Praise & prayers...

Well, we got the Jeep towed home tonight, at least. It will be the weekend before Jeff will even be able to look at it. Please pray that it's something small and that it's something he can figure out and do himself. He really has amazed me the repairs he's been able to do on his own--saved us thousands, literally!

And Anita took Kayti's laptop to her husband to work on. If he can't fix it, no one can! But I have faith in him, I think he'll be able to help!

They are talking about cutting hours at work but I'm hopeful that mine won't be anytime soon. And keep praying that I can find a 2nd job. I am still focused and disciplined but I would like to get a bigger shovel for my hole (as Dave Ramsey says!)

Going to a meeting tomorrow night at the high school about college financial aid. I still can't believe we're there! Where has the time gone?

Major projects going on this weekend (besides the jeep)...gotta clean out closets! Can't decide if I want to try and have a yard sale or just not fool with it. I'm not really in a good location for one and don't have anything but junk anyway.

Also, we're going to experiment turning part of our living room into Brooke's room. Jeff thinks it's a white-trash thing to do! I told him, hun we are white trash! LOL But I don't care. I think I can make it look okay and we don't have people over often enough to worry about what they think. I'd much rather have peace in my home and my girls have got to be separated for awhile to accomplish that!

Also have to rearrange my bedroom furniture to make room for my glider rocker and Cooper's pack-n-play! Less than 2 months...and the baby shower is upon me already. I have GOT to go this weekend and get stuff to get started on his blanket if I'm gonna do it. And I need to get my old baby stuff down from the attic! Sheesh, the list just keeps growing!

Here we go again...

I just keep thinking of that song, "Sounds like life to me, aint no fantasy, just a common dose of every day reality. I know its tough but you gotta suck it up..."

Okay, I'm sucking it up! Jeff's jeep died AGAIN!!! It's currently parked at Clay-Chalkville High School where it broke down on Dylan Sunday at wrestling practice. Praise God it wasn't on the side of the interstate somewhere when it happened but it still bites. NO idea what the problem is. First step is getting it towed home. Hopefully that can happen tomorrow.

And Kayti's new netbook has a virus! Wonderful! She hasn't even had it a month. Thankfully, a co-worker volunteered her husband to look at it and fix it for us--the same one that I got into it with months ago! She has been SUPER nice to me lately, it kind of makes me suspicious! LOL But I'm counting it as an answer to a prayer! I don't want to not get along with anybody--I love everybody, man! LOL So hopefully, that's one problem solved!

Yes, Lord, I will praise you even now!

Starting back...

is always hard but here in Alabama when the weather man mentions the word "snow", kids automatically think "holiday"! Ugh! And since my son WAS out of school (he is not homeschooled) my youngest just could not understand why SHE did not get a snow day, too. I was very unsuccessful in explaining to her that Dylan WILL have to make up that work and WILL have to go to school an extra day some day when it's pretty to make up for being out that day. With her, there's no reason to do that. She doesn't have to travel, to venture out onto the icy roads or even put on a coat to brave the cold! There's no reason for her not to do her work. And if she would just do it, she'd be done in a few hours anyway and have the rest of the day to play in it. We didn't get any accumulation anyway but the way she reacted to that answer you'd have thought I was pulling her fingernails out with pliers!

And Wednesday, the day before the "snow", was one of those days when I had my lesson plan book for my 4's in one hand, her's in the other, her whining in the corner about not knowing what to do (when I know she does) and me desparately trying to remember the number for Clay-Chalkville Middle School's emergency enrollment!

I've threatened to send her back to public many times and I'm beginning to think that's what we need to do. Not that I've given up on homeschooling--it's still wonderful and is working out VERY well for Kayti. But all kids are different and I think Brooke may benefit more from being in school. I know she wants to do CORE next year and thankfully, I've got some time to decide.

As for Kayti, she of course is doing well. She LOVES her Greek & Roman History class, is still doing well in her Algebra class (who'd have thought?) and she finally finished Great Expectations and is now reading Anne Frank and likes that one a LOT better. I am so proud of the work ethic and study habits she has developed!

Now Lord, can you just unlock the secret for getting Brooke going in that direction? LOL

And Lord, while you're thinking about us, can you PLEASE tell me how to get them to stop CONSTANTLY fighting?

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!