My Spring Break

My Spring Break is almost over. My first day of Spring Quarter starts on the first day of my kids' Spring Break. Anyway, I didn't make the hydrangea wreaths, and I haven't made any cards. I started reading a recommended self-help book instead, which has left me rather raw and pensive. Then, I got sick. I have had the nastiest of head colds for the past 4-5 days. Thanks goodness for that nasal spray stuff that unstuffs you so you can sleep! I'm wishing I had one more week of Spring Break.....Now, wait. What am I telling myself? I still have a couple of more days. Maybe I can muster up some cards. I'll try, unless that damn book calls to me again, and I have to discover more things that are helpful, yet painful at the same time. Just when I think I've overcome so much, the Lord seems to start walking me down a new road of healing. However, it's kind of like facing surgery. It's a push-pull feeling. You know you have to do it for your overall well-being, but it's not going to be pleasant. He has reminded me that His Word is a "lamp for my feet and a light for my path...." Light the way, Lord...

See my toesies?

Whaddaya think of these perty toesies? Aren't they nice? I think that getting my toes done is one of my favorite things to do....I feel so pretty.....

Oh yeah! I found out what I got on my Chemistry final: 91%!! That means I got a 3.8 out of the class!! WOO HOO!!!

Math grade

I was going to post my Chemistry and Math grades together, but I can't wait to post my math grade - I got a 98 on the final and a 4.0 out of the class!! It's so hard to believe I'm actually doing this well in one of my worst subjects when I was in high school. It feels AWFULLY GOOD...

I'm Officially DONE!

Aaahhhhhh.....I'm officially DONE with Spring Quarter....It feels REALLY good. I don't know what my grades are yet, but I'll post them when I find out. I still don't know what I got on my math and chemistry finals, but I felt really good about them when I was done. That's a good sign. I'm still in my jammies as I type this, and I still need a shower. If you know me, you know I don't do mornings well, so this is like a special treat to not have to get up and do much....

This weekend, I'm going to redeem that spa pedicure Joe got me for Valentine's Day at Gene Juarez. La dee dah! It's a whole HOUR of foot and leg massge, exfoliation, pedicure, etc. I've been saving it as my reward for completing Spring Quarter....I love having pretty toes. It makes me feel so feminine and pretty....

I am also going to make lots of cards during my "spring break." I also need to finally make these hydrangea wreaths from flowers I dried last summer.....Then, Joe and I are working on turning our upstairs loft area into a "family convergence zone" of more functional space. When we added Melanie's bedroom, it cut our big bonus room in half, which still left us with a good size "loft." We want the space to include our computer area, my craft area and an area for the kids to watch TV. Since we only have one family room area in our house, I want to create another one upstairs in the loft, so it's easier for the kids to have friends over. If they have friends spend the night and are watching movies, there will be a place for us to go and hang out, too.....Anyway, we had a guy come out and do an estimate on doing built-ins, but it came to $5,000, so that option is out! We don't have THAT fancy of a house! So, I think Joe and I are going to make a trip down to IKEA and find some stuff. I'm hoping we can do it for CHEAP, and still have it look half-way decent. At this point, I really don't care too much - I just want this space for the kids NOW. They're at an important age for friends, and I want a home that is conducive to that.....

All in all, I'm going to ENJOY my time off from school! It starts back up on April 2nd, which will be here before I know it!!

Ben's tooth came out this morning! (Or, rather, he let mom yank it out)....



Proud, toothless boy :)

What College Is For

I was actually able to help Melanie with her math homework tonight! I can hardly believe it myself. Normally, I would say "Sorry. Can't help ya. Go ask our neighbor." Now, I know how to do it!! I told her "I went to college so I can help my kids with their homework!" HAHAHA!!



Melanie with a kiss of appreciation....She took this picture of herself, by the way. We frequently find pictures similar to this one on our cell phones....

Hangin' By A Thread..

Check it out! Ben has his first loose tooth, and it's just hangin' there...




Dontcha just want to yank it??




He's got some cute freckles to go along with that tooth.....

He got the job!!

Thanks for praying, all your "pray-ers" out there! Joe found out this morning that he got the job! SWEET! Thanks to YOU, God! :)

Yahoo!!

