As I live and breathe...

I just couldn't think of what else to title this post so...

It's early Saturday morning and as has become habit for me on days I could actually sleep in late--I'm wide awake! Then again, I crashed last night very early so...I'm sure I'll make time for a nap later!

I was very tired after being up late Thursday night watching the Tide hook those horns!!! LOL Wow! What a game! I am so proud to be from Alabama and to be a lifelong Alabama fan (who may have a son headed there in less than two years!) We went to my sister's house to watch and we tried to be very considerate as they are Auburn fans and they were very gracious! We'd originally planned to go to Jeff's mom's to watch the game but with his Uncle Dan's funeral being that morning AND the roads being icy we decided that probably wasn't a good idea.

But I know Uncle Dan was up there sitting next to Bear watching the game and loving every minute of it! He was a HUGE 'bama fan despite his oldest son going to Auburn! Roll Tide, Dan! Hope you loved it!

Not a whole lot of excitement going on around here. We started back to school--both for Dylan and the girls this week. Click on the "Crazy Quick Girls" link on the side to see our updated homeschool blog. I am very thankful for the weekend and not having anything pressing to do. There is a LOT I need to pray about. Things are going pretty good, actually. But I just have a lot on my mind regarding work, what steps to take next, what it is I want to do this summer, etc. etc.

One of the teacher's and I got into it early in the school year (you may remember that rant!) and things have been cordial but tense between us since then and I have prayed to God for direction and I feel like He is finally answering--things feel a LOT better. I'm sure I'm still not one of her favorite people but things just seem, I don't know, a bit warmer between us and for that I'm VERY grateful. I just keep thinking about what my Mom & Maw Maw always said--"kill 'em with kindness" and that's pretty much what I've been trying to do.

I've also been feeling lately like my "friends" are not really my friends but more/less acquaintances. I know they would help out if I needed them for something and I know many of them pray for me. But something just feels missing and I feel like I don't have any "buddies" or like they could really care less if they saw me/talked to me or not. I don't know why I've been feeling this way either--nothing has happened or anything. But one day this week I remembered something, actually two things, that I heard long ago.

Back in high school, I had a WONDERFUL friend, mentor, teacher & surrogate father named Mr. Feenker. If not for him, I probably not have made it through some very turbulent times. But I remember him once saying to our class that a person actually only has very few friends over the course of his/her lifetime. You will have a LOT of acquaintances and people will come in and out of your life when your circumstances/environment changes. But if you live to be 100, you can probably count the number of REAL friends on one hand. The older I get the more I realize how sad but really true that is and it's not just for little ol' nobody me but for everyone.

Another thing I remembered hearing a while back is, "If you want to have a friend, be a friend." So that's what I've been trying to concentrate more of my efforts on lately.

I know people mean well and a lot of people really DO care for each other more than they show it. We all just get so caught up in the details of our everyday lives we forget to invest our time in some really important things. So I'm trying to pay better attention to that.

As I mentioned before, I've been getting a little irritated at work, though it's nothing major but forgive me for venting a little here. I just do not understand some people! There are some who are extremely lacking in work ethic, heart and prioritizing (did I spell that right? it looks funny!) I am getting REALLY weary of having to watch other people's class because there's always some reason why they are not there. If you're two hours late getting to work and you get off at three anyway, why do you need to take a lunch? And since when did it become acceptable to just not show up for work, not call or anything and still have a job when you finally DO decide to come in!? This stuff is really bothering me and I keep trying to tell myself it's none of my business what other people do but it IS affecting me.

This week was crazy because of the weather anyway but yesterday, even though I had a few kids out, I could have had a regular day with curriculum but no because I (as well as the other 4k teachers) each had a 5 year old in with us. For the past two weeks, we've had 3's and though we were technically on Christmas break and not doing any "work" it is still a huge hassle when those kids don't know you, don't know the routine or the rules and then your kids want to start mimicking their behavior! It's just a mess. Combining ages is fine in a pinch but it's beginning to be a habit and a very disturbing one and I don't know whether I should say something or just let it go. I've got to REALLY pray about that this weekend.

I also don't know what I want to do this summer. I kind of wouldn't mind doing ASAP and taking a break from the 4's before next school year but I only want to do it if I can plan their activities, etc. like I did for Camp Fire. I'm not sure how to approach that subject with her either. Or maybe I should just stay in the 4's. I really wish I could just stay home this summer and keep Cooper (he'll be here in less than 2 months!! Woohoo!!!) but I can't afford to and I'll be competing for that spot with two grannies anyway! LOL *sigh* what to do, what to do...

Speaking of finances, Christmas was CASH ONLY--woohoo!! and we are done with that and back on our Dave Ramsey plan! I am so excited. It's going to be a long, hard battle but I'm pumped. By the end of this month, I will have accomplished a LOT. Lord, just help us keep our noses to the grindstone, keep focused and don't let anything else blow us out of the water for awhile!

Jeff's mom bought us a converter box for the tv so let the zombie-ism begin again around here. I have been completely and totally FINE without a tv for the last several months. It's helped me really manage my time better that would have otherwise been spent vegging out in front of Jon & Kate or Cold Case. But she got a good deal on it and wanted to do it so I guess hubby will at least be able to watch the news again! We'll see. I've heard they actually don't work very well. Won't bother me either way.

I went to the library yesterday and got a lot of dvd's and books for the weekend. Yes, I know. I am a hopeless nerd.

And God has answered my prayer about starting a prayer group and He said yes! He sent me one of the most wonderful Christian women I have ever met to help get it going! I am so excited. If you would like to join us, you are most welcome--let me know! I have to pray about working out the details of it this weekend!

So this will definitely be a weekend of rest, relaxation, reading, reflection and reverent prayer for me! How are you spending your weekend?

Heavy hearted...

Jeff's uncle Dan passed away this morning. It was expected but nonetheless devastating. I cannot imagine what Frances (or Michael & Danny) must be feeling and I don't know why it is people always feel like they need to be doing something when really we just need to be still and remember God is in control. And since I've no idea what to say or do, I guess I will do just that--be still and know that He is God.

Happy New Year!

It's New Year's Day and my only goals for today: take a shower and put on a fresh pair of pajamas before going to bed tonight! Woohoo! I think I can handle those goals!

I may or may not clean since I cleaned yesterday. I definitely won't do any laundry since someone told me if you do laundry on New Year's Day you will wash a friend away! I definitely have a touch of my Maw Maw's superstitious nature in me. Yes, I know that superstitions are not things of God and I put my trust in Him but I can't help but follow a few of them--you know, just in case! LOL

I still cannot bring myself to eat black-eyed peas and collard greens and neither can Jeff so I guess we will be broke and out of luck again in 2010! I may run and get a few cans later and TRY....

I did one thing different this year...I managed to leave my Christmas stuff up until today at least. It may come down today or may wait till tomorrow. I usually just can't stand to look at it once Christmas is over but I read that you really should leave it all up until Ephiphany (Jan. 6) so the Wise Men can find their way to your house! And I so need their gold! Heck, I'd take anything they're bringing right now!

Our New Year's Eve was pretty uneventful. I did manage to stay awake this year but as usual, it's all about the kids. We got pizza and fireworks. Brooke had a few friends over and then went to their house and Kayti went to a party with the homeschool group so I had to stay awake and alert so that I could go pick her up at 12:30.

Today, Jeff & Dylan are gone hunting. I hope they bring home some meat!

My only New Year's Resolutions this year are to lose some weight and to get out of debt!! I may or may not lose weight. I would like to start exercising more and eating better just to be healthier but my main focus is going to be on getting out of debt! I want 2010 to be the year I call Dave and scream "We're debt free!!!" I SO wish I'd heard about him 20 years ago. But I don't think he was around then. I so wish I could get Mia & Chris and every other young person to check him out. His show is fabulous and his advice, down to earth, common sense and reasonable! And his plan makes so much sense. I am so thankful for him and his ministry. He motivates me just by listening to him help other people that call in.

I could make so many more resolutions...resume writing, find a new church (and I do plan to do that soon or Brooke is going to join the Mexican church up the street--not that that's a bad thing...just sayin'!), go greener, etc. etc. but I have found that making too many resolutions makes you less likely to keep ANY of them and I'm determined WE ARE GOING TO BE DEBT FREE!!!

Baby Cooper will be here soon! Just a little over two months away and I get another little man!!! I cannot wait! I've really got to get started on his blanky!

So what are your resolutions? How will you make 2010 the best ever?

Very Merry Christmas Part 2

Saturday, we went to Jeff's parents' house to celebrate Christmas again! Instead of the traditional turkey, etc. that everyone is tired of anyway, we had pizza and some of the BEST pasta I've ever had! Very delicious!

And it is always a blessing to see our newest little man!



More pictures...













Now to focus on ringing in 2010!

It was a VERY Merry Christmas!

One of the best we've had in a long time! No family drama, no immediate money worries (though we DO still have bills and debt, as always!)

The only thing I would have wished differently is Jeff's Uncle Dan. He is in the hospital on life support and doesn't have very much longer in this world. He has had a bad heart for years and has had more heart attacks than I can count. He went into the hospital last week--a few days after Granddaddy Roberts--and had two heart attacks this week. If not for the respirator, he'd be gone already. They do not know what they are going to do. My heart breaks for Aunt Francis and Michael and Danny. I'm glad he didn't pass on Christmas but the day isn't going to make it any easier. Losing your husband/father has to hurt no matter when it happens.

But I am tremendously joyful that Granddaddy Roberts got to come home for Christmas. I love that man! I'm so glad he's doing better! Talk about a Christmas miracle...it could have been a MUCH gloomier Christmas had his Pastor's wife not been able to start his heart again! Thank you, Lord!

Last week, we made our usual pilgrimage to the beautiful Alabama Theatre to see my all-time favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life. This year, we were accompanied by my sister, her hubby, his mom & nanny and some friends of my sister's. We had a great time. I have finally influenced Mia and Kayti to call it their favorite movie now! LOL You just gotta love some Jimmy Stewart! Oh how I long for the days when life was that simple! One of these days, I'm going to start volunteering at the Alabama. I just LOVE that beautiful place. If you ever get the opportunity for a personal tour by Cecil Whitmire, don't pass it up! There is so much history there and so many interesting things to know about the restoration. It's more than just a beautiful old building.




The next day was my class Christmas party which went wonderfully, of course! I have the cutest and the sweetest kids and they have great parents. I always enjoy spending time with everyone!





We were able to finish up our shopping and I worked half a day on Wednesday. Then I took the kids to Bass Pro to have their picture made with Santa!



They were thrilled about it as you can tell! It helped going to Bass Pro...I don't think I'd have gotten them up there if we'd went anywhere else! And I don't know why anyone would go anywhere else...Bass Pro has an AMAZING set up and pictures are free!

Then we went to my mom's to help her get ready for Christmas Eve and then shopping for Kayti's Christmas Eve outfit. Dylan spent the night with Mia & Chris and he and Chris went hunting the next day, yes, on Christmas Eve! Oh Chris, you just wait till your kid gets here...taking my kid out on Christmas Eve! LOL

But they made it home and Chris even shot one so we have meat! He kept going on and on about how many deer they actually saw we teased them that they'd actually shot a reindeer! Did you see a sleigh, Chris? LOL

The girls and I made cookies for Santa and birthday cake for Jesus.






Then it was time for Christmas Eve at mom's...good food, good family, good times!

















Then home to wait for Santa...






Who faithfully came, as always! However, he left a scavenger hunt as the 3rd gift! They had to figure out the clues and find their gifts!





Christmas, Part 2 will be posted later...

Hope you had a great one!

On break...

We are officially on Christmas break! And we are loving it! I just hope I can get some time in the next few weeks to plan for the next semester as I have NO IDEA what I want to do with Science or Brooke's history.

But for now, we are just enjoying our free time and as always...we just keep reading! Just keep reading, just keep reading, reading, reading!

Scary Sunday...

So Saturday night, Jeff & I did not get finished with our shopping but we did make a huge dent in it. Our plans for Sunday were to get up, go to Bass Pro and finish up. But around 11:30 I got a call from Jeff's brother, Ricky. Thank you, God for letting me be the one to pick up the phone!

Jeff's grandfather--the one who just celebrated his 70th (yes 70! I still can't get over that) wedding anniversary--collapsed at church yesterday morning. Just by the sound in Ricky's voice and the feeling I had in my heart--I just knew this was it. He's been in GREAT health his whole life but for the past few years, he's passed out here and there, once hitting his head pretty badly and it's always turned out to be something simple--low potassium, conflicting medicines, dehydration, etc. And the man IS 89-90 years old! Things are going to start happening.

But yesterday was different. His heart actually stopped beating for a few minutes. By the grace of God, it just happened to be in church where there were lots of people there to help and pray. The pastor's wife is a doctor and she managed to get his heart started again through CPR and the paramedic station was just across the street from the church. Now here is a case for going to church even when you've been a little under the weather: He's had a cold for the past week and went to the doctor the other day and got a shot and was feeling somewhat better so he decided to suck it up and go on to church. Had he been at home or anywhere else...I don't think he'd be here.

He's now in CICU at St. Vincent's East and doing relatively well. He still doesn't know that his heart actually quit. He thinks he just passed out again. I'm not sure what's coming or how long he'll be in there but I would greatly covet your prayers. If it's his time, I know there is not a more ready man! There is not a greater Christian man breathing today--he is amazing. And he & Jeff are very close. He is a dearly loved patriarch of his family--that waiting room was so full yesterday of kids, grandkids and great-grandkids each patiently waiting their turn to visit with that dear sweet man. We don't want to lose him, especially not right now but if it does happen, Lord, just help me. Give me the patience, the wisdom and the strength to be a comfort to Jeff and his family. And may YOU be glorified in whatever happens. Let this be used for YOUR good.