Monday, March 31, 2008

Gratitude

I used to spend about 90% of my time in bed or laying on the couch. Mostly in bed, in the dark, just barely making it thru each day. My health was very compromised and I felt like such a burden to my family that I was very depressed. God has brought me thru so much and now to have a life filled with hope seems like such a gift.

At first, I woke up daily feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. As humans I think over time we tend to somehow forget how bad things used to be once they are behind us. If this were not true, there would be a lot more only children in this world! Thank the Lord the pain of those things does lesson with time. Now, I don't often go back emotionally to where I was before, but suddenly one day something will trigger a memory that reminds me. That happened this weekend. When I go back and visit those dark days I am SO filled with gratefulness at where I am today that it is difficult to even find words to descibe it. I am so undeserving and so humbled by all God has done for me to bring me to where I am today. I am Happy, Healthy, and full of Hope for my wonderful future!

With each day being a gift, an unopened present with the hope of what is in store for me, I just want to be the woman God wants me to be. I owe Him SO much! I can never do enough to repay Him, but I just pray I am a blessing to someone else. Maybe someone who, like me in those dark days, does not see the light at the end of the tunnel and can't find their way. I will take their hand let them know they are not alone. If I survived by the grace of God, so can they!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Wide Open Spaces

I LOVE being out in the open country. When I begin heading home from town, there is a certain point in the road where I drive around a curve and it just seems less congested. All of a sudden there are fewer houses, fewer people, and I literally feel myself physically relax. It is like I can suddenly take a deeper breath than I could before.

I grew up in Texas, not in a huge town, but we lived in the country until I was 5. We sold our horse, butchered our two cows, and moved into town. I can still vividly remember the evening meal when my older sister informed me that I was eating my old pal, Blackie, the cow!! I was traumatized! I always lived in the city then growing up. I don't really remember feeling like I hated it or anything. I just don't think I totally relax until I get someplace where I have some breathing room. Like while driving out to the house now, I don't notice that I am not relaxed, until I make that curve and suddenly feel relaxed. There is just something within me that craves space, air, and elbow room.

My theme song for the day: "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Little Women Quotes

Jo March: He's dull as powder, Meg. Can't you at least marry someone amusing?

Marmee: Feminine weaknesses and fainting spells are the direct result of our confining young girls to the house, bent over their needlework, and restrictive corsets.

Amy: I don't wanna die. I've never even been kissed. I've waited my whole life to be kissed, and what if I miss it?

Amy: You don't need scores of suitors. You need only one... if he's the right one.

John Brooke: Over the mysteries of female life there is drawn a veil best left undisturbed.

Beth: I know I shall be homesick for you even in Heaven.

Jo March: I find it poor logic to say that women should vote because they are good. Men do not vote because they are good; they vote because they are male, and women should vote, not because we are angels and men are animals, but because we are human beings and citizens of this country.

Little Women

Tonight we are going to the play Little Women. It has been a series of plays, last time was Gypsy, which was REALLY good by the way, if you ever get a chance to see it. It is pretty exciting here in ole Bozeman, MT to get to see a Broadway touring group! I love the story of Little Women, so am pretty excited about tonight! The drawback is that we are in the nose bleed section. We didn't realize when we bought the tickets that they were that high up. The good thing about that is there are not many people around us, so we don't have to worry if Lizzie talks louder than she should. Sean and Jake like it because they just spread out whereever they want and have all the room they need to be comfortable! I will give you an update tomorrow and let you know how it went!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Lizzie and Chica



I couldn't resist putting this picture on here. This is my 6 yr old, Lizzie and my 2 yr old Chihuahua, Chica. This is how we all feel coming to the end of Holy Week. It is the greatest week of the year, but the most exhausting as well! Don't they look sweet in Daddy's big recliner?

We have 2 services left in the week. Well, I do, my older kids are singing in 2 services tomorrow and accolyting in one, so they have 4 more to go. Tonight it is Easter Vigil, the first celebratory service after so many somber ones the past 2 days. After church we always have an Ice Cream Sundae bar and everyone that gave up a food for Lent brings enough of that item to share. It is usually really fun!! Then of course church tomorrow, with millions of people. There seems to be a lot of "Easter and Christmas Episcopalians". That is my observation anyway, probably true for all denominations, but I didn't notice it so much when I was baptist...

Happy Easter, everyone! May your life be filled with Joy, Peace, and of course - REST!!!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Jake's Gift!