I was folding some laundry tonight before going to bed, thinking about tomorrow, when all of the sudden I realized I don't have to get up for math class since I took my final today!!! I squealed out loud with glee! Ben said, "Does that mean I can walk to the bus stop?" (We usually drive up there, since I leave for class right after he boards the bus). I said "No, I still want to drive, because I want to stay in the warm car." He says "Well, then I can walk and you can drive." HAHA!! I think he just wants to be like the other kids who walk up to the bus stop. But, I'M staying in the car, baby!! I like the HEATER!! Then, when I go home, I may just stay in my pajamas ALL day! :)

Next week...

I have three words to say about next week: Final exams. PRAY.

That's what I'm talkin' about....

You know what's really great? Singing your heart out to God at church with your family beside you. Then, looking over and seeing your teenage daughter with raised hands singing her heart out....That's what I'm talkin' about....

Youth Conference

My girls spent the weekend at a youth conference hosted by our church. I was so excited for them, I wished I could go! :) The conference included other youth groups from around the region in our denomination, as well as some groups from other churches. It started Thursday night with a speaker and fun. On Friday, the girls skipped school and were at the conference at 9:00 AM for two sessions of speakers. Then, they hopped on charter busses (Amanda went to Seattle with the high-schoolers, and Melanie went to the mall for scavenger hunts and food). Everyone reconvened for another speaker at 7:00 PM and a concert at 10:00 PM. I went to bed, so I have no idea when Joe picked them up. Melanie had a friend spend the night, and they're going back for the final session this morning (Saturday).....It reminds me of the days Joe and I were youth pastors, and took groups of kids places.....

Anyway, I'm just so pleased and proud that my kids are in such an awesome youth group. This time in their lives is so short, and I'm so glad they are involved in something as successful as this. They are truly loved on, receive quality teaching and are given opportunities to get to know other kids more closely. I love that my girls are in small groups with kids from their schools. There's something to be said for knowing other Christian kids from your school. It's such a great kind of encouragement in the daily grind of school....

I love the church for myself, too....I've just begun to try to call it "my" church. It feels strange to have invested so much time and energy in the other church, and go call some other place "my" church. I probably will feel more ownership if I start serving, I'm sure. But, I'm still not really ready. Plus, I'm pretty focused on school. Family and school. That's what encompasses my life right now....

Things to pray for...

I thought maybe it might be nice to post some things I would like prayer for - just in case you're a "pray-er" reading this site! :) I would appreciate those prayers - and then maybe I'll post answers....Anyway, one thing I would love prayer for is, that Joe to receives a job he has a bid in for. He is bidding for what's called a "lead" position, so it is a promotion. Yes, it would mean more money, which we could sure use. We were basically not going to have an increase in income until I graduate from school and get my job. It's been tighter with the loss of income after his retirement....God has blessed us with some overtime he has been able to get at work, but that isn't income that can always be counted on. And, it just seems like the more our kids get older, the more expensive they get! Their clothes cost more, their activities cost more, etc.! Not to mention Amanda getting her license soon (she has her permit). And what's up with everything in this world going up in price? Gasoline, utilities.....fruit, even? Ugh...So, this job would be nice for us...Pray that he gets it!

YESSSSS!!!

YES! I got 200 out of 200 on my final essay in my ENG 101 class!! I have a 4.0 in the class! SWEET!! This is good, because every grade I receive in my pre-req's are equivalent to points in being accepted in the ultrasound program. For example 4.o equals 4 points. And, the more points I have, the better standing I'll have in the acceptance process. I can also earn points by volunteering/observing in a medical care facility. I can get 2 points for 199 hours or less. It's not very many points for so many hours, but everything is going to help in such a competitive program. Plus, I have God on my side, and all things are possible with Him......

This is why...

This is why I don't like helping in Ben's kindergarten class. Here's what his teacher is like. Today, I had to rip down green, paper daffodil leaves from the hallway bulletin boards. Why? Because she didn't like them. (I feel bad for the mom who put them up). Now, she told me in passing, to take down the old daffodil leaves and put up the new ones. Knowing her and her lack of specific directions, I KNEW that something was going to be wrong with taking all the leaves off. So, I told the other helper, "I'm not doin' it." The other mom helper confirmed that "yes, we ARE supposed to take down all the carefully placed, OLD daffodil leaves." OK. So, I start helping the other mom. We were almost done, when guess who comes around the corner, but the teacher. She says "NO, NO, don't take down the stems! And, don't take off the flowers!" Well, the stems were the same shape as the leaves, mind you!! Then, in removing some of the leaves, some of the flowers had to come off because they were attached. Of course, I had to defend that to her. I KNEW there would be something she would comment on!!

THEN! She hands me a box of Cheez-its, and says "would you pass these out?" She instructs the children to hold out their "fish bowl" hands, and receive the crackers. So, I do this. Then, of course, she comes along and says to the children in an annoying sing-song voice "Oh - that's too many!! You only have two minutes to eat them!" OF COURSE.....

This is why I don't like to help in her class. She will tell me to do something with minimal instruction, and then criticize what I do after I do it! UGH!!

It's days like this when I really need some chocolate...

20 Year Reunion

We got an email the other day informing us that Joe's 20-year high school reunion is being planned!! One of our high school friends sent the email, and said "I guess it's time to start working out!" HAHA! Another friend said "I guess I better break out the Rogaine." HAHA! Since Joe and I went to the same high school, I'm excited and interested to see what people look like now and what things they're doing in their lives. Joe could care care less, can you believe that?! He says he already sees the people he wants to see from high school. My response is "then we'll go have a fun night with those people!" Plus, I hope there's dancing, because I always love a chance to dance with my husband. The thing I don't think he realizes is, is that a lot of people will probably want to see HIM. He was voted class clown, and was well-liked. I think most people knew him. Anyway, I think at least I'M going to enjoy his reunion! Even then, I enjoyed his class more than mine. I probably won't go to my reunion next year.....Maybe if there's dancing....:)

Little Artist..

Benny stayed home from school today with a sore and scratchy throat and ugly cough. Joe stayed up to be with him while I went to math class. When I got home, Ben announced that he had been "painting the whole time." I have such an artsy family! Here's his pirate ship:

They must be happy pirates! :)

We're Winners!!

Today I found out that Joe and I won free registration to a "Weekend to Remember" marriage conference (worth about $238)! I entered a Christian radio contest by sending an email stating why we deserved to win the contest, and we were selected from three finalists!! This is a very well-known conference held throughout the country (and maybe world) with excellent content and speakers. It's going to be a great time - especially since it's the same weekend as our 17th wedding anniversary!!

Card therapy...

Making cards is therapy....This past weekend I had a therapy session with three cards. Here they are...






I love this paper. It's printed to look distressed and worn. The flower actually was cut from the coordinating floral paper. I layered it with some vellum, and attached it with a black snap. The tag has a rub-on swirl and is attached with funky yarn. This card is one of my first large square ones I've tried. It's 5 1/2" X 5 1/2." Most of my cards are 4 1/4 "X 5 1/2"








This paper is from one of my favorite companies, BasicGrey. They create some very artistic paper lines. This one is from the LilyKate line. I layered paper flowers behind the silk ones with little brads.








This printed paper is actually the same paper as the one above, I just cut a different portion out. Then, I stamped a hummingbird on vellum. I only glued the center of the bird, and then curled the edges a little so it looks 3-D. The scanner cut off some of the blue underlayer, but it's there.


Ooooh - and I found an awesome little paper shop in Sumner on Saturday! It's called "Paper Muse." They carry almost everything from BasicGrey and Seven Gypsies. Joe waited patiently while I looked at everything in the store, and picked out these papers. I love paper. Buying new sheets of paper keeps me inspired to create.....

Kindergarten...

I help in Ben's kindergarten class twice a month. Today was my day. Today was their "100 day," which means they have spent 100 days in kindergarten, and everything was about the number 100. I helped with painting "zero the hero" (a guy with a big zero on his belly) and drawing self-portraits of what they will look like when they're 100 years old.

I really help in the classroom for Ben's sake. It's OK - it's just not my super favorite thing to do. It's crazy and noisy and the teacher can be a bit cranky. Buy, today I got cake, so I was happy....:)

I'm the mother of a bride....

Amanda found out today that she got the part of the bride in "Father of the Bride," a play her high school will be performing in May!! I told her to text me this code if she got the part of the bride: dum dum dee dum. I was in my car when I got the text, and I let out an audible "OHHH!!" Then, I started laughing with pride. It's so cool to have such talented kids, plus Amanda really wanted this, and I'm so happy for her!! Having been a part of high school plays myself, I know this is going to be a memorable, if not life-changing experience for her. THIS IS SO COOL...