passage many times and refer to it often, especially in training my daughter and speaking with other teenagers and young women. But I never noticed the end of verse 5 until today. It's saying if I do everything in the previous sentences that I "...will not bring shame n the Word of God."

Whoa!!! What??? Where did that come from?? If I fail to train younger women... if I fail to love my husband and children...if I fail to live wisely and pure...if I fail to take care of my home, do good and be submissive to my husband then I bring shame on the Word of God!!!! Okay, so..not only am I failing my husband and my children, now I'm bringing shame to God and His Word. Yes..this goes much deeper than pride and getting my way...

So...this road for me may be a bit tougher than I first thought, but with the revelation of bringing shame to God..I have a much deeper drive to make this lifestyle change.

I hope you will continue with me on this journey and maybe you can glean a bit from it too.

I want to leave you with one last question that was posed in this lesson. I'd never thought about it and quite honestly I still don't have an answer. I'd love to hear what you think.

Here goes.. "Why do you think God waited to create Eve?"

Blessings.....

Smiling Through My Tears

Our whirlwind month is about to come to a close.

What began on the 16th of December with our 25th anniversary, moved to the 21st with DS's 16th birthday, went to the 25th with Christmas, the 29th with my dad's birthday, the kid's combined birthday parties this past Saturday..will wind up with DD's 18th birthday dinner here at home on the 15th.

Whew!!!!

To say I'm give out would be an understatement!! I'm exhausted!!!

As I posted earlier, we had the kids birthday party on Saturday. They decided that since they were having "big" birthdays, it would be fun to have a party..something they hadn't wanted in years. So...that's what we did.

They invited 16 of their friends, 13 of which showed up, and since this was a "big deal birthday" party, extended family was invited too. We could have had over 40 people there if everyone showed up! (We had around25)

We decided to rent the community center for the afternoon because..well..I preferred keeping my house on it's foundation!!

We got to the center around noon and began decorating. By 1 the teens started filing in. By 2 we were in full party mode dancing with me and my sister trying to learn the Cha Cha Slide. Wish I had pictures of that...(no, I really don't. That could be used as blackmail for sure!!) They played some games one of which was Duck, Duck, Goose! It never ceases to amaze me how teens want to be treated like adults until they get with their friends!!

I had made a couple of pots of chili and we had plenty of snacks and goodies and drinks and after games and dancing their appetites were unleashed. Have you ever watched 13 teens eat??? It's absolutely astonishing!!

After the eating they just kind of hung out and caught up with each other and it was time for gifts. That done, they had a little more fun just hanging out and laughing and enjoying each other's company.

There is a definite blessing in watching your two teenagers having fun with 13 other Christian teenagers. After the party DH and I were talking and every teen there knew Jesus Christ as their Savior!! That was such a blessing! So often, unsaved teens think that if you become a Christian all of your "fun" ends. This group proved just the opposite is true. How I would love to see that message get out to all the teens in our area.

Our party began winding down around 5, but this was not to be the end of these 15 teens party night. No sir. It just also happened to be another boy's 18th birthday and he was having his party immediately after our kids!! So all 15 teens loaded up and headed to Joey's house to celebrate with him!! This went on until 10!!

DH and I stayed behind to clean up the center. We locked up, returned the key and headed home.

After unloading the car, DH got some cake and ice cream, I made a bologna sandwich...(yes...I like bologna..) and we sat on the couch, enjoyed our food and a little quiet conversation.

We turned the tv on although I'm not sure why because the next thing we knew, two hours had passed and I woke myself up....snoring!!! Thing is..I don't snore!! Honestly!! DH handles that..

I have to say that I'm glad to be wrapping this party season up, but it's incredibly bittersweet for me. My oldest is turning 18 very soon and I see a world that I've enjoyed very much, changing yet again. I'm sure though, that God will prepare me for that change as He's been faithful to do in the past, but as a stay-at-home, home-schooling mom of 17 + years...I'll be smiling through my tears...

Blessings...........

She Can't Possibly Still Be Talking About Christmas!!

I promise...someday I will get on a subject other than Christmas...I really will...well, I'll do the best I can anyway.

See, I have been "there" so many times. "There" being stressed, over-budget, clueless. I don't like being "there" and I don't want you to be "there" either.

Anyway...today DH and I made a quick trip into town for last minute items needed for a birthday party tomorrow. Remember DS turned 16 about 2 weeks ago? Well, DD will turn 18 in 2 weeks and they decided that for the first time in years, they wanted a birthday party...and..for the first time ever..they want to have it together!! This is great!! I think....It's a combined birthday party complete with folks from many generations. Teen friends to grandparents. I'll let you know how it goes!

Anyway..I promise I'm getting to the point of this post...while DH and I were in Wal Mart, we were busy checking out the clearance isles. I got bows, 40 in a pack for 25¢. Loved it! BUT the best deal was.....I can't tell you. Well, I can't tell you exactly what I bought..BUT..I can tell you that I bought couples gifts for our brothers and sisters..5 gifts in all..and spent.......$10.80..tax included!!!! I fairly shouted in the middle of the store!

Please, please, please, now is a great time to check out clearance items and you may need to do it soon. I noticed today while we were in the Dollar Tree, that they still had items at 50% off, but were taking inventory of them and boxing them up for next Christmas.

It really does pay to look in those clearance aisles.

Got to go bake a cake!!

Blessings........

Lifestyle Changes for the New Year

Happy New Year!!!

I meant to have a post ready to go this morning, but somehow, yesterday got completely away from me!

First I took DS out and about looking for a job, which by the way isn't going to well right now. Pray for him that he wouldn't get discouraged and that he would trust God to provide him the right job at the right time.

By the time we got him a haircut and got home, it was time to cook supper, catch up on DH's day and head off to church. Before I knew it, the day was gone...

Which leads me to my post...

I've looked at several blogs over the last couple of days, and what I see is that almost everyone is tired of resolutions. They don't work. At least they never have for me.

Sure I may lose a few pounds, but it doesn't take long to fall back into old habits and before I know it, I'm back where I began or worse off.

So, beginning this new year finds me in a different place.

I've spent a lot of time of late just seeking God and His will for my life. Anyone who knows me, knows this is huge step. See, I love to be in control. I want to do my will for my life. I mean, come on, my plans are perfect..all God needs to do is get on board..right??

Wrong.

I've had it wrong for quite some time now.

I need a lifestyle change. In a lot of areas.

Do I need to loose 45 more pounds? Yes. Will a diet do it? Probably not. I know my record. I need a lifestyle change.

Do I need to be a more submissive wife? Yes. While I think this is an area I do very well in, God has shown me things of late that I see I need to improve or completely do a 180º about-face in. I need a lifestyle change.

Do I need to be more frugal? Yes. This past year has found me doing much better, but I can do even better still. My husband works hard to take of this family, I need to work just as hard making sure that his efforts aren't wasted. I need a lifestyle change.

Do I need to get more organized? Would anyone like to come over right now and check out my house?? Believe me, I need a lifestyle change.

Finally.....Do I need to draw closer to my Father? Without a doubt. I need a major lifestyle change. Too often, over the years, God has been Someone that I've stuck on a shelf until I have gotten myself in so deep that He was the only way to make things right. I don't want to live that life anymore. I need a major lifestyle change.

Over the next few days I'm going to post about how I hope to make these changes and as we go along, give you progress on how I'm doing.

I hope you'll hold me accountable as I need all the partners I can get.

Remember, I've shared I tend to get a bit..just a bit (??!!) stubborn.....

So let me ask, resolutions or lifestyle changes?? Let me know. I'd like to encourage you along your path as well.

Blessings..........