Well, here it is folks: Jake's birthday and christmas gifts for the next 10 years!! And acually any other occasion that a gift might be called for... Black Baby Grand in a log house... doesn't really go, should we get the sander after it and destress it a little???

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Holy Week!

I LOVE Holy Week! I was raised southern baptist and I never even knew holy week existed. I can remember my pastor preaching about Palm Sunday. Then we came to church on Easter in our hats, beautiful dresses and gloves. I really love being Anglican and going thru the entire week before the celebration of Easter.
This morning as we processed and sang with our Palm leaves, I was brought to tears. I just felt so close to my loving saviour. It was wonderful!! I am just so excited for this week. It is not a week of joy. It is a week of deep reflection for me, thinking of not only the sacrifice Christ gave for His life, which I am deeply grateful for, but I just feel such deep gratitude for all He is doing for me even now. I guess with Lizzie's birthday yesterday I feel so humbled by how far God has brought me in the past few years. I am so grateful not to be in the dark scary place I was 6 years ago. I was so ill, I did not know what was really wrong with me, nor did I know how to fix it. I was so afraid and depressed at not knowing what my future held for me. I felt like such a burden to everyone, as my family took care of me instead of me caring for them. I used to wake up in the morning and have no idea how I was going to make it thru the day. Now, I wake up in the morning and have so much hope for not only today, but my future is very bright! God has been so good to me. I pray I can use my life as a sacrifice to give back to Him some small way for ALL He has done for me! I could never make even a small dent compared to how much He has and continues to do for me, but I will give Him my life each day to do what He wants to with it.
Easter morning will be a day of celebration, indeed!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Lizzie is 6!!



Lizzie with her Ice Cream Cone Pinata. I can't believe she is 6, but am so glad our family is where it is today, instead of where we were back then! It was such a hard time, I was very ill, we were trying to finish this house and living in rentals, NO MONEY, very little hope! Now are lives are so full of hope!! I thank God for sending this ray of sunshine into our lives 6 years ago, she brought all of us joy so many days when there was very little else to smile about!

3 goofy kids



Here are my 3 goofy kids with the broken pinata on their heads! Jake looks like a giant, well, he is a giant for 15!

Birthday Cake



This was Lizzie's cake, it was wonderful!!

Bake a boxed chocolate cake, then frost it with chocolate or vanilla frosting. Then put marshmellows all over the top and broil for a couple minutes until marshmellows are slightly brown.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Want to Change your Life?

Hey, anybody out there interested in changing their health or finances? If you would like to experience something UNBELIEVABLE - only it is true -
check this out and see if there is a meeting in your area tonight, Friday the 14th!

Slip in the back, here some life changing stories and be amazed! Don't even take your wallet, there will be nothing there to buy...information only!

Click here to see if there is a meeting in your area:

http://www.reliv.com/US/EN/Foundation%20Cities.html

I mean it - you have GOT to check this out!!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Chronically Disorganized

OH MY GOSH!! I finally know what is wrong with me. I have a disability - I am chronically disorganized! There is actually a non-profit help group for it. Here is what they list as the definition:

"What is the definition of chronic disorganization?
Chronic disorganization is having a past history of disorganization in which self-help efforts to change have failed, an undermining of current quality of life due to disorganization, and the expectation of future disorganization."

I am really laughing about it, do you think I am in denial and truly need professional help??? I know what kind of professional help I need, I need Alice from the Brady Bunch. She can cook, clean, do all the laundry. I would be set!!

Seriously, on my Spring Break cleaning...I spent the morning doing dishes, they had piled up since Sunday!! YUCK! I have spent the afternoon CLEANING my room. REALLY cleaning - I am pooped, but it will be SO nice when it is done!! Maybe I will update with a picture tomorrow!!

In the meantime be watching for a Disorganized Anonymous group starting up near you. "My name is Michele, and I am chronically disorganized..."

Monday, March 10, 2008

Random

I couldn't decide what to blog about, so here goes a random blog...

Reagan was singing in the choir less than 48 hours after having her 4 wisdom teeth cut out...amazing what good nutrition will do!

I only changed my bedroom clock so I was on time to church yesterday...then never changed any others. SO...we missed piano today!! Jake will probably forgive me eventually, but since he lives for piano, it will not be easy for him to find it in his heart to let me off the hook!

We have a mountain lion roaming our neighborhood. This is NOT an exciting thing to happen for me! The neighbor saw him in the horse pasture 3 nights ago. Then, night before last, Sean, my hubby, was putting tools in the back of his truck and heard the growl. CLOSE to him! He jumped into the back seat of his truck. He said, "You've never seen this fat man run so fast!"

I have decided that the one area in my life I complain about and have not really tried to change is my messy house. Well, I am going to do my damndest to begin to change that. I have joined a support group for Messies Anonymous! There are support groups on there for all sorts of people. I joined the one for homeschoolers and have already received all sorts of support and advise! I pray I have the discipline to really make a change for the better in this area. If you are a messy, check out the website: www.messies.com

Thanks for letting me ramble! Maybe I will keep you posted this week on my progress on organizing my house over spring break! I could take pictures of an area after it is done... no before pictures though, that would be WAY too embarrassing!

UPDATE: OK, after working off and on all day - here is the laundry room. Keep in mind there were baskets and clothes on the floor, on the dryer, stacked about a foot tall on the counter top! Also, the hanging rack was packed FULL. In fact there were clothes on that rack that the kids have outgrown!


Saturday, March 8, 2008

Wisdom Teeth



Reagan, my 16 yr old daughter, had her wisdom teeth extracted today. They do things differently now than when I had mine done 24 years ago! First of all, it is FAST!! Like Speedy Gonzales fast!! She was in there 40 minutes from the start of the IV until she was in the wheelchair. Secondly, the doctor sat down with her and explained it all to her and asked her for questions before he even started. All in a comfy conference room. I don't even think I laid eyes on my doctor until I was laying back in the chair...doubt he even introduced himself! Anyway, she did fine and it was quick. She looks good now, but hey, wouldn't we all with 800mg of Ibuprofen and Vicoden every 4 hours?

The sweetest part about the entire day was her brother. He is the biggest thorn in her side most of the time. I guess all brothers harass their sisters, but he LIVES for that. He harasses both his sisters ENDLESSLY. Then last night, he came in and asked me, "Do you think Reagan will be OK tomorrow?" I told him I was sure she would, but suggested we pray. Now, when this happens, I usually do the actual praying...he is usually the silent partner. Last night I said,"Amen" and he said, "I wanted to pray." So, he did. He prayed a beautiful prayer asking God to take care of his sister. Today, after it was all over, we pulled up at Grandma's house and he came running out, straight to the car to see his sister. I will remind Reagan of all this in a few days when she is up again and he is tormenting her. It probably won't matter, though, I am sure he will deny every bit of it. After all, it might ruin his reputation, right?

Friday, March 7, 2008

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Big Girl Panties!



This has become on of my favorite sayings! There are times I have to just tell myself that I am a big girl and I need to grow up! There are for sure times it is appropriate to give in to that little girl inside and play and be irresponsible. I think being grown up is figuring out when that is appropriate, and when I just need to tell myself to suck it up and be a grown up! Grown ups do dishes, and laundry and clean house - even when they don't feel like it. If grown ups decide to have kids then they decide to get up in the night and clean up...well, you know what! I am such a happier person since I started telling myself when it is appropriate to be a fun loving, irresponsible girl... and when it is time to JUST PUT ON MY BIG GIRL PANTIES....AND DEAL WITH IT!!! All you who are babies from your family of origin, should try it. On the other hand, all you oldest siblings probably need to try the little girl panties on more often!

Saturday, March 1, 2008

WooHoo



Tomorrow is going to be SO fun! I have been looking forward to this for several months! It is, of course, not an 'official' Reliv trip. This was a promotion our upline offered back in Nov and Dec. Anyone that earned a Dr. Ted plaque won this trip to Chico Hot Springs! Dr Ted was the amazing man that originally developed Classic formula...anyway, that just means we helped a lot of people change their lives in December! So, we get to go to Chico with about 10 of our favorite people in the world!! YEA!!! Woohoo!!!!

I really do not share Reliv for the money, or the trips. I keep hearing from people,
"If you help people get what they want, you won't ever have to worry about yourself." What a cool business to be in, the business of changing lives, literally! So, the fact we get to go stay in a great Resort with natural hot springs is just icing on the cake. OH...did I mention the food there is AMAZING??? And I will not have to pay for any of it??!!! Pinch me, I must be dreaming... never mind, just leave me to dream, I am LOVING it!!